SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Exhibit 6.17
Execution Version
SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is made as of is made as of April 05, 2023, by and among PromiCell, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and the investors listed on Exhibit A attached to this Agreement (each a “Purchaser” and together the “Purchasers”).
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Purchase and Sale of Preferred Stock.
1.1 Sale and Issuance of Preferred Stock.
(a) The Company shall have adopted and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on or before the Closing (as defined below) the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the form of Exhibit C attached to this Agreement (the “Restated Certificate”). Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Purchaser agrees to purchase at the Closing (as defined below) and the Company agrees to sell and issue to each Purchaser at the Closing that number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), set forth opposite each Purchaser’s name on Exhibit A, at a purchase price of $1.00 per share. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued to the Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement shall be referred to in this Agreement as the “Shares.”
(b) Each Purchaser will receive a warrant substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Warrant Agreement”), to purchase the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock purchased by such Purchaser at the Closing.
1.2 Closing; Delivery.
(a) The purchase and sale of the Shares shall take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures, at 5:30 a.m. est, on April 05, 2023, or at such other time and place as the Company and the Purchasers mutually agree upon, orally or in writing (which time and place are designated as the “Closing”).
(b) In the event there is more than one closing, the term “Closing” shall apply to each such closing unless otherwise specified.
(c) At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to each Purchaser a notice of issuance or an electronic certificate representing the Shares being purchased by such Purchaser at the Closing against payment of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer to a bank account designated by the Company.
1.3 Use of Proceeds. In accordance with the directions of the Company’s Board of Directors, as it shall be constituted in accordance with the Voting Agreement, the Company will use the proceeds from the sale of the Shares for product development and other general corporate purposes.
1.4 Defined Terms Used in this Agreement. In addition to the terms defined above, the following terms used in this Agreement shall be construed to have the meanings set forth or referenced below.
(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, including, without limitation, any general partner, managing member, officer, director or trustee of such Person, or any venture capital fund or registered investment company now or hereafter existing that is controlled by one (1) or more general partners, managing members or investment advisers of, or shares the same management company or investment adviser with, such Person.
(b) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(c) “Company Intellectual Property” means all patents, patent applications, registered and unregistered trademarks, trademark applications, registered and unregistered service marks, service mark applications, tradenames, copyrights, trade secrets, domain names, information and proprietary rights and processes, similar or other intellectual property rights, subject matter of any of the foregoing, tangible embodiments of any of the foregoing, licenses in, to and under any of the foregoing, and in any and all such cases as are necessary to the Company in the conduct of the Company’s business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted.
(d) “Encumbrance” means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, option, usufructus right, restriction, right of first refusal, right of pre-emption or other third-party right or interest, other encumbrance or security interest of any kind, or another type of preferential arrangement (including a title transfer or retention arrangement) or commitment of any kind having similar effect.
(e) “Indemnification Agreement” means the agreement to be executed between the Company and the members of the Company’s board of directors, in the form of Exhibit E attached to this Agreement.
(f) “Investors’ Rights Agreement” means the agreement among the Company and the Purchasers dated as of the date of the Closing, in the form of Exhibit F attached to this Agreement.
(g) “Key Employee” means any executive-level employee (including division director and vice president-level positions) as well as any employee or consultant who either alone or in concert with others develops, invents, programs or designs any Company Intellectual Property.
(h) “Knowledge” including the phrase “to the Company’s Knowledge” shall mean the actual knowledge of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ as well as any other officer or Key Employee of the Company, after having made reasonable inquiry, where such person would not expect to be aware of such information. Additionally, for purposes of Section 2.8, the Company shall be deemed to have “knowledge” of a patent right if the Company has actual knowledge of the patent right or would be found to be on notice of such patent right as determined by reference to United States patent laws.
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(i) “Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on the business, assets (including intangible assets), liabilities, financial condition, property or results of operations or prospects of the Company.
(j) “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or other entity.
(k) “Purchaser” means each of the Purchasers who is initially a party to this Agreement and any purchaser who, within 90 days of the Closing, becomes a party to the Transaction Agreements (as defined below), by executing and delivering a counterpart signature page to each of the Transaction Agreements (the “Additional Purchasers”). Exhibit A to this Agreement shall be updated to reflect any Additional Purchasers..
(l) “Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement” means the agreement among the Company, the Purchasers, and certain other stockholders of the Company, dated as of the date of the Closing, in the form of Exhibit G attached to this Agreement.
(m) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(n) “Transaction Agreements” means this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Investors’ Rights Agreement, the Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement and the Voting Agreement.
(o) “Voting Agreement” means the agreement among the Company, the Purchasers and certain other stockholders of the Company, dated as of the date of the Closing, in the form of Exhibit H attached to this Agreement.
2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to each Purchaser that, except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule attached as Exhibit D to this Agreement, which exceptions shall be deemed to be part of the representations and warranties made hereunder, the following representations are true, accurate, complete and not misleading as of the date of execution of this Agreement and as of the Closing, except as otherwise indicated. The Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in sections corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections contained in this Section 2. The disclosures in any section of the Disclosure Schedule shall qualify other sections in this Section 2 where such disclosure would appropriate and the appropriateness of such disclosure is reasonably apparent from a reading of the disclosure and the representations and warranties by a sophisticated investor.
For purposes of these representations and warranties (other than those in Sections 2.2, 2.3 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6), the term the “Company” shall include any subsidiaries of the Company, unless otherwise noted herein.
2.1 Organization, Good Standing, Corporate Power and Qualification. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted. The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect.
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2.2 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized capital of the Company consists, immediately prior to the Closing, of:
(i) 35,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), 13,187,500 shares of which are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing. All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized, are fully paid and nonassessable and were issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws.
(ii) 14,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, all of which have been designated Series A Preferred Stock and none of which are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing. The rights, privileges and preferences of the Preferred Stock are as stated in the Restated Certificate and as provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law.
(b) The Company has reserved 2,374,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company pursuant to its 2023 Equity Compensation Plan duly adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the Company stockholders (the “Stock Plan”). Of such reserved shares of Common Stock, no shares have been issued pursuant to restricted stock purchase agreements, nooptions to purchase shares have been granted and are currently outstanding, and 2,374,000 shares of Common Stock remain available for issuance to officers, directors, employees and consultants pursuant to the Stock Plan. The Company has furnished to the Purchasers complete and accurate copies of the Stock Plan and forms of agreements used thereunder.
(c) Section 2.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth the capitalization of the Company immediately following the Closing including the number of shares of the following: (i) issued and outstanding Common Stock, including, with respect to restricted Common Stock, vesting schedule and repurchase price; (ii) outstanding stock options, including vesting schedule and exercise price; (iii) shares of Common Stock reserved for future award grants under the Stock Plan; (iv) each series of Preferred Stock; and (v) warrants or stock purchase rights, if any. Except for (A) the conversion privileges of the Shares to be issued under this Agreement, (B) the rights provided in the Investors’ Rights Agreement, and (C) the securities and rights described in Sections 2.2(a)(ii) and 2.2(b) of this Agreement and Section 2.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights (including conversion or preemptive rights and rights of first refusal or similar rights) or agreements, orally or in writing, to purchase or acquire from the Company any shares of Common Stock or Series A Preferred Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock or Series A Preferred Stock.
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(d) None of the Company’s stock purchase agreements or stock option documents contains a provision for mandatory acceleration of vesting (or lapse of a repurchase right) or other changes in the vesting provisions or other terms of such agreement or understanding upon the occurrence of any event or combination of events, including, without limitation, in the case where the Company’s Stock Plan is not assumed in an acquisition. The Company has never adjusted or amended the exercise price of any stock options previously awarded, whether through amendment, cancellation, replacement grant, repricing, or any other means. Except as set forth in the Restated Certificate, the Company has no obligation (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or redeem any of its capital stock.
(e) The Company has obtained valid waivers of any rights by other parties to purchase any of the Shares covered by this Agreement.
2.3 Subsidiaries. The Company does not currently own or control, directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, trust, joint venture, limited liability company, association, or other business entity. The Company is not a participant in any joint venture, partnership or similar arrangement.
2.4 Authorization. All corporate action required to be taken by the Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders in order to authorize the Company to enter into the Transaction Agreements, and to issue the Shares at the Closing and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Shares, has been taken or will be taken prior to the Closing. All action on the part of the officers of the Company necessary for the execution and delivery of the Transaction Agreements, the performance of all obligations of the Company under the Transaction Agreements to be performed as of the Closing, and the issuance and delivery of the Shares has been taken or will be taken prior to the Closing. The Transaction Agreements, when executed and delivered by the Company, shall constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies, or (iii) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Investors’ Rights Agreement and the Indemnification Agreement may be limited by applicable federal or state securities laws.
2.5 Valid Issuance of Shares. The Shares, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms and for the consideration set forth in this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of restrictions on transfer or other Encumbrance other than restrictions on transfer under the Transaction Agreements, applicable state and federal securities laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser. Assuming the accuracy of the representations of the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement and subject to the filings described in the Voting Agreement, the Shares will be issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. The Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Shares has been duly reserved for issuance, and upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of restrictions on transfer or other Encumbrance other than restrictions on transfer under the Transaction Agreements, applicable federal and state securities laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser. Assuming the accuracy of the representations of the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement and in the Voting Agreement, the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Shares will be issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws.
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2.6 Governmental Consents and Filings. Assuming the accuracy of the representations made by the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement, no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing with, any federal, state or local governmental authority is required on the part of the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for (i) the filing of the Restated Certificate, which will have been filed as of the Closing, and (ii) filings pursuant to applicable securities laws, which have been made or will be made in a timely manner.
2.7 Litigation. There is no claim, action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, complaint, charge or, to the Company’s Knowledge, investigation pending or to the Company’s Knowledge, currently threatened (i) against the Company or any officer, director or Key Employee of the Company arising out of their employment or board relationship with the Company; (ii) that questions the validity of the Transaction Agreements or the right of the Company to enter into them, or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements or (iii) that would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any of its officers, directors or Key Employees is a party or is named as subject to the provisions of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government agency or instrumentality (in the case of officers, directors or Key Employees, such as would affect the Company). There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the Company pending or which the Company intends to initiate. The foregoing includes, without limitation, actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or threatened (or any basis therefor known to the Company) involving the prior employment of any of the Company’s employees, their services provided in connection with the Company’s business, any information or techniques allegedly proprietary to any of their former employers or their obligations under any agreements with prior employers.
2.8 Intellectual Property.
(a) The Company owns or possesses or believes it can acquire on commercially reasonable terms sufficient legal rights to all Company Intellectual Property without any conflict with, or infringement of, the rights of others, including prior employees or consultants, or academic or medical institutions with which any of them may be affiliated now or may have been affiliated in the past. The Company has not received any communications alleging that the Company has violated, or by conducting its business, would violate any of the patents, trademarks, service marks, tradenames, copyrights, trade secrets, mask works or other proprietary rights or processes of any other Person and to the Company’s Knowledge no person intends to deliver such a communication in relation to the Intellectual Property it owns or possesses.
(b) To the Company’s Knowledge no product or service marketed or sold (or proposed to be marketed or sold) by the Company violates or will violate any license or infringes or will infringe any intellectual property rights of any other party.
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(c) Other than with respect to commercially available software products under standard end-user object code license agreements, there are no outstanding options, licenses, agreements, claims, encumbrances or shared ownership interests of any kind relating to the Company Intellectual Property, nor is the Company bound by or a party to any options, licenses or agreements of any kind with respect to the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses, information, proprietary rights and processes of any other Person.
(d) The Company has obtained and possesses valid licenses to use all of the software programs present on the computers and other software-enabled electronic devices that it owns or leases or that it has otherwise provided to its employees for their use in connection with the Company’s business.
(e) It will not be necessary for the Company to use any inventions owned by any of its employees or consultants who are natural persons (or Persons it currently intends to hire) made prior to their employment by the Company, including prior employees or consultants who were natural persons. Each employee and consultant has assigned to the Company all intellectual property rights he or she owns that are related to the Company’s business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted and all intellectual property rights that he, she or it solely or jointly conceived, reduced to practice, developed or made during the period of his, her or its employment or consulting relationship with the Company that (i) relate, at the time of conception, reduction to practice, development, or making of such intellectual property right, to the Company’s business as then conducted or as then proposed to be conducted, (ii) were developed on any amount of the Company’s time or with the use of any of the Company’s equipment, supplies, facilities or information or (iii) resulted from the performance of services for or on behalf of the Company. It will not be necessary to use any inventions of any of its employees or consultants (or Persons it currently intends to hire) made prior to their employment by the Company, including prior employees or consultants, or academic or medical institutions with which any of them may be affiliated now or may have been affiliated in the past.
(f) Section 2.8(f) of the Disclosure Schedule lists all patents, patent applications, registered trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, service mark applications, tradenames, registered copyrights, and licenses to and under any of the foregoing, in each case owned by the Company.
2.9 Compliance with Other Instruments. The Company is not in violation or default (i) of any provisions of its Restated Certificate or Bylaws, (ii) of any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree, (iii) under any note, indenture or mortgage, or (iv) under any lease, agreement, contract or purchase order to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or (v) of any provision of federal or state statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company, the violation of which would have a material impact on the Company . The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements will not result in any such violation or be in conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, either (i) a default under any such provision, instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree, contract or agreement; or (ii) an event which results in the creation of any lien, charge or Encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit or license applicable to the Company.
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2.10 Agreements; Actions.
(a) Except for the Transaction Agreements and agreements entered into with customers or suppliers in the ordinary course of business, there are no agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts or proposed transactions to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound that involve (i) the license of any patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret or other proprietary right to or from the Company, (ii) the grant of rights to manufacture, produce, assemble, license, market, or sell its products to any other Person that limit the Company’s exclusive right to develop, manufacture, assemble, distribute, market or sell its products, (iii) indemnification by the Company with respect to infringements of proprietary rights, (iv) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of, or payments to, the Company in excess of $50,000 or (v) contracts with any governmental entity, agency or instrumentality.
(b) The Company has not (i) declared or paid any dividends, or authorized or made any distribution upon or with respect to any class or series of its capital stock, (ii) incurred any indebtedness for money borrowed or incurred any other liabilities, (iii) made any loans or advances to any Person, other than ordinary advances for business expenses, or (iv) sold, exchanged or otherwise disposed of any of its assets or rights. For the purposes of (a) and (b) of this Section 2.10, all indebtedness, liabilities, agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts and proposed transactions involving the same Person (including Persons the Company has reason to believe are affiliated with each other) shall be aggregated for the purpose of meeting the individual minimum dollar amounts of such section.
(c) The Company is not a guarantor or indemnitor of any indebtedness of any other Person.
(d) To the Company’s Knowledge, except for the Transaction Agreements and previous stock purchase agreements, there are no agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts or proposed transactions between the Company’s shareholders giving to any of them any right in relation to the Company.
2.11 Certain Transactions.
(a) Other than (i) standard employee benefits generally made available to all employees, standard employee offer letters and Confidential Information Agreements (as defined below) included in Section 2.11 of the Disclosure Schedule, (ii) standard director and officer indemnification agreements approved by the Board of Directors, (iii) the purchase of shares of the Company’s capital stock and the issuance of options to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock, in each instance, approved in the written minutes of the Board of Directors (previously provided to the Purchasers or their respective counsel) included in Section 2.11 of the Disclosure Schedule, and (iv) the Transaction Documents, there are no agreements, understandings or proposed transactions between the Company and any of its officers, directors, consultants or Key Employees, or any Affiliate thereof.
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(b) The Company is not indebted, directly or indirectly, to any of its directors, officers or employees or to their respective spouses or children or to any Affiliate of any of the foregoing, other than in connection with expenses or advances of expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business or employee relocation expenses and for other customary employee benefits made generally available to all employees. None of the Company’s directors, officers or employees, or any members of their immediate families, or any Affiliate of the foregoing are, directly or indirectly, indebted to the Company, or, to the Company’s Knowledge, have any (i) material commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable or familial relationship with any of the Company’s customers, suppliers, service providers, joint venture partners, licensees or competitors or (ii) direct or indirect ownership interest in any firm or corporation with which the Company is affiliated or with which the Company has a business relationship or any firm or corporation which competes with the Company.
2.12 Rights of Registration and Voting Rights. Except as provided in the Investors’ Rights Agreement and assuming the accuracy of the representations of the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement, the Company is not under any obligation to register under the Securities Act any of its currently outstanding securities or any securities issuable upon exercise or conversion of its currently outstanding securities. To the Company’s Knowledge, except as contemplated in the Voting Agreement, no stockholder of the Company has entered into any agreements with respect to the voting of capital shares of the Company.
2.13 Property. The property and assets that the Company owns are free and clear of all mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, loans and Encumbrances, except for statutory liens for the payment of current taxes that are not yet delinquent and encumbrances and liens that arise in the ordinary course of business and do not materially impair the Company’s ownership or use of such property or assets. With respect to the property and assets it leases, the Company is in compliance with such leases and holds a valid leasehold interest free of any liens, claims or encumbrances other than those of the lessors of such property or assets. The Company does not own any real property.
2.14 Employee Matters.
(a) The Company follows appropriate country, state, and local laws to ensure employees are properly classified from a federal and state wage and hour law. There have been no government inquiries or liability by the Company for misclassification, individuals are properly classified as independent contractors as opposed to employees, and the Company does not anticipate incurring any liability with respect to the misclassification of individuals. To the Company’s Knowledge, none of its employees is obligated under any contract (including licenses, covenants or commitments of any nature) or other agreement, or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative agency, that would materially interfere with such employee’s ability to promote the interest of the Company or that would conflict with the Company’s business. Neither the execution or delivery of the Transaction Agreements, nor the carrying on of the Company’s business by the employees of the Company, nor the conduct of the Company’s business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted, will, to the Company’s Knowledge, conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any contract, covenant or instrument under which any such employee is now obligated.
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(b) The Company is not delinquent in payments to any of its employees, consultants, or independent contractors for any wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, or other direct compensation for any service performed for it to the date hereof or amounts required to be reimbursed to such employees, consultants or independent contractors. The Company has complied in all material respects with all applicable state and federal equal employment opportunity laws and with other laws related to employment, including those related to wages, hours, worker classification and collective bargaining. The Company has withheld and paid to the appropriate governmental entity or is holding for payment not yet due to such governmental entity all amounts required to be withheld from employees of the Company and is not liable for any arrears of wages, taxes, penalties or other sums for failure to comply with any of the foregoing.
(c) To the Company’s Knowledge, no Key Employee intends to terminate employment with the Company or is otherwise likely to become unavailable to continue as a Key Employee. The Company does not have a present intention to terminate the employment of any of the foregoing. The employment of each employee of the Company is terminable at the will of the Company. Except as set forth in Section 2.14(c)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule or as required by law, upon termination of the employment of any such employees, no severance or other payments will become due. Except as set forth in Section 2.14(c)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has no policy, practice, plan or program of paying severance pay or any form of severance compensation in connection with the termination of employment services.
(d) The Company has not made any representations regarding equity incentives to any officer, employee, director or consultant that are inconsistent with the share amounts and terms set forth in the minutes of meetings of (or actions taken by unanimous written consent by) the Company’s Board of Directors and provided to the Purchasers.
(e) Each former Key Employee whose employment was terminated by the Company has entered into an agreement with the Company providing for the full release of any claims against the Company or any related party arising out of such employment.
(f) Section 2.14(f) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth each employee benefit plan maintained, established or sponsored by the Company, or which the Company participates in or contributes to, which is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). The Company has made all required contributions and has no liability to any such employee benefit plan, other than liability for health plan continuation coverage described in Part 6 of Title I(B) of ERISA, and has complied in all material respects with all applicable laws for any such employee benefit plan.
(g) To the Company’s Knowledge, none of the Key Employees or directors of the Company has been (i) subject to voluntary or involuntary petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law or the appointment of a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer by a court for his or her business or property; (ii) convicted in a criminal proceeding or named as a subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses); (iii) subject to any order, judgment or decree (not subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated) of any court of competent jurisdiction permanently or temporarily enjoining him or her from engaging, or otherwise imposing limits or conditions on his or her engagement in any securities, investment advisory, banking, insurance, or other type of business or acting as an officer or director of a public company; or (iv) found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any federal or state securities, commodities, or unfair trade practices law, which such judgment or finding has not been subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated.
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(h) There are no labor disputes, work stoppages, or charges of unfair labor practices.
2.15 Tax Returns and Payments. There are no federal, state, county, local or foreign taxes due and payable by the Company which have not been timely paid. There are no accrued and unpaid federal, state, country, local or foreign taxes of the Company which are due, whether or not assessed or disputed. There have been no examinations or audits of any tax returns or reports by any applicable federal, state, local or foreign governmental agency. The Company has duly and timely filed all federal, state, county, local and foreign tax returns required to have been filed by it and there are in effect no waivers of applicable statutes of limitations with respect to taxes for any year.
2.16 Insurance. The Company has in full force and effect insurance policies concerning such casualties as would be reasonable and customary for companies like the Company, with extended coverage, sufficient in amount (subject to reasonable deductions) to allow it to replace any of its properties that might be damaged or destroyed.
2.17 Employee Agreements. Each current and former employee, consultant and officer of the Company has executed an agreement with the Company regarding confidentiality and proprietary information substantially in the form or forms delivered to the Purchasers or their respective counsel (the “Confidential Information Agreements”). Also, each current and former employee, consultant involved in development of Company Intellectual Property and officer of the Company has executed an agreement with the Company regarding invention assignment substantially in the form or forms included in Section 2.17 of the Disclosure Schedule. No current or former Key Employee has excluded works or inventions from his or her assignment of inventions pursuant to such Key Employee’s Confidential Information Agreement. Each current and former Key Employee has executed a non-solicitation agreement substantially in the form or forms included in Section 2.17 of the Disclosure Schedule. The Company is not aware after making reasonable enquiries that any of its Key Employees is in violation of any agreement described in this Section 2.17.
2.18 Permits. The Company has all franchises, permits, licenses and any similar authority necessary for the conduct of its business. The Company is not in default in any material respect under any of such franchises, permits, licenses or other similar authority.
2.19 Corporate Documents. The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company as of the date of this Agreement are in the form provided to the Purchasers. The copy of the minute books of the Company provided to the Purchasers contains minutes of all meetings of directors and stockholders and all actions by written consent without a meeting by the directors and stockholders since the date of incorporation and accurately reflects in all material respects all actions by the directors (and any committee of directors) and stockholders.
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2.20 Real Property Holding Corporation. The Company is not now and has never been a “United States real property holding corporation” as defined in the Code and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder. The Company has filed with the Internal Revenue Service all statements, if any, with its United States income tax returns which are required under such regulations.
2.21 No Undisclosed Liabilities. The Company is a newly formed entity and does not have any audited or unaudited financial statements. Except as set forth in Section 2.21 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not carry any debts, payables or liabilities.
2.22 Data Privacy. In connection with its collection, storage, use and/or disclosure of any information that constitutes “personal information,” “personal data” or “personally identifiable information” as defined in applicable laws (collectively “Personal Information”) by or on behalf of the Company, the Company is and has been in compliance with (i) all applicable laws (including, without limitation, laws relating to privacy, data security, telephone and text message communications, and marketing by email or other channels) in all relevant jurisdictions, (ii) the Company’s privacy policies, and (iii) the requirements of any contract codes of conduct or industry standards by which the Company is bound. The Company maintains and has maintained reasonable physical, technical, and administrative security measures and policies designed to protect all Personal Information owned, stored, used, maintained or controlled by or on behalf of the Company from and against unlawful, accidental or unauthorized access, destruction, loss, use, modification and/or disclosure. The Company is and has been, to the Company’s Knowledge, in compliance in all material respects with all laws relating to data loss, theft and breach of security notification obligations. To the Company’s Knowledge, there has been no occurrence of (x) unlawful, accidental or unauthorized destruction, loss, use, modification or disclosure of or access to Personal Information owned, stored, used, maintained or controlled by or on behalf of the Company (y) unauthorized access to or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets.
2.23 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Neither the Company nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents have, directly or indirectly, made, offered, promised or authorized any payment or gift of any money or anything of value to or for the benefit of any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the “FCPA”)), foreign political party or official thereof or candidate for foreign political office for the purpose of (i) influencing any official act or decision of such official, party or candidate, (ii) inducing such official, party or candidate to use his, her or its influence to affect any act or decision of a foreign governmental authority, or (iii) securing any improper advantage, in the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) above in order to assist the Company or any of its affiliates in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any person. Neither the Company nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents have made or authorized any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment of funds or received or retained any funds in violation of any law, rule or regulation. The Company further represents that it has maintained, and has caused each of its subsidiaries and affiliates to maintain, systems of internal controls (including, but not limited to, accounting systems, purchasing systems and billing systems) and written policies to ensure compliance with the FCPA or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti- corruption law, and to ensure that all books and records of the Company accurately and fairly reflect, in reasonable detail, all transactions and dispositions of funds and assets. Neither the Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its officers, directors or employees are the subject of any allegation, voluntary disclosure, investigation, prosecution or other enforcement action related to the FCPA or any other anti-corruption law (collectively, “Enforcement Action”). There are no violations, red flags, external or internal investigations, whistleblower reports, or other anti-corruption compliance concerns at the Company. Also, to the Company’s knowledge, there are no significant shareholders (greater than 5%), directors, officers, employees, or third- party representatives that are foreign government officials or close relatives of a foreign government official.
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3. Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers. Each Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company, severally and not jointly, that:
3.1 Authorization. The Purchaser has full power and authority to enter into the Transaction Agreements. The Transaction Agreements to which the Purchaser is a party, when executed and delivered by the Purchaser, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Purchaser, enforceable against such Purchaser in accordance with their terms, except (a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies, or (b) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Investors’ Rights Agreement may be limited by applicable federal or state securities laws.
3.2 Purchase Entirely for Own Account. This Agreement is made with the Purchaser in reliance upon the Purchaser’s representation to the Company, which by the Purchaser’s execution of this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby confirms, that the Shares to be acquired by the Purchaser will be acquired for investment for the Purchaser’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and that the Purchaser has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. By executing this Agreement, the Purchaser further represents that the Purchaser does not presently have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any Person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such Person or to any third Person, with respect to any of the Shares. The Purchaser has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Shares.
3.3 Disclosure of Information. The Purchaser has had an opportunity to discuss the Company’s business, management, financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares with the Company’s management. The foregoing, however, does not limit or modify the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 2 of this Agreement or the right of the Purchasers to rely thereon.
EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN SECTION 2, THE COMPANY DOES NOT MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, WRITTEN OR ORAL, STATUTORY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPANY OR ITS BUSINESS, OPERATIONS, ASSETS, EQUITY, FACILITIES CONDITION (FINANCIAL OR OTHERWISE) OR PROSPECTS. HOLDER HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY CLAIMS AND CAUSES OF ACTION AND ANY OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, AT COMMON LAW, BY STATUTE OR OTHERWISE IN EACH CASE RELATING TO THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS OR MATERIALITY OF ANY INFORMATION, DATE OR OTHER MATERIALS (WRITTEN OR ORAL) HERETOFORE FURNISHED TO HOLDER BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN SECTION 2.
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3.4 Restricted Securities. The Purchaser understands that the Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Purchaser’s representations as expressed herein. The Purchaser understands that the Shares are “restricted securities” under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, the Purchaser must hold the Shares indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Shares, or the Common Stock into which it may be converted, for resale except as set forth in the Investors’ Rights Agreement. The Purchaser further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Shares, and on requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Purchaser’s control, and which the Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.
3.5 No Public Market. The Purchaser understands that no public market now exists for the Shares, and that the Company has made no assurances that a public market will ever exist for the Shares.
3.6 Legends. The Purchaser understands that the Shares and any securities issued in respect of or exchange for the Shares, may be notated with one or all of the following legends:
“THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. THE SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED OR TRANSFERRED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN A FORM SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.”
(a) Any legend set forth in, or required by, the other Transaction Agreements.
(b) Any legend required by the securities laws of any state to the extent such laws are applicable to the Shares represented by the certificate, instrument, or book entry so legended.
3.7 Accredited Investor. The Purchaser is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.
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3.8 Foreign Investors. If the Purchaser is not a United States person (as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), the Purchaser hereby represents that it has satisfied itself as to the full observance of the laws of its jurisdiction in connection with any invitation to subscribe for the Shares or any use of this Agreement, including (i) the legal requirements within its jurisdiction for the purchase of the Shares, (ii) any foreign exchange restrictions applicable to such purchase, (iii) any governmental or other consents that may need to be obtained, and (iv) the income tax and other tax consequences, if any, that may be relevant to the purchase, holding, redemption, sale, or transfer of the Shares. The Purchaser’s subscription and payment for and continued beneficial ownership of the Shares will not violate any applicable securities or other laws of the Purchaser’s jurisdiction. The Purchaser is not subject to any sanctions or other laws that would prohibit the transactions contemplated hereby or require regulatory approval of the transactions contemplated.
3.9 Exculpation Among Purchasers. The Purchaser acknowledges that it is not relying upon any Person, other than the Company and its officers and directors, in making its investment or decision to invest in the Company. The Purchaser agrees that neither any Purchaser nor the respective controlling Persons, officers, directors, partners, agents, or employees of any Purchaser shall be liable to any other Purchaser for any action heretofore taken or omitted to be taken by any of them in connection with the purchase of the Shares.
3.10 Residence. If the Purchaser is an individual, then the Purchaser resides in the state or province identified in the address of the Purchaser set forth on the signature page; if the Purchaser is a partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other entity, then the registered office is identified in the address set forth for the Purchaser on the signature page.
4. Conditions to the Purchasers’ Obligations at the Closing. The obligations of each Purchaser to purchase Shares at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived:
4.1 Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 2 shall be true, accurate, correct, complete and not misleading in all respects as of the Closing.
4.2 Performance. The Company shall have performed and complied with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by the Company on or before the Closing.
4.3 Compliance Certificate. The President of the Company shall deliver to the Purchasers at the Closing a certificate certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 have been fulfilled.
4.4 Qualifications. All authorizations, approvals or permits, if any, of any governmental authority or regulatory body of the United States or of any state that are required in connection with the lawful issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be obtained and effective as of the Closing.
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4.5 Investors’ Rights Agreement. The Company and each Purchaser (other than the Purchaser relying upon this condition to excuse such Purchaser’s performance hereunder) shall have executed and delivered the Investors’ Rights Agreement.
4.6 Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement. The Company and each Purchaser (other than the Purchaser relying upon this condition to excuse such Purchaser’s performance hereunder) shall have executed and delivered the Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement.
4.7 Voting Agreement. The Company and each Purchaser (other than the Purchaser relying upon this condition to excuse such Purchaser’s performance hereunder) thereto shall have executed and delivered the Voting Agreement.
4.8 Restated Certificate. The Company shall have filed the Restated Certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware on or prior to the Closing, which shall continue to be in full force and effect as of the Closing.
4.9 Warrant Agreement. The Company and each Purchaser shall have executed and delivered the Warrant Agreement.
4.10 Secretary’s Certificate. The Secretary of the Company shall have delivered to the Purchasers at the Closing a certificate certifying (i) the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company as in effect at the Closing, (ii) resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company approving the Transaction Agreements and the transactions contemplated under the Transaction Agreements, and (iii) resolutions of the stockholders of the Company approving the Restated Certificate.
4.11 Proceedings and Documents. All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated at the Closing and all documents incident thereto shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to each Purchaser, and each Purchaser (or its respective counsel) shall have received all such counterpart original and certified or other copies of such documents as reasonably requested. Such documents may include good standing certificates.
4.12 Absence of Material Adverse Effect. No Material Adverse Effect having occurred between the day of execution of this Agreement and Closing.
5. Conditions of the Company’s Obligations at Closing. The obligations of the Company to sell Shares to the Purchasers at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived:
5.1 Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of each Purchaser contained in Section 3 shall be true, accurate, correct. complete and not misleading in all respects as of the Closing.
5.2 Performance. The Purchasers shall have performed and complied with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by them on or before the Closing.
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5.3 Qualifications. All authorizations, approvals or permits, if any, of any governmental authority or regulatory body of the United States or of any state that are required in connection with the lawful issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be obtained and effective as of the Closing.
5.4 Investors’ Rights Agreement. Each Purchaser shall have executed and delivered the Investors’ Rights Agreement.
5.5 Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement. Each Purchaser shall have executed and delivered the Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement.
5.6 Voting Agreement. Each Purchaser shall have executed and delivered the Voting Agreement.
5.7 Warrant Agreement. The Company and each Purchaser shall have executed and delivered the Warrant Agreement.
6. Miscellaneous.
6.1 Survival of Warranties. Unless otherwise set forth in this Agreement, the representations and warranties of the Company and the Purchasers contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Closing and shall in no way be affected by any investigation or knowledge of the subject matter thereof made by or on behalf of the Purchasers or the Company.
6.2 Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
6.3 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal law of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of the State of Delaware.
6.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., ▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
6.5 Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
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6.6 Notices.
(a) General. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt, or (a) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by electronic mail during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipient’s next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next business day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective parties at their address as set forth on the signature page or Exhibit A (and if no such address is provided, e-mail notice shall be deemed sufficient), or to such e-mail address or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Section 6.6. If notice is given to the Company, such notice shall to the Company at its principal executive office, to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ and to the following:
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇
Phone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
(b) Consent to Electronic Notice. Each Purchaser consents to the delivery of any stockholder notice pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), as amended or superseded from time to time, by electronic transmission pursuant to Section 232 of the DGCL (or any successor thereto) at the e-mail address set forth below such Purchaser’s name on the signature page or Exhibit A, as updated from time to time by notice to the Company. To the extent that any notice given by means of electronic transmission is returned or undeliverable for any reason, the foregoing consent shall be deemed to have been revoked until a new or corrected e-mail address has been provided, and such attempted electronic notice shall be ineffective and deemed to not have been given. Each Purchaser agrees to promptly notify the Company of any change in its e-mail address, and that failure to do so shall not affect the foregoing.
6.7 No Finder’s Fees. Each party represents that it neither is nor will be obligated for any finder’s fee or commission in connection with this transaction. Each Purchaser agrees to indemnify and to hold harmless the Company from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder’s or broker’s fee arising out of this transaction (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which each Purchaser or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Purchaser from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder’s or broker’s fee arising out of this transaction (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Company or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible.
6.8 Fees and Expenses. The Company and each Purchaser shall be responsible for payment of its own respective fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transaction Agreements and the transactions contemplated thereby.
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6.9 Attorneys’ Fees. If any action at law or in equity (including, arbitration) is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of any of the Transaction Agreements, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.
6.10 Amendments and Waivers. Any amendment, termination or waiver under this Agreement shall be deemed valid only with the written consent of the Company and at least 66.67% of the holders of the Purchasers. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 6.10 shall be binding upon the Purchasers and each transferee of the Shares (or the Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof), each future holder of all such securities, and the Company.
6.11 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.
6.12 Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non- defaulting party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
6.13 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto), the Restated Certificate and the other Transaction Agreements constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the parties are expressly canceled.
6.14 Dispute Resolution. The parties (a) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction of the state courts of Delaware and to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement, (b) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement except in the state courts of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and (c) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court.
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WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL: EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, THE SECURITIES OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THIS SECTION HAS BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THESE PROVISIONS WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXCEPTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.
6.15 Waiver of Conflicts. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP, counsel for the Company, may have in the past performed, and may continue to or in the future perform, legal services for certain of the Purchasers in matters that are similar, but not substantially related, to the transactions described in this Agreement, including the representation of such Purchasers in venture capital financings and other matters. Accordingly, each party to this Agreement hereby acknowledges that (a) they have had an opportunity to ask for information relevant to this disclosure, and (b) ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP represents only the Company with respect to the Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company gives its informed consent to ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP’s representation of the Purchasers in matters not substantially related to this Agreement, and the Purchasers give their informed consent to ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP’s representation of the Company in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
COMPANY: | ||
PROMICELL, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ M.D | |
Name: | ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ M.D | |
Title: | President | |
Address: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
PURCHASER: | ||
PRIME CAP VENTURES, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | |
Name: | ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | |
(print) | ||
Title: | Sole Director | |
Address: ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇-▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Islands |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
PURCHASER: | ||
OLYMPIC INVESTMENTS INC. | ||
By: | /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | |
Name: | ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | |
Title: | President / Director | |
By: | /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | |
Name: | ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | |
Title: | Treasurer | |
5-APRIL-2023 | ||
Address: Olympic Investments Inc. | ||
c/o Asofin Management AG | ||
Heiligkreuz 2, Vaduz | ||
FL 9490, Liechtenstein |
[Signature Page to Series A’ Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement - PromiCell, Inc.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
PURCHASER: | ||
ROSEATE SHIPPING INC. | ||
By: | /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | |
Name: | ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | |
(print) | ||
Title: | DIRECTOR | |
Address: | Stem Shipping Co S.A., | |
c/o Zefi Gritza | ||
▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇. Voula, | ||
Athens-Greece 166 73, Greece |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
PURCHASER: | ||
KARABEL LIMITED | ||
By: | /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | |
Name: | ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | |
(Print) | ||
Title: | Director | |
Address: | ▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇-▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
EXHIBIT A
SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS
Purchaser | Number of Shares | |||
Prime Cap Ventures Inc. | 2,000,000 | |||
Olympic Investments Inc. | 1,000,000 | |||
Karabel Limited | 500,000 | |||
Roseate Shipping Inc. | 500,000 |
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF WARRANT AGREEMENT
Form Version
Privileged and Confidential
THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED OR TRANSFERRED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN A FORM SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.
WARRANT TO PURCHASE SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
Number of Shares: [●] shares, subject to adjustment from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Warrant (the “Shares”)
Type/Series of Stock: Series A Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of PromiCell, Inc. (“Series A Preferred Stock”)
Warrant Price: $2.00 per Share, subject to adjustment
Issue Date: [●], 2023
Expiration Date: [●], 2024
Related Agreement: This Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series A Preferred Stock (“Warrant”) is issued in connection with that certain Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of [●], 2023 (“Series A Purchase Agreement”).
THIS WARRANT CERTIFIES THAT, for good and valuable consideration, [●] (together with any successor or permitted assignee or transferee of this Warrant, “Holder”) is entitled to purchase up to the above-specified number of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Series A Preferred Stock of PromiCell, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), at the Warrant Price, all as set forth above and as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 2 of this Warrant, subject to the provisions and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant.
1. Exercise
1.1 Method of Exercise. Holder may at any time and from time to time exercise this Warrant, in whole or in part, by delivering to the Company the original of this Warrant (provided, however, that if this Warrant is signed electronically or by other transmission method in accordance with Section 5.8 below, surrender of this Warrant shall not be required) together with a duly executed Notice of Exercise in substantially the form attached hereto as Appendix 1 and a check, wire transfer of same-day funds (to an account designated by the Company), or other form of payment acceptable to the Company for the aggregate Warrant Price for the Shares being purchased.
1.2 Delivery of Certificate and New Warrant. Within a reasonable time after Holder exercises this Warrant in the manner set forth in Section 1.1 above, but not later than thirty (30) Business Days, the Company shall deliver to Holder (or person(s) affiliated with the Holder, if the Holder so designates) a certificate (which may be in electronic form) representing the Shares issued to Holder upon such exercise and, if this Warrant has not been fully exercised and has not expired, a new warrant of like tenor representing the Shares not so acquired. The person in whose name any certificate for the acquired Shares are to be issued upon exercise of this Warrant shall be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares on the date on which this Warrant was exercised in the manner set forth in Section 1.1 above, irrespective of the date of delivery of such certificate, except that, if the date of such surrender and payment is a date when the stock transfer books of the Company are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become the holder of such shares at the close of business on the next succeeding date on which the stock transfer books are open.
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1.3 Replacement of Warrant. On receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, on delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form, substance and amount to the Company or, in the case of mutilation, on surrender of this Warrant to the Company for cancellation, the Company shall, within a reasonable time, execute and deliver to Holder, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant on the same terms as this Warrant.
1.4 Treatment of Warrant Upon Acquisition of Company.
(a) For the purpose of this Warrant, “Acquisition” means any transaction or series of related transactions involving: (i) the sale, lease, exclusive license, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (including any subsidiaries); (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company (or its subsidiary if the Corporation issues shares of its capital stock pursuant to such merger or consolidation) into or with another person or entity (other than a merger or consolidation effected exclusively to change the Company’s domicile), or any other corporate reorganization, in which the stockholders of the Company in their capacity as such immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization, own less than a majority of the Company’s (or the surviving or successor entity’s) outstanding voting power immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization); (iii) any merger or consolidation of the Company into or with another person or entity, or any other corporate reorganization, in which (A) the stockholders of the Company in their capacity as such immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization, own a majority of the outstanding voting power of the surviving or successor entity as of immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization, and (B) such surviving or successor entity is not the Company; or (iv) any sale or other transfer by the stockholders of the Company of shares representing at least a majority of the Company’s then-total outstanding combined voting power.
(b) Subject to and upon the consummation of an Acquisition, this Warrant, to the extent not exercised immediately prior to the consummation of such Acquisition, will expire unexercised for no consideration unless and to the extent any consideration is provided for or with respect to this Warrant pursuant to, and in accordance with, the provisions of the definitive agreement to which the Company is a party to effect such Acquisition.
1.5 Joinder to Stockholder Agreements. Any Shares issued upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be subject to all applicable provisions of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time (“Certificate of Incorporation”), the Company’s bylaws, any other documents, instruments and agreements to which the holders of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock generally are a party (the “Stockholder Agreements”), and Holder, to the extent not already a party to such Stockholder Agreements and the shares issuable hereunder not already subject to such Stockholder Agreements, agrees to sign instruments of accession to the applicable Stockholder Agreements promptly following exercise of this Warrant.
2. Adjustments to the Shares and Warrant Price.
2.1 Stock Dividends, Splits, Etc. If the Company declares or pays a dividend or distribution on the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock payable in additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock or other securities or property (other than cash), then upon exercise of this Warrant, for each Share acquired, Holder shall receive, without additional cost to Holder, the total number and kind of securities and property which Holder would have received had Holder owned the Shares of record as of the date the dividend or distribution occurred. If the Company subdivides the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock by reclassification or otherwise into a greater number of shares, the number of Shares purchasable hereunder shall be proportionately increased and the Warrant Price shall be proportionately decreased. If the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are combined or consolidated, by reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser number of shares, the Warrant Price shall be proportionately increased and the number of Shares shall be proportionately decreased.
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2.2 Reclassification, Exchange, Combinations or Substitution. Upon any event whereby all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are reclassified, exchanged, combined, substituted, or replaced for, into, with or by Company securities of a different class and/or series, then from and after the consummation of such event, this Warrant will be exercisable for the number, class and series of Company securities that Holder would have received had the Shares been outstanding on and as of the consummation of such event, and subject to further adjustment thereafter from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant. The provisions of this Section 2.2 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, exchanges, combinations, substitutions, replacements or other similar events.
2.3 No Fractional Share. No fractional Share shall be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant and the number of Shares to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share. All Shares (including fractions) issuable upon exercise of this Warrant may be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the exercise would result in the issuance of any fractional Share. If, after aggregation, the exercise would result in the issuance of a fractional Share, the Company shall, in lieu of issuance of any fractional Share, pay Holder otherwise entitled to such fraction a sum in cash equal to the product resulting from multiplying the Warrant Price per Share by such fraction.
2.4 Notice/Certificate as to Adjustments. Upon each adjustment of the Warrant Price or the kind and/or number of Shares, the Company, at the Company’s expense, shall notify Holder in writing within a reasonable time, but not later than thirty (30) days setting forth the adjustments to the Warrant Price, and/or to the kind or number of Shares, and facts upon which such adjustment is based in reasonable detail. The Company shall, upon written request from Holder, furnish Holder with a certificate of one of its officers, including computations of such adjustment and the Warrant Price, as well as the kind and number of Shares, in effect upon the date of such adjustment.
3. Representations and Covenants of the Company.
3.1 Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Holder as follows:
(a) All Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant, and all securities, if any, issuable upon conversion of the Shares, shall, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and free of any liens and Encumbrances (in the meaning attributed to such term in the Series A Purchase Agreement) except for restrictions on transfer provided for herein or under applicable federal and state securities laws. The Company covenants that it shall at all times cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued capital stock such number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and other securities as will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of this Warrant and conversion of the Shares.
(b) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation, and has the power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and carry on its business as now conducted.
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(c) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Warrant is within the power of the Company and has been duly authorized by all necessary actions on the part of the Company. This Warrant constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.
3.2 Notice of Certain Events. If the Company proposes at any time prior to the earlier exercise in full or expiration of the Warrant to:
(a) declare any dividend or distribution upon the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, whether in cash, property, stock, or other securities and whether or not a regular cash dividend;
(b) offer for subscription or sale pro rata to the holders of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock any additional shares of any class or series of the Company’s stock;
(c) effect any reclassification, exchange, combination, substitution, reorganization or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock;
(d) effect an Acquisition or to liquidate, dissolve or wind up; or
(e) effect its initial, underwritten offering and sale of its securities to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Act (the “IPO”); then, in connection with each such event, the Company shall give Holder:
(i) in the case of the matters referred to in (a) and (b) above, at least ten (10) Business Days prior written notice of the earlier to occur of the effective date thereof or the date on which a record will be taken for such dividend, distribution, or subscription rights (and specifying the date on which the holders of outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled thereto) or for determining rights to vote, if any;
(ii) in the case of the matters referred to in (c) and (d) above at least ten (10) Business Days prior written notice of the date when the same will take place (and specifying the date on which the holders of outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to exchange their shares for the securities or other property deliverable upon the occurrence of such event and such reasonable information as Holder may reasonably require regarding the treatment of this Warrant in connection with such event giving rise to the notice); and
(iii) with respect to the IPO, at least ten (10) Business Days prior written notice of the date on which the Company proposes to publicly file its registration statement in connection therewith.
4. Representations, Warranties of the Holder.
The Holder represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
4.1 Purchase Entirely for Own Account. The Warrant is issued to the Holder in reliance upon the Holder’s representation to the Company, which by the Holder’s execution of this Warrant, the Holder hereby confirms, that Warrant and the Shares which may be issued in connection with the exercise of the Warrant will be acquired for investment for the Holder’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and that the Holder has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. By executing this Warrant, the Holder further represents that the Holder does not presently have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to any of the Shares which may be acquired pursuant to the terms of this Warrant. The Holder has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Shares.
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4.2 Disclosure of Information. The Holder has had an opportunity to discuss the Company’s business, management, financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the Warrant and potential issuance of the Shares with the Company’s management and has had an opportunity to review the Company’s facilities.
EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN SECTION 3.1, THE COMPANY DOES NOT MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, WRITTEN OR ORAL, STATUTORY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPANY OR ITS BUSINESS, OPERATIONS, ASSETS, EQUITY, FACILITIES CONDITION (FINANCIAL OR OTHERWISE) OR PROSPECTS, INCLUDING, FOR THE SAKE OF CLARITY, ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN THE SERIES A PURCHASE AGREEMENT. HOLDER HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY CLAIMS AND CAUSES OF ACTION AND ANY OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, AT COMMON LAW, BY STATUTE OR OTHERWISE IN EACH CASE RELATING TO THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS OR MATERIALITY OF ANY INFORMATION, DATE OR OTHER MATERIALS (WRITTEN OR ORAL) HERETOFORE FURNISHED TO HOLDER BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN SECTION 3.1.
4.3 Restricted Securities. The Holder understands that the Shares which may be issued in connection with this Warrant have not been, and will not be, registered under the Act, by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Act which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Holder’s representations as expressed herein. The Holder understands that the Shares are “restricted securities” under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, the Holder must hold the Shares indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. The Holder acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Shares, or the common stock into which it may be converted. The Holder further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Shares, and on requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Holder’s control, and which the Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.
4.4 No Public Market. The Holder understands that no public market now exists for the Shares, and that the Company has made no assurances that a public market will ever exist for the Shares.
4.5 Legends. The Holder understands that upon issuance, the Shares and any securities issued in respect of or exchange for the Shares, may be notated with one or all of the following legends:
“THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. NO SUCH TRANSFER MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN A FORM SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.”
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(a) Any legend set forth in, or required by, the other agreements entered into in connection with or required under this Warrant.
(b) Any legend required by the securities laws of any state to the extent such laws are applicable to the Shares represented by the certificate, instrument, or book entry so legended.
4.6 Accredited Investor. The Holder is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Act.
4.7 Foreign Investors. If the Holder is not a United States person (as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), the Holder hereby represents that it has satisfied itself as to the full observance of the laws of its jurisdiction in connection with this Warrant and any invitation to subscribe for the Shares that may be issued under this Warrant, including (a) the legal requirements within its jurisdiction for the purchase of the Shares, (b) any foreign exchange restrictions applicable to such purchase, (c) any governmental or other consents that may need to be obtained, and (d) the income tax and other tax consequences, if any, that may be relevant to the purchase, holding, redemption, sale, or transfer of the Shares. The Holder’s entering into this Warrant and subscription and payment for and beneficial ownership of the Shares upon exercise of this Warrant will not violate any applicable securities or other laws of the Holder’s jurisdiction. The Holder is not subject to any sanctions or other laws that would prohibit the transactions contemplated hereby or require regulatory approval of the transactions contemplated.
4.8 No General Solicitation. Neither the Holder, nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders or partners has either directly or indirectly, including, through a broker or finder (a) engaged in any general solicitation, or (b) published any advertisement in connection with the offer of this Warrant or the issuance of the Shares pursuant to this Warrant.
4.9 Residence. If the Holder is an individual, then the Holder resides in the state or province identified in the address of the Holder set forth on the signature page; if the Holder is a partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other entity, then the office or offices of the Holder in which its principal place of business is identified in the address or addresses of the Holder set forth on the signature page.
4.10 No Voting Rights. Holder, as a Holder of this Warrant, will not have any voting rights until the exercise of this Warrant.
5. Miscellaneous.
5.1 Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 4 above, this Warrant is exercisable in whole or in part at any time and from time to time on or before 6:00 PM, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date and shall be void thereafter.
5.2 Compliance with Securities Laws on Transfer. In addition to the requirements set forth in this Warrant, this Warrant and the Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant may not be transferred or assigned in whole or in part except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws by the transferor and the transferee (including, without limitation, the delivery of investment representation letters and legal opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Company, as reasonably requested by the Company). The Company shall not require Holder to provide an opinion of counsel if the transfer is to any affiliate of Holder, provided that any such transferee is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Act. Additionally, the Company shall also not require an opinion of counsel if there is no material question as to the availability of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
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5.3 Transfer Restrictions. In addition to any other restrictions on transfer that may be applicable to the transfer of any of the Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant, the Holder (and any subsequent Holder) may not transfer all or part of this Warrant without the written consent of the Company. At the Company’s sole discretion, the Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant shall be subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in Stockholder Agreements. If the Company grants written consent to a transfer of the Shares, then the transferee shall be, at the Company’s sole discretion, subject to and bound by the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and the Stockholder Agreements. A transfer of this Warrant shall not be deemed valid unless the transferee agrees in writing to be bound by all terms and conditions of this Warrant. Upon any valid transfer of this Warrant, the Holder will surrender this Warrant to the Company for reissuance to the transferee(s) (and Holder if applicable).
5.4 Governing Law. This Warrant shall be governed by the internal law of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of the State of Delaware.
5.5 Counterparts. This Warrant may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., ▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
5.6 Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Warrant are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Warrant.
5.7 Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Warrant shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt, or (a) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by electronic mail during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipient’s next Business Day, (c) upon delivery receipt when sent via facsimile, (d) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (e) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next Business Day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective parties at their e-mail address or address as set forth on the signature page, or to such e-mail address or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Section 5.7. If notice is given to the Company, such notice shall to the Company at its principal executive office, to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ and to the following:
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇
Phone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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5.8 Consent to Electronic Notice. The Holder consents to the delivery of any notice pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), as amended or superseded from time to time, by electronic transmission pursuant to Section 232 of the DGCL (or any successor thereto) at the e-mail address set forth below such ▇▇▇▇▇▇’s name on the signature page, as updated from time to time by notice to the Company. To the extent that any notice given by means of electronic transmission is returned or undeliverable for any reason, the foregoing consent shall be deemed to have been revoked until a new or corrected e-mail address has been provided, and such attempted electronic notice shall be ineffective and deemed to not have been given. The Holder agrees to promptly notify the Company of any change in its e- mail address, and that failure to do so shall not affect the foregoing.
5.9 Fees and Expenses. The Company and the Holder shall be responsible for payment of its own respective fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Warrant and the transactions contemplated thereby.
5.10 Attorneys’ Fees. If any action at law or in equity (including, arbitration) is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this Warrant, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.
5.11 Amendments; Waiver. Any amendment, termination or waiver under this Warrant (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such amendment termination or waiver is sought. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 5.11 shall be binding upon the each transferee of this Warrant (or the common stock issuable upon conversion thereof), each future holder of all such securities, and the Company.
5.12 Business Days. For purposes of this Warrant, “Business Day” is any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a federal holiday.
5.13 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.
5.14 Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party under this Warrant, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Warrant, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non-defaulting party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Warrant, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or conditions of this Warrant, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Warrant or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
5.15 Entire Agreement. This Warrant, the Certificate of Incorporation and the Stockholder Agreements constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the parties are expressly canceled.
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5.16 Dispute Resolution. The parties (a) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction of the state courts of Delaware and to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Warrant, (b) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Warrant except in the state courts of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and (c) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Warrant or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court.
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL: EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS WARRANT, THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, THE SECURITIES OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THIS SECTION HAS BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THESE PROVISIONS WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXCEPTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.
5.17 Waiver of Conflicts. The Holder acknowledges that ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP, counsel for the Company, may have in the past performed, and may continue to or in the future perform, legal services for certain of the Company stockholders in matters that are similar, but not substantially related, to the transactions described in this Warrant, including the representation of such stockholders in venture capital financings and other matters. Accordingly, each party to this Warrant hereby acknowledges that (a) they have had an opportunity to ask for information relevant to this disclosure, and (b) ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP represents only the Company with respect to this Warrant and the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company gives its informed consent to ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP’s representation of the Holder in matters not substantially related to this Warrant, and the Holder gives informed consent to ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP’s representation of the Company in connection with this Warrant and the transactions contemplated hereby.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signatures follow on next pages]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be executed by their duly authorized representatives effective as of the Issue Date written above.
PROMICELL, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address: |
[PromiCell, Inc. – Signature Page to Warrant]
HOLDERS: | ||
[●] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address: | ||
Email: |
[PromiCell, Inc. – Signature Page to Warrant]
APPENDIX 1
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
1. The undersigned Holder hereby exercises its right to purchase shares of the Series A Preferred Stock of PromiCell, Inc. (the “Company”) in accordance with the attached Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and:
tenders payment of the aggregate Warrant Price for such shares as follows:
[●] check in the amount of $ ____________ payable to order of the Company enclosed herewith; or
[●] wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Company’s account; or
2. Please issue a certificate or certificates representing the Shares in the name specified below:
Holder’s Name | ||
Address |
3. By its execution below and for the benefit of the Company, Holder hereby restates each of the representations and warranties in Section 4 of the Warrant to Purchase Series A Preferred Stock as of the date hereof.
HOLDER: | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
(Date:) |
Appendix 1
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
PROMICELL, INC.
(Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)
PromiCell, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”),
DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
1. That the name of this corporation is PromiCell, Inc., and that this corporation was originally incorporated pursuant to the General Corporation Law on October 5, 2022 under the name PromiCell, Inc.
2. That the Board of Directors duly adopted resolutions proposing to amend and restate the Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation, declaring said amendment and restatement to be advisable and in the best interests of this corporation and its stockholders, and authorizing the appropriate officers of this corporation to solicit the consent of the stockholders therefor, which resolution setting forth the proposed amendment and restatement is as follows:
RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
FIRST: The name of this corporation is PromiCell, Inc. (the “Corporation”).
SECOND: The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇., ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.
THIRD: The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law.
FOURTH: The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is (i) 35,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”) and (ii) 14,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”).
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The following is a statement of the designations and the powers, privileges and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof in respect of each class of capital stock of the Corporation.
A. COMMON STOCK
1. General. The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Common Stock are subject to and qualified by the rights, powers and preferences of the holders of the Preferred Stock set forth herein.
2. Voting. The holders of the Common Stock are entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Common Stock held at all meetings of stockholders (and written actions in lieu of meetings). There shall be no cumulative voting. Voting with respect to the election of directors shall be as set for in Section 3.2 below.
B. PREFERRED STOCK
14,000,000 shares of the authorized Preferred Stock of the Corporation are hereby designated “Series A Preferred Stock” with the following rights, preferences, powers, privileges and restrictions, qualifications and limitations. Unless otherwise indicated, references to “Sections” in this Part B of this Article Fourth refer to sections of Part B of this Article Fourth.
1. Dividends.
The Corporation shall not declare, pay or set aside any dividends on shares of any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation (other than dividends on shares of Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock) unless (in addition to the obtaining of any consents required elsewhere in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation) the holders of the Preferred Stock then outstanding shall first receive, or simultaneously receive, a dividend on each outstanding share of Preferred Stock in an amount at least equal to (i) in the case of a dividend on Common Stock or any class or series that is convertible into Common Stock, that dividend per share of Preferred Stock as would equal the product of (A) the dividend payable on each share of such class or series determined, if applicable, as if all shares of such class or series had been converted into Common Stock and (B) the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a share of Preferred Stock, in each case calculated on the record date for determination of holders entitled to receive such dividend or (ii) in the case of a dividend on any class or series that is not convertible into Common Stock, at a rate per share of Series A Preferred Stock determined by (A) dividing the amount of the dividend payable on each share of such class or series of capital stock by the original issuance price of such class or series of capital stock (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to such class or series) and (B) multiplying such fraction by an amount equal to the Original Issue Price (as defined below); provided that, if the Corporation declares, pays or sets aside, on the same date, a dividend on shares of more than one (1) class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, the dividend payable to the holders of Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 1 shall be calculated based upon the dividend on the class or series of capital stock that would result in the highest Preferred Stock dividend. The “Original Issue Price” shall mean, with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock, $1.00 per share, subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the applicable Preferred Stock.
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2. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up; Certain Mergers, Consolidations and Asset Sales.
2.1 Preferential Payments to Holders of Preferred Stock. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, and in the event of a Deemed Liquidation Event (as defined below), the holders of shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the consideration payable to stockholders in such Deemed Liquidation Event or out of the Available Proceeds (as defined below), as applicable, before any payment shall be made to the holders of Common Stock by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount per share equal to the greater of (i) one (1) times the applicable Original Issue Price, plus any dividends declared but unpaid thereon, or (ii) such amount per share as would have been payable had all shares of Preferred Stock been converted into Common Stock pursuant to Section 4 immediately prior to such liquidation, dissolution, winding up or Deemed Liquidation Event (the amount payable pursuant to this sentence is hereinafter referred to as the “Liquidation Amount”). If upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or Deemed Liquidation Event, the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders shall be insufficient to pay the holders of shares of Preferred Stock the full amount to which they shall be entitled under this Section 2.1, the holders of shares of Preferred Stock shall share ratably in any distribution of the assets available for distribution in proportion to the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect of the shares held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on or with respect to such shares were paid in full.
2.2 Payments to Holders of Common Stock. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after the payment in full of all Liquidation Amounts required to be paid to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock, the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders or, in the case of a Deemed Liquidation Event, the consideration not payable to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 2.1 or the remaining Available Proceeds, as the case may be, shall be distributed among the holders of shares of Common Stock, pro rata based on the number of shares held by each such holder.
2.3 Deemed Liquidation Events.
2.3.1 Definition. Each of the following events shall be considered a “Deemed Liquidation Event” unless the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Requisite Holders”) elect otherwise by written notice sent to the Corporation at least 10 days prior to the effective date of any such event:
(a) a merger or consolidation in which
(i) | the Corporation is a constituent party or |
(ii) | a subsidiary of the Corporation is a constituent party and the Corporation issues shares of its capital stock pursuant to such merger or consolidation, |
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except any such merger or consolidation involving the Corporation or a subsidiary in which the shares of capital stock of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continue to represent, or are converted into or exchanged for shares of capital stock that represent, immediately following such merger or consolidation, at least a majority, by voting power, of the capital stock of (1) the surviving or resulting corporation; or (2) if the surviving or resulting corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of another corporation immediately following such merger or consolidation, the parent corporation of such surviving or resulting corporation; or
(b) (1) the sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, by the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation of all or substantially all the assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (2) the sale or disposition (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, and whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of one (1) or more subsidiaries of the Corporation if substantially all of the assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole are held by such subsidiary or subsidiaries, except where such sale, lease, transfer, exclusive license or other disposition is to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation.
2.3.2 Amount Deemed Paid or Distributed. The amount deemed paid or distributed to the holders of capital stock of the Corporation upon any such merger, consolidation, sale, transfer, exclusive license, other disposition or redemption shall be the cash or the value of the property, rights or securities to be paid or distributed to such holders pursuant to such Deemed Liquidation Event. The value of such property, rights or securities shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
2.3.3 Allocation of Escrow and Contingent Consideration. In the event of a Deemed Liquidation Event pursuant to Section 2.3.1(a)(i), if any portion of the consideration payable to the stockholders of the Corporation is payable only upon satisfaction of contingencies (the “Additional Consideration”), the agreement or plan of merger or consolidation for such transaction shall provide that (a) the portion of such consideration that is not Additional Consideration (such portion, the “Initial Consideration”) shall be allocated among the holders of capital stock of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 2.1 and 2.2 as if the Initial Consideration were the only consideration payable in connection with such Deemed Liquidation Event; and (b) any Additional Consideration which becomes payable to the stockholders of the Corporation upon satisfaction of such contingencies shall be allocated among the holders of capital stock of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 2.1 and 2.2 after taking into account the previous payment of the Initial Consideration as part of the same transaction. For the purposes of this Section 2.3.3, consideration placed into escrow or retained as a holdback to be available for satisfaction of indemnification or similar obligations in connection with such Deemed Liquidation Event shall be deemed to be Initial Consideration.
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3. Voting.
3.1 General. On any matter presented to the stockholders of the Corporation for their action or consideration at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation (or by written consent of stockholders in lieu of meeting), each holder of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to cast the number of votes equal to the number of whole shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Preferred Stock held by such holder are convertible as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on such matter. Except as provided by law or by the other provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, holders of Preferred Stock shall vote together with the holders of Common Stock as a single class and on an as- converted to Common Stock basis.
3.2 Election of Directors. The holders of record of the shares of Preferred Stock, exclusively and as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect 1 director of the Corporation (the “Preferred Director”) and the holders of record of the shares of Common Stock, exclusively and as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect 1 director of the Corporation; provided, however, for administrative convenience, the initial Preferred Director may also be appointed by the Board of Directors in connection with the approval of the initial issuance of Preferred Stock without a separate action by the holders of Preferred Stock. Any director elected as provided in the preceding sentence may be removed without cause by, and only by, the affirmative vote of the holders of the shares of the class or series of capital stock entitled to elect such director or directors, given either at a special meeting of such stockholders duly called for that purpose or pursuant to a written consent of stockholders. If the holders of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be, fail to elect a sufficient number of directors to fill all directorships for which they are entitled to elect directors, voting exclusively and as a separate class, pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 3.2, then any directorship not so filled shall remain vacant until such time as the holders of the Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be, elect a person to fill such directorship by vote or written consent in lieu of a meeting; and no such directorship may be filled by stockholders of the Corporation other than by the stockholders of the Corporation that are entitled to elect a person to fill such directorship, voting exclusively and as a separate class. The holders of record of the shares of Common Stock and of any other class or series of voting stock (including the Preferred Stock), exclusively and voting together as a single class, shall be entitled to elect the balance of the total number of directors of the Corporation. At any meeting held for the purpose of electing a director, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the class or series entitled to elect such director shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of electing such director. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3.2, a vacancy in any directorship filled by the holders of any class or classes or series shall be filled only by vote or written consent in lieu of a meeting of the holders of such class or classes or series or by any remaining director or directors elected by the holders of such class or classes or series pursuant to this Section 3.2. The rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock under the first sentence of this Section 3.2 shall terminate on the first date following the date the first share of Series A Preferred Stock was issued (the “Original Issue Date”) on which there are issued and outstanding less than 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination, or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Preferred Stock).
3.3 Authorized Shares of Common Stock. The number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased or decreased by majority vote of the holders of Preferred Stock and the holders of Common Stock, voting together as a single class and on an as-converted to Common Stock basis.
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3.4 Preferred Stock Protective Provisions. At any time when at least 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Preferred Stock) are outstanding, the Corporation shall not, either directly or indirectly by amendment, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, or otherwise, do any of the following without (in addition to any other vote required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation) the written consent or affirmative vote of either (a) the Requisite Holders given in writing or by vote at a meeting, consenting or voting (as the case may be) separately as a class, or (b) the Preferred Director and any such act or transaction entered into without such consent or vote shall be null and void ab initio, and of no force or effect.
3.4.1 liquidate, dissolve or wind-up the business and affairs of the Corporation or effect any other Deemed Liquidation Event;
3.4.2 amend, alter or repeal any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Corporation in a manner that disproportionately adversely affects the powers, preferences or rights of the Preferred Stock (it being understood that that the creation, or authorization of the creation of, or the issuance or obligation to issue shares of capital stock that ranks senior to the Preferred Stock with respect to its rights, preferences and privileges is not to be considered adverse to the Preferred Stock); and
3.4.3 purchase or redeem (or permit any subsidiary to purchase or redeem) or pay or declare any dividend or make any distribution on, any shares of capital stock of the Corporation other than (i) redemptions of or dividends or distributions on the Preferred Stock as expressly authorized herein, (ii) dividends or other distributions payable on the Common Stock solely in the form of additional shares of Common Stock and (iii) repurchases of stock from former employees, officers, directors, consultants or other persons who performed services for the Corporation or any subsidiary in connection with the cessation of such employment or service at no greater than the original purchase price thereof or (iv) as approved by the Board of Directors, including the approval of the Preferred Director.
3.4.4 create or authorize the creation of (by reclassification or otherwise) or issue any new class or new series of any equity security or convertible security to Preferred Stock or Common Stock (including, but not limited to warrants, options, convertible notes or stock option plans).
3.4.5 increase or decrease the authorized number of shares of the Preferred Stock or Common Stock.
3.4.6 create or authorize the creation of any debt security, or incur other indebtedness for borrowed money, including but not limited to obligations and contingent obligations under guarantees, or permit any subsidiary to take any such action with respect to any debt security lien, security interest or other indebtedness for borrowed money, if the Company’s and its subsidiaries aggregate indebtedness following such action would exceed $50,000.
3.4.7 create or hold capital stock in any subsidiary that is not a wholly owned subsidiary or dispose of any subsidiary stock or all or substantially all of any subsidiary assets.
3.4.8 create, issue, sell or authorize the sale or sponsorship of any cryptocurrency coins, tokens, blockchain-based assets or other cryptofinance coins, tokens or similar digital assets by the Corporation, an officer of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation.
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3.4.9 declare or pay any transfer of cash or other property without consideration whether by way of dividend or otherwise (other than dividends on Common Stock payable in Common Stock) with respect to the holders of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, other than as provided in Clause 3.4.3 herein.
3.4.10 decide or effect any transaction or series of related transactions in which a Person, or a group of related Persons, acquires from stockholders of the Company shares representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting power of the Company or otherwise acquired control over the Company.
4. Optional Conversion. The holders of the Preferred Stock shall have conversion rights as follows (the “Conversion Rights”):
4.1 Right to Convert.
4.1.1 Conversion Ratio. Each share of Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder thereof, into such number of fully paid and non- assessable shares of Common Stock as is determined by dividing the Original Issue Price by the Conversion Price (as defined below) in effect at the time of conversion. The “Conversion Price” applicable to the Series A Preferred Stock shall initially be equal to $1.00. Such initial Conversion Price, and the rate at which shares of Preferred Stock may be converted into shares of Common Stock, shall be subject to adjustment as provided below.
4.1.2 Termination of Conversion Rights. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or a Deemed Liquidation Event, the Conversion Rights shall terminate at the close of business on the last full day preceding the date fixed for the payment of any such amounts distributable on such event to the holders of Preferred Stock; provided that the foregoing termination of Conversion Rights shall not affect the amount(s) otherwise paid or payable in accordance with Section 2.1 to holders of Preferred Stock pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or a Deemed Liquidation Event.
4.2 Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of the Preferred Stock. In lieu of any fractional shares to which the holder would otherwise be entitled, the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of the Preferred Stock shall be rounded to the nearest whole share.
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4.3 Mechanics of Conversion.
4.3.1 Notice of Conversion. In order for a holder of Preferred Stock to voluntarily convert shares of Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock, such holder shall (a) provide written notice to the Corporation’s transfer agent at the office of the transfer agent for the Preferred Stock (or at the principal office of the Corporation if the Corporation serves as its own transfer agent) that such holder elects to convert all or any number of such holder’s shares of Preferred Stock and, if applicable, any event on which such conversion is contingent and (b), if such holder’s shares are certificated, surrender the certificate or certificates for such shares of Preferred Stock (or, if such registered holder alleges that such certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, a lost certificate affidavit and agreement reasonably acceptable to the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate), at the office of the transfer agent for the Preferred Stock (or at the principal office of the Corporation if the Corporation serves as its own transfer agent). Such notice shall state such holder’s name or the names of the nominees in which such holder wishes the shares of Common Stock to be issued. If required by the Corporation, any certificates surrendered for conversion shall be endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Corporation, duly executed by the registered holder or his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing. The close of business on the date of receipt by the transfer agent (or by the Corporation if the Corporation serves as its own transfer agent) of such notice and, if applicable, certificates (or lost certificate affidavit and agreement) shall be the time of conversion (the “Conversion Time”), and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the specified shares shall be deemed to be outstanding of record as of such date. The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after the Conversion Time (i) issue and deliver to such holder of Series A Preferred Stock, or to his, her or its nominees, either a certificate for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion or a notice of issuance of uncertificated shares and may, upon written request, issue and deliver a certificate for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion in accordance with the provisions hereof and, may, if applicable and upon written request, issue and deliver a certificate for the number (if any) of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by any surrendered certificate that were not converted into Common Stock, and (ii) pay all declared but unpaid dividends on the shares of Preferred Stock converted.
4.3.2 Reservation of Shares. The Corporation shall at all times when the Preferred Stock shall be outstanding, reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued capital stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Preferred Stock, such number of its duly authorized shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding Preferred Stock; and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall take such corporate action as may be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purposes, including, without limitation, engaging in best efforts to obtain the requisite stockholder approval of any necessary amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment reducing the Conversion Price below the then par value of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock, the Corporation will take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Corporation may validly and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock at such adjusted Conversion Price.
4.3.3 Effect of Conversion. All shares of Preferred Stock which shall have been surrendered for conversion as herein provided shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights with respect to such shares shall immediately cease and terminate at the Conversion Time, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive shares of Common Stock in exchange therefor and to receive payment of any dividends declared but unpaid thereon. Any shares of Preferred Stock so converted shall be retired and cancelled and may not be reissued as shares of such series, and the Corporation may thereafter take such appropriate action (without the need for stockholder action) as may be necessary to reduce the authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock accordingly.
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4.3.4 No Further Adjustment. Upon any such conversion, no adjustment to the Conversion Price shall be made for any declared but unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion or on the Common Stock delivered upon conversion.
4.3.5 Taxes. The Corporation shall pay any and all issue and other similar taxes that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 4. The Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that in which the shares of Preferred Stock so converted were registered, and no such issuance or delivery shall be made unless and until the person or entity requesting such issuance has paid to the Corporation the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Corporation, that such tax has been paid.
4.4 Adjustments to Conversion Price for Diluting Issues.
4.4.1 Special Definitions. For purposes of this Article Fourth, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Additional Shares of Common Stock” shall mean all shares of Common Stock issued (or, pursuant to Section 4.4.3 below, deemed to be issued) by the Corporation after the Original Issue Date, other than (1) the following shares of Common Stock and (2) shares of Common Stock deemed issued pursuant to the following Options and Convertible Securities (clauses (1) and (2), collectively, “Exempted Securities”):
(i) | as to any series of Preferred Stock shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued as a dividend or distribution on such series of Preferred Stock; |
(ii) | shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued by reason of a dividend, stock split, split-up or other distribution on shares of Common Stock that is covered by Section 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 or 4.8; |
(iii) | shares of Common Stock or Options issued to employees or directors of, or consultants or advisors to, the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to a plan, agreement or arrangement approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation; or |
(iv) | shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities actually issued upon the exercise of Options or shares of Common Stock actually issued upon the conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities, in each case provided such issuance is pursuant to the terms of such Option or Convertible Security; or |
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(v) | shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued to banks, equipment lessors or other financial institutions, or to real property lessors, pursuant to a debt financing, equipment leasing or real property leasing transaction approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation; or |
(vi) | shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued to suppliers or third party service providers in connection with the provision of goods or services pursuant to transactions approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation; or |
(vii) | shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued as acquisition consideration pursuant to the acquisition of another corporation by the Corporation by merger, purchase of substantially all of the assets or other reorganization or to a joint venture agreement, provided that such issuances are approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation; or |
(viii) | shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued in connection with sponsored research, collaboration, technology license, development, OEM, marketing or other similar agreements or strategic partnerships approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. |
(b) “Convertible Securities” shall mean any evidences of indebtedness, shares or other securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, but excluding Options.
(c) “Option” shall mean rights, options or warrants to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire Common Stock or Convertible Securities.
4.4.2 No Adjustment of Conversion Price. No adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be made as the result of the issuance or deemed issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock if the Corporation receives written notice from the Requisite Holders agreeing that no such adjustment shall be made as the result of the issuance or deemed issuance of such Additional Shares of Common Stock.
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4.4.3 Deemed Issue of Additional Shares of Common Stock.
(a) If the Corporation at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date shall issue any Options or Convertible Securities (excluding Options or Convertible Securities which are themselves Exempted Securities) or shall fix a record date for the determination of holders of any class of securities entitled to receive any such Options or Convertible Securities, then the maximum number of shares of Common Stock (as set forth in the instrument relating thereto, assuming the satisfaction of any conditions to exercisability, convertibility or exchangeability but without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such number) issuable upon the exercise of such Options or, in the case of Convertible Securities and Options therefor, the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, shall be deemed to be Additional Shares of Common Stock issued as of the time of such issue or, in case such a record date shall have been fixed, as of the close of business on such record date.
(b) If the terms of any Option or Convertible Security, the issuance of which resulted in an adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to the terms of Section 4.4.4, are revised as a result of an amendment to such terms or any other adjustment pursuant to the provisions of such Option or Convertible Security (but excluding automatic adjustments to such terms pursuant to anti-dilution or similar provisions of such Option or Convertible Security) to provide for either (1) any increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion and/or exchange of any such Option or Convertible Security or (2) any increase or decrease in the consideration payable to the Corporation upon such exercise, conversion and/or exchange, then, effective upon such increase or decrease becoming effective, the Conversion Price computed upon the original issue of such Option or Convertible Security (or upon the occurrence of a record date with respect thereto) shall be readjusted to such Conversion Price as would have obtained had such revised terms been in effect upon the original date of issuance of such Option or Convertible Security. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no readjustment pursuant to this clause (b) shall have the effect of increasing the Conversion Price to an amount which exceeds the lower of (i) the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the original adjustment made as a result of the issuance of such Option or Convertible Security, or (ii) the Conversion Price that would have resulted from any issuances of Additional Shares of Common Stock (other than deemed issuances of Additional Shares of Common Stock as a result of the issuance of such Option or Convertible Security) between the original adjustment date and such readjustment date.
(c) If the terms of any Option or Convertible Security (excluding Options or Convertible Securities which are themselves Exempted Securities), the issuance of which did not result in an adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to the terms of Section 4.4.4 (either because the consideration per share (determined pursuant to Section 4.4.5) of the Additional Shares of Common Stock subject thereto was equal to or greater than the Conversion Price then in effect, or because such Option or Convertible Security was issued before the Original Issue Date), are revised after the Original Issue Date as a result of an amendment to such terms or any other adjustment pursuant to the provisions of such Option or Convertible Security (but excluding automatic adjustments to such terms pursuant to anti-dilution or similar provisions of such Option or Convertible Security) to provide for either (1) any increase in the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of any such Option or Convertible Security or (2) any decrease in the consideration payable to the Corporation upon such exercise, conversion or exchange, then such Option or Convertible Security, as so amended or adjusted, and the Additional Shares of Common Stock subject thereto (determined in the manner provided in Section 4.4.3(a) shall be deemed to have been issued effective upon such increase or decrease becoming effective.
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(d) Upon the expiration or termination of any unexercised Option or unconverted or unexchanged Convertible Security (or portion thereof) which resulted (either upon its original issuance or upon a revision of its terms) in an adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to the terms of Section 4.4.4, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted to such Conversion Price as would have obtained had such Option or Convertible Security (or portion thereof) never been issued.
(e) If the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion and/or exchange of any Option or Convertible Security, or the consideration payable to the Corporation upon such exercise, conversion and/or exchange, is calculable at the time such Option or Convertible Security is issued or amended but is subject to adjustment based upon subsequent events, any adjustment to the Conversion Price provided for in this Section 4.4.3 shall be effected at the time of such issuance or amendment based on such number of shares or amount of consideration without regard to any provisions for subsequent adjustments (and any subsequent adjustments shall be treated as provided in clauses (b) and (c) of this Section 4.4.3). If the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion and/or exchange of any Option or Convertible Security, or the consideration payable to the Corporation upon such exercise, conversion and/or exchange, cannot be calculated at all at the time such Option or Convertible Security is issued or amended, any adjustment to the Conversion Price that would result under the terms of this Section 4.4.3 at the time of such issuance or amendment shall instead be effected at the time such number of shares and/or amount of consideration is first calculable (even if subject to subsequent adjustments), assuming for purposes of calculating such adjustment to the Conversion Price that such issuance or amendment took place at the time such calculation can first be made.
4.4.4 Adjustment of Conversion Price Upon Issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Original Issue Date issue Additional Shares of Common Stock (including Additional Shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued pursuant to Section 4.4.3), without consideration or for a consideration per share less than the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issuance or deemed issuance, then the Conversion Price shall be reduced, concurrently with such issue, to a price (calculated to the nearest one-hundredth of a cent) determined in accordance with the following formula:
CP2 = CP1* (A + B) ÷ (A + C).
For purposes of the foregoing formula, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “CP2” shall mean the Conversion Price in effect immediately after such issuance or deemed issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock
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(b) “CP1” shall mean the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issuance or deemed issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock;
(c) “A” shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance or deemed issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock (treating for this purpose as outstanding all shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance immediately prior to such issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans or deemed issuance or upon conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities (including the Preferred Stock) outstanding (assuming exercise of any outstanding Options therefor) immediately prior to such issue);
(d) “B” shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued if such Additional Shares of Common Stock had been issued or deemed issued at a price per share equal to CP1 (determined by dividing the aggregate consideration received by the Corporation in respect of such issue by CP1); and
(e) “C” shall mean the number of such Additional Shares of Common Stock issued in such transaction.
4.4.5 Determination of Consideration. For purposes of this Section 4.4, the consideration received by the Corporation for the issuance or deemed issuance of any Additional Shares of Common Stock shall be computed as follows:
(a) Cash and Property. Such consideration shall:
(i) | insofar as it consists of cash, be computed at the aggregate amount of cash received by the Corporation, excluding amounts paid or payable for accrued interest; |
(ii) | insofar as it consists of property other than cash, be computed at the fair market value thereof at the time of such issue, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation; and |
(iii) | in the event Additional Shares of Common Stock are issued together with other shares or securities or other assets of the Corporation for consideration which covers both, be the proportion of such consideration so received, computed as provided in clauses (i) and (ii) above, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. |
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(b) Options and Convertible Securities. The consideration per share received by the Corporation for Additional Shares of Common Stock deemed to have been issued pursuant to Section 4.4.3, relating to Options and Convertible Securities, shall be determined by dividing:
(i) | The total amount, if any, received or receivable by the Corporation as consideration for the issue of such Options or Convertible Securities, plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration (as set forth in the instruments relating thereto, without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such consideration) payable to the Corporation upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, or in the case of Options for Convertible Securities, the exercise of such Options for Convertible Securities and the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, by |
(ii) | the maximum number of shares of Common Stock (as set forth in the instruments relating thereto, without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such number) issuable upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, or in the case of Options for Convertible Securities, the exercise of such Options for Convertible Securities and the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities. |
4.4.6 Multiple Closing Dates. In the event the Corporation shall issue on more than one date Additional Shares of Common Stock that are a part of one transaction or a series of related transactions and that would result in an adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to the terms of Section 4.4.4, and such issuance dates occur within a period of no more than ninety (90) days from the first such issuance to the final such issuance, then, upon the final such issuance, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted to give effect to all such issuances as if they occurred on the date of the first such issuance (and without giving effect to any additional adjustments as a result of any such subsequent issuances within such period).
4.5 Adjustment for Stock Splits and Combinations. If the Corporation shall at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date effect a subdivision of the outstanding Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect immediately before that subdivision shall be proportionately decreased so that the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of each share of such series shall be increased in proportion to such increase in the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. If the Corporation shall at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect immediately before the combination shall be proportionately increased so that the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of each share of such series shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Any adjustment under this Section 4.5 shall become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective.
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4.6 Adjustment for Certain Dividends and Distributions. In the event the Corporation at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date shall make or issue, or fix a record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution payable on the Common Stock in additional shares of Common Stock, then and in each such event the Conversion Price in effect immediately before such event shall be decreased as of the time of such issuance or, in the event such a record date shall have been fixed, as of the close of business on such record date, by multiplying the Conversion Price then in effect by a fraction:
(1) the numerator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the close of business on such record date, and
(2) the denominator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the close of business on such record date plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable in payment of such dividend or distribution.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) if such record date shall have been fixed and such dividend is not fully paid or if such distribution is not fully made on the date fixed therefor, the Conversion Price shall be recomputed accordingly as of the close of business on such record date and thereafter the Conversion Price shall be adjusted pursuant to this Section 4.6 as of the time of actual payment of such dividends or distributions; and (b) that no such adjustment shall be made if the holders of Preferred Stock simultaneously receive a dividend or other distribution of shares of Common Stock in a number equal to the number of shares of Common Stock as they would have received if all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock had been converted into Common Stock on the date of such event.
4.7 Adjustments for Other Dividends and Distributions. In the event the Corporation at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date shall make or issue, or fix a record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution payable in securities of the Corporation (other than a distribution of shares of Common Stock in respect of outstanding shares of Common Stock) or in other property and the provisions of Section 1 do not apply to such dividend or distribution, then and in each such event the holders of Preferred Stock shall receive, simultaneously with the distribution to the holders of Common Stock, a dividend or other distribution of such securities or other property in an amount equal to the amount of such securities or other property as they would have received if all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock had been converted into Common Stock on the date of such event.
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4.8 Adjustment for Merger or Reorganization, etc. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, if there shall occur any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation or merger involving the Corporation in which the Common Stock (but not the Preferred Stock) is converted into or exchanged for securities, cash or other property (other than a transaction covered by Sections 4.4, 4.6 or 4.7), then, following any such reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation or merger, each share of Preferred Stock shall thereafter be convertible in lieu of the Common Stock into which it was convertible prior to such event into the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation issuable upon conversion of one (1) share of Preferred Stock immediately prior to such reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation or merger would have been entitled to receive pursuant to such transaction; and, in such case, appropriate adjustment (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation) shall be made in the application of the provisions in this Section 4 with respect to the rights and interests thereafter of the holders of the Preferred Stock, to the end that the provisions set forth in this Section 4 (including provisions with respect to changes in and other adjustments of the Conversion Price) shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to any securities or other property thereafter deliverable upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock.
4.9 Certificate as to Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the Conversion Price pursuant to this Section 4, the Corporation at its expense shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable but in any event not later than ten (10) days thereafter, compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and furnish to each holder of Preferred Stock a certificate setting forth such adjustment or readjustment (including the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property into which the Preferred Stock is convertible) and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Corporation shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the written request at any time of any holder of Preferred Stock (but in any event not later than ten (10) days thereafter), furnish or cause to be furnished to such holder a certificate setting forth (i) the Conversion Price then in effect, and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock and the amount, if any, of other securities, cash or property which then would be received upon the conversion of Preferred Stock.
4.10 Notice of Record Date. In the event:
(a) the Corporation shall take a record of the holders of its Common Stock (or other capital stock or securities at the time issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock) for the purpose of entitling or enabling them to receive any dividend or other distribution, or to receive any right to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or any other securities, or to receive any other security; or
(b) of any capital reorganization of the Corporation, any reclassification of the Common Stock of the Corporation, or any Deemed Liquidation Event; or
(c) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Corporation, then, and in each such case, the Corporation will send or cause to be sent to the holders of the Preferred Stock a notice specifying, as the case may be, (i) the record date for such dividend, distribution or right, and the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or right, or (ii) the effective date on which such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is proposed to take place, and the time, if any is to be fixed, as of which the holders of record of Common Stock (or such other capital stock or securities at the time issuable upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock) shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock (or such other capital stock or securities) for securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, and the amount per share and character of such exchange applicable to the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock. Such notice shall be sent at least ten (10) days prior to the record date or effective date for the event specified in such notice.
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5. Mandatory Conversion.
5.1 Trigger Events. Upon (a) the closing of the sale of shares of Common Stock to the public in an underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, resulting in at least $50,000,000 of gross proceeds, net of the underwriting discount and commissions, to the Corporation and in connection with such offering the Common Stock is listed for trading on an internationally recognized stock exchange, (b) the date and time, or the occurrence of an event, specified by vote or written consent of the Requisite Holders or (c) immediately prior to a Deemed Liquidation Event in which conversion to Common Stock would result in greater consideration payable to holders of Preferred Stock than would payment in accordance with Sections 2.1 and 2.2; (the time of such closing or the date and time specified or the time of the event specified in such vote or written consent is referred to herein as the “Mandatory Conversion Time”), then (i) all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock shall automatically be converted into shares of Common Stock, at the then effective conversion rate as calculated pursuant to Section 4.1.1 and (ii) such shares may not be reissued by the Corporation.
5.2 Procedural Requirements. All holders of record of shares of Preferred Stock shall be sent written notice of the Mandatory Conversion Time and the place designated for mandatory conversion of all such shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 5. Such notice need not be sent in advance of the occurrence of the Mandatory Conversion Time. Upon receipt of such notice, each holder of shares of Preferred Stock in certificated form shall surrender his, her or its certificate or certificates for all such shares (or, if such holder alleges that such certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, a lost certificate affidavit and agreement reasonably acceptable to the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate) to the Corporation at the place designated in such notice. If so required by the Corporation, any certificates surrendered for conversion shall be endorsed or accompanied by written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Corporation, duly executed by the registered holder or by his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing. All rights with respect to the Preferred Stock converted pursuant to Section 5.1, including the rights, if any, to receive notices and vote (other than as a holder of Common Stock), will terminate at the Mandatory Conversion Time (notwithstanding the failure of the holder or holders thereof to surrender any certificates at or prior to such time), except only the rights of the holders thereof, upon surrender of any certificate or certificates of such holders (or lost certificate affidavit and agreement) therefor, to receive the items provided for in the next sentence of this Section 5.2. As soon as practicable after the Mandatory Conversion Time and, if applicable, the surrender of any certificate or certificates (or lost certificate affidavit and agreement) for Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall (a) issue and deliver to such holder of Series A Preferred Stock, or to his, her or its nominees, either a certificate for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion or a notice of issuance of uncertificated shares and may, upon written request, issue and deliver a certificate for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion in accordance with the provisions hereof and, may, if applicable and upon written request, issue and deliver a certificate for the number (if any) of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by any surrendered certificate that were not converted into Common Stock, and (b) pay any declared but unpaid dividends on the shares of Preferred Stock converted. Such converted Preferred Stock shall be retired and cancelled and may not be reissued as shares of such series, and the Corporation may thereafter take such appropriate action (without the need for stockholder action) as may be necessary to reduce the authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock accordingly.
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6. Redeemed or Otherwise Acquired Shares. Any shares of Preferred Stock that are redeemed, converted or otherwise acquired by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries shall be automatically and immediately cancelled and retired and shall not be reissued, sold or transferred. Neither the Corporation nor any of its subsidiaries may exercise any voting or other rights granted to the holders of Preferred Stock following redemption, conversion or acquisition.
7. Waiver. Except as otherwise set forth herein, (a) any of the rights, powers, preferences and other terms of the Preferred Stock set forth herein may be waived on behalf of all holders of Preferred Stock by the affirmative written consent or vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding and (b) at any time more than one (1) series of Preferred Stock is issued and outstanding, any of the rights, powers, preferences and other terms of any series of Preferred Stock set forth herein may be waived on behalf of all holders of such series of Preferred Stock by the affirmative written consent or vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of such series of Preferred Stock then outstanding.
8. Notices. Any notice required or permitted by the provisions of this Article Fourth to be given to a holder of shares of Preferred Stock shall be mailed, postage prepaid, to the post office address last shown on the records of the Corporation, or given by electronic communication in compliance with the provisions of the General Corporation Law, and shall be deemed sent upon such mailing or electronic transmission.
FIFTH: Subject to any additional vote required by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, in furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, repeal, alter, amend and rescind any or all of the Bylaws of the Corporation.
SIXTH: Subject to any additional vote required by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the number of directors of the Corporation shall be determined in the manner set forth in the Bylaws of the Corporation. Each director shall be entitled to one (1) vote on each matter presented to the Board of Directors.
SEVENTH: Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.
EIGHTH: Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware, as the Bylaws of the Corporation may provide. The books of the Corporation may be kept outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or in the Bylaws of the Corporation.
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NINTH: To the fullest extent permitted by law, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If the General Corporation Law or any other law of the State of Delaware is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article Ninth to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law as so amended.
Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article Ninth by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of, or increase the liability of any director of the Corporation with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to, such repeal or modification.
TENTH: To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) directors, officers and agents of the Corporation (and any other persons to which General Corporation Law permits the Corporation to provide indemnification) through Bylaw provisions, agreements with such agents or other persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification and advancement otherwise permitted by Section 145 of the General Corporation Law.
Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article Tenth shall not (a) adversely affect any right or protection of any director, officer or other agent of the Corporation existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification or (b) increase the liability of any director of the Corporation with respect to any acts or omissions of such director, officer or agent occurring prior to, such amendment, repeal or modification.
ELEVENTH: The Corporation renounces, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any interest or expectancy of the Corporation in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any Excluded Opportunity. An “Excluded Opportunity” is any matter, transaction or interest that is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or which otherwise comes into the possession of (i) any director of the Corporation who is not an employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or (ii) any holder of Series A Preferred Stock or any partner, member, director, stockholder, employee, affiliate or agent of any such holder, other than someone who is an employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (collectively, the persons referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) are “Covered Persons”), unless such matter, transaction or interest is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or otherwise comes into the possession of, a Covered Person expressly and solely in such Covered Person’s capacity as a director of the Corporation while such Covered Person is performing services in such capacity. Any repeal or modification of this Article Eleventh will only be prospective and will not affect the rights under this Article Eleventh in effect at the time of the occurrence of any actions or omissions to act giving rise to liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of each class or series Preferred Stock the outstanding, will be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provisions inconsistent with this Article Eleventh.
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TWELFTH: Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine, except for, as to each of (i) through (iv) above, any claim as to which the Court of Chancery determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten (10) days following such determination), which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, or for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. If any provision or provisions of this Article Twelfth shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article Twelfth (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article Twelfth containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
* * *
3. That the foregoing amendment and restatement was approved by the holders of the requisite number of shares of this corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law.
4. That this Certificate of Incorporation, which restates and integrates and further amends the provisions of this Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, has been duly adopted in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been executed by a duly authorized officer of this corporation on this [], 2023.
By: |
EXHIBIT D
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
to the
SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
by and among
PROMICELL, INC.
and
THE PURCHASERS
Dated as of April 05, 2023
This Disclosure Schedule is made and given pursuant to Section 2 of the Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 05, 2023 (the “Agreement”), between PromiCell, Inc. (the “Company”) and the Purchasers listed on Schedule A thereto. All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings as defined in the Agreement, unless otherwise provided. The section numbers below correspond to the section numbers of the representations and warranties in the Agreement; provided, however, that any information disclosed herein under any section number shall be deemed to be disclosed and incorporated into any other section where such disclosure would be appropriate and the appropriateness of such disclosure is reasonably apparent from a reading of the disclosure and the representations and warranties by a sophisticated investor. Nothing in this Disclosure Schedule is intended to broaden the scope of any representation or warranty contained in the Agreement or to create any covenant. Inclusion of any item in this Disclosure Schedule (1) does not represent a determination that such item is material or establish a standard of materiality, (2) does not represent a determination that such item did not arise in the ordinary course of business, (3) does not represent a determination that the transactions contemplated by the Agreement require the consent of third parties, and (4) shall not constitute, or be deemed to be, an admission to any third party concerning such item. This Disclosure Schedule includes brief descriptions or summaries of certain agreements and instruments, copies of which are available upon reasonable request. Such descriptions do not purport to be comprehensive, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text of the documents described, true and complete copies of which have been provided to the Purchasers or their respective counsel.
Section 2.2(c)
Type of Stock | Authorized | Pre-Closing Outstanding | Closing | Post-Closing Outstanding | ||||||||||
Common Stock | 35,000,000 | 13,187,500 | 3,000,000 to Series A purchasers 1,062,500 to FH | 17,250,000 | ||||||||||
Series A Preferred Stock | 14,000,000 | 0 | 4,000,000 | 4,000,000 | ||||||||||
Stock Options | N/A | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
Stock Plan - Common Stock | 2,374,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
Warrants1 | N/A | 0 | 4,000,000 | 4,000,000 |
1. | The Company has committed to issue ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Cancer Center (“FH”) additional shares as necessary to maintain its holdings 5% of equity of the Company, through the fundraising of $10 million (inclusive of the fundraising pursuant to the Agreement). This obligation will result in an initial 1,062,500 shares being issued to FH at or shortly following Closing (as set forth in the table above), with future issuances dependent on the shares issued prior to meeting the $10 million threshold. |
2. | The Company has had discussions with scientists at research institutions regarding possible equity issuances to incentivize cooperation with the Company. The Company's intent is that these grants, if made, would come from the equity compensation pool. |
3. | The Company has had preliminary discussions with potential employees who would receive equity grants to be negotiated, if hired. These grants would come from the employee incentive pool. |
4. | The Company has engaged in discussions with institutions, including Memorial ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ regarding the potential licensing of additional product candidates. Such license would be expected to include equity issuances to the institutions. |
1 | In connection with Series A Preferred Stock offering, the Purchasers will be entering into a warrant agreement in which they will have the option to purchase an equal amount of Series A Preferred Stock as purchased during the closing, at a price of $2 per share. The warrant shall remain exercisable for 18 months post-closing. |
Section 2.8(a)
The Company's current intellectual property, as set forth in Section 2.8(f) of this Disclosure Schedule, consists of the IP licensed from FH for continued development and testing. As it advances its business plan, the Company will require additional intellectual property, including potential antibodies and similar biologic materials, information technology and the like. The Company believes these items are available on commercially reasonable terms.
Section 2.8(f)
The table below sets forth the patents licensed to the Company from FH pursuant to the License Agreement, by and between FH and the Company, dated January 19, 2023 (the “FH License Agreement”).
FHCC Ref. No. | Country | App Type | Patent Status | Serial No. | File Date | Patent Title | ||||||
22-112-US-PSP | U.S. | Provisional | 2. Pending | 63/309,389 | 2/11/2022 | CHIMERIC ANTIGEN RECEPTORS BINDING STEAP1 | ||||||
23-144-US-PSP | U.S. | Provisional | Drafting | ▇▇▇ | ▇▇▇ | IL-18 armored STEAPl CAR T |
Section 2.10(a)
1. | Sponsored Research Agreement, by and between FH and the Company, dated January 20, 2023. |
2. | Sponsored Research Agreement, by and between FH and the Company, dated March 20, 2023. |
3. | The FH License Agreement. |
4. | Startup Agreement, by and between FH and the Company, dated March 15, 2023. |
5. | Consultancy Agreement, by and between Oceanaut Capital ▇.▇▇▇ (“Oceanaut”) and the Company, dated February 9, 2023 (the “Oceanaut Agreement”). |
6. | Consultancy Services Agreement, by and between Akesso Single Member Private Company (“Akesso”) and the Company, dated March 15, 2023 (the “Akesso Agreement”). |
7. | Consulting Services Agreement, by and between ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Hierax Therapeutics, Inc., dated May 11, 2022. |
8. | Consulting Services Agreement, by and between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Hierax Therapeutics, Inc., dated May 20, 2022. |
9. | Consulting Services Agreement, by and between ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Therapeutics, Inc., dated May 8, 2022. |
10. | Confidentiality Agreement, by and between ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Therapeutics, Inc., dated May 4, 2022. |
11. | The Company has entered into a licensing term sheet with Memorial Sloane Kettering relating to potential product candidates, but to date the Company has elected not to move forward with the MSK discussions. It is possible the Company will re-engage in the future. |
12. | The Company has an outstanding invoice of approximately $35,000 owed to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ LLP for intellectual property related services. |
13. | The Company has an outstanding invoice of approximately $150,000 owed to ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP for legal related services. |
14. | There are various costs and expenses related to the scientific due diligence and asset selection process of the Company borne directly by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ M.D., amounting to as of the date of the Agreement approximately $175,000, which have been or will be reimbursed to him directly by the Company. |
15. | There are various costs, expenses, agreements and invoices between the Company and third party services providers as related to the Series A financing transaction and general corporate organizational matters. |
Section 2.10(b)
1. | See Section 2.21 of this Disclosure Schedule. |
Section 2.11(a)
1. | The Company plans on entering into confidential information and invention assignment agreements with its employees and/or consultants shortly after the Closing. |
2. | The Oceanaut Agreement, which in addition to other terms provides that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall serve as consultant CFO of the Company with an annual retainer of $100,000 and, except as related to this Closing, Oceanaut shall be entitled to a 1% fee of the amount of consideration paid or received by the Company or its stockholders for any acquisition of another company or any sale of interest or assets of the Company to a third party. |
3. | The Akesso Agreement, which in addition to other terms provides that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ M.D. shall serve as a consultant CEO of the Company with an annual retainer of $350,000 that increases upon completion of certain milestones and shall be entitled to certain bonus and termination fee payments. |
Section 2.11(b)
1. | See Sections 2.10(a) and 2.11(a) of this Disclosure Schedule for agreements in which the Company may be indebted to its directors, officers or employees or have entered into business relations with a third party entity owned directly or indirectly by directors, officers or employees of the Company. |
Section 2.14(c)(i)
1. | The Oceanaut Agreement provides that Oceanaut shall be entitled to certain termination fees if the Akesso Agreement is terminated by the Company for any reason other than for cause or if the Company ceases to operate. |
2. | The Akesso Agreement provides that Akesso shall be entitled to certain termination fees if the Akesso Agreement is terminated by the Company for any reason other than for cause or if the Company ceases to operate. |
Section 2.14(c)(ii)
1. | None. |
Section 2.14(f)
1. | None. |
Section 2.17
1. | See attached for Form of Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement. |
Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement
Name: [●] | |
Effective Date: [●], 2023 |
This Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [●], 2023 by and between PromiCell, Inc. (the “Company”) and [●] (“[●]” or “I”). In consideration of, and as a condition of my employment with the Company under the Employment Agreement contemporaneously entered into with this Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”), I, [●], hereby represent to, and agree with the Company as follows:
1. Purpose of Agreement. I understand that the Company is engaged in a continuous program of research, development, production, and marketing in connection with its business and that it is critical for the Company to preserve and protect its Confidential Information (as defined in Section 9 of this Agreement), its ownership of and rights in all Inventions (as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement) and in all (“Intellectual Property Rights”). I acknowledge and agree that in the course of my employment with the Company, I will gain access to certain Confidential Information, Inventions, and other types of subject matter that comprise valuable, special and unique assets of the Company’s business, and that access to the foregoing is granted to me only for the purpose of enabling me to perform my duties for the Company. I also acknowledge that from time to time, in the course of my employment, I may invent and or assist in the invention or improvement of products, processes, procedures, devices, software, works, technology, and other subject matter that may be of value to the Company. I agree that the Company has an identifiable interest in protecting its rights and ownership of the foregoing, as well as all Intellectual Property Rights associated therewith. Accordingly, I am entering into this Agreement as a condition of my employment with the Company, whether or not I am expected to create Inventions of value for the Company.
2. Definitions. Each of the following capitalized terms shall have the following meaning assigned to such term: (i) “Derivations” of any Invention means all improvements, derivative works, modifications, customizations, adaptations, translations, or other derivatives of any kind of or to or from or based on such Invention. (ii) “Intellectual Property Rights” means patents and patent applications (including, without limitations, all provisional, utility, design, continuation, and continuations-in-part, and divisional applications, utility and design patents, utility models, reissues, reexaminations, and national and international counterparts thereof, and all priority rights related thereto), copyrights (registered and unregistered), trade secrets, trademarks, service marks, trade dress, tradenames, and other intellectual property rights of any kind anywhere in the world. (iii) “Inventions” means all inventions, discoveries, technology, improvements, ideas, designs, product concepts, works of authorship, derivative works, and other works, formulae, processes, methods, compositions of matter, software programs, algorithms, databases, mask works, and trade secrets, in each case whether or not patentable, copyrightable, or protectable as trade secrets.
3. Disclosure of Inventions and Derivations. Without further compensation, I will promptly disclose and provide in confidence to the Company all Inventions that I make, develop, author, create, discover, acquire, conceive, or first reduce to practice, whether alone or jointly with others, during the period of my employment with the Company (“Employment Inventions”), and any and all Derivations of any such Employment Invention made, developed, authored, created, discovered, acquired, conceived, or first reduced to practice by me, in each case whether alone or jointly with others.
4. Maintenance of Records. I agree to keep and maintain adequate and current written records of all Employment Inventions and Derivations thereof. The records may be in the form of lab reports, notes, sketches, drawings, flow charts, electronic data or recordings, laboratory notebooks, or any other format. The records will be available to and shall be and remain the sole property and ownership of the Company at all times. I agree not to remove such records from the Company’s place of business except as expressly permitted by Company policy which may, from time to time, be revised at the sole election of the Company for the purpose of furthering the Company’s business. I agree to deliver all such records (including any copies and manifestations thereof) to the Company at the time of termination of my employment with the Company as set forth in Section 11.
5. Work for Hire; Assignment of Inventions. I acknowledge and agree that any and all copyrightable works by me within the scope of my employment are “works made for hire” under the Copyright Act and that pursuant to this Agreement and without any further action required by either party, the Company shall be considered the sole author and owner of such copyrightable works. I agree that (i) all Employment Inventions, whether or not in the course of my employment, that (a) are developed using equipment, supplies, facilities, funding (including, without limitation, any grant to the Company) or other resources, Inventions, or other information or data of the Company, (b) result from work performed by me for the Company, or (c) relate to the Company’s business or actual or demonstrably anticipated research and development, and (ii) all Derivations of any of such Employee Inventions (the foregoing collectively, the “Assigned Inventions”), shall and will -- without any further action required by either party -- be the sole and exclusive property of the Company pursuant to this Agreement. I hereby irrevocably and unconditionally assign, transfer, and convey any and all of the Assigned Inventions, and all Intellectual Property Rights therein and thereto, to the Company. I understand that this assignment by me pursuant to this Agreement is intended to, and does, extend to subject matters currently in existence, those in development, as well as those which have not yet been created. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a list describing all Inventions which were made, developed, authored, created, discovered, acquired, conceived, or first reduced to practice by me prior to the date of this Agreement, which belong to me and which are not assigned to the Company (“Prior Inventions”) (but without limiting or prejudice to any ownership, right, or claim of the Company under any other agreement). If no such list is attached, I agree that it is because no such Prior Inventions exist. I acknowledge and agree that if I use any of my Prior Inventions in the scope of my employment, or include them in any product or service of the Company, I hereby grant to the Company without any further action required by either party a perpetual, irrevocable, non-terminable, non-exclusive, worldwide license, free of any royalty, fee, or other payment or payment obligation, to use, utilize, practice, exploit, disclose, make, sell, offer, copy, perform, display, distribute, modify, and create Derivations of such Prior Inventions, with the right to assign, transfer, and grant direct and indirect sublicenses under this license, as decided by the Company in its sole discretion. If, at any time, a court or other tribunal rules that my assignment of any Assigned Invention or Intellectual Property Right therein or thereto under this Section 5 to be ineffective or unenforceable for any reason, I agree to perform all actions necessary to assign, transfer, and convey the Assigned Inventions and the Intellectual Property Rights therein and thereto to the Company. If any such Assigned Invention or Intellectual Property Right therein or thereto cannot be validly or effectively assigned, conveyed, or transferred under applicable law, I hereby grant the Company a perpetual, irrevocable, non-terminable, non-exclusive, worldwide license, free of any royalty, fee, or other payment or payment obligation, to use, utilize, practice, exploit, disclose, make, sell, offer, copy, perform, display, distribute, modify, and create Derivations of such non-assignable Assigned Invention and Intellectual Property Right, with the right to assign, transfer, and grant direct and indirect sublicenses under this license, as decided by the Company in its sole discretion. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall obligate the Company to pursue, develop, exploit, or commercialize any Assigned Invention.
6. Assignment of Other Rights. In addition to the foregoing assignment of Assigned Inventions and the Intellectual Property Rights therein and thereto to the Company, I hereby irrevocably and unconditionally transfer and assign, and forever waive and agree never to assert, any and all Moral Rights I may have in or with respect to any Assigned Inventions, even after termination of my employment with the Company. “Moral Rights” means any rights of attribution, integrity, to claim authorship of or credit on an Assigned Inventions, to object to or prevent the modification or destruction of any Assigned Inventions or Prior Inventions licensed to Company under Section 5 of this Agreement, or to withdraw from circulation or control the publication or distribution of any Assigned Inventions or Prior Inventions licensed to Company under Section 5 of this Agreement, and any similar right, existing under judicial or statutory law of any country or subdivision thereof in the world, or under any treaty, regardless of whether or not such right is denominated or generally referred to as a “moral right.”
7. Use or Incorporation of Inventions. If, in the course of my employment, I use or incorporate into any Employment Invention, product, service, process, or machine any Invention in which I have an interest that is not covered by Sections 5 or 6 of this Agreement, I will promptly so inform the Company in writing. Whether or not I give such notice, I hereby grant to the Company a perpetual, irrevocable, non-terminable, non- exclusive, worldwide license, free of any royalty, fee, or other payment or payment obligation, to use, utilize, practice, exploit, disclose, make, sell, offer, copy, perform, display, distribute, modify, and create Derivations of such Invention, with the right to assign, transfer, and grant direct and indirect sublicenses under this license, as decided by the Company in its sole discretion.
8. Assistance/Power to Act. I agree to assist the Company in every proper way to obtain, register and enforce for the sole benefit of the Company all registrable Intellectual Property Rights and other legal protections for the Company’s Assigned Inventions anywhere in the world. I will execute any documents that the Company may reasonably request for use in obtaining, registering, perfecting, defending, and/or enforcing any Intellectual Property Rights that the Company owns and/or which I have assigned to the Company pursuant to Sections 5 and 6 of this Agreement. My obligations under this Section 8 will continue beyond the termination of my employment with the Company, provided that the Company will compensate me at a reasonable rate after such termination for time or expenses actually spent by me at the Company’s request on such assistance. I appoint the [Secretary of the Company] as my attorney-in-fact to execute documents on my behalf for this purpose.
9. Confidential Information.
(i) I understand that my employment by the Company creates a relationship of confidence and trust with respect to any information of a confidential or secret nature about the Company’s specific business including such information of any other party with whom the Company agrees to hold information of such party in confidence. Confidential Information covered by this Agreement means (a) statutory trade secrets; (b) proprietary information developed or acquired by the Company that does not rise to the level of a statutorily protectable trade secret and is made the property of the Company through this mutual Agreement of the parties; or (c) information that is otherwise legally protectable and disclosed to me by the Company whether in writing, electronically orally or by observation in connection with my employment. Such Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, Assigned Inventions and any Inventions otherwise made, developed, authored, created, discovered, acquired, conceived, or first reduced to practice by or for the Company, including, without limitation, by any employee or contractor of the Company. Examples of Confidential Information also include non-public information contained in laboratory notebooks, and non-public research, product or service ideas, software codes and designs, algorithms, formulas, techniques, engineering designs and drawings, hardware configuration information, the non-public identity and expertise of employees and consultants, non-public information relating to suppliers and customers, price lists, pricing methodologies, cost data, market share data, business plans, financial forecasts, budgets, licenses and their terms, and third party information and/or physical material entrusted to the company in confidence.
(ii) Subject to Section 12, at all times, both during my employment and after its termination, I will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, disclose any Confidential Information except to employees of the Company who have a need to know such information in order to fulfill their responsibilities to the Company, and I shall not, without prior written consent of the Company use any Confidential Information in any manner except in a way that preserves its value and confidentiality within the Company and that benefits and furthers the interests of the Company.
(iii) If I am uncertain as to whether any particular information or material constitutes Confidential Information, I shall seek written clarification from either my direct supervisor or the Company’s General Counsel, or if I am no longer employed by the Company, from the Company’s General Counsel.
(iv) To the extent my duties to the Company involve supervising the work of others, I shall take such action and implement such policies and programs as may be necessary to identify and protect from unauthorized disclosure all Confidential Information and to ensure that all those for whom I am responsible identify and protect it from unauthorized disclosure.
10. Exceptions to Confidential Information. Notwithstanding the definition set forth in Section 9 of this Agreement, Confidential Information does not include information that I can demonstrate by written documentation: (i) was generally known to the relevant public at the time I first learned or received such information, or (ii) became generally known after I first learned or received such information (other than as a result of any breach or violation of this Agreement or any legal duty by me); (iii) was lawfully received by me from a third party without breach of any confidentiality or non-disclosure obligation and not under a confidentiality or non-disclosure obligation; or (iv) was known to me before I first learned, received, or had access to such information by the Company or in connection with my employment with the Company.
11. Confidentiality and Return of Information Upon Termination.
(i) All materials, documents and data pertaining to the business of the Company and/or that are developed by the Company and come into my possession by virtue of my employment with the Company are the property of the Company. Upon request of the Company at any time, I will deliver to the Company the originals and all copies of such documents and materials and any other property of any nature belonging to the Company or relating to the Company’s business in my possession or control, including all forms of Confidential Information.
(ii) Upon termination of my employment with the Company (regardless of reason), I will not take with me or retain any documents or materials or copies thereof containing any Confidential Information. I agree to return all Confidential Information (original, hard and electronic copies) in my possession on or before my last day of employment. If, at the time of termination, I have Confidential Information stored in my personal computer or any mobile, cloud, or other storage medium including my cell phone and/or mobile applications, I shall so advise the Company. I will then work with the Company to ensure that the location of all such information is fully disclosed to the Company, retrieved by the Company in a forensically sound manner, and is permanently deleted by the Company or its designee. Upon Company request, I will execute a document confirming my agreement to honor my responsibilities contained in this Agreement after my departure.
(iii) Upon my termination, I will execute an Exit Acknowledgement and Certification in the Form attached hereto as Exhibit B. Notwithstanding my confidentiality obligations, I am permitted to disclose Confidential Information that is required to be disclosed by me pursuant to judicial order or other legal mandate, provided that I have given the Company prompt notice of the disclosure requirement, and that I fully cooperate with any efforts by the Company to obtain and comply with any protective order imposed on such disclosure. The provisions in Sections 2, 3 (with regard to any undisclosed or retained Assigned Inventions and any Derivations of any Assigned Inventions), 5–13, 14–30 of this Agreement shall survive and continue in effect after the termination of my employment.
12. Permitted Disclosures.
(i) I understand that pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (the “DTSA”), I shall not be held criminally, or civilly, liable under any Federal or State Trade secret law for disclosing a trade secret that is made in confidence either directly or indirectly to a Federal, State, or local government official, or an attorney, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a violation of law. Moreover, I understand that I may disclose trade secrets in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding if such filing is made under seal. If I file a lawsuit alleging retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of the law I may disclose the trade secret to my attorney and use the trade secret in the court proceeding, provided I file any document containing the trade secret under seal and do not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. I understand that any unauthorized disclosure of the Company’s trade secrets that is not properly made under the DTSA can subject me to severe criminal and civil penalties. Nothing in this Agreement, or any other agreement that I have with the Company, is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by such section.
(ii) Further, nothing in this Agreement, or any other agreement that I have with the Company, shall prohibit or restrict me from (a) voluntarily communicating with an attorney retained by me; (b) making any voluntary disclosure of information or documents concerning possible violations of law to any governmental agency or legislative body, or any self-regulatory organization, in each case, without advance notice to the Company; or (c) responding to a valid subpoena, court order or similar legal process; provided, however, that prior to making any such disclosure pursuant to this Section 12(ii)(c), I shall provide the Company with written notice of the subpoena, court order or similar legal process sufficiently in advance of such disclosure to afford the Company a reasonable opportunity to challenge the subpoena, court order or similar legal process.
13. No Breach of Prior Agreement. Except as I have identified on Exhibit A (if any), I represent that my performance of all the terms of this Agreement and my duties as an employee of the Company will not breach any invention assignment, confidential information or similar agreement with any former employer or other party. I represent that I will not bring with me to the Company or use in the performance of my duties for the Company any confidential business or technical documents or materials of a former employer or third party that has not been legally transferred to the Company.
14. Injunctive Relief. I acknowledge and agree that my violation of this Agreement may cause the Company irreparable harm, and therefore I agree that the Company will be entitled to seek extraordinary relief in court, including, but not limited to, temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions without the necessity of posting a bond or other security (or, where such a bond or security is required, I agree that a $1,000 bond will be adequate), in addition to and without prejudice to any other rights or remedies that the Company may have for a breach of this Agreement.
15. Governing Law; Severability. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. Should any one or more sections of this Agreement be found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining sections contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. In addition, if any section hereof is found to be partially enforceable, then it shall be enforced to that extent. A court with jurisdiction over the matters contained in this Agreement shall have the authority to revise the language hereof to the extent necessary to make any such section or covenant of this Agreement enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
16. Protected Rights. No sections in this Agreement, including the sections addressing my confidentiality obligations, is intended to or shall limit, prevent, impede or interfere in any way with my right, without prior notice to the Company, to provide information to the government, participate in investigations, testify in proceedings regarding the Company’s past or future conduct, or engage in any activities protected under whistleblower statutes. I understand that nothing herein (including the terms of Section 9 is intended to preclude or dissuade me from engaging in activities protected by state and federal law, including the National Labor Relations Act such as discussing wages, benefits, or terms and conditions of employment, including discussions regarding forming, joining or supporting labor unions, raising complaints about working conditions for me and my fellow employees’ mutual aid or protection or other legally protected activities under applicable law.
17. Counterparts. For the purpose of facilitating the execution of this Agreement and for other purposes, this Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any number of counterparts, each of which counterparts shall be deemed to be an original, and such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature of a party by facsimile or other electronic transmission (including a .pdf copy sent by e- mail) shall be deemed to constitute an original and fully effective signature of such party.
18. Third Party Notification. I hereby authorize the Company to notify third parties, including,without limitation, customers and actual or potential employers, of the terms of this Agreement and my responsibilities hereunder.
19. Notices. All notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given either (i) by actual delivery of the notice to the party entitled thereto, (ii) by depositing the same with the United States Postal Service, certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the address of the party entitled thereto, or (iii) via electronic mail. The notice shall be deemed to have been received in the case of (a) above an the date of its actual receipt by the party entitled thereto, in the case of (b) above three (3) days after the date of its deposit with the United States Postal Service, or in the case of (c) above upon transmission to such party with reasonable evidence of successful transmission.
20. Independent Obligations. I acknowledge that my obligations under this Agreement are intended to be agreements separate and independent from any other terms and provisions of my employment. The existence of any claim or cause of action by me against the Company, whether predicated on my employment or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of my obligations hereunder.
21. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the documents referred to herein constitute the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersede all prior understandings and agreements, whether oral or written, between or among the parties hereto with respect to the specific subject matter hereof.
22. Captions. Captions of Sections are inserted only as a matter of convenience and reference and in no way define, limit or describe the substance or scope of this Agreement or the intent of any of its provisions.
23. Rules of Construction. This Agreement is to be interpreted according to its fair meaning as if the Company and I had prepared it together and not strictly for or against either of them. All references in this Agreement to “parties” refer to the Company and me unless expressly indicated otherwise.
24. Amendment and Waivers. This Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement executed by each of the parties hereto. No amendment of or waiver of, or modification of any obligation under this Agreement will be enforceable unless set forth in a writing signed by the party against which enforcement is sought. Any amendment effected in accordance with this Section 25 will be binding upon all parties hereto and each of their respective successors and assigns. No delay or failure to require performance of any provision of this Agreement shall constitute a waiver of that provision as to that or any other instance. No waiver granted under this Agreement as to any one provision herein shall constitute a subsequent waiver of such provision or of any other provision herein, nor shall it constitute the waiver of any performance other than the actual performance specifically waived.
25. Successors and Assigns: Assignment. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, this Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. The Company may assign any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement. No other party to this Agreement may assign, whether voluntarily or by operation of law, any of its rights and obligations assigned to the Company including those pursuant to Sections 4 and 6 of this Agreement.
26. Further Assurances. The parties agree to execute such further documents and instruments and to take such further actions as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.
27. Relationship. This Agreement shall apply to my employment relationship with the Company. If that relationship ends and the Company, within a year thereafter, reemploys me, I agree that this Agreement will also apply to such later employment relationship, unless the Company and I otherwise agree in writing.
28. Advice of Counsel. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, IN EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT, I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL, AND I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL OF THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AGAINST ANY PARTY BY REASON OF THE DRAFTING OR PREPARATION HEREOF.
[Signature page follows]
I have received, read, and understand the provisions of this Agreement. I have had the opportunity to ask any questions and seek any clarification I requested, and I have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
[●]: | ||
[●]: | ||
(SIGNATURE) | ||
Address: | ||
Email: |
[Signature Page - Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement]
THE COMPANY: | ||
PROMICELL, INC. | ||
By: | ||
(Signature) | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address: | ||
Email: |
[Signature Page - Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement]
EXHIBIT A TO
CONFIDENTIALITY AND INVENTIONS AGREEMENT
PRIOR INVENTIONS & ORIGINAL WORKS OF AUTHORSHIP EXCLUDED UNDER SECTION 4
and
CONFLICTING AGREEMENTS DISCLOSED UNDER SECTION 13
The following is a list of (i) all Inventions that, as of the Effective Date: (A) I made, and/or (B) belong solely to me or belong to me jointly with others or in which I have an interest, and that relate in any way to any of the Company’s actual or proposed businesses, products, services, or research and development, and which are not assigned to the Company and (ii) all agreements, if any, with a current or former client, employer, or any other person or entity, that may restrict my ability to accept employment with the Company or my ability to lawfully recruit or engage customers or service providers on behalf of the Company, or otherwise relate to or purport to restrict my ability to perform my duties for the Company or any obligation I may have to the Company:
Title | Date | Identifying Number or Brief Description | ||
Except as indicated above on this exhibit, I have no Prior Inventions to disclose pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement and no conflicting agreement pursuant to Section 13 of this Agreement.
___ Additional Sheets Attached
Signature of [●]: _____________________________
Print Name of [●]: ____________________________
Date: _______________
Exhibit A - 1
EXHIBIT B
TO
CONFIDENTIALITY AND INVENTIONS AGREEMENT
Exit Acknowledgment and Certification
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement you executed as a term and condition of your employment, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Company, Inc. (the “ Company”), requests that you carefully review, complete, and execute this acknowledgment and certification. (If your response requires additional space, please attach and initial any supplemental pages).
1. | Following the termination of my employment with the Company, I have accepted or intend to accept, or plan to apply for or otherwise seek, employment with (list all responsive entities and location of entities): |
2. | The position I have accepted or intend to accept is (title and general description of duties): |
3. | I certify that the following is a complete and exhaustive list of all electronic storage devices (ESDs), including all personal computer(s), personal email accounts, personal “smart” phones, USB flash drives (thumb drives), external storage drives, compact discs, zip discs, DVDs, SD cards, digital cameras, memory sticks, and any other electronic storage devices, and/or accounts capable of caching confidential information, identified by make and model or account address, that I have, at any time, connected to any Company computer or server, or used to access, download, disclose, transfer, send, receive, or store any Company confidential data or information: |
4. | I certify that the following is a complete and exhaustive list of all email accounts, cloud storage accounts, FTP/secure FTP, network shared folders or drives, third party applications, programs and/or scripts, social media accounts, instant messaging accounts, mobile storage, or communication apps that I have, at any time, used to access, download, disclose, transfer, send, or receive any communication containing Company confidential data or information: |
Exhibit B - 1
5. | I have been provided with a copy of my Confidentiality and Invention Assignment Agreement (“Agreement”) including the amendments to the Agreement that I acknowledged and signed on [DATE]. I have reviewed and understand my continuing obligations as set forth in the Agreement and amendments, and I reaffirm my certification of these obligations. |
6. | I [have/have not (circle one)] copied, saved, retained, disclosed, or transmitted, in any form whatsoever, any confidential, proprietary, or trade secret information outside the course of performing my duties for the Company’s benefit. If “have” is circled, identify the protected Company information copied, saved, retained, disclosed, or transmitted in connection with a non-Company business-related purpose, the date of the incident, the parties involved, and the person and/or location to whom/where the confidential, proprietary, or trade secret information was copied, saved, retained, disclosed, or transmitted: |
7. | During my employment relationship with the Company, I [have/have not (circle one)] downloaded and/or stored Company files or data on my home or personal computer. If “have” is circled, identify the Company files or data downloaded or stored on the home or personal computer: |
8. | During my employment relationship with the Company, I [had/did not have (circle one)] the ability to access files or data from the Company’s servers remotely. If “had” is circled, identify the Company’s files or data accessed remotely, and the computer media used for remote access: |
9. | During my employment relationship with the Company, I [used/did not use (circle one)] a personal mobile phone or electronic storage device and [did/did not (circle one)] backed up the contents of my Company- provided mobile phone or electronic storage device. |
10. | I certify that I have not misused, and will not misuse, the right of access to any confidential, proprietary, or trade secret information of the Company that I gained pursuant to my consulting relationship with the Company. I have only accessed confidential, proprietary, or trade secret information required by my duties to the Company, and only at times when there was a legitimate business reason to access the information. |
Exhibit B - 2
11. | Except as specifically disclosed in this Certification, I certify that I have identified and arranged for the return of all Company property in my possession and have not retained any copies of such property, including but not limited to any “Confidential Information,” as defined in my Confidentiality and Invention Assignment Agreement. I have also returned all keys, access cards, credit cards, identification cards, phones, computers, electronic storage media, or devices that have been connected to any Company computer or on which I have stored any “confidential information,” electronic mail devices, electronic organizers, any other Company-issued electronic device, and other property and equipment belonging to the Company. |
12. | I understand that the above is a summary only and does not purport to include all my continuing obligations to the Company under my Agreement. In the case of any conflict between this Exit Certification and my Agreement, the terms of my Agreement control. |
13. | I certify that the foregoing is true and correct and was executed on ________________ 2023. |
Name (Print:) | Signature: |
Exhibit B - 3
Section 2.18
1. | The Company is in pre-clinical stage and therefore has not obtained clearance or permitting from the Food and Drug Administration for running clinical trials or the marketing of its product candidates. |
Section 2.21
As of the Closing, the only debts or payables of the Company are in connection with the following:
1. | See Section 2.10(a) of this Disclosure Schedule for agreements and understandings in which the Company may carry on-going debts, payables or liabilities. |
2. | The Company expects to bear additional costs including reoccurring costs in connection with the buildout of its infrastructure. While these have been budgeted, these costs are uncertain and can vary over time. |
EXHIBIT E
FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
Form Version
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [●], 2023 between PromiCell, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [●] (“Indemnitee”).
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve corporations as [directors] [officers] or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Bylaws of the Company require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”). The Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification;
WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;
WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
1
WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Company’s Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he or she be so indemnified; and
[WHEREAS, Indemnitee has certain rights to indemnification and/or insurance provided by [name of fund/sponsor] which Indemnitee and [name of fund/sponsor] intend to be secondary to the primary obligation of the Company to indemnify Indemnitee as provided herein, with the Company’s acknowledgement and agreement to the foregoing being a material condition to Indemnitee’s willingness to serve on the Board.]a
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of Indemnitee’s agreement to serve as an [officer] [director] from and after the date hereof, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Indemnity of Indemnitee. The Company hereby agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such may be amended from time to time. In furtherance of the foregoing indemnification, and without limiting the generality thereof:
(a) Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 1(a) if, by reason of his or her Corporate Status (as hereinafter defined), the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (as hereinafter defined) other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this Section 1(a), Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses (as hereinafter defined), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her, or on his or her behalf, in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
(b) Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 1(b) if, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this Section 1(b), Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee, or on the Indemnitee’s behalf, in connection with such Proceeding if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company; provided, however, if applicable law so provides, no indemnification against such Expenses shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter in such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall determine that such indemnification may be made.
a NTD: | Include only for directors of fund investors (if any) although note this is investor favorable so suggest removing. |
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(c) Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a party to (or participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding, he or she shall be indemnified to the maximum extent permitted by law, as such may be amended from time to time, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her, or on his or her behalf, in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one (1) or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her, or on his or her behalf, in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
(d) [Indemnification of Appointing Stockholder. If (i) Indemnitee is or was affiliated with one (1) or more venture capital funds that has invested in the Company (an “Appointing Stockholder”), and (ii) the Appointing Stockholder is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, and (iii) the Appointing Stockholder’s involvement in the Proceeding (A) arises primarily out of, or relates to, any action taken by the Company that was approved by the Company’s Board, and (B) arises out of facts or circumstances that are the same or substantially similar to the facts and circumstances that form the basis of claims that have been, could have been or could be brought against the Indemnitee in a Proceeding, regardless of whether the legal basis of the claims against the Indemnitee and the Appointing Stockholder are the same or similar, then the Appointing Stockholder shall be entitled to all rights and remedies, including with respect to indemnification and advancement, provided to the Indemnitee under this Agreement as if the Appointing Stockholder were the Indemnitee. The rights provided to the Appointing Stockholder under this Section 1(d) shall (i) be suspended during any period during which the Appointing Stockholder does not have a representative on the Company’s Board, and (ii) terminate on an initial public offering of the Company’s Common Stock; provided, however, that in the event of any such suspension or termination, the Appointing Stockholder’s rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses will not be suspended or terminated with respect to any Proceeding based in whole or in part on facts and circumstances occurring at any time prior to such suspension or termination regardless of whether the Proceeding arises before or after such suspension or termination. The Company and Indemnitee intend and agree that the Appointing Stockholder is an express third party beneficiary of the terms of this Section 1(d).]b
(e) Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.
b NTD: | Include only if there are directors appointed by a venture fund in which case the fund will be indemnified to a certain extent as well. Note this is investor favorable language and suggest removing. |
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2. Additional Indemnity. In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on, the indemnification provided for in Section 1 of this Agreement, the Company shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her, or on his or her behalf, if, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, he or she is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), including, without limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist upon the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth in Sections 6 and 7 hereof) to be unlawful.
3. Contribution.
(a) Whether or not the indemnification provided in Sections 1 and 2 hereof is available, in respect of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount of any judgment or settlement of such action, suit or proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have against Indemnitee. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.
(b) Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction or events from which such action, suit or proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the transaction or events that resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.
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(c) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless from any claims of contribution which may be brought by officers, directors, or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.
(d) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).
4. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness, or is made (or asked) to respond to discovery requests, in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he or she shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her, or on his or her behalf, in connection therewith.
5. Advancement of Expenses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay any Expenses advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 5 shall be unsecured and interest free. This Section 5 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 9.
6. Procedures and Presumptions for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification. It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as favorable as may be permitted under the DGCL and public policy of the State of Delaware. Accordingly, the parties agree that the following procedures and presumptions shall apply in the event of any question as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement:
(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any failure of Indemnitee to provide such a request to the Company, or to provide such a request in a timely fashion, shall not relieve the Company of any liability that it may have to Indemnitee unless, and to the extent that, such failure actually and materially prejudices the interests of the Company. The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own Expense.
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(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of Section 6(a) hereof, a determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case by one of the following four methods, which shall be at the election of the Board: (i) by a majority vote of the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum, (ii) by a committee of disinterested directors designated by a majority vote of the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum, (iii) if there are no disinterested directors or if the disinterested directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Indemnitee, or (iv) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company. For purposes hereof, disinterested directors are those members of the Board who are not parties to the action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(c) If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 6(c). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board. Indemnitee may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 13 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Indemnitee to the Company’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 6(b) hereof. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the Company and the Indemnitee incident to the procedures of this Section 6(c), regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
(d) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or independent legal counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or independent legal counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
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(e) Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise (as hereinafter defined), including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise. The provisions of this Section 6(e) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement. Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(e) are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.
(f) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 6 to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such sixty (60) day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time to obtain or evaluate documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(f) shall not apply if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement and if (A) within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of the request for such determination, the Board or the Disinterested Directors, if appropriate, resolve to submit such determination to the stockholders for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within seventy five (75) days after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of stockholders is called within fifteen (15) days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such meeting is held for such purpose within sixty (60) days after having been so called and such determination is made thereat.
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(g) Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Independent Counsel, member of the Board or stockholder of the Company shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination regarding the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(h) In the event that any action, suit or proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party is resolved in any manner other than by adverse judgment against Indemnitee (including, without limitation, settlement of such action, suit or proceeding with or without payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in such action, suit or proceeding. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.
(i) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
7. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification is made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement within ninety (90) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 1(c), 1(e), 4 or the last sentence of Section 6(g) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 1(a), 1(b) and 2 of this Agreement within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or such determination is deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of Delaware, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication within one hundred eighty (180) days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 7(a). The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication.
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(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial on the merits, and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of the adverse determination under Section 6(b).
(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s misstatement not materially misleading in connection with the application for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.
(d) In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 7, seeks a judicial adjudication of his or her rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, or to recover under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, the Company shall pay on his or her behalf, in advance, any and all expenses (of the types described in the definition of Expenses in Section 13 of this Agreement) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in such judicial adjudication, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance recovery.
(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. It is the intent of the Company that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Indemnitee not be required to incur legal fees or other Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to the Indemnitee hereunder. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefore) advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, such expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for indemnification or advance of Expenses from the Company under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, if, in the case of indemnification, Indemnitee is wholly successful on the underlying claims; if Indemnitee is not wholly successful on the underlying claims, then such indemnification shall be only to the extent Indemnitee is successful on such underlying claims or otherwise as permitted by law, whichever is greater.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.
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8. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Primacy of Indemnification; Subrogation.
(a) The rights of indemnification as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of directors of the Company, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in the DGCL, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents or fiduciaries of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary under such policy or policies. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.c
(c) [The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee has certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by [Name of Fund/Sponsor] and certain of its affiliates (collectively, the “Fund Indemnitors”). The Company hereby agrees (i) that it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligations to Indemnitee are primary and any obligation of the Fund Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by Indemnitee are secondary), (ii) that it shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall be liable for the full amount of all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement to the extent legally permitted and as required by the terms of this Agreement and the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company (or any other agreement between the Company and Indemnitee), without regard to any rights Indemnitee may have against the Fund Indemnitors, and (iii) that it irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases the Fund Indemnitors from any and all claims against the Fund Indemnitors for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof. The Company further agrees that no advancement or payment by the Fund Indemnitors on behalf of Indemnitee with respect to any claim for which ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ has sought indemnification from the Company shall affect the foregoing and the Fund Indemnitors shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee against the Company. The Company and Indemnitee agree that the Fund Indemnitors are express third party beneficiaries of the terms of this Section 8(c).]
c | NTD: As an alternative to the language in this provision, we could include a requirement of the Company to maintain a designated minimum level of D&O liability insurance. |
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(d) Except as provided in paragraph (c) above, in the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee [(other than against the Fund Indemnitors)]d, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
(e) Except as provided in paragraph (c) above, the Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
(f) Except as provided in paragraph (c) above, the Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise.
9. Exception to Right of Indemnification. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:
(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, [provided, that the foregoing shall not affect the rights of Indemnitee or the Fund Indemnitors set forth in Section 8(c) above;]e or
(b) for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by the Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by the Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇ Act of 2002 (the “▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇ Act”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇ Act) or (iii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any compensation pursuant to any compensation recoupment or clawback policy adopted by the Board or the compensation committee of the Board, including but not limited to any such policy adopted to comply with stock exchange listing requirements implementing Section 10D of the Exchange Act; or
d NTD: | Delete if 8(c) is removed. |
e NTD: | Delete if 8(c) is removed. |
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(c) except as provided in Section 7(e) of this Agreement, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (ii) such payment arises in connection with any mandatory counterclaim or cross claim brought or raised by Indemnitee in any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) or (iii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.
(d) for Expenses determined by the Company to have arisen out of Indemnitee’s breach or violation of his or her obligations under (i) any employment agreement between the Indemnitee and the Company or (ii) the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (as enacted or amended from time to time).
10. Duration of Agreement. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee is an officer or director of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding (or any proceeding commenced under Section 7 hereof) by reason of his or her Corporate Status, whether or not he or she is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives.
11. Security. To the extent requested by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.
12. Enforcement.
(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumes the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as an officer or director of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as an officer or director of the Company.
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(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(c) The Company shall not seek from a court, or agree to, a “bar order” which would have the effect of prohibiting or limiting the Indemnitee’s rights to receive advancement of expenses under this Agreement.
13. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.
(b) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(c) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.
(d) “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on the Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, participating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding, or responding to, or objecting to, a request to provide discovery in any Proceeding. Expenses also shall include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including, without limitation, the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent (ii) Expenses incurred in connection with recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee is ultimately determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement or Expenses or insurance recovery, as the case may be, and (iii) for purposes of Section 7(e) only, Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, by litigation or otherwise. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
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(e) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither at present is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
(f) “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, by reason of any action taken by him or her, or of any inaction on his or her part, while acting in his or her Corporate Status; in each case whether or not he or she is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement; including one pending on or before the date of this Agreement, but excluding one initiated by an Indemnitee pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement to enforce his or her rights under this Agreement.
14. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. [Further, the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof as to either Indemnitee or Appointing Stockholder shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any provision hereof as to the other.]f Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement is intended to confer upon Indemnitee [and Appointing Stockholder] indemnification rights to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws. In the event any provision hereof conflicts with any applicable law, such provision shall be deemed modified, consistent with the aforementioned intent, to the extent necessary to resolve such conflict.
15. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification, termination or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
16. Notice By Indemnitee. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with or otherwise receiving any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification covered hereunder. The failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise unless and only to the extent that such failure or delay materially prejudices the Company.
f NTD: | Use the bracketed language in Section 14 if a version of the indemnification of Appointing Stockholder language is used in Section 1(d) |
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17. Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed electronic mail if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not so confirmed, then on the next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent:
(a) | To Indemnitee at the address set forth below Indemnitee signature hereto. |
(b) | To the Company at: | |
PromiCell, Inc. | ||
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, | ||
Coconut Grove, FL 33133 | ||
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ M.D. |
or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.
18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., ▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
19. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
20. Governing Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) appoint, to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, irrevocably [name] [address] as its agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process in connection with any such action or proceeding against such party with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware, (iv) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (v) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Indemnification Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.
COMPANY | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
INDEMNITEE | ||
Name: | ||
Address: | ||
Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement
EXHIBIT F
FORM OF INVESTORS’ RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Form Version
INVESTORS’ RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS INVESTORS’ RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is made as of [ ], 2023, by and among PromiCell, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), each of the parties listed on Schedule A hereto (as may be amended by the Company), each of which is referred to in this Agreement as a “Holder.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company and the Holders are parties to that certain Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement of even date herewith (the “Purchase Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, in order to induce the Company to enter into the Purchase Agreement and to induce the Holders to invest funds in the Company pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Holders and the Company hereby agree that this Agreement shall govern the rights of the Holders to cause the Company to register shares of Common Stock issuable to the Holders, to receive certain information from the Company, and to participate in future equity offerings by the Company, and shall govern certain other matters as set forth in this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
1.1 “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, including, without limitation, any general partner, managing member, officer, director or trustee of such Person, or any venture capital fund or other investment fund now or hereafter existing that is controlled by one (1) or more general partners, managing members or investment adviser of, or shares the same management company or investment adviser with, such Person.
1.2 “Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.
1.3 “Certificate of Incorporation” means the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and/or restated from time to time.
1.4 “Common Stock” means shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
1.5 “Damages” means any loss, damage, claim or liability (joint or several) to which a party hereto may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state law, insofar as such loss, damage, claim or liability (or any action in respect thereof) arises out of or is based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement of the Company, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto; (ii) an omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the indemnifying party (or any of its agents or Affiliates) of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any state securities law.
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1.6 “Derivative Securities” means any securities or rights convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for (in each case, directly or indirectly), Common Stock, including options and warrants.
1.7 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
1.8 “Excluded Registration” means (i) a registration relating to the sale or grant of securities to employees of the Company or a subsidiary pursuant to a stock option, stock purchase, equity incentive or similar plan; (ii) a registration relating to an SEC Rule 145 transaction; (iii) a registration on any form that does not include substantially the same information as would be required to be included in a registration statement covering the sale of the Registrable Securities; or (iv) a registration in which the only Common Stock being registered is Common Stock issuable upon conversion of debt securities that are also being registered.
1.9 “Form S-1” means such form under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof or any successor registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by the SEC.
1.10 “Form S-3” means such form under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof or any registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by the SEC that permits forward incorporation of substantial information by reference to other documents filed by the Company with the SEC.
1.11 “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time.
1.12 “Holder” means any holder of Registrable Securities who is a party to this Agreement.
1.13 “Immediate Family Member” means a child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, life partner or similar statutorily-recognized domestic partner, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships of a natural person referred to herein.
1.14 “Initiating Holders” means, collectively, Holders who properly initiate a registration request under this Agreement.
1.15 “IPO” means the Company’s first underwritten public offering of its Common Stock under the Securities Act.
1.16 “Key Employee” means any executive-level employee (including division director and vice president-level positions) as well as any employee who, either alone or in concert with others, develops, invents, programs, or designs any Company Intellectual Property (as defined in the Purchase Agreement).
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1.17 “New Securities” means, collectively, equity securities of the Company, whether or not currently authorized, as well as rights, options, or warrants to purchase such equity securities, or securities of any type whatsoever that are, or may become, convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for such equity securities.
1.18 “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or other entity.
1.19 “Preferred Director” means any director of the Company that the holders of record of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to elect, exclusively and as a separate class, pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation.
1.20 “Registrable Securities” means (i) the Common Stock issuable or issued upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) any Common Stock issued as (or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any warrant, right, or other security that is issued as) a dividend or other distribution with respect to, or in exchange for or in replacement of, the shares referenced in clause (i) above and (iii) the Common Stock held by the Holders; excluding in all cases, however, any Registrable Securities sold by a Person in a transaction in which the applicable rights under this Agreement are not assigned pursuant to Section 7.1, and excluding for purposes of Section 2 any shares for which registration rights have terminated pursuant to Section 2.11 of this Agreement.
1.21 “Registrable Securities then outstanding” means the number of shares determined by adding the number of shares of outstanding Common Stock that are Registrable Securities and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable (directly or indirectly) pursuant to then exercisable and/or convertible securities that are Registrable Securities.
1.22 “Restricted Securities” means the securities of the Company required to be notated with the legend set forth in Section 3.2 hereof.
1.23 “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.24 “SEC Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities 1.1 Act. Act.
1.25 “SEC Rule 145” means Rule 145 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities
1.26 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and 1.1 regulations promulgated thereunder.
1.27 “Selling Expenses” means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions, and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities, and fees and disbursements of counsel for any Holder, except for the fees and disbursements of the Selling Holder Counsel borne and paid by the Company as provided in Section 2.6.
1.28 “Series A Preferred Stock” means shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
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2. Registration Rights. The Company covenants and agrees as follows:
2.1 Demand Registration.
(a) Form S-3 Demand. If at any time when it is eligible to use a Form S-3 registration statement, the Company receives a request from Holders of at least ten percent (10%) of the Registrable Securities then outstanding that the Company file a Form S-3 registration statement with respect to outstanding Registrable Securities of such Holders having an anticipated aggregate offering price, net of Selling Expenses, of at least $10 million, then the Company shall (i) within ten (10) days after the date such request is given, give a notice thereof (a “Demand Notice”) to all Holders other than the Initiating Holders; and (ii) as soon as practicable, and in any event within forty-five (45) days after the date such request is given by the Initiating Holders, file a Form S-3 registration statement under the Securities Act covering all Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by any other Holders, as specified by notice given by each such Holder to the Company within twenty (20) days of the date the Demand Notice is given, and in each case, subject to the limitations of Sections 2.1(b) and 2.3.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing obligations, if the Company furnishes to Holders requesting a registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 a certificate signed by the Company’s chief executive officer stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors it would be materially detrimental to the Company and its stockholders for such registration statement to either become effective or remain effective for as long as such registration statement otherwise would be required to remain effective, because such action would (i) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, corporate reorganization, or other similar transaction involving the Company; (ii) require premature disclosure of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential; or (iii) render the Company unable to comply with requirements under the Securities Act or Exchange Act, then the Company shall have the right to defer taking action with respect to such filing for a period of not more than sixty (60) days after the request of the Initiating Holders is given; provided, however, that the Company may not invoke this right more than twice in any twelve (12) month period.
(c) The Company shall not be obligated to effect, or to take any action to effect, any registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a), (i) during the period that is thirty (30) days before the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of filing of, and ending on a date that is ninety (90) days after the effective date of, a Company-initiated registration, provided that the Company is actively employing in good faith commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective; or (ii) if the Company has effected two (2) registrations pursuant to Section 2.1(a) within the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the date of such request. A registration shall not be counted as “effected” for purposes of this Section 2.1(c) until such time as the applicable registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC, unless the Initiating Holders withdraw their request for such registration, elect not to pay the registration expenses therefor, and forfeit their right to one demand registration statement pursuant to Section 2.6, in which case such withdrawn registration statement shall be counted as “effected” for purposes of this Section 2.1(c); provided, that if such withdrawal is during a period the Company has deferred taking action pursuant to Section 2.1(b), then the Initiating Holders may withdraw their request for registration and such registration will not be counted as “effected” for purposes of this Section 2.1(c).
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2.2 Company Registration. If the Company proposes to register (including for this purpose a registration effected by the Company for stockholders other than the Holders) any of its Common Stock under the Securities Act in connection with the public offering of such securities solely for cash (other than in an Excluded Registration, a registration relating to a demand pursuant to Section 2.1, or the IPO), the Company shall, at such time, promptly give each Holder notice of such registration. Upon the request of each Holder given within twenty (20) days after such notice is given by the Company, the Company shall, subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, cause to be registered all of the Registrable Securities that each such Holder has requested to be included in such registration. The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Section 2.2 before the effective date of such registration, whether or not any Holder has elected to include Registrable Securities in such registration. The expenses (other than Selling Expenses) of such withdrawn registration shall be borne by the Company in accordance with Section 2.6.
2.3 Underwriting Requirements.
(a) If, pursuant to Section 2.1, the Initiating Holders intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request by means of an underwriting, they shall so advise the Company as a part of their request made pursuant to Section 2.1, and the Company shall include such information in the Demand Notice. The underwriter(s) will be selected by the Company and shall be reasonably acceptable to a majority in interest of the Initiating Holders. In such event, the right of any Holder to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall (together with the Company as provided in Section 2.4(e)) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter(s) selected for such underwriting; provided, however, that no Holder (or any of their assignees) shall be required to make any representations, warranties or indemnities except as they relate to such Holder’s ownership of shares and authority to enter into the underwriting agreement and to such ▇▇▇▇▇▇’s intended method of distribution, and the liability of such Holder shall be several and not joint, and limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.3, if the underwriter(s) advise(s) the Initiating Holders in writing that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of shares to be underwritten, then the Initiating Holders shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities that otherwise would be underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of Registrable Securities that may be included in the underwriting shall be allocated among such Holders of Registrable Securities, including the Initiating Holders, in proportion (as nearly as practicable) to the number of Registrable Securities owned by each Holder or in such other proportion as shall mutually be agreed to by all such selling Holders; provided, however, that the number of Registrable Securities held by the Holders to be included in such underwriting shall not be reduced unless all other securities are first entirely excluded from the underwriting. To facilitate the allocation of shares in accordance with the above provisions, the Company or the underwriters may round the number of shares allocated to any Holder to the nearest one hundred (100) shares.
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(b) In connection with any offering involving an underwriting of shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to Section 2.2, the Company shall not be required to include any of the Holders’ Registrable Securities in such underwriting unless the Holders accept the terms of the underwriting as agreed upon between the Company and its underwriters, and then only in such quantity as the underwriters in their sole discretion determine will not jeopardize the success of the offering by the Company. If the total number of securities, including Registrable Securities, requested by stockholders to be included in such offering exceeds the number of securities to be sold (other than by the Company) that the underwriters in their reasonable discretion determine is compatible with the success of the offering, then the Company shall be required to include in the offering only that number of such securities, including Registrable Securities, which the underwriters and the Company in their sole discretion determine will not jeopardize the success of the offering. If the underwriters determine that less than all of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered can be included in such offering, then the Registrable Securities that are included in such offering shall be allocated among the selling Holders in proportion (as nearly as practicable to) the number of Registrable Securities owned by each selling Holder or in such other proportions as shall mutually be agreed to by all such selling Holders. To facilitate the allocation of shares in accordance with the above provisions, the Company or the underwriters may round the number of shares allocated to any Holder to the nearest one hundred (100) shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the number of Registrable Securities included in the offering be reduced unless all other securities (other than securities to be sold by the Company) are first entirely excluded from the offering. For purposes of the provision in this Section 2.3(b) concerning apportionment, for any selling Holder that is a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, the partners, members, retired partners, retired members, stockholders, and Affiliates of such Holder, or the estates and Immediate Family Members of any such partners, retired partners, members, and retired members and any trusts for the benefit of any of the foregoing Persons, shall be deemed to be a single “selling Holder,” and any pro rata reduction with respect to such “selling Holder” shall be based upon the aggregate number of Registrable Securities owned by all Persons included in such “selling Holder,” as defined in this sentence.
(c) For purposes of Section 2.1, a registration shall not be counted as “effected” if, as a result of an exercise of the underwriter’s cutback provisions in Section 2.3(a), fewer than fifty percent (50%) of the total number of Registrable Securities that Holders have requested to be included in such registration statement are actually included.
2.4 Obligations of the Company. Whenever required under this Section 2 to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities, the Company shall, as expeditiously as reasonably possible:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective and, upon the request of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities registered thereunder, keep such registration statement effective for a period of up to one hundred twenty (120) days or, if earlier, until the distribution contemplated in the registration statement has been completed; provided, however, that such one hundred twenty (120) day period shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period the Holder refrains, at the request of an underwriter of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company, from selling any securities included in such registration;
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(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement, and the prospectus used in connection with such registration statement, as may be necessary to comply with the Securities Act in order to enable the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement;
(c) furnish to the selling Holders such numbers of copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, as required by the Securities Act, and such other documents as the Holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate their disposition of their Registrable Securities;
(d) use its commercially reasonable efforts to register and qualify the securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or blue-sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the selling Holders; provided that the Company shall not be required to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions, unless the Company is already subject to service in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the Securities Act;
(e) in the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the underwriter(s) of such offering;
(f) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be listed on a national securities exchange or trading system and each securities exchange and trading system (if any) on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;
(g) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Agreement and provide a CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities, in each case not later than the effective date of such registration;
(h) promptly make available for inspection by the selling Holders, any underwriter(s) participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement, and any attorney or accountant or other agent retained by any such underwriter or selected by the selling Holders, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents, and properties of the Company, and cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees, and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant, or agent, in each case, as necessary or advisable to verify the accuracy of the information in such registration statement and to conduct appropriate due diligence in connection therewith;
(i) notify each selling Holder, promptly after the Company receives notice thereof, of the time when such registration statement has been declared effective or a supplement to any prospectus forming a part of such registration statement has been filed; and
(j) after such registration statement becomes effective, notify each selling Holder of any request by the SEC that the Company amend or supplement such registration statement or prospectus.
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In addition, the Company shall ensure that, at all times after any registration statement covering a public offering of securities of the Company under the Securities Act shall have become effective, its ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ policy shall provide that the Company’s directors may implement a trading program under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act.
2.5 Furnish Information. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to this Section 2 with respect to the Registrable Securities of any selling Holder that such Holder shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as is reasonably required to effect the registration of such Holder’s Registrable Securities.
2.6 Expenses of Registration. All expenses (other than Selling Expenses) incurred in connection with registrations, filings, or qualifications pursuant to Section 2, including all registration, filing, and qualification fees; printers’ and accounting fees; fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company; and the reasonable fees and disbursements, not to exceed $25,000, of one counsel for the selling Holders selected by Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be registered (“Selling Holder Counsel”), shall be borne and paid by the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay for any expenses of any registration proceeding begun pursuant to Section 2.1 if the registration request is subsequently withdrawn at the request of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be registered (in which case all selling Holders shall bear such expenses pro rata based upon the number of Registrable Securities that were to be included in the withdrawn registration), unless the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities agree to forfeit their right to one registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a). All Selling Expenses relating to Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Section 2 (other than fees and disbursements of counsel to any Holder, other than the Selling Holder Counsel, which shall be borne solely by the Holder engaging such counsel) shall be borne and paid by the Holders pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities registered on their behalf.
2.7 Delay of Registration. No Holder shall have any right to obtain or seek an injunction restraining or otherwise delaying any registration pursuant to this Agreement as the result of any controversy that might arise with respect to the interpretation or implementation of this Section 2.
2.8 Indemnification. If any Registrable Securities are included in a registration statement under this Section 2:
(a) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each selling Holder, and the partners, members, officers, directors, and stockholders of each such Holder; legal counsel and accountants for each such Holder; any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for each such Holder; and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any Damages, and the Company will pay to each such Holder, underwriter, controlling Person, or other aforementioned Person any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred thereby in connection with investigating or defending any claim or proceeding from which Damages may result, as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 2.8(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claim or proceeding if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, nor shall the Company be liable for any Damages to the extent that they arise out of or are based upon actions or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished by or on behalf of any such Holder, underwriter, controlling Person, or other aforementioned Person expressly for use in connection with such registration except to the extent such information has been corrected in a subsequent writing prior to or concurrently with the sale of Registrable Securities to the Person asserting the claim.
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(b) To the extent permitted by law, each selling Holder, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and each of its directors, each of its officers who has signed the registration statement, each Person (if any), who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, legal counsel and accountants for the Company, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act), any other Holder selling securities in such registration statement, and any controlling Person of any such underwriter or other Holder, against any Damages, in each case only to the extent that such Damages arise out of or are based upon actions or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished by or on behalf of such selling Holder expressly for use in connection with such registration and has not been corrected in a subsequent writing prior to or concurrently with the sale of Registrable Securities to the Person asserting the claim; and each such selling Holder will pay to the Company and each other aforementioned Person any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred thereby in connection with investigating or defending any claim or proceeding from which Damages may result, as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 2.8(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claim or proceeding if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; and provided further that in no event shall the aggregate amounts payable by any Holder by way of indemnity or contribution under Section 2.8(b) and 2.8(d) exceed the proceeds from the offering received by such Holder (net of any Selling Expenses paid by such Holder), except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct by such Holder.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 2.8 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental action) for which a party may be entitled to indemnification hereunder, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 2.8, give the indemnifying party notice of the commencement thereof. The indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in such action and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, participate jointly with any other indemnifying party to which notice has been given, and to assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the parties; provided, however, that an indemnified party (together with all other indemnified parties that may be represented without conflict by one counsel) shall have the right to retain one separate counsel, with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if representation of such indemnified party by the counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such indemnified party and any other party represented by such counsel in such action. The failure to give notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the indemnified party under this Section 2.8, only to the extent that such failure materially prejudices the indemnifying party’s ability to defend such action. The failure to give notice to the indemnifying party will not relieve it of any liability that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 2.8.
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(d) To provide for just and equitable contribution to joint liability under the Securities Act in any case in which either: (i) any party otherwise entitled to indemnification hereunder makes a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 2.8 but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case, notwithstanding the fact that this Section 2.8 provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Securities Act may be required on the part of any party hereto for which indemnification is provided under this Section 2.8, then, and in each such case, such parties will contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses to which they may be subject (after contribution from others) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of each of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in connection with the statements, omissions, or other actions that resulted in such loss, claim, damage, liability, or expense, as well as to reflect any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or allegedly untrue statement of a material fact, or the omission or alleged omission of a material fact, relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission; provided, however, that, in any such case (x) no Holder will be required to contribute any amount in excess of the public offering price of all such Registrable Securities offered and sold by such Holder pursuant to such registration statement, and (y) no Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation; and provided further that in no event shall a Holder’s liability pursuant to this Section 2.8(d), when combined with the amounts paid or payable by such Holder pursuant to Section 2.8(b), exceed the proceeds from the offering received by such Holder (net of any Selling Expenses paid by such Holder), except in the case of willful misconduct or fraud by such Holder.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the underwritten public offering are in conflict with the foregoing provisions, the provisions in the underwriting agreement shall control; provided, however, that any matter expressly provided for or addressed by the foregoing provisions that is not expressly provided for or addressed by the underwriting agreement shall be controlled by the foregoing provisions.
(f) Unless otherwise superseded by an underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the underwritten public offering, the obligations of the Company and Holders under this Section 2.8 shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a registration under this Section 2, and otherwise shall survive the termination of this Agreement or any provision(s) of this Agreement.
2.9 Reports Under Exchange Act. With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of SEC Rule 144 and any other rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit a Holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration or pursuant to a registration on Form S-3, the Company shall:
(a) make and keep available adequate current public information, as those terms are understood and defined in SEC Rule 144, at all times after the effective date of the registration statement filed by the Company for the IPO;
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(b) use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after the Company has become subject to such reporting requirements); and
(c) furnish to any Holder, so long as the Holder owns any Registrable Securities, forthwith upon request (i) to the extent accurate, a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of SEC Rule 144 (at any time after ninety (90) days after the effective date of the registration statement filed by the Company for the IPO), the Securities Act, and the Exchange Act (at any time after the Company has become subject to such reporting requirements), or that it qualifies as a registrant whose securities may be resold pursuant to Form S-3 (at any time after the Company so qualifies) and (ii) such other information as may be reasonably requested in availing any Holder of any rule or regulation of the SEC that permits the selling of any such securities without registration (at any time after the Company has become subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act) or pursuant to Form S-3 (at any time after the Company so qualifies to use such form).
2.10 “Market Stand-off” Agreement. Each Holder hereby agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of the managing underwriter, during the period commencing on the date of the final prospectus relating to the registration by the Company of shares of its Common Stock or any other equity securities under the Securities Act on a registration statement on Form S-1 or Form S-3, and ending on the date specified by the Company and the managing underwriter (such period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days in the case of the IPO or ninety (90) days in the case of any registration other than the IPO, or such other period as may be requested by the Company or an underwriter to accommodate regulatory restrictions on (1) the publication or other distribution of research reports and (2) analyst recommendations and opinions, including, but not limited to, the restrictions contained in applicable FINRA rules, or any successor provisions or amendments thereto), (i) lend; offer; pledge; sell; contract to sell; sell any option or contract to purchase; purchase any option or contract to sell; grant any option, right, or warrant to purchase; or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable (directly or indirectly) for Common Stock held immediately before the effective date of the registration statement for such offering or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of such securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or other securities, in cash, or otherwise. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.10 shall not apply to the sale of any shares to an underwriter pursuant to an underwriting agreement, or the transfer of any shares to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the Holder or the immediate family of the Holder, provided that the trustee of the trust agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein and that any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value, and provided further that any such transfer shall be applicable to the Holders only if all officers and directors are subject to the same restrictions. The underwriters in connection with such registration are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Section 2.10 and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto. Each Holder further agrees to execute such agreements as may be reasonably requested by the underwriters in connection with such registration that are consistent with this Section 2.10 or that are necessary to give further effect thereto.
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2.11 Termination of Registration Rights. The right of any Holder to request registration or inclusion of Registrable Securities in any registration pursuant to Sections 2.1 or 2.2 shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of:
(a) the closing of a Deemed Liquidation Event, as such term is defined in the Certificate of Incorporation;
(b) such time after consummation of the IPO as SEC Rule 144 or another similar exemption under the Securities Act is available for the sale of all of such Holder’s shares without limitation, during a three (3)-month period without registration;
(c) the fifth (5th) anniversary of the IPO.
3. Restrictions on Transfer.
3.1 The Series A Preferred Stock and the Registrable Securities shall not be pledged or otherwise used as security or collateral other than with the written consent of the Company and upon such conditions that the Company may impose upon granting such consent. The Series A Preferred Stock and Registrable Securities shall not be sold or otherwise transferred, and the Company shall not recognize and shall issue stop-transfer instructions to its transfer agent with respect to any such sale, pledge, or transfer, except upon the conditions specified in this Agreement, which conditions are intended to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act. A transferring Holder will cause any proposed purchaser, pledgee, or transferee of the Series A Preferred Stock and the Registrable Securities held by such Holder to agree to take and hold such securities subject to the provisions and upon the conditions specified in this Agreement.
3.2 Unless the Company sends notice providing otherwise, no transfer shall be valid or effective unless the transferee executes (i) this Agreement, (i) the Voting Agreement and (iii) the Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement, each dated as of the date hereof and entered into between the Company and certain other stockholders
3.3 Any transfer or sale made by the Holder, regardless of whether Company consent is required, shall be deemed effective only if such transfer or sale is made in compliance with securities laws and regulations, and, if requested by the Company, an opinion of counsel attesting to such compliance.
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3.4 Each certificate, instrument, or book entry representing (i) the Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) the Registrable Securities, and (iii) any other securities issued in respect of the securities referenced in clauses (i) and (ii), upon any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, or similar event, shall (unless otherwise permitted by the provisions of Section 3.3) be notated with a legend substantially in the following form:
THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. THE SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED, OR TRANSFERRED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN A FORM SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE STOCKHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.
The Holders consent to the Company making a notation in its records and giving instructions to any transfer agent of the Restricted Securities in order to implement the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 3.
3.5 The holder of such Restricted Securities, by acceptance of ownership thereof, agrees to comply in all respects with the provisions of this Section 3. Before any proposed sale, pledge, or transfer of any Restricted Securities, unless there is in effect a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the proposed transaction, the Holder thereof shall give notice to the Company of such Holder’s intention to effect such sale, pledge, or transfer. Each such notice shall describe the manner and circumstances of the proposed sale, pledge, or transfer in sufficient detail and, if reasonably requested by the Company, shall be accompanied at such Holder’s expense by either (i) a written opinion of legal counsel who shall, and whose legal opinion shall, be reasonably satisfactory to the Company, addressed to the Company, to the effect that the proposed transaction may be effected without registration under the Securities Act; (ii) a “no action” letter from the SEC to the effect that the proposed sale, pledge, or transfer of such Restricted Securities without registration will not result in a recommendation by the staff of the SEC that action be taken with respect thereto; or (iii) any other evidence reasonably satisfactory to counsel to the Company to the effect that the proposed sale, pledge, or transfer of the Restricted Securities may be effected without registration under the Securities Act, whereupon the Holder of such Restricted Securities shall be entitled to sell, pledge, or transfer such Restricted Securities in accordance with the terms of the notice given by the Holder to the Company. The Company will not require such a notice, legal opinion or “no action” letter (x) in any transaction in compliance with SEC Rule 144; or (y) in any transaction in which such Holder distributes Restricted Securities to an Affiliate of such Holder for no consideration; provided that each transferee agrees in writing to be subject to the terms of this Section 3. Each certificate, instrument, or book entry representing the Restricted Securities transferred as above provided shall be notated with, except if such transfer is made pursuant to SEC Rule 144, the appropriate restrictive legend set forth in Section 3.2, except that such certificate instrument, or book entry shall not be notated with such restrictive legend if, in the opinion of counsel for such Holder and the Company, such legend is not required in order to establish compliance with any provisions of the Securities Act.
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4. Information Rights.
4.1 Delivery of Financial Statements. The Company shall deliver to each Holder the following information, provided that the Board of Directors has not reasonably determined that such Holder is a competitor of the Company (it being understood and agreed that no Holders is a competitor of the Company solely from the fact that it is an investor with a minority non- controlling interest in another entity that may be deemed a competitor of the Company):
(a) starting with the period ending December 31, 2022, as soon as practicable, but in any event within one hundred twenty (180) days after the end of each calendar year (i) a balance sheet as of the end of such year, (ii) statements of income and of cash flows for such year, and (iii) a statement of stockholders’ equity as of the end of such year, all such financial statements audited and certified by independent public accountants selected by the Company;
(b) as soon as practicable, but in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each quarter, unaudited statements of income and cash flows for such calendar quarter, and an unaudited balance sheet as of the end of such calendar quarter, all prepared in accordance with GAAP (except that such financial statements may (i) be subject to normal year-end audit adjustments; and (ii) not contain all notes thereto that may be required in accordance with GAAP);
(c) as soon as practicable, but in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each quarter of each fiscal year of the Company, a statement showing the number of shares of each class and series of capital stock and securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of capital stock outstanding at the end of the period, the Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exercise of any outstanding securities convertible or exercisable for Common Stock and the exchange ratio or exercise price applicable thereto, and the number of shares of issued stock options and stock options not yet issued but reserved for issuance, if any, all in sufficient detail as to permit Company’s shareholders to calculate their respective percentage equity ownership in the Company, and certified by the chief financial officer or chief executive officer of the Company as being true, complete, and correct;
(d) as soon as practicable, but in any event thirty (30) days before the end of each fiscal year, a budget and business plan for the next fiscal year (collectively, the “Budget”), prepared on a monthly basis, including statements of cash flow for such months and, promptly after prepared, any other budgets or revised budgets prepared by the Company; and
(e) such other information relating to the financial condition, business, prospects, or corporate affairs of the Company as any shareholder holding at least 1,000,000 of Series A Preferred Stock or Common Stock may from time to time reasonably request; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated under this Subsection (e) to provide information (i) that the Company reasonably determines in good faith to be a trade secret or confidential information (unless covered by an enforceable confidentiality agreement, in a form acceptable to the Company); (ii) the disclosure of which would adversely affect the attorney-client privilege between the Company and its counsel; or (iii) under circumstances which the Company reasonably determines would result in material burden or distraction.
If, for any period, the Company has any subsidiary whose accounts are consolidated with those of the Company, then in respect of such period the financial statements delivered pursuant to the foregoing sections shall be the consolidated and consolidating financial statements of the Company and all such consolidated subsidiaries.
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Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 4.1 to the contrary, the Company may cease providing the information set forth in this Section 4.1 during the period starting with the date sixty (60) days before the Company’s good-faith estimate of the date of filing of a registration statement if it reasonably concludes it must do so to comply with the SEC rules applicable to such registration statement and related offering; provided that the Company’s covenants under this Section 4.1 shall be reinstated at such time as the Company is no longer actively employing its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective.
4.2 Inspection. The Company shall permit each Holder (provided that the Board of Directors has not reasonably determined that such Holder is a competitor of the Company, it being understood and agreed that no Holders is a competitor of the Company solely from the fact that it is an investor with a non-controlling minority interest in another entity that may be deemed a competitor of the Company), at such Holder’s expense, to visit and inspect the Company’s properties; examine its books of account and records; and discuss the Company’s affairs, finances, and accounts with its officers, during normal business hours of the Company as may be reasonably requested by the Holder; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to this Section 4.2 to provide access to any information that it reasonably and in good faith considers to be a trade secret or confidential information (unless covered by an enforceable confidentiality agreement, in form acceptable to the Company) or the disclosure of which would adversely affect the attorney-client privilege between the Company and its counsel; and provided further that the inspection rights under this Section 3.2 and otherwise within this Agreement shall not include the right to see any identifiable information of the other Holders, such as name, address and signatures.
4.3 Termination of Information Rights. The covenants set forth in Section 4.1 and Section 4.2 shall terminate and be of no further force or effect (i) immediately before the consummation of the IPO, (ii) when the Company first becomes subject to the periodic reporting requirements of Section 12(g) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or (iii) upon the closing of a Deemed Liquidation Event, as such term is defined in the Certificate of Incorporation, whichever event occurs first.
4.4 Confidentiality. Each Holder agrees that such Holder will keep confidential and will not disclose, divulge, or use for any purpose (other than to monitor or make decisions with respect to its investment in the Company) any confidential information obtained from the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (including notice of the Company’s intention to file a registration statement), unless such confidential information (a) is known or becomes known to the public in general (other than as a result of a breach of this Section 4.4 by such Holder),(b) is or has been independently developed or conceived by such Holder without use of the Company’s confidential information, or (c) is or has been made known or disclosed to such Holder by a third party without a breach of any obligation of confidentiality such third party may have to the Company; provided, however, that a Holder may disclose confidential information (i) to its attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other professionals to the extent reasonably necessary to obtain their services in connection with monitoring its investment in the Company; (ii) to any prospective purchaser of any Registrable Securities from such Holder, if such prospective purchaser agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 4.4 and the Board of Directors has not reasonably determined that such prospective purchaser is a competitor of the Company; (iii) to any Affiliate, partner, member, stockholder, or wholly owned subsidiary of such Holder in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Holder informs such Person that such information is confidential and directs such Person to maintain the confidentiality of such information; or (iv) as may otherwise be required by law, regulation, rule, court order or subpoena, provided that such Holder promptly notifies the Company of such disclosure and takes reasonable steps to minimize the extent of any such required disclosure.
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4.5 Waiver of Statutory Information Rights. Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that until the consummation of the IPO, such Holder shall hereby be deemed to have unconditionally and irrevocably, to the fullest extent permitted by law, on behalf of such Holder and all beneficial owners of the shares of Common Stock or Series A Preferred Stock owned by such Holder (a “Beneficial Owner”), waived any rights such Holder or a Beneficial Owner might otherwise have had under Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (or under similar rights under other applicable law) to inspect for any proper purpose and to make copies and extracts from the Company’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders and its other books and records or the books and records of any subsidiary. This waiver applies only in such Holder’s capacity as a stockholder and does not affect any other information and inspection rights such Holder may expressly have pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.2 of this Agreement. Each Holder hereby further warrants and represents that such Holder has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel, and that such Holder knowingly and voluntarily waives its rights otherwise provided by Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (or under similar rights under other applicable law).
4.6 Delivery of Agreement. Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Company may, at its election, deliver this Agreement, including Schedule A, to such Holder in redacted form in a manner which the other Holders names, addresses and signatures are not identifiable; provided, however, that Schedule A will still illustrate the other Holders on an individual basis and their total shares owned.
5. Rights to Future Stock Issuances.
5.1 Right of First Offer. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 5.1 and applicable securities laws, if the Company proposes to offer or sell any New Securities, the Company shall first offer such New Securities to each Holder. A Holder shall be entitled to apportion the right of first offer hereby granted to it in such proportions as it deems appropriate, among (i) itself and (ii) its Affiliates.
(a) The Company shall give notice (the “Offer Notice”) to each Holder, stating (i) its bona fide intention to offer such New Securities, (ii) the number of such New Securities to be offered, and (iii) the price and terms, if any, upon which it proposes to offer such New Securities.
(b) By notification to the Company within twenty (20) days after the Offer Notice is given, each Holder may elect to purchase or otherwise acquire, at the price and on the terms specified in the Offer Notice, up to that portion of such New Securities which equals the proportion that the Common Stock then held by such Holder (including all shares of Common Stock then issuable (directly or indirectly) upon conversion and/or exercise, as applicable, of the Series A Preferred Stock and any other Derivative Securities then held by such Holder) bears to the total Common Stock of the Company then outstanding (assuming full conversion and/or exercise, as applicable, of all Series A Preferred Stock and any other Derivative Securities then outstanding). At the expiration of such twenty (20) day period, the Company shall promptly notify each Holder that elects to purchase or acquire all the shares available to it (each, a “Fully Exercising Holder”) of any other Holder’s failure to do likewise. During the ten (10) day period commencing after the Company has given such notice, each Fully Exercising Holder may, by giving notice to the Company, elect to purchase or acquire, in addition to the number of shares specified above, up to that portion of the New Securities for which Holders were entitled to subscribe but that were not subscribed for by the Holders which is equal to the proportion that the Common Stock issued and held, or issuable (directly or indirectly) upon conversion and/or exercise, as applicable, of Series A Preferred Stock and any other Derivative Securities then held, by such Fully Exercising Holder bears to the Common Stock issued and held, or issuable (directly or indirectly) upon conversion and/or exercise, as applicable, of the Series A Preferred Stock and any other Derivative Securities then held, by all Fully Exercising Holders who wish to purchase such unsubscribed shares. The closing of any sale pursuant to this Section 5.1(b) shall occur within the later of sixty (60) days of the date that the Offer Notice is given and the date of initial sale of New Securities pursuant to Section 5.1(c).
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(c) If all New Securities referred to in the Offer Notice are not elected to be purchased or acquired as provided in Section 5.1(b), the Company may, during the ninety (90) day period following the expiration of the periods provided in Section 5.1(b), offer and sell the remaining unsubscribed portion of such New Securities to any Person or Persons at a price not less than, and upon terms no more favorable to the offeree than, those specified in the Offer Notice. If the Company does not enter into an agreement for the sale of the New Securities within such period, or if such agreement is not consummated within thirty (30) days of the execution thereof, the right provided hereunder shall be deemed to be revived and such New Securities shall not be offered unless first reoffered to the Holders in accordance with this Section 5.1.
(d) The right of first offer in this Section 5.1 shall not be applicable to (i) Exempted Securities (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) and (ii) shares of Common Stock issued in the IPO.
5.2 Termination. The covenants set forth in Section 5.1 shall terminate and be of no further force or effect (i) immediately before the consummation of the IPO, or (ii) upon the closing of a Deemed Liquidation Event, as such term is defined in the Certificate of Incorporation, whichever event occurs first.
6. Additional Covenants.
6.1 Loans. The Company shall not make any loans or advances to any Person outside the ordinary course of business unless such loan or advance is approved by either (i) the Board of Directors and the Preferred Director or (ii) a majority of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.
6.2 Severance. The Company shall not establish any policy, practice, plan or program of paying severance pay or any form of severance compensation (but excluding the value of any accelerated vesting of equity awards) in connection with the involuntary termination of employment or service of any Key Employee, director, or officer of the Company that exceeds 3.0 times the sum of the annual base compensation and target annual bonus, if any, of such Key Employee, director, or officer that would otherwise be payable to such Key Employee, director, or officer pursuant to his or her employment agreement with the Company, unless otherwise approved by either (ii) the Board of Directors and the Preferred Director or (ii) a majority of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.
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6.3 Insurance. The Company shall obtain, within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date hereof, from financially sound and reputable insurers Directors and Officers liability insurance, in an amount and on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Board of Directors, and will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such insurance policy to be maintained until such time as the Board of Directors determines that such insurance should be discontinued. The policy shall not be cancelable by the Company without prior approval by the Board of Directors.
6.4 Employee Agreements. Unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors, the Company will cause (i) each Person now or hereafter employed by it or by any subsidiary (or engaged by the Company or any subsidiary as a consultant/independent contractor) with access to confidential information and/or trade secrets to enter into a nondisclosure, proprietary rights assignment and non-solicitation agreement. In addition, the Company shall not amend, modify, terminate, waive, or otherwise alter, in whole or in part, any of the above-referenced agreements or any restricted stock agreement between the Company and any employee, without the consent of the Board of Directors.
6.5 Board Matters. The Company shall reimburse the directors for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses incurred (consistent with the Company’s travel policy) in connection with attending meetings of the Board of Directors.
6.6 Successor Indemnification. If the Company or any of its successors or assignees consolidates with or merges into any other Person and is not the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger, then to the extent necessary, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assignees of the Company assume the obligations of the Company with respect to indemnification of members of the Board of Directors as in effect immediately before such transaction, whether such obligations are contained in the Company’s Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation, or elsewhere, as the case may be.
7. Miscellaneous.
7.1 Successors and Assigns. The rights under this Agreement may be assigned and transferred (but only with all related obligations and only if the record and beneficial ownership of the underlying shares of the Holder is transferred on the books of the Company at the same time as the assignment) by a Holder to a transferee of Registrable Securities that (i) is an Affiliate of a Holder or (ii) is a Holder’s Immediate Family Member or trust or other estate planning vehicle for the benefit of an individual Holder or one (1) or more of such ▇▇▇▇▇▇’s Immediate Family Members); provided, however, that (x) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee and the Registrable Securities with respect to which such rights are being transferred; and (y) such transferee agrees in a written instrument delivered to the Company to be bound by and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the provisions of Section 2.10.. The terms and conditions of this Agreement inure to the benefit of and are binding upon the respective successors and permitted assignees of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and permitted assignees any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided herein.
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7.2 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal law of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of the State of Delaware.
7.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., ▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
7.4 Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
7.5 Notices.
(a) All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt or (i) personal delivery to the party to be notified; (ii) when sent, if sent by electronic mail during the recipient’s normal business hours, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipient’s next business day; (iii) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or (iv) one (1) business day after the business day of deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next-day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective parties at their addresses as set forth on the signature pages hereto (and if no such address is provided, e-mail notice shall be deemed sufficient), or to such e-mail address or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Section 7.5. If notice is given to the Company, such notice shall be sent to the President of the Company at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇, the Company at the address set forth on the signature page and to the following:
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Phone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
(b) Consent to Electronic Notice. Each Holder consents to the delivery of any stockholder notice pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), as amended or superseded from time to time, by electronic transmission pursuant to Section 232 of the DGCL (or any successor thereto) at the electronic mail address set forth below such ▇▇▇▇▇▇’s name on the Schedules hereto, as updated from time to time by notice to the Company, or as on the books of the Company. To the extent that any notice given by means of electronic transmission is returned or undeliverable for any reason, the foregoing consent shall be deemed to have been revoked until a new or corrected electronic mail address has been provided, and such attempted electronic notice shall be ineffective and deemed to not have been given. Each Holder agrees to promptly notify the Company of any change in such stockholder’s electronic mail address, and that failure to do so shall not affect the foregoing.
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7.6 Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be amended, modified or terminated and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance, and either retroactively or prospectively) only with the written consent of the Company and the holders of: (a) at least a majority of the Registrable Securities then outstanding and (b) with respect to amendments to Section 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6, 7 that adversely affect the rights of the Series A Preferred Stock, at least a majority of the Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding; provided that the Company may in its sole discretion waive compliance with Section 7.6 (and the Company’s failure to object promptly in writing after notification of a proposed assignment allegedly in violation of Section 7.6 shall be deemed to be a waiver); and provided further that any provision hereof may be waived by any waiving party on such party’s own behalf, without the consent of any other party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Schedule A hereto may be amended by the Company from time to time to add new parties and transferees of any Registrable Securities in compliance with the terms of this Agreement without the consent of the other parties; and Schedule A hereto may also be amended by the Company after the date of this Agreement without the consent of the other parties to add information regarding any additional Holder who becomes a party to this Agreement in accordance with Section 7.9. The Company shall give prompt notice of any amendment, modification or termination hereof or waiver hereunder to any party hereto that did not consent in writing to such amendment, modification, termination, or waiver. Any amendment, modification, termination, or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 7.6 shall be binding on all parties hereto, regardless of whether any such party has consented thereto. No waivers of or exceptions to any term, condition, or provision of this Agreement, in any one (1) or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such term, condition, or provision. The addition of parties to this agreement, whether or not such addition results in an increase in Registrable Securities, shall not be deemed an amendment hereof.
7.7 Severability. In case any one (1) or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement is for any reason held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, and such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision shall be reformed and construed so that it will be valid, legal, and enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law.
7.8 Aggregation of Stock; Apportionment. All shares of Registrable Securities held or acquired by Affiliates shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any rights under this Agreement and such Affiliated Persons may apportion such rights as among themselves in any manner they deem appropriate.
7.9 Additional Holders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Company issues additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock after the date hereof, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, any purchaser of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock may become a party to this Agreement by executing and delivering an additional counterpart signature page to this Agreement, and thereafter shall be deemed a “Holder” for all purposes hereunder. No action or consent by the Holders shall be required for such joinder to this Agreement by such additional Holder, so long as such additional Holder has agreed in writing to be bound by all of the obligations as a “Holder” hereunder.
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7.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including any Schedules hereto) together with the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the parties is expressly canceled.
7.11 Dispute Resolution. The parties (a) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction of the state courts of Delaware and to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement, (b) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement except in the state courts of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and (c) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court.
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL: EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, THE SECURITIES OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THIS SECTION HAS BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THESE PROVISIONS WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXCEPTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.
7.12 Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power, or remedy accruing to any party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power, or remedy of such nonbreaching or non-defaulting party, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of or acquiescence to any such breach or default, or to any similar breach or default thereafter occurring, nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. All remedies, whether under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Investors’ Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.
COMPANY: | ||
PROMICELL, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address: |
Signature page to investors’ rights agreement
HOLDERS: | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Address: |
Signature Page To Investors’ Rights Agreement
EXHIBIT G
FORM OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL AND CO-SALE AGREEMENT
Form Version
RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL
AND CO-SALE AGREEMENT
THIS RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL AND CO-SALE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is made as of [●] by and among PromiCell, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the parties listed on Schedule A, as may be amended by the Company (each a Holder and, collectively, the Holders).
WHEREAS, each Holder is the beneficial owner of shares of Capital Stock, or of options to purchase Common Stock;
WHEREAS, the Holders and the Company desire to establish the mutual covenants herein as part of the corporate governance of the Company and as an inducement to certain Holders purchasing stock in the Company;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Holders agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
1.1 “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Holder, any other Holder who directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Holder, including, without limitation, any general partner, managing member, officer, director or trustee of such Holder, or any venture capital fund or other investment fund now or hereafter existing which is controlled by one (1) or more general partners, managing members or investment advisers of, or shares the same management company or investment adviser with, such Holder.
1.2 “Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.
1.3 “Capital Stock” means (a) shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock (whether now outstanding or hereafter issued in any context), (b) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of Preferred Stock, and (c) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon exercise or conversion, as applicable, of stock options, warrants or other convertible securities of the Company, in each case now owned or subsequently acquired by any Holder or their respective successors or permitted transferees or assigns. For purposes of the number of shares of Capital Stock held by a Holder (or any other calculation based thereon), all shares of Preferred Stock shall be deemed to have been converted into Common Stock at the then-applicable conversion ratio.
1.4 “Change of Control” means a transaction or series of related transactions in which a person, or a group of related persons: (a) acquires from stockholders of the Company shares representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting power of the Company; or (b) obtains through acquisition of shares or otherwise the ability to appoint the majority of the Company’s Board of Directors or management bodies or to direct the Company’s affairs.
1.5 “Common Stock” means shares of Common Stock of the Company, $0.0001 par value per share.
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1.6 “Company Notice” means written notice from the Company notifying the selling Holder(s) and each other Holder that the Company intends to exercise its Right of First Refusal as to some or all of the Transfer Stock with respect to any Proposed Holder Transfer.
1.7 “Form S-1” means such form under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof or any successor registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by the SEC.
1.8 “Form S-3” means such form under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof or any registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by the SEC that permits forward incorporation of substantial information by reference to other documents filed by the Company with the SEC.
1.9 “Founder” means ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ M.D.
1.10 “Holder Notice” means written notice from any Holder notifying the Company and the selling Holder(s) that such Holder intends to exercise its Secondary Refusal Right as to a portion of the Transfer Stock with respect to any Proposed Holder Transfer.
1.11 “IPO” means the Company’s first underwritten public offering of its Common Stock under the Securities Act.
1.12 “Preferred Stock” means all shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company.
1.13 “Proposed Holder Transfer” means any assignment, sale, offer to sell, pledge, mortgage, hypothecation, encumbrance, disposition of or any other like transfer or encumbering of any Transfer Stock (or any interest therein) proposed by any of the Holders except assignments, sales, offers to sell, pledges, mortgages, hypothecations, encumbrances, dispositions of or any other like transfers or encumbering to another Holder.
1.14 “Proposed Transfer Notice” means written notice from a Holder setting forth the terms and conditions of a Proposed Holder Transfer.
1.15 “Prospective Transferee” means any person to whom a Holder proposes to make a Proposed Holder Transfer.
1.16 “Purchase Agreement” means that certain Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, of even date herewith, by and between the Company and the Holders.
1.17 “Restated Certificate” means the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and/or restated from time to time.
1.18 “Right of Co-Sale” means the right, but not an obligation, of a Holder to participate in a Proposed Holder Transfer on the terms and conditions specified in the Proposed Transfer Notice.
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1.19 “Right of First Refusal” means the right, but not an obligation, of the Company, or its permitted transferees or assigns, to purchase some or all of the Transfer Stock with respect to a Proposed Holder Transfer, on the terms and conditions specified in the Proposed Transfer Notice.
1.20 “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.21 “Secondary Notice” means written notice from the Company notifying the Holders and the selling Holder(s) that the Company does not intend to exercise its Right of First Refusal as to all shares of any Transfer Stock with respect to a Proposed Holder Transfer, on the terms and conditions specified in the Proposed Transfer Notice.
1.22 “Secondary Refusal Right” means the right, but not an obligation, of each Holder to purchase up to its pro rata portion (based upon the total number of shares of Capital Stock then held by all Holders) of any Transfer Stock not purchased pursuant to the Right of First Refusal, on the terms and conditions specified in the Proposed Transfer Notice.
1.23 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
1.24 “Transfer Stock” means aggregate shares of Capital Stock owned by a Holder as of the date such Holder becomes a party to this Agreement, plus shares of Capital Stock issued to a Holder after such date (including, without limitation, in connection with any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, or the like). For purposes of clarity, when Transfer Stock is used as a basis for measurement (e.g., a percentage of Transfer Stock that may be transferred under an exemption to the terms of this Agreement), the shares of Transfer Stock shall not be reduced by shares transferred by the Holder after becoming party to this Agreement.
1.25 “Undersubscription Notice” means written notice from a Holder notifying the Company and the selling Holder that such Holder intends to exercise its option to purchase all or any portion of the Transfer Stock not purchased pursuant to the Right of First Refusal or the Secondary Refusal Right.
2. Agreement Among the Company and the Holders.
2.1 Right of First Refusal.
(a) Grant. Subject to the terms of Section 3 below, each Holder hereby unconditionally and irrevocably grants to the Company a Right of First Refusal to purchase all or any portion of Transfer Stock that such Holder may propose to transfer in a Proposed Holder Transfer, at the same price and on the same terms and conditions as those offered to the Prospective Transferee.
(b) Notice. Each Holder proposing to make a Proposed Holder Transfer must deliver a Proposed Transfer Notice to the Company and each Holder not later than forty-five (45) days prior to the consummation of such Proposed Holder Transfer. Such Proposed Transfer Notice shall contain the material terms and conditions (including price and form of consideration) of the Proposed Holder Transfer, the identity of the Prospective Transferee and the intended date of the Proposed Holder Transfer. To exercise its Right of First Refusal under this Section 2, the Company must deliver a Company Notice to the selling Holder and the Holders within fifteen (15) days after delivery of the Proposed Transfer Notice specifying the number of shares of Transfer Stock to be purchased by the Company.
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(c) ▇▇▇▇▇ of Secondary Refusal Right. Subject to the terms of Section 3 below, each Holder hereby unconditionally and irrevocably grants to the Holders a Secondary Refusal Right to purchase all or any portion of the Transfer Stock not purchased by the Company pursuant to the Right of First Refusal, as provided in this Section 2.1(c). If the Company does not provide the Company Notice exercising its Right of First Refusal with respect to all Transfer Stock subject to a Proposed Holder Transfer, the Company must deliver a Secondary Notice to the selling Holder and to each other Holder to that effect no later than fifteen (15) days after the selling Holder delivers the Proposed Transfer Notice to the Company. To exercise its Secondary Refusal Right, a Holder must deliver a Holder Notice to the selling Holder and the Company within ten (10) days after the Company’s deadline for its delivery of the Secondary Notice as provided in the preceding sentence.
(d) Undersubscription of Transfer Stock. If options to purchase have been exercised by the Company and the Holders pursuant to Sections 2.1(b) and (c) with respect to some but not all of the Transfer Stock by the end of the ten (10) day period specified in the last sentence of Section 2.1(c) (the “Holder Notice Period”), then the Company shall, within five (5) days after the expiration of the Holder Notice Period, send written notice (the “Company Undersubscription Notice”) to those Holders who fully exercised their Secondary Refusal Right within the Holder Notice Period (the “Exercising Holders”). Each Exercising Holder shall, subject to the provisions of this Section 2.1(d), have an additional option to purchase all or any part of the balance of any such remaining unsubscribed shares of Transfer Stock on the terms and conditions set forth in the Proposed Transfer Notice. To exercise such option, an Exercising Holder must deliver an Undersubscription Notice to the selling Holder and the Company within ten (10) days after the expiration of the Holder Notice Period. In the event there are two (2) or more such Exercising Holders that choose to exercise the last-mentioned option for a total number of remaining shares in excess of the number available, the remaining shares available for purchase under this Section 2.1(d) shall be allocated to such Exercising Holders pro rata based on the number of shares of Transfer Stock such Exercising Holders have elected to purchase pursuant to the Secondary Refusal Right (without giving effect to any shares of Transfer Stock that any such Exercising Holder has elected to purchase pursuant to the Company Undersubscription Notice). If the options to purchase the remaining shares are exercised in full by the Exercising Holders, the Company shall immediately notify all of the Exercising Holders and the selling Holder(s) of that fact.
(e) Consideration; Closing. If the consideration proposed to be paid for the Transfer Stock is in property, services or other non-cash consideration, the fair market value of the consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors and as set forth in the Company Notice. If the Company or any Holder cannot for any reason pay for the Transfer Stock in the same form of non-cash consideration, the Company or such Holder may pay the cash value equivalent thereof, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors and as set forth in the Company Notice. The closing of the purchase of Transfer Stock by the Company and the Holders shall take place, and all payments from the Company and the Holders shall have been delivered to the selling Holder, by the later of (i) the date specified in the Proposed Transfer Notice as the intended date of the Proposed Holder Transfer; and (ii) forty-five (45) days after delivery of the Proposed Transfer Notice.
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(f) Sale to Prospective Transferee. If rights to purchase have not been exercised by the Company and the Holders pursuant to Sections 2.1(b) - (d) (inclusive) with respect to all (but not less than all) Transfer Stock within the deadlines described above, the Holder proposing to make a Proposed Holder Transfer shall be free to make the Proposed Holder Transfer for all Transfer Stock to the Prospective Transferee and on terms included in the Proposed Transfer Notice, subject always to Section 2.2 and provided that such sale is effected within forty-five (45) days from expiry of the ten (10) days after the expiration of the Holder Notice Period as described in Section 2.1(d) above. In case the above sale is not effected within the period above, the respective Holder must reinitiate the procedure stipulated by this Section 2.1 in respect to the Proposed Holder Transfer.
2.2 Right of Co-Sale.
(a) Exercise of Right. If any Transfer Stock subject to a Proposed Holder Transfer is not purchased pursuant to Section 2.1 above and thereafter is to be sold to a Prospective Transferee, each respective Holder may elect to exercise its Right of Co-Sale and participate on a pro rata basis in the Proposed Holder Transfer as set forth in Section 2.2(b) below and, subject to Section 2.2(d), otherwise on the same terms and conditions specified in the Proposed Transfer Notice. Each Holder who desires to exercise its Right of Co-Sale (each, a “Participating Holder”) must give the selling Holder written notice to that effect within fifteen (15) days after the deadline for delivery of the Secondary Notice described above, and upon giving such notice such Participating Holder shall be deemed to have effectively exercised the Right of Co-Sale.
(b) Shares Includable. Each Participating Holder may include in the Proposed Holder Transfer all or any part of such Participating Holder’s Capital Stock equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the aggregate number of shares of Transfer Stock subject to the Proposed Holder Transfer (excluding shares purchased by the Company or the Participating Holder pursuant to the Right of First Refusal or the Secondary Refusal Right) by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Capital Stock owned by such Participating Holder immediately before consummation of the Proposed Holder Transfer (including any shares that such Participating Holder has agreed to purchase pursuant to the Secondary Refusal Right) and the denominator of which is the total number of shares of Capital Stock owned, in the aggregate, by all Participating Holders immediately prior to the consummation of the Proposed Holder Transfer (including any shares that all Participating Holders have collectively agreed to purchase pursuant to the Secondary Refusal Right), plus the number of shares of Transfer Stock held by the selling Holder(s); provided, however, that in case any Proposed Holder Transfer would result in a Change of Control then each Participating Holder may include in the Proposed Holder Transfer all such Participating Holder’s Capital Stock. To the extent one (1) or more of the Participating Holders exercise such right of participation in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein, the number of shares of Transfer Stock that the selling Holder may sell in the Proposed Holder Transfer shall be correspondingly reduced, unless the Proposed Holder Transfer would result in a Change of Control in which case no Proposed Holder Transfer may be effected unless all Participating Holders’ Capital Stock are sold and transferred.
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(c) Purchase and Sale Agreement. The Participating Holders and the selling Holder agree that the terms and conditions of any Proposed Holder Transfer in accordance with this Section 2.2 will be memorialized in, and governed by, a written purchase and sale agreement with the Prospective Transferee (the “Purchase and Sale Agreement”) with customary terms and provisions for such a transaction, and the Participating Holders and the selling Holder(s) further covenant and agree to enter into such Purchase and Sale Agreement as a condition precedent to any sale or other transfer in accordance with this Section 2.2.
(d) Allocation of Consideration.
(i) Subject to Section 2.2(d)(ii), the aggregate consideration payable to the Participating Holders and the selling Holder shall be allocated based on the number of shares of Capital Stock sold to the Prospective Transferee by each Participating Holder and the selling Holder as provided in Section 2.2(b), provided that if a Participating Holder wishes to sell Preferred Stock, the price set forth in the Proposed Transfer Notice shall be appropriately adjusted based on the conversion ratio of the Preferred Stock into Common Stock.
(ii) In the event that the Proposed Holder Transfer constitutes a Change of Control, the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement shall provide that the aggregate consideration from such transfer shall be allocated to the Participating Holders and the selling Holder in accordance with Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of Article IV(B) of the Restated Certificate and, if applicable, the next sentence as if (A) such transfer were a Deemed Liquidation Event (as defined in the Restated Certificate), and (B) the Capital Stock sold in accordance with the Purchase and Sale Agreement were the only Capital Stock outstanding. In the event that a portion of the aggregate consideration payable to the Participating Holder(s) and selling Holder(s) is placed into escrow and/or is payable only upon satisfaction of contingencies, the Purchase and Sale Agreement shall provide that (x) the portion of such consideration that is not placed in escrow and is not subject to contingencies (the “Initial Consideration”) shall be allocated in accordance with Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of Article IV(B) of the Restated Certificate as if the Initial Consideration were the only consideration payable in connection with such transfer, and (y) any additional consideration which becomes payable to the Participating Holder(s) and selling Holder(s) upon release from escrow or satisfaction of such contingencies shall be allocated in accordance with Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of Article IV(B) of the Restated Certificate after taking into account the previous payment of the Initial Consideration as part of the same transfer.
(e) Purchase by Selling Holder; Deliveries. Notwithstanding Section 2.2(c) above, if any Prospective Transferee(s) refuse(s) to purchase securities subject to the Right of Co-Sale from any Participating Holder(s) or upon the failure to negotiate in good faith a Purchase and Sale Agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Participating Holder(s), no Holder may sell any Transfer Stock to such Prospective Transferee(s) unless and until, simultaneously with such sale, such Holder purchases all securities subject to the Right of Co-Sale from such Participating Holder(s) on the same terms and conditions (including the proposed purchase price) as set forth in the Proposed Transfer Notice and as provided in Section 2.2(d)(i); provided, however, if such sale constitutes a Change of Control, the portion of the aggregate consideration paid by the selling Holder to such Participating Holder(s) shall be made in accordance with the first sentence of Section 2.2(d)(ii). In connection with such purchase by the selling Holder, such Participating Holder (s) shall deliver to the selling Holder any stock certificate or certificates, properly endorsed for transfer, representing the Capital Stock being purchased by the selling Holder (or request that the Company effect such transfer in the name of the selling Holder). Any such shares transferred to the selling Holder will be transferred to the Prospective Transferee against payment therefor in consummation of the sale of the Transfer Stock pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the Proposed Transfer Notice, and the selling Holder shall concurrently therewith remit or direct payment to each such Participating Holder the portion of the aggregate consideration to which each such Participating Holder is entitled by reason of its participation in such sale as provided in this Section 2.2(e).
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(f) Additional Compliance. If any Proposed Holder Transfer is not consummated within forty-five (45) days after receipt of the Proposed Transfer Notice by the Company, the Holders proposing the Proposed Holder Transfer may not sell any Transfer Stock unless they first comply in full with each provision of this Section 2. The exercise or election not to exercise any right by any Holder hereunder shall not adversely affect its right to participate in any other sales of Transfer Stock subject to this Section 2.2.
2.3 Effect of Failure to Comply.
(a) Transfer Void; Equitable Relief. Any Proposed Holder Transfer not made in compliance with the requirements of this Agreement shall be null and void ab initio, shall not be recorded on the books of the Company or its transfer agent and shall not be recognized by the Company. Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that any breach of this Agreement would result in substantial harm to the other parties hereto for which monetary damages alone could not adequately compensate. Therefore, the parties hereto unconditionally and irrevocably agree that any non-breaching party hereto shall be entitled to seek protective orders, injunctive relief and other remedies available at law or in equity (including, without limitation, seeking specific performance or the rescission of purchases, sales and other transfers of Transfer Stock not made in strict compliance with this Agreement).
(b) Violation of First Refusal Right. If any Holder becomes obligated to sell any Transfer Stock to the Company or any Holder under this Agreement and fails to deliver such Transfer Stock in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Company and/or such Holder may, at its option, in addition to all other remedies it may have, send to such selling Holder the purchase price for such Transfer Stock as is herein specified and transfer to the name of the Company or such Holder (or request that the Company effect such transfer in the name of a Holder) on the Company’s books any certificates, instruments, or book entry representing the Transfer Stock to be sold.
(c) Violation of Co-Sale Right. If any Holder purports to sell any Transfer Stock in contravention of the Right of Co-Sale (a “Prohibited Transfer”), each Participating Holder who desires to exercise its Right of Co-Sale under Section 2.2 may, in addition to such remedies as may be available by law, in equity or hereunder, require such Holder to purchase from such Participating Holder the type and number of shares of Capital Stock that such Participating Holder would have been entitled to sell to the Prospective Transferee had the Prohibited Transfer been effected in compliance with the terms of Section 2.2. The sale will be made on the same terms, including, without limitation, as provided in Section 2.2(d)(i) and the first sentence of Section 2.2(d)(ii), as applicable, and subject to the same conditions as would have applied had the Holder not made the Prohibited Transfer, except that the sale (including, without limitation, the delivery of the purchase price) must be made within ninety (90) days after the Participating Holder learns of the Prohibited Transfer, as opposed to the timeframe proscribed in Section 2.2. Such Holder shall also reimburse each Participating Holder for any and all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses, including reasonable legal fees and expenses, incurred pursuant to the exercise or the attempted exercise of the Participating Holder’s rights under Section 2.2.
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2.4 Company Consent. In addition to any other restrictions or obligations contained in this Agreement, the Company’s Bylaws or any other agreement entered into between the Holders and the Company, any transfer or sale to a third party or third parties (in one or more transactions) in a single calendar year of twenty percent (20%) or more of a Holder’s Transfer Stock requires the consent of the Company and shall be deemed void and ineffective without such consent. For the purposes of this Section 2.4, reference to twenty percent (20%) shall instead be reduced to ten percent (10%) for any transfers or sales made by the Founder.
3. Exempt Transfers.
3.1 Exempted Transfers. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, the provisions of Sections 2.1 and 2.2 shall not apply (a) in the case of a Holder that is an entity, upon a transfer by such Holder to its stockholders, members, partners or other equity holders, (b) to a repurchase of Transfer Stock from a Holder by the Company or to a transfer of Transfer Stock between stockholders of the Company, (c) to a pledge of Transfer Stock that creates a mere security interest in the pledged Transfer Stock and is made with the written consent of the Company, provided that the pledgee thereof agrees in writing in advance to be bound by and comply with all applicable provisions of this Agreement to the same extent as if it were the Holder making such pledge, (d) in the case of a Holder that is a natural person, upon a transfer of Transfer Stock by such ▇▇▇▇▇▇ made for bona fide estate planning purposes, either during his or her lifetime or on death by will or intestacy to his or her spouse, including any life partner or similar statutorily-recognized domestic partner, child (natural or adopted), or any other direct lineal descendant of such ▇▇▇▇▇▇ (or his or her spouse, including any life partner or similar statutorily-recognized domestic partner) (all of the foregoing collectively referred to as “family members”), or any other person approved by unanimous consent of the Board of Directors, or any custodian or trustee of any trust, partnership or limited liability company for the benefit of, or the ownership interests of which are owned wholly by such Holder or any such family members; or (e) to the transfer in any given calendar year of up to 5% of the Holder’s Transfer Stock; provided that in the case of clauses (a), (d), or (e), the transfer and such shares of Transfer Stock shall at all times remain subject to the terms and restrictions set forth in this Agreement and such transferee shall, as a condition to such Transfer, deliver a counterpart signature page to this Agreement as confirmation that such transferee shall be bound by all the terms and conditions of this Agreement as a Holder (but only with respect to the securities so transferred to the transferee), including the obligations of a Holder with respect to Proposed Holder Transfers of such Transfer Stock pursuant to Section 2.
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3.2 Exempted Offerings. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, the provisions of Section 2 shall not apply to the sale of any Transfer Stock (a) to the public in an offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (a “Public Offering”); or (b) pursuant to a Deemed Liquidation Event (as defined in the Restated Certificate).
3.3 Prohibited Transferees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Holder shall transfer any Transfer Stock to (a) any entity which, in the determination of the Board of Directors, directly or indirectly competes with the Company; or (b) any customer, distributor or supplier of the Company, if the Board of Directors should determine that such transfer would result in such customer, distributor or supplier receiving information that would place the Company at a competitive disadvantage with respect to such customer, distributor or supplier. No Holder shall transfer any Transfer Stock without thirty days prior written notice to the Company (which may include email if the receipt of such mail is acknowledged); provided, the forgoing sentence shall not apply to transfers by a Holder (i) to holders of Capital Stock or an Affiliate thereof, (ii) in the case of a Holder that is a natural person, by such ▇▇▇▇▇▇ made for bona fide estate planning purposes, either during his or her lifetime or on death by will or intestacy to his or her family members, or any other person approved by unanimous consent of the Board of Directors, or any custodian or trustee of any trust, partnership or limited liability company for the benefit of, or the ownership interests of which are owned wholly by such Holder or any such family members.
4. Legend. Each certificate, instrument, or book entry representing shares of Transfer Stock held by the Holders or issued to any permitted transferee in connection with a transfer permitted by Section 3.1 hereof shall be notated with the following legend:
THE SALE, PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATION, OR TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY IS SUBJECT TO, AND IN CERTAIN CASES PROHIBITED BY, THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A CERTAIN RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL AND CO-SALE AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG THE HOLDER, THE CORPORATION AND CERTAIN OTHER HOLDERS OF STOCK OF THE CORPORATION. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION.
Each Holder agrees that the Company may instruct its transfer agent to impose transfer restrictions on the shares notated with the legend referred to in this Section 4 above to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, and the Company agrees to promptly do so. The legend shall be removed upon termination of this Agreement at the request of the holder.
5. Lock-Up.
5.1 Agreement to Lock-Up. Each Holder hereby agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of the managing underwriter, during the period commencing on the date of the final prospectus relating to the registration by the Company of shares of its Common Stock or any other equity securities under the Securities Act on a registration statement on Form S-1 or Form S-3, and ending on the date specified by the Company and the managing underwriter (such period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days in the case of the IPO or ninety (90) days in the case of any registration other than the IPO, or such other period as may be requested by the Company or an underwriter to accommodate regulatory restrictions on (1) the publication or other distribution of research reports and (2) analyst recommendations and opinions, including, but not limited to, the restrictions contained in applicable FINRA rules, or any successor provisions or amendments thereto), (i) lend; offer; pledge; sell; contract to sell; sell any option or contract to purchase; purchase any option or contract to sell; grant any option, right, or warrant to purchase; or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Capital Stock held immediately before the effective date of the registration statement for such offering or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of such securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Capital Stock or other securities, in cash, or otherwise. The foregoing provisions of this Section 5.1 shall not apply to the sale of any shares to an underwriter pursuant to an underwriting agreement, or the transfer of any shares to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the Holder or the immediate family of the Holder, provided that the trustee of the trust agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein and that any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value, and provided further that any such transfer shall be applicable to the Holders only if all officers and directors are subject to the same restrictions. The underwriters in connection with such registration are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Section 5.1 and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto. Each Holder further agrees to execute such agreements as may be reasonably requested by the underwriters in connection with such registration that are consistent with this Section 5.1 or that are necessary to give further effect thereto.
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5.2 Stop Transfer Instructions. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the shares of Capital Stock of each Holder (and transferees and assignees thereof) until the end of such restricted period.
6. Miscellaneous.
6.1 Term. This Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the earlier of (a) immediately prior to the consummation of the Company’s IPO; and (b) the consummation of a Deemed Liquidation Event (as defined in the Restated Certificate).
6.2 Stock Split. All references to numbers of shares in this Agreement shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock dividend, split, combination or other recapitalization affecting the Capital Stock occurring after the date of this Agreement.
6.3 Ownership. Each Holder represents and warrants that such Holder is the sole legal and beneficial owner of the shares of Transfer Stock subject to this Agreement and that no other person or entity has any interest in such shares (other than a community property interest as to which the holder thereof has acknowledged and agreed in writing to the restrictions and obligations hereunder).
6.4 Dispute Resolution. The parties (a) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction of the state courts of Delaware and to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement, (b) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement except in the state courts of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and (c) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court.
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WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL: EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, THE SECURITIES OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THIS SECTION HAS BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THESE PROVISIONS WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXCEPTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.
6.5 Notices.
(a) All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt or (a) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by electronic mail during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipient’s next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next business day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective parties at their address as set forth on Schedule A (and if no such address is provided, e-mail notice shall be deemed sufficient), or to such email address or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Section 6.5. If notice is given to the Company, such notice shall be sent both to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇, the Company as the address set forth on the signature page and to the following:
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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(b) Consent to Electronic Notice. Each Holder consents to the delivery of any stockholder notice pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), as amended or superseded from time to time, by electronic transmission pursuant to Section 232 of the DGCL (or any successor thereto) at the electronic mail address set forth below such ▇▇▇▇▇▇’s name on the Schedules hereto, as updated from time to time by notice to the Company, or as on the books of the Company. To the extent that any notice given by means of electronic transmission is returned or undeliverable for any reason, the foregoing consent shall be deemed to have been revoked until a new or corrected electronic mail address has been provided, and such attempted electronic notice shall be ineffective and deemed to not have been given. Each Holder agrees to promptly notify the Company of any change in its electronic mail address, and that failure to do so shall not affect the foregoing.
6.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including, the Exhibits and Schedules hereto) together with the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the parties are expressly canceled. The rights and obligations set forth in this Agreement are in addition to and do not limit or amend the obligations set forth in other Transaction documents.
6.7 Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non- defaulting party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
6.8 Amendment; Waiver and Termination. This Agreement may be amended, modified or terminated (other than pursuant to Section 6.1 above) and the observance of any term hereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by a written instrument executed by (a) the Company and (b) the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock held by the Holders (voting as a single separate class and on an as- converted basis) and (c) the holders of a majority of Preferred Stock outstanding as of the time of such amendment. Any amendment, modification, termination or waiver so effected shall be binding upon the Company and the Holders and all of their respective successors and permitted assigns whether or not such party, assignee or other shareholder entered into or approved such amendment, modification, termination or waiver. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) this Agreement may not be amended, modified or terminated and the observance of any term hereunder may not be waived with respect to any Holder without the written consent of such Holder unless such amendment, modification, termination or waiver applies to all Holders, respectively, in the same fashion, and (ii) this Agreement may not be amended, modified or terminated and the observance of any term hereunder may not be waived with respect to any Holder without the written consent of such Holder, if such amendment, modification, termination or waiver would adversely affect the rights of such Holder in a manner disproportionate to any adverse effect such amendment, modification, termination or waiver would have on the rights of the other Holders under this Agreement. The Company shall give prompt written notice of any amendment, modification or termination hereof or waiver hereunder to any party hereto that did not consent in writing to such amendment, modification, termination or waiver. No waivers of or exceptions to any term, condition or provision of this Agreement, in any one (1) or more instances, shall be deemed to be, or construed as, a further or continuing waiver of any such term, condition or provision.
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6.9 Successors and Assigns. The rights under this Agreement may be assigned and transferred (but only with all related obligations and only if the record and beneficial ownership of the underlying Capital Stock of the Holder is transferred on the books of the Company at the same time as the assignment) to any transferee permitted under the Investor Rights Agreement, by and between the Holders and the Company, dated as of the date hereof; provided, however, that (x) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee and the Capital Stock with respect to which such rights and ownership are being transferred; and (y) such transferee agrees in a written instrument delivered to the Company to be bound by and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the provisions of Section 5.1. The terms and conditions of this Agreement inure to the benefit of and are binding upon the respective successors and permitted assignees of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and permitted assignees any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided herein.
6.10 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.
6.11 Additional Holders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Company issues additional shares of the Company’s capital stock after the date hereof, any purchaser of such shares of capital stock may become a party to this Agreement by executing and delivering an additional counterpart signature page to this Agreement and thereafter shall be deemed a ” Holder” for all purposes hereunder.
6.12 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal law of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of the State of Delaware.
6.13 Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
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6.14 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., ▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
6.15 Aggregation of Stock. All shares of Capital Stock held or acquired by Affiliated entities or persons shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any rights under this Agreement and such Affiliated persons may apportion such rights as among themselves in any manner they deem appropriate.
6.16 Specific Performance. In addition to any and all other remedies that may be available at law in the event of any breach of this Agreement, each Holder shall be entitled to specific performance of the agreements and obligations of the Company and the Holders hereunder and to such other injunction or other equitable relief as may be granted by a court of competent jurisdiction.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement as of the date first written above.
COMPANY: | ||
PROMICELL, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address: | ||
HOLDERS: | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Address: |
EXHIBIT H
FORM OF VOTING AGREEMENT
Form Version
VOTING AGREEMENT
THIS VOTING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [●], by and among PromiCell, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), each holder of capital stock of the Company listed on Schedule A, as may be amended by the Company (together with any subsequent investors, or transferees, who become parties hereto, the “Holders”).
RECITALS
A. Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Company and the Holders are entering into a Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (the ”Purchase Agreement”) providing for the sale of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, and in connection with that agreement the parties desire to provide the Holders with the right, among other rights, to designate the election of certain members of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
B. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Restated Certificate”) provides that (a) so long as 1,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding, the holders of record of the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, exclusively and as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect one (1) director of the Company (the “Series A Preferred Director”); (b) the holders of record of the shares of the Common Stock, exclusively and as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect one (1) director of the Company (the “Common Stock Director”); and (c) the holders of record of the shares of Common Stock and the Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class on an as converted basis, shall be entitled to elect the balance of the total number of directors of the Company.
C. The parties also desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth their agreements and understandings with respect to how shares of the capital stock of the Company held by them will be voted on, or tendered, in connection with, an acquisition of the Company and voted on in connection with an increase in the number of shares of Common Stock required to provide for the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. Voting Provisions Regarding the Board.
1.1 Shares. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Shares” shall mean and include any securities of the Company that the holders of which are entitled to vote for members of the Board, including, without limitation, all shares of Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock, by whatever name called, now owned or subsequently acquired by a Holder, however acquired, whether through stock splits, stock dividends, reclassifications, recapitalizations, similar events or otherwise.
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1.2 Board Composition. Each Holder agrees to vote, or cause to be voted, all Shares owned by such Holder, or over which such Holder has voting control, from time to time and at all times, in whatever manner as shall be necessary to ensure that at each annual or special meeting of stockholders at which an election of directors is held or pursuant to any written consent of the stockholders, subject to Section 5, the following persons shall be elected to the Board:
(a) As the Series A Director, one person designated from time to time by a majority of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Series A Designee”), for so long as 1,000,000 share of Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding, which number is subject to appropriate adjustment for any stock splits, stock dividends, combinations, recapitalizations and the like, which individual shall initially be ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇;
(b) As the Common Stock Director, one person designated from time to time by a majority of the holders of Common Stock (the “Common Stock Designees”), which individual shall initially be ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; and
(c) The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who as of the date of this Agreement is ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ M.D. (the “CEO Director”), provided that if for any reason the CEO Director shall cease to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, each of the Holders shall promptly vote their respective Shares (i) to remove the former Chief Executive Officer of the Company from the Board if such person has not resigned as a member of the Board; and (ii) to elect such person’s replacement as Chief Executive Officer of the Company as the new CEO Director.
To the extent that any of clauses (a) through (c) above shall not be applicable, any member of the Board who would otherwise have been designated in accordance with the terms thereof shall instead be voted upon by all the Holders of the Company entitled to vote thereon in accordance with, and pursuant to, the Restated Certificate.
For purposes of this Agreement, an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, trust or any other entity (collectively, a “Person”) shall be deemed an “Affiliate” of another Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person, including, without limitation, any general partner, managing member, officer, director or trustee of such Person, or any venture capital fund or registered investment company now or hereafter existing that is controlled by one (1) or more general partners, managing members or investment advisers of, or shares the same management company or investment adviser with, such Person.
1.3 Failure to Designate a Board Member. In the absence of any designation from the Persons or groups with the right to designate a director as specified above, the director previously designated by them and then serving shall be reelected if willing to serve unless such individual has been removed as provided herein, and otherwise such Board seat shall remain vacant until otherwise filled as provided above.
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1.4 Removal of Board Members. Each Holder also agrees to vote, or cause to be voted, all Shares owned by such Holder, or over which such Holder has voting control, from time to time and at all times, in whatever manner as shall be necessary to ensure that:
(a) no director elected pursuant to Section 1.2 of this Agreement may be removed from office other than for cause unless (i) such removal is directed or approved by the affirmative vote of the Person(s), or of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of stock, entitled under Section 1.2 to designate that director; or (ii) the Person(s) originally entitled to designate or approve such director pursuant to Section 1.2 is no longer so entitled to designate or approve such director;
(b) any vacancies created by the resignation, removal or death of a director elected pursuant to Section 1.2 shall be filled pursuant to the provisions of this Section 1; and
(c) upon the request of any party entitled to designate a director as provided in Section 1.2 to remove such director, such director shall be removed.
All Holders agree to execute any written consents required to perform the obligations of this Section 1, and the Company agrees at the request of any Person or group entitled to designate directors to call a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing directors.
1.5 No Liability for Election of Recommended Directors. No Holder, nor any Affiliate of any Holder, shall have any liability as a result of designating a person for election as a director for any act or omission by such designated person in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, nor shall any Holder have any liability as a result of voting for any such designee in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
2. Vote to Increase Authorized Common Stock. Each Holder agrees to vote or cause to be voted all Shares owned by such Holder, or over which such Holder has voting control, from time to time and at all times, in whatever manner as shall be necessary to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from time to time to ensure that there will be sufficient shares of Common Stock available for conversion of all of the shares of Preferred Stock outstanding at any given time.
3. Drag-Along Right.
3.1 Definitions. A “Sale of the Company” shall mean either: (a) a transaction or series of related transactions in which a Person, or a group of related Persons, acquires from stockholders of the Company shares representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting power of the Company (a “Stock Sale”); or (b) a transaction that qualifies as a “Deemed Liquidation Event” as defined in the Restated Certificate.
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3.2 Actions to be Taken. In the event that the Board approves a Sale of the Company (which approval of the Board must be in writing), specifying that this Section 3 shall apply to such transaction, then, subject to satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in Section 3.3 below, each Holder and the Company hereby agree:
(a) if such transaction requires stockholder approval, with respect to all Shares that such Holder owns or over which such Holder otherwise exercises voting power, to vote (in person, by proxy or by action by written consent, as applicable) all Shares in favor of, and adopt, such Sale of the Company (together with any related amendment or restatement to the Restated Certificate required to implement such Sale of the Company) and to vote in opposition to any and all other proposals that could reasonably be expected to delay or impair the ability of the Company to consummate such Sale of the Company;
(b) if such transaction is a Stock Sale, to sell the same proportion of shares of capital stock of the Company beneficially held by such Holder as is being sold by the holders of Series A Preferred Stock that have approved such transaction (the “Selling Holders”) to the Person to whom the Selling Holders propose to sell their Shares, and, except as permitted in Section 3.3 below, on the same terms and conditions as the other stockholders of the Company;
(c) to execute and deliver all related documentation and take such other action in support of the Sale of the Company as shall reasonably be requested by the Company or the Selling Holders in order to carry out the terms and provision of this Section 3, including, without limitation, executing and delivering instruments of conveyance and transfer, and any purchase agreement, merger agreement, any associated indemnity agreement, or escrow agreement, any associated voting, support, or joinder agreement, consent, waiver, governmental filing, share certificates duly endorsed for transfer (free and clear of impermissible liens, claims and encumbrances), and any similar or related documents;
(d) not to deposit, and to cause their Affiliates not to deposit, except as provided in this Agreement, any Shares of the Company owned by such party or Affiliate in a voting trust or subject any Shares to any arrangement or agreement with respect to the voting of such Shares, unless specifically requested to do so by the acquirer in connection with the Sale of the Company;
(e) to refrain from (i) exercising any dissenters’ rights or rights of appraisal under applicable law at any time with respect to such Sale of the Company, or (ii); asserting any claim or commencing any suit (x) challenging the Sale of the Company or this Agreement, or (y) alleging a breach of any fiduciary duty of the Selling Holders or any affiliate or associate thereof (including, without limitation, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty) in connection with the evaluation, negotiation or entry into the Sale of the Company, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby;
(f) if the consideration to be paid in exchange for the Shares pursuant to this Section 3 includes any securities and due receipt thereof by any Holder would require under applicable law (x) the registration or qualification of such securities or of any person as a broker or dealer or agent with respect to such securities; or (y) the provision to any Holder of any information other than such information as a prudent issuer would generally furnish in an offering made solely to “accredited investors” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Company may cause to be paid to any such Holder in lieu thereof, against surrender of the Shares which would have otherwise been sold by such Holder, an amount in cash equal to the fair value (as determined in good faith by the Board) of the securities which such Holder would otherwise receive as of the date of the issuance of such securities in exchange for the Shares; and
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(g) in the event that the Selling Holders, in connection with such Sale of the Company, appoint a stockholder representative (the “Stockholder Representative”) with respect to matters affecting the Holders under the applicable definitive transaction agreements following consummation of such Sale of the Company, (x) to consent to (i) the appointment of such Stockholder Representative, (ii) the establishment of any applicable escrow, expense or similar fund in connection with any indemnification or similar obligations, and (iii) the payment of such Holder’s pro rata portion (from the applicable escrow or expense fund or otherwise) of any and all reasonable fees and expenses to such Stockholder Representative in connection with such Stockholder Representative’s services and duties in connection with such Sale of the Company and its related service as the representative of the Holders, and (y) not to assert any claim or commence any suit against the Stockholder Representative or any other Holder with respect to any action or inaction taken or failed to be taken by the Stockholder Representative, within the scope of the Stockholder Representative’s authority, in connection with its service as the Stockholder Representative, absent fraud, bad faith, or willful misconduct.
3.3 Conditions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, a Holder will not be required to comply with Section 3.2 above in connection with any proposed Sale of the Company (the “Proposed Sale”), unless:
(a) such Holder is not liable for the breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made by any other Person in connection with the Proposed Sale, other than the Company (except to the extent that funds may be paid out of an escrow established to cover breach of representations, warranties and covenants provided by all stockholders;
(b) liability shall be limited to such Holder’s applicable share (determined based on the respective proceeds payable to each Holder in connection with such Proposed Sale in accordance with the provisions of the Restated Certificate) of a negotiated aggregate indemnification amount that applies equally to all Holders but that in no event exceeds the amount of consideration otherwise payable to such Holder in connection with such Proposed Sale, except with respect to claims related to fraud by such Holder, the liability for which need not be limited as to such Holder;
(c) upon the consummation of the Proposed Sale, unless waived pursuant to the terms of the Restated Certificate and as may be required by law, the aggregate consideration receivable by all holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and Common Stock shall be allocated among the holders of Series A Preferred Stock and Common Stock on the basis of the relative liquidation preferences to which the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of Common Stock are entitled in a Deemed Liquidation Event (assuming for this purpose that the Proposed Sale is a Deemed Liquidation Event) in accordance with the Company’s Restated Certificate in effect immediately prior to the Proposed Sale; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.3(b), if the consideration to be paid in exchange for the Shares held by the Holder, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 3.3(b) includes any securities and due receipt thereof by any Holder would require under applicable law (x) the registration or qualification of such securities or of any person as a broker or dealer or agent with respect to such securities; or (y) the provision to any Holder of any information other than such information as a prudent issuer would generally furnish in an offering made solely to “accredited investors” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act, the Company may cause to be paid to any such Holder in lieu thereof, against surrender of the Shares held by the Holder, as applicable, which would have otherwise been sold by such Holder, an amount in cash equal to the fair value (as determined in good faith by the Board) of the securities which such Holder would otherwise receive as of the date of the issuance of such securities in exchange for the Shares held by the Holder, as applicable;
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3.4 Restrictions on Sales of Control of the Company. No Holder shall be a party to any Stock Sale unless (a) all Series A Preferred Stock are allowed to participate in such transaction(s) and (b) the consideration received pursuant to such transaction is allocated among the parties thereto in the manner specified in the Company’s Restated Certificate in effect immediately prior to the Stock Sale (as if such transaction(s) were a Deemed Liquidation Event), unless the holders of at least the requisite percentage required to waive treatment of the transaction(s) as a Deemed Liquidation Event pursuant to the terms of the Restated Certificate, elect to allocate the consideration differently by written notice given to the Company at least forty- five (45) days prior to the effective date of any such transaction or series of related transactions.
4. Remedies.
4.1 Covenants of the Company. The Company agrees to use its best efforts, within the requirements of applicable law, to ensure that the rights granted under this Agreement are effective and that the parties enjoy the benefits of this Agreement. Such actions include, without limitation, the use of the Company’s best efforts to cause the nomination and election of the directors as provided in this Agreement.
4.2 Irrevocable Proxy and Power of Attorney. Each party to this Agreement hereby constitutes and appoints as the proxies of the party and hereby gra nts a power of attorney to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and a designee of the Selling Holders, and each of them, with full power of substitution, with respect to the matters set forth herein, including, without limitation, votes regarding the size and composition of the Board pursuant to Section 1, votes to increase authorized shares pursuant to Section 2 hereof and votes regarding any Sale of the Company pursuant to Section 3 hereof, and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and vote, if and only if the party (i) fails to vote, or (ii) attempts to vote (whether by proxy, in person or by written consent), in a manner which is inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, all of such party’s Shares in favor of the election of persons as members of the Board determined pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement or the increase of authorized shares or approval of any Sale of the Company pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement or to take any action reasonably necessary to effect this Agreement. The power of attorney granted hereunder shall authorize the Chief Executive Officer of the Company to execute and deliver the documentation referred to in Section 3.2(c) on behalf of any party failing to do so within five (5) business days of a request by the Company. Each of the proxy and power of attorney granted pursuant to this Section 4.2 is given in consideration of the agreements and covenants of the Company and the parties in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and, as such, each is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable unless and until this Agreement terminates or expires pursuant to Section 6 hereof. Each party hereto hereby revokes any and all previous proxies or powers of attorney with respect to the Shares and shall not hereafter, unless and until this Agreement terminates or expires pursuant to Section 6 hereof, purport to grant any other proxy or power of attorney with respect to any of the Shares, deposit any of the Shares into a voting trust or enter into any agreement (other than this Agreement), arrangement or understanding with any person, directly or indirectly, to vote, grant any proxy or give instructions with respect to the voting of any of the Shares, in each case, with respect to any of the matters set forth herein.
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4.3 Specific Enforcement. Each party acknowledges and agrees that each party hereto will be irreparably damaged in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed by the parties in accordance with their specific terms or are otherwise breached. Accordingly, it is agreed that each of the Company and the Holders shall be entitled to an injunction to prevent breaches of this Agreement, and to specific enforcement of this Agreement and its terms and provisions in any action instituted in any court of the United States or any state having subject matter jurisdiction; provided that no party that is regulated as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, shall have the right to enforce against any Holder any provision of this Agreement that (a) requires a Holder to vote for or against any matter or (b) restricts or conditions the ability of a Holder to transfer its Shares.
4.4 Remedies Cumulative. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
5. “Bad Actor” Matters.
5.1 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) “Company Covered Person” means, with respect to the Company as an “issuer” for purposes of Rule 506 promulgated under the Securities Act, any Person listed in the first paragraph of Rule 506(d)(1).
(b) “Disqualified Designee” means any director designee to whom any Disqualification Event is applicable, except for a Disqualification Event as to which Rule 506(d)(2)(ii) or (iii) or (d)(3) is applicable.
(c) “Disqualification Event” means a “bad actor” disqualifying event described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i)-(viii) promulgated under the Securities Act.
(d) “Rule 506(d) Related Party” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that is a beneficial owner of such first Person’s securities for purposes of Rule 506(d) under the Securities Act.
5.2 Representations.
(a) Each Person with the right to designate or participate in the designation of a director pursuant to this Agreement hereby represents that (i) such Person has exercised reasonable care to determine whether any Disqualification Event is applicable to such Person, any director designee designated by such Person pursuant to this Agreement or any of such Person’s Rule 506(d) Related Parties, except, if applicable, for a Disqualification Event as to which Rule 506(d)(2)(ii) or (iii) or (d)(3) is applicable and (ii) no Disqualification Event is applicable to such Person, any Board member designated by such Person pursuant to this Agreement or any of such Person’s Rule 506(d) Related Parties, except, if applicable, for a Disqualification Event as to which Rule 506(d)(2)(ii) or (iii) or (d)(3) is applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each Holder makes no representation regarding any Person that may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the Company’s voting equity securities held by such Holder solely by virtue of that Person being or becoming a party to (x) this Agreement, as may be subsequently amended, or (y) any other contract or written agreement to which the Company and such Holder are parties regarding (1) the voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of, such security; and/or (2) the investment power, which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, such security.
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(b) The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Holders that no Disqualification Event is applicable to the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any Company Covered Person, except for a Disqualification Event as to which Rule 506(d)(2)(ii)-(iv) or (d)(3) is applicable.
5.3 Covenants. Each Person with the right to designate or participate in the designation of a director pursuant to this Agreement covenants and agrees (i) not to designate or participate in the designation of any director designee who, to such Person’s knowledge, is a Disqualified Designee, (ii) to exercise reasonable care to determine whether any director designee designated by such person is a Disqualified Designee, (iii) that in the event such Person becomes aware that any individual previously designated by any such Person is or has become a Disqualified Designee, such Person shall as promptly as practicable take such actions as are necessary to remove such Disqualified Designee from the Board and designate a replacement designee who is not a Disqualified Designee, and (iv) to notify the Company promptly in writing in the event a Disqualification Event becomes applicable to such Person or any of its Rule 506(d) Related Parties, or, to such Person’s knowledge, to such Person’s initial designee named in Section 1, except, if applicable, for a Disqualification Event as to which Rule 506(d)(2)(ii) or (iii) or (d)(3) is applicable.
6. Term. This Agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall continue in effect until and shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of (a) the consummation of the Company’s first underwritten public offering of its Common Stock (other than a registration statement relating either to the sale of securities to employees of the Company pursuant to its stock option, stock purchase or similar plan or an SEC Rule 145 transaction); (b) the consummation of a Sale of the Company and distribution of proceeds to or escrow for the benefit of the Holders in accordance with the Restated Certificate, provided that the provisions of Section 3 hereof will continue after the closing of any Sale of the Company to the extent necessary to enforce the provisions of Section 3 with respect to such Sale of the Company; and (c) termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 7.9 below.
7. Miscellaneous.
7.1 Additional Parties.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Company issues additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock or any new classes of preferred stock after the date hereof, as a condition to the issuance of such shares the Company shall require that any purchaser of such shares become a party to this Agreement by executing and delivering (i) the Adoption Agreement attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A, or (ii) a counterpart signature page hereto agreeing to be bound by and subject to the terms of this Agreement as a Holder. In either event, each such person shall thereafter be deemed a Holder for all purposes under this Agreement.
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(b) In the event that after the date of this Agreement, the Company enters into an agreement with any Person to issue shares of capital stock to such Person (other than to a purchaser of preferred stock described in Section 7.1(a) above), following which such Person shall hold Shares constituting one percent (1%) or more of the then outstanding capital stock of the Company (treating for this purpose all shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of or conversion of outstanding options, warrants or convertible securities, as if exercised and/or converted or exchanged), then, the Company shall cause such Person, as a condition precedent to entering into such agreement, to become a party to this Agreement by executing an Adoption Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, agreeing to be bound by and subject to the terms of this Agreement as a Founding Holder and/or Holder and thereafter such person shall be deemed a Holder for all purposes under this Agreement.
7.2 Transfers. Each transferee or assignee of any Shares subject to this Agreement shall continue to be subject to the terms hereof, and, as a condition precedent to the Company’s recognition of such transfer, each transferee or assignee shall agree in writing to be subject to each of the terms of this Agreement by executing and delivering an Adoption Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. Upon the execution and delivery of an Adoption Agreement by any transferee, such transferee shall be deemed to be a party hereto as if such transferee were the transferor and such transferee’s signature appeared on the signature pages of this Agreement and shall be deemed to be a Holder. The Company shall not permit the transfer of the Shares subject to this Agreement on its books or issue a new certificate representing any such Shares unless and until such transferee shall have complied with the terms of this Section 7.2. Each certificate instrument, or book entry representing the Shares subject to this Agreement if issued on or after the date of this Agreement shall be notated by the Company with the legend set forth in Section 7.13.
7.3 Delivery of Agreement. Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Company may, at its election, deliver this Agreement, including Schedule A, to such Holder in redacted form in a manner which the other Holders names, addresses and signatures are not identifiable; provided, however, that Schedule A will still illustrate the other Holders on an individual basis and their total shares owned.
7.4 Successors and Assigns. The rights under this Agreement may be assigned and transferred (but only with all related obligations and only if the record and beneficial ownership of the underlying Shares of the Holder is transferred on the books of the Company at the same time as the assignment) to (i) any permitted transferee under this Agreement and (ii) any transferee permitted under the Investor Rights Agreement, by and between the Holders and the Company, dated as of the date hereof; provided, however, that (x) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee and the Shares with respect to which such rights and ownership are being transferred; and (y) such transferee agrees in a written instrument delivered to the Company to be bound by and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
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7.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal law of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of the State of Delaware.
7.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., ▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
7.7 Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
7.8 Notices.
(a) General. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt or (a) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by electronic mail during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipient’s next business day, (c) upon delivery receipt if sent via facsimile, (d) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (e) one (1) business day after the business day of deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next business day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective parties at their address as set forth on the signature pages (and if no such address is provided, e-mail notice shall be deemed sufficient), or to such e-mail address or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Section 7.8. If notice is given to the Company, such notice shall be sent both to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ and the address set forth on the signature page and to the following:
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Phone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
(b) Consent to Electronic Notice. Each Holder consents to the delivery of any stockholder notice pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), as amended or superseded from time to time, by electronic transmission pursuant to Section 232 of the DGCL (or any successor thereto) at the electronic mail address set forth below such Holder’s name on Schedule A hereto, as updated from time to time by notice to the Company, or as on the books of the Company. To the extent that any notice given by means of electronic transmission is returned or undeliverable for any reason, the foregoing consent shall be deemed to have been revoked until a new or corrected electronic mail address has been provided, and such attempted electronic notice shall be ineffective and deemed to not have been given. Each Holder agrees to promptly notify the Company of any change in its electronic mail address, and that failure to do so shall not affect the foregoing.
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7.9 Consent Required to Amend, Modify, Terminate or Waive. This Agreement may be amended, modified or terminated (other than pursuant to Section 6) and the observance of any term hereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by a written instrument executed by (a) the Company; and (b) the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by the Holders (voting together as a single class and on an as converted basis); and (c) holders of a majority of Series A Preferred Stock (acting as a separate class). Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(a) this Agreement may not be amended, modified or terminated and the observance of any term of this Agreement may not be waived with respect to any Holder without the written consent of such Holder unless such amendment, modification, termination or waiver applies to all Holders, as the case may be, in the same fashion;
(b) the provisions of Section 1.2(a), Section 3 and this Section Error! Reference source not found. may not be amended, modified, terminated or waived without the written consent of a majority of the then outstanding holders of Common Stock; and
(c) any provision hereof may be waived by the waiving party on such party’s own behalf, without the consent of any other party.
The Company shall give prompt written notice of any amendment, modification, termination, or waiver hereunder to any party that did not consent in writing thereto. Any amendment, modification, termination, or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 7.9 shall be binding on each party and all of such party’s successors and permitted assigns, whether or not any such party, successor or assignee entered into or approved such amendment, modification, termination or waiver. For purposes of this Section 7.9, the requirement of a written instrument may be satisfied in the form of an action by written consent of the Holders circulated by the Company and executed by the Holder parties specified, whether or not such action by written consent makes explicit reference to the terms of this Agreement.
7.10 Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non-defaulting party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default previously or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
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7.11 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.
7.12 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto), the Restated Certificate and the other Transaction Agreements (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the parties is expressly canceled.
7.13 Share Certificate Legend. Each certificate, instrument, or book entry representing any Shares issued after the date hereof shall be notated by the Company with a legend reading substantially as follows:
“THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO A VOTING AGREEMENT, AS MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME (A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED UPON WRITTEN REQUEST FROM THE COMPANY), AND BY ACCEPTING ANY INTEREST IN SUCH SHARES THE PERSON ACCEPTING SUCH INTEREST SHALL BE DEEMED TO AGREE TO AND SHALL BECOME BOUND BY ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THAT VOTING AGREEMENT, INCLUDING CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP SET FORTH THEREIN.”
The Company, by its execution of this Agreement, agrees that it will cause the certificates, instruments, or book entry evidencing the Shares issued after the date hereof to be notated with the legend required by this Section 7.13 of this Agreement, and it shall supply, free of charge, a copy of this Agreement to any holder of such Shares upon written request from such holder to the Company at its principal office. The parties to this Agreement do hereby agree that the failure to cause the certificates, instruments, or book entry evidencing the Shares to be notated with the legend required by this Section 7.13 herein and/or the failure of the Company to supply, free of charge, a copy of this Agreement as provided hereunder shall not affect the validity or enforcement of this Agreement.
7.14 Stock Splits, Dividends and Recapitalizations. In the event of any issuance of Shares or the voting securities of the Company hereafter to any of the Holders (including, without limitation, in connection with any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, or the like), such Shares shall become subject to this Agreement and shall be notated with the legend set forth in Section 7.13.
7.15 Manner of Voting. The voting of Shares pursuant to this Agreement may be effected in person, by proxy, by written consent or in any other manner permitted by applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, voting of the Shares pursuant to the Agreement need not make explicit reference to the terms of this Agreement.
7.16 Further Assurances. At any time or from time to time after the date hereof, the parties agree to cooperate with each other, and at the request of any other party, to execute and deliver any further instruments or documents and to take all such further action as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent of the parties hereunder.
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7.17 Dispute Resolution. The parties (a) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction of the state courts of Delaware and to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement, (b) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement except in the state courts of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and (c) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court.
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL: EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, THE SECURITIES OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THIS SECTION HAS BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THESE PROVISIONS WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXCEPTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.
7.18 Costs of Enforcement. If any party to this Agreement seeks to enforce its rights under this Agreement by legal proceedings, the non-prevailing party shall pay all costs and expenses incurred by the prevailing party, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees.
7.19 Aggregation of Stock. All Shares held or acquired by a Holder and/or its Affiliates shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any rights under this Agreement, and such Affiliated persons may apportion such rights as among themselves in any manner they deem appropriate.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Voting Agreement as of the date first written above.
COMPANY: | ||
PROMICELL, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Address: |
HOLDERS: | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Address: |