EXHIBIT 99.3
NEITHER THESE SECURITIES NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THESE SECURITIES ARE
CONVERTIBLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IN
RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD
EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO,
THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
THIS NOTE DOES NOT REQUIRE PHYSICAL SURRENDER OF THE NOTE IN THE EVENT OF A
PARTIAL REDEMPTION OR CONVERSION. AS A RESULT, FOLLOWING ANY REDEMPTION OR
CONVERSION OF ANY PORTION OF THIS NOTE, THE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
REPRESENTED BY THIS NOTE MAY BE LESS THAN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AND ACCRUED
INTEREST SET FORTH BELOW.
CONVERTIBLE NOTE
OF
TRINITY BIOTECH PLC
Tranche A - 5.25% Convertible Note due July 2, 2007
Tranche B - 6.00% Convertible Note due December 31, 2005
Note No.: 2 Original Principal Amount: US$500,000
Issuance Date: November 27, 2002 New York, New York
THIS NOTE ("Note") is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of TRINITY
BIOTECH PLC, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the
Republic of Ireland (the "Company"), designated as the Company's Convertible
Notes in an aggregate principal amount (when taken together with the original
principal amounts of all other Notes) which does not exceed Three Million Five
Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars (US$3,500,000) (the "Notes"), originally issued
pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement dated on or about the original
issuance date of the Notes (the "Purchase Agreement"). The Notes are divided
into two (2) tranches ("Tranches"), one tranche designated "Tranche A"
representing an aggregate principal amount (when taken together with the Tranche
A principal amount of all other Notes) which does not exceed Two Million Five
Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars (US$2,500,000) and the other designated "Tranche
B" representing an aggregate principal amount (when taken together with the
Tranche B principal amount of all other Notes) which does not exceed One Million
U.S. Dollars (US$1,000,000). The maturity date of this Note ("Maturity Date") is
July 2, 2007 for Tranche A and December 31, 2005 for Tranche B. Commencing
January 2, 2004, the Company is required to repay quarterly in the aggregate
US$200,000 in principal amount due under Tranche A of the Notes, as provided in
accordance with the terms of the Notes.
-1-
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the Company hereby promises to pay to the order of
Solomon Strategic Holdings, Inc. or its registered assigns or
successors-in-interest ("Holder") the principal sum of Five Hundred Thousand
U.S. Dollars (US$500,000), together with all accrued but unpaid interest
thereon, if any, on the applicable Maturity Date, to the extent such principal
amount and interest has not been repaid or converted into the Company's Class
"A" Ordinary Shares, nominal value IR(pound)0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"),
in accordance with the terms hereof, which principal sum shall consist of
US$500,000 constituting Tranche A hereunder and $0 constituting Tranche B
hereunder. Interest on the unpaid principal balance of each Tranche hereof shall
accrue at the rate or rates set forth in Section 1 below from the date of
original issuance hereof (the "Issuance Date") until the same becomes due and
payable on the Maturity Date for such Tranche, or such earlier date upon
acceleration or by conversion or redemption in accordance with the terms hereof
or of the other Agreements. Interest on this Note shall accrue daily commencing
on the Issuance Date and shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year,
30-day months and actual days elapsed and shall be payable in accordance with
Section 1 hereof, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, shall continue
to accrue notwithstanding any judgment registered against the Company.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein, this Note (including Tranche A and
Tranche B) shall bear interest on the due and unpaid Principal Amount from and
after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default pursuant
to Section 4(a), at the rate (the "Default Rate") equal to the lower of fifteen
percent (15%) per annum or the highest rate permitted by law. Unless otherwise
agreed or required by applicable law, payments will be applied first to any
unpaid collection costs, then to unpaid interest and fees and any remaining
amount to principal.
Except as otherwise provided herein, all payments of principal and interest
on this Note shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account as the Holder may
from time to time designate by written notice in accordance with the provisions
of this Note or by Company check. This Note may not be prepaid in whole or in
part except as otherwise provided herein or in the Agreements. Whenever any
amount expressed to be due by the terms of this Note is due on any day which is
not a Business Day (as defined below), the same shall instead be due on the next
succeeding day which is a Business Day.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the
meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. For purposes hereof the following
terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them below:
"ADRs" means the Company's American Depository Receipts, each currently
representing one share of Common Stock, which are quoted on the Nasdaq Small-Cap
Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market (or other Approved Market). Appropriate and
equitable adjustment to the terms and provisions of this Note shall be made in
the event of any change to the ratio of ADRs to shares of Common Stock.
-2-
"Bankruptcy Event" means any of the following events: (a) the Company or
any subsidiary commences a case or other proceeding under any bankruptcy,
reorganization, examinership, arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of
debtors, dissolution, insolvency or liquidation or similar law of any
jurisdiction relating to the Company or any subsidiary thereof; (b) there is
commenced against the Company or any subsidiary any such case or proceeding that
is not dismissed within 60 days after commencement; (c) the Company or any
subsidiary is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt or any order of relief or other
order approving any such case or proceeding is entered; (d) the Company or any
subsidiary suffers any appointment of any receiver, examiner, custodian or the
like for it or any substantial part of its property that is not discharged or
stayed within 60 days; (e) the Company or any subsidiary makes a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors; (f) the Company or any subsidiary fails
to pay, or states that it is unable to pay or is unable to pay, its debts
generally as they become due; (g) the Company or any subsidiary calls a meeting
of its creditors with a view to arranging a composition, adjustment or
restructuring of its debts; or (h) the Company or any subsidiary, by any act or
failure to act, expressly indicates its consent to, approval of or acquiescence
in any of the foregoing or takes any corporate or other action for the purpose
of effecting any of the foregoing.
"Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on
which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law
or executive order to remain closed.
"Change in Control Transaction" will be deemed to exist if (i) there occurs
any consolidation, merger or other business combination of the Company with or
into any other corporation or other entity or person (whether or not the Company
is the surviving corporation), or any other corporate reorganization or
transaction or series of related transactions in which in any of such events the
voting stockholders of the Company prior to such event cease to own 50% or more
of the voting power, or corresponding voting equity interests, of the surviving
corporation after such event (including without limitation any "going private"
transaction under Rule 13e-3 promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act or tender
offer by the Company under Rule 13e-4 promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act
for 20% or more of the Company's Common Stock), (ii) any person (as defined in
Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), together with its affiliates and associates
(as such terms are defined in Rule 405 under the Act), beneficially owns or is
deemed to beneficially own (as described in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act
without regard to the 60-day exercise period) in excess of 50% of the Company's
voting power, (iii) there is a replacement of more than one-half of the members
of the Company's Board of Directors which is not approved by those individuals
who are members of the Company's Board of Directors on the date thereof, (iv) in
one or a series of related transactions, there is a sale or transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, determined on a consolidated
basis, (v) the Company enters into an agreement providing for an event set forth
in (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, or (vi) any of the foregoing occurs with
respect to the Company or the German Subsidiary.
"Conversion Price" shall equal US$1.50, provided that if the Security Event
does not occur prior to the Security Deadline for any reason whatsoever, then
the Conversion Price hereunder shall be automatically and permanently reduced to
equal $1.25 (such applicable Conversion Price shall be subject to adjustment as
set forth herein).
"Conversion Ratio" means, at any time, a fraction, of which the numerator
is the entire outstanding Principal Amount of this Note (or such portion thereof
that is being redeemed or repurchased), and of which the denominator is the
lesser of the Conversion Price and the Market Price as of the date such ratio is
being determined.
-3-
"Convertible Securities" means any convertible securities, warrants,
options or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase or exchange for, shares
of Common Stock.
"Effective Date" means the date on which a Registration Statement covering
all the Underlying Shares and other Registrable Securities (as defined in the
Registration Rights Agreement) is declared effective by the SEC.
"Effective Registration" shall mean (i) the resale of all Registrable
Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) is covered by an
effective registration statement in accordance with the terms of the
Registration Rights Agreement and such registration statement is not subject to
any suspension or stop orders; (ii) the resale of such Registrable Securities
may be effected pursuant to a current and deliverable prospectus that is not
subject to any blackout or similar circumstance; (iii) such Registrable
Securities are listed, or approved for listing prior to issuance, on an Approved
Market and are not subject to any trading suspension (nor shall trading
generally have been suspended on such exchange or market), and the Company shall
not have been notified of any pending or threatened proceeding or other action
to delist or suspend the Common Stock on the Approved Market on which the Common
Stock is then traded or listed; (iv) the requisite number of shares of Common
Stock shall have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance as required by
the terms of the Agreements; (v) the closing bid price per ADR on the Principal
Market shall be at least $1.00; (vi) the Company and the German Subsidiary has
complied with its material obligations under all the Agreements in all material
respects and has not made any material misrepresentations under any of the
Agreements or under any other agreements between the Company and the Purchasers;
and (vii) none of the Company, the German Subsidiary or any other direct or
indirect subsidiary of the Company is subject to any Bankruptcy Event.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Lien Property" shall have the meaning set forth in the Mortgage.
"Market Price" shall equal 90% of the average closing bid price per ADR as
reported by the Principal Market for the ten (10) Trading Days immediately
preceding the date on which such Market Price is being determined.
"MFN Transaction" shall mean a transaction in which the Company issues or
sells any securities in a capital raising transaction or series of related
transactions (the "MFN Offering") which grants to the investor (the "MFN
Investor") the right to receive additional securities based upon future capital
raising transactions of the Company on terms more favorable than those granted
to the MFN Investor in the MFN Offering.
-4-
"Per Share Selling Price" shall include the amount actually paid by third
parties for each share of Common Stock (including ADRs) in a sale or issuance by
the Company. In the event a fee is paid by the Company in connection with such
transaction directly or indirectly to such third party or its affiliates, any
such fee shall be deducted from the selling price pro rata to all shares sold in
the transaction to arrive at the Per Share Selling Price. A sale of shares of
Common Stock shall include the sale or issuance of rights, options, warrants or
convertible, exchangeable or exercisable securities under which the Company is
or may become obligated to issue shares of Common Stock, and in such
circumstances the Per Share Selling Price of the Common Stock covered thereby
shall also include the exercise, exchange or conversion price thereof (in
addition to the consideration received by the Company upon such sale or issuance
less the fee amount as provided above). In case of any such security issued in a
Variable Rate Transaction or an MFN Transaction, the Per Share Selling Price
shall be deemed to be the lowest conversion or exercise price at which such
securities are converted or exercised or might have been converted or exercised
in the case of a Variable Rate Transaction, or the lowest adjustment price in
the case of an MFN Transaction, over the life of such securities. If shares are
issued for a consideration other than cash, the Per Share Selling Price shall be
the fair value of such consideration as determined in good faith by independent
certified public accountants mutually acceptable to the Company and the
Purchaser. In the event the Company directly or indirectly effectively reduces
the conversion, exercise or exchange price for any Convertible Securities which
are currently outstanding, then the Per Share Selling Price shall equal such
effectively reduced conversion, exercise or exchange price.
"Principal Amount" shall refer to the sum of (i) the original principal
amount of this Note, (ii) all accrued but unpaid interest hereunder, and (iii)
any default payments owing under the Agreements but not previously paid or added
to the Principal Amount.
"Principal Market" shall mean the NASDAQ Small-Cap Market or such other
principal market or exchange on which the ADRs are then listed or quoted for
trading.
"Registration Statement" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Security Deadline" shall mean the date which is 105 days following the
Closing Date.
"Security Event" shall mean, and be deemed to have occurred if and only if,
each and every one of the following events and conditions has occurred and
currently exists:
(i) The competent authorities in Lemgo, Germany have waived their
statutory right of pre-emption with respect to the Lien Property;
(ii) The real property acquisition tax (Grunderwerbsteuer) has been
duly paid for the transfer of title and ownership of the Lien
Property from Sigma-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Grundstucks GmbH & Co. KG to the
German Subsidiary;
(iii) Title and ownership of the Lien Property has been duly and
validly transferred from Sigma-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Grundstucks GmbH & Co. KG
to the German Subsidiary;
-5-
(iv) The Lien Property has been transferred from Sigma-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Grundstucks GmbH & Co. KG to the German Subsidiary such that the
German Subsidiary has sole legal and record ownership of the Lien
Property free and clear of all liens, claims, charges and
encumbrances (except for the Mortgage) and the German Subsidiary
is registered in the appropriate German land register as the
owner of the Lien Property;
(v) The purchase price for the Lien Property with respect to such
transfer has been duly paid as agreed upon;
(vi) All applicable court fees have been duly paid;
(vii) The first priority mortgage on the Lien Property in favor of
Sigma Diagnostics, a division of Sigma Chemical Company in St.
Louis, Missouri, USA, is deleted;
(viii) There are no creditors of the German Subsidiary or other third
parties which hinder the creation of the first priority
Mortgage in favor of the Purchasers;
(ix) All applications necessary for the transfer of title and
ownership and the creation of the first priority Mortgage have
been made unconditionally and irrevocably, and all other action
has been taken in good faith, in order to cause the first
priority Mortgage to be entered in favor of the Purchasers;
(x) The German Subsidiary has duly executed the Mortgage and had the
Mortgage duly notarized;
(xi) The Mortgage was submitted to the German land registry
(Grundbuch) for filing;
(xii) The Mortgage was duly, validly and properly recorded by the
German land registry (Grundbuch) in the public land records;
(xiii) The Purchasers possess a first priority position (and the only)
security interest, lien, charge and mortgage in the Lien
Property; and
(xiv) The Purchasers have received a duly certified extract from the
appropriate German land registry evidencing the Mortgage on the
Lien Property created in favor of the Purchasers and the first
priority nature of such Mortgage, and no other liens, charges or
mortgages shall exist on the Lien Property.
"Trading Day" shall mean a day on which there is trading on the Principal
Market.
"Underlying Shares" means the shares of Common Stock, represented by one
ADR per share, into which the Notes are convertible (including repayment in
Common Stock as set forth herein and payments of interest in stock as set forth
herein) in accordance with the terms hereof and the Purchase Agreement.
-6-
"Variable Rate Transaction" shall mean a transaction in which the Company
issues or sells, or agrees to issue or sell (a) any debt or equity securities
that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right
to receive additional shares of, Common Stock or ADRs either (x) at a
conversion, exercise or exchange rate or other price that is based upon and/or
varies with the trading prices of or quotations for the Common Stock or ADRs at
any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities, (y) with
a fixed conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at
some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or
upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly
related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock or
ADRs (but excluding standard stock split anti-dilution provisions), or (z) under
a warrant exercisable for a number of shares based upon and/or varying with the
trading prices of or quotations for the Common Stock or ADRs at any time after
the initial issuance of such warrant, or (b) any securities of the Company
pursuant to an "equity line" structure which provides for the sale, from time to
time, of securities of the Company which are registered for sale or resale
pursuant to the 1933 Act (which for the purpose of this definition shall include
a sale of the Company's securities "off the shelf" in a registered offering,
whether or not such offering is underwritten).
The following terms and conditions shall apply to this Note:
SECTION 1. Payments of Principal and Interest.
(a) Interest Only Payments.
(i) Tranche A. Interest on the unpaid principal balance of Tranche A
hereof shall accrue at the rate of 5.25% per annum, provided that in the
event that the Security Event does not occur prior to the Security Deadline
for any reason whatsoever, then notwithstanding anything contained herein,
interest on the unpaid principal balance of Tranche A hereof shall be
increased to accrue at the rate of 6.00% per annum at all times thereafter
from the Security Deadline until the same becomes due and payable on the
Maturity Date, or such earlier due date or such earlier date upon
acceleration or by conversion or redemption in accordance with the terms
hereof or of the other Agreements (subject to the Default Rate). The
Company shall pay the interest accrued under Tranche A quarterly in arrears
on the first business day of each consecutive calendar quarter (each an
"Interest Payment Date") beginning on January 2, 2003. Subject to the terms
of this Section 1, the Company shall have the right to satisfy such
interest payment ("Tranche A Interest") in full in cash or in shares of
Common Stock (or a combination thereof) at the Company's option. All
holders of Notes must be treated equally (proportionate to their original
principal amounts) with respect to the payment of interest.
(ii) Tranche B. Interest on the unpaid principal balance of Tranche B
hereof shall accrue at the rate of 6.00% per annum. The Company shall pay
the interest accrued under Tranche B quarterly in arrears on each Interest
Payment Date beginning on January 2, 2003. Such interest payment shall be
paid in cash only.
(b) Quarterly Payments. Subject to the terms of this Section 1, the Company
shall repay US$40,000 of the original principal amount of Tranche A under this
Note, together with interest accrued to date on such portion of the original
principal amount plus all other accrued an unpaid interest on Tranche A
hereunder plus any and all default payments owing under the Agreements but not
previously paid (collectively, "Quarterly Amount"), on the first business day of
each consecutive calendar quarter (each a "Repayment Date") beginning on January
2, 2004. All interest and principal repayments included within the Quarterly
Amount shall be applied only against Tranche A. Subject to the terms of this
Section 1, the Company shall have the right to satisfy payment of the Quarterly
Amount in full on each Repayment Date either in cash or in shares of Common
Stock (or a combination thereof) at the Company's option.
-7-
(c) Cash or Common Stock. The Company shall deliver to all the holders of
Notes a written irrevocable notice in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto
("Election Notice") electing to pay the Tranche A Interest and Quarterly Amount
in full on such Interest Payment Date and Repayment Date (together, "Payment
Date"), respectively, in either cash or Common Stock or a combination thereof
(specifying such combination). Such Election Notice shall be delivered at least
ten (10) Trading Days prior to the applicable Payment Date but no more than
twenty (20) Trading Days prior to such Payment Date (the date of such notice
being hereinafter referred to as the "Notice Date"). If such Election Notice is
not delivered within the prescribed period set forth in the preceding sentence,
then the payment shall be made in either cash or shares of Common Stock or a
combination thereof on the same terms hereunder at the Holder's sole option. If
the Company elects or is required to pay any portion of the Tranche A Interest
or Quarterly Amount in cash on a Payment Date, then on such Payment Date the
Company shall pay to the Holder an amount equal to such portion of the Tranche A
Interest and/or Quarterly Amount elected to be paid in cash in satisfaction of
such obligation. If the Company elects or is required to repay any portion of
the Tranche A Interest and/or Quarterly Amount in shares of Common Stock, the
number of such shares to be issued for such Payment Date shall be the number
determined by dividing (x) the portion of the Tranche A Interest and/or
Quarterly Amount, as the case may be, elected to be paid in stock, by (y) the
Market Price as of such Payment Date. ADRs representing such shares shall be
issued and delivered within three (3) Trading Days following such Payment Date,
and such shares and ADRs shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid,
non-assessable and free and clear of all encumbrances, restrictions and legends.
If any Holder does not receive the requisite number of ADRs in the form required
above within such three Trading Day period, the Holder shall have the option of
either (a) requiring the Company to issue and deliver all or a portion of such
ADRs or (b) canceling such election (whether by the Company or Holder) to pay
the Tranche A Interest and/or Quarterly Amount in Common Stock (in whole or in
part), in which case the Company shall immediately pay in cash the full Tranche
A Interest and/or Quarterly Amount due hereunder or such portion as the Holder
specifies is to be paid in cash instead of Common Stock. Except as otherwise
provided in this Section 1, all holders of Notes must be treated equally (on a
proportionate basis) with respect to such payment of the Tranche A Interest and
Quarterly Amount in shares of Common Stock represented by ADRs.
(i) No Effective Registration. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein, the Company shall be prohibited from exercising its right
to repay the Tranche A Interest and/or Quarterly Amount in shares of Common
Stock (and must deliver cash in respect thereof) on the applicable Payment
Date if at any time from the Notice Date until the time at which the
Holders receive such shares there fails to exist Effective Registration
(defined below) or an Event of Default hereunder exists or occurs, unless
otherwise waived in writing by the Holder in whole or in part at the
Holder's option.
(ii) Ownership/Issuance Limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein, the Company shall be prohibited from exercising its right
to pay the Tranche A Interest or Quarterly Amount in shares of Common Stock
(and must deliver cash in respect thereof) on the applicable Payment Date
to the extent, and only to the extent, that such repayment in ADRs would
result in the Holder hereof exceeding the limitations contained in Section
3(i) below. If such stock payment cannot be made because it would violate
only Section 3(i)(A) below, then (i) the Company on the Payment Date shall
pay such portion of the Tranche A Interest and/or Quarterly Amount, as the
case may be, in shares of Common Stock as may be effected without exceeding
such limitation, and (ii) the Payment Date for the balance of the Tranche A
Interest and/or Quarterly Amount, as the case may be, shall be extended
until such time as such stock payment can be made without violating Section
3(i)(A). If such stock payment cannot be made because it would violate
Section 3(i)(B) below, then at the Holder's option the Company shall pay
such Tranche A Interest and Quarterly Amount in cash. If any portion of any
Tranche A Interest or Quarterly Amount remains unpaid as of the Maturity
Date for Tranche A hereunder, such amount shall be paid in cash on such
Maturity Date (unless accelerated hereunder pursuant to Section 4 below).
(iii) Deemed Conversions. Any repayment of the Tranche A Interest or
Quarterly Amount in shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms hereof
shall constitute and be deemed a conversion of such portion of the
Principal Amount of Tranche A of this Note for all purposes under this Note
and the other Agreements (except that such conversion shall be at the
Market Price and except as otherwise provided herein).
(d) Tranche B Demand Repayment. At any time and from time to time during
the period beginning on May 31, 2003 and ending on the Maturity Date for Tranche
B (December 31, 2005), the Holder hereof may demand payment of any or all of the
principal amount outstanding under Tranche B by delivering to the Company a
written notice specifying the principal amount to be repaid and the date on
which such amount shall be repaid (each a "Tranche B Repayment Date"). Such
notice may be delivered at any time provided that it must be delivered at least
30 days prior to any Tranche B Repayment Date. On each Tranche B Repayment Date
the Company shall pay to Holder such principal amount designated in such notice,
together with all accrued but unpaid interest on such principal amount, in cash
by wire transfer in accordance with the terms hereof. The entire Principal
Amount of Tranche B outstanding as of the Maturity Date for Tranche B (December
31, 2005) shall be paid to Holder in full on such date.
(e) Payments by the Company. Any payment by the Company to the Holder
hereunder, whether for principal, interest or otherwise, shall not be subject to
any deduction, withholding or offset for any reason whatsoever except to the
extent required by law.
SECTION 2. Security and Guaranty. The Company's obligations under this Note
and the other Agreements are guaranteed by the German Subsidiary pursuant to the
Subsidiary Guaranty. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the
Security Event to occur on or prior to the date which is 90 days following the
Closing Date. Following the Security Event, the Company's and the German
Subsidiary's obligations under this Note, the Guaranty and the other Agreements
shall be secured by the Lien Property pursuant to the terms of this Note, the
Guaranty, Mortgage and other Agreements. As compensation for the lack of
security under this Note, if the Security Event does not occur prior to the date
which is 90 days following the Closing Date for any reason whatsoever, then
within three (3) business days following such date the Company shall pay to the
Holder US$5,000 in cash by wire transfer and such amount shall constitute an
amount payable under this Note (and if not paid shall constitute an Event of
Default hereunder). In addition, if the Security Event does not occur prior to
the Security Deadline for any reason whatsoever, then the Conversion Price
hereunder shall be automatically reduced to equal $1.25 (as such figure shall be
subject to adjustment as provided herein for adjustments to the Conversion
Price).
-9-
SECTION 3. Conversion.
(a) Conversion Right. Subject to the terms hereof and restrictions and
limitations contained herein, the Holder shall have the right, at such Holder's
option, at any time and from time to time to convert the outstanding Principal
Amount under this Note in whole or in part by delivering to the Company a fully
executed notice of conversion in the form of conversion notice attached hereto
as Exhibit A (the "Conversion Notice"), which may be transmitted by facsimile.
Except for forced conversion as set forth in Section 3(j) below, all conversions
elected by the Holder hereunder shall be applied against the Tranche designated
by the Holder in the Conversion Notice. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
herein, this Note and the outstanding Principal Amount hereunder shall not be
convertible into Common Stock to the extent that such conversion would result in
the Holder hereof exceeding the limitations contained in, or otherwise violating
the provisions of, Section 3(i) below. For clarification purposes, any
conversions of the outstanding Principal Amount under this Note in part pursuant
to this Section 3(a) shall not affect the Company's obligation to repay the
Quarterly Amount as provided in Section 1 above.
(b) Common Stock/ADR Issuance Upon Conversion.
(i) Conversion Date Procedures. Upon conversion of this Note pursuant
to Section 3(a) above, the outstanding Principal Amount hereunder shall be
converted into such number of fully paid, validly issued and non-assessable
shares of Common Stock, free of any liens, claims and encumbrances, as is
determined by dividing the outstanding Principal Amount being converted by
the then applicable Conversion Price. Such shares of Common Stock shall be
represented by ADRs. The date of any Conversion Notice hereunder and any
Repayment Date shall be referred to herein as the "Conversion Date". If a
conversion under this Note cannot be effected in full for any reason, or if
the Holder is converting less than all of the outstanding Principal Amount
hereunder pursuant to a Conversion Notice, the Company shall promptly
deliver to the Holder (but no later than five Trading Days after the
Conversion Date) a Note for such outstanding Principal Amount as has not
been converted if this Note has been surrendered to the Company for partial
conversion. The Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this
Note to the Company upon any conversion or payment for the Quarterly Amount
hereunder unless the full outstanding Principal ▇▇▇▇▇▇ represented by this
Note is being converted or repaid. The Holder and the Company shall
maintain records showing the outstanding Principal Amount so converted and
repaid and the dates of such conversions or repayments or shall use such
other method, reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and the Company, so as
not to require physical surrender of this Note upon each such conversion or
repayment.
-10-
(ii) Stock Certificates or DWAC. The Company will deliver or cause to
be delivered to the Holder not later than three (3) Trading Days after the
Conversion Date, a certificate or certificates which shall be free of
restrictive legends and trading restrictions, evidencing the ADRs
representing the number of shares of Common Stock being acquired upon the
conversion of this Note. In lieu of delivering physical certificates
evidencing ADRs issuable upon conversion of this Note, provided the
Company's transfer agent is participating in the Depository Trust Company
("DTC") Fast Automated Securities Transfer ("FAST") program, upon request
of the Holder, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
cause its transfer agent to electronically transmit such ADRs issuable upon
conversion to the Holder (or its designee), by crediting the account of the
Holder's (or such designee's) prime broker with DTC through its Deposit
Withdrawal Agent Commission system (provided that the same time periods
herein as for stock certificates shall apply). If in the case of any
conversion hereunder, such ADRs are not delivered to or as directed by the
Holder by the third Trading Day after the Conversion Date, the Holder shall
be entitled by written notice to the Company at any time on or before its
receipt of such ADRs thereafter, to rescind such conversion, in which event
the Company shall immediately return this Note tendered for conversion. If
the Company fails to deliver to the Holder such ADRs (whether or not
through DTC) pursuant to this Section 3(b) (free of any restrictions on
transfer or legends, if such shares and ADRs have been registered) in
accordance herewith, prior to the sixth Trading Day after the Conversion
Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, an amount equal to 2%
of the Principal Amount per month.
(c) Conversion Price Adjustments.
(i) Stock Dividends, Splits and Combinations. If the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, at any time while the Notes are outstanding (A) shall pay
a stock dividend or otherwise make a distribution or distributions on any
equity securities (including instruments or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for such equity securities) in shares of Common Stock, (B)
subdivide outstanding Common Stock into a larger number of shares, or (C)
combine outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then each
Affected Conversion Price (as defined below) shall be multiplied by a
fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding before such event and the denominator of which shall be
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding after such event. Any
adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(c)(i) shall become effective
immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders
entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become
effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision
or combination.
As used herein, the Affected Conversion Prices (each an "Affected
Conversion Price") shall refer to: (i) the Conversion Price; (ii) each
reported daily closing bid price of the Common Stock on the Principal
Market occurring on any Trading Day included in the period used for
determining the Market Price, which Trading Day occurred before the record
date in the case of events referred to in clause (A) of this subparagraph
3(c)(i) and before the effective date in the case of the events referred to
in clauses (B) and (C) of this subparagraph 3(c)(i).
(ii) Distributions. If the Company or any of its subsidiaries, at any
time while the Notes are outstanding, shall distribute to all holders of
Common Stock evidences of its indebtedness or assets or cash or rights or
warrants to subscribe for or purchase any security of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries (excluding those referred to in Section 3(c)(i) above),
then concurrently with such distributions to holders of Common Stock, the
Company shall distribute to holders of the Notes the amount of such
indebtedness, assets, cash or rights or warrants which the holders of Notes
would have received had all their Notes been converted into Common Stock
(or ADRs representing such Common Stock) at the lower of the Conversion
Price and the then applicable Market Price immediately prior to the record
date for such distribution.
-11-
(iii) Common Stock Issuances. In the event that the Company or any of
its subsidiaries (A) issues or sells any Common Stock or Convertible
Securities or (B) directly or indirectly effectively reduces the
conversion, exercise or exchange price for any Convertible Securities which
are currently outstanding, at or to an effective Per Share Selling Price
which is less than the greater of (I) the closing sale price per ADR on the
Principal Market on the Trading Day next preceding such issue or sale or,
in the case of issuances to holders of its Common Stock, the date fixed for
the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such warrants,
rights, or options ("Fair Market Price"), or (II) the Conversion Price,
then in each such case the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to
such issue or sale or record date, as applicable, shall be automatically
reduced effective concurrently with such issue or sale to an amount
determined by multiplying the Conversion Price then in effect by a
fraction, (x) the numerator of which shall be the sum of (1) the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issue or sale,
plus (2) the number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate
consideration received by the Company for such additional shares would
purchase at such Fair Market Price or Conversion Price, as the case may be,
and (y) the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common
Stock of the Company outstanding immediately after such issue or sale.
The foregoing provision of this subsection shall not apply to
issuances or sales pursuant to the Company's duly adopted employee or
director bona fide options plans and/or compensation arrangements or to
sales of Common Stock at a Per Share Selling Price which is equal to or
greater than $1.75 (as such figure shall be appropriately and equitably
adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends and similar events). For the
purposes of the foregoing adjustments, in the case of the issuance of any
Convertible Securities, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise, exchange or conversion of such Convertible
Securities shall be deemed to be outstanding, provided that no further
adjustment shall be made upon the actual issuance of Common Stock upon
exercise, exchange or conversion of such Convertible Securities. For
purposes of this Section 3(c)(iii), if an event occurs that triggers more
than one of the above adjustment provisions, then only one adjustment shall
be made and the calculation method which yields the greatest downward
adjustment in the Affected Conversion Price shall be used.
(iv) Rounding of Adjustments. All calculations under this Section 3 or
Section 1 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a
share, as the case may be.
(v) Notice of Adjustments. Whenever any Affected Conversion Price is
adjusted pursuant to Section 3(c)(i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Company
shall promptly deliver to each holder of the Notes, a notice setting forth
the Affected Conversion Price after such adjustment and setting forth a
brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment, provided that any
failure to so provide such notice shall not affect the automatic adjustment
hereunder.
-12-
(vi) Change in Control Transactions. In case of any Change in Control
Transaction, the Holder shall have the right thereafter to, at its option,
(A) convert this Note, in whole or in part, at the lower of the Conversion
Price and the then applicable Market Price into the shares of stock and
other securities, cash and/or property receivable upon or deemed to be held
by holders of Common Stock following such Change in Control Transaction,
and the Holder shall be entitled upon such event to receive such amount of
securities, cash or property as the shares of the Common Stock of the
Company into which this Note could have been converted immediately prior to
such Change in Control Transaction would have been entitled if such
conversion were permitted, subject to such further applicable adjustments
set forth in this Section 3 or (B) require the Company or its successor to
redeem this Note, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to the
greater of (i) 125% of the outstanding Principal Amount being redeemed and
(ii) the product of (x) the average of the Fair Market Price for the five
(5) Trading Days immediately preceding the Holder's election to have its
Notes redeemed and (y) the Conversion Ratio. The terms of any such Change
in Control Transaction shall include such terms so as to continue to give
to the Holders the right to receive the amount of securities, cash and/or
property upon any conversion or redemption following such Change in Control
Transaction to which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock
deliverable upon such conversion would have been entitled in such Change in
Control Transaction, and interest payable hereunder shall be in cash or
such new securities and/or property, at the Holder's option. This provision
shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, consolidations,
mergers, sales, transfers or share exchanges.
(vii) Notice of Certain Events. If:
A. the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other
distribution) on its Common Stock; or
B. the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend
on or a redemption of its Common Stock; or
C. the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the
Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any
shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights; or
D. the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be
required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock
of the Company, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a
party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company, of any compulsory share of exchange whereby the Common
Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property; or
E. the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company;
then the Company shall cause to be filed at each office or agency
maintained for the purpose of conversion of this Note, and shall cause
to be mailed to the Holder at its last address as it shall appear upon
the books of the Company, on or prior to the date notice to the
Company's stockholders generally is given, a notice stating (x) the
date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such
dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record
is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock
of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption,
rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such
reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share
exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of
which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be
entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock (or ADRs) for
securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such
reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share
exchange.
-13-
(d) Reservation and Issuance of Underlying Securities. The Company
covenants that it will at all times reserve and keep available out of its
authorized and unissued Common Stock solely for the purpose of issuance upon
conversion of this Note (including repayments in stock), free from preemptive
rights or any other actual contingent purchase rights of persons other than the
holders of the Notes, not less than such number of shares of Common Stock as
shall (subject to any additional requirements of the Company as to reservation
of such shares set forth in the Purchase Agreement) be issuable (taking into
account the adjustments under this Section 3 but without regard to any ownership
limitations contained herein) upon the conversion of this Note hereunder in
Common Stock (including repayments in stock). The Company covenants that all
shares of Common Stock that shall be so issuable shall, upon issue, be duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and freely tradeable.
(e) No Fractions. Upon a conversion hereunder the Company shall not be
required to issue stock certificates representing fractions of ADRs, but may if
otherwise permitted, make a cash payment in respect of any final fraction of a
share based on the closing price of an ADR at such time. If the Company elects
not, or is unable, to make such a cash payment, the Holder shall be entitled to
receive, in lieu of the final fraction of an ADR, one whole ADR.
(f) Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of certificates for shares of
Common Stock or ADRs upon the conversion of this Note (including repayment in
stock) shall be made without charge to the holder hereof for any issue or
transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such
certificate, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and
such certificates shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or
names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that in the event
certificates for shares of Common Stock or ADRs are to be issued in a name other
than the name of the Holder, this Note when surrendered for conversion shall be
accompanied by an assignment form; and provided further, that the Company shall
not be required to pay any tax or taxes which may be payable in respect of any
such transfer.
(g) Cancellation. After all of the Principal Amount (including accrued but
unpaid interest and default payments at any time owed on this Note) have been
paid in full or converted into Common Stock, this Note shall automatically be
deemed canceled and the Holder shall promptly surrender the Note to the Company
at the Company's principal executive offices.
(h) Notices Procedures. Any and all notices or other communications or
deliveries to be provided by the Holder hereunder, including, without
limitation, any Conversion Notice, shall be in writing and delivered personally,
by confirmed facsimile, or by a nationally recognized overnight courier service
to the Company at the facsimile telephone number or address of the principal
place of business of the Company as set forth in the Purchase Agreement. Any and
all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company
hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by facsimile, or by a
nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to the Holder at the
facsimile telephone number or address of the Holder appearing on the books of
the Company, or if no such facsimile telephone number or address appears, at the
principal place of business of the Holder. Any notice or other communication or
deliveries hereunder shall be deemed delivered (i) upon receipt, when delivered
personally, (ii) when sent by facsimile, upon receipt if received on a Business
Day prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York Time), or on the first Business Day following
such receipt if received on a Business Day after 5:00 p.m. (New York Time) or
(iii) upon receipt, when deposited with a nationally recognized overnight
courier service.
-14-
(i) Conversion Limitations.
A. 9.9% Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, the number of shares of Common Stock (directly or
indirectly through ADRs) that may be acquired by the Holder upon
conversion pursuant to the terms hereof shall not exceed a number
that, when added to the total number of shares of Common Stock deemed
beneficially owned by such Holder (other than by virtue of the
ownership of securities or rights to acquire securities (including the
Notes) that have limitations on the Holder's right to convert,
exercise or purchase similar to the limitation set forth herein),
together with all shares of Common Stock deemed beneficially owned at
such time (other than by virtue of the ownership of securities or
rights to acquire securities that have limitations on the right to
convert, exercise or purchase similar to the limitation set forth
herein) by the holder's "affiliates" at such time (as defined in Rule
144 of the Act) ("Aggregation Parties") that would be aggregated for
purposes of determining whether a group under Section 13(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended, exists, would exceed 9.9%
of the total issued and outstanding shares of the Common Stock (the
"Restricted Ownership Percentage"). Each holder shall have the right
(w) at any time and from time to time to reduce its Restricted
Ownership Percentage immediately upon notice to the Company and (x)
(subject to waiver) at any time and from time to time, to increase its
Restricted Ownership Percentage immediately in the event of the
announcement as pending or planned, of a Change in Control
Transaction.
B. Overall Limit on Common Stock Issuable. Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, the number of shares of
Common Stock issuable by the Company and acquirable by the Holders of
Notes, together the number of shares issued under the Warrants, shall
not exceed the Maximum Common Stock Issuance, unless the issuance of
shares hereunder in excess of the Maximum Common Stock Issuance shall
first be approved by the Company's shareholders in accordance with
applicable law and the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the
Company, as provided in the Purchase Agreement.
(j) Forced Conversion. Subject to the terms hereof, in the event that the
closing bid price per ADR as reported by the Principal Market is greater than
$2.50 (as such figure shall be appropriately and equitably adjusted for stock
splits, stock combinations and reorganizations) for twenty (20) consecutive
Trading Days, the Company shall have the right to compel the Holder to convert
all or a portion of Tranche B hereunder (and only Tranche B, not Tranche A) at
the Conversion Price in effect on the conversion date; provided, however, that
(1) the Company shall provide at least ten (10) Trading Days prior written
notice ("Forced Conversion Notice") to Holder of its election hereunder,
specifying the principal amount of Tranche B to be converted and the date by
which the Holder must have converted such principal amount ("Forced Conversion
Date") and, (2) the Company must deliver the Forced Conversion Notice no earlier
than the end of such 20-Trading Day period and no later than three (3) Trading
Days following the end of such 20-Trading Day period, (3) the closing bid price
per ADR shall exceed such $2.50 figure (as adjusted for stock splits, stock
combinations and reorganizations) at the time of delivery of the Forced
Conversion Notice and on each Trading Day thereafter through and including the
Forced Conversion Date, (4) there shall be Effective Registration at all times
during such 20-Trading Day period and all times thereafter through and including
the Forced Conversion Date, and (5) the Holder may continue to convert any or
all of this Note after receiving the Company's election notice under this
Section (which conversions shall be applied against the principal amount
required to be converted on the Forced Conversion Date unless specified
otherwise by the Holder). Such forced conversion shall be subject to and
governed by all the provisions relating to voluntary conversion of the Note
contained herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company
shall be prohibited from forcing conversion hereunder to the extent that such
conversion would result in the Holder hereof exceeding the limitations contained
in Section 3(i) below.
-15-
SECTION 4. Defaults and Remedies.
(a) Events of Default. An "Event of Default" is:
(i) a default in payment of any Quarterly Amount or other Principal
Amount under any of the Notes on or after the date such payment is due,
which default continues for five (5) Business Days after written notice of
such non-payment has been received by the Company, or a default in payment
of accrued but unpaid interest under any of the Notes on or after the date
such payment is due, which default continues for ten (10) days after
written notice of such non-payment has been received by the Company;
(ii) a default in the timely issuance of Underlying Shares upon and in
accordance with terms hereof, which default continues for five (5) Business
Days after the Company has received written notice informing the Company
that it has failed to issue shares or deliver stock certificates for ADRs
within the third Trading Day following the Conversion Date;
(iii) failure by the Company or the German Subsidiary for thirty (30)
days after written notice has been received by the Company to comply with
any material provision of any of the Notes, the Purchase Agreement, the
Registration Rights Agreement, the Subsidiary Guaranty, the Mortgage (if
executed) or the Warrants or any other agreement between the Holder and the
Company or the German Subsidiary (including without limitation the failure
to issue the requisite number of shares of Common Stock and ADRs upon
conversion hereof and the failure to redeem Notes upon the Holder's request
following a Change in Control Transaction pursuant to this Note);
(iv) any representation, warranty or statement made or furnished by
the Company or any of its subsidiaries to the Holder (or any collateral
agent on behalf of the Holder) under the Purchase Agreement, Registration
Rights Agreement, Subsidiary Guaranty, Mortgage or Warrants, or any other
agreement between the Holder and the Company or the German Subsidiary, or
any certificate of schedule required thereby, is false or misleading in any
material respect when made such that the facts, events or circumstances
causing or constituting such false or misleading representation, warranty
or statement resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to or may result
in, a Material Adverse Effect;
-16-
(v) the Subsidiary Guaranty or, if executed the Mortgage, ceases to be
in full force and effect (including without limitation, if the Mortgage is
executed, failure to create a valid first priority lien on and security
interest in the Lien Property at any time for any reason after the Security
Deadline);
(vi) if the Mortgage is executed, any material adverse change in the
condition, value or operation of a material portion of the Lien Property;
(vii) any acceleration prior to maturity of any mortgage, indenture or
instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured
or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of
its subsidiaries for in excess of $1 million or for money borrowed the
repayment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
for in excess of $1 million, whether such indebtedness or guarantee now
exists or shall be created hereafter;
(viii) the dissolution or termination of the Company or the German
Subsidiary as a going concern;
(ix) if there occurs any Bankruptcy Event;
(x) in the event the Mortgage is executed, if any of the Taxes (as
defined in the Guaranty) are not paid when same are due and payable or if
the Policies (as defined in the Guaranty) are not kept in full force and
effect; or
(xi) in the event the Mortgage is executed, if without the consent of
the Collateral Agent (which consent in any and all circumstances may be
withheld in the sole and absolute discretion of the Collateral Agent) any
part of the Lien Property or any interest of any nature whatsoever therein
is in any manner, by operation of law or otherwise, whether directly or
indirectly, further encumbered, sold, transferred, assigned or conveyed,
and irrespective of whether any such further encumbrance, sale, transfer,
assignment or conveyance is voluntary, by reason or operation of law or is
otherwise made.
(b) Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect
to any of the Notes, the Holder may declare all of the then outstanding
Principal Amount of this Note and all other Notes held by the Holder, including
any interest due thereon, to be due and payable immediately, except that in the
case of an Event of Default arising from events described in clauses (viii) and
(ix) of Section 4(a), this Note shall become due and payable without further
action or notice. In the event of such acceleration, the amount due and owing to
the Holder shall be the greater of (1) 115% of the outstanding Principal Amount
of the Notes held by the Holder (plus all accrued and unpaid interest, if any)
and (2) the product of (A) the highest closing price for the five (5) Trading
days immediately preceding the Holder's acceleration and (B) the Conversion
Ratio. In either case the Company shall pay interest on such amount in cash at
the Default Rate to the Holder if such amount is not paid within 7 days of
Holder's request. The remedies under this Note shall be cumulative. In addition
to and without in any way limiting the foregoing and in addition to all other
rights and remedies available under law, in equity or otherwise, upon an Event
of Default the Holder may enforce and pursue any and all of its rights and
remedies under the Guaranty and, if executed, the Mortgage.
-17-
SECTION 5. General.
(a) Payment of Expenses. The Company agrees to pay all reasonable charges
and expenses, including attorneys' fees and expenses, which may be incurred by
the Holder in successfully enforcing this Note and/or collecting any amount due
under this Note.
(b) Savings Clause. In case any provision of this Note is held by a court
of competent jurisdiction to be excessive in scope or otherwise invalid or
unenforceable, such provision shall be adjusted rather than voided, if possible,
so that it is enforceable to the maximum extent possible, and the validity and
enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Note will not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby. In no event shall the amount of interest paid
hereunder exceed the maximum rate of interest on the unpaid principal balance
hereof allowable by applicable law. If any sum is collected in excess of the
applicable maximum rate, the excess collected shall be applied to reduce the
principal debt. If the interest actually collected hereunder is still in excess
of the applicable maximum rate, the interest rate shall be reduced so as not to
exceed the maximum allowable under law.
(c) Amendment. Neither this Note nor any term hereof may be amended,
waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written instrument signed by
the Company and Holders of 75% of the Principal Amount of all Notes.
(d) Assignment, Etc. The Holder may assign or transfer this Note to any
transferee provided that the Holder shall notify the Company of any such
assignment or transfer promptly. This Note shall be binding upon the Company and
its successors and shall inure to the benefit of the Holder and its successors
and permitted assigns.
(e) No Waiver. No failure on the part of the Holder to exercise, and no
delay in exercising any right, remedy or power hereunder shall operate as a
waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by the Holder of any
right, remedy or power hereunder preclude any other or future exercise of any
other right, remedy or power. Each and every right, remedy or power hereby
granted to the Holder or allowed it by law or other agreement shall be
cumulative and not exclusive of any other, and may be exercised by the Holder
from time to time.
(f) Governing Law; Jurisdiction.
(i) Governing Law. THIS NOTE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY
CONFLICTS OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF THAT WOULD OTHERWISE REQUIRE THE
APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
(ii) Jurisdiction. The Company irrevocably submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction of any State or Federal Court sitting in the State of New
York, County of New York, and any courts having competent jurisdiction
within the Republic of Ireland, over any suit, action, or proceeding
arising out of or relating to this Note. The Company irrevocably waives, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or
hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action, or
proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that suit, action, or
proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
-18-
The Company agrees that the service of process upon it mailed by
certified or registered mail or by facsimile with either electronic
confirmation or followed by regular mail (and service so made shall be
deemed complete three days after the same has been faxed or posted as
aforesaid) or by personal service shall be deemed in every respect
effective service of process upon it in any such suit or proceeding.
Nothing herein shall affect Holder's right to serve process in any other
manner permitted by law. The Company agrees that a final non-appealable
judgement in any such suit or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be
enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on such judgment or in any other
lawful manner.
(iii) No Jury Trial. The COMPANY hereto knowingly and voluntarily
waives any and all rights it may have to a trial by jury with respect to
any litigation based on, or arising out of, under, or in connection with,
this Note.
(g) Replacement Notes. This Note may be exchanged by Holder at any time and
from time to time for a Note or Notes with different denominations representing
an equal aggregate outstanding Principal Amount, as reasonably requested by
▇▇▇▇▇▇, upon surrendering the same. No service charge will be made for such
registration or exchange. In the event that ▇▇▇▇▇▇ notifies the Company that
this Note has been lost, stolen or destroyed, a replacement Note identical in
all respects to the original Note (except for registration number and Principal
Amount, if different than that shown on the original Note), shall be issued to
the Holder, provided that the Holder executes and delivers to the Company an
agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Company to indemnify the Company from
any loss incurred by it in connection with the Note.
[Signature Page Follows]
-19-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be
duly executed on the day and in the year first above written.
TRINITY BIOTECH PLC
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: CFO
Attest:
Sign: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇
--------------------------
Print Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇
-20-
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF CONVERSION NOTICE
(To be executed by the Holder
in order to convert a Note)
Re: Note (this "Note") issued by TRINITY BIOTECH PLC to
_____________________ on or about November ____, 2002 in the
original principal amount of $__________.
The undersigned hereby elects to convert the aggregate outstanding Principal
Amount (as defined in this Note) indicated below of this Note into shares of
Common Stock, IR(pound)$0.01 nominal value per share (the "Common Stock"), of
TRINITY BIOTECH PLC (the "Company"), represented by ADRs, according to the
conditions hereof, as of the date written below. If shares or ADRs are to be
issued in the name of a person other than undersigned, the undersigned will pay
all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto and is delivering herewith such
certificates and opinions as reasonably requested by the Company in accordance
therewith. No fee will be charged to the holder for any conversion, except for
such transfer taxes, if any. The undersigned represents as of the date hereof
that, after giving effect to the conversion of this Note pursuant to this
Conversion Notice, the undersigned will not exceed the "Restricted Ownership
Percentage" contained in Section 3(i)(A) of this Note.
Conversion information:
-----------------------------------------------------
Date to Effect Conversion
-----------------------------------------------------
Aggregate Principal Amount of Note Being Converted
-----------------------------------------------------
Number of ADRs (representing shares of Common Stock)
to be Issued
-----------------------------------------------------
Applicable Conversion Price
If applicable, apply conversion against (circle one):
Tranche A -or- Tranche B
------------------------------------------------
Signature
------------------------------------------------
Name
------------------------------------------------
Address
-21-
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF REPAYMENT ELECTION NOTICE
To: [Holder at Holder's Address]
Pursuant to Section 1(c) of Note No. ______ of TRINITY BIOTECH PLC issued
to you (or your assignor or predecessor-in-interest) on November __, 2002, we
hereby notify you that we are irrevocably electing to pay the outstanding
Tranche A Interest and/or Quarterly Amount due on the Interest Payment Date
and/or Repayment Date (as such terms are defined in the Note), respectively,
which occurs on _____________, 200__, as follows:
Tranche A Interest
------------------
(check one)
---------- In full in cash on such Interest Payment Date.
---------- In full in ADRs representing shares of the Company's Common Stock
within three (3) Trading Days following such Interest Payment
Date.
---------- In the following combination of cash and stock (complete):
$_________ in cash, and
$_________ in ADRs representing shares of the
Company's Common Stock within three (3) Trading Days
following such Interest Payment Date.
Quarterly Amount
----------------
(check one)
---------- In full in cash on such Repayment Date.
---------- In full in ADRs representing shares of the Company's Common Stock
within three (3) Trading Days following such Repayment Date.
---------- In the following combination of cash and stock (complete):
$_________ in cash, and
$_________ in ADRs representing shares of the
Company's Common Stock within three (3) Trading Days
following such Repayment Date.
TRINITY BIOTECH PLC
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
-22-