As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on August 16, 2022.

 

Registration No. 333-             

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM S-1

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Washington   3841   91-2174500

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

13810 SE Eastgate Way, Suite 560

Bellevue, WA 98005

Telephone: (425) 415-3140

(Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Chris Rivera, Chief Executive Officer

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

13810 SE Eastgate Way, Suite 560

Bellevue, WA 98005

Telephone: (425) 415-3140

(Name, address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

Copies of all communications, including communications sent to agent for service, should be sent to:

 

Joseph M. Lucosky, Esq.

Lahdan S. Rahmati, Esq.

Lucosky Brookman LLP

101 Wood Avenue South, 5th Floor

Woodbridge, NJ 08830

(732) 395-4511

jlucosky@lucbro.com

Keith J. Billotti, Esq.

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

(212) 574-1200

billotti@sewkis.com

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box. ☐

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☒ Smaller reporting company ☒
  Emerging growth company ☒

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☒

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 16, 2022

 

 

EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

[●] Shares of Common Stock

 

This is our initial public offering. We are offering [●] shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”, and each a “Share” and collectively, the “Shares”), at a public offering price of $[●] per Share.

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Common Stock. We have applied to have our Common Stock listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “EMTX”.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” under applicable U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this prospectus. You should carefully consider these risk factors, as well as the information contained in this prospectus, before purchasing any of the securities offered by this prospectus.

 

NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

   Per Share   Total 
Public offering price  $                              
Underwriting discounts and commissions (1)  $       
Proceeds to us, before expenses  $       

 

(1) We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses and the underwriters will receive compensation in addition to underwriting discounts and commissions. See “Underwriting” for additional disclosure regarding underwriters’ compensation and offering expenses.

 

We have granted a 45-day option to the representative of the underwriters to purchase up to an additional [●] Shares to cover over-allotments, if any.

 

For a description of the other compensation to be received by the underwriters, see “Underwriting” beginning on page 102.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the securities in the offering on or about [●], 2022.

 

EF Hutton,

division of Benchmark Investments, LLC

 

The date of this prospectus is [●], 2022

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ii
   
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 4
   
SUMMARY OF THE OFFERING 8
   
RISK FACTORS 11
   
USE OF PROCEEDS 38
   
DIVIDEND POLICY 39
 
CAPITALIZATION 40
   
DILUTION 41
   
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 42
   
BUSINESS 46
   
MANAGEMENT 82
   
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION 88
   
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS 92
   
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSONS TRANSACTIONS 93
 
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES 94
   
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE 98
   
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS 99
   
UNDERWRITING 102
   
LEGAL MATTERS 106
   
EXPERTS 107
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 108
   
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-1

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. Neither we nor the representative have authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus we have prepared. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its date. You should also read this prospectus together with the additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

i

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus contains “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements discuss matters that are not historical facts. Because they discuss future events or conditions, forward-looking statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “may,” “seek,” “plan,” “might,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “project,” “forecast,” “potential,” and “continue” or the negatives thereof or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, are based on various underlying assumptions and current expectations about the future and are not guarantees of future performance. While we believe these assumptions and expectations to be reasonable and made in good faith, assumed facts or bases almost always vary from the actual results, and the differences between assumed facts or expectations and actual results can be material, depending upon the circumstances. Where, in any forward-looking statement, our management expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and is believed to have a reasonable basis. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievement to be materially different from the results of operations or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned to not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.

 

We cannot predict all the risks and uncertainties that may impact our business, financial condition or results of operations. Accordingly, the forward-looking statements in this prospectus should not be regarded as representations that the results or conditions described in such statements will occur or that our objectives and plans will be achieved. These forward-looking statements are found at various places throughout this prospectus and include information concerning possible or projected future results of our operations, including statements about potential acquisition or merger targets, strategies or plans; business strategies; prospects; future cash flows; financing plans; plans and objectives of management; any other statements regarding future acquisitions, future cash needs, future operations, business plans and future financial results; and any other statements that are not historical facts.

 

These forward-looking statements represent our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future events and are subject to a variety of factors and risks, including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Risk Factors” starting on page 11 of this prospectus.

 

Many of those risks are outside of our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. Considering these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in the forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different extent or at a different time than we have described. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning other matters addressed in this prospectus and attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this prospectus.

 

Except to the extent required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, a change in events, conditions, circumstances or assumptions underlying such statements, or otherwise.

 

ii

 

 

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

 

This prospectus contains statistical data, estimates and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications or other publicly available information, as well as other information based on our internal sources. While we believe the industry and market data included in this prospectus are reliable and are based on reasonable assumptions, these data involve many assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to these estimates. The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in the sections titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus.

 

TRADEMARKS AND TRADE NAMES

 

We own or have rights to various trademarks, service marks and trade names that we use in connection with the operation of our business. This prospectus may also contain trademarks, service marks and trade names of third parties, which are the property of their respective owners. Our use or display of third parties’ trademarks, service marks, trade names or products in this prospectus is not intended to, and does not imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship by us. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ®, TM or SM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks, service marks and trade names.

 

GLOSSARY OF CERTAIN TERMS

 

As a clinical-stage therapeutic device company, describing our business involves referencing certain technical terms and acronyms. We are providing the following glossary to assist readers with certain technical terms and acronyms and to also define certain frequently used terms.

 

“ACA” means the Affordable Care Act, a comprehensive reform law which increases health insurance coverage for the uninsured and implements reforms to the health insurance market.

 

“BLE” means Bluetooth low energy.

 

“CBD” means cannabidiol.

 

“CCPA” means the California Consumer Privacy Act, a state statute intended to enhance privacy rights and consumer protection for residents of California.

 

“CE” means that the manufacturer or importer of a commercial product affirms the product’s conformity with European health, safety and environmental safety standards.

 

“Cellsana” means Cellsana Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

“CE Certificate” means the CE mark that is placed on the backside of certain products sold in the European Economic Area and the European Union.

 

“cGCPs” means current Good Clinical Practices, which is an international ethical and scientific quality standard for designing, conducting, recording and reporting trials that involve the participation of human subjects.

 

“GH” means growth hormone, a peptide hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration in humans and other animals.

 

“CMS” means Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services that administers the Medicare program and works in partnership with state governments to administer Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and health insurance portability standards.

 

“CNS” means Central Nervous System.

 

“CPRA” means the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, is a California ballot proposition that expands California’s consumer privacy law and builds upon the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018.

 

“CPT codes” means the Common Procedural Terminology codes, a medical code set that is used to report medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures and services to entities such as physicians, health insurance companies and accreditation organizations.

 

1
 

 

“CRF” means Case Report Form, a paper or electronic questionnaire specifically used in clinical trial research.

 

“CRO” means Contract Research Organizations, which are life sciences companies that provide support to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries in the form of research services outsourced on a contract basis.

 

“DHS” means designated health services.

 

“DME” means durable medical equipment, which are equipment and supplies ordered by a health care provider for everyday or extended use.

 

“DMG” means diffuse midline glioma.

 

“DIPG” means diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

 

“EEA” means the European Economic Area.

 

“EGFR” means epidermal growth factor receptor, a transmembrane protein that is a receptor for members of the epidermal growth factor family of extracellular protein ligands

 

“EU” means the European Union.

 

“FATCA” means the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, which requires all non-U.S. foreign financial institutions to search their records for customers with indicia of a connection to the U.S., including indications in records of birth or prior residency in the U.S., or the like, and to report the assets and identities of such persons to the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

 

“FDA” means the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

 

“FDCA” means the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, a set of laws giving authority to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to oversee the safety of food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics.

 

“FSCA” means Field Safety Corrective Actions, which is an action taken by a manufacturer to reduce a risk of death or serious deterioration in the state of health associated with the use of a medical device that is already placed on the market.

 

“GBM” means glioblastoma, a rare cancerous tumor that develops in the brain.

 

“GDPR” means General Data Protection Regulation, a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy in the EU and the EEA.

 

“Hapbee” means Hapbee Technologies, Inc., a Canadian company in which we hold a 25% interest.

 

“HCPCS code set” means Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System, a collection of codes that represent procedures, supplies, products and services which may be provided to Medicare beneficiaries and to individuals enrolled in private health insurance programs.

 

“HDE” means Humanitarian Device Exemption, a regulatory pathway for products intended for diseases or conditions that affect small, rare populations.

 

2
 

 

“HIPAA” means Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which is a US law designed to provide privacy standards to protect patients’ medical records and other health information provided to health plans, doctors, hospitals and other health care providers.

 

“IDE” means an investigational device exemption that allows the investigational device to be used in a clinical study in order to collect safety and effectiveness data.

 

“Indolor” means Indolor Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

“IRB” means Institutional Review Board, which is any group that has been formally designated to review and monitor biomedical research involving human subjects.

 

“JOBS Act” means the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, which is a law intended to encourage funding of small businesses in the U.S. by easing many of the country’s securities regulations.

 

“MACs” means Medicare Administrative Contractors, which is a private health care insurer that has been awarded geographic jurisdiction to process Medicare Part A and Part B medical claims or Durable Medical Equipment claims for Medicare Fee-For-Service beneficiaries.

 

“MDD” means major depressive disorder, a common mental health disorder caused by episodes of psychological depression.

 

“MDR” means the medical device reporting, one of the post-market surveillance tools the FDA uses to monitor device performance, detect potential device-related safety issues, and contribute to benefit-risk assessments of these products.

 

“Mensana” means Mensana Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

“MHLW” means Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, a cabinet level ministry of the Japanese government that provides services on health, labor and welfare.

 

“MOA” means mechanism of action, which refers to the specific biochemical interaction through which a drug substance produces its pharmacological effect.

 

“nGBM” means newly diagnosed GBM.

 

“Novocure” means Novocure GmbH, a medical technology manufacturer in Switzerland.

 

“Optune” means Novocure’s Optune GBM Trailblazer.

 

“PMA” means the FDA process of scientific and regulatory review to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Class III medical devices.

 

“PoC” means proof of concept, which is a realization of a certain method or idea in order to demonstrate its feasibility or a demonstration in principle with the aim of verifying that some concept or theory has practical potential.

 

“PTSD” means post-traumatic stress disorder.

 

“QSR” means quality system regulations maintained by the FDA that must be followed by all medical device manufacturers who wish to sell devices in the U.S.

 

“RFE” means radio frequency energy.

 

“RCW” means the Revised Code of Washington, which is the compilation of all permanent laws currently in force in the U.S. state of Washington.

 

“Sayre” means Sayre Therapeutics Pvt Ltd., an Indian company.

 

“S.E.M.” means standard error of the mean, a measure of the dispersion of sample means around the population mean.

 

“TCA” means the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, a free trade agreement signed on December 30, 2020, between the EU, the European Atomic Energy Community, and the United Kingdom, that provides for free trade in goods and limited mutual market access in services, as well as for cooperation mechanisms in a range of policy areas, transitional provisions about EU access to UK fisheries, and UK participation in some EU programs.

 

“Teijin Pharma” means Teijin Pharma Limited, a Japanese pharmaceutical company.

 

“UKCA” means UK conformity assessment.

 

“UKCA Marking” means a certification mark that indicates conformity with the applicable requirements for products sold within Great Britain.

 

“USPTO” means United States Patent and Trademark Office.

 

“Zoesana” means Zoesana Animal Health, Inc., a Washington corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

3
 

 

  

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This prospectus summary contains an overview of the information from this prospectus, but may not contain all of the information that is important to you. This prospectus includes specific terms of the offering of our securities, information about our business, and financial data. We encourage you to read this prospectus, including the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 11 and the financial statements and the notes thereto, in its entirety before making an investing decision. As used in this prospectus, the terms “we,” “us,” “the Company,” “our,” and “EMulate” refer to EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Washington, including our subsidiaries, unless the context indicates a different meaning.

 

Overview

 

We are on a mission to advance the development and adoption of medical, health, and environmental applications of our low-to-ultra-low radio frequency energy technology that are determined by the FDA (or other applicable regulators) to be non-toxic, non-invasive, non-ionizing, safe and effective. We have invented and patented what we believe to be a groundbreaking technology that utilizes radio frequency energy (RFE) precisely targeted at the low and ultra-low ends of the RFE spectrum (ulRFE®) to specifically regulate signaling and metabolic pathways on the molecular and genetic levels – without chemicals, radiation or drugs – delivered via a simple-to-use non-invasive therapeutic system. For example, using our proprietary technology, we derived a ulRFE signal from the well understood chemotherapy paclitaxel, which is known to have a particular effect on tumor cells by interrupting or significantly slowing the normal metabolic activity of cell division. Therapeutic data from our clinical trials suggest that our ulRFE signal produced substantially similar molecular effects as the paclitaxel drug at the cellular level. We have confirmed this metabolic effect in pre-clinical polymerization studies, showing that the paclitaxel-derived ulRFE signal alone (and without the concomitant use of any other chemical or drug, and without the use of any other treatment intervention such as radiation), in the same or similar way to the paclitaxel drug, acts upon tubulin (the protein component of microtubules within the cancer cell) simultaneously promoting the assembly and disassembly of microtubules to form stable, non-functioning microtubules, which in turn inhibits the mitotic activity of the cell, decreasing the cell’s disassembly function and in some cases leading to the death of the cancer cell (apoptosis). The shortening and lengthening of microtubules (termed dynamic instability) is necessary for their function as a transportation highway for the cell. Chromosomes, for example, rely upon this property of microtubules during mitosis, according to Drugbank Online.

 

We expect that, for regulatory purposes, the EMulate Therapeutics ulRFE® therapeutic system will be evaluated by the FDA as a Class III medical device requiring approval of a PMA (see discussion below regarding FDA Premarket Clearance and Approval Requirements).

 

The human indications that we are initially targeting in our product pipeline include: (i) GBM and DMG in the field of oncology, (ii) acute and chronic pain in the field of pain management, and (iii) PTSD, ADHD, anxiety and depression in the mental health field. The companion animal indications that we are initially targeting in our product pipeline include solid tumor cancers in the field of oncology, acute and chronic pain in the field of pain management, and anxiety in the mental health field.

 

Our device has been used in feasibility studies (phase 1 and phase 2 trials) to treat patients with GBM and DMG cancers, and will, consistent with FDA regulation, be used in pivotal clinical trials to treat GBM and DMG patients. These uses are the first of many product expressions of the Company’s underlying ulRFE platform technology. Our therapeutic medical device has potential treatment applications in a wide range of diseases, including cancer, acute and chronic pain management, mental health conditions, among others.

 

We currently are not conducting active clinical trials, but we have completed studies with respect to two brain cancer indications: feasibility studies for the glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) indication and a compassionate use study for the diffuse midline glioma (DMG)/diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) indication. In each of these indications, we are ready to initiate pivotal (phase III) trials, the results of which will be submitted to the FDA for commercialization approval. Initiation of these trials will depend, in part, on trial design (number of patients and the extent to which the trial is controlled and blinded) and cost. We anticipate that the pivotal trial for DMG, based on these factors, will be undertaken sooner than the pivotal trial for GBM.

 

With respect to acute and chronic pain management and mental health indications, we have completed enabling pre-clinical animal studies and are prepared to initiate feasibility (phase I) human clinical trials. In its initial review of our device and data to date in oncology indications, the FDA did not make any negative comments regarding safety or effectiveness (although the absence of such comments is not predictive of future determinations by the FDA based on analysis of further trial data from pivotal trials or otherwise). We will be required to perform additional clinical trials as a condition to FDA approval for the use of our device in treating acute and chronic pain and mental health indications. We plan to seek FDA approval for treating, or for further treatment of, each medical indication within the fields of oncology, pain management and mental health.

 

Pipeline

 

The chart below depicts our product pipeline. Columns with rectangular headings describe completed activities, and arrow headings indicate activities yet to be completed.

 

 

We are pivotal trial-ready in the therapeutic areas of oncology, specifically in respect of GBM (both newly diagnosed and recurring incidences) and DMG/DIPG. Currently, there are no effective drug treatments for GBM because, among other reasons, existing chemotherapies are unable to pass through the blood/brain barrier and those drug treatments that can are not consistently effective, while our ulRFE signals, with their beneficial effects, freely pass through the entire brain. Prior to Novocure’s Optune approval in 2015 for newly diagnosed GBM, there had not been any clinical improvements for this patient population since the approval of temozolomide in August 1999. Nonetheless, Optune has demonstrated a significant market opportunity in GBM generating $550 million in annual revenues for Novocure. EMulate believes that if its GBM therapeutic product can generate similar or better clinical outcomes as Optune, it will gain significant market share based on clinician, patient, caretaker and investor feedback.

 

Our subsidiary, Cellsana Therapeutics, Inc. was established in February 2022 to provide transactional and partnering flexibility in the oncology sector.

 

We are presently conducting pre-clinical studies and collecting data which has to date been encouraging from limited human exposures in the therapeutic area of acute and chronic pain management.

 

Our subsidiary, Indolor Therapeutics, Inc. was established in November 2021 to provide transactional and partnering flexibility in the pain management sector. We are presently conducting pre-clinical studies and collecting data, which has to date been encouraging, from limited human exposures in the therapeutic area of mental health and other CNS conditions.

 

Our subsidiary, Mensana Therapeutics, Inc. was established in November 2021 to provide transactional and partnering flexibility in the mental health/CNS sector.

 

Our subsidiary, Zoesana Animal Health, Inc., was established in June 2022 to provide transactional and partnering flexibility in the animal health sector.

 

We have animal proof of concept validated in the therapeutic area of ag-bio.

 

Hapbee Technologies, Inc. is approximately 25%-owned by EMulate and operates in the non-medical, consumer products area. Hapbee is at the commercialization/revenue stage. We created Hapbee, a Canadian company that is publicly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “HAPB” since October 2020 to utilize its ulRFE technology for the consumer wellness industry. Hapbee has licensed certain recorded ulRFE signals from us for use in its non-regulated, consumer-focused business.

 

 

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Market Opportunity

 

The market for pain management is illustrated in the figure below.

 

 

Industry Overview

 

Magnetic fields have been shown to have specific effects on biological systems. For example, they have been found to alter the analgesic effects of opioids, produce analgesic responses, stimulate bone growth, reduce tissue swelling, and promote wound healing in both animal models and humans. Magnetic fields that enhance bone growth and aid in wound healing have been in clinical use for at least 40 years. Pain reduction has been observed in studies of breast reconstruction and breast reduction, post-cesarean operative recovery, and osteoarthritis. Analgesic and opioid use and edema were also reduced in breast reduction, breast reconstruction and post-caesarean patients. Devices generating magnetic fields are effective for treating major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and such devices are recommended for treating acute phase of depression in patients who are resistant and intolerant of other therapeutic options. In concert with the clinical development of magnetic field use, researchers have attempted to define the underlying biological effects that lead to the field’s therapeutic effects and to relate them to one or more of the underlying theories of magnetic field function. This work has included isolated protein systems, cells grown in culture, and organisms ranging from nematodes to mammals, as well as numerical modeling of the functions of the cell.

 

In addition, magnetic fields have been shown to alter the behavior of the EGFR, an important regulator of cell growth. This receptor, when exposed to a magnetic field, forms clusters in the membrane, which leads to phosphorylation of the receptor and to activation of one of the receptor targets, ras. These changes reflect what occurs when epidermal growth factor (EGF) binds to EGFR and indicate that the magnetic field activated the receptor in the absence of its natural activator EGF. Proliferation and cell migration are affected by magnetic fields. The growth and migration of endothelial cells has been reported to be altered by magnetic fields. Mice injected with a transformed cell line formed smaller tumors when treated with magnetic fields. Additional studies in models of cancer demonstrate effects of magnetic fields. Thus, evidence that magnetic fields have beneficial effects in therapeutics is abundant.

 

EMulate’s technology falls within the mainstream of science regarding the use of magnetic fields for treating maladies and diseases, as described above. It measures and records the electromagnetic emission of molecules and then transmits the electromagnetic radiation fields in an oscillating form by radio frequency energy (ulRFE). As with all magnetic fields, our ulRFE signals are not attenuated by physiological barriers, such as the blood/brain or enzymatic barriers, and therefore, unlike pharmaceuticals which must pass through the metabolic system, can be applied directly to the affected biological site. Mapping of the ulRFE field and non-attenuation by bone and tissue data have been submitted to the FDA. The use of EMulate’s ulRFE magnetic field technology is not limited to the treatment of a single indication, but, consistent with the established science referred to above, can be applied to treat multiple serious diseases and conditions such as cancer, acute and chronic pain and mental health conditions, and by overcoming physiological barriers and certain limitations of current pharmaceutical treatments (e.g., blood/brain barrier), may provide a more effective solution than existing treatments.

 

Competition

 

The Optune product of Novocure GmbH is an FDA-approved medical device being marketed in the United States and other markets for the treatment of GBM. If EMulate’s ulRFE therapeutic medical device for treating GBM brain cancer is approved for commercialization by the FDA, the Optune device will be the only product known to us as of the date of this prospectus that will be a competitor for the treatment of GBM. However, Optune uses a markedly different technology. Optune claims to disrupt cell division through the use of heat-generating electrical energy; EMulate’s therapeutic device disrupts cancer cell division through the use of specific low and ultra-low radiofrequency energy, which has no thermal or ionizing effect.

 

We may also compete with other products that have come or may come to the oncology market in the future, though we are unaware at this time of any entities directly competing by using our technology. To our knowledge, the FDA has not approved or cleared any product that uses the same mechanism of action as our cancer-treating device. For more detailed information regarding our technology, products, plans regarding clinical trials and plans to seek FDA approval, see the “Business” section.

 

We have no known competitors in treating DMG/DIPG brain cancer since treatments available in the market are not effective; that is, survival outcomes have not changed notwithstanding attempted treatments.

 

Several competitors (see e.g., pain management market figure) exist in the pain management and mental health sectors, but to our knowledge, no competing medical device uses the same mechanisms of action as, or provides the benefits of, our ulRFE technology.

 

 

In addition, Hapbee’s consumer products face direct and indirect competition from a variety of players engaged in the wearables industry such as Oura Ring, Halo Neurosciencs, Muse, NeoRhythm and Calm, as well as software applications that claim to produce benefits like those of wellness products. The table below is a comparison of Hapbee to its competitors.

 

 

Our Competitive Strengths

 

We believe that the following competitive strengths will enable us to compete effectively:

 

  Large market opportunities. Results from testing in animals and humans to date suggest the technology’s effectiveness for treating solid cancer tumors such as mycosis fungoides, plasma cell tumors, fibrosarcomas, neurofibrosarcomas, schwannomas, malignant melanomas, hermangiopericytomas, hepatic adenocarcinomas, mast cell tumors, adenocarcinomas (mammary), osteosarcomas, chondrosarcomas, apocrine gland adenocarcinomas, undifferentiated carcinomas, and transitional cell carcinomas.
     
  Continual development of innovative technologies and applications. EMulate is a true platform technology because it can be applied to multiple medical indications, and therefore will readily lend itself to continuing product and market development.
     
  Technology that can be used, as it has been used for treating GBM, DMG, and acute and chronic pain conditions to date, to emulate the therapeutic effects of many drugs/drug combination treatments for not one, but many serious disease indications and conditions.
     
 

Technology presents a less expensive alternative for developing effective disease and condition treatments. It takes less time and expense for the Company to develop a therapeutic product because we do not need to invent the molecule from which the relevant ulRFE signal is derived; rather, we measure and record the electromagnetic emissions of proven molecules for transmission to biological systems. As an example, EMulate identified two lead indications as candidates for clinical investigation, pain management and mental health. For each of these indications, it took less than 12 months and $500,000 to take a product from concept to clinic-readiness.

     
  Our medical device is portable, lightweight, and easy to use, comparing favorably to other therapeutic products in the market.

 

Moreover, when it comes to the use of our technology for treating GBM, our therapeutic medical device has strong market advantages when compared to Optune. As illustrated in the graphic above, it features:

 

  Ability to reproduce and deliver MOA of multiple drugs/combination therapies
     
  Freely penetrates the brain and does not generate thermal or ionizing energy
     
  Response within 23 to 28 days
     
  3+ month rGBM survival improvement
     
  User-friendly
     
  No need to shave hair, non-stigmatizing
     
  Lightweight 3-ounce controller
     
  12 to 16 hour battery life

 

Our Growth Strategies

 

  Continuous focus on product innovation.
  We believe there is a serious need for our ulRFE therapies in both U.S. and international markets and we aim to drive adoption and utilization of our products by leveraging additional clinical studies and market education.

  

 

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Our business plan includes a strategy for the treatment of multiple disease indications. Because of the high, unmet need in treatments for multiple rare diseases or conditions (as “rare disease or condition” is defined in Sec. 526 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 USC 360bb), our initial strategy for the oncology market is to target the treatment of rare diseases and conditions and then, under appropriate regulatory and business conditions, to target larger oncology markets such as lung cancer and breast cancer. The Company’s ulRFE signal derived from paclitaxel, a well understood chemotherapy, has the potential to affect several tumor types, as initially demonstrated in the treatment of glioblastoma in adult patients and of DMG/DIPG in pediatric patients, presenting a promise for improving quality of life and extending life in patients with other cancers. Further DMG/DIPG and GBM clinical trials are expected to support the use of the Company’s therapeutic medical device and the paclitaxel ulRFE signal for the treatment of many other solid tumor types. The successful completion of these clinical trials will provide the basis for us to initiate and pursue other clinical trials using the paclitaxel ulRFE signal.

 

Our broader business strategy includes the development of ulRFE signals for the treatment of other oncology indications, as well as other serious disease indications. The Company plans to out-license its technology to other companies that are active, or interested in becoming active, in treating particular indications. As an alternative to licensing its technology, we can, directly or through our vertical market subsidiaries, partner or combine with other companies. In these arrangements, we will have the flexibility to develop multiple market entries and grant rights to the use of our technology to various market participants. Initial licensing and distribution transactions with Teijin Pharma (Japan; 2016) and Sayre (India; 2018) to treat GBM and DMG provide third-party validation of this business approach.

 

In the next 12 to 24 months, with appropriate funding, we plan to (1) initiate pivotal clinical trials for GBM and DMG indications, (2) initiate or continue feasibility trials in pain management and mental health, (3) establish partnering and/or licensing relationships for treating additional indication in humans, and (4) establish partnering and/or licensing relationships for treating indications in animals and for advancing bio-agriculture business initiatives. These and additional milestones are illustrated in the following image.

 

 

 

Hapbee in-licenses our technology for use in the non-medical consumer wellness and lifestyle space. Other potential market opportunities are present in veterinary medicine and agriculture.

 

The achievement of these milestones will depend on our ability to raise sufficient funds, and the achievement of certain of the milestones described above (e.g., commercial launch of a product for treating DMG brain cancer) will depend, including results of future clinical trials, in material part, on the FDA’s decision to approve relevant products for commercialization. In many product cases, however, value would be realized from the Company’s licensing of the related technology to companies or organizations that operate, or desire to operate, in the markets in which such technology applies. The level of such product value would be increased, but not determined solely, by or with respect to the FDA’s approval of the product for commercialization.

 

Funding

 

Funding for our business activities will be needed in the near term, and the Company is in the process of seeking institutional investors and other private parties, including existing investors, to provide such funding. EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, representative of the underwriters in this offering, is actively seeking debt financing partners, with a targeted capital raise in the $5,000,000 range, as well as equity funding in the $15,000,000 range. Amounts raised from all these sources will be used for general corporate purposes and working capital and to work towards achieving our nearer-term business milestones. The Company has issued promissory notes payable to lenders which are due on demand. We have not received any demands as of the date of this prospectus and we expect lenders to agree to extend payment deadlines to a date subsequent to the date of the closing of this Offering. Refer to risk factor entitled “The terms of our notes, and our debt repayment obligations thereunder, may restrict our ability to obtain additional financing, and adversely affect our financial condition and cash flows from operations in the future.” We believe a raise of $12,000,000 will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months. We have no definitive agreements or term sheets for any debt or equity financing at this time, and the timing and success of any additional financing is uncertain and not assured.

 

COVID-19 Pandemic

 

Starting in late 2019, a novel strain of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, began to rapidly spread around the world. At this time, there continues to be significant volatility and uncertainty relating to the full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and the various responses to it will impact our business, operations and financial results.

 

Most states and cities have at various times instituted quarantines, restrictions on travel, “stay at home” rules, social distancing measures and restrictions on the types of businesses that could continue to operate, as well as guidance in response to the pandemic and the need to contain it. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the operations of the FDA and other health authorities, including such authorities in Europe, which could result in delays of reviews and approvals. While there have been no specific notices of delay from federal or foreign government authorities, potential interruptions, delays, or changes to the operations of the FDA, or of any foreign authority with which we might interact, might impact the approval of any applications we plan and will need to file in the future.

 

In addition, we are dependent upon certain contract manufacturers, service providers and suppliers, and their ability to reliably and efficiently fulfill our orders is critical to our business success. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and may continue to impact certain of our manufacturers, service providers and suppliers. As a result, we may face delays or difficulty sourcing certain products or services, which could negatively affect our business and financial results.

 

For a further discussion of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic” and “Risk Factors” sections.

 

Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting Company

 

We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $250 million as of the prior June 30th, or (2) our annual revenues equaled or exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th. Such reduced disclosure and corporate governance obligations may make it more challenging for investors to analyze our results of operations and financial prospects.

 

For additional information, see “Risk Factors - We are a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to smaller reporting companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies” and “As a “smaller reporting company,” we may choose to exempt our Company from certain corporate governance requirements that could have an adverse effect on our public shareholders.”

 

 

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Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, or the JOBS Act. We will remain an emerging growth company for up to five years or until the earliest of (1) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, (2) the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), which would occur on the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period, or (3) if the market value of our Common Stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any December 31 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting requirements and is relieved of certain other significant requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. As an emerging growth company, we may:

 

  present only two years of audited financial statements, plus unaudited condensed financial statements for any interim period, and related management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in this prospectus;
     
  avail ourselves of the exemption from the requirement to obtain an attestation and report from our auditors on the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Sarbanes-Oxley;
     
  provide reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements; and
     
  not require stockholder non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements.

 

In addition, under the JOBS Act, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this extended transition period, and, as a result we will adopt new or revised accounting standards on relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for other public companies.

 

Our Corporate History

 

We are a Washington corporation incorporated on February 7, 2002. In June 2003, we amended the Articles of Incorporation of WavBank, Inc. to reflect the issuance of Series A Preferred Stock. In February 2006, we amended the Articles of Incorporation of WavBank, Inc. to change the Company’s name to Nativis, Inc. In February 2012, we amended the Articles of Incorporation of Nativis, Inc. to reflect the issuance of Series A-1 Preferred Stock. In February 2013 and June 2014, we amended the Articles of Incorporation of Nativis, Inc. to reflect the issuance of additional shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock. In February 2019, we amended the Articles of Incorporation of Nativis, Inc. to change our name to EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 13810 SE Eastgate Way, Suite 560, Bellevue, Washington 98005, and our telephone number is (425) 415-3140. Our corporate website is https://emulatetx.com/. Information available on this website is not incorporated by reference in and is not deemed to be a part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

 

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SUMMARY OF THE OFFERING

 

Issuer:   EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
     
Securities Offered:   [●] shares of Common Stock, at a public offering price of $[●] per share of Common Stock.
     
Over-allotment option:   We have granted to the representative of the underwriters (“Representative”) a [●]-day option to purchase up to [●] additional shares of our Common Stock at a public offering price of $[●] per share, less the underwriting discounts payable by us, in any combination solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
     
Representative’s Warrants:   We have agreed to issue to the Representative warrants to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal in the aggregate to 4% of the total number of shares issued in this Offering. The Representative’s Warrants will be exercisable at a per share exercise price equal to 100% of the public offering price per share of Common Stock sold in this Offering. The Representative’s Warrants will be exercisable at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the four and a half-year period commencing six (6) months from the commencement date of sales in this Offering. The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part also registers the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Representative’s Warrants. See “Underwriting” for more information.
     
Common Stock issued and outstanding before this Offering:   [●] Shares
     
Common Stock issued and outstanding after the offering (1):   [●] Shares
     
Use of proceeds:  

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this Offering will be approximately $[●] million, or approximately $[●] million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, assuming an offering price of $[●] per share, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds of this Offering primarily for general corporate purposes, including working capital, expanded sales and marketing activities, increased research and development expenditures, and licensing and banking activities. For use of the net proceeds of this Offering by therapeutic area and additional information, see “Use of Proceeds”.

     
Proposed Nasdaq Capital Market Trading Symbol and Listing:   We have applied to list our Common on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “EMTX”. We believe that upon the completion of this Offering, we will meet the standards for listing on Nasdaq. The closing of this Offering is contingent upon the successful listing of our Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
     
Risk Factors:   See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 and the other information contained in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before investing in our securities.
     
Lock-up:   We, our directors, executive officers, and shareholders who own [●]% or more of our outstanding Common Stock have agreed, or will agree, with the underwriters not to offer for sale, issue, 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, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company, in the case of the Company for a period of 120 days after the date of this prospectus, and in the case of our directors and executive officers and our 5% and greater stockholders for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, without the prior written consent of the underwriter. See “Underwriting” for additional information.

 

  (1) The total number of shares of Common Stock that will be outstanding after this Offering is based on 20,800,536 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of August 15, 2022, after giving effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our Series A Preferred Stock and Series A-1 Preferred Stock into 5,657,219 shares of our common stock in connection with the closing of this offering. Unless otherwise indicated, the Shares outstanding after this Offering excludes the following:

 

  [●] shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants to purchase Common Stock;
  [●] shares of our Common Stock reserved for future issuance under our Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”); and
  [●] shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Representative’s warrants to purchase Common Stock.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, this prospectus reflects and assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option.

 

 

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Summary of Risk Factors

 

Our business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties of which you should be aware before making an investment decision. You should consider all of the information set forth in this prospectus and, in particular, the specific factors set forth under “Risk Factors” in deciding whether to invest in our securities. These risks include, without limitation, the following:

 

Risks relating to our business and products

 

  Our business and prospects depend heavily on our current products, which have not been approved by the FDA and comparable authorities in other jurisdictions. If we are unable to obtain regulatory approvals and commercialize our products, or are significantly delayed or limited in doing so, our business and prospects will be materially harmed.
     
  To date, we have not generated any operating profits, and due to our long-term research and development efforts, we have a history of incurring substantial operating losses.
     
  We have suffered recurring losses from operations and have a net capital deficiency that raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
     
  We may not be successful in achieving market acceptance of our products by healthcare professionals, patients and/or third-party payers in the timeframes we anticipate, or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
     
  Failure to secure and maintain adequate coverage and reimbursement from third-party payers could adversely affect acceptance of our products and reduce our revenues.
     
  Quality control problems with respect to devices and components supplied by third-party suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, our clinical studies or the commercialization of our products and, as a result, a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
     
  Continued testing of our products may not yield successful results and could reveal currently unknown aspects or safety hazards associated with our products.
     
  Because of the specialized nature of our business, the termination of relationships with our key employees, consultants and advisors may be detrimental to our business.

 

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  Product liability suits, whether or not meritorious, could be brought against us and result in expensive and time-consuming litigation, payment of substantial damages and/or expenses and an increase in our insurance rates.
     
  Other future litigation and regulatory actions could have a material adverse impact on the Company.
     
  Our products face certain risks, including from cyber security breaches and data leakage. We are also subject to privacy and data security laws.
     
  Legislative and regulatory changes in the U.S. and in other countries regarding healthcare and government-sponsored programs may adversely affect us.
     
  We are subject to ongoing and extensive post-marketing regulation by the FDA and comparable authorities in other jurisdictions, which could cause us to incur significant costs to maintain compliance.
     
  Modifications to our products may require regulatory approvals and our regulators may not agree with our conclusions regarding whether new approvals are required. Regulatory authorities may require us to cease promoting or to recall the modified versions of our products until such approvals are obtained.
     
  In addition to FDA requirements, we will spend considerable time and money complying with other federal, state, local and foreign rules, regulations and guidance.
     
  If we, our collaborative partners, our contract manufacturers, or our component suppliers fail to comply with regulations, the manufacturing and distribution of our products could be interrupted.
     
  Our products could be subject to recalls that could harm our reputation and financial results.
     
  If our products cause or contribute to a death or a serious injury, or malfunction in certain ways, we will be subject to medical device reporting regulations, which can result in voluntary corrective actions or agency enforcement actions.
     
  We may be subject to fines, penalties or injunctions if we are determined to be promoting the use of our products for unapproved or off-label uses.
     
  We are affected by and subject to environmental laws and regulations that could be costly to comply with or that may result in costly liabilities.
     
  Changes in U.S. patent law could impair our ability to protect our intellectual property.

 

  Future regulatory action remains uncertain.
     
  Our product candidates will remain subject to ongoing regulatory review even after they receive marketing approval, and if we fail to comply with continuing regulations, we could lose these approvals and the sale of any of our approved commercial products could be suspended.
     
  We depend extensively on our proprietary technology, and we must protect those assets in order to preserve our business.
     
  Due in part to our limited financial resources, we may fail to select or capitalize on the most scientifically, clinically or commercially promising or profitable indications or therapeutic areas for our product candidates, and/or we may be unable to pursue the pre-clinical studies or clinical trials that we would like to pursue.
     
  If the third parties on which we rely for the conduct of our clinical trials and results do not perform our clinical trial activities in accordance with good clinical practices and related regulatory requirements, we may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize our product candidates.
     
  With the exception of certain oncology areas that are wholly unserved with viable treatments, the oncology, pain management and mental health treatment industries in which our Company competes is intensely competitive, and we compete with companies with significantly greater resources.

 

Risks Related to Our Common Stock and this Offering

 

  There has been no public market for our Common Stock prior to this Offering, and an active market in which investors can resell their shares of our Common Stock may not develop.
     
  The market price of our Common Stock may fluctuate, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
     
  We may not be able to satisfy listing requirements of Nasdaq or maintain a listing of our Common Stock on Nasdaq.
     
  We have considerable discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this Offering and we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree.
     
  You will experience immediate and substantial dilution as a result of this Offering.
     
  We do not expect to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
     
  Future issuances of our Common Stock or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our Common Stock, or the expiration of lock-up agreements that restrict the issuance of new common stock or the trading of outstanding common stock, could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline and would result in the dilution of your holdings.
     
  Future issuances of debt securities, which would rank senior to our Common Stock upon our bankruptcy or liquidation, and future issuances of preferred stock, which could rank senior to our Common Stock for the purposes of dividends and liquidating distributions, may adversely affect the level of return you may be able to achieve from an investment in our Common Stock.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information contained in this prospectus before you decide to purchase our Common Stock. The risks and uncertainties described in this prospectus are not the only ones we may face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know about or that we currently believe are not material may also adversely affect our business, business prospects, results of operations or financial condition. Any of the risks and uncertainties set forth herein, could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. This could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline, perhaps significantly, and you may lose part or all of your investment.

 

Risks relating to our business and our products

 

Our business and prospects depend heavily on our current products, which have not been approved by the FDA. Even if we receive FDA approval for our products, they will remain subject to ongoing regulatory review. If we are unable to obtain regulatory approvals and commercialize our products, or are significantly delayed or limited in doing so, our business and prospects will be materially harmed.

 

Almost all of our revenues will, in the near term, derive from sales and royalties from sales of our therapeutic medical devices for the treatment of newly diagnosed and recurrent GBM, DMG, acute and chronic pain, mental health and CNS conditions, and Hapbee consumer use products that help with sleep, focus, and other life-improving sensations. The commercial success of our products and our ability to generate and maintain revenues from the sale of our products will depend on a number of factors, including:

 

  our ability to develop and obtain additional regulatory approvals and further commercialize our products for additional indications;
  our ability to expand into new markets and future indications;
  the acceptance of our products by patients and the healthcare community, including physicians and third-party payers (both private and governmental), as therapeutically effective and safe;
  the accomplishment of various scientific, engineering, clinical, regulatory and other goals, which we sometimes refer to as milestones, on our anticipated timeline;
  the relative cost, safety and efficacy of alternative therapies;
  our ability to obtain and maintain sufficient coverage or reimbursement by private and governmental third-party payers and to comply with applicable health care laws and regulations;
  the ability of our third-party manufacturers to manufacture our products in sufficient quantities with acceptable quality;
  our ability to provide marketing, distribution and customer support for our products;
  the presence of competitive products in our active indications;
  results of future clinical studies relating to our products or other competitor products for similar indications;
  compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements, in particular in the United States, the EU and Japan;
  the maintenance of our existing regulatory approvals; and
  the consequences of any reportable adverse events involving our products.

 

In addition, the promotion of our products is limited to approved indications, which vary by geography. The labelling for our EMulate therapeutic medical device in the U.S. is limited in certain respects, which may limit the number of patients to whom it is prescribed. Similarly, the label for Hapbee consumer use products also contains certain limitations that may adversely affect adoption.

 

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Our ability to generate future revenues will also depend on achieving regulatory approval of, and eventual commercialization of, our products for additional indications and in additional geographies, which is not guaranteed. Our near-term prospects are substantially dependent on our ability to obtain regulatory approvals on the timetable we have anticipated, and thereafter to further successfully commercialize our products for additional indications. Regulatory changes or actions in areas in which we operate or propose to operate may further affect our ability to obtain regulatory approvals on our anticipated timetable. If we are not able to receive such approvals, meet other anticipated milestones, or further commercialize our products, or are significantly delayed or limited in doing so, our business and prospects will be materially harmed and we may need to reduce expenses by delaying, reducing or curtailing the development of our products and we may need to raise additional capital to fund our operations, which we may not be able to obtain on favorable terms, if at all.

 

To date, we have not generated any operating profits, and due to our long-term research and development efforts, we have a history of incurring substantial operating losses.

 

We were founded in 2002 and have a history of incurring substantial operating losses. We anticipate continuing to incur significant costs associated with developing and commercializing our products for approved indications including signal development, device hardware and software development, product sales, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution expenses. We expect our research, development, and clinical study expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities and as additional indications enter clinical development and as we advance our product development. Our expenses could increase beyond expectations if, for example, we are required by the FDA, or other regulatory agencies or similar governing bodies, to change manufacturing processes for our products or to perform clinical, nonclinical or other types of studies in addition to those that we currently anticipate. Our revenues are dependent, in part, upon the size of the markets in the jurisdictions in which we receive regulatory approval, the accepted price for our products and the ability to obtain reimbursement at the accepted applicable price. If the number of addressable patients is not as significant as we or our strategic partners and licensees estimate, the indications approved by regulatory authorities are narrower than we expect or the eligible population for treatment is narrowed by competition, regulatory approvals, physician choice or treatment guidelines, we may not generate significant revenues. If we are not able to generate significant revenues, we may never be sustainably profitable. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and has a net capital deficiency that raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1 to the financial statements.

 

Our clinical studies could be delayed or otherwise adversely affected by many factors, including difficulties in enrolling patients.

 

Clinical testing can be costly and take many years, and the outcome is uncertain and susceptible to varying interpretations. Moreover, success in pre-clinical and early clinical studies does not ensure that large-scale studies will be successful or predict final results. Acceptable results in early studies may not be replicable in later studies. A number of companies in therapeutics industries have suffered significant setbacks in advanced clinical studies, even after promising results in earlier studies. Negative or inconclusive results or adverse events or incidents during a clinical study could cause the clinical study to be redone or terminated. In addition, failure to appropriately construct clinical studies could result in high rates of adverse events or incidents, which could cause a clinical study to be suspended, redone or terminated. Our failure or the failure of third-party participants in our studies to comply with their obligations to follow protocols and/or legal requirements may also result in our inability to use the affected data in our submissions to regulatory authorities.

 

The timely completion of clinical studies depends, among other things, on our ability to enroll a sufficient number of patients who remain in the study until its conclusion. We may experience difficulties in patient enrollment in our clinical studies for a variety of reasons, including:

 

  the severity of the disease under investigation;
  the limited size and nature of the patient population;
  the patient eligibility criteria defined in our protocol and other clinical study protocols;
  the nature of the study protocol, including the attractiveness of, or the discomforts and risks associated with, the treatments received by enrolled subjects;
  difficulties and delays in clinical studies that may occur as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic;
  the ability to obtain IRB approval at clinical study locations;

 

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  clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions as to the potential advantages, disadvantages and side effects of our products in relation to other available therapies, including any new drugs or treatments that may be approved for the indications we are pursuing;
  availability of other clinical studies that exclude use of our products;
  the possibility or perception that enrolling in a product’s clinical study may limit the patient’s ability to enroll in future clinical studies for other therapies due to protocol restrictions;
  the possibility or perception that our software is not secure enough to maintain patient privacy;
  patient referral practices of physicians;
  the ability to monitor patients adequately during and after treatment;
  the availability of appropriate clinical study investigators, support staff, drugs and other therapeutic supplies and proximity of patients to clinical sites;
  physicians’ or our ability to obtain and maintain patient consents; and
  the risk that patients enrolled in clinical studies will choose to withdraw from or otherwise not be able to complete a clinical study.

 

If we have difficulty enrolling and retaining a sufficient number or diversity of patients to conduct our clinical studies as planned, or encounter other difficulties, we may need to delay, terminate or modify ongoing or planned clinical studies, any of which would have an adverse effect on our business.

 

If we are unable to develop an adequate sales and marketing organization or contract with third parties to assist us, we may not be able to successfully commercialize our products for current and future indications.

 

To achieve commercial success for our products, we must compliantly develop and grow our sales and marketing organization and, as necessary, enter into sales and distribution relationships with third parties to market and sell our products. Developing and managing a sales and marketing organization is a difficult, expensive and time consuming process. We may not be able to successfully develop adequate sales and marketing capabilities to achieve our growth objectives. We compete with other medical device, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies to recruit, hire, train and retain the sales and marketing personnel that we anticipate we will need, and the nature of our products may make it more difficult to compete for sales and marketing personnel. In addition, because our current products require, and we anticipate our future products will require, physician training and education, our sales and marketing organization may need to grow substantially as we expand our approved indications and markets. As a consequence, our expenses associated with building up and maintaining our sales force and marketing capabilities may be disproportionate to the revenues we may be able to generate on sales of our products.

 

If we are unable to establish adequate sales and marketing capabilities or successful sales and distribution relationships, we may fail to realize the full revenue potential of our products for current and future indications, and we may not be able to achieve the necessary growth in a cost-effective manner or realize a positive return on our investment. In our current and future sales and distribution agreements with other companies, we generally do not and may not have control over the resources or degree of effort that any of these third parties may devote to our products, and if they fail to devote sufficient time and resources to the marketing of our products, or if their performance is substandard, our revenues may be adversely affected.

 

The success of our business may be dependent on the actions of our collaborative partners.

 

Our global business strategy includes, in part, the consummation of collaborative arrangements with companies who will support the development and commercialization of our products and technology. For example, we have exclusively licensed or granted rights in Japan and India, see “Business—Intellectual Property.” We may also enter into clinical collaborations with third parties to test our products and technology together with other products and technologies.

 

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When we collaborate with a third party for commercialization of a product in a particular territory, we can expect to relinquish some or all of the control over the future success of that product to the third party in that territory. In addition, our collaborative partners may have the right to terminate applicable agreements, including payment obligations, prior to or upon the expiration of the agreed-upon terms. We may not be successful in establishing or maintaining collaborative arrangements on acceptable terms or at all, collaborative partners may terminate funding before completion of projects, our products may not achieve the criteria for milestone payments, our collaborative arrangements may not result in successful product commercialization, our products may not receive acceptable pricing and we may not derive any revenue from such arrangements. Additionally, our collaborators may not perform their obligations as expected or in compliance with study protocols or applicable laws. Acts or omissions by collaborators may disqualify study data for use in regulatory submissions and/or create liability for us in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Any disagreements with collaborators, including disagreements over proprietary rights, contract interpretation or the preferred course of commercialization, might cause delays or termination of the commercialization of products, might lead to additional responsibilities for us with respect to commercializing products, or might result in litigation or arbitration, any of which would be time-consuming and expensive. To the extent that we are not able to develop and maintain collaborative arrangements, we would need to devote substantial capital to undertake commercialization activities on our own in order to further expand our global reach, and we may be forced to limit the territories in which we commercialize our products.

 

We may not be successful in achieving market acceptance of our products by healthcare professionals, patients and/or third-party payers in the timeframes we anticipate, or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We may not achieve market acceptance of our products for current or future indications within the timeframes we have anticipated, or at all, for a number of different reasons, including the following factors:

 

  it may be difficult to gain broad acceptance of our products because they are new technologies and involve a novel or derivative mechanism of action and, as such, physicians may be reluctant to prescribe our products without prior experience or additional data or training;
  physicians may be reluctant to prescribe our products due to their perception that the supporting clinical study designs have limitations, as they are, for example, unblinded;
  physicians at large academic universities and medical centers may prefer to enroll patients into clinical studies instead of prescribing our products;
  it may be difficult to gain broad acceptance at community hospitals where the number of patients seeking treatment may be more limited than at larger medical centers, and such community hospitals may not be willing to invest in the resources necessary for their physicians to become trained to use our products, which could lead to reluctance to prescribe our products;
  patients may be reluctant to use our products for various reasons, including a perception that the treatment is untested or difficult to use or a perception that our software is not secure;
  our products may have side effects and our products cannot be worn in all circumstances; and
  the price of our products includes a monthly fee for use of the device and therefore, as the duration of the treatment course increases, the overall price will increase correspondingly and, when used in combination with other treatments, the overall cost of treatment will be greater than using a single type of treatment.

 

In particular, our products may not achieve market acceptance for current or future indications because of the following additional factors:

 

  achieving patient acceptance could be difficult because we are targeting devastating diseases with poor prognoses, and not all patients with potentially short lifespans are willing to comply with requirements of treatment with our products, and other patients may forego our products for financial, privacy, cosmetic, visibility or mobility reasons;
  achieving patient compliance may be difficult because the recommended use of our oncology products is throughout the day, requiring patients to wear the device nearly continuously, which to some extent restricts physical mobility because the battery must be frequently exchanged and recharged, and the patient or a caregiver must ensure that it remains continuously operable and this may also impact the pool of patients to whom physicians may be willing to prescribe our products;
  certain patients are contraindicated to using our products due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, those who have an implanted ferrous medical device or other ferrous implant at the site where the device is to be worn;

 

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  there may be certain perceived limitations to our study designs or data obtained from our clinical studies;
  efficacy may also be limited in instances where patients take a break from the device when experiencing skin rashes, or while bathing or swimming (because our products should not get wet); and
  patients may decline therapy or prescribers may be unwilling to prescribe our products due to certain adverse events attributable to the device reported in clinical studies by patients treated with our products; adverse events reported in clinical studies by patients treated with our products were nausea, fatigue, excessive sleepiness, and vomiting, but those adverse events were identified as being only “possibly” related to the device.

 

In addition, even if we are successful in achieving market acceptance of our products for GBM, DMG or other indication, we may be unsuccessful in achieving market acceptance of our products for other indications.

 

There may be other factors that are presently unknown to us that also may negatively impact our ability to achieve market acceptance of our products. If we do not achieve market acceptance of our products in the timeframes we anticipate, or are unable to achieve market acceptance at all, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

Failure to secure and maintain adequate coverage and reimbursement from third-party payers could adversely affect acceptance of our products and reduce our revenues.

 

We expect that the vast majority of our revenues will come from third-party payers either directly to us in markets where we provide our products or plan to provide our device candidates to patients or indirectly via payments made to hospitals or other entities providing our products or which may in the future provide our device candidates to patients.

 

In the U.S., private payers cover the largest segment of the population, with the remainder either uninsured or covered by governmental payers. The majority of the third-party payers outside the U.S. are government agencies, government sponsored entities or other payers operating under significant regulatory requirements from national or regional governments.

 

Third-party payers may decline to cover and reimburse certain procedures, supplies or services. Additionally, some third-party payers may decline to cover and reimburse our products for a particular patient even if the payer has a favorable coverage policy addressing our products or previously approved reimbursement for our products. Additionally, private and government payers may consider the cost of a treatment in approving coverage or in setting reimbursement for the treatment.

 

Private and government payers around the world are increasingly challenging the prices charged for medical products and services. Additionally, the containment of healthcare costs has become a priority of governments around the world. Adoption of additional price controls and cost-containment measures, and adoption of more restrictive policies in jurisdictions with existing controls and measures, could further limit our revenues and operating results. If third-party payers do not consider our products or the combination of our products with additional treatments to be cost-justified under a required cost-testing model, they may not cover our products for their populations or, if they do, the level of reimbursement may not be sufficient to allow us to sell our products on a profitable basis.

 

Reimbursement for the treatment of patients with medical devices around the world is governed by complex mechanisms established on a national or sub-national level in each country. These mechanisms vary widely among countries, can be informal, somewhat unpredictable, and evolve constantly, reflecting the efforts of these countries to reduce public spending on healthcare. As a result, obtaining and maintaining reimbursement for the treatment of patients with medical devices has become more challenging globally. We cannot guarantee that the use of our products will receive reimbursement approvals and cannot guarantee that our existing reimbursement approvals will be maintained in any country.

 

Our failure to secure or maintain adequate coverage or reimbursement for our products by third-party payers in the U.S. or in the other jurisdictions in which we market our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, revenues and results of operations and cause our stock price to decline.

 

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We may not be successful in securing and maintaining reimbursement codes necessary to facilitate accurate and timely billing for our products or physician services attendant to our products.

 

Third-party payers, healthcare systems, government agencies or other groups often issue reimbursement codes to facilitate billing for products and physician services used in the delivery of healthcare. Within the U.S., the billing codes most directly related to our products are contained in the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (“HCPCS code set”). The HCPCS code set contains Level I codes that describe physician services, also known as Common Procedural Terminology codes (“CPT codes”) and Level II codes that primarily describe products. CMS is responsible for issuing the HCPCS Level II codes. The American Medical Association issues HCPCS Level I codes.

 

No HCPCS codes or CPT codes currently exist to describe physician services related to the delivery of therapy using our products. We may not be able to secure HCPCS codes and CPT codes for physician services related to our products. Our future revenues and results may be affected by the absence of CPT codes, as physicians may be less likely to prescribe the therapy when there is no certainty that adequate reimbursement will be available for the time, effort, skill, practice expense and malpractice costs required to provide the therapy to patients.

 

Outside the U.S., we have not secured codes to describe our products or to document physician services related to the delivery of therapy using our products. The failure to obtain and maintain these codes could affect the future growth of our business.

 

There is no assurance that Medicare or the Medicare Administrative Contractors will provide coverage or adequate payment rates for our products.

 

We anticipate that a significant portion of patients using our products will be beneficiaries under the Medicare fee-for-service program. Failure to secure or maintain coverage or maintain adequate reimbursement from Medicare would reduce our revenues and may also affect the coverage and reimbursement decisions of other third-party payers in the U.S. and elsewhere.

 

Medicare may classify our EMulate therapeutic medical device as durable medical equipment (“DME”). We also expect that, for purposes of regulatory and payor (such as Medicare) approvals of GBM and DMG treatments, the Company will be viewed as a “fast follower” of Novocure’s (Nasdaq: NVCR) Optune medical device, that is, our device should (but not necessarily will) receive the same regulatory and payor treatment as Optune, which has been approved for commercialization by the FDA for GBM treatment and approved for payment coverage by U.S. government and private insurance providers. Novocure’s Optune device is not classified as DME.

 

Medicare has the authority to issue national coverage determinations or to defer coverage decisions to its regional Medicare Administrative Contractors (“MACs”). The fact that only two MACs administer the entire DME program may negatively affect our ability to petition individual medical policy decision-makers at the MACs for coverage. The absence of a positive coverage determination or a future restriction to existing coverage from Medicare or the DME MACs would materially affect our future revenues.

 

Additionally, Medicare has the authority to publish the reimbursement amounts for DME products. Medicare may in the future publish reimbursement amounts for our products that do not reflect then-current prices for our products. Medicare fee schedules are frequently referenced by private payers in the U.S. and around the world. Medicare’s publication of reimbursement amounts for our products that are below our products’ established prices could materially reduce our revenues and operating results with respect to non-Medicare payers in the U.S. and our other active markets.

 

Even if our products were authorized by Medicare, CMS requires prior authorization for certain DME items. Claims for such items that did not receive prior authorization before they were furnished to a beneficiary will be automatically denied. In the event Medicare adds one of our products to the list of items requiring prior authorization, our ability to bill and secure reimbursement for patients who would otherwise be covered to use our product under the Medicare fee-for-service program may be reduced.

 

We cannot provide any assurance that we can access transitional, expedited, or expanded Medicare coverage for our products. CMS is expected to issue rules regarding coverage of emerging technologies; however, no specific information is available about the content of the expected rules and we cannot provide any assurance that any new rules regarding emerging technologies would be applicable to our future products.

 

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We may depend on single-source suppliers for some of our components. The loss of these suppliers could prevent or delay shipments of our products, delay our clinical studies or otherwise adversely affect our business.

 

In certain jurisdictions, we may source some of the components of our products from only a single vendor. If any one of these single-source suppliers were to fail to continue to provide components to us on a timely basis, or at all, our business and reputation could be harmed. Our policy is to seek and maintain second-source suppliers, but we can provide no assurance that we will secure or maintain such suppliers. We have developed or are in the process of developing and obtaining regulatory approval for second sources for components in all jurisdictions. Various steps must be taken before securing these suppliers, including qualifying these suppliers in accordance with regulatory requirements, but we may never receive such approvals. The risks associated with the failure of our suppliers to comply with strictly enforced regulatory requirements as described below are exacerbated by our dependence on single-source suppliers.

 

If we experience any deficiency in the quality of, delay in or loss of availability of any components supplied to us by third-party suppliers, or if we switch suppliers or components, we may face additional regulatory delays and the manufacture and delivery of our products would be interrupted for an extended period of time, which could materially adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. If we are required to obtain prior regulatory approval from the FDA or regulatory authorities or similar governing bodies in other jurisdictions or to conduct a new conformity assessment procedure for our products, regulatory approval for our products may not be received on a timely basis, or at all, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Quality control problems with respect to devices and components supplied by third-party suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, our clinical studies or the commercialization of our products and, as a result, a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our products, which are manufactured by third parties, are highly technical and are required to meet exacting specifications. Any quality control problems that we experience with respect to the devices and components supplied by third-party suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, our attempts to complete our clinical studies, our operating expenses or the commercialization of our products. The failure of our suppliers to comply with strictly enforced regulatory requirements could expose us to regulatory action, including warning letters, product recalls, suspension or termination of distribution, product seizures or civil penalties. If we experience any delay in the receipt or deficiency in the quality of products supplied to us by third-party suppliers, or if we have to switch to replacement suppliers, we may face additional regulatory delays and the manufacture and delivery of our products would be interrupted for an extended period of time, which would materially adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Continued testing of our products may not yield successful results and could reveal currently unknown aspects or safety hazards associated with our products.

 

Our research and development programs are designed to test the safety and efficacy of our products through extensive pre-clinical and clinical testing. Even if our ongoing and future pre-clinical and clinical studies are completed as planned, we cannot be certain that their results will support our claims or that the FDA and other regulatory authorities will agree with our conclusions. Success in pre-clinical studies and early clinical studies does not ensure that later clinical studies will be successful, and we cannot be sure that the later studies will replicate the results of prior studies and pre-clinical studies. The clinical study process may fail to demonstrate that our device candidates are safe and effective for the proposed indicated uses, which could cause us to abandon a device candidate and may delay development of others. It is also possible that patients enrolled in clinical studies will experience adverse side effects that have not been previously observed. In addition, our pre-clinical and clinical studies for our device candidates involve a relatively small patient population and, as a result, these studies may not be indicative of future results.

 

We may experience numerous unforeseen events during, or as a result of, the testing process that could delay or prevent further commercialization of our products, including the following:

 

  pre-clinical and clinical testing for our products may not produce the desired effect, may be inconclusive or may not be predictive of safety or efficacy results obtained in future clinical studies, following long-term use or in much larger populations;

 

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  unanticipated adverse events or other side effects that are not currently known may occur during our clinical studies that may preclude additional regulatory approval or result in additional limitations to commercial use if approved; and
  the data collected from our clinical studies may not reach statistical significance or otherwise not be sufficient to support FDA or other regulatory approval.

 

If unacceptable side effects arise in the development of our products for future indications, we could suspend or terminate our clinical studies or the FDA or other regulatory authorities could order us to cease clinical studies or deny approval of our device candidates for any or all targeted indications, narrow the approved indications for use or otherwise require restrictive product labeling or marketing or require further clinical studies, which may be time-consuming and expensive and may not produce results supporting FDA or other regulatory approval of our products in a specific indication. Treatment-related side effects could also affect patient recruitment or the ability of enrolled patients to complete the study or result in potential product liability claims. In addition, these side effects may not be appropriately recognized or managed by the treating medical staff. We expect to have a need to train medical personnel using our devices for clinical studies and upon any commercialization of our products for future indications. Inadequate training in recognizing or managing the potential side effects of our products could result in patient injury or death. Any of these occurrences may harm our business, prospects and financial condition significantly.

 

Any delay or termination of our clinical studies will delay the filing of submissions for regulatory approvals of our products and ultimately our ability to commercialize our products and generate revenues. Furthermore, we may abandon our products for indications that we previously believed to be promising. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations and cause our stock price to decline.

 

As we expand, we may experience difficulties managing our growth.

 

Our anticipated growth will place a significant strain on our management and on our operational and financial resources and systems. We could face challenges inherent in efficiently managing a more complex business with an increased number of employees over large geographic distances, including the need to implement appropriate systems, policies, benefits and compliance programs. Failure to manage our growth effectively could materially adversely affect our business. Additionally, our anticipated growth will increase the demands placed on our third-party suppliers, resulting in an increased need to carefully monitor the available supply of components and services and to scale up our quality assurance programs. There is no guarantee that our suppliers will be able to support our anticipated growth. Any failure by us to manage our growth effectively could have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our development and commercialization goals.

 

Because of the specialized nature of our business, the termination of relationships with our key employees, consultants and advisors may prevent us from successfully operating our business, including developing our products, conducting clinical studies, commercializing our products and obtaining any necessary financing.

 

We are highly dependent on the members of our executive team, the loss of whose services may adversely impact the achievement of our objectives. While we have entered into employment agreements with each of our key executives, any of them could leave our employment at any time. We do not have “key person” insurance on any of our employees. The loss of the services of one or more of our current employees might impede the achievement of our business objectives.

 

The competition for qualified personnel in the medical device fields is intense, and we rely heavily on our ability to attract and retain qualified scientific, technical and managerial personnel. Our future success depends upon our ability to attract, retain and motivate highly skilled employees. In order to commercialize our products successfully, we will be required to expand our workforce, particularly in the areas of research and development and clinical studies, sales and marketing and supply chain management. These activities will require the addition of new personnel and the development of additional expertise by existing management personnel. We face intense competition for qualified individuals from numerous pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as academic and other research institutions. We may not be able to attract and retain these individuals on acceptable terms or at all. Failure to do so could materially harm our business.

 

We will need substantial additional funding to support our operations and pursue our growth strategy. If we are unable to raise capital when needed, we could be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our product development programs or commercialization efforts.

Based on our current operating plan, which is subject to change pursuant to our strategic review, we expect to devote substantial financial resources to our ongoing and planned activities. Significant financial resources will be required to conduct research and development and to potentially seek regulatory approval for our other product candidates. In addition, substantial financial resources will be required for to commercialize our products, if approved, including product manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution for any of our product candidates for which marketing approval is obtained. Accordingly, substantial additional funding will be required to support our continuing and planned operations. If we are unable to raise or otherwise access capital when needed or on attractive terms, we could be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or any future commercialization efforts.

 

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Product liability suits, whether or not meritorious, could be brought against us due to alleged defective devices or for the misuse of our products, which could result in expensive and time-consuming litigation, payment of substantial damages and/or expenses and an increase in our insurance rates.

 

If our current or future devices are defectively designed or manufactured, contain defective components or are misused, or if someone claims any of the foregoing, whether or not meritorious, we may become subject to substantial and costly litigation. For example, we may be sued if our products cause or are perceived to cause injury or are found to be otherwise unsuitable during clinical testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale. This may occur if our products are misused or damaged, have a sudden failure or malfunction (including with respect to safety features) or are otherwise impaired due to wear and tear. Even absent a product liability suit, malfunctions of our products or misuse by physicians or patients would need to be remedied swiftly in order to maintain continuous use and ensure efficacy of our products.

 

Any product liability claims may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the device, negligence, strict liability or a breach of warranties. Claims could also be asserted under state consumer protection acts. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit commercialization of our products. Even successful defense may require significant financial and management resources. Regardless of the merits or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:

 

  decreased demand for our products;
  injury to our reputation;
  withdrawal of clinical study participants and inability to continue clinical studies;
  initiation of investigations by regulators;
  costs to prepare for and defend the related litigation;
  a diversion of management’s time and our resources;
  substantial monetary awards to study participants or patients;
  product recalls, withdrawals or labeling, marketing or promotional restrictions;
  loss of revenues;
  exhaustion of any available insurance and our capital resources;
  the inability to commercialize any device candidate; and
  a decline in our share price.

 

Product liability claims could divert management’s attention from our core business, be expensive to defend and result in sizable damage awards against us. We may not have sufficient insurance coverage for all claims. Any product liability claims brought against us, with or without merit, could increase our product liability insurance rates or prevent us from securing continuing coverage, could harm our reputation in the industry and could reduce revenues. Product liability claims in excess of our insurance coverage would be paid out of cash reserves, if any, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations and cause our stock price to decline. Even if our agreements with our third-party manufacturers and suppliers entitle us to indemnification against losses, such indemnification may not be available or adequate should any claim arise.

 

Other future litigation and regulatory actions could have a material adverse impact on the Company.

 

From time to time, we may be subject to litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings relating to our business or investigations or other actions by governmental agencies. No assurances can be given that the results of these or new matters will be favorable to us. An adverse resolution of lawsuits, arbitrations, investigations or other proceedings or actions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, including as a result of non-monetary remedies. Defending ourselves in these matters may be time-consuming, expensive and disruptive to normal business operations and may result in significant expense and a diversion of management’s time and attention from the operation of our business, which could impede our ability to achieve our business objectives. Additionally, any amount that we may be required to pay to satisfy a judgment, settlement, fine or penalty may not be covered by insurance. Subject to the Washington Business Corporations Act, our articles of association permit us to indemnify any director against any liability, to purchase and maintain insurance against any liability for any director and to provide any director with funds (whether by loan or otherwise) to meet expenditures incurred or to be incurred by such director in defending any criminal, regulatory or civil proceedings or in connection with an application for relief (or to enable any such director to avoid incurring such expenditure). In addition, under our Articles of Incorporation and bylaws (the “Bylaws”) we are obligated to indemnify each of our directors and officers against certain liabilities and expenses arising from their being a director or officer to the maximum extent permitted by Washington law. In the event we are required to make such payments to our directors and officers, there can be no assurance that any of these payments will not be material.

 

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Global economic, political and industry conditions constantly change and unfavorable conditions may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

We are a global company and plan to have worldwide operations. Volatile economic, political and market conditions, such as political or economic instability, civil unrest, trade sanctions, acts of terrorism in the regions or hostilities, including the recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine even though none of our current research or business is conducted in Russia or Ukraine, in locations in which we operate may have a negative impact on our operating results and our ability to achieve our business objectives. We may not have advance insight into economic and political trends that could emerge and negatively affect our business. In addition, significant or volatile changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies may have a material adverse impact upon our liquidity, revenues, costs and operating results.

 

Additionally, natural disasters and public health emergencies, such as extreme weather events and the COVID-19 pandemic, could have a significant adverse effect on our business, including interruption of our commercial and clinical operations, supply chain disruption, endangerment of our personnel, fewer patient visits, increased patient drop-out rates, delays in recruitment of new patients, and other delays or losses of materials and results.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic could materially adversely impact our business.

 

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues around the globe, we have experienced and will likely continue to experience disruptions that could severely impact our business and clinical studies, which could include:

 

  delays and/or difficulties in onboarding active patients and enrolling patients in our clinical studies;
  delays and/or difficulties in clinical site initiation, including difficulties in recruiting clinical site investigators and clinical site staff;
  declines in prescriptions written due to a perception that our products are difficult to administer remotely or if patients are unwilling to travel to treatment sites or receive in-home treatment assistance from us or other caregivers;
  reductions in third-party reimbursements, which could materially affect our revenue, as most of our patients rely on third-party payers to cover the cost of our products and a material number of our patients could lose access to their private health insurance plan if they or someone in their family lose their job;
  diversion of healthcare resources away from conducting clinical studies, including the diversion of hospitals serving as our clinical study sites and hospital staff supporting the conduct of our clinical studies;
  interruption of key clinical study activities, such as clinical study site monitoring, due to limitations on travel imposed or recommended by federal or state governments, employers and others;
  staff disruptions and turnover internally and at treatment sites and third-party providers who provide support, either directly as a result of illness or indirectly as a result of vaccine mandates and other changes in terms of employment;
  delays in receiving approval from local regulatory authorities or IRBs to initiate our planned clinical studies;
  delays in clinical sites receiving the supplies and materials needed to conduct our clinical studies;
  interruption in global shipping that may affect the transport of active patient and clinical study materials;
  changes in local regulations as part of a response to the COVID-19 outbreak that may require us to change the ways in which our clinical studies are conducted, which may result in unexpected costs, or to discontinue the clinical studies altogether;
  delays in necessary interactions with local regulators, ethics committees and other important agencies and contractors due to limitations in employee resources or forced furlough of government employees;
  disruption of our supply chain as our suppliers and common carriers are unable to meet our requirements to provide us the materials we need for clinical study and active patient care needs;
  indirect consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy in general, such as an increase in bankruptcies of our key suppliers, or the inability of our third-party payers to meet their obligations reimburse us in a timely fashion or at all;
  postponements and cancellations of key conferences and meetings and travel restrictions could interfere with our ability to interact with key thought leaders in the field, leading to a disruption in the rate of adoption of our technology;
  access restrictions at offices, hospitals, and treatment centers, and stakeholder illness could interfere with the ability of our sales force to engage in face-to-face visits with providers, leading to a disruption in the rate of adoption of our technology;
  increases in expenditures for technology and other tools necessary to provide patient care in an environment where both patient and care-giver travel is restricted and access to in-person interaction is limited;
  refusal of the FDA to accept data from clinical studies in affected geographies outside the United States; and
  patient delays in seeking or receiving treatment, either due to fear of infection or lack of access to treatment and study sites, leading to fewer diagnoses of the indications our products are approved to treat or more advanced procession of the disease, which may contraindicate the use of our products or disqualify the patient from participating in a given study.

 

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The global status of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rapidly evolve. The extent to which the pandemic may impact our business and clinical studies will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the ultimate geographic spread of the disease, the duration of the pandemic, travel restrictions and social distancing guidelines, business closures or business disruptions and the effectiveness of actions taken to contain and treat the disease. The response to the pandemic may result in permanent changes to the environment in which we operate as described above in ways we are unable to predict. The COVID-19 pandemic may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described herein.

 

We are increasingly dependent on information technology systems and are subject to privacy and security laws. Our products and our systems and infrastructure face certain risks, including from cyber security breaches and data leakage.

 

We increasingly rely upon technology systems and infrastructure. Our technology systems, including our products, are potentially vulnerable to breakdown or other interruption by fire, power loss, system malfunction, unauthorized access and other events. Likewise, data privacy breaches by employees and others with both permitted and unauthorized access to our products and our systems may pose a risk that protected patient information (“PI”) may be exposed to unauthorized persons or to the public, or may be permanently lost. The increasing use and evolution of technology, including cloud-based computing, creates additional opportunities for the unintentional dissemination of information, intentional destruction of confidential information stored in our systems or in non-encrypted portable media or storage devices. We could also experience a business interruption, information theft of confidential information, or reputational damage from industrial espionage attacks, malware or other cyber incidents, which may compromise our system infrastructure or lead to data leakage, either internally or at our third-party service providers or other business partners.

 

The size and complexity of our computer systems, and scope of our geographic reach, make us potentially vulnerable to information technology system breakdowns, internal and external malicious intrusion, cyberattacks and computer viruses. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, or to sabotage systems, change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. If we do not allocate and effectively manage the resources necessary to build and sustain the proper technology infrastructure or properly manage third-party contractors who perform data management services on our behalf, then a security breach could subject us to, among other things, transaction errors, business process inefficiencies, the loss of customers, damage to our reputation, business disruptions or the loss of or damage to intellectual property. Such security breaches could expose us to a risk of loss of information, litigation, penalties, remediation costs and potentially significant liability to customers, employees, business partners and regulatory authorities, including, for example, under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) in the United States and Regulation 2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data under GDPR in the EU. If our data management systems (including third party data management systems) do not effectively collect, secure, store, process and report relevant data for the operation of our business, whether due to equipment malfunction or constraints, software deficiencies, or human error, our ability to effectively plan, forecast and execute our business plan and comply with applicable laws and regulations will be impaired. Any such impairment could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

While we have invested heavily in the protection of data and information technology and in related training, there can be no assurance that our efforts will prevent significant breakdowns, breaches in our systems or other cyber incidents or ensure compliance with all applicable security and privacy laws, regulations and standards, including with respect to third-party service providers that utilize sensitive personal information, including PI, on our behalf.

 

A security breach, whether of our products, systems or third-party hosting services we utilize, could disrupt treatments being provided by our products, disrupt access to our customers’ stored information, such as patient treatment data and health information, and could lead to the loss of, damage to or public disclosure of such data and information, including patient health information. Such an event could have serious negative consequences, including possible patient injury, regulatory action, fines, penalties and damages, reduced demand for our products, an unwillingness of customers to use our products, harm to our reputation and brand and time-consuming and expensive litigation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. We do not currently carry insurance for cybersecurity liability, and the amount of insurance coverage we may purchase in the future may be inadequate. In the future, our insurance coverage may be expensive or not be available on acceptable terms or in sufficient amounts, if at all.

 

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We may choose to, or may be required to, suspend, repeat or terminate our clinical studies if they are not conducted in accordance with regulatory requirements, the results are negative or inconclusive or the studies are not well designed.

 

Clinical studies must be conducted in accordance with the FDA’s cGCPs and the equivalent laws and regulations applicable in other jurisdictions in which the clinical studies are conducted. The clinical studies are subject to oversight by the FDA, regulatory agencies in other jurisdictions, ethics committees and institutional review boards at the medical institutions where the clinical studies are conducted. In addition, clinical studies must be conducted with device candidates produced under the FDA’s QSR and in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements in the other jurisdictions in which the clinical studies are conducted. The conduct of clinical studies may require large numbers of test patients.

 

The FDA or regulatory agencies in other jurisdictions might delay or terminate our clinical studies of a device candidate for various reasons, including:

 

  the device candidate may have unforeseen adverse side effects or may not appear to be more effective than current therapies;
  we may not agree with the FDA, a regulatory authority in another jurisdiction or an ethics committee regarding the protocol for the conduct of a clinical study;
  new therapies may become the standard of care while we are conducting our clinical studies, which may require us to revise or amend our clinical study protocols or terminate a clinical study; or
  fatalities may occur during a clinical study due to medical problems that may or may not be related to clinical study treatments.

 

Furthermore, the process of obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals in the U.S. and other jurisdictions is lengthy, expensive and uncertain. It can vary substantially, based on the type, complexity and novelty of the product involved. Accordingly, any of our device candidates could take a significantly longer time than we expect to, or may never, gain regulatory approval, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations and cause our stock price to decline.

 

Legislative and regulatory changes in the U.S. and in other countries regarding healthcare insurance and government-sponsored reimbursement programs (such as Medicare in the United States) may adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

We rely to a material degree on highly regulated private and government-run health insurance programs for our revenue in most of the countries in which we operate. The laws and regulations regarding health care programs, both public and private, are driven by public policy considerations that may be unrelated to the direct provision of patient care, such as lowering costs or requiring or limiting access to healthcare options. These laws and regulations are very complicated and there are many requirements we must satisfy in order for our products to become and remain eligible for reimbursement under these programs. In many cases we may have limited negotiating power when negotiating reimbursement rates for our products.

 

In the future, lawmakers and regulators could also pass additional healthcare laws and implement other regulatory changes at both the national and local levels. These laws and regulations could potentially affect coverage and reimbursement for our products. However, we cannot predict the ultimate content, timing or effect of any future healthcare initiatives or the impact any future legislation or regulation will have on us.

 

With respect to countries outside the U.S., the national competent authorities in the EU member states, the UK, Switzerland, Israel, Japan, and other jurisdictions are also increasingly active in their goal of reducing public spending on healthcare. We cannot, therefore, guarantee that the treatment of patients with our products would be reimbursed in any particular country or, if successfully included on reimbursement lists, whether we will remain on such lists.

 

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We are subject to extensive post-marketing regulation by the FDA and comparable authorities in other jurisdictions, which could impact the sales and marketing of our products and could cause us to incur significant costs to maintain compliance. In addition, we may become subject to additional regulation in other jurisdictions as we increase our efforts to market and sell our products outside of the U.S.

 

We will market and sell our products subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and numerous other federal, state and governmental authorities in other jurisdictions. These regulations are broad and relate to, among other things, the conduct of pre-clinical and clinical studies, product design, development, manufacturing, labeling, testing, product storage and shipping, premarket clearance and approval, conformity assessment procedures, premarket clearance and approval of modifications introduced in marketed products, post-market surveillance and monitoring, reporting of adverse events and incidents, pricing and reimbursement, interactions with healthcare professionals, interactions with patients, information security, advertising and promotion and product sales and distribution. Although we have initially applied to the FDA for approval to market our products in the U.S. for GBM and DMG, we will require additional FDA approval to market our products for treating these and other indications. We may be required to obtain approval of a new PMA, HDE or PMA/HDE supplement application for modifications made to our products. This approval process is costly and uncertain, and it could take one to three years, or longer, from the time the application is filed with the FDA. We may make modifications in the future that we believe do not or will not require additional approvals. If the FDA disagrees, and requires new PMAs, HDEs, or PMA/HDE supplements for the modifications, we may be required to recall and to stop marketing the modified versions of our products.

 

In addition, before our products can be marketed in the EU, our products must obtain a CE Certificate from a notified body. New intended uses of CE marked medical devices falling outside the scope of the current CE Certificate require a completely new conformity assessment before the device can be CE marked and marketed in the EU for the new intended use. The process required to gather necessary information and draw up documentation in order to obtain CE Certification of a medical device in the EU can be expensive and lengthy and its outcome can be uncertain. We may make modifications to our products in the future that we believe do not or will not require notifications to our notified body or new conformity assessments to permit the maintenance of our current CE Certificate. If the competent authorities of the EU member states or our notified body disagree and require the conduct of a new conformity assessment, the modification of the existing CE Certificate or the issuance of a new CE Certificate, we may be required to recall or suspend the marketing of the modified versions of our products.

 

In Japan, new medical devices or new therapeutic uses of medical devices falling outside the scope of the existing approval by the MHLW require a new assessment and approval for each such new device or use. Accordingly, we may be required to obtain a new approval from MHLW before we launch a modified version of our products or the use of our products for additional indications. Approval time frames from the MHLW vary from simple notifications to review periods of one or more years, depending on the complexity and risk level of the device. In addition, importation into Japan of medical devices is subject to “Quality Management System (QMS) Ordinance,” which includes the equivalent of “Good Import” regulations in the U.S. As with any highly regulated market, significant changes in the regulatory environment could adversely affect our ability to commercialize our products in Japan.

 

In the U.S. and other jurisdictions, we also are subject to numerous post-marketing regulatory requirements, which include regulations under the QSR related to the manufacturing of our products, labeling regulations and medical device reporting regulations, which require us to report to the FDA or comparable regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions and our notified body if our products cause or contributes to a death or serious injury, or malfunction in a way that would likely cause or contribute to a death or serious injury. In addition, these regulatory requirements may in the future change in a way that adversely affects us. If we fail to comply with present or future regulatory requirements that are applicable to us, we may be subject to enforcement action by the FDA or comparable regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions and notified bodies, which may include any of the following sanctions:

 

  untitled letters, warning letters, fines, injunctions, consent decrees and civil penalties;
  unanticipated expenditures to address or defend such actions;
  patient notification, or orders for repair, replacement or refunds;
  voluntary or mandatory recall, withdrawal or seizure of our current or future devices;
  administrative detention by the FDA or other regulatory authority in another jurisdiction of medical devices believed to be adulterated or misbranded;

 

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  operating restrictions, suspension or shutdown of production;
  refusal or delay of our requests for PMA or analogous approval for new intended uses for or modifications to our products or for approval of new devices;
  refusal or delay in obtaining CE Certificates for new intended uses for or modifications to our products;
  suspension, variation or withdrawal of the CE Certificates granted by our notified body in the EU;
  prohibition or restriction of products being placed on the market;
  operating restrictions;
  suspension or withdrawal of PMA or analogous approvals that have already been granted;
  refusal to grant export approval for our products or any device candidates; or
  criminal prosecution.

 

The occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations and cause our stock price to decline.

 

Over time, we expect to make modifications to our products that are designed to improve efficacy, reduce side effects, enhance the user experience or for other purposes. Modifications to our products may require approvals of new PMAs, HDEs, or PMA/HDE supplement applications, modified or new CE Certificates and analogous regulatory approvals in other jurisdictions or even require us to cease promoting or to recall the modified versions of our products until such clearances, approvals or modified or new CE Certificates are obtained, and the FDA, comparable regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions or our notified body may not agree with our conclusions regarding whether new approvals are required.

 

Any modification to a device approved through the PMA or HDE pathway that impacts the safety or effectiveness of the device requires submission to the FDA and FDA approval of a PMA supplement application or even a new PMA or HDE application, as the case may be. The FDA requires a company to make the determination as to whether a new PMA, HDE or PMA/HDE supplement application is to be filed, but the FDA may review the Company’s decision. From time to time, we may make changes to the devices, software, packaging, manufacturing facilities and manufacturing processes and may submit PMA/HDE supplement applications for these changes. FDA may conduct a facility inspection as part of its review and approval process. In addition, it is possible that the FDA will require a human factors (user interface) study. It is also possible that the FDA may require additional clinical data. We can provide no assurance that we will receive FDA approval for these changes on a timely basis, or at all. We also may make additional changes in the future that we may determine do not require the filing of a new PMA, HDE or PMA/HDE supplement application. The FDA may not agree with our decisions regarding whether the filing of new PMAs, HDEs or PMA/HDE supplement applications are required.

 

In addition, any substantial change introduced to a medical device or to the quality system certified by our notified body requires a new conformity assessment of the device and can lead to changes to the CE Certificates or the preparation of a new CE Certificate of Conformity. Substantial changes may include, among others, the introduction of a new intended use of the device, a change in its design or a change in the Company’s suppliers. Responsibility for determination that a modification constitutes a substantial change lies with the manufacturer of the medical device. We must inform the notified body that conducted the conformity assessment of the products we market or sell in the EU of any planned substantial changes to our quality system or changes to our products that could, among other things, affect compliance with the MDR or the devices’ intended use. The notified body will then assess the changes and verify whether they affect the product’s conformity with the Essential Requirements laid down in Annex I to the MDD or the conditions for the use of the device. If the assessment is favorable, the notified body will issue a new CE Certificate or an addendum to the existing CE Certificate attesting compliance with the Essential Requirements laid down in Annex I to the MDD. There is a risk that the competent authorities of the EU member states or our notified body may disagree with our assessment of the changes introduced to our products. The competent authorities of the EU member states or our notified body also may come to a different conclusion than the FDA on any given product modification.

 

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In addition, medical devices that have obtained a CE Certification under the MDD may in principle continue to be marketed under such CE Certificate until the CE Certificate expires and at the latest until May 27, 2024, provided that the manufacturer complies with the MDR’s additional requirements related to post-marketing surveillance, market surveillance, vigilance, and registration of economic operators and of devices. However, if such medical devices undergo a significant change in their design or intended use, we would need to obtain a new CE Certificate under the MDR for these devices.

 

If the FDA disagrees with us and requires us to submit a new PMA, HDE, or PMA/HDE supplement application for then-existing modifications and/or the competent authorities of the EU member states or our notified body disagree with our assessment of the change introduced in a product, its design or its intended use, we may be required to cease promoting or to recall the modified product until we obtain approval and/or until a new conformity assessment has been conducted in relation to the product, as applicable. In addition, we could be subject to significant regulatory fines or other penalties. Furthermore, our products could be subject to recall if the FDA, comparable regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions, or our notified body determine, for any reason, that our products are not safe or effective or that appropriate regulatory submissions were not made. Any recall or requirement that we seek additional approvals or clearances could result in significant delays, fines, increased costs associated with modification of a product, loss of revenues and potential operating restrictions imposed by the FDA, comparable foreign regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions, or our notified body. Delays in receipt or failure to receive approvals/certification, or the failure to comply with any other existing or future regulatory requirements, could reduce our sales, profitability and future growth prospects.

 

In addition to FDA requirements, we will spend considerable time and money complying with other federal, state, local and foreign rules, regulations and guidance and, if we are unable to fully comply with such rules, regulations and guidance, we could face substantial penalties.

 

We are subject to extensive regulation by the U.S. federal government and the states and other countries in which we conduct our business. U.S. federal government healthcare laws apply when we submit a claim on behalf of a U.S. federal healthcare program beneficiary, or when a customer submits a claim for an item or service that is reimbursed under a U.S. federal government-funded healthcare program, such as Medicare or Medicaid. The laws that affect our ability to operate our business in addition to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and FDA regulations include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  the U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute, an intent-based federal criminal statute which prohibits knowingly and willfully offering, providing, soliciting or receiving remuneration of any kind to induce or reward, or in return for, referrals or the purchase, lease, order or recommendation or arranging of any items or services reimbursable by a federal healthcare program;
  the Federal Civil False Claims Act, which imposes civil penalties, including through civil whistleblower or “qui tam” actions, for knowingly submitting or causing the submission of false or fraudulent claims of payment to the federal government, knowingly making, using or causing to be made or used a false statement or record material to payment of a false claim or avoiding, decreasing or concealing an obligation to pay money to the federal government;
  the Federal Criminal False Claims Act, which is similar to the Federal Civil False Claims Act and imposes criminal liability on those that make or present a false, fictitious or fraudulent claim to the federal government;
  Medicare laws and regulations that prescribe requirements for coverage and reimbursement, including the conditions of participation for DME suppliers, and laws prohibiting false claims or unduly influencing selection of products for reimbursement under Medicare and Medicaid;
  healthcare fraud statutes that prohibit false statements and improper claims to any third-party payer;
  the Federal Physician Self-Referral Law, commonly known as the Stark law, which, absent an applicable exception, prohibits physicians from referring Medicare and Medicaid patients to an entity for the provision of certain designated health services (“DHS”), including DME, if the physician (or a member of the physician’s immediate family) has an impermissible financial relationship with that entity and prohibits the DHS entity from billing for such improperly referred services;

 

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  the Federal Beneficiary Anti-Inducement Statute, which prohibits the offering of any remuneration to a beneficiary of Medicare or Medicaid that is likely to influence that beneficiary’s choice of provider or supplier. This can include, but is not limited to, inappropriate provision of patient services including financial assistance. Recent government investigations have focused on this particular prohibition. There are established exceptions from liability, but we cannot guarantee that all of our practices will fall squarely within those exceptions;
  similar state anti-kickback, false claims, insurance fraud and self-referral laws, which may not be limited to government-reimbursed items, as well as state laws that require us to maintain permits or licenses to distribute DME;
  federal and state accreditation and licensing requirements applicable to DME providers and equivalent requirements in other jurisdictions;
  the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which can be used to prosecute companies in the U.S. for arrangements with physicians or other parties outside the U.S. if the physician or party is a government official of another country and the arrangement violates the law of that country;
  the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Lanham Act and similar federal and state laws regulating truthfulness in advertising and consumer protection; and
  the Federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act, the French Sunshine Act and similar state and foreign laws, which require periodic reporting of payments and other transfers of value made to U.S. and French-licensed physicians, teaching hospitals, and in the U.S., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse-midwives.

 

Similar laws exist in the EU, individual EU member states and other countries. These laws are complemented by EU or national professional codes of practices.

 

HIPAA provides data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information. Additionally, states in the U.S. are enacting local privacy laws (e.g., California). In the EU, the GDPR harmonizes data privacy laws and rules on the processing of personal data, including patient and employee data, across the EU. The GDPR has a number of strict data protection and security requirements for companies processing data of EU residents, including when such data is transferred outside of the EU. Additionally, we need to comply with analogous privacy laws in other jurisdictions in which we operate, such as the Israeli Privacy Protection Law, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Privacy Framework, and Japan’s Act on the Protection of Personal Information.

 

The laws and codes of practices applicable to us are subject to evolving interpretations. Moreover, certain U.S. federal and state laws regarding healthcare fraud and abuse and certain laws in other jurisdictions regarding interactions with healthcare professionals and patients are broad and we may be required to restrict certain of our practices to be in compliance with these laws. Healthcare fraud and abuse laws also are complex and even minor, inadvertent irregularities, or even the perception of impropriety, can potentially give rise to claims that a statute has been violated.

 

Any violation of these laws could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations and cause our stock price to decline. Similarly, if there is a change in law, regulation or administrative or judicial interpretations, we may have to change our business practices or our existing business practices could be challenged as unlawful, which likewise could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations and cause our stock price to decline. Fines and penalties for violations of these laws and regulations could include severe criminal and civil penalties, including, for example, significant monetary damages, exclusion from participation in the federal healthcare programs and permanent disbarment of key employees. Any penalties, damages, fines, curtailment or restructuring of our operations would adversely affect our ability to operate our business, our prospects and our financial results. In addition, any action against us for violation of these laws, even if we successfully defend against it, could cause us to incur significant legal expenses, divert our management’s attention from the operation of our business and damage our reputation.

 

In addition, although we believe that we have the required licenses, permits and accreditation to dispense our products in the future, a regulator could find that we need to obtain additional licenses or permits. We also may be subject to mandatory reaccreditation and other requirements in order to maintain our billing privileges. Failure to satisfy those requirements could cause us to lose our privileges to bill governmental and private payers. If we are required to obtain permits or licenses that we do not already possess, we also may become subject to substantial additional regulation or incur significant expense.

 

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To ensure compliance with Medicare, Medicaid and other regulations, federal and state governmental agencies and their agents, including DME MACs, may conduct audits of our operations to support our claims submitted for reimbursement of items furnished to beneficiaries and health care providers. Depending on the nature of the conduct found in such audits and whether the underlying conduct could be considered systemic, the resolution of these audits could adversely impact our revenue, financial condition and results of operations.

 

If we, our collaborative partners, our contract manufacturers or our component suppliers fail to comply with the FDA’s QSR or equivalent regulations established in other countries, the manufacturing and distribution of our products could be interrupted, and our product sales and results of operations could suffer.

 

We, our collaborative partners, our contract manufacturers and our component suppliers are required to comply with the FDA’s QSR and the equivalent quality system requirements imposed by the laws and regulations in other jurisdictions, which are a complex regulatory framework that covers the procedures and documentation of the design, testing, production, control, quality assurance, labeling, packaging, sterilization, storage and shipping of our products. We cannot assure you that our facilities or our contract manufacturers’ or component suppliers’ facilities would pass any future quality system inspection. If our or any of our contract manufacturers’ or component suppliers’ facilities fails a quality system inspection, the manufacturing or distribution of our products could be interrupted and our operations disrupted. Failure to take adequate and timely corrective action in response to an adverse quality system inspection could force a suspension or shutdown of our packaging and labeling operations or the manufacturing operations of our contract manufacturers, and lead to suspension, variation or withdrawal of our regulatory approvals or a recall of our products. If any of these events occurs, we may not be able to provide our customers with our products on a timely basis, our reputation could be harmed and we could lose customers, any or all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations and cause our stock price to decline.

 

Our products may in the future be subject to recalls that could harm our reputation, business and financial results.

 

The FDA and similar governmental authorities in other jurisdictions have the authority to require the recall of commercialized products in the event of material deficiencies or defects in design or manufacture. In the case of the FDA, the authority to require a recall must be based on an FDA finding that there is a reasonable probability that the device would cause serious injury or death. In addition, governmental bodies in other jurisdictions have the authority to require the recall of our products in the event of material deficiencies or defects in design or manufacture. Distributors and manufacturers may, under their own initiative, recall a product if any material deficiency in a device is found. A government-mandated or voluntary recall by us or one of our manufacturers could occur as a result of component failures, manufacturing errors, design or labeling defects or other deficiencies and issues. The FDA requires that certain classifications of recalls be reported to the FDA within ten working days after the recall is initiated. Requirements for the reporting of product recalls to the competent authorities are imposed in other jurisdictions in which our products are or would be marketed in the future. Companies are required to maintain certain records of recalls, even if they are not reportable to the FDA or to the competent authorities of other countries. In the future, we may initiate voluntary recalls involving our products that we determine do not require notification of the FDA or to other equivalent non-U.S. authorities. If the FDA or the equivalent non-U.S. authorities disagree with our determinations, they could require us to report those actions as recalls. A future recall announcement could harm our reputation with customers and negatively affect our sales. In addition, the FDA and the equivalent non-U.S. authorities could take enforcement action if we fail to report the recalls when they were conducted. Recalls of our products would divert managerial and financial resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations and cause our stock price to decline.

 

If our products cause or contribute to a death or a serious injury, or malfunction in certain ways, we will be subject to medical device reporting regulations, which can result in voluntary corrective actions or agency enforcement actions.

 

Under the FDA Medical Device Reporting regulations and the equivalent regulations applicable in other jurisdictions in which our products are or may be marketed in the future, medical device manufacturers are required to report to the FDA and to the equivalent non-U.S. authorities information that a device has or may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury or has malfunctioned in a way that would likely cause or contribute to death or serious injury if the malfunction of the device or one of our similar devices were to recur. If we fail to report these events to the FDA or to the equivalent authorities in other jurisdictions within the required time frames, or at all, the FDA or the equivalent authorities in other jurisdictions could take enforcement action against us. Any such adverse event involving our products also could result in future voluntary corrective actions, such as recalls or customer notifications, or agency action, such as inspection or enforcement action. Any corrective action, whether voluntary or involuntary, as well as defending ourselves in a lawsuit, will require the dedication of our time and capital, distract management from operating our business, and may harm our reputation and financial results.

 

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We may be subject to fines, penalties or injunctions if we are determined to be promoting the use of our products for unapproved or off-label uses.

 

Medical devices may be marketed only for the indications for which they are approved. Our promotional materials and training materials must comply with FDA regulations and other applicable laws and regulations governing the promotion of our products in the U.S. and other jurisdictions.

 

If the FDA or the competent authorities in other jurisdictions determine that our promotional materials or training constitutes promotion of an unapproved use, they could request that we modify our training or promotional materials or subject us to regulatory or enforcement actions, including the issuance of an untitled or warning letter, an injunction, seizure, civil fines and criminal penalties. It is also possible that authorities in other federal, state or national enforcement in other jurisdictions might take action if they consider our promotional or training materials to constitute promotion of an unapproved use, which could result in significant fines or penalties under other statutory authorities, such as laws prohibiting false claims for reimbursement. In that event, our reputation could be damaged and the commercialization of our products could be impaired.

 

We are affected by and subject to environmental laws and regulations that could be costly to comply with or that may result in costly liabilities.

 

We are subject to environmental laws and regulations, including those that impose various environmental controls on the manufacturing, transportation, storage, use and disposal of batteries and hazardous chemicals and other materials used in, and hazardous waste produced by, the manufacturing of our products. We incur and expect to continue to incur costs to comply with these environmental laws and regulations. Additional or modified environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to the manufacture, transportation, storage, use and disposal of materials used to manufacture our products or restricting disposal or transportation of batteries, may be imposed that may result in higher costs.

 

In addition, we cannot predict the effect that additional or modified environmental laws and regulations may have on us, our third-party suppliers of equipment and our products or our customers.

 

The oncology and medical device industries are characterized by patent and other intellectual property litigation and disputes, and any litigation, dispute or claim against us may cause us to incur substantial costs, could place a significant strain on our financial resources, divert the attention of management from our business, harm our reputation and require us to remove certain devices from the market.

 

Whether a product infringes a patent or violates other intellectual property rights involves complex legal and factual issues, the determination of which is often uncertain. Any intellectual property dispute, even a meritless or unsuccessful one, would be time consuming and expensive to defend and could result in the diversion of our management’s attention from our business and result in adverse publicity, the disruption of research and development and marketing efforts, injury to our reputation and loss of revenues. Any of these events could negatively affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Third parties may assert that our products, the methods employed in the use of our products or other activities infringe on their patents. Such claims may be made by competitors seeking to obtain a competitive advantage or by other parties, many of whom have significantly larger intellectual property portfolios than we have. Additionally, in recent years, individuals and groups have begun purchasing intellectual property assets for the purpose of making claims of infringement and attempting to extract settlements from companies like ours. With respect to our current products, the risk of infringement claims is exacerbated by the fact that there are numerous issued and pending patents relating to the treatment of cancer. Because patent applications can take many years to issue, and in many cases remain unpublished for many months after filing, there may be applications now pending of which we are unaware that may later result in issued patents that our products may infringe.

 

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There could also be existing patents that one or more components of our products or other device candidates may inadvertently infringe. As the number of competitors in the market or other device candidates grows, the possibility of inadvertent patent infringement by us or a patent infringement claim against us increases. To the extent we gain greater market visibility, our risk of being subject to such claims is also likely to increase. If a third party’s patent was upheld as valid and enforceable and we were found to be infringing, we could be prevented from making, using, selling, offering to sell or importing our products or other device candidates, unless we were able to obtain a license under that patent or to redesign our systems to avoid infringement. A license may not be available at all or on terms acceptable to us, and we may not be able to redesign our products to avoid any infringement. Modification of our products or development of device candidates to avoid infringement could require us to conduct additional clinical studies and to revise our filings with the FDA and other regulatory bodies, which would be time-consuming and expensive. If we are not successful in obtaining a license or redesigning our devices, we may be unable to make, use, sell, offer to sell or import our devices and our business could suffer. We may also be required to pay substantial damages and undertake remedial activities, which could cause our business to suffer.

 

We may also be subject to claims alleging that we infringe or violate other intellectual property rights, such as copyrights or trademarks, may have to defend against allegations that we misappropriated trade secrets, and may face claims based on competing claims of ownership of our intellectual property. The confidentiality and assignment of inventions agreements that our employees, consultants and other third parties sign may not in all cases be enforceable or sufficient to protect our intellectual property rights. In addition, we may face claims from third parties based on competing claims to ownership of our intellectual property.

 

We may employ individuals who were previously employed at other medical device companies, and as such we may be subject to claims that such employees have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed the alleged trade secrets or other proprietary information of their former employers. Any such litigation, dispute or claim could be costly to defend and could subject us to substantial damages, injunctions or other remedies, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations and cause our stock price to decline.

 

Changes in U.S. patent law could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our devices.

 

As is the case with other medical device companies, our success is heavily dependent on our intellectual property rights, and particularly on our patent rights. Obtaining and enforcing patents in the medical device industry involves both technological and legal complexity, and is therefore costly, time consuming and inherently uncertain. In addition, the U.S. has recently enacted and is currently implementing wide-ranging patent reform legislation. Certain U.S. Supreme Court rulings have narrowed the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances and weakened the rights of patent owners in certain situations. In addition to increasing uncertainty with regard to our ability to obtain patents in the future, this combination of events has created uncertainty with respect to the value of patents once obtained. Depending on decisions by the U.S. Congress, the federal courts and the USPTO, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that could further negatively impact the value of our patents, narrow the scope of available patent protection or weaken the rights of patent owners.

 

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Future regulatory action remains uncertain.

 

We operate in a highly regulated and evolving environment with rigorous regulatory enforcement. Any legal or regulatory action could be time-consuming and costly. If we or the manufacturers or distributors that supply our products fail to comply with all applicable laws, standards, and regulations, action by the FDA or other regulatory agencies could result in significant restrictions, including restrictions on the marketing or use of the products we sell or the withdrawal of the products we sell from the market. Any such restrictions or withdrawals could materially affect our reputation, business and operations.

 

Our product candidates will remain subject to ongoing regulatory review even after they receive marketing approval, and if we fail to comply with continuing regulations, we could lose these approvals and the sale of any of our approved commercial products could be suspended.

 

Even as we receive regulatory approval to market a particular product candidate, the manufacturing, labeling, packaging, adverse event reporting, storage, advertising, promotion, and record keeping related to the product will remain subject to extensive regulatory requirements. If we fail to comply with the regulatory requirements of the FDA and other applicable domestic and foreign regulatory authorities or discover any previously unknown problems with any approved product, manufacturer, or manufacturing process, we could be subject to administrative or judicially imposed sanctions, including:

 

  restrictions on the products, manufacturers, or manufacturing processes;
  warning letters;
  civil or criminal penalties;
  fines;
  injunctions;
  product seizures or detentions;
  pressure to initiate voluntary product recalls;
  suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals; and
  refusal to approve pending applications for marketing approval of new products or supplements to approved applications.

 

If physicians and patients do not accept our current and future products or if the market for indications for which any product candidate is approved is smaller than expected, we may be unable to generate significant revenue, if any.

 

Even when any of our product candidates obtain regulatory approval, they may not gain market acceptance among physicians, patients, and third-party payers. Physicians may decide not to recommend our treatments for a variety of reasons including:

 

  timing of market introduction of competitive products;
  demonstration of clinical safety and efficacy compared to other products;
  cost-effectiveness;
  limited or no coverage by third-party payers;
  convenience and ease of administration;

 

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  prevalence and severity of adverse side effects;
  restrictions in the label of the device;
  other potential advantages of alternative treatment methods; and
  ineffective marketing and distribution support of its products.

 

If any of our product candidates is approved, but fails to achieve market acceptance or such market is smaller than anticipated, we may not be able to generate significant revenue and our business would suffer.

 

Intellectual property litigation and infringement claims could cause us to incur significant expenses or prevent us from selling certain of our products.

 

The therapeutic medical device and pharmaceutical industries are characterized by extensive intellectual property litigation and, from time to time, we may become the subject of claims of infringement or misappropriation. Regardless of outcome, such claims are expensive to defend and divert management and operating personnel from other business issues. A successful claim or claims of patent or other intellectual property infringement against us could result in payment of significant monetary damages and/or royalty payments or negatively impact our ability to sell current or future products in the affected category.

 

We depend extensively on our patents and proprietary technology and the patents, and we must protect those assets in order to preserve our business.

 

Although we expect to seek patent protection for any devices, in silico products (if any), systems, and processes we discover and/or for any specific use we discover for new or previously known compounds, devices, biologics, products, systems, or processes, any or all of these may not be subject to effective patent protection. In addition, our issued patents may be declared invalid or our competitors may find ways to avoid the claims in the patents.

 

Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to obtain patents, protect our trade secrets and proprietary knowledge and operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of others. We are the sole assignee of numerous granted United States patents, pending United States patent applications and international patents. The patent position of pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms like us are generally highly uncertain and involves complex legal and factual questions, resulting in both an apparent inconsistency regarding the breadth of claims allowed in United States patents and general uncertainty as to their legal interpretation and enforceability. Accordingly, patent applications assigned to us may not result in patents being issued, any issued patents assigned to us may not provide us with competitive protection or may be challenged by others, and the current or future granted patents of others may have an adverse effect on our ability to do business and achieve profitability.

 

Moreover, others may independently develop similar products, may duplicate our products, or may design around our patent rights. In addition, as a result of the assertion of rights by a third-party or otherwise, we may be required to obtain licenses to patents or other proprietary rights of others in or outside of the United States. Any licenses required under any such patents or proprietary rights may not be made available on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we do not obtain such licenses, we could encounter delays in product market introductions during our attempts to design around such patents or could find that the development, manufacture or sale of products requiring such licenses is foreclosed. In addition, we could incur substantial costs in defending suits brought against us or in connection with patents to which we hold licenses or in bringing suit to protect our own patents against infringement.

 

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Due to legal and factual uncertainties regarding the scope and protection afforded by patents and other proprietary rights, we may not have meaningful protection from competition.

 

Our long-term success will substantially depend upon our ability to protect our proprietary technologies from infringement, misappropriation, discovery and duplication, and avoid infringing the proprietary rights of others. Our patent rights and the patent rights of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in general, are highly uncertain and include complex legal and factual issues. Because of this, our pending patent applications may not be granted. These uncertainties also mean that any patents that we own or will obtain in the future could be subject to challenge, and even if not challenged, may not provide us with meaningful protection from competition. Due to our financial uncertainties, we may not possess the financial resources necessary to enforce our patents. Patents already issued to us or our pending applications may become subject to dispute, and any dispute could be resolved against us. Because a substantial number of patents have been issued in the field of cellular therapy and because patent positions can be highly uncertain and frequently involve complex legal and factual questions, the breadth of claims obtained in any application or the enforceability of our patents cannot be predicted. Consequently, we do not know whether any of our pending or future patent applications will result in the issuance of patents or, to the extent patents have been issued or will be issued, whether these patents will be subject to further proceedings limiting their scope, will provide significant proprietary protection or competitive advantage, or will be circumvented or invalidated. One of our currently issued patents has expired, and eight of them will expire in the next twelve months.

 

Also, because of these legal and factual uncertainties, and because pending patent applications are held in secrecy for varying periods in the United States and other countries, even after reasonable investigation, we may not know with certainty whether any products that we (or a licensee) may develop will infringe upon any patent or other intellectual property right of a third party. We believe that the patents that we own or have applied for do not infringe any third-party patents; however, we cannot know for certain whether we could successfully defend our position, if challenged. We may incur substantial costs if we are required to defend our intellectual property in patent suits brought by third parties. These legal actions could seek damages and seek to enjoin testing, manufacturing and marketing of the accused product or process. In addition to potential liability for significant damages, we could be required to obtain a license to continue to manufacture or market the accused product or process.

 

We may not be able to compete with treatments now being marketed and developed, or which may be developed and marketed in the future by other companies.

 

Our products will compete with existing and new therapies and treatments for cancer, acute and chronic pain, mental health conditions, and other indications targeted for our technology. We are aware of a number of companies currently seeking to develop alternative therapies or treatment for such diseases and conditions at least in part. Numerous pharmaceutical, biotechnology, drug delivery and medical device companies, hospitals, research organizations, individual scientists, and nonprofit organizations are engaged in the development of alternatives to our technology. Some of these companies have greater research and development capabilities, experience, manufacturing, marketing, financial, and managerial resources than we do. Collaborations or mergers between large pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies with competing treatment technologies could enhance our competitors’ financial, marketing, and other resources. Developments by other medical device companies could make our products or technologies uncompetitive or obsolete. Accordingly, our competitors may succeed in developing competing technologies, obtaining FDA approval for products or gaining market acceptance more rapidly than we can.

 

Due in part to our limited financial resources, we may fail to select or capitalize on the most scientifically, clinically or commercially promising or profitable indications or therapeutic areas for our product candidates, and/or we may be unable to pursue the clinical trials that we would like to pursue.

 

We have limited technical, managerial, and financial resources to determine the indications on which we should focus the development efforts related to our product candidates. Due to our limited available financial resources, we may have curtailed clinical development programs and activities that might otherwise have led to more rapid progress of our product candidates through the regulatory and development processes.

 

We may make incorrect determinations with regard to the indications and clinical trials on which to focus the available resources that we do have. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that we will be able to retain adequate staffing levels to run our operations and/or to accomplish all of the objectives that we otherwise would seek to accomplish. Our decisions to allocate our research, management, and financial resources toward particular indications or therapeutic areas for our product candidates may not lead to the development of viable commercial products and may divert resources from better opportunities. Similarly, our decisions to delay or terminate product development programs may also cause us to miss valuable opportunities.

 

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If the third parties on which we rely for the conduct of our clinical trials and results do not perform our clinical trial activities in accordance with good clinical practices and related regulatory requirements, we may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize our product candidates.

 

We use independent clinical investigators and other third-party service providers to conduct and/or oversee the clinical trials of our product candidates, and expect to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

 

The FDA requires us and our clinical investigators to comply with regulations and standards, commonly referred to as good clinical practices, for conducting, recording, and reporting the results of clinical trials to assure that data and reported results are credible and accurate, and that the trial participants are adequately protected. Our reliance on third parties that we do not control does not relieve us of these responsibilities and requirements. Third parties may not complete activities on schedule or may not conduct our clinical trials in accordance with regulatory requirements or the respective trial plans and protocols. The failure of these third parties to carry out their obligations could delay or prevent the development, approval, and commercialization of our product candidates or result in enforcement action against us.

 

Our Company has an evolving business strategy and investors must be willing to accept a substantial degree of uncertainty.

 

The Company’s strategic focus is on the development of therapeutic medical devices for humans using its ulRFE® platform technology. The Company is engaged in ongoing discussions with potential licensees, other strategic partners and institutional or private financing sources, the result of which could add to or alter its current strategic focus, cash needs or ownership structure. Investors must be willing to accept a substantial degree of uncertainty and must be willing to rely upon our Board of Directors (“Board”) and management to complete an appropriate business strategy to commercially exploit targeted business opportunities.

 

The industry in which our Company competes is intensely competitive, and we compete with companies with significantly greater resources.

 

The market for the Company’s products and services is relatively new and rapidly evolving. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict its future growth rate, if any, and its ultimate size. Moreover, the Company’s success is dependent on the popularity of its products and services within this new market, which the Company cannot predict. The Company has entered into one licensing agreement for a specific indication in the Japanese oncology market and one distribution agreement for specific indications in the Indian oncology market, but the Company may experience significantly long processes for additional licensing or for sales in order to monetize its products or services. While the Company is not aware of any businesses currently developing or using ulRFE technology similar to its technology, the broader life sciences industry is marked by intense competition, including many companies with significantly greater resources, which they could use to attempt to limit the Company’s ability to gain market share.

 

You should consult with a tax expert before investing in our Company.

 

You should consult with your own tax advisor about the tax consequences of investing in EMulate Therapeutics through the purchase of its securities.

 

If we were deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), applicable restrictions could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Under Sections 3(a)(1)(A) and (C) of the 1940 Act, a company generally will be deemed to be an “investment company” for purposes of the 1940 Act if (i) it is, or holds itself out as being, engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities or (ii) it engages, or proposes to engage, in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and it owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. We do not believe that we are an “investment company,” as such term is defined in either of those sections of the 1940 Act.

 

Although we intend to conduct our operations so that we will not be deemed an investment company, if we were to be deemed an investment company, restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act, including limitations on our capital structure and our ability to transact with affiliates, could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Risks Related to Our Common Stock and this Offering

 

There has been no public market for our Common Stock prior to this offering, and an active market in which investors can resell their shares of our Common Stock may not develop.

 

Prior to this Offering, there has been no public market for our Common Stock. We have applied to list our Common Stock on Nasdaq under the symbol “EMTX.” The closing of this Offering is contingent upon the successful listing of our Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market. There is no guarantee that Nasdaq, or any other exchange or quotation system, will permit our Common Stock to be listed and traded.

 

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Even if our Common Stock is approved for listing on Nasdaq, a liquid public market for our Common Stock may not develop. The initial public offering price for our Common Stock has been determined by negotiation between us and the underwriters based upon several factors, including prevailing market conditions, our historical performance, estimates of our business potential and earnings prospects, and the market valuations of similar companies. The price at which the Common Stock is traded after this Offering may decline below the initial public offering price, meaning that you may experience a decrease in the value of your Common Stock regardless of our operating performance or prospects.

 

The market price of our Common Stock may fluctuate, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

 

After this Offering, the market price for our Common Stock is likely to be volatile, in part because our shares have not been traded publicly. In addition, the market price of our Common Stock may fluctuate significantly in response to several factors, most of which we cannot control, including:

 

  actual or anticipated variations in our periodic operating results;
  increases in market interest rates that lead investors of our Common Stock to demand a higher investment return;
  changes in earnings estimates;
  changes in market valuations of similar companies;
  actions or announcements by our competitors;
  adverse market reaction to any increased indebtedness we may incur in the future;
  additions or departures of key personnel;
  actions by shareholders;
  speculation in the media, online forums, or investment community; and
  our intentions and ability to list our Common Stock on Nasdaq and our subsequent ability to maintain such listing.

 

The public offering price of our Common Stock has been determined by negotiations between us and the underwriters based upon many factors and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail following the closing of this Offering. Volatility in the market price of our Common Stock may prevent investors from being able to sell their Common Stock at or above the initial public offering price. As a result, you may suffer a loss on your investment.

 

We may not be able to satisfy listing requirements of Nasdaq or maintain a listing of our Common Stock on Nasdaq.

 

If our Common Stock is listed on Nasdaq, we must meet certain financial and liquidity criteria to maintain such listing. If we violate Nasdaq’s listing requirements, or if we fail to meet any of Nasdaq’s listing standards, our Common Stock may be delisted. In addition, the Board may determine that the cost of maintaining our listing on a national securities exchange outweighs the benefits of such listing. A delisting of our Common Stock from Nasdaq may materially impair our shareholders’ ability to buy and sell our Common Stock and could have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, our Common Stock. The delisting of our Common Stock could significantly impair our ability to raise capital and the value of your investment.

 

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We have considerable discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this Offering and we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree.

 

We intend to use the proceeds from this Offering for research and development, general working capital and other corporate purposes. However, we have considerable discretion in the application of the proceeds. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of our net proceeds from this Offering, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use. You will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. You must rely on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the net proceeds of this Offering. The net proceeds may be used for corporate or other purposes with which you do not agree or that do not improve our profitability or increase our share price. The net proceeds from this Offering may also be placed in investments that do not produce income or that lose value. See “Use of Proceeds” below for more information.

 

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution as a result of this Offering.

 

As of December 31, 2021, our net tangible book value was approximately $[●], or approximately $[●] per share. Since the effective price per share of our Common Stock being offered in this Offering is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our Common Stock, you will suffer substantial dilution with respect to the net tangible book value of the Common Stock you purchase in this Offering. Based on the assumed public offering price of $[●] per share of Common Stock being sold in this Offering, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and our net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2021, if you purchase shares of Common Stock in this Offering, you will suffer immediate and substantial dilution of $[●] per share (or $[●] per share if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) with respect to the net tangible book value of the Common Stock. See the section titled “Dilution” for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase securities in this Offering.

 

The terms of our notes, and our debt repayment obligations thereunder, may restrict our ability to obtain additional financing, and adversely affect our financial condition and cash flows from operations in the future.

Our indebtedness under the notes issued to Nancy Nordhoff, a holder of more than 5% of our Common Stock, John Kingma, our director, and Andrew Daniels, our director, and certain restrictions included within the terms of the notes, may restrict, and otherwise impair our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, potential acquisitions and strategic transactions. Our ability to meet our debt obligations will depend on our future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic, regulatory and other factors, many of which are outside of our control. Our future operations may not generate sufficient cash to enable us to repay our debt, including the notes. If we fail to make a payment on our debt, we could be in default on such debt. If we are at any time unable to pay our indebtedness under the notes in cash when due, we may be required to issue additional shares of common stock on unfavorable terms.

 

We do not expect to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

We do not expect to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future, as we anticipate that we will invest future earnings in the development and growth of our business. Therefore, holders of our Common Stock will not receive any return on their investment unless they sell their securities, and holders may be unable to sell their securities on favorable terms or at all.

 

If securities industry analysts do not publish research reports on us, or publish unfavorable reports on us, then the market price and market trading volume of our Common Stock could be negatively affected.

 

Any trading market for our Common Stock may be influenced in part by any research reports that securities industry analysts publish about us. We do not currently have and may never obtain research coverage by securities industry analysts. If no securities industry analysts commence coverage of us, the market price and market trading volume of our Common Stock could be negatively affected. In the event we are covered by analysts, and one or more of such analysts downgrade our securities, or otherwise reports on us unfavorably, or discontinues coverage of us, the market price and market trading volume of our Common Stock could be negatively affected.

 

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Future issuances of our Common Stock or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our Common Stock, or the expiration of lock-up agreements that restrict the issuance of new Common Stock or the trading of outstanding Common Stock, could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline and would result in the dilution of your holdings.

 

Future issuances of our Common Stock or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our common stock, or the expiration of lock-up agreements that restrict the issuance of new Common Stock or the trading of outstanding Common Stock, could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline. We cannot predict the effect, if any, of future issuances of our securities, or the future expirations of lock-up agreements, on the price of our Common Stock. In all events, future issuances of our Common Stock would result in the dilution of your holdings. In addition, the perception that new issuances of our securities could occur, or the perception that locked-up parties will sell their securities when the lock-ups expire, could adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock. In connection with this Offering, we will enter into a lock-up agreement that prevents us, subject to certain exceptions, from offering additional shares of capital stock for up to six months after the closing of this Offering, as further described in the section titled “Underwriting.” In addition to any adverse effects that may arise upon the expiration of these lock-up agreements, the lock-up provisions in these agreements may be waived, at any time and without notice. If the restrictions under the lock-up agreements are waived, our Common Stock may become available for resale, subject to applicable law, including without notice, which could reduce the market price for our Common Stock.

 

Future issuances of debt securities, which would rank senior to our Common Stock upon our bankruptcy or liquidation, and future issuances of preferred stock, which could rank senior to our common stock for the purposes of dividends and liquidating distributions, may adversely affect the level of return you may be able to achieve from an investment in our Common Stock.

 

In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by offering debt securities. Upon bankruptcy or liquidation, holders of our debt securities, and lenders with respect to other borrowings we may make, would receive distributions of our available assets prior to any distributions being made to holders of our Common Stock. Moreover, if we issue preferred stock, the holders of such preferred stock could be entitled to preferences over holders of Common Stock in respect of the payment of dividends and the payment of liquidating distributions. Because our decision to issue debt or preferred stock in any future offering, or borrow money from lenders, will depend in part on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of any such future offerings or borrowings. Holders of our Common Stock must bear the risk that any future offerings we conduct or borrowings we make may adversely affect the level of return, if any, they may be able to achieve from an investment in our Common Stock.

 

We are authorized to issue “blank check” preferred stock without stockholder approval, which could adversely impact the rights of holders of our Common Stock.

 

Our articles of incorporation authorize us to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, among which 1,817,333 shares are designated as Series A preferred stock and 2,400,000 shares are designated as Series A-1 preferred stock. Any preferred stock that we issue in the future may rank ahead of our Common Stock in terms of dividend priority or liquidation premiums and may have greater voting rights than our Common Stock. In addition, such preferred stock may contain provisions allowing those shares to be converted into shares of Common Stock, which could dilute the value of Common Stock to current stockholders and could adversely affect the market price, if any, of our Common Stock. In addition, the preferred stock could be utilized, under certain circumstances, as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of our Company.

 

If our shares of Common Stock become subject to the penny stock rules, it would become more difficult to trade our shares.

 

The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00, other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or authorized for quotation on certain automated quotation systems, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system. If we do not retain a listing on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange and if the price of our Common Stock is less than $5.00, our Common Stock could be deemed a penny stock. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, before a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document containing specified information. In addition, the penny stock rules require that before effecting any transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, a broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive (i) the purchaser’s written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement; (ii) a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks; and (iii) a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for our Common Stock, and therefore shareholders may have difficulty selling their shares.

 

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We will be subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies and our shareholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies.

 

Upon the completion of this Offering, we will be required to publicly report on an ongoing basis as an “emerging growth company” (as defined in the JOBS Act) under the reporting rules set forth under the Exchange Act. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other Exchange Act reporting companies that are not emerging growth companies, including but not limited to:

 

  not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
  being permitted to comply with reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements; and
  being exempt from the requirement to hold a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

We expect to take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would remain an emerging growth company for up to five years, although if the market value of our Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, we would cease to be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31.

 

Because we will be subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies, our shareholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies. We cannot predict if investors will find our Common Stock less attractive if we elect to rely on these exemptions, or if taking advantage of these exemptions would result in less active trading or more volatility in the price of our Common Stock.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Based upon an assumed public offering price of $[●] per Share, we estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering, after deducting the underwriting discounts and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, of approximately $[●] million assuming the underwriter does not exercise its over-allotment option.

 

We plan to use the net proceeds we receive from this Offering for the following purposes:

 

   Use of Net Proceeds  
Working Capital  $[●]  
Sales and Marketing  $[●]  
Research and Development  $[●]  
Licensing and Banking Activities  $[●]  

 

Use of Proceeds by Therapeutic Area:

 

 

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents, together with interest on cash balances, will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through at least the next 12 months. The foregoing represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business conditions to use and allocate the net proceeds of this offering. However, the nature, amounts and timing of our actual expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors. As a result, our management has and will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds from this offering for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in the application of net proceeds from this offering. To the extent that the net proceeds we receive from this offering are not immediately used for the above purposes, we intend to invest our net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing bank deposits or debt instruments.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

 

The Company has not declared or paid any cash dividend on its Common Stock, and it currently intends to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of its business, and the Company does not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The decision whether to pay cash dividends on its Common Stock will be made by the Board, in their sole discretion, and may take into account general and economic conditions, our available cash and current and anticipated cash needs, contractual, statutory and regulatory prohibitions and other restrictions and implications on the payment of dividends by us to our stockholders or by our subsidiaries to us, and such other factors as the Board. Our future ability to pay cash dividends on our Common Stock may also be limited by the terms of any future debt securities, preferred stock or credit facility.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

 

Set forth below is our cash and capitalization as of June 30, 2022:

 

  on an actual basis;
  on a pro forma basis to reflect the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our preferred stock into an aggregate of 5,657,219 shares of common stock in connection with the closing of this offering; and
  on a pro forma as adjusted basis to reflect the issuance and sale of the Shares by us in this offering at the public offering price of $[●] per Share, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

You should read the information in the below table together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Use of Proceeds” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

 

  As of June 30, 2022 
   Actual
(1)
    Pro Forma
(2)
    Pro Forma As Adjusted 
Cash and restricted cash  $15  $ [●]  $  [●] 
Total debt at face value (convertible)   7,760     [●]     [●] 
Total debt at face value (nonconvertible)   1,665         
Total stockholders’ equity:             
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 10,000,000 Shares             
Series A convertible preferred stock. 1,817,333 shares authorized; 1,817,225 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2022   1,236         
Series A-1 convertible preferred stock. 2,400,000 shares authorized; 2,399,997 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2022   18,000         
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 15,143,315 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2022;   15     [●]     [●] 
Additional paid-in capital   139,187     [●]     [●] 
Accumulated (deficit)   (182,344)    [●]     [●] 
Total stockholders’ deficit   (23,906)    [●]     [●] 
Capitalization  $(23,906) $ [●]  $ [●] 

 

The table above is based on 15,143,315 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of June 30, 2022, and excludes, as of such date:

 

  465,301 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants to purchase Common Stock;
     
  5,171,735 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options to purchase Common Stock;
     
  24,856,685 shares of Common Stock available for future issuance under our Plan.

 

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DILUTION

 

If you invest in the Company’s Shares in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the offering price per share of its Common Stock and the as-adjusted net tangible book value per Share of its Common Stock immediately after the offering. Historical net tangible book value per Share represents the amount of the Company’s total tangible assets less total liabilities, divided by the number of Shares of its Common Stock outstanding.

 

The historical net tangible book value (deficit) of the Company’s Common Stock as of June 30, 2022, was approximately $([●] million) or $([●]) per Share based upon shares of Common Stock outstanding on such date. Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per Share represents the amount of its total tangible assets reduced by the amount of its total liabilities, divided by the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. The pro forma historical net tangible book value (deficit) was $([●]) per Share based upon shares of Common Stock outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

 

After giving effect to the Company’s sale of all of the [●] shares of Common Stock offered in this offering at a public offering price of $[●] per Share after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and the Company’s estimated offering expenses, the Company’s pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2022 would have been $[●] or $[●] per Share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $[●] per Share to the Company’s existing stockholders, and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $[●] per Share to new investors. The following table illustrates this per Share dilution:

 

Assumed public offering price per Share  $[●] 
Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per Share as of  $[●] 
Pro forma historical net tangible book value (deficit) per Share as of attributable to the pro forma transaction described above  $[●] 
Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per Share as of attributable to the pro forma transactions described above  $[●] 
Pro forma net tangible book value per Share as of  $[●] 
Dilution per Share to new investors in this offering  $[●] 

 

The information discussed above is illustrative only, and the dilution information following this offering will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $[●] per Share would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value by $[●] per Share and increase the dilution to new investors by $[●] per Share and decrease the dilution to new investors by $[●] per Share, assuming the number of shares offered by the Company, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by the Company. The Company may also increase or decrease the number of shares it is offering. An increase of 100,000 Shares offered by it would increase the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value by $[●] per Share and decrease the dilution to new investors by $[●] per share, assuming the assumed public offering price of $[●] per Share remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by the Company. Similarly, a decrease of 100,000 Shares offered by the Company would decrease the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value by $[●] per share and increase the dilution to new investors by $[●] per Share, assuming the assumed public offering price of $[●] per Share remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by the Company.

 

If the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional Shares from the Company is exercised in full, and based on the assumed public offering price of $[●] per Share, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering would be $[●] per Share, the increase in as adjusted net tangible book value per Share to existing stockholders would be $[●] per Share and the dilution to new investors purchasing shares in this Offering would be $[●] per share.

 

The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding is based on [●] shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2022, and excludes the following:

 

  [●] shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants having a weighted average exercise price of $[●] per share;
     
  [●] shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of debt which is based on a formula and presently indeterminable;
     
  [●] shares of Common Stock reserved for future issuance under our Plan; and
     
  [●] shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Representative’s warrants to purchase Common Stock.

 

Except as otherwise indicated herein, all information in this prospectus assumes:

 

  no exercise of the outstanding options or warrants described above; and
     
  no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to an additional [●] shares of Common Stock to cover over-allotments, if any, or any warrants issued to the underwriters as fees.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our audited financial statements and the related notes appearing at the end of this prospectus. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this prospectus, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business and related financing, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You should read the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” sections of this prospectus for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis.

 

Overview

 

EMulate has, since its inception in 2002, invented, developed, and advanced its technology such that it will present alternative and improved methods of treatment for those suffering from serious diseases and conditions such as cancer, chronic and acute pain, and mental health maladies. Our technology is new in the medical industry. We believe the improved treatment modalities our technology provides are attractive to patients and the physicians treating them. Pharmaceutical and other entities desiring to treat underserved patient populations or improve currently available treatments for all patients will likely be interested in transacting with EMulate to make its technology available for such purposes. Our operations and expenditures have been, and will continue to be, directed to these ends.

 

In the therapeutic area of oncology, EMulate is pivotal trial-ready for the treatment of adult and pediatric brain cancers, and we have established a subsidiary, Cellsana Therapeutics, Inc., to provide transactional and partnering flexibility in the oncology sector. Planned-for initiatives for continuing development include pivotal trials in treating GBM and DMG/DIPG.

 

Our ulRFE therapeutic system has potential treatment applications in a wide range of diseases other than cancer. We are conducting pre-clinical animal studies and collecting data from limited human exposures in the therapeutic areas of acute and chronic pain management and mental health and other CNS conditions. Our subsidiaries, Indolor Therapeutics, Inc. and Mensana Therapeutics, Inc., respectively, have been established to provide transactional and partnering flexibility in those sectors. Continuing development in these areas includes confirmatory pre-clinical studies and, later, clinical trials in treating acute and chronic pain and mental health conditions.

 

Since our inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. Our loss from operations was $11.3 million and $10.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $[●] for the six months ended June 30, 2022. As of June 30, 2022, we had an accumulated deficit of $[●] million. We expect to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future as we continue with our clinical trials and test new ways to utilize our technology to improve treatment methods.

 

As funding and resources allow, we will also continue our investigations into the therapeutic areas of animal health and ag-bio. We have proof of concept validation in each of those areas.

 

As we have done with Hapbee Technologies, Inc., we will look for opportunities to commercialize our technology in the non-medical space. Hapbee Technologies is already at the commercialization/revenue stage, and we believe we are capable of producing the same results with other companies.

 

With this offering, we are seeking sufficient capital to enable us to continue the technology and business expansion already well underway. We believe proceeds from this offering will be sufficient to fund our business plan for at least the next 12 months.

 

Factors Affecting our Business and Results of Operations

 

Our planned operating expenses consist of research, development, pre-clinical studies, clinical trials and general and administrative expenses. Personnel costs are a significant component for each category of operating expenses and consist of wages, benefits and bonuses. Personnel costs also include share-based compensation. We expect personnel costs to continue to increase as we hire new employees to continue to grow our business.

 

Our operations, research, development, pre-clinical and clinical trial activity is focused on advancing our technology through the pivotal trial stage for multiple tumor types, for pain management treatments, and for mental health treatment. Our activity will also focus on improving the delivery systems of our devices. Research, development, pre-clinical and clinical trials costs, including direct and allocated expenses, are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of the following: personnel costs (including share-based compensation) for those employees involved in our research, development, pre-clinical studies, clinical trials, regulatory and medical affairs activities; costs to conduct research, development, pre-clinical studies and clinical trial activity through agreements with contract research organizations and other third parties; facilities, depreciation and other allocated expenses, which include direct and allocated expenses for rent and maintenance of facilities, depreciation of leasehold improvements and equipment and laboratory and other supplies; manufacturing expenses associated with our medical device systems; and professional fees related to regulatory approvals.

 

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel costs, professional fees and facilities costs. General and administrative personnel costs (including share-based compensation) include our executive, finance, human resources and legal functions. Our professional fees consist primarily of accounting, legal and other consulting costs. We expect that general and administrative expenses will increase in absolute dollars to support our growth. In addition, following the consummation of this offering, we expect to incur significant additional legal and accounting costs related to compliance with SEC rules and regulations, including the additional costs of achieving and maintaining compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and compliance with Nasdaq rules, as well as additional insurance, investor relations and other costs associated with being a public company.

 

Our investment in Hapbee is valued each reporting period based on Hapbee’s stock price with the gain/(loss) flowing through non-operating income. While the fluctuation in the stock price does not impact our operating results, these changes do have a negative impact on our net income and earnings per share. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the six months ended June 30, 2022, Hapbee stock fluctuations impacted net income $(8,089), $8,527 and $(4,810), respectively. Also, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the six months ended June 30, 2022, Hapbee stock fluctuations impacted earnings per share $(0.55), $0.62 and $(0.32), respectively. In this regard, the stock price (expressed in Canadian dollars) has decreased from CAD$0.53 on December 31, 2020, to CAD$0.085 as of August 4, 2022.

 

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Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2022   2021   $ Change 
(in thousands)            
Royalty Revenue, related party  $176   $152   $24 
License Revenue, related party   -    10    (10)
                
Operating expenses:               
Research and development   164    374    (210)
General and administrative   7,644    2,774    4,870 
                
Total operating expenses   7,808    3,148    4,660 
                
Loss from operations   (7,632)   (2,986)   (4,646)
                
Other income (expense):               
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment   (4,810)   (3,895)   (915)
Other income   -    -    - 
Interest expense   (1,393)   (1,023)   (370)
Total other income (expense)   (6,203)   (4,918)   (1,285)
                
Net income (loss)  $(13,835)  $(7,904)  $(5,931)

 

Revenues

 

Royalty revenue increased approximately $24,000, or 15.8%, from $152,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, to $176,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase is attributable to increased sales of the Hapbee product and in subscriptions for the use of the products. These sales and subscription revenues are the basis for the royalty calculation. We believe royalty revenue will continue to increase as sales of Hapbee product and in subscriptions for the use of the products increase.

 

We had no license revenue in the six months ended June 30, 2022, and license revenue was approximately $10,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2021. We expect license revenue to increase as we enter into new licenses for our ulRFE signal technology.

 

Costs and Expenses

 

Research and development costs decreased approximately $0.2 million, or 57.0%, from approximately $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, to approximately $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, mainly because of an overall reduction in headcount and efficiencies gained through the use of contract research organizations. We expect research and development costs to increase as we grow, primarily due to efforts expended to accumulate necessary scientific data regarding the use of our technology by EMulate and our various business subsidiaries.

 

General and administrative costs increased approximately $4.8 million, or 176%, from approximately $2.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, to approximately $7.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase is due to is $0.4 million of warrant inducement expense and $6.0 million of additional stock compensation expense related issuance of additional options during 2022. This increase was partially offset by significantly higher compensation expenses in 2021 of approximately $1.0 million due mainly to decreases in executive salary of approximately $0.3 million, investor relations salary of approximately $0.2 million, legal salary of approximately $0.3 million, and general compensation of approximately $0.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2022.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on investment relate to our minority investment in Hapbee. For the six months ended June 30, 2022, we had a loss on investment of approximately $4.8 million attributable to a decline in the market value of Hapbee.

 

We recorded interest expense of approximately $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, which was a difference of $0.4 million, or 36.2%, from interest expense of approximately $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The change is due to issuances of convertible and non-convertible notes.

 

Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2021   2020   $ Change 
(in thousands)            
Royalty Revenue, related party  $221   $113   $108 
License Revenue, related party   20    -    20 
                
Operating expenses:               
Research and development   1,536    2,064    (528)
General and administrative   10,033    8,685    1,348 
                
Total operating expenses   11,569    10,749    820 
                
Loss from operations   (11,328)   (10,636)   (692)
                
Other income (expense):               
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment   (8,089)   14,777    (22,866)
Other income   318    -    318 
Interest expense   (2,993   (1,521)   (1,472)
Total other income (expense)   (10,764)   13,256    (24,020)
Net income (loss)  $(22,092)   $ 2,620   $(24,712) 

 

Revenues

 

Royalty revenue is derived from royalty payments made to us by Hapbee pursuant to license agreements under which Hapbee licenses from us certain of our ulRFE signals for use in their products. Royalty revenue increased approximately $108 thousand, or 95.6%, from $113 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, to $221 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase can be explained by the increase in sales of Hapbee product and in subscriptions for the use of the products, the proceeds of which are the basis for the royalty calculation. We believe royalty revenue will continue to increase as sales of Hapbee product and in subscriptions for the use of the products increase.

 

Non-royalty license revenue is derived from upfront fees paid by Hapbee under their license agreements with us. Non-royalty license revenue was approximately $20 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, and we had no license revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020. We expect non-royalty license revenue to increase as new licenses for our ulRFE signal technology are entered into.

 

Costs and Expenses

 

Research and development costs consist of costs incurred for performing preclinical research and proof of concept research in the use and application of our ulRFE technology. Research and development costs decreased approximately $0.5 million, or 25.6%, from approximately $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, to approximately $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, mainly because of an overall reduction in headcount and efficiencies gained through the use of contract research organizations. We expect research and development costs to increase as we grow, primarily due to efforts expended to accumulate necessary scientific data regarding the use of our technology by EMulate and our various business subsidiaries.

 

General and administrative costs increased approximately $1.3 million, or 15.5%, from approximately $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, to approximately $10.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase is due to $831 thousand of warrant inducement expense, an increase of $1.8 million in stock-based compensation due to significant options issued and vested during 2021. These increases were offset by decreases of approximately $0.2 million for business development compensation, $0.4 million for R&D compensation, $0.1 million for health insurance, $0.4 million for consultants expense, and $0.2 million rent expense.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on investment relate to our minority investment in Hapbee. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we had a loss on investment of approximately $8.1 million attributable to the overall decrease in Hapbee’s stock price. By comparison, for the year ended December 31, 2020, we had a gain on investment of approximately $14.8 million attributable to the overall increase in Hapbee’s stock price. The change is primarily due to the change in the market value of Hapbee.

 

We recorded interest expense of approximately $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, which was a difference of $1.5 million, or 96.8%, from interest expense of approximately $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The change is due to increased issuances of convertible and non-convertible notes.

 

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We recorded other income, related to the gain forgiveness of SBA PPP loan originated in 2021, of approximately $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, and we had no other income for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our principal liquidity requirements are for research and development, working capital and capital expenditures. We fund our liquidity requirements primarily through cash on hand, cash flows from equity funding, borrowings. licensing fees and royalty receipts. As of June 30, 2022, we had cash on hand of $15,000.

 

Funding for our business activities will be needed in the near-term, and the Company is in the process of seeking institutional investors and other private parties, including existing investors, to provide such funding. EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, representative of the underwriters in this offering, is actively seeking debt financing partners, with a targeted capital raise in the $5,000,000 range, as well as equity funding in the $15,000,000 range. Amounts raised from all these sources will be used for general corporate purposes and working capital and to work towards achieving our nearer-term business milestones. The Company has issued promissory notes payable to lenders which are due on demand. We have not received any demands as of the date of this prospectus and we expect lenders to agree to extend payment deadlines to a date subsequent to the date of the closing of this Offering. Refer to risk factor entitled “The terms of our notes, and our debt repayment obligations thereunder, may restrict our ability to obtain additional financing, and adversely affect our financial condition and cash flows from operations in the future.” We believe a raise of $12,000,000 will be sufficient to fund our operation for at least the next 12 months. We have no definitive agreements or term sheets for any debt or equity financing at this time, and the timing and success of any additional financing is uncertain and not assured.

 

Additionally, we will have to meet all the financial disclosure and reporting requirements associated with being a publicly reporting company. Our management will have to spend additional time on policies and procedures to make sure it is compliant with various regulatory requirements, especially that of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. This additional corporate governance time required of management could limit the amount of time our management has to implement our business plan and may delay our anticipated growth plans. We anticipate over the next 12 months the cost of being a reporting public company will be approximately $[1.0] million.

 

The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities:

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2022   2021 
(in thousands)          
Net cash used in operating activities  $(1,991)  $(1,443)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (7)   - 
Net cash provided by financing activities   1,468    1,347 
           
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash  $(530)  $(96)

 

Operating Activities – Cash used in operating activities primarily consisted of unrealized gain (loss) on investment, stock-based compensation and deferred compensation and post-employment benefits.

 

Investing Activities – Net cash used in investing activities for 2022 were attributable to [●].

 

Financing Activities – Net cash provided by financing activities primarily consisted of proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $800 thousand and notes payable in the aggregate principal amount of $500 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and approximately $1.2 million from convertible notes and $300 thousand from a Small Business Administration loan for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

 

The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities:

 

   Years Ended December 31, 
   2021   2020 
(in thousands)        
Net cash used in operating activities  $(3,322)  $(4,018)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities        
Net cash provided by financing activities   3,550    2,765 
           
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash  $228   $(1,253)

 

Operating Activities – Cash used in operating activities primarily consisted of unrealized gain (loss) on investment, stock-based compensation and deferred compensation and post-employment benefits.

 

Financing Activities – Net cash provided by in financing activities primarily consisted of proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and approximately $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we also received approximately $1.7 million from the exercise of Common Stock purchase warrants.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

 

We prepare our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities on the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the financial reporting period. We continually evaluate these estimates and assumptions based on the most recently available information, our own historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates. Some of our accounting policies require higher degrees of judgment than others in their application. We consider the policies discussed below to be critical to an understanding of our financial statements.

 

The SEC defines critical accounting policies as those that are, in management’s view, most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and those that require significant judgments and estimates.

 

The accounting principles we utilized in preparing our consolidated financial statements conform in all material respects to U.S GAAP.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

There are no recently issued accounting pronouncements that we have not yet adopted that we believe are applicable or would have a material impact on our financial statements. For more information regarding recent accounting pronouncements, refer to Note 2(n) to our audited financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

We have not utilized any derivative financial instruments such as futures contracts, options and swaps, forward foreign exchange contracts or interest rate swaps and futures. We believe that adequate controls are in place to monitor any hedging activities. We do not intend to hedge any existing or future borrowings and, consequently, we do not expect to be affected by changes in market interest rates. We do not currently have any sales or own assets and operate facilities in countries outside the United States and, consequently, we are not affected by foreign currency fluctuations or exchange rate changes. Overall, we believe that our exposure to interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange rate changes is not material to our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

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BUSINESS

 

Overview

 

We are on a mission to advance the development and adoption of medical, health, and environmental applications of our low-to-ultra-low radio frequency energy technology that are determined by the FDA (or other applicable regulators) to be non-toxic, non-invasive, non-ionizing, safe and effective. We have invented and patented what we believe to be a groundbreaking technology that utilizes radio frequency energy (RFE) precisely targeted at the low and ultra-low ends of the RFE spectrum (ulRFE®) to specifically regulate signaling and metabolic pathways on the molecular and genetic levels – without chemicals, radiation or drugs – delivered via a simple-to-use non-invasive therapeutic system. For example, using our proprietary technology, we derived a ulRFE signal from the well understood chemotherapy paclitaxel, which is known to have a particular effect on tumor cells by interrupting or significantly slowing the normal metabolic activity of cell division. Therapeutic data from our clinical trials suggest that our ulRFE signal produced substantially similar molecular effects as the paclitaxel drug at the cellular level. We have confirmed this metabolic effect in pre-clinical polymerization studies, showing that the paclitaxel-derived ulRFE signal alone (and without the concomitant use of any other chemical or drug, and without the use of any other treatment intervention such as radiation), in the same or similar way to the paclitaxel drug, acts upon tubulin (the protein component of microtubules within the cancer cell) simultaneously promoting the assembly and disassembly of microtubules to form stable, non-functioning microtubules, which in turn inhibits the mitotic activity of the cell, decreasing the cell’s disassembly function and in some cases leading to the death of the cancer cell (apoptosis). The shortening and lengthening of microtubules (termed dynamic instability) is necessary for their function as a transportation highway for the cell. Chromosomes, for example, rely upon this property of microtubules during mitosis, according to Drugbank Online.

 

The EMulate Therapeutics ulRFE® therapeutic system is a non-invasive therapeutic medical device. It is the first of many product expressions of the Company’s underlying ulRFE platform technology. The EMulate Therapeutics therapeutic medical device has potential treatment applications in a wide range of diseases, including cancer, acute and chronic pain management, mental health conditions, among others. The EMulate Therapeutics therapeutic medical device is being evaluated for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumors and diffuse midline glioma (DMG)/diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) brain tumors in human clinical trials.

 

We believe our guiding principles contribute to success:

 

  1. Pioneering: We are pioneers. Great change can happen only when someone takes the lead and the risk. EMulate Therapeutics is committed to modernizing disease treatment by pioneering what we believe is groundbreaking medical technology.
  2. Responsibility: There is a need for safe, effective and affordable treatments for cancer, acute and chronic pain, mental health conditions, and other serious diseases. EMulate Therapeutics is taking the responsibility to develop and provide these treatments to patients around the world.
  3. Partnership: Developing the best technology means forming a diverse set of partnerships across a broad range of disciplines – including industry and research partners around the world.
  4. Leadership: The EMulate Therapeutics platform technology is the result of more than two decades of cutting-edge research and development. We believe this dedication and commitment to our mission will help transform the treatment of some of the world’s most serious diseases and address worldwide health and environmental challenges.

 

Our corporate structure as of the date of this prospectus consists of our parent company with four presently non-operating subsidiaries.

 

 

In 2019, EMulate created Hapbee, a Canadian company that is publicly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “HAPB” since October 2020 to utilize its ulRFE technology for the consumer wellness industry. EMulate now owns approximately 25% of Hapbee and is Hapbee’s largest shareholder. Hapbee has licensed certain recorded ulRFE signals from EMulate for use in its non-regulated, consumer-focused business.

 

Mensana Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation established in November 2021, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, which will use our ulRFE® technology to develop and provide, subject to FDA approval, safe and effective therapies to those suffering from a variety of mental health conditions.

 

Indolor Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation established in November 2021, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, which will use our ulRFE technology to develop and provide, subject to FDA approval, safe and effective therapies to those suffering from serious acute and chronic pain conditions.

 

Cellsana Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation established in February 2022, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, which will use our ulRFE technology to develop and provide, subject to FDA approval, safe and effective therapies to those suffering from cancer.

 

Zoesana Animal Health, Inc., a Washington corporation established in June 2022, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, which will use our ulRFE technology to develop and provide, subject to applicable regulatory approvals, safe and effective treatments to companion animals suffering from cancer and other serious diseases or conditions.

 

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Our Corporate History

 

We are a Washington corporation incorporated on February 7, 2002. In June 2003, we amended the Articles of Incorporation of WavBank, Inc. to reflect the issuance of Series A Preferred Stock. In February 2006, we amended the Articles of Incorporation of WavBank, Inc. to change the Company’s name to Nativis, Inc. In February 2012, we amended the Articles of Incorporation of Nativis, Inc. to reflect the issuance of Series A-1 Preferred Stock. In February 2013 and June 2014, we amended the Articles of Incorporation of Nativis, Inc. to reflect the issuance of additional shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock. In February 2019, we amended the Articles of Incorporation of Nativis, Inc. to change our name to EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

 

Industry Overview

 

EMulate Therapeutics is developing treatments for multiple disease areas that affect human health. The Company expects to participate and compete at this time specifically in the oncology treatment industry, the pain management industry, and the mental health treatment industry.

 

Oncology

 

  According to industry sources, the global oncology treatment market was $141 billion in 2019, and is forecast to reach $394 billion in 2027.
  According to industry sources, the global oncology/cancer drugs market was estimated at $199 billion in 2019.
  The global GBM treatment market size is expected to reach USD 4.82 billion by 2030 according to a recent study by Polaris Market Research.
  Diffuse midline glioma (DMG), a WHO grade IV tumor, is an aggressive and lethal brain tumor in young children, adolescents and young adults. EMulate perceives that its participation in this market presents a $100 million annual revenue opportunity.
  Markets of these magnitudes are well able to tolerate additional entrants such as EMulate, and even a smaller market share would result in significant revenues.

 

Competition in GBM

 

The Optune product of Novocure GmbH is the only medical device and therapy on the market today that is comparable to EMulate’s ulRFE therapeutic device for treating GBM brain cancer in terms of effect, that is, limiting cancer cell division. However, Optune uses a markedly different technology: it works by applying a voltage gradient across two electrodes and altering the polarity of the electrodes at a fixed frequency. The Optune device generates heat along with electrical energy. Use of the Optune device requires shaving the head, applying adhesive electrodes to the scalp (which must be frequently re-positioned), carrying a 2.7-pound battery pack, and changing the battery every eight hours. A backpack, housing the battery, is required to be worn continuously while upright. In contrast, EMulate’s therapeutic device limits cancer cell division through the use of specific low and ultra-low radiofrequency energy signals that emulate the therapeutic effects and method of action of proven drugs (the paclitaxel chemotherapy for GBM treatment); our device has no thermal (heating) or ionizing effects; it is extremely lightweight (3-ounce battery/controller), is portable without a backpack, has a 12 to 16 hour battery life, and can be used without shaving the head.

 

 

 

Competition in DMG/DIPG

 

We have no known competitors in treating DMG/DIPG brain cancer since treatments available in the market are not effective.

 

We may also compete with other medical device products that have come to market or may come to the oncology market in the future, though we are unaware of any such competitors at this time. To our knowledge, the FDA has not approved or cleared any product that uses the same mechanism of action as our cancer-treating device.

 

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Mental Health

 

Mental Health issues are significantly on the rise. There are high failure rates in treating patients for PTSD, ADHD, anxiety and depression. CNS Spectrums and suicide rates are unacceptably high. Patients experience better outcomes in treatments combining psychiatric therapy with psychedelic drugs.

 

The market for drugs treating mental health conditions is included in the market for CNS drugs. The global CNS drugs market is expected to grow from $123.4 billion in 2019 to reach $160.4 billion in 2023. The global CNS therapeutic market is expected to reach $128.9 billion by 2025.

 

Competition in Mental Health

 

EMulate’s technology presents competitive benefits for the treatment of mental health conditions:

 

  The duration of signal activity is shorter than the duration of psychedelic drug effects.
  Signal activity and its effects can be quickly terminated if the patient is in distress.
  Because no controlled substance is involved in signal administration, a psychotherapist can administer treatment without the presence of a psychiatrist/physician.
  Unlike psychedelic drugs, which have no composition of matter protection, the use of drug signals themselves will be covered by utility patent protections, thus limiting accessibility to the therapeutic product.

 

Pain Management

 

  According to industry sources, the global pain management market was $71 billion in 2019, and is forecast to reach $91 billion by 2027.
     
  According to industry sources, in another analysis, the global pain management market was $65 billion in 2019, and is forecast to reach $85 billion by 2027.

 

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  The market for effective pain treatment with minimal side effects is large, as illustrated by the following:

 

 

 

  Markets of these magnitudes are well able to tolerate additional entrants such as EMulate, and even a smaller market share would result in significant revenues.

 

Competition in Pain Management

 

We know of one FDA-approved medical device that competes with ours in the pain management sector, but its application is very limited and it does not use, or provide the benefits of, our ulRFE technology. IB-Stim (formerly Neuro-Stim) is a percutaneous nerve stimulator intended for use as an adjunct in the treatment of a single abdominal pain indication in adolescent patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It does not claim to treat multiple pain pathways, as the EMulate product is intended to do. Unlike the IB-Stim device, which for use must penetrate the skin, EMulate’s therapeutic device is completely non-invasive (as well as being non-thermal, non-sterile, and non-ionizing).

 

NeoRhythm markets a pulsed electromagnetic field device claiming to entrain the brain into five different brainwave states – which they call gamma, beta, alpha, theta, delta – one of which states is purported to stimulate areas that produce pain reducing hormones such as endorphins and serotonin. NeoRhythm does not claim to directly affect cellular activity in the same or similar way to proven drugs and biologics, as the EMulate product is designed to do.

 

There are also certain transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) products, which are not FDA-approved, being used for pain mitigation in arthritis and other autoimmune cases. Unlike the EMulate device, these products must penetrate the skin. One such device is marketed by Neurosoft. None of the TENS manufacturers claims that the product emulates the method of action of approved drugs, as EMulate’s device is designed to do.

 

In addition, Hapbee’s consumer products face direct and indirect competition from a variety of players including firms engaged in the wearables industry such as Oura Ring, Halo Neurosciences, Muse, NeoRhythm and Calm, as well as software applications that claim to produce benefits like those of wellness products. The table is a comparison of Hapbee and its competitors.

 

 

 

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Our Competitive Strengths

 

We believe that the following competitive strengths will enable us to compete effectively:

 

  Large market opportunities. Results from testing in animals and humans to date suggest the technology’s effectiveness for treating solid cancer tumors such as mycosis fungoides, plasma cell tumors, fibrosarcomas, neurofibrosarcomas, schwannomas, malignant melanomas, hemangiopericytomas, hepatic adenocarcinomas, mast cell tumors, adenocarcinomas (mammary), osteosarcomas, chondrosarcomas, apocrine gland adenocarcinomas, undifferentiated carcinomas, and transitional cell carcinomas.
     
  Continual development of innovative technologies and applications. EMulate is a true platform technology because it can be applied to multiple medical indications, and therefore will readily lend itself to continuing product and market development.
     
  Technology that can be used, as it has been used in (1) completed human feasibility studies for treating GBM, DMG, (2) testing wherein a limited number of human subjects have reported anecdotally varying degrees of acute and chronic pain relief, and (3) preclinical animal studies designed for treating mental health conditions – to emulate the therapeutic effects of many drugs/drug combination treatments for not one, but many serious disease indications and conditions.
     
  Technology presents a less expensive alternative for developing effective disease and condition treatments. It takes less time and expense for the Company to develop a therapeutic product because we do not need to invent the molecule from which the relevant ulRFE signal is derived; rather, we measure and record the electromagnetic emissions of proven molecules for transmission to biological systems. As an example, EMulate’s recent two lead clinical candidates, pain management and mental health, each took less than 12 months and $500,000 to go from concept to clinic-readiness.
     
  Our medical device is portable, lightweight, and easy to use, comparing favorably to other therapeutic products in the market.

 

Moreover, when it comes to the use of our technology for treating GBM, our therapeutic medical device has strong market advantages when compared to Optune. As illustrated in the graphic above, it features:

 

  Ability to reproduce and deliver MOA of multiple drugs/combination therapies
     
  Freely penetrates the brain and does not generate thermal or ionizing energy
     
  Response within 23 to 28 days
     
  3+ month rGBM survival improvement
     
  User-friendly
     
  No need to shave hair, non-stigmatizing
     
  Lightweight 3-ounce controller
     
  12 to 16 hour battery life

 

Our Growth Strategies

 

  Continuous focus on product innovation.
  We believe there is a serious need for our ulRFE therapies in both U.S. and international markets, and we aim to drive adoption and utilization of our products by leveraging additional clinical studies and market education.

 

Pipeline and Key Target Market

 

EMulate Therapeutics’ ulRFE technology has demonstrated potential application(s) in multiple indications including oncology, pain management, mental health, animal health, ag-biotechnology and consumer markets. The company is at varying stages of development with glioblastoma and diffuse midline glioma ready for initiation of pivotal (phase III) human trials. EMulate has established other companies to develop the markets for our technology.

 

EMulate formed our wholly-owned subsidiary Cellsana to develop the use of our technology in the oncology market. Cellsana is ready to proceed with a DMG/DIPG pivotal trial and a GBM pivotal trial. EMulate has partnered with companies in Japan (Teijin Pharma) and India (Sayre) to market, sell and distribute devices following regulatory clearance.

 

EMulate has also formed our wholly-owned subsidiaries Indolor and Mensana to develop the use of our technology in the pain relief and mental health markets, respectively. Initial animal safety and efficacy studies have demonstrated promising effects, and both companies are ready to proceed to human clinical trials to confirm safety and efficacy.

 

EMulate has also formed our wholly-owned subsidiary, Zoesana, to develop the use of our technology in the animal health markets, focusing primarily on treatment of cancer and pain conditions. Initial animal safety and efficacy studies have demonstrated promising effects, and Zoesana is ready to perform further studies to confirm safety and efficacy in treating various indications.

 

Hapbee is a company established by EMulate, to deliver and commercialize a licensed subset of our signal catalog to users in the non-medical consumer space. EMulate receives license fees and royalties from the sale of devices and subscriptions to the Hapbee services.

 

The effectiveness of EMulate’s ulRFE signal technology has been demonstrated in two other sectors to date: animal health and agriculture. Business opportunities are or will be available in these and other market areas.

 

 

 

Technology

 

RFE Technology

 

Radiofrequency energy (RFE) is an oscillating form of magnetic or electromagnetic radiation that transfers energy by radio waves. Oscillating magnetic fields can impact cellular dynamics through the forcing of ions. The literature establishes that low and ultra-low RFE fields (0 Hz to 30 kHz) (Figure 1) are bioactive, exerting their effects by forced-vibration of all the free ions on the cell surface. A magnetic field can alter the behavior of a cell membrane channel and affect calcium movement into the cell, which may influence the cell’s physiology. Oscillating magnetic fields could also change the binding properties of specific proteins, and alter nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, which are critical regulators of essential physiological pathways, resulting in specific phenotypic changes.

 

Our patented RFE technology is targeted at the low and ultra-low ends of the RFE spectrum (ulRFE®) – 0 Hz to 22 kHz. Numerous pre-clinical and human studies consistently demonstrate the ability to emulate the biological activity (with specificity) of a broad range of molecules such as drugs, siRNA molecules as well as hormones.

 

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Figure 1. Radio Frequency Energy (RFE): Electrostatic potential of molecules in motion. The EMulate platform uses ulRFE of the low and ultra-low wavelength ranges (less than 22 kHz) of the spectrum to emit signals that emulate phenotypic changes produced by proven drugs. 

 

EMulate has developed the technology to measure and record the electromagnetic emission of molecules that are suspended in a liquid solvent, such as water. This proprietary RFE-based platform can emulate the therapeutic effect of drugs. EMulate’s technology is broadly divided into two sectors: 1) signal acquisition and 2) signal delivery. The Molecular Interrogation and Data Systems (MIDS; see Diagram of MIDS) is a shielded environment that blocks the external electromagnetic (EM) spectrum from 0 kHz (DC) to 300 MHz wavelengths, reducing the external environmental electromagnetic power by -80 to -120 dB (frequency dependent power reduction). Molecular signals are obtained from solvated molecules using a direct-current Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID), originally developed by the U.S. military, coupled to a second derivative gradiometer operating in this highly shielded electromagnetic environment. The SQUID technology measures the electrostatic potential of solvated molecules and is applicable to most non-covalent proven drugs, including e.g. siRNA molecules, to downregulate target proteins, and endogenous chemicals, such as hormones. The signals are recorded, analyzed, and digitized for testing in pre-clinical studies. Transduction of precise ulRFE profiles into biological systems have been shown to produce precise biological responses. Thus, transduction of these signals, when emitted via our proprietary controller and head coil system, is hypothesized to interact with charges on proteins and induce selective electron movement and charge transfer, or charge redistribution in a defined bioactive target, resulting in altered cell dynamics that produce relevant phenotypic changes and therapeutic effects.

 

The recording process is as follows:

 

  MIDS (acquisition system) “super-cooled” to 3’ Kelvin with liquid helium
  Sample molecule of interest solvated in solution
  Multiple “dilutions” measured during recording session as a time domain series
  “signals” with most digital activity identified
  Top 2-5 signals identified and converted as a waveform audio file format (WAV)
  Those signals move into pre-clinical studies

 

 

Diagram of MIDS

 

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Concept to the Clinic

 

The process from signal molecule identification to validated pre-clinical safety and efficacy readout (using contract research organizations for testing) takes six to twelve months and costs $250,000 to $500,000.

 

Disruptive Platform Technology

 

Our disruptive platform technology captures the electromagnetic capability of molecules to affect biological systems as illustrated below.

 

 

 

The highlights of our disruptive platform technology include the following:

 

  Versatility: WAV file “magnetic fields” emulate effects of proven commercial targets and of novel MOAs
  Precision: EMulate device and Hapbee transmitted WAV files produce RFE fields, which emulate effects of drug therapy
  Safety: Our product is a non-ionizing, non-thermal, non-invasive, non-sterile device, presenting no significant adverse effects in clinical trials to date by virtue of its form factor. No significant adverse events and no product-related adverse events have been identified in thousands of human subjects (in clinical trials and recreational uses) over millions of hours of exposure

 

Products

 

EMulate Therapeutics Medical Device

 

The EMulate Therapeutics ulRFE® therapeutic system is a non-invasive therapeutic medical device. It is the first of many product expressions of the company’s underlying ulRFE platform technology. There is no work required to complete the device, which has been used in GBM clinical trials since 2018 and in and DMG compassionate use studies since 2018. Showing promise in pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, the EMulate Therapeutics therapeutic system has potential treatment applications in a wide range of diseases, including cancer, acute and chronic (inflammatory) pain, CNS and mental health conditions, among others. EMulate may modify the configuration of the antenna portion of its therapeutic medical device for treatment application at the part of the body at which the indication (cancer, pain) mainly presents, but no changes will be necessary to parts of the device associated with the transmission of ulRFE to the antenna portion.

 

The EMulate therapeutic medical device is already being evaluated for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumors and diffuse midline glioma (DMG)/diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) brain tumors in human clinical trials.

 

The EMulate therapeutic medical device is ready for pivotal trial for DMG and GBM. In addition, we are preparing for human clinical trials in acute and chronic pain and multiple mental health indications. Evaluation of our medical device in treating other serious disease indications are planned to follow.

 

Validated data from pre-clinical animal models and first in human exposures support a safety profile and potential efficacy in the following:

 

  Over 20 potential solid tumor indications treated with taxane signals and with signals targeting I/O and EGFR protein targets (demonstrated), such indications including brain cancer(s), melanoma, sarcomas, mast cell tumors, and others,
  mental health indications, emulating the effects of psychedelic drugs in potential PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other treatments, and
  acute and chronic pain indications, emulating the effects of fentanyl, opioids, CBD, NSAID’s, and other drugs.

 

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EMulate’s products for pain management will target the treatment of “pain pathways” broadly categorized in the industry as follows: acute, chronic, neuropathic, inflammatory and visceral. These five broad categories can overlap with one another, as part of a disease or injury progression.

 

Traditional pain management focuses on the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that target the COX1/2 enzymes to regulate prostaglandin production for inflammatory pain (late acute and chronic).

 

Cannabidiol (CBD) and its derivatives work across a broad range of pain sensation as modulators of pain. In specific cases, CBD has shown excellent efficacy as an anti-nausea medication. Although nausea is not strictly a pain indication, nausea is adjacent and correlated to pain. CBD has been shown to modulate pain sensation across all five pain categories.

 

Visceral pain is mostly associated with post-surgical, renal, cardiac, bone breaks/injuries, hepatic and bowel injuries or diseases, that are due to different etiologies. Opioids are frontline pain control medications, usually coupled with NSAIDs, to reduce or modulate severe pain.

 

Neuropathic pain is associated with nerve injury, stemming from diabetes, nerve crush/pinch and neurodegenerative conditions. Neuropathic pain is a chronic condition that produces variable intensities of pain.

 

EMulate’s therapeutic device’s safety and effectiveness tests have been performed on animal models and have demonstrated that the technology can emulate the effects of the conventional drug treatments for each of the pain pathways described above. Subject to receiving requisite regulatory approvals, we intend to use the specific ulRFE signals produced by our device to treat patients suffering from these pain conditions.

 

Hapbee Consumer Use Products

 

Hapbee developed a new form factor utilizing Bluetooth low energy (BLE) to connect to your phone and our proprietary ulRFE technology to deliver both individual signals and signal blends. Signals and blends are derived from compounds that help with sleep, focus, and other wellness sensations. This product can be worn on either the consumer’s head, around the neck or placed under the consumer’s pillow for sleep. It costs $399 per unit and a recurring subscription cost of $19 per month for all-access membership. Hapbee’s mattress topper and face mask products are in beta testing and targeted to launch in late 2022.

 

Hapbee Wearable Wellness Product

 

A working prototype of the Hapbee Wearable Wellness Product was completed in September 2019.

 

The Hapbee Wearable Wellness Product weighs 4.5 ounces and comes with a micro USB-C charging and holding cradle that allows the headband to stand upright as it charges. It is designed to have eight hours of battery life for each charge. The lightweight and low-profile design of the Hapbee Wearable Wellness Product allows users to wear the product comfortably on their heads, over the brim of a hat, or discreetly around their collars under their shirts.

 

The Hapbee Wearable Wellness Product allows wearers to choose how they feel by producing a variety of sensations by “playing” signals emitting precise electromagnetic fields. The sensations fall under several broad categories such as: Happy, Alert, Relax, Calm, Sleepy, and Focus. The product connects to and is controlled by the customizable Hapbee App that is available for both iOS and Android compatible smartphones.

 

All of the Hapbee’s signals have been tested and confirmed to fall below the applicable International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection’s safe exposure guidelines for low-frequency magnetic fields.

 

Bennett M. (Mike) Butters is a co-founder of EMulate and is the principal inventor of its technology. Mr. Butters performed the measurement of the magnetic field of the Hapbee Wearable Wellness Products.

 

Unique features of the Hapbee Wearable Wellness Product include:

 

Ergonomic design. The design of the Hapbee Wearable Wellness Product allows users to wear the product comfortably on their heads, over the brim of a brim of a hat, or discretely around their necks, on or under clothing.
Low wavelength. The Hapbee Wearable Wellness Product emits a very low energy frequency of less than 22 kHz. The product produces approximately 40mG of magnetic field strength at peak, about half the amount of the average toaster and much less than a vacuum cleaner. By comparison, all humans continually experience 500mG from the magnetic field of the earth itself.
Non-invasive - no substance ingestion. The Hapbee Wearable Wellness Product can produce dozens of different sensations by “playing” precise ulRFE electromagnetic signals, without ingesting any substances. The product is non-ionizing, non-thermal, and non-invasive. Users return to baseline after an average of 15 to 30 minutes after turning off each signal.
Easily controllable. Users can easily control signal strength and variation through the Hapbee App by turning the signals on and off, which allows individual wearers to tailor their experiences to their desires at the touch of a button. The logo light can also be switched off for movie theaters or nighttime use. A cellular phone can detect the Hapbee Wearable Wellness Product up to 30 feet, and it will continue to function for 30 minutes if users accidentally lose connection temporarily.

 

 

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Hapbee App

 

The Hapbee App currently has over 2051 unique builds and updates and has been launched commercially.

 

The signals themselves, which are played on the Hapbee Wearable Wellness Products, are security protected using encryption standards such as AES 128-bit song encryption keys, 128-bit device communication encryption keys and 2048 key length using RSA and ECDSA encryption providers on Hapbee’s server resources. Signals, which are sometimes metaphorically referred to as “songs” because of the large volume of electromagnetic data points of molecules recorded when ulRFE signals are created and because they are transmitted from a WAV file as is often used for digital music recordings, are transferred from EMulate via Secure HTTPS to our secure server hosted by Microsoft Azure to distribute to users via the Hapbee App and transferred to each product using a secure device key determined by the manufacturer (over the Bluetooth LE frequency).

 

Hapbee has also developed a protective song encryption tool for enhanced software security. Hapbee will be able to encrypt songs using the specifications of our product, and there is no reliance on a third-party vendor to create updates, nor are there security violations inside the encryption tool that would compromise the product. The utility for song encryption uses Microsoft.NET Framework and Windows Desktop Platform to ensure the highest security. Subscriber data, which includes basic contact information, is encrypted and saved on Hapbee’s secure server.

 

In addition to platform security protection though encryption protocols, which protect the loading and playing of the signals through the Hapbee App onto the Hapbee Wearable Wellness Products, the product is also sealed through sonic welding, and if broken open or tampered with, the product and embedded signals are rendered useless.

 

The Hapbee App will allow Hapbee to collect trends on user habits including time of day plays, duration, and other demographics. The Hapbee App will also give Hapbee the opportunity to cobrand and release new signals with other companies for products such as VR, float pod, pillow and mattress companies.

 

The Hapbee App stores all available predictable electromagnetic signals on a “playlist” that can be accessed via a monthly subscription which is priced according to the features included. Currently, signals can be added, updated and removed on the fly, and the app can specify suggested play time on a per signal basis. The Hapbee App launched with six signals that fall in the broad categories: Happy, Alert, Calm, Relax, Sleepy, Focus, and two more signal categories have since been added. As of October 26, 2020, there were seven signals available related to performance, sleep, and memory function, for use single form or in combination blends available on the Hapbee App Hapbee is evaluating additional signals to potentially license from EMulate.

 

Hapbee’s Revenue Potential for EMulate

 

Hapbee has two primary sources of revenue: sale of Hapbee Wearable Wellness Products and subscriptions to use all of the signals in the Hapbee App. Hapbee sells its Hapbee Wearable Wellness Products both on its website and through third party resellers. The price on the website is $399.

 

Each customer gets a free trial period in the Hapbee App for unlimited use of certain signals, and then they pay a $19/month subscription fee for unlimited use of all signals. If customers do not wish to continue paying for the monthly membership, they are still allowed to use one signal a month unlimited, and the monthly free signal will rotate. Hapbee currently has 277 subscribers.

 

On October 26, 2020, April 21, 2021 and July 29, 2021, we entered into four Exclusive License Agreements, as amended (the “Exclusive License Agreements”) with Hapbee to grant Hapbee certain exclusive, royalty-bearing rights and licenses to develop, use, import, and commercialize products using patents, know-how, and other intellectual property relating to our proprietary ulRFE technology (the “Authorized Products”). The Authorized Products are for recreational and/or non-medical use in humans. We also granted Hapbee a non-exclusive, royalty-free license under EMulate’s Trademarks related to the Authorized Products, including ulRFE®.

 

Under the Exclusive License Agreements, Hapbee granted us a royalty-free, fully-paid, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses, to and under all Hapbee’s know-how, all patents that claim inventions that relate to the Authorized Products, and Hapbee’s interests in the patents claiming inventions discovered, conceived or reduced to practice jointly by or on behalf Hapbee, on the one hand, and by or on behalf of EMulate, on the other hand (“Joint Inventions”), and know-how included in Joint Inventions.

 

Pursuant to the Exclusive License Agreements, Hapbee is solely responsible for commercializing the Authorized Products and should use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve the first commercial sale within six months after the effective date of the Exclusive License Agreements, and such six-month period may be extended by written consent.

 

In consideration for the licenses and rights granted to Hapbee, Hapbee agreed to pay us, within 10 days following the effective date of each Exclusive License Agreements, a payment in the amount of $10,000.

 

In further consideration for the licenses and rights granted to Hapbee, Hapbee agreed to pay us, on a calendar quarter basis, royalties on the quarterly net income from sales, lease, or rental of the Authorized Products worldwide multiplied by the percentage royalty rate equal to 20%, and use of Authorized Products worldwide multiplied by the percentage royalty rate equal to 20%; provided, that the percentage royalty rate on the first $10 million of net income form use of Authorized Products will be equal to 25%.

 

The terms of the Exclusive License Agreements are 20 years from the effective date of each Exclusive License Agreement. The Exclusive License Agreements may be terminated by mutual written agreements or material breach.

 

Pre-clinical Data

 

Targeting Immuno-oncology targets (CTLA-4 and PD-1) Proof of Concept studies conducted at the University of California at San Diego from December 2013 to May 2014 looked at the effects of tumor growth on a GBM model in mice (U-87 MG), and at targeting tumor growth via the downregulating of the CTLA-4 and PD1 (A2 signal, right graph) immune checkpoint inhibitor genes using the recordings of siRNA targeting the murine versions of the human genes played sequentially while exposing mice to the A2 magnetic field against a murine GL261 tumor cell line. Tumor growth in both models was reduced to a statistically significant degree when compared to the control mice (exposed to a white noise signal). The immuno-oncology proof of concept study synopses are as follows:

 

  Immune Checkpoint Modulators: FDA-approved inhibitors that target cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) or programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1)
  Signal Design: White noise was generated electronically and captured as a signal; mouse CTLA-4 and PD-1 siRNA in solution were recorded; the two signals were concatenated (i.e. – one signal was played directly after the other signal and looped) and thus signal inhibitors for CTLA4 and PD-1 were alternated throughout the treatment period
  Study Design: Immune-competent C57BL/6 were injected in the flank with the GL261 mouse glioma; treatment was initiated after tumor randomization based on tumor size; mouse cages were exposed to the signal treatment for approximately 24 hours per day, apart from brief time needed for tumor measurement and husbandry

 

 

Targeting EGFR

 

In-Vitro Results (Swedish Neuroscience Institute)

 

The specificity of the biologic activity produced by ulRFE was demonstrated in experiments conducted by independent labs (Charles Cobbs, Swedish Neuroscience Institute; J Neurooncol (2017) 133:257–264, DOI 10.1007/s11060-017-2440-x) targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor EGFR on glioblastoma cell line U-87 MG. A recording of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting human EGFR was tested in vitro at 48 and 72 hours. EGFR inhibition by specific ulRFE reduced the level of EGFR protein by 27% and 73%, respectively. These data indicate that certain ulRFE can inhibit gene expression at the transcriptional and protein levels, similar to what is observed with physical small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibition. Specific EGFR knockdown effect was detected in U-87 MG cells treated with ulRFE using an 80 gene PCR-based array.

 

In-Vivo Results (University of California at San Francisco)

 

The results demonstrated that the technology is flexible enough to record very different molecules to target specific pathways and the data is in preparation for publication. As a result, median survival was increased in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) RFE group, and histology showed significant reduction in EGFR expression.

 

 

 

Small inhibitor RNA (siRNA) ulRFE directed against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in a xenograft model of a human glioblastoma cell line (U-87 MG).

 

A study by the laboratory of Dr. Todd Mockler at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center using ulRFE derived from siRNA against MAA7 (tryptophan synthase beta) showed a decrease in mRNA levels for MAA7 in, clearly demonstrating an effect in MAA7, as well as in the genes regulated by MAA7 expression (a gene ontology expression map). In cells exposed to the ulRFE, an increase in cell growth was observed as compared to no ulRFE.

 

GBM – Human Clinical Trials

 

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The table below shows historical data based on FDA meta-analysis and current Optune labeling.

 

 

The following table shows the EMulate therapeutic device’s clinical effect in recurrent GBM.

 

 

 

GBM clinical trials were conducted, without any participation by or advice from us, at the trial sites by the investigators identified below. Our NAT-101 GBM trial, first and second cohorts, enrolled the first patient on February 11, 2015, and completed the last patient visit on January 31, 2018. Patients were eligible to participate in the study if they had a histologically-confirmed diagnosis of GBM, had prior radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy, had progressive disease with at least one measurable lesion on MRI or CT, were at least 18 years of age, had a KPS score ≥ 60, had adequate organ and marrow function, and provided signed, informed consent. Patients with recurrent GBM were treated with Voyager as monotherapy or in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy or immunotherapy at the Investigator’s discretion.  Treatment with the investigational device was administered continuously (i.e., 24/7) until unequivocal disease progression, occurrence of a device-related clinically significant adverse event, unacceptable adverse reactions, or withdrawal of informed consent.  At the discretion of the Investigator, patients could remain on treatment post-progression, and to date, in most cases patients experiencing progression have remained on treatment. Patient visits occurred at least every 8 weeks during the first 6 months and every 4 months thereafter.  Routine hematology and chemistry assessments, physical exam (including vital signs and neurological exam), and MRI were performed at baseline and at each visit.  Seventy-five patients were enrolled and treated in the study.  Safety was assessed by incidence of adverse events associated with the therapeutic device, as well as trends in clinical laboratory parameters, vital signs, and physical exams.  Patients were followed until death. There were no clinically significant changes on physical exams (including changes in vital signs and neurological exams) or in laboratory findings, and no device-related serious adverse events were reported.  Clinical utility was assessed via standard calculation of overall survival and progression-free survival.  The data suggest a clinically meaningful benefit in overall survival and progression-free survival as compared to historical control data.

 

Trial Site   Investigator   Serious Adverse Events Observed
Austin, TX   Brian D. Vaillant, MD   None
Seattle, WA   Charles Cobb, MD   None
Lake Success, NY   Paul Duic, MD   None
Encinitas, CA   Edward McClay, MD   None
Santa Monica, CA   Garni Barkhoudarian, MD   None
Birmingham, AL   L. Burt Nabors, MD   None
Boca Raton, FL   Sajeel Chowdhary, MD   None
Seattle, WA   John Paul Flores, MD   None
Overland Park, KS   Michael Salacz, MD   None
Austin, TX   Ekokobe Fonkem, DO   None
Fairfield, CT   Nicholas Blondin, MD   None
Tucson, AZ   Michael Badruddoja, MD   None

  

The clinical trial results indicated that

 

  Overall Survival in patients with recurrent GBM was improved by approximately 3 months (40%) in patients treated with EMulate’s therapeutic device (sometimes called “Voyager”) combined with Best Supportive Care (BSC), which consists of appropriate palliative care without any other anticancer therapies. The results are “clinically meaningful” (as agreed upon to date by the FDA) as compared with historical performance of commonly used pharmaceutical treatments (Active Tx)
   

In addition, patients with recurrent GBM using EMulate’s therapeutic device without other treatment (monotherapy) survived 7 months (median), which is consistent for patients using Active Tx (e.g., chemotherapy), but with many fewer side effects attributable to the treatment product.

This is the first potential improvement in recurrent GBM survival in decades.

  Inactive Tx: historical clinical trials determined no efficacy; Active Tx: historical clinical trials demonstrated efficacy
  Studies designed to observe at least a 25% response rate (suggests active therapy) in patients with 1st or 2nd recurrence

 

Mental Health

 

Pre-clinical, observational tests also indicate a potential for use of ulRFE® in a therapeutic setting. The results in human observation tests are as follows:

 

  Volunteers, including clinical experts in mental health, assessed the effects of multiple EMulate ulRFE signals
  Effects could be felt within 10 to 15 minutes of exposure to the signal
  Effects were reported to be potentially clinically useful in a subset of signals

 

Our next steps will be to design clinical trials to be initiated in 2022 and multiple sites have been identified for phase 1 to 2 in the CNS space.

 

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Pain Management

 

Pre-clinical data confirm activity in validated pain management models. ANS Biotech, a pre-clinical CRO known for its expertise in validated pain animal models, conducted an independent study using ten validated animal pain models to assess the effects of eight different EMulate ulRFE signals in comparison to known “gold standard” pain drugs. ANS’s final report provides detailed data on all animal data in pain study completed June 2021 that shows the following:

 

  Fentanyl ulRFE signal showed pain reduction greater than the reference pain drug in two different animal models, one inflammatory and one neuropathic, and noticeable activity in a third
  CBD ulRFE signal showed pain reduction greater than the reference pain drug in neuropathic pain model and noticeable activity in two other animal models
  Four other ulRFE signals showed activity and two ulRFE signals had effects no greater than untreated mice.

 

The internal reference drugs are morphine, (-) U-50/488H, duloxetine and indomethacin. All three drugs are internal reference drugs against which the relative effect of new therapies are measured.

 

 

The above-mentioned study results were further confirmed by ANS’ assays as indicated in the chart below (N=10 rats per exposure group). In the assays, five different pain models: Carrageenan: Inflammatory pain model, Oxaliplatin: Neuropathic pain model, TNBS: Visceral pain model, Acetic acid: Acute pain model, and Bennett paw pressure: Surgical pain model were assessed, three of which were significant. Six ulRFE signals were tested in the assays, including fentanyl, hydromorphone, CBD, dexamethasone, indomethacin and naproxen. All assays were assessed with N=10 per signal group, which means technicians were blinded to the type of signal used, error bars are standard error of the mean (S.E.M.) and were powered for statistical analysis.

 

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The following human feasibility data further support the effectiveness of EMulate’s pain relief technology.

 

  Six volunteers with chronic pain were treated with an EMulate pain relief signal of CBD and filled out case report forms (CRF), two with knee pain, three with back pain, and one with abdominal pain.
  All experienced pain relief (with coil placed on head or at pain site) with 71% to 100% reduction in pain score. Pain relief was experienced within 11 to 33 minutes. Pain relief lasted 30 minutes to two days after discontinuing device use.

 

EMulate is currently working with key opinion leaders to design clinical trials, selecting indications and endpoints.

 

Companion Animals – Oncology

 

ulRFE has been tested in over 300 dogs (pets) with naturally occurring malignancies by Dr. Greg Ogilvie (Angel Care Cancer Center, southern California; data on file). Interim review of the first 200 pets observed partial responses and complete responses in over 20 different solid, non-brain tumor types. No clinically important or significant toxicities (Grade 3 or 4) were observed.

 

 

Canine open label trial results for using our ulRFE® on companion animals’ oncology are as follows:

 

  Over 300 pets treated with naturally occurring malignancies
  PRs or CRs observed in pets with over 20 different solid tumor types
  Response seen as early as 14 days – monotherapy
  No clinically important or significant toxicities (Grade 3 or 4) were observed

 

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Bio-Agriculture

 

Experiments in the agricultural/botanical sector were done in collaboration with the Donald Danforth Plant Sciences Center, assessing the gene-regulating ability of a plant growth hormone (agrin), the effects of a recorded signal of agrin and the outcomes of a siRNA against a highly conserved chlorophyl gene. A gene ontology screen, comparing physically treated plant and untreated plant to ulRFE-treated plants, demonstrated that the overlap in gene expression and gene suppression reached a statistically significant level (P < 0.0001) in overlap for both the agrin signal and the siRNA signal directed against a chlorophyl plant gene (data on file).

 

Wellness Wearables

 

Initial rodent studies conducted at Crown Bio, an independent contract research organization (CRO) for Hapbee, demonstrated behavioral changes in mice that were exposed to oscillating magnetic fields derived from chemistries intended to either stimulate or suppress moods and sensations (e.g., caffeine, nicotine, melatonin, CBD, THC and alcohol). Under controlled and blinded conditions, independent evaluators noted the mice reacting to the specific ulRFE in a manner consistent with reactions expected from using the compound from which the ulRFE was derived (Figure 4).

 

 

These ulRFE signals are now part of the Hapbee catalog of products that are in the non- medical, commercial market space (Hapbee.com), which launched its first product to customers in late 2020.

 

Marketing

 

The Company’s platform technology provides us with multiple marketing opportunities. We can ascertain the market-readiness of any particular molecular signal within six to twelve months following molecule identification, all at a relatively low cost. These advantages make a technology licensing model possible for us and attractive to prospective licensees. The licensee is able to receive an early readout of a drug-candidate’s effectiveness by using the signal of the drug, produced by our medical device, in pre-clinical models. Moreover, the licensee can use a drug signal to determine at the pre-clinical stage whether additional investment in pre-clinical and clinical trials is warranted.

 

Under this model, EMulate would develop a molecular signal, often at the request of a drug company, evaluate the signal preliminarily for safety and effectiveness, usually in animal models, then license the drug signal to the interested drug company. The prospective licensee would pay the Company for such evaluation, and licenses would produce revenues for EMulate in the form of up-front fees, milestone fees, and continuing royalties. Before a drug signal licensee will be able to commercialize a treatment using the ulRFE derived from the specified drug, the licensee will need to have the EMulate ulRFE® therapeutic system delivering the specified drug signal evaluated by the FDA, at the licensee’s expense but with our assistance (paid for by the licensee), probably as a Class III medical device requiring approval of a PMA. The amount of fees and royalties we receive from any prospective licensee will depend in part on how far along in the FDA evaluation process the specified drug signal and delivery device are at the time of licensing: the amount of effort and money we expend in developing, testing, and advancing the regulatory process for a particular ulRFE system prior to licensing will be proportionately reflected in the amount of fees and royalties we would expect to receive from the licensee.

 

EMulate’s strategy for marketing treatments for rare indications is different. DMG/DIPG, for which we are currently seeking FDA authorization for treatment, is such a rare disease indication – about 150 to 300 new cases are diagnosed per year in the U.S. Rare disease indications are often underserved or not served at all by the medical industry because the cost for developing treatments, as compared with the revenues that could be earned from relatively few cases, is viewed as prohibitive. EMulate’s low costs to develop ulRFE signal treatments avoid such a financial result. EMulate’s business plans would include marketing ulRFE treatments for rare diseases by ourselves to doctors and patients in the United States; the relatively small sales and marketing force needed to do so makes this a viable option. Outside the United States, we would contract for the distribution of therapeutic signal products with a company or agency in the non-U.S. jurisdiction, which would be more familiar and capable of efficiently complying with local regulation. We have used this model as a basis for entering into an agreement with Sayre in India for the distribution of devices to treat GBM and DMG/DIPG.

 

Customers

 

We do not have any customers that provide 10% or more of consolidated revenues.

 

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Licensing Strategies

 

Regional Strategic Partners

 

We have third-party validation from regional strategic partners for treatment of brain cancer. Teijin Pharma, a large Japanese pharmaceutical company, has licensed from EMulate the rights to use our ulRFE technology for treating GBM patients in the territory of Japan. Sayre Therapeutics Pvt Ltd (Sayre Pharma), an Indian company, has received distribution rights from EMulate for using our ulRFE technology for treating GBM patients and DMG patients in the 29 States and Union Territories of India.

 

Vertical Market Subsidiaries

 

Our affiliates and subsidiaries, Mensana, Indolor, Cellsana and Zoesana, together with our licensee, Hapbee, provide us with investors, strategic targeted investment, and partnering opportunities.

 

Our Opportunity

 

Multiple studies in a variety of systems confirm that magnetic fields can alter biological function. Therapeutically useful devices are or have been used presently in clinical practice, both in human and veterinary medicine. Treatment for bone growth, wound healing, arthritis pain and depression are among the clinical uses. Research aims to understand better how these magnetic fields produce their effects to further enable new and exciting therapeutic options for many diseases.

 

In multiple pre-clinical animal and agriculture models and in-human clinical studies, EMulate Therapeutics has observed that specific ulRFE demonstrates a measurable, objective and specific biological change. The magnetic fields generated by the EMulate ulRFE point to the flexibility and specificity of the technology. Feasibility (phase I/II) clinical trials in GBM and a compassionate use clinical trial in DMG have produced promising safety data and preliminary and encouraging effectiveness data in overall survival. Pre-clinical in vitro assays have demonstrated the ability to selectively reduce mRNA and protein expression in cell-culture for EGFR and in immuno- oncology targets. ulRFE derived from known pain inhibiting compounds have resulted in measurable reduction in pain scales in validated and objective pain models. Encouraging pre-clinical results in mental health models suggest that specific ulRFE may be able to help treat patients suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD and other mental health conditions.

 

EMulate’s technology has a broad range of applications in multiple areas of human and animal health conditions and may offer significant benefits over current treatments for many patients.

 

Oncology Opportunity

 

We have comprehensive, integrated pre-clinical and clinical proof of concept (PoC), including the paclitaxel signal, which is active in human GBM, DMG and 20+ canine tumor types, and additional targets with published activity: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) pre-clinical; immuno-oncology (CTLA4 + PD-1 protein targets); GBM – pre-clinical and Phase I data published.

 

In addition, our strategic partners have validated the opportunity. Teijin Pharma has licensed rights to commercialize GBM in Japan and Sayre Pharma has distribution rights for GBM and DMG treatments in India.

 

Our oncology strategy includes the following:

 

  Submitting NAT-101 and NAT-109 study results for peer reviewed publication (rGBM and nGBM)
 

We plan to self-commercialize DMG therapy in North America, consistent with FDA regulation. The pivotal trial for DMG is in development, subject to receipt or confirmation of sufficient incoming capital to fund IRB approval, patient recruitment and trial commencement as coordinated with the Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium. We plan to commence patient treatment in the second half of 2022. It will take approximately six to nine months to fully enroll, and approximately 12 months to follow-up.

 

The pivotal trial in GBM will be launched in the second half of 2022 or the first half of 2023 (upon funding and/or partnering additional to funds raised in this Offering).

  Pre-clinical testing of paclitaxel and other oncology signals in multiple solid tumor models to establish PoC in selected solid tumors with quick read-out (six to nine months), with EGFR, Immuno-oncology targets (e.g., CTLA-4, PD-1, etc.)

 

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DMG Market

 

We estimate that DMG will provide an over $150 million annual revenue opportunity to us. DMG is a WHO grade IV tumor, which is usually diagnosed in patients under 18 years-old. It is an aggressive and lethal brain tumor in young children, adolescents and young adults, and has 1,821 annual incidence. Median survival in DMG cases is six to twelve months.

 

We are in discussion with Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC) to conduct a clinical trial for regulatory approval. This clinical trial will be a 30 to 40 patient trial to show at least a three-month improvement in the overall survival primary endpoint (approximately nine to twelve months follow-up on trial). We anticipate initiation of the DMG pivotal trial in the second half of 2022, with interim data expected in the second half of 2023. The trial will be single-arm and without a control group because there are no alternative treatments and median overall survival of DMG patients is poor, usually less than one year. Study results will be compared to historical survival data. No BSC is identified for DMG, though treating physicians may determine that resection or radiation is indicated for individual patients prior to treatment with our therapeutic device. The safety profile of ulRFE brain cancer signals is currently benign in both children and adults treated, approximately 150 human patients. The Company also received a strong commitment from the FDA based on multiple Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) meetings and communications.

 

Below is a summary of results in treating DMG compassionate use patients.

 

 

Early clinical responses for DMG treatment were encouraging, compared with the median survival rate of six to nine months, and no serious adverse events were reported, with only two patients reporting mild to moderate possibly device-related adverse events, one patient reporting nausea, fatigue, and excessive sleepiness and one patient reporting vomiting.

 

Mental Health Market Opportunity

 

There is a high unmet need in the current mental health market. Mental health issues are significantly on the rise with high failure rate in ADHD, anxiety, and depression drug treatments. There are too few psychiatrists/psychotherapists to handle the increased load and the suicide rate is unacceptably high. The use of psychedelics has produced better outcomes than standard of care in ADHD, anxiety, and depression; however, therapy involves the use of controlled substances, supervision by psychiatrists increases costs, lacks composition of matter intellectual property protection for ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin, and many patients are uncomfortable with psychedelics.

 

Our ulRFE® technology, on the other hand, has many benefits compared to psychedelic drugs. It has shorter duration of action than psychedelics, could be instantly “turned off” if the patient is in distress, it wears off quickly, and no controlled substances are involved. In addition, doctors can prescribe our ulRFE® technology so that psychotherapists can administer it independently without psychiatrist supervision. Strong IP protection of our ulRFE technology provides an extended window for high-margin business.

 

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Pain Management Market Opportunity

 

 

There are three different business models for pain relief:

 

  1. Direct to physicians or consumer sales, in which no FDA approval needed, such as for TENS, patches, or other general wellness products.
  2. Prior to FDA approval and consistent with FDA regulation, build more value by gathering further data supporting safety and effectiveness, and then license the technology to pharmaceutical companies or device companies or fund Indolor through institutional investors.
  3. FDA-approved products.

 

 

EMulate has initial data indicating safety and activity. We expect to generate feasibility trial data in the second half of 2022, with the strategy to license to large pharmaceutical or device companies or fund Indolor through institutional investors.

 

Animal Health Market Opportunity

 

Oncology

 

  300+ pet dogs were treated by Dr. Gregory Ogilvie at the Angel Care Cancer Center at California Veterinary Specialists in southern California
  20+ different types of solid cell cancer tumors responded to treatment with our ulRFE signal derived from paclitaxel – partial remissions or complete remissions occurred in open trial patients

 

Pain relief

 

  Proof of Concept for pain relief has been reported in pets using an opiate-derived ulRFE signal

 

Anxiety

 

  Hapbee device is being used by pet owners to help calm their pets

 

Plants and Livestock

 

  Growth hormone (GH) – proof of concept has been demonstrated in plants using a ulRFE derived from agricultural growth hormone as well as an siRNA that modulates photosynthesis
  Other areas of interest include delivery of antibiotic effects, pesticide effects and/or herbicide effects, all subject to demonstrated applicability

 

Global Health

 

 

Organizations have expressed interest in our technology for serving the needs of populations in developing countries

EMulate and its subsidiaries would move proof of concept to one or more proven business models

  Advancement of the use of EMulate’s technology can be achieved through third-party investment in one or more of EMulate’s subsidiaries. Third parties can acquire rights to use EMulate’s technology through licensing or partnering structures with EMulate’s subsidiaries or with EMulate itself

 

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Global Ag-Bio companies have expressed interest in our technology

 

  $80 billion to $100 billion global market with unmet needs in crops and livestock
  Targets include proven agents for breeding/genetics, microbials, small molecules, pesticides, fungicides, and other chemicals
  Potential investors and/or acquirers to fund vertical company and attract expertise
  Examples: improve corn yield, fungal resistance, treat mites diminishing bee populations

 

Proof of concept confirmed in plant growth hormone, photosynthesis, and weed control models

 

  Gene expression analysis of plant growth hormone and siRNA that were recorded, comparing magnetic field to source molecules yielded exceptional p-values (less than 0.1%)
  The signal of glyphosate (Roundup) produced a magnetic field that stunted the growth of sugar pea sprouts, similar effect to the Roundup chemical

 

We may consider pursuing consumer-use products at some point in the future.

 

Government/Private Grants

 

In April 2022, the Company applied to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a grant for the “Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Children with DMG/DIPG with Ultra-Low Radio Frequency Energy.” If the application is successful, NIH would make significant funds available to the Company to pursue the completion of clinical trials and commercialization of our signal product to serve the community of DMG/DIPG pediatric cancer patients for whom no approved treatment currently exists. The Company intends to make other applications to NIH and other grant sources to assist us in our development, regulatory approval and commercialization efforts.

 

COVID-19 Pandemic

 

Starting in late 2019, a novel strain of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, began to rapidly spread around the world and every state in the United States. At this time, there continues to be significant volatility and uncertainty relating to the full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and the various responses to it will impact our business, operations and financial results.

 

Most states and cities have at various times instituted quarantines, restrictions on travel, “stay at home” rules, social distancing measures and restrictions on the types of businesses that could continue to operate, as well as guidance in response to the pandemic and the need to contain it. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the operations of the FDA and other health authorities, including such authorities in Europe, which could result in delays of reviews and approvals. While there have been no specific notices of delay from federal or foreign government authorities, potential interruptions, delays, or changes to the operations of the FDA, or of any foreign authority with which we might interact, might impact the approval of any applications we plan and will need to file in the future.

 

In addition, we are dependent upon certain contract manufacturers, service providers and suppliers and their ability to reliably and efficiently fulfill our orders is critical to our business success. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and may continue to impact certain of our manufacturers, service providers and suppliers. As a result, we may face delays or difficulty sourcing certain products or services, which could negatively affect our business and financial results.

 

For a further discussion of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic” and “Risk Factors” sections.

 

Intellectual Property

 

Our intellectual property consists of patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. Our trade secrets consist of product formulas, research and development, and unpatentable know-how, all of which we seek to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements. To protect our intellectual property, we rely on a combination of laws and regulations, as well as contractual restrictions. Federal trademark law protects our registered trademarks. We also rely on the protection of laws regarding unregistered copyrights for certain content we create and trade secret laws to protect our proprietary technology. To further protect our intellectual property, we enter into confidentiality agreements with our executive officers and directors.

 

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Trademarks

 

The Company has three registered trademarks, all of which are being used in commerce:

 

  EMulate® (company name);
  Hælo® (name of pediatric cancer treatment device); and
  ulRFE® (term for RFE spectrum of our technology and the RFE spectrum in which the technology operates)

 

The company has no unregistered trademarks.

 

Patents

 

The Company has ten registered United States patents and thirty-one non-U.S. patents.

 

COUNTRY   SERIAL NO.   FILING DATE  

PATENT

NO.

  ISSUE DATE   TITLE   STATUS   ANTICIPATED EXPIRATION DATE
Australia   2003231978   March 28, 2003   2003231978   June 2, 2005   System and method for characterizing a sample by low-frequency spectra   Granted   March 28, 2023
Canada   2,473,142   March 28, 2003   2,473,142   April 26, 2011   System and method for characterizing a sample by low-frequency spectra   Granted   March 28, 2023
Canada   2,684,009   March 28, 2003   2,684,009   February 15, 2011   System and method for characterizing a sample by low-frequency spectra   Granted   March 28, 2023
China   03803793.9   March 28, 2003   ZL03803793.9   July 4, 2012   System and method for characterizing a sample by low-frequency spectra   Granted   March 28, 2023
India   1821/CHENP/2004   March 28, 2003   229893   February 24, 2009   System and method for characterizing a sample by low-frequency spectra   Granted   March 28, 2023
Japan   2003-580829   March 28, 2003   4425639   December 18, 2009   System and method for characterizing a sample by low-frequency spectra   Granted   March 28, 2023
US   10/923,545   August 20, 2004   7,081,747   July 25, 2006   System and method for characterizing a sample by low-frequency spectra   Granted   August 21, 2023
Australia   2003230950   April 18, 2003   2003230950   February 22, 2007   System and method for sample detection based on low-frequency spectral components   Granted   April 18, 2023
Canada   2,460,794   April 18, 2003   2,460,794   February 8, 2005   System and method for sample detection based on low-frequency spectral components   Granted   April 18, 2023
US   10/805,066   March 19, 2004   6,952,652   October 4, 2005   System and method for sample detection based on low-frequency spectral components   Granted   June 9, 2023
US   11/097,632   April 1, 2005   7,412,340   August 12, 2008   System and method for sample detection based on low-frequency spectral components   Granted   June 9, 2023
Australia   2004280998   October 8, 2004   2004280998   July 24, 2008   System and method for characterizing a sample by low-frequency spectra   Granted   October 8, 2024
Canada   2,538,988   October 8, 2004   2,538,988   February 15, 2011   System and method for characterizing a sample by low-frequency spectra   Granted   October 8, 2024
China   200480029490.2   October 8, 2004   ZL200480029490.2   May 5, 2010   System and method for characterizing a sample by low-frequency spectra   Granted   October 7, 2024
India   1592/CHENP/2006   October 8, 2004   237823   January 8, 2010   System and method for characterizing a sample by low-frequency spectra   Granted   May 9. 2026
Japan   2006-534425   October 8, 2004   4425922   December 18, 2009   System and method for characterizing a sample by low-frequency spectra   Granted   October 8, 2024
US   10/683,875   October 9, 2003   6,995,558   February 7, 2006   System and method for characterizing a sample by low-frequency spectra   Granted   June 29, 2022
Australia   2011201847   July 27, 2005   2011201847   January 9, 2014   System and method for producing chemical or biochemical signals   Granted   July 27, 2025
Canada   2,574,616   July 27, 2005   2,574,616   April 30, 2019   System and method for producing chemical or biochemical signals   Granted   July 27, 2025
China   200580025199.2   July 27, 2005   ZL200580025199.2   May 16, 2012   System and method for producing chemical or biochemical signals   Granted   July 26, 2025

 

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COUNTRY   SERIAL NO.   FILING DATE  

PATENT

NO.

  ISSUE DATE   TITLE   STATUS   ANTICIPATED EXPIRATION DATE
Japan   2007523775   July 27, 2005   5624708   Oct. 3, 2014   System and method for producing chemical or biochemical signals   Granted   July 27, 2025
Australia   2005269345   July 27, 2005   2005269345   December 9, 2010   System and method for collecting, storing, processing, transmitting and presenting very low amplitude signals   Granted   July 27, 2025
Brazil   PI0512678-9   July 27, 2005   1943   April 1, 2008   System and method for collecting, storing, processing, transmitting and presenting very low amplitude signals   Granted   February 14, 2028
Canada   2,573,350   July 27, 2005   2,573,350   May 13, 2014   System and method for collecting, storing, processing, transmitting and presenting very low amplitude signals   Granted   July 27, 2025
India   808/CHENP/2007   July 27, 2005   252124   April 27, 2012   System and method for collecting, storing, processing, transmitting and presenting very low amplitude signals   Granted   February 26, 2027
Japan   2007-523767   July 27, 2005   4726900   April 22, 2011   System and method for collecting, storing, processing, transmitting and presenting very low amplitude signals   Granted   July 27, 2025
US   13/555,025   July 20, 2012   9,417,257   Aug. 16. 2016   System and method for collecting, storing, processing, transmitting and presenting very low amplitude signals   Granted   September 14, 2027
US   11/825,249   July 3, 2007   7,575,934   August 18, 2009   Oriented magnetic particle-fluorescence detectable moiety compositions and methods of making and using the same   Granted   April 2, 2028
Australia   2013290020   July 11, 2013   2013290020   August 3, 2017   Miniaturized molecular interrogation and data system   Granted   July 11, 2033
China   201380047342.2   March 11, 2015   ZL201380047342.2   March 23, 2018   Miniaturized molecular interrogation and data system   Granted   July 10, 2033
Australia   2014233227   March 15, 2014   2014233227   May 16, 2019   Controller and flexible coils for administering therapy, such as for cancer therapy   Granted   March 15, 2034
Australia   2019203023   March 15, 2014   2019203023   March 4, 2021   Controller and flexible coils for administering therapy, such as for cancer therapy   Granted   March 15, 2034
Canada   2,905,150   March 15, 2014   2,905,150   December 17, 2019   Controller and flexible coils for administering therapy, such as for cancer therapy   Granted   March 15, 2034
China   201480015755.7   March 15, 2014   ZL201480015755.7   March 30, 2018   Controller and flexible coils for administering therapy, such as for cancer therapy   Granted   March 14, 2034
China   201810153289.9   March 15, 2014   ZL201810153289.9   November 26, 2021   Controller and flexible coils for administering therapy, such as for cancer therapy   Granted   March 14, 2034
HK   16102741.0   March 9, 2016   HK1214786   July 12, 2019   Controller and flexible coils for administering therapy, such as for cancer therapy   Granted   March 15, 2034
HK   19101233.4   March 15, 2014           Controller and flexible coils for administering therapy, such as for cancer therapy   Pending    
India   9289/DELNP/2015   March 15, 2014           Controller and flexible coils for administering therapy, such as for cancer therapy   Pending    

 

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COUNTRY   SERIAL NO.   FILING DATE  

PATENT

NO.

  ISSUE DATE   TITLE   STATUS   ANTICIPATED EXPIRATION DATE
Japan   2016-503310   September 14, 2015   JP6654132   February 26, 2020   Controller and flexible coils for administering therapy, such as for cancer therapy   Granted   March 15, 2034
US   14/774,688   September 10, 2015   10,046,172   August 14, 2018   Controller and flexible coils for administering therapy, such as for cancer therapy   Granted   September 22, 2034
US   16/032,024   July 10, 2018   11,103,721   August 31, 2021   Controller and flexible coils for administering therapy, such as for cancer therapy   Granted   March 15, 2034
US   17/459,563   August 27, 2021           Controller and flexible coils for inducing an effect of a chemical or biochemical agent to a mammalian subject   Pending    
AU   2018346161   October 3, 2018           Methods for treating glioblastoma or recurrent glioblastoma utilizing a wireless signal alone or in combination with one or more cancer drugs, and associated systems, apparatuses, and devices   Pending    
CA   3,078,503   October 3, 2018           Methods for treating glioblastoma or recurrent glioblastoma utilizing a wireless signal alone or in combination with one or more cancer drugs, and associated systems, apparatuses, and devices   Pending    
CN   201880078693.2   October 3, 2018           Methods for treating glioblastoma or recurrent glioblastoma utilizing a wireless signal alone or in combination with one or more cancer drugs, and associated systems, apparatuses, and devices   Pending    
EP   18934524.2   October 3, 2018           Methods for treating glioblastoma or recurrent glioblastoma utilizing a wireless signal alone or in combination with one or more cancer drugs, and associated systems, apparatuses, and devices   Pending    
JP   2020-540684   October 3, 2018           Methods for treating glioblastoma or recurrent glioblastoma utilizing a wireless signal alone or in combination with one or more cancer drugs, and associated systems, apparatuses, and devices   Pending    
US   29/740,047   June 30, 2020   D944,999 S   March 1, 2022   Therapeutic energy emission headband design   Granted   June 30, 2035
US   62/294,054   December 27, 2021           Non-intrusive delivery mechanism for producing physiological effects in living organisms   Pending    

 

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Trade Secrets

 

There are company trade secrets in connection with the method in which molecular signals are measured, recorded and optimized.

 

Licensing Agreements

  

See “Business - Hapbee’s Revenue Potential for EMulate.”

 

Sayre Distribution Agreement

 

On October 10, 2019, we entered into a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) with Sayre for Sayre to act as exclusive licensee for our Company and supply our systems for treating adult and pediatric brain cancers (collectively, “EMulate’s Products”) in the treatment fields diffuse midline glioma including DIPG in patients less than 22 years of age and GBM in adults (collectively, the “Field”) in India. Sayre will be responsible for permits and ancillary approvals required for Sayre to import, resell and distribute EMulate’s Products and for obtaining and maintaining regulatory approval of EMulate’s Products at its own expense, including any government fees and approvals of labelling and packaging of EMulate’s Products.

 

Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, Sayre agreed to pay us an upfront payment in the amount of $50,000 upon signing the definitive agreement, in addition to the initial transfer price of EMulate’s Products of $5,000 per treatment (non-investigational) unit for the first 10 twelve-month-treatment units, and milestone payments as follows: (i) payment on CE Mark approval of the device for GBM, in the amount of $50,000, (ii) payment on US FDA approval of the device for GBM, in the amount of $25,000.

 

The term of the Distribution Agreement is 6 years from the date of receipt of fulfilment of Sayre’s first order under the named patient program (supply of medical device that is not the subject of marketing authorization issued by the relevant regulatory authority in the individual country where a bona fide unsolicited order for use of medical device has originated from a healthcare professional or from another individual as permitted by the regulatory authority in the country where the medical device is intended to be used). The Distribution Agreement could be renewed upon mutual consent of the parties. Neither party may terminate the Distribution Agreement without assigning any cause and the Distribution Agreement may be terminated for an uncured material breach or in the event Sayre fails to diligently pursue and accomplish the importation, sale, distribution and supply of EMulate’s Products.

 

Teijin License Agreement

 

On April 1, 2017, we entered into an agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Teijin granting Teijin an exclusive, royalty-bearing license under the Company’s patents and know-how to develop, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rent, import, and otherwise commercialize the Company’s ulRFE system for treating GBM in the territory of Japan.

 

Pursuant to the License Agreement, the Company received an up-front payment of $3 million and will be paid additional amounts upon the achievement of certain milestones including reimbursement fee determination, receipt of U.S. regulatory approval to commercialize, achievement of certain product sales milestones. In addition, following reimbursement approval the Company will receive royalties based on gross sales receipts.

 

Milestone amounts payable to the Company under the License Agreement are determined as follows:

 

1.Assuming the receipt within the license term of regulatory approval for the commercialization of licensed products, we will receive a $1,000,000 royalty payment.
2.Assuming that within the license term the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has approved a reimbursement of more than $13,500 for each licensed product, then when calendar year gross sales first exceed $15,000,000, the Company would receive a milestone payment equal to the product of $5,000,000 multiplied by the quotient of the approved reimbursement amount divided by $57,500.
3.Assuming that within the license term the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has approved a reimbursement of more than $13,500 for each licensed product, then when calendar year gross sales first exceed $30,000,000, the Company would receive an additional milestone payment equal to the product of $5,000,000 multiplied by the quotient of the approved reimbursement amount divided by $57,500.

 

Under the License Agreement, royalty payments are calculated at a percentage rate of ten percent (10%) on the gross sale amount for any licensed product for which the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has approved a reimbursement of more than $13,500.

 

The term of the License Agreement will expire ten years after receipt of reimbursement approval, though it is expressly intended that the parties will commence negotiations on the ninth anniversary of receipt of reimbursement approval to extend the term so the license. Each party has the right to terminate the License Agreement for an uncured material breach.

 

Other Intellectual Property

 

The company has made no invention disclosures or prepared unfiled patent applications.

 

Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting Company

 

We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $250 million as of the prior June 30th, or (2) our annual revenues equaled or exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th. Such reduced disclosure and corporate governance obligations may make it more challenging for investors to analyze our results of operations and financial prospects.

 

For additional information, see “Risk Factors- We are a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to smaller reporting companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies” and “As a “smaller reporting company,” we may choose to exempt our company from certain corporate governance requirements that could have an adverse effect on our public shareholders.”

 

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, or the JOBS Act. We will remain an emerging growth company for up to five years or until the earliest of (1) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, (2) the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur on the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period, or (3) if the market value of our Common Stock held by non-affiliates exceeds seven hundred million dollars ($700,000,000) as of any December 31 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting requirements and is relieved of certain other significant requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. As an emerging growth company, we may:

 

  present only two years of audited financial statements, plus unaudited condensed financial statements for any interim period, and related management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in this prospectus;
     
  avail ourselves of the exemption from the requirement to obtain an attestation and report from our auditors on the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Sarbanes-Oxley;
     
  provide reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements; and
     
  not require stockholder non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements.

 

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In addition, under the JOBS Act, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected not to avail ourselves of this extended transition period, and, as a result we will adopt new or revised accounting standards on relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for other public companies.

 

Government Regulation

 

Our products and our operations are subject to extensive regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and other federal, state, and local authorities in the United States, as well as comparable authorities in foreign jurisdictions. Our products are subject to regulation as medical devices in the United States under the FDCA, and its implementing regulations.

 

United States Regulation

 

The FDA regulates, among other things, the development, design, non-clinical and clinical testing, manufacturing, safety, effectiveness, labeling, packaging, storage, installation, servicing, recordkeeping, premarket clearance or approval, adverse event reporting, advertising, promotion, marketing and distribution, and import and export and post-marketing surveillance of medical devices in the United States to ensure that medical devices distributed domestically are safe and effective for their intended uses and otherwise meet the requirements of the FDCA.

 

FDA Premarket Clearance and Approval Requirements

 

Unless an exemption applies, each new or significantly modified medical device commercially distributed in the United States requires either FDA clearance of a 510(k) premarket notification, or approval of a premarket approval, or PMA, application. Both the 510(k) clearance and PMA processes can be resource intensive, expensive, and lengthy.

 

Under the FDCA, medical devices are classified into one of three classes—Class I, Class II or Class III—depending on the degree of risk associated with each medical device and the extent of manufacturer and regulatory control needed to ensure its safety and effectiveness. Class I devices are those for which safety and effectiveness can be assured by adherence to the FDA’s general controls for medical devices, which include compliance with the applicable portions of FDA’s current good manufacturing practices for devices, as reflected in the QSR, establishment registration and device listing, reporting of adverse medical events, and truthful and non-misleading labeling, advertising, and promotional materials. Some Class I devices, also called Class I reserved devices, also require premarket clearance by the FDA through the 510(k) premarket notification process described below. Most Class I devices are exempt from the premarket notification requirements.

 

Class II devices are subject to the FDA’s general controls, and any other special controls deemed necessary by the FDA to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the device. These special controls can include performance standards, special labeling requirements, post-market surveillance, patient registries and FDA guidance documents.

 

Most Class II devices are required to submit to the FDA a premarket notification under Section 510(k) of the FDCA requesting permission to commercially distribute the device. The FDA’s permission to commercially distribute a device subject to a 510(k) premarket notification is generally known as 510(k) clearance.

 

Class III devices include devices deemed by the FDA to pose the greatest risks, such as life sustaining, life supporting or some implantable devices, or devices that have a new intended use, or use advanced technology that is not substantially equivalent to that of a legally marketed device, requiring approval of a PMA. Due to the level of risk associated with Class III devices, the FDA’s general controls and special controls alone are insufficient to assure their safety and effectiveness. Devices placed in Class III generally require the submission of a PMA application demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of the device, which must be approved by the FDA prior to marketing, or the receipt of a 510(k) de novo classification, which provides for the reclassification of the device in Class I or II. The PMA approval process is generally more costly and time consuming than the 510(k) process. Through the PMA application process, the applicant must submit data and information demonstrating reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device for its intended use to the FDA’s satisfaction. Accordingly, a PMA application typically includes, but is not limited to, extensive technical information regarding device design and development, pre-clinical and clinical trial data, manufacturing information, labeling and financial disclosure information for the clinical investigators in device studies. The PMA application must provide valid scientific evidence that demonstrates to the FDA’s satisfaction a reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device for its intended use.

 

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If a new medical device does not qualify for the 510(k) premarket notification process because no predicate device to which it is substantially equivalent can be identified, the device is automatically classified into Class III. The Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 established a new route to market for low to moderate risk medical devices that are automatically placed into Class III due to the absence of a predicate device, called the “Request for Evaluation of Automatic Class III Designation,” or the de novo classification process. This process allows a manufacturer whose novel device is automatically classified into Class III to request down-classification of its medical device into Class I or Class II on the basis that the device presents low or moderate risk, rather than requiring the submission and approval of a PMA. If the manufacturer seeks reclassification into Class II, the manufacturer must include a draft proposal for special controls that are necessary to provide a reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the medical device. The FDA may reject the reclassification petition if it identifies a legally marketed predicate device that would be appropriate for a 510(k) or determines that the device is not low to moderate risk and requires PMA or that general controls would be inadequate to control the risks and special controls cannot be developed.

 

Obtaining FDA marketing authorization, de novo down-classification, or approval for medical devices is expensive and uncertain, and may take several years, and generally requires significant scientific and clinical data.

 

Some pre-amendment devices are unclassified, but are subject to FDA’s premarket notification and clearance process in order to be commercially distributed.

 

Investigational Device Process

 

Clinical trials are almost always required to support a PMA and are sometimes required to support a 510(k) submission. In the United States, absent certain limited exceptions, human clinical trials intended to support medical device clearance or approval or to determine safety and effectiveness of a device for an investigational use must be conducted in accordance with the FDA’s investigational device exemption, or IDE, regulations which govern investigational device labeling, prohibit promotion of the investigational device, and specify an array of recordkeeping, reporting and monitoring responsibilities of study sponsors and study investigators. If the device presents a “significant risk,” to human health, as defined by the FDA, the FDA requires the device sponsor to submit an IDE application to the FDA, which must become effective prior to commencing human clinical trials. The IDE application must be supported by appropriate data, such as animal and laboratory testing results, showing that it is safe to test the device in humans and that the testing protocol is scientifically sound. The IDE application must be approved in advance by the FDA for a specified number of subjects. Generally, clinical trials for a significant risk device may begin once the IDE application is approved by the FDA and the study protocol and informed consent are approved by appropriate institutional review boards at the clinical trial sites. There can be no assurance that submission of an IDE will result in the ability to commence clinical trials, and although the FDA’s approval of an IDE allows clinical testing to go forward for a specified number of subjects, it does not bind the FDA to accept the results of the trial as sufficient to prove the product’s safety and effectiveness, even if the trial meets its intended success criteria.

 

If the device under evaluation does not present a significant risk to human health, then the device sponsor is not required to submit an IDE application to the FDA before initiating human clinical trials, but must still comply with abbreviated IDE requirements when conducting such trials. A significant risk device is one that presents a potential for serious risk to the health, safety or welfare of a patient and either is implanted, used in supporting or sustaining human life, substantially important in diagnosing, curing, mitigating or treating disease or otherwise preventing impairment of human health, or otherwise presents a potential for serious risk to a subject. An IDE application must be supported by appropriate data, such as animal and laboratory test results, showing that it is safe to test the device in humans and that the testing protocol is scientifically sound. The IDE will automatically become effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA unless the FDA notifies the company that the investigation may not begin. If the FDA determines that there are deficiencies or other concerns with an IDE for which it requires modification, the FDA may permit a clinical trial to proceed under a conditional approval.

 

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Regardless of the degree of risk presented by the medical device, clinical studies must be approved by, and conducted under the oversight of, an Institutional Review Board, or IRB, for each clinical site. The IRB is responsible for the initial and continuing review of the IDE, and may pose additional requirements for the conduct of the study. If an IDE application is approved by the FDA and one or more IRBs, human clinical trials may begin at a specific number of investigational sites with a specific number of patients, as approved by the FDA. If the device presents a non-significant risk to the patient, a sponsor may begin the clinical trial after obtaining approval for the trial by one or more IRBs without separate approval from the FDA, but must still follow abbreviated IDE requirements, such as monitoring the investigation, ensuring that the investigators obtain informed consent, and labeling and record-keeping requirements. Acceptance of an IDE application for review does not guarantee that the FDA will allow the IDE to become effective and, if it does become effective, the FDA may or may not determine that the data derived from the trials support the safety and effectiveness of the device or warrant the continuation of clinical trials. An IDE supplement must be submitted to, and approved by, the FDA before a sponsor or investigator may make a change to the investigational plan that may affect its scientific soundness, study plan or the rights, safety or welfare of human subjects.

 

During a study, the sponsor is required to comply with the applicable FDA requirements, including, for example, trial monitoring, selecting clinical investigators and providing them with the investigational plan, ensuring IRB review, adverse event reporting, record keeping and prohibitions on the promotion of investigational devices or on making safety or effectiveness claims for them. The clinical investigators in the clinical study are also subject to FDA’s regulations and must obtain patient informed consent, rigorously follow the investigational plan and study protocol, control the disposition of the investigational device, and comply with all reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Additionally, after a trial begins, we, the FDA or the IRB could suspend or terminate a clinical trial at any time for various reasons, including the following:

 

  The FDA or other regulatory authorities do not approve a clinical trial protocol or a clinical trial, or place a clinical trial on hold;
     
  Patients do not enroll in clinical trials at the rate expected;
     
  Patients do not comply with trial protocols;
     
  Patient follow-up is not at the rate expected;
     
  Patients experience serious adverse events;
     
  Patients die during a clinical trial, even though their death may not be related to the products that are part of the trial;
     
  Device malfunctions occur with unexpected frequency or potential adverse consequences;
     
  Side effects or device malfunctions of similar products already in the market that change the FDA’s view toward approval of new or similar PMAs or result in the imposition of new requirements or testing;
     
  Institutional review boards and third-party clinical investigators may delay or reject the trial protocol;
     
  Third-party clinical investigators decline to participate in a trial or do not perform a trial on the anticipated schedule or consistent with the clinical trial protocol, investigator agreement, investigational plan, good clinical practices, the IDE regulations, or other FDA or IRB requirements;
     
  Third-party investigators are disqualified by the FDA;
     
  We or third-party organizations do not perform data collection, monitoring and analysis in a timely or accurate manner or consistent with the clinical trial protocol or investigational or statistical plans, or otherwise fail to comply with the IDE regulations governing responsibilities, records, and reports of sponsors of clinical investigations;
     
  Third-party clinical investigators have significant financial interests related to us or our study such that the FDA deems the study results unreliable, or the company or investigators fail to disclose such interests;
     
  Regulatory inspections of our clinical trials or manufacturing facilities, which may, among other things, require us to undertake corrective action or suspend or terminate our clinical trials;
     
  Changes in government regulations or administrative actions;
     
  The interim or final results of the clinical trial are inconclusive or unfavorable as to safety or effectiveness; or
     
  The FDA concludes that our trial design is unreliable or inadequate to demonstrate safety and effectiveness.

 

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510(k) Clearance Process

 

Under the 510(k) process, the manufacturer must submit to the FDA a premarket notification submission demonstrating that the proposed device is “substantially equivalent,” as defined in the FDCA, to a legally marketed predicate device.

 

A predicate device is a legally marketed device that is not subject to premarket approval, i.e., a device that was legally marketed prior to May 28, 1976 (pre-amendments device) and for which a PMA is not required, a device that has been reclassified from Class III to Class II or I, or a device that was found substantially equivalent through the 510(k) process. A device is considered to be substantially equivalent if, with respect to the predicate device, it has the same intended use and has either (i) the same technological characteristics; or (ii) different technological characteristics, but the information provided in the 510(k) submission demonstrates that the device does not raise different questions of safety or effectiveness than the predicate device.

 

Before the FDA will accept a 510(k) premarket notification for substantive review, the FDA will first assess whether the submission satisfies a minimum threshold of acceptability. If the FDA determines that the 510(k) submission lacks necessary information for substantive review, the FDA will issue a “Refuse to Accept” letter which generally outlines the information the FDA believes is necessary to permit a substantive review and to reach a determination regarding substantial equivalence. An applicant must submit the requested information before the FDA will proceed with additional review of the submission. If a 510(k) submission is accepted for substantive review, the Medical Device User Fee Amendments sets a performance goal of 90 days for FDA review of a 510(k) submission, but the review time can be delayed if FDA raises questions or requests additional information during the review process. As a practical matter, clearance often takes longer, and clearance is never assured. Thus, as a practical matter, clearance often takes longer than 90 days. Although many 510(k) premarket notifications are cleared without clinical data, the FDA may require further information, including clinical data, to make a determination regarding substantial equivalence, which may significantly prolong the review process. If the FDA agrees that the device is substantially equivalent, it will grant clearance to commercially market the device.

 

If the FDA determines that the device is substantially equivalent to a predicate device, it will grant 510(k) clearance to commercially market the device. If the FDA determines that the device is “not substantially equivalent” to a previously cleared device, the device is automatically designated as a Class III device. The device sponsor must then fulfill more rigorous requirements of the PMA approval process, or can request a risk-based classification determination for the device in accordance with the “de novo” process, which is a route to market for certain novel medical devices that are low to moderate risk and are not substantially equivalent to a predicate device.

 

Medical devices can only be marketed for the indications for use for which they are cleared or approved. After a device receives 510(k) clearance, any modification that could significantly affect its safety or effectiveness, or that would constitute a major change or modification in its intended use, will require a new 510(k) clearance or, depending on the modification, PMA approval or de novo reclassification. The FDA requires each manufacturer to determine whether the proposed change requires submission of a 510(k), de novo request or a PMA in the first instance, but the FDA may review this determination to evaluate the regulatory status of the modified product at any time and may require the manufacturer to cease marketing and/or request the recall of the modified device until 510(k) marketing clearance or PMA approval is obtained or a de novo request is granted. Also, in these circumstances, the manufacturer may be subject to significant regulatory fines or penalties.

 

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Over the last several years, the FDA has proposed reforms to its 510(k) clearance process, and such proposals could include increased requirements for clinical data and a longer review period, or could make it more difficult for manufacturers to utilize the 510(k) clearance process for their products. For example, in November 2018, FDA officials announced steps that the FDA intended to take to modernize the premarket notification pathway under Section 510(k) of the FDCA. Among other things, the FDA announced that it planned to develop proposals to drive manufacturers utilizing the 510(k) pathway toward the use of newer predicates. These proposals included plans to potentially sunset certain older devices that were used as predicates under the 510(k) clearance pathway, and to potentially publish a list of devices that have been cleared on the basis of demonstrated substantial equivalence to predicate devices that are more than ten years old. These proposals have not yet been finalized or adopted, although the FDA may work with Congress to implement such proposals through legislation.

 

More recently, in September 2019, the FDA issued revised final guidance describing an optional “safety and performance based” premarket review pathway for manufacturers of “certain, well-understood device types” to demonstrate substantial equivalence under the 510(k) clearance pathway by showing that such device meets objective safety and performance criteria established by the FDA, thereby obviating the need for manufacturers to compare the safety and performance of their medical devices to specific predicate devices in the clearance process. The FDA has developed and maintains a list device types appropriate for the “safety and performance based” pathway and continues to develop product-specific guidance documents that identify the performance criteria for each such device type, as well as recommended testing methods, where feasible.

 

PMA Approval Process

 

Class III devices require PMA approval before they can be marketed, although some pre-amendment Class III devices for which FDA has not yet required a PMA are cleared through the 510(k) process. The PMA process is more demanding than the 510(k) premarket notification process. In a PMA, the manufacturer must demonstrate that the device is safe and effective for its intended use, and the PMA must be supported by extensive data, including data from pre-clinical studies and human clinical trials. The PMA must also contain a full description of the device and its components, a full description of the methods, facilities, and controls used for manufacturing, and proposed labeling. Following receipt of a PMA, the FDA conducts an administrative review to determine whether the application is sufficiently complete to permit a substantive review. If it is not, the agency will refuse to file the PMA. If FDA accepts the application for substantive review, it has 180 days under the FDCA to complete its review of a filed PMA application, although in practice, the FDA’s review often takes significantly longer, and can take up to several years. During this review period, the FDA may request additional information or clarification of information already provided, and the FDA may issue a major deficiency letter to the applicant, requesting the applicant’s response to deficiencies communicated by the FDA. The FDA considers a PMA or PMA supplement to have been voluntarily withdrawn if an applicant fails to respond to an FDA request for information (e.g., major deficiency letter) within a total of 360 days. Before approving or denying a PMA application, an advisory panel of experts from outside the FDA may be convened to review and evaluate the application and provide recommendations to the FDA as to whether the FDA should approve the submission, approve it with specific conditions, or not approve it. The FDA may or may not accept the panel’s recommendation. Prior to approval of a PMA, the FDA may conduct inspections of the clinical trial data and clinical trial sites, as well as conduct inspections of the applicant or its third-party manufacturers’ or suppliers’ manufacturing facility or facilities to, among other things, ensure compliance with the QSR. PMA applications are also subject to the payment of user fees, which for fiscal year 2021 includes a standard application fee of $365,657.

 

  Overall, the FDA review of a PMA application generally takes between one and three years, but may take significantly longer. The FDA can delay, limit or deny approval of a PMA application for many reasons, including:
     
  The device may not be shown safe or effective to the FDA’s satisfaction;
     
  The data from pre-clinical studies and/or clinical trials may be found unreliable or insufficient to support approval;
     
  The manufacturing process or facilities may not meet applicable requirements; and
     
  Changes in FDA approval policies or adoption of new regulations may require additional data.

 

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If the FDA evaluation of a PMA is favorable, the FDA will issue either an approval letter, or an approvable letter, the latter of which usually contains a number of conditions that must be met in order to secure final approval of the PMA. When and if those conditions have been fulfilled to the satisfaction of the FDA, the agency will issue a PMA approval letter authorizing commercial marketing of the device, subject to the conditions of approval and the limitations established in the approval letter. The FDA may approve a PMA with post-approval conditions intended to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the device, including, among other things, restrictions on labeling, promotion, sale and distribution, and collection of long-term follow-up data from patients in the clinical study that supported PMA approval or requirements to conduct additional clinical studies post-approval. The FDA may condition PMA approval on some form of post-market surveillance when deemed necessary to protect the public health or to provide additional safety and effectiveness data for the device in a larger population or for a longer period of use. In such cases, the manufacturer might be required to follow certain patient groups for a number of years and to make periodic reports to the FDA on the clinical status of those patients. Failure to comply with the conditions of approval can result in material adverse enforcement action, including withdrawal of the approval. If the FDA’s evaluation of a PMA application or manufacturing facilities is not favorable, the FDA will deny approval of the PMA or issue a not approvable letter. The FDA also may determine that additional tests or clinical trials are necessary, in which case the PMA approval may be delayed for several months or years while the trials are conducted and data is submitted in an amendment to the PMA, or the PMA is withdrawn and resubmitted when the data are available. The PMA process can be expensive, uncertain and lengthy and a number of devices for which the FDA approval has been sought by other companies have never been approved by the FDA for marketing.

 

Certain changes to an approved medical device, such as changes in manufacturing facilities, methods, quality control procedures, sterilization (if applicable), packaging, expiration date, labeling, device specifications, materials, or design of a device, or other changes which affect the safety or effectiveness of the device that has been approved through the PMA process require submission of a new PMA or PMA supplement. PMA supplements often require submission of the same type of information as a PMA, except that the supplement is limited to information needed to support any changes from the device covered by the original, approved PMA and may not require as extensive clinical data or the convening of an advisory panel, depending on the nature of the proposed change. Certain other changes to an approved device require the submission of a new PMA, such as when the design change causes a different intended use, mode of operation, and technical basis of operation, or when the design change is so significant that a new generation of the device will be developed, and the data that were submitted with the original PMA are not applicable for the change in demonstrating a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness.

 

Ongoing Regulation by the FDA

 

Even after the FDA permits a device to be marketed, numerous and pervasive regulatory requirements continue to apply. These include:

 

  Establishment registration and device listing with the FDA;
     
  QSR requirements, which require manufacturers, including third-party manufacturers, to follow stringent design, testing, control, supplier/contractor selection, compliant handling, documentation and other quality assurance procedures during all aspects of the design and manufacturing process;
     
  Labeling regulations, advertising and promotion requirements, restrictions on sale, distribution or sale of a device, each including the FDA prohibition against the promotion of products for any uses other than those authorized by the FDA, which are commonly known as “off-label” uses;
     
  The Medical Device Reporting, or MDR, regulations, which require that a manufacturer report to the FDA if a device it markets may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury, or has malfunctioned and the device or a similar device that it markets would be likely to cause or contribute to a death or serious injury, if the malfunction were to recur;
     
  Medical device correction and removal reporting regulations, which require that manufacturers report to the FDA field corrections or removals if undertaken to reduce a risk to health posed by the device or to remedy a violation of the FDCA that may present a risk to health;
     
  Recall requirements, including a mandatory recall if there is a reasonable probability that the device would cause serious adverse health consequences or death;
     
  An order of repair, replacement, or refund;
     
  Device tracking requirements; and
     
  Post-market study and surveillance requirements.

 

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After a device receives 510(k) clearance, any modification that could significantly affect its safety or effectiveness, or that would constitute a major change in its intended use, will require a new 510(k) or possibly a PMA. The FDA requires each manufacturer to make this determination initially, but the FDA can review any such decision and can disagree with a manufacturer’s determination. If the FDA disagrees with a manufacturer’s determination not to seek a new 510(k) clearance, the FDA may retroactively require it to seek 510(k) clearance or possibly a PMA. The FDA could also require the manufacturer to cease marketing and distribution and/or recall the modified device until 510(k) clearance or a PMA is obtained. Also, in these circumstances, the manufacturer may be subject to significant regulatory fines and penalties.

 

Some changes to an approved PMA device, including changes in indications, labeling, or manufacturing processes or facilities, require submission and FDA approval of a new PMA application or PMA supplement, as appropriate, before the change can be implemented. Supplements to a PMA often require the submission of the same type of information required for an original PMA application, except that the supplement is generally limited to that information needed to support the proposed change from the device covered by the original PMA. The FDA uses the same procedures and actions in reviewing PMA supplements as it does in reviewing original PMA applications.

 

FDA regulations require us to register as a medical device manufacturer with the FDA. Additionally, some states also require medical device manufacturers and/or distributors doing business within the state to register with the state or apply for a state license, which could subject our facility to state inspection as well as FDA inspection on a routine basis for compliance with the QSR and any applicable state requirements. These regulations require that we manufacture our products and maintain related documentation in a prescribed manner with respect to manufacturing, testing and control activities.

 

Manufacturing processes for medical devices are required to comply with the applicable portions of the QSR, which cover the methods and the facilities and controls for the design, manufacture, testing, production, processes, controls, quality assurance, labeling, packaging, distribution, installation and servicing of finished devices intended for human use. The QSR also requires, among other things, maintenance of a device master file, device history file, and complaint files. As a manufacturer, we are subject to periodic scheduled or unscheduled inspections by the FDA. Failure to maintain compliance with the QSR requirements could result in the shutdown of, or restrictions on, manufacturing operations and the recall or seizure of marketed products, which would have a material adverse effect on our business. The discovery of previously unknown problems with any of our products, including unanticipated adverse events or adverse events of increasing severity or frequency, whether resulting from the use of the device within the scope of its clearance or off-label by a physician in the practice of medicine, could result in restrictions on the device, including the removal of the product from the market or voluntary or mandatory device recalls.

 

The FDA has broad regulatory compliance and enforcement powers. If the FDA determines that a manufacturer has failed to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, it can take a variety of compliance or enforcement actions, which may result in any of the following sanctions:

 

  Warning letters, untitled letters, fines, injunctions, consent decrees and civil penalties;
  Recalls, withdrawals, or administrative detention or seizure of our products;
  Operating restrictions or partial suspension or total shutdown of production;
  Refusing or delays in processing, clearing, or approving submissions or applications for new products or modifications to existing products;
  Suspension or withdrawal of 510(k) clearances or PMA approvals that have already been granted;
  FDA refusal to issue certification to foreign governments needed to export our products for sale in other countries; or
  Criminal prosecution.

 

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Our facilities, records and manufacturing processes are subject to periodic unscheduled inspections by the FDA. Failure to comply with the applicable United States medical device regulatory requirements could result in, among other things, warning letters, untitled letters, fines, injunctions, consent decrees, civil penalties, unanticipated expenditures, repairs, replacements, refunds, recalls or seizures of products, operating restrictions, total or partial suspension of production, the FDA’s refusal to issue certificates to foreign governments needed to export products for sale in other countries, the FDA’s refusal to grant future premarket clearances or approvals, withdrawals or suspensions of current product clearances or approvals and criminal prosecution.

 

Regulation of Medical Devices in the European Union

 

The European Union, or EU, has adopted specific directives regulating the design, manufacture, clinical investigations, conformity assessment, labeling and adverse event reporting for medical devices. EU directives must be implemented into the national laws of the EU member states and national laws may vary from one member state to another.

 

In the EU, there is currently no premarket government review of medical devices. However, the EU requires that all medical devices placed on the market in the EU must meet the relevant essential requirements laid down in the Council Directive 93/42/EEC, or the Medical Devices Directive, and the Council Directive 90/385/EEC, or the Active Implantable Medical Devices Directive. The most fundamental essential requirement is that a medical device must be designed and manufactured in such a way that it will not compromise the clinical condition or safety of patients, or the safety and health of users and others. In addition, the device must achieve the performances intended by the manufacturer and be designed, manufactured, and packaged in a suitable manner. The European Commission has adopted various standards applicable to medical devices. These include standards governing common requirements, such as sterilization and safety of medical electrical equipment and product standards for certain types of medical devices. There are also harmonized standards relating to design and manufacture. While not mandatory, compliance with these standards is viewed as the easiest way to satisfy the essential requirements as a practical matter. Compliance with a standard developed to implement an essential requirement also creates a rebuttable presumption that the device satisfies that essential requirement.

 

To demonstrate compliance with the essential requirements laid down in Annex I to the Medical Devices Directive, medical device manufacturers must undergo a conformity assessment procedure, which varies according to the type of medical device and its (risk) classification. Conformity assessment procedures require an assessment of available clinical evidence, literature data for the product, and post-market experience in respect of similar products already marketed. Except for low-risk medical devices (Class I non-sterile, non-measuring devices), where the manufacturer can self-declare the conformity of its products with the essential requirements (except for any parts which relate to sterility or metrology), a conformity assessment procedure requires the intervention of a Notified Body. Notified Bodies are independent organizations designated by EU countries to assess the conformity of devices before being placed on the market. A Notified Body would typically audit and examine a product’s technical dossiers and the manufacturers’ quality system (which must, in particular, comply with ISO 13485:2016 related to Medical Devices Quality Management Systems). If satisfied that the relevant product conforms to the relevant essential requirements, the Notified Body issues a certificate of conformity, which the manufacturer uses as a basis for its own declaration of conformity. The manufacturer may then apply the CE Mark to the device, which allows the device to be placed on the market throughout the EU.

 

Notified Body certificates of conformity are valid for a fixed duration (which shall not exceed five years). Throughout the term of the certificate, the manufacturer will be subject to periodic surveillance audits to verify continued compliance with the applicable requirements. In particular, there will be a new audit by the Notified Body before it will renew the relevant certificate(s).

 

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As a general rule, demonstration of conformity of medical devices and their manufacturers with the essential requirements must be based, among other things, on the evaluation of clinical data supporting the safety and performance of the products during normal conditions of use. Specifically, a manufacturer must demonstrate that the device achieves its intended performance during normal conditions of use, that the known and foreseeable risks, and any adverse events, are minimized and acceptable when weighed against the benefits of its intended performance, and that any claims made about the performance and safety of the device are supported by suitable evidence. All manufacturers placing medical devices into the market in the EU must comply with the EU medical device vigilance system. Under this system, incidents must be reported to the relevant authorities of the EU member states, and manufacturers are required to take Field Safety Corrective Actions, or FSCAs, to reduce a risk of death or serious deterioration in the state of health associated with the use of a medical device that is already placed on the market. An incident is defined as any malfunction or deterioration in the characteristics and/or performance of a device, as well as any inadequacy in the labeling or the instructions for use which, directly or indirectly, might lead to or might have led to the death of a patient or user or of other persons or to a serious deterioration in their state of health. An FSCA may include the recall, modification, exchange, destruction or retrofitting of the device. FSCAs must be communicated by the manufacturer or its legal representative to its customers and/or to the end users of the device through Field Safety Notices.

 

The advertising and promotion of medical devices is subject to some general principles set forth by EU directives. According to the Medical Devices Directive, only devices that are CE-marked may be marketed and advertised in the EU in accordance with their intended purpose. Directive 2006/114/EC concerning misleading and comparative advertising and Directive 2005/29/EC on unfair commercial practices, while not specific to the advertising of medical devices, also apply to the advertising thereof and contain general rules, for example requiring that advertisements are evidenced, balanced and not misleading. Specific requirements are defined at national level. EU member states laws related to the advertising and promotion of medical devices, which vary between jurisdictions, may limit or restrict the advertising and promotion of products to the general public and may impose limitations on promotional activities with healthcare professionals.

 

Many EU member states have adopted specific anti-gift statutes that further limit commercial practices for medical devices, in particular vis-à -vis healthcare professionals and organizations. Additionally, there has been a recent trend of increased regulation of payments and transfers of value provided to healthcare professionals or entities. In addition, many EU member states have adopted national “Sunshine Acts” which impose reporting and transparency requirements (often on an annual basis), similar to the requirements in the United States, on medical device manufacturers. Certain countries also mandate implementation of commercial compliance programs.

 

On May 25, 2017, Regulation 2017/745, or the EU Medical Devices Regulation, entered into force, which repeals and replaces the Medical Devices Directive and the Active Implantable Medical Devices Directive. Unlike directives, which must be implemented into the national laws of the EU member states, regulations are directly applicable, without the need for adoption of EU member state laws implementing them, in all EU member states and are intended to eliminate current differences in the regulation of medical devices among EU member states. The Medical Devices Regulation, among other things, is intended to establish a uniform, transparent, predictable and sustainable regulatory framework across the EU for medical devices and ensure a high level of safety and health while supporting innovation.

 

The Medical Devices Regulation was originally intended to become applicable three years after publication, but in April 2020 the transition period was extended by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU by an additional year – until May 26, 2021. Devices lawfully placed on the market pursuant to the Medical Devices Directive and the Active Implantable Medical Devices Directive prior to May 26, 2021 may generally continue to be made available on the market or put into service until May 26, 2025. Once applicable, the new regulations will among other things:

 

  Strengthen the rules on placing devices on the market and reinforce surveillance once they are available;
  Establish explicit provisions on manufacturers’ responsibilities for the follow-up of the quality, performance and safety of devices placed on the market;
  Improve the traceability of medical devices throughout the supply chain to the end-user or patient through a unique identification number;
  Set up a central database to provide patients, healthcare professionals and the public with comprehensive information on products available in the European Union, or EU; and
  Strengthen the rules for the assessment of certain high-risk devices, which may have to undergo an additional check by experts before they are placed on the market.

 

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The aforementioned EU rules are generally applicable in the European Economic Area, or EEA, which consists of the 27 EU member states plus Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. Other countries, such as Switzerland, have entered into Mutual Recognition Agreements and allow the marketing of medical devices that meet EU requirements.

 

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, or TCA, came into effect on January 1, 2021. The TCA does not specifically refer to medical devices. However, as a result of Brexit, the Medical Devices Regulation will not be implemented in the UK, and previous legislation that mirrored the Medical Devices Regulation in the UK law has been revoked. The regulatory regime for medical devices in the UK will continue to be based on the requirements derived from current EU legislation, and the UK may choose to retain regulatory flexibility or align with the Medical Devices Regulation going forward. CE markings will continue to be recognized in the UK, and certificates issued by EU recognized Notified Bodies will be valid in the UK, until June 30, 2023. For medical devices placed on the UK market after this period, the UK Conformity Assessment, or UKCA, marking will be mandatory. In contrast, UKCA marking and certificates issued by UK Notified Bodies will not be recognized on the EU market. The TCA does provide for cooperation and exchange of information in the area of product safety and compliance, including market surveillance, enforcement activities and measures, standardization related activities, exchanges of officials, and coordinated product recalls (or other similar actions). For medical devices that are locally manufactured but use components from other countries, the “rules of origin” criteria will need to be reviewed. Depending on which countries products will ultimately be sold in, manufacturers may start seeking alternative sources for components if this would allow them to benefit from no tariffs. The rules for placing medical devices on the Northern Ireland market will differ from those in the UK.

 

Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Laws

 

In the United States, we are subject to a number of federal and state healthcare regulatory laws that restrict business practices in the healthcare industry. These laws include, but are not limited to, federal and state anti-kickback, false claims, transparency and other healthcare fraud and abuse laws.

 

The U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits, among other things, any person or entity from knowingly and willfully offering, paying, soliciting, receiving or providing any remuneration, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, to induce or in return for purchasing, leasing, ordering, or arranging for or recommending the purchase, lease, or order of any good, facility, item or service reimbursable, in whole or in part, under Medicare, Medicaid or other federal healthcare programs. The term “remuneration” has been broadly interpreted to include anything of value, including cash, improper discounts, and free or reduced price items and services. Among other things, the U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute has been interpreted to apply to arrangements between medical device manufacturers on the one hand and prescribers and purchasers on the other. Although there are a number of statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors protecting some common activities from prosecution, the exceptions and safe harbors are drawn narrowly. The government can exercise enforcement discretion in taking action against unprotected activities. Further, a person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation. The majority of states also have anti-kickback laws, which establish similar prohibitions, and in some cases may apply to items or services reimbursed by any third-party payor, including commercial insurers and self-pay patients.

 

The federal false claims, including the civil False Claims Act, prohibit, among other things, any person or entity from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, a false, fictitious or fraudulent claim for payment to, or approval by, the federal government, knowingly making, using, or causing to be made or used a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim to the federal government, or knowingly making a false statement to avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money to the U.S. federal government. A claim includes “any request or demand” for money or property presented to the U.S. government. Actions under the civil False Claims Act may be brought by the Attorney General or as a qui tam action by a private individual in the name of the government. Moreover, a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the federal civil False Claims Act. In addition, various states have enacted false claim laws analogous to the federal False Claims Act, although many of these state laws apply where a claim is submitted to any third-party payor and not merely a federal healthcare program.

 

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The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 created additional federal criminal statutes that prohibit, among other actions, knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, including private third-party payors, knowingly and willfully embezzling or stealing from a healthcare benefit program, willfully obstructing a criminal investigation of a healthcare offense, and knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement in connection with the delivery of or payment for healthcare benefits, items or services. Similar to the U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute, a person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation.

 

The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and medical supplies for which payment is available under Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, with specific exceptions, to report annually to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, information related to payments or other transfers of value made to physicians (defined to include doctors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists and chiropractors), and teaching hospitals, and applicable manufacturers and applicable group purchasing organizations to report annually to CMS ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members. Beginning in 2022, such obligations will include payments and other transfers of value provided in the previous year to additional healthcare professionals, including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologist assistants and certified nurse midwives.

 

Violations of fraud and abuse laws, including federal and state anti-kickback and false claims laws, may be punishable by criminal and civil sanctions, including fines and civil monetary penalties, the possibility of exclusion from federal healthcare programs (including Medicare and Medicaid), disgorgement and corporate integrity agreements, which impose, among other things, rigorous operational and monitoring requirements on companies. Similar sanctions and penalties, as well as imprisonment, also can be imposed upon executive officers and employees of such companies.

 

Coverage and Reimbursement

 

Currently, our products are not separately reimbursed by any third-party payors. Once covered in the United States, products will be paid for as part of the procedure in which the product is used. Outside of the United States, there are many reimbursement programs through private payors as well as government programs. In some countries, government reimbursement is the predominant program available to patients and hospitals. Our commercial success depends in part on the extent to which governmental authorities, private health insurers and other third-party payors provide coverage for and establish adequate reimbursement levels for the procedures in which our products are used. Failure by physicians, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and other users of our products to obtain coverage and adequate reimbursement from third-party payors for procedures in which our products are used, or adverse changes in government and private third-party payors’ coverage and reimbursement policies, may adversely impact demand for our products.

 

Based on our experience to date, third-party payors generally reimburse for the procedures in which our products are used only if the patient meets the established medical necessity criteria for surgery. Some payors are moving toward a managed care system and control their healthcare costs by establishing coverage policies that categorically restrict coverage of certain procedures, or by limiting authorization for procedures, including elective procedures using our devices. No uniform policy of coverage and reimbursement among payors in the United States exists and coverage and reimbursement for procedures can differ significantly from payor to payor. Third-party payors are increasingly auditing and challenging the prices charged for medical products and services with concern for upcoding, miscoding, using inappropriate modifiers, or billing for inappropriate care settings. Some third-party payors must approve coverage for new or innovative devices or procedures before they will reimburse healthcare providers who use the products or therapies. Even though a new product may have been cleared for commercial distribution by the FDA, we may find limited demand for our product unless reimbursement approval can be obtained and/or maintained from governmental and private third-party payors.

 

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In addition to uncertainties surrounding coverage policies, there are periodic changes to reimbursement levels. Third-party payors regularly update reimbursement amounts and also from time to time revise the methodologies used to determine reimbursement amounts. This includes routine updates to payments to physicians, hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers for procedures during which our products are used. These updates could directly impact the demand for our products.

 

We believe the overall escalating cost of medical products and services being paid for by the government and private health insurance has led to, and will continue to lead to, increased pressures on the healthcare and medical device industry to reduce the costs of products and services. Third-party payors are developing increasingly sophisticated methods of controlling healthcare costs through prospective reimbursement and capitation programs, group purchasing, redesign of benefits, and exploration of more cost-effective methods of delivering healthcare. In the United States, some insured individuals enroll in managed care programs, which monitor and often require pre-approval of the services that a member will receive. Some managed care programs pay their providers on a per capita (patient) basis, which puts the providers at financial risk for the services provided to their patients by paying these providers a predetermined payment per member per month and, consequently, may limit the willingness of these providers to use our products.

 

In international markets, reimbursement and healthcare payment systems vary significantly by country, and many countries have instituted price ceilings on specific product lines and procedures. In the European Union, member states are facing increased pressure to limit public healthcare spending. There can be no assurance that procedures using our products will be covered for a specific indication, that our products will be considered cost-effective by third-party payors, that an adequate level of reimbursement will be available or that the third-party payors’ reimbursement policies will not adversely affect our ability to sell our products profitably. More and more, local, product specific reimbursement law is applied as an overlay to medical device regulation, which has provided an additional layer of clearance requirement.

 

Healthcare Reform

 

The United States and some foreign jurisdictions are considering or have enacted a number of legislative and regulatory proposals to change the healthcare system in ways that could affect our ability to sell our products profitably. Among policy makers and payors in the United States and elsewhere, there is significant interest in promoting changes in healthcare systems with the stated goals of containing healthcare costs, improving quality or expanding access. Current and future legislative proposals to further reform healthcare or reduce healthcare costs may limit coverage of or lower reimbursement for the procedures associated with the use of our products. The cost containment measures that payors and providers are instituting and the effect of any healthcare reform initiative implemented in the future could impact our revenue from the sale of our products.

 

The implementation of the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, in the United States, for example, has changed healthcare financing and delivery by both governmental and private insurers substantially, and affected medical device manufacturers significantly. The ACA, among other things, provided incentives to programs that increase the federal government’s comparative effectiveness research, and implemented payment system reforms including a national pilot program on payment bundling to encourage hospitals, physicians and other providers to improve the coordination, quality and efficiency of certain healthcare services through bundled payment models. Additionally, the ACA expanded eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs and created a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to oversee, identify priorities in, and conduct comparative clinical effectiveness research, along with funding for such research. Since its enactment, there have been judicial, executive and political challenges to certain aspects of the ACA. On June 17, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the most recent judicial challenge to the ACA brought by several states without specifically ruling on the constitutionality of the ACA. It is unclear how healthcare reform measures of the Biden administration or other efforts, if any, to challenge, repeal or replace the ACA will impact the law or our business.

 

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In addition, other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since the ACA was enacted. For example, the Budget Control Act of 2011, among other things, reduced Medicare payments to providers by 2% per fiscal year, effective on April 1, 2013 and, due to subsequent legislative amendments to the statute, will remain in effect through 2030, with the exception of a temporary suspension from May 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021, unless additional Congressional action is taken. Additionally, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, among other things, further reduced Medicare payments to several providers, including hospitals, and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 repealed the formula by which Medicare made annual payment adjustments to physicians and replaced the former formula with fixed annual updates and a new system of incentive payments that began in 2019 that are based on various performance measures and physicians’ participation in alternative payment models, such as accountable care organizations.

 

We expect additional state and federal healthcare reform measures to be adopted in the future, any of which could limit the amounts that federal and state governments will pay for healthcare products and services, which could result in reduced demand for our products or additional pricing pressure.

 

Data Privacy and Security Laws

 

Numerous state, federal and foreign laws, including consumer protection laws and regulations, govern the collection, dissemination, use, access to, confidentiality and security of personal information, including health-related information. In the United States, numerous federal and state laws and regulations, including data breach notification laws, health information privacy and security laws, including HIPAA, and federal and state consumer protection laws and regulations (e.g., Section 5 of the FTC Act), that govern the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of health-related and other personal information could apply to our operations or the operations of our partners. In addition, certain state and non-U.S. laws, such as the CCPA, the CPRA and the GDPR, govern the privacy and security of personal information, including health-related information in certain circumstances, some of which are more stringent than HIPAA and many of which differ from each other in significant ways and may not have the same effect, thus complicating compliance efforts. Failure to comply with these laws, where applicable, can result in the imposition of significant civil and/or criminal penalties and private litigation. Privacy and security laws, regulations, and other obligations are constantly evolving, may conflict with each other to complicate compliance efforts, and can result in investigations, proceedings, or actions that lead to significant civil and/or criminal penalties and restrictions on data processing.

 

In Europe, the GDPR went into effect on May 25, 2018 and introduces strict requirements for processing the personal data of European Union data subjects. Companies that must comply with the GDPR face increased compliance obligations and risk, including more robust regulatory enforcement of data protection requirements and potential fines for noncompliance of up to €20 million or 4% of the annual global revenues of the preceding financial year of the noncompliant company, whichever is greater.

 

Among other requirements, the GDPR regulates transfers of personal data subject to the GDPR to third countries that have not been found to provide adequate protection to such personal data, including the United States, and the efficacy and longevity of current transfer mechanisms between the EU and the United States remains uncertain. For example, in 2016, the EU and United States agreed to a transfer framework for data transferred from the EU to the United States, called the Privacy Shield, but the Privacy Shield was invalidated in July 2020 by the Court of Justice of the European Union.

 

Further, from January 1, 2021, companies have to comply with the GDPR and also the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation, or the UK GDPR, which, together with the amended UK Data Protection Act 2018, retains the GDPR in UK national law. The UK GDPR mirrors the fines under the GDPR, i.e., fines up to the greater of €20 million (£17.5 million) or 4% of global turnover. The relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union in relation to certain aspects of data protection law remains unclear, and it is also unclear how United Kingdom data protection laws and regulations will develop in the medium to longer term, and how data transfers to and from the United Kingdom will be regulated in the long term. Currently there is a four- to six-month grace period agreed in the EU and United Kingdom Trade and Cooperation Agreement, ending June 30, 2021 at the latest, while the parties discuss an adequacy decision. The European Commission published a draft adequacy decision on February 19, 2021. If adopted, the decision will enable data transfers from EU member states to the United Kingdom for a four-year period, subject to subsequent extensions.

 

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Environmental Matters

 

Based on our current operations, environmental protection requirements do not have a significant financial and operational effect on the capital expenditures, earnings and competitive position of our Company in the current financial year and are not expected to have a significant effect in the reasonably foreseeable future.

 

Employees

 

As of August 15, 2022, we have seven full-time employees.

 

Facilities

 

Our corporate headquarters are located in Bellevue, Washington, where we lease 5,643 rentable square feet of office space pursuant to a sublease agreement with Wicresoft North America Company Limited. The sublease term commenced on February 1, 2022 and is scheduled to end December 31, 2024. Rent is payable monthly in advance at an annual base rate of $33/rentable square foot, with $1 annual increases thereafter, together with our proportionate share of operating costs. We delivered a security deposit at the beginning of the sublease equal to $49,367, together with one month’s rent to be applied to month three following a two-month rent abatement period.

 

We also lease 2,457 rentable square feet of space in Kent, Washington, from Davis Property & Investment, LLC, which we use for our signal recording and preparation operations and other research and development activities. The five-year term of this lease commenced April 21, 2021 and is scheduled to end on the 36-month anniversary of the commencement date. Over the term of this lease, base rent ranges from $2,880 to $3,055 per month plus our proportionate share of operating costs. We delivered a security deposit at the beginning of the lease equal to $3,055 and one-month’s rent equal to $2,880.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, we may be involved in various disputes and litigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. We are currently not a party to any material legal proceedings; however, pursuant to an arbitrated settlement in 2016 with two former employees and founders of the Company regarding the severance amounts payable under their respective employment agreements, we are obligated for the payment of a severance amount to these individuals. Payment of the full amount has to date been deferred pursuant to a series of agreements, and we remain current in our scheduled payment obligations under those deferral agreements. The unpaid aggregate severance amount as of August 15, 2022 is approximately $6.3 million. We are in discussions with the former employees and founders. The ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be predicted at this time.

 

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MANAGEMENT

 

Our directors were elected to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their respective successors will have been elected and will and will have qualified. The following table sets forth the name, age, and position held with respect to our present executive officers and directors.

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our directors and executive officers:

 

Name   Age   Position
Chris E. Rivera   60   President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Steven Pope   68   Corporate Secretary and Sr. VP, General Counsel

Kyle Kingma

  38  

Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

Bennett M. (Mike) Butters   72   Director
Andrew Daniels   65   Director
Richard Henriques   66   Director
John Kingma   63   Director
Charles E. McNerney   66   Director

 

Chris E. Rivera, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

 

Chris E. Rivera has been the CEO, President and Chairman of EMulate since the beginning of 2016 and joined the board of directors in 2014. He brings more than 30 years of experience in the biotechnology industry. Chris was the Founder, CEO, and President of Hyperion Therapeutics from 2006 to 2008, which was acquired by Horizon Pharma in 2015, the Senior Vice President and head of Commercial Operations at both Tercica, where he led the cross-licensing transaction between Tercica and Ipsen, and Genzyme Therapeutics, where he built and ran Genzyme’s US renal Commercial Operations, he also helped launch Genzyme’s renal division globally. Prior to Genzyme, he helped build Cephalon and Centocor’s initial commercial infrastructures. Chris founded Hapbee Technologies, Inc. in January 2019 and has served as Chairman and President since February 2022.

 

From 2009 to 2015, Chris was the President and CEO of the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association (WBBA), where he was responsible for building the biotechnology industry in Washington state. While at the WBBA, he oversaw one of Washington’s largest and fastest growing economic industries, including mentoring more than 400 life science start-up companies, and co-founding WINGS – Washington’s Medical Technology angel network.

 

He has also been recognized as a state and national leader through his appointments as co-Chair for the Governor’s Life Science and Global Health Advisory Committee (Washington state), Governor’s Higher Education Task Force, the Washington Global Health Funding Commission, and Chairman, for the National Council of State Bioscience Associations.

 

Chris joined the board of directors of CV6 Therapeutics (NI) Ltd in 2018. CV6 Therapeutics, based in Belfast, Ireland, is a drug development company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies for the treatment of human diseases.

 

Chris holds a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University; and studied marketing and management at the Albers Graduate School of Business and Economics at Seattle University.

 

Steven Pope, Corporate Secretary and Senior Vice President, General Counsel

 

Steven Pope has been the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of EMulate since September 2010. Steven served as the Governor of EMulate since Feb 2002. He is responsible for overseeing the legal affairs of the Company, including contracts, securities, governance, intellectual property, and employment matters. Steven has over 30 years of experience advising early and late-stage companies regarding these matters. Prior to joining EMulate Therapeutics, Steven was a Partner at Perkins Coie LLP, where he spent over 20 years in private practice. In addition, Steven is an agent of Cellsana Therapeutics Inc. since February 2022 and an agent of Mensana Therapeutics Inc. since November 2021.

 

Steven received his J.D. cum laude from Seattle University School of Law where he was a member of the Law Review, his M.A. from the University of Oxford, and his B.A. summa cum laude from Gonzaga University.

 

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Kyle J. Kingma, Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, General Manager – Subsidiaries

 

Kyle J. Kingma is the Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of EMulate Therapeutics and has been the head of finance for EMulate since 2010. He is responsible for leading and building the Company’s finance department, as well as overseeing the development, growth and strategic direction of EMulate’s wholly owned subsidiaries: Cellsana Therapeutics (oncology), Mensana Therapeutics (mental health), Indolor Therapeutics (pain management) and all future subsidiaries in his role as General Manager – Subsidiaries. Kyle has over 15 years of experience in the finance sector with over 11 years as the senior finance professional at EMulate Therapeutics. Kyle is accomplished in leading teams and building systems to guide a company from startup stage through IPO readiness. Kyle has designed, implemented, and maintained systems that integrate company goals and objectives into finance, information technology, operations and business development. In his time at EMulate Therapeutics and working with Hapbee Technologies, Inc., he has managed and directed finances for over $80 million in funds raised, as well as over $5M in non-dilutive financing. As General Manager of EMulate Subsidiaries, Kyle is coordinating outreach to strategic and investment partners in each of EMulate’s target sectors, with an initial focus on Cellsana Therapeutics (oncology), Indolor Therapeutics (pain management) and Mensana Therapeutics (mental health). Kyle demonstrated his skills and ability to successfully oversee financial and partnering operations of EMulate’s first spin-out company, Hapbee Technologies (HAPB:TSXV). His role in partnering with Hapbee’s CFO and leadership team during the formative period of its development was pivotal to the achievement of Hapbee’s public listing. Kyle has spearheaded outreach to hundreds of companies, funds and advocacy groups in the past year, which has led to EMulate’s first federal grant submission, as well as multiple conversations with potential strategic and funding partners. Kyle began his professional career in the audit practice at KPMG, where he gained wide experience with an array of clients, from startups to multinational public companies. Kyle received his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Business Information Technology from Seattle Pacific University.

 

Bennett M. (Mike) Butters, Director

 

Bennett M. (Mike) Butters has served as a Director, Co-Founder, and Principle Investor of Technology and Director Chair of the Technology Advisory Board of the Company since its inception in February 2002. He led the early concept and design efforts for the development of the Company’s platform technology, including production of the system for recording and optimizing the Company’s molecular signals known as our Molecular Interrogation and Data System (MIDS), and led the development of the Company’s therapeutic medical device and responsible for the acquisition of all u/RFE data used in the operation of the company’s therapeutic medical device. Mike brings particular technological expertise to the Board’s analysis and discussions. He also continues to assist the Company in its operations, having pioneered new concepts in signal acquisition, post signal processing, and signal transduction. His career in health care in both the private and public sectors, together with his background in electronics and radio frequency design and engineering, has provided a valuable multidisciplinary framework for enabling and executing innovation within the Company.

 

Mike served as the Vice President of Signal Technology from 2002 to 2015. He also serves as a Technical Consultant for Butters Consulting since 2015 and the Principal of BioCom, LLC since 1998.

 

Andrew Daniels, Director

 

Andrew Daniels has served as a Director of the Company since August 2017. He is a seasoned business executive and successful entrepreneur, an active angel investor, and serves on multiple governing boards with companies in the areas of venture capital, wealth management agriculture, health care, technology innovation, commodity trading and AI-driven global hedge fund trading. He has invested in dozens of early-stage companies and recently founded Kronus Innovations, a bio-agricultural company specializing in tailored applications using the Company’s ulRFE technology to improve efficiencies in plant science, animal health and bio-fuels. He serves on the board of directors for Pendleton Square Trust Company in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Capitalogix Trading in Coppell, Texas, and he serves as a regional board member for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

 

Richard Henriques, Director

 

Richard Henriques has served as a Director of the Company since late 2015. He is an experienced financial executive with an extensive background in the large-capitalization pharmaceutical, early-stage biotechnology, and nonprofit industries. He served as Chief Financial Officer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation from 2000 to 2014. Prior to joining the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Richard spent 19 years at Merck & Company. Currently, Richard is also a Senior Fellow at the Center for High Impact Philanthropy and Wharton Social Impact at the University of Pennsylvania and has been a board member at Cabaletta Bio, Inc. since 2019, and a board member of Arbutus Biopharma Corp since 2014.

 

John Kingma, Director

 

John Kingma has served as a Director and founder of the Company since 2003. He served as the Company’s CFO from 2003 to 2012 and was responsible for capital fundraising activities, as well as all other CFO duties. John has more than 35 years of experience in finance and business management and leadership and is a member of the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. John founded the Kingma CPA Firm, PC in 1985 and is a principal.

 

Charles E. McNerney, Director

 

Charles E. McNerney has served as a Director of the Company since late 2018 and has served as the Executive Board Member of Security and Compliance since 2016 . Charles also served as a director of Hapbee since 2019. He is a seasoned executive with over 24 years of multi-disciplined security, operations and core engineering experience at Microsoft. He has designed, implemented and led the information security organization for a multinational, Fortune 50 technology company to include Physical and Digital Protection globally. He is a respected security leader across the industry and is recognized for his ability to navigate corporate risk through innovative leadership and vision.

 

As the Chief Information Security Officer for Microsoft Corp and then as Chief Information Security Officer in MSN from 1995 to 2002, Charles was responsible for enterprise-wide information security, compliance and business continuity efforts. This included our Corporate Facilities in addition to creating the Security Plan for the expansion of Microsoft’s Digital Assets such as Bing, Hotmail, Xbox and Cloud Infrastructure. Charles led a global team of security professionals with a strategic focus on information protection, assessment, awareness, governance and enterprise business continuity. Charles was responsible for Piracy and Trade in addition to updating Microsoft’s CIO and its board of directors on worldwide physical and digital risks.

 

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From November 2019 to March 2022, Charles became Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer for Expedia Group in Seattle Washington responsible for Digital and Physical Security globally. This encompassed Privacy, Risk and Digital Threats to the company along with Risk and Compliance for internal and external audit.

 

Charles has the proven ability to build robust and successful security programs, leveraging his deep technical background and strong business acumen to align security engineering with executive vision.

 

Our directors are elected for a term of one year and until their successors qualified, nominated and elected.

 

Kyle Kingma, our Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, is the son of John Kingma, a Director. There are no other family relationships between or among any of our executive officers or other directors.

 

Role of the Board

 

It is the paramount duty of the board to oversee our management in the competent and ethical operation of the company on a day-to-day basis and to assure that the long-term interests of the shareholders are being served. To satisfy this duty, the directors take a proactive, focused approach to their positions, and set standards to ensure that we are committed to business success through maintenance of ambitious standards of responsibility and ethics.

 

Director Terms; Qualifications

 

Members of our Board serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders, or until their successors have been duly elected.

 

When considering whether directors and nominees have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills to enable the Board to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of the Company’s business and structure, the Board focuses primarily on the industry and transactional experience, and other background, in addition to any unique skills or attributes associated with a director.

 

Director or Officer Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

 

There are no material proceedings to which any director or officer, or any associate of any such director or officer, is a party that is adverse to our Company or any of our subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to our Company or any of our subsidiaries. No director or executive officer has been a director or executive officer of any business which has filed a bankruptcy petition or had a bankruptcy petition filed against it during the past ten years. No director or executive officer has been convicted of a criminal offense or is the subject of a pending criminal proceeding during the past ten years. No director or executive officer has been the subject of any order, judgment or decree of any court permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities during the past ten years. No director or officer has been found by a court to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law during the past ten years.

 

Directors and Officers Liability Insurance

 

The Company has and plans on maintaining directors’ and officers’ liability insurance insuring its directors and officers against liability for acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers, subject to certain exclusions. Such insurance may also insure the Company against losses, which it may incur in indemnifying its officers and directors. In addition, officers and directors also have indemnification rights under applicable laws, and the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

 

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Director Independence

 

The listing rules of Nasdaq require that independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s board of directors. In addition, the rules of Nasdaq require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit, compensation, and nominating and governance committees be independent. Audit committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. Under the rules of Nasdaq, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of that company’s board of directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

 

Our Board has undertaken a review of the independence of our directors and considered whether any director has a material relationship with it that could compromise his or her ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his or her responsibilities. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, the Board has determined that each of Richard Henriques, Charles McNerney and Andrew Daniels are “independent” as that term is defined under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of Nasdaq. In making these determinations, our Board considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with the Company and all other facts and circumstances our Board deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of the Company’s capital stock by each non-employee director, and any transactions involving them described in the section captioned “Certain Relationships and Related Persons Transactions” and “Management — Director Independence.”

 

Board Committees

 

As of the closing of the offering, our Board will have established the following three standing committees: audit committee; compensation committee; and nominating and governance committee, or nominating committee. Each of our independent directors, Richard Henriques, Charles McNerney and Andrew Daniels, will serve on each committee. Our Board will adopt written charters for each of these committees. Upon completion of this Offering, copies of the charters will be available on our website. Our Board may establish other committees as it deems necessary or appropriate from time to time.

 

Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee, among other things, will be responsible for:

 

  appointing; approving the compensation of; overseeing the work of; and assessing the independence, qualifications, and performance of the independent auditor;
     
  reviewing the internal audit function, including its independence, plans, and budget;
     
  approving, in advance, audit and any permissible non-audit services performed by our independent auditor;
     
  reviewing our internal controls with the independent auditor, the internal auditor, and management;
     
  reviewing the adequacy of our accounting and financial controls as reported by the independent auditor, the internal auditor, and management;
     
  overseeing our financial compliance system; and
     
  overseeing our major risk exposures regarding the Company’s accounting and financial reporting policies, the activities of our internal audit function, and information technology.

 

The Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the Audit Committee meets the additional independence criteria applicable to audit committee members under SEC rules and Nasdaq listing rules. Effective upon the completion of this offering the Board will adopt a written charter setting forth the authority and responsibilities of the Audit Committee. The Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate, and that Richard Henriques meets the qualifications of an Audit Committee financial expert.

 

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The Audit Committee will consist of Richard Henriques, Charles McNerney and Andrew Daniels. Richard Henriques will be the chair of the Audit Committee. We believe that, after consummation of this offering, the functioning of the Audit Committee will comply with the applicable requirements of the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq listing rules and the SEC.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee will be responsible for:

 

  reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to the compensation of our officers and directors, including the CEO;
     
  overseeing and administering the Company’s executive compensation plans, including equity-based awards;
     
  negotiating and overseeing employment agreements with officers and directors; and
     
  overseeing how the Company’s compensation policies and practices may affect the Company’s risk management practices and/or risk-taking incentives.

 

Effective upon the completion of this offering, the Board will adopt a written charter setting forth the authority and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee.

 

The Compensation Committee will consist of Andrew Daniels, Richard Henriques and Charles McNerney. Charles McNerney will serve as chairman of the Compensation Committee. The Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the Compensation Committee meets the independence criteria applicable to compensation committee members under SEC rules and Nasdaq listing rules. The Company believes that, after the consummation of the offering, the composition of the Compensation Committee will meet the requirements for independence under, and the functioning of such Compensation Committee will comply with, any applicable requirements of the rules and regulations of Nasdaq listing rules and the SEC.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, among other things, will be responsible for:

 

  reviewing and assessing the development of the executive officers and considering and making recommendations to the Board regarding promotion and succession issues;
     
  evaluating and reporting to the Board on the performance and effectiveness of the directors, committees and the Board as a whole;
     
  working with the Board to determine the appropriate and desirable mix of characteristics, skills, expertise and experience, including diversity considerations, for the full Board and each committee;
     
  annually presenting to the Board a list of individuals recommended to be nominated for election to the Board;
     
  reviewing, evaluating, and recommending changes to the Company’s Corporate Governance Principles and Committee Charters;
     
  recommending to the Board individuals to be elected to fill vacancies and newly created directorships;
     
  overseeing the Company’s compliance program, including the Code of Conduct; and
     
  overseeing and evaluating how the Company’s corporate governance and legal and regulatory compliance policies and practices, including leadership, structure, and succession planning, that may affect the Company’s major risk exposures.

 

Effective upon completion of this offering., the Board will adopt a written charter setting forth the authority and responsibilities of the Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees will consist of Richard Henriques, Charles McNerney and Andrew Daniels. Richard Henriques will serve as chairperson. The Board has determined that each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent within the meaning of the independent director guidelines of Nasdaq listing rules.

 

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

None of the Company’s executive officers serves, or in the past has served, as a member of the Board or compensation committee, or other committee serving an equivalent function, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who serve as members of our Board or its compensation committee. None of the members of the Company’s compensation committee is, or has ever been, an officer or employee of the Company.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

Prior to the completion of this offering, the Board will adopt a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to its employees, directors and officers, in accordance with applicable U.S. federal securities laws and the corporate governance rules of Nasdaq. The code of business conduct and ethics will be publicly available on the Company’s website. Any substantive amendments or waivers of the code of business conduct and ethics or code of ethics for senior financial officers may be made only by the Board and will be promptly disclosed as required by applicable U.S. federal securities laws and the corporate governance rules of Nasdaq.

 

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EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

Executive Officers’ Compensation

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the annual and long-term compensation earned by or paid to our Chief Executive Officer and to other persons who served as executive officers during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021, or who earned compensation exceeding $100,000 during fiscal year 2021 (the “Named Executive Officers”), for services as executive officers for the last two fiscal years.

 

Name and Principal Position  Year   Salary ($)   Bonus ($)   Stock Awards
($)
   Options Awards ($)  

Non-Equity Incentive 

Plan Compensation ($)

   All Other Compensation ($)  

 

Total
($)

 
Chris E. Rivera   2021   $882,073   $        -   $-   $962,662   $         -   $           -   $1,844,735 
Chief Executive Officer   2020   $848,147   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $848,147 
                                         
Steven Pope   2021   $806,640   $-   $-   $572,499   $-   $-   $1,379,139 
Corporate Secretary and General Counsel   2020   $775,616   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $775,616 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

The following table sets forth information regarding equity awards held by the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2021:

 

Nave of Executive  Grant date  Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable   Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable (1)   Option Exercise Price   Option Expiration Date  Number of Shares that have not Vested (#) (2)   Market Value of Shares of Stock that have not Vested ($) 
Chris E. Rivera  12/15/2015   14,000    -   $13.35   12/13/2022   -   $- 
Chief Executive Officer  12/7/2016   12,000    -   $13.35   12/6/2023   -   $- 
   5/17/2017   75,000    -   $13.27   5/15/2024   -   $- 
   4/18/2018   12,000    -   $10.12   4/16/2025   -   $- 
   5/18/2018   40,000    -   $10.12   5/16/2025   -   $- 
   5/18/2018   75,000    -   $10.12   5/16/2025   -   $- 
   5/4/2019   14,000    -   $10.12   5/2/2026   -   $- 
   5/4/2019   44,182    -   $10.12   5/2/2026   -   $- 
   5/4/2019   75,000    -   $10.12   5/2/2026   -   $- 
   11/3/2021   28,000    -   $4.09   11/3/2028   -   $- 
   11/3/2021   150,000    -   $4.09   11/3/2028   -   $- 
   11/3/2021   176,822    -   $4.09   11/3/2028   -   $- 
   7/14/2016   75,000    -   $13.35   7/13/2023   -   $- 
   4/27/2016   600,000    -   $13.35   4/25/2027   -   $- 
                                
Steven Pope  5/18/2018   14,667    -   $10.12   5/16/2025   -   $- 
Corporate Secretary and General Counsel  5/18/2018   60,000    -   $10.12   5/16/2025   -   $- 
   5/4/2019   18,483    -   $10.12   5/2/2026   -   $- 
   5/4/2019   60,000    -   $10.12   5/2/2026   -   $- 
   10/27/2016   60,000    -   $13.35   10/26/2023   -   $- 
   8/20/2017   60,000    -   $13.27   8/18/2024   -   $- 
   11/3/2021   91,014    -   $4.09   11/3/2028   -   $- 
   11/3/2021   120,000    -   $4.09   11/3/2028   -   $- 
   8/20/2015   60,000    -   $13.35   8/18/2022   -   $- 

 

(1) All awards are stock options granted under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan or replaced incentive equity plans, all of which vested fully upon grant.

 

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Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan

 

On October 27, 2016, we established the EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and its shareholders by providing an incentive to attract, retain and reward persons performing services for the Company and by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and profitability of the Company. As of the date of this prospectus, [●] Shares remain available for issuance under the Plan.

 

The following summary briefly describes the principal features of the Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

Awards that may be granted include: (a) incentive stock options, (b) non-qualified stock options, (c) stock awards, (d) restricted stock, and (e) restricted stock units.

 

Purpose of the Plan: The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and its shareholders by providing an incentive to attract, retain and reward persons performing services for the Company and by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and profitability of the Company.

 

Administration of the Plan: The Plan is currently administered by our Board and will be administered by our compensation committee once it is established (which we refer to as the administrator). Among other things, the administrator has the authority to select persons who will receive awards, determine the types of awards and the number of shares to be covered by awards, and to establish the terms, conditions, restrictions and other provisions of awards. The administrator has authority to establish, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan.

 

Eligible Recipients: Persons eligible to receive awards under the Plan will be those employees, consultants, and directors of our company and its subsidiaries who are selected by the administrator.

 

Shares Available under the Plan: The maximum number of shares of our Common Stock that may be delivered to participants under the Plan is 7,700,000, of which 5,500,000 shares may be issued pursuant to stock options and 2,200,000 shares may be issued pursuant to awards granted as restricted stock units, stock awards or restricted stock awards. subject to adjustment for certain corporate changes affecting the shares, such as stock splits. Shares subject to an award under the Plan for which the award is canceled, forfeited or expires again become available for grants under the Plan. Shares subject to an award that is settled in cash will not again be made available for grants under the Plan.

 

Stock Options

 

General. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the administrator has the authority to determine all grants of stock options. That determination will include: (i) the number of shares subject to any option; (ii) the exercise price per share; (iii) the expiration date of the option; (iv) the manner, time and date of permitted exercise; (v) other restrictions, if any, on the option or the shares underlying the option; and (vi) any other terms and conditions as the administrator may determine.

 

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Option Price. The exercise price for stock options will be determined at the time of grant. Normally, the exercise price will not be less than the fair market value on the date of grant. As a matter of tax law, the exercise price for any incentive stock option awarded may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. However, incentive stock option grants to any person owning more than 10% of our voting stock must have an exercise price of not less than 110% of the fair market value on the grant date.

 

Exercise of Options. An option may be exercised only in accordance with the terms and conditions for the option agreement as established by the administrator at the time of the grant. The option must be exercised by notice to us, accompanied by payment of the exercise price. Payments may be made in cash, by tender to the Company or attestation to the ownership of shares of Common Stock owned by the holder of the option, by delivery of a properly executed notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired upon the exercise of the stock option, or by such other consideration as may be approved by the Board from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

Expiration or Termination. Options, if not previously exercised, will expire on the expiration date established by the administrator at the time of grant. In the case of incentive stock options, such term cannot exceed ten years provided that in the case of holders of more than 10% of our voting stock, such term cannot exceed five years. Options will terminate before their expiration date if the holder’s service with our company or a subsidiary terminates before the expiration date. The option may remain exercisable for specified periods after certain terminations of employment, including terminations as a result of death, disability or retirement, with the precise period during which the option may be exercised to be established by the administrator and reflected in the grant evidencing the award.

 

Incentive and Non-Qualified Options. As described elsewhere in this summary, an incentive stock option is an option that is intended to qualify under certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), for more favorable tax treatment than applies to non-qualified stock options. Any option that does not qualify as an incentive stock option will be a non-qualified stock option. Under the Code, certain restrictions apply to incentive stock options. For example, the exercise price for incentive stock options may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the grant date and the term of the option may not exceed ten years. In addition, an incentive stock option may not be transferred, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and is exercisable during the holder’s lifetime only by the holder. In addition, no incentive stock options may be granted to a holder that is first exercisable in a single year if that option, together with all incentive stock options previously granted to the holder that also first become exercisable in that year, relate to shares having an aggregate market value in excess of $100,000, measured at the grant date.

 

Stock Awards: Stock awards can also be granted under the Plan. A stock award is a grant of shares of Common Stock or of a right to receive shares in the future. These awards will be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the administrator shall determine at the date of grant. Those may include requirements for continuous service and/or the achievement of specified performance goals.

 

Restricted Stock: Restricted Stock is an award of shares of Common Stock, either with payment of a purchase price or without payment of a purchase price, the rights of ownership of which are subject to vesting or similar restrictions prescribed by the Board.

 

Restricted Stock Units: A restricted stock unit is an award denominated in units of shares of Common Stock that represents an unfunded, unsecured right to receive the fair market value of one share of Common Stock for each unit subject to the award in cash, Common Stock or other securities on the date of vesting or settlement.

 

Performance Criteria: Under the Plan, one or more performance criteria will be used by the administrator in establishing performance goals. Any one or more of the performance criteria may be used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of our company, as the administrator may deem appropriate.

 

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Other Material provisions: Awards will be evidenced by a written agreement, in such form as may be approved by the administrator. In the event of various changes to the capitalization of our company, such as stock splits, stock dividends and similar re-capitalizations, an appropriate adjustment will be made by the administrator to the number of shares covered by outstanding awards or to the exercise price of such awards. The administrator is also permitted to include in the written agreement provisions that provide for certain changes in the award in the event of a change of control of our company, including acceleration of vesting. Except as otherwise determined by the administrator at the date of grant, awards will not be transferable, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Prior to any award distribution, we are permitted to deduct or withhold amounts sufficient to satisfy any employee withholding tax requirements. Our board also has the authority, at any time, to discontinue the granting of awards. The board also has the authority to alter or amend the Plan or any outstanding award or may terminate the Plan as to further grants, provided that no amendment will, without the approval of our stockholders, to the extent that such approval is required by law or the rules of an applicable exchange, except to (i) increase the number of shares available under the Plan, (ii) change the persons eligible for incentive stock options under the Plan, (iii) other amendment of the Plan that would require approval of the Company’s shareholders under any applicable law, regulation or rule.

 

Employment Agreements

 

Chris E. Rivera. On March 15, 2022, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with our President and Chief Executive Officer, Chris E. Rivera,. Pursuant to the employment agreement, until June 30, 2022, Mr. Rivera receives an annual salary of $188,500. From and after June 30, 2022, Mr. Rivera will receive an annual salary of $881,700. In addition, Mr. Rivera may receive (i) an annual incentive bonus of up to 100% of his base salary determined by the Board based on his achievement of his annual goals, and (ii) an annual award of a stock options or RSUs to be determined by the Board based on his achievement of his annual goals. The annual goals shall be identified by the employee in writing within 60 days following each February 1 and are subject to approval by the Board. Any stock option awards shall vest upon issuance, have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time the option is granted and will expire in seven years after the date of grant. Mr. Rivera’s service may be terminated for cause (as defined under the agreement) by the Company, without cause by either the Company or Mr. Rivera, or for good reason (as defined under the agreement) by Mr. Rivera. If the employment agreement terminates for any reason except termination by the Company for cause or a change of control (as defined under the agreement) occurs during the term of the agreement and Mr. Rivera’s employment is terminated for any reason prior to the expiration of one year following the date of the change of control, Mr. Rivera will receive a severance payment equal to the total of his annual base salary plus any annual incentive bonus that he is entitled to for the relevant year, subject to the effective and execution of a full settlement agreement and mutual release of claims. In addition, the Company will maintain and effect for five years following the date of any termination of Mr. Rivera’s employment all employee health and welfare benefit plans, programs and policies, unless Mr. Rivera is covered by a substantially similar plan, program or policy by another employer during such five-year period. We also provide standard indemnification and directors’ and officers’ insurance, which will remain in effect for six years following the date of termination.

 

Steven Pope. On March 15, 2022, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Steve Pope. Pursuant to the employment agreement, until June 30, 2022, Mr. Pope receives an annual salary of $172,020. From and after June 30, 2022, Mr. Pope will receive an annual salary of $553,800. In addition, Mr. Pope may receive (i) an annual incentive bonus of up to 60% of his base salary determined by the Board based on his achievement of his annual goals, and (ii) an annual award of a stock options or RSUs to be determined by the Board based on his achievement of his annual goals. The annual goals shall be identified by the employee in writing within 60 days following each February 1 and are subject to approval by the Board. Any stock option awards shall vest upon issuance, have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time the option is granted, and will expire in seven years after the date of grant. Mr. Pope’s service may be terminated for cause (as defined under the agreement) by the Company, without cause by either the Company or Mr. Pope, or for good reason (as defined under the agreement) by Mr. Pope. If the employment agreement terminates for any reason except termination by the Company for cause or a change of control (as defined under the agreement) occurs during the term of the agreement and Mr. Pope’s employment is terminated for any reason prior to the expiration of one year following the date of the change of control, Mr. Pope will receive a severance payment equal to the total of his annual base salary plus any annual incentive bonus that he is entitled to for the relevant year, subject to the effective and execution of a full settlement agreement and mutual release of claims. In addition, the Company will maintain and effect for five years following the date of any termination of Mr. Pope’s employment all employee health and welfare benefit plans, programs and policies, unless Mr. Pope is covered by a substantially similar plan, program or policy by another employer during such five-year period. We also provide standard indemnification and directors’ and officers’ insurance, which will remain in effect for six years following the date of termination.

 

David C. Matteson. On March 15, 2022, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with our Vice President and Investors Relations and Education, David Matteson,. Pursuant to the employment agreement, until June 30, 2022, Mr. Matteson receives an annual salary of $103,731. From and after June 30, 2022, Mr. Matteson will receive an annual salary of $385,500. In addition, Mr. Matteson may receive (i) an annual incentive bonus of up to 40% of his base salary determined by the Board based on his achievement of his annual goals, and (ii) an annual award of a stock options or RSUs to be determined by the Board based on his achievement of his annual goals. The annual goals shall be identified by the employee in writing within 60 days following each February 1 and are subject to approval by the Board. Any stock option awards shall vest upon issuance, have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time the option is granted, and will expire in seven years after the date of grant. Mr. Matteson’s service may be terminated for cause (as defined under the agreement) by the Company, without cause by either the Company or Mr. Matteson, or for good reason (as defined under the agreement) by Mr. Matteson. If the employment agreement terminates for any reason except termination by the Company for cause or a change of control (as defined under the agreement) occurs during the term of the agreement and Mr. Matteson’s employment is terminated for any reason prior to the expiration of one year following the date of the change of control, Mr. Matteson will receive a severance payment equal to the total of his annual base salary plus any annual incentive bonus that he is entitled to for the relevant year, subject to the effective and execution of a full settlement agreement and mutual release of claims. In addition, the Company will maintain and effect for five years following the date of any termination of Mr. Matteson’s employment all employee health and welfare benefit plans, programs and policies, unless Mr. Matteson is covered by a substantially similar plan, program or policy by another employer during such five-year period.

 

Kyle J. Kingma. On April 18, 2022, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with our Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, and General Manager of Subsidiaries, Kyle J. Kingma. Pursuant to the employment agreement, until June 30, 2022, Mr. Kingma receives an annual salary of $160,000. From and after June 30, 2022, Mr. Kingma will receive an annual salary of $332,800. In addition, Mr. Kingma may receive (i) an annual incentive bonus of up to 60% of his base salary determined by the Board based on his achievement of his annual goals, and (ii) an annual award of a stock options or RSUs to be determined by the Board based on his achievement of his annual goals. The annual goals shall be identified by the employee in writing within 60 days following each February 1 and subject to approval by the Board. Any stock option awards shall vest upon issuance, have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time the option is granted, and will expire in seven years after the date of grant. Mr. Kingma’s service may be terminated for cause (as defined under the agreement) by the Company, without cause by either the Company or Mr. Kingma, or for good reason (as defined under the agreement) by Mr. Kingma. If the employment agreement terminates for any reason except termination by the Company for cause or a change of control (as defined under the agreement) occurs during the term of the agreement and Mr. Kingma’s employment is terminated for any reason prior to the expiration of one year following the date of the change of control, Mr. Kingma will receive a severance payment equal to the total of his annual base salary plus any annual incentive bonus that he is entitled to for the relevant year, subject to the effective and execution of a full settlement agreement and mutual release of claims. In addition, the Company will maintain and effect for five years following the date of any termination of Mr. Kingma’s employment all employee health and welfare benefit plans, programs and policies, unless Mr. Kingma is covered by a substantially similar plan, program or policy by another employer during such five-year period. Concurrently with the approval by our Board of Directors to appoint Mr. Kingma to be our Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, Mr. Kingma’s employment agreement will be amended to reflect this title change.

 

Post-Employment Benefits

 

On March 15, 2022, the Company entered into amended and restated employment agreements with several key executive employees. The agreements were established to allow them to be terminated at any time by the Company with or without cause upon written notice to the employee or by the employee for good reason or otherwise. The agreements represent an ongoing termination benefit arrangement, which entitles the employees to nonretirement post-employment benefits, such as severance payment and reimbursement for medical insurance coverage, for five years from date of termination, whether voluntary on the part of the employee or involuntary other than for cause (the Company has an obligation to make payments in either case) and provides for payments to be made under certain conditions related to a change in control of the Company. Messrs. Rivera, Pope, Matteson and Kingma are entitled to these benefits.

 

Director Compensation

 

Non-employee directors receive annual grants, as determined by the Compensation Committee and the Board, of options to purchase shares of Common Stock for their service on the Board. Such options vest immediately upon issuance, have a fair market value exercise price as determined by the Board, and expire seven years from the grant date.

 

Fiscal 2021 Director Compensation Table

 

Name  Fees Earned or Paid in Cash
($)
   Stock Awards
($)
   Option Awards (1) ($)   Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)   All Other Compensation ($)   Total
($)
 
Bennett M. (Mike) Butters  $     -   $         -   $65,114 (2)  $             -   $             -   $65,114 
Andrew Daniels  $-   $-   $89,532 (3)  $-   $-   $89,532 
Richard Henriques  $-   $-   $75,966 (4)  $-   $-   $75,966 
John Kingma  $-   $-   $89,532 (5)  $-   $-   $89,532 
Charles E. McNerney  $-   $-   $65,114(6)  $-   $-   $65,114 

 

      Total Option Shares 
       12/31/2021    6/30/2022 
2)  Mike Butters   619,623    637,623 
3)  Andy Daniels   41,000    62,000 
4)  Dick Henriques   68,000    89,000 
5)  John Kingma   83,000    104,000 
6)  Charley McNerney   63,320    81,320 

 

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

 

The following table sets forth certain information, as of December 31, 2021, respecting the beneficial ownership of our outstanding Common Stock by: (i) any holder of more than 5%; (ii) each of the Named Executive Officers and directors; and (iii) our directors and Named Executive Officers as a group, based on 15,143,315 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of June 30, 2022. Except as otherwise indicated, each stockholder listed below has sole voting and investment power over the shares beneficially owned:

 

Name and Address of Owner(1)  Shares of Common Stock Owned Beneficially   Percent of Class Before the Offering    Percent of Class After the Offering 
              
5% Holders                
Nancy S. Nordhoff (2)   [●]    12.2%    [●]%
Bennett M. Butters   [●]    5.8%    [●]%
The Butters Family Revocable Trust       11.7%     
John [and Tamera] Kingma (3)       9.0%     
               
Officers and Directors               
Chris E. Rivera    [●]    0.1%    [●]%
Steven Pope    [●]    0.1%    [●]%
Kyle J. Kingma   [●]    [●]%    [●]%
Bennett M. (Mike) Butters    [●]    5.8%    [●]%
Andrew Daniels    [●]    0.2%    [●]%
Richard Henriques   [●]    0.0%    [●]%
John Kingma (2)   [●]    9.0%    [●]%
Charles E. McNerney   [●]    0.1%    [●]%
Total of Officers and Directors (8 Persons)    [●]    15.2%    [●]%

 

(1) This table excludes an indeterminable number of shares issuable upon conversion of debt which is based on a formula.

 

(2) Includes 1,200,602 shares of Common Stock, 333,002 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock, 793,645 shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

 

(3) Includes 946,311 shares of Common Stock, 27,907 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock, 867,550 shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSONS TRANSACTIONS

 

SEC rules require us to disclose any transaction since the beginning of our last fiscal year or any currently proposed transaction in which we are a participant in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000 and in which any related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. A related person is any executive officer, director, nominee for director, or holder of 5% or more of our Common Stock, or an immediate family member of any of those persons.

 

We have entered into related party transactions with Nancy Nordhoff, John Kingma and Andrew Daniels.

 

In March 2022, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to Nancy Nordhoff, a holder of more than 5% of our Common Stock, in the amount of $300,000 with a maturity date of the earlier of (a) July 2022 or (b) the date by which the Company completes a transaction for the purchase of its equity or debt securities for cash with the principal purpose of raising capital in an amount not less than $2,500,000. The note earns interest at 10% and is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

 

In July 2021, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to John Kingma, our director, in the amount of $150,000 with a maturity date due on demand but no earlier than September 30, 2021. A payment of $85,000 was applied to the principal in October 2021. The note earns interest at 10% and is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

 

In July 2021, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to John Kingma in the amount of $35,000 with a maturity date due on demand but no earlier than September 30, 2021. The note earns interest at 10% and is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

 

In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to John Kingma in the amount of $142,000, which was converted from a $112,000 promissory note and $30,000 accounts payable (Refer to table (a)), with a maturity of December 2022, or upon a deemed liquidation, and at an interest rate of 10% per annum. At any time this note is outstanding prior to its maturity, the note holder may elect to convert the note at a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. The convertible note is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

 

In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to John Kingma in the amount of $150,000, which was converted from a promissory note (Refer to table (a)), with a maturity of December 2022, or upon a deemed liquidation, and at an interest rate of 10% per annum. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to its maturity, the note holder may elect to convert the note at a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. The convertible note is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

 

In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to John Kingma in the amount of $228,000, which was converted from a $200,000 promissory note and additional $28,000 principal (Refer to table (a)), with a maturity of December 2022, or upon a deemed liquidation, and at an interest rate of 10% per annum. Prior to maturity, the note holder may elect to convert the note upon a Company financing or at any other time voluntarily wherein the conversion price would be equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors.

 

In January 2021, $38,000 in accounts payables due to John Kingma was transferred into an unsecured convertible note, with a maturity of December 2022, or upon a deemed liquidation, and at an interest rate of 3% per annum. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to its maturity, the note holder may elect to convert the note at a conversion price equal to 100% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion.

 

In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to Andrew Daniels, our director, through his solely owned limited liability company Lucky Good Dog, LLC in the amount of $30,000 with a maturity date of February 2023, or upon the consummation of a deemed liquidation. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000,000 is consummated prior to its maturity, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At maturity, the principal and accrued interest under the convertible note will be automatically converted into common stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the maturity date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the maturity date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the maturity date, or (2) $9.00. At any time the note is outstanding prior to its maturity, the note holder may elect to convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into common stock at price equal to the higher of the most recent sale price for common stock or (B) exercise price in a grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. The convertible note earns interest at 10% and is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

 

In July 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to Andrew Daniels through his solely owned limited liability company Lucky Good Dog, LLC in the amount of $600,000, of which $500,000 was converted from a promissory note (Refer to table (a)), with a maturity date of December 2022, or upon the consummation of a deemed liquidation. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000,000 is consummated prior to maturity, the note will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At any time the note is outstanding prior to its maturity, the note holder may elect to convert the note at a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. The convertible note earns interest at 10% and is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

 

Director Consulting Agreement  

 

In 2016, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Bennett Butters, a director of our Board, for the performance of services related to ongoing research and intellectual property development. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company paid $17,000 and $45,000 in accordance with this agreement, respectively. The agreement expires upon termination by the Company or Mr. Butters.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

 

General

 

Our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, authorize us to issue up to 50,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of 40,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001, 1,817,333 of which are designated as Series A Preferred Stock and 2,400,000 of which are designated as Series A-1 Preferred Stock.

 

As of August 15, 2022, after giving effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our Series A Preferred Stock and Series A-1 Preferred Stock into 5,657,219 shares of our common stock in connection with the closing of this offering, there were 20,800,536 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 

Common Stock

 

Our Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of 40,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001. The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on each matter submitted to a vote at any meeting of stockholders. Shares of Common Stock do not carry cumulative voting rights and, therefore, a majority of the shares of outstanding Common Stock will be able to elect the entire Board and, if they do so, minority stockholders would not be able to elect any persons to the Board. Our Bylaws provide that a majority of our issued and outstanding shares constitutes a quorum for stockholders’ meetings, except respecting certain matters for which a greater percentage quorum is required by statute or the Bylaws.

 

Our stockholders have no pre-emptive rights to acquire additional shares of Common Stock or other securities. The Common Stock is not subject to redemption and carries no subscription or conversion rights. In the event of our liquidation, the shares of Common Stock are entitled to share equally in corporate assets after satisfaction of all liabilities.

 

Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive such dividends as the Board may, from time to time, declare out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. We seek growth and expansion of our business through the reinvestment of profits, if any, and do not anticipate that we will pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Our Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001, We have two series of preferred stock issued and outstanding, Series A Preferred Stock and Series A-1 Preferred Stock. The Board is empowered, without stockholder approval, to designate and issue additional series of preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting, or other rights or restrictions, including the right to issue convertible securities with no limitations on conversion, which could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our Common Stock, substantially dilute a Common Stockholder’s interest, and depress the price of our Common Stock.

 

The following table provides details regarding the authorized and outstanding shares of our Series A and Series A-1 preferred stock at each of our fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

 

   December 31, 2021 
           Shares         
   Authorized   Shares   issuable upon   Carrying   Liquidation 
   shares   outstanding   conversion   amount   preference 
Series A   1,817,333    1,817,225    1,817,225    1,236    3,066 
Series A-1   2,400,000    2,399,997    3,839,994    18,000    18,000 
Totals   4,217,333    4,217,222    5,657,219    19,236    21,066 

 

   December 31, 2020 
           Shares         
   Authorized   Shares   issuable upon   Carrying   Liquidation 
   shares   outstanding   conversion   amount   preference 
Series A   1,817,333    1,817,225    1,817,225    1,236    2,967 
Series A-1   2,400,000    2,399,997    3,839,994    18,000    18,000 
Totals   4,217,333    4,217,222    5,657,219    19,236    20,967 

 

Each share of Series A preferred stock and Series A-1 preferred stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into Common Stock at a ratio of 1:1 and 1:1.6, respectively. These ratios will be adjusted for any stock split, dividend, combination or other recapitalization. Further, each share of Series A and Series A-1 preferred stock automatically converts into Common Stock (i) with the affirmative vote, written consent or agreement of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding Series A preferred stock and Series A 1 preferred stock, voting together as a class, (ii) upon the voluntary conversion of a majority of the authorized and issued Series A preferred stock or Series A-1 preferred stock, or (iii) immediately prior to the closing of an underwritten initial public offering of Common Stock.

 

Holders of Series A and Series A-1 preferred stock have the right to vote for each share of Common Stock into which such preferred stock could then be converted, and with respect to such vote, such holder shall have full voting rights and powers equal to the voting rights and powers of the holders of Common Stock.

 

Cash dividends are payable only when, as and if declared by our Board on the Series A and Series A-1 preferred stock. The Series A-1 preferred stockholders have the right to receive dividends prior and in preference to Series A preferred stockholders and our Common Stock at a rate of $7.50 per share. The Series A preferred stockholders have the right to receive dividends prior and in preference to our common stockholders at a rate of $0.68 per share.

 

Each series of the Series A and Series A-1 preferred stock has liquidation and dissolution preferences over, and restricts the payment of dividends to, other equity securities, including our Common Stock. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, the Series A-1 preferred stock has a preference to any distribution of assets to holders of Series A preferred stock and our Common Stock in an amount per share equal to $7.50, plus declared but unpaid dividends, if any. The Series A preferred stock has a preference to any distribution of assets to holders of our Common Stock in an amount per share equal to $0.68, plus an amount equal to 8% per annum on the issue price of the Series A preferred stock, plus declared but unpaid dividends, if any. As of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the liquidation preference of each share of Series A preferred stock was $1.69 and $1.63, respectively.

 

Authority to Issue Stock

 

The Board has the authority to issue the authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock without action by the stockholders. The issuance of such shares would reduce the percentage ownership held by current stockholders.

 

As of August 15, 2022, there were 15,143,315 shares of Common Stock outstanding, and 5,171,735 shares reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding grants under the Plan. The Company is authorized, without stockholder approval, to issue additional shares of authorized but unissued capital stock.

 

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Common Stock

 

Dividend Rights

 

Subject to preferences that may apply to any shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of our Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends out of funds legally available if our Board, in its discretion, determines to declare and pay dividends and then only at the times and in the amounts that our Board may determine.

 

Voting Rights

 

Holders of our Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters properly submitted to a vote of stockholders on which holders of Common Stock are entitled to vote. We have not provided for cumulative voting for the election of directors in our Certificate of Incorporation. The directors are elected by a plurality of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the election of directors.

 

No Pre-emptive or Similar Rights

 

Our Common Stock is not entitled to pre-emptive rights, and is not subject to conversion, redemption or sinking fund provisions.

 

Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement

 

On March 22, 2002, the Company entered into a Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement (the “Agreement”) with John T. Butters, Bennett M. Butters, and Lisa C. Butters (“Founders”), which imposes restrictions on the transfer of our capital stock. The Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier to occur of (a) the closing of this offering; or (b) a merger, acquisition, share exchange or other transaction or series of transactions in which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions do not own a majority of the outstanding shares and a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity after such transaction or transactions or any sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or other dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company.

 

Right to Receive Liquidation Distributions

 

If we become subject to a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders would be distributable ratably among the holders of our Common Stock and any participating preferred stock outstanding at that time, with preferred stock to be paid first, subject to prior satisfaction of all outstanding debt and liabilities and the preferential rights of and the payment of liquidation preferences, if any, on any outstanding shares of preferred stock.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Our Board is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by the Washington Business Corporations Act, to issue preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series, and to fix, determine and amend the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each Series and any of its qualifications, limitations or restrictions, in each case without further vote or action by our stockholders, subject to provisions, preferences, voting powers, limitations and relative rights of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, the designation, preferences, voting powers, limitations, and relative rights of the shares of any series that is wholly unissued or to be established and to designate the number of shares within that series, before the issuance of any shares of that series. Our Board can also increase (but not above the total number of authorized shares of the class) or decrease (but not below the number of shares then outstanding) the number of shares of any series of preferred stock, without any further vote or action by our stockholders. Our Board may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our Common Stock or other series of preferred stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible financings, acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our control of our company and might adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of our Common Stock.

 

Options

 

As of December 31, 2021, options to purchase 4,370,701 shares of our Common Stock were outstanding under our Plan, of which 4,164,535 were exercisable and of which 206,166 were unvested as of that date.

 

As of June 30, 2022, options to purchase 5,171,735 shares of our Common Stock were outstanding under our Plan, of which 4,833,532 were exercisable and of which 338,204 were unvested as of that date.

 

Warrants

 

As of December 31, 2021, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 644,024 shares of our Common Stock were outstanding, with a weighted average exercise price of $10.07 per share. On October 5, 2021, we issued warrants to a non-related party totaling 10,000 shares with an exercise price of $10.22, in connection with a note financing. If unexercised, these warrants will expire on the 7th anniversary of their issuance dates.

 

As of June 30, 2022, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 465,301 shares of our Common Stock were outstanding, with a weighted average exercise price of $10.02 per share. On January 10, 2022, we issued warrants to a related party totaling 2,000 shares with an exercise price of $3.75, in connection with a note financing. If unexercised, these warrants will expire on the 7th anniversary of their issuance dates.

 

The warrants will expire upon the closing of this offering. The warrants provide that the holder thereof may elect to exercise the warrant on a net “cashless” basis at any time prior to the expiration thereof. Assuming the closing of this offering occurs, the fair market value of one share of our Common Stock in connection with any cashless exercise shall be the closing price or last sale price per share of our Common Stock.

 

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Anti-Takeover Effects of our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Washington Law

 

Our amended and restated Articles of Incorporation (“Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation”) and Bylaws will include a number of provisions that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing another party from acquiring control of us and encouraging persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with our Board rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts. These provisions include the items described below.

 

Meetings of Shareholders

 

Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and our Bylaws will provide that only our Board, our Chairman of our Board, our Chief Executive Officer or our President may call special meetings of shareholders and only those matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered or acted upon at a special meeting of shareholders. Our Bylaws will limit the business that may be conducted at an annual meeting of shareholders to those matters properly brought before the meeting.

 

Advance Notice Requirements

 

Our Bylaws will establish advance notice procedures with regard to shareholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or new business to be brought before meetings of our shareholders. These procedures provide that notice of shareholder proposals must be timely given in writing to our corporate secretary prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely, notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date that our proxy statement was released to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting. Our Bylaws will specify the requirements as to form and content of all shareholders’ notices. These requirements may preclude shareholders from bringing matters before the shareholders at an annual or special meeting.

 

Amendment to our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

Any amendment of our amended and restated Articles of Incorporation must first be submitted to our shareholders by us or our Board, and the amendment of certain articles or sections, including articles or sections relating to who may call special meetings of the shareholders, our Board, indemnification of our directors and officers, supermajority voting and amendments to our Bylaws, requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment voting together as a single group. Our Bylaws may be amended by our Board, subject to any limitations set forth in our Bylaws, and may also be amended by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment voting together as a single group.

 

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Washington Anti-Takeover Law

 

Washington law imposes restrictions on some transactions between a corporation and significant shareholders. Chapter 23B.19 of the WBCA generally prohibits a target corporation from engaging in specified “significant business transactions” with an “acquiring person.” This statute could prohibit or delay the accomplishment of mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts with respect to us and, accordingly, may discourage unsolicited attempts to acquire us. An “acquiring person” is generally defined as a person or group of persons that beneficially owns the voting shares entitled to cast votes comprising 10% or more of the voting power of the target corporation. The target corporation may not engage in “significant business transactions,” as defined in Chapter 23B.19, for a period of five years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an acquiring person, unless (1) the significant business transaction or the acquiring person’s purchase of shares was approved by a majority of the members of the target corporation’s Board prior to the share acquisition causing the person to become an “acquiring person,” or (2) the significant business transaction was both approved by the majority of the members of the target corporation’s Board and authorized at a shareholder meeting by at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by the outstanding voting shares (excluding the acquiring person’s shares or shares over which the acquiring person has voting control) at or subsequent to the acquiring person’s share acquisition. “Significant business transactions” include, among other things:

 

  a merger or share exchange with, disposition of assets to or issuance or redemption of stock to or from, the acquiring person;
  a termination of 5% or more of the employees of the target corporation employed in the State of Washington as a result of the acquiring person’s acquisition of 10% or more of the shares, whether at one time or over the five-year period following the share acquisition;
  a transaction in which the acquiring person is allowed to receive a disproportionate benefit as a shareholder; or
  liquidating or dissolving the target corporation.

 

After the five-year period, a “significant business transaction” may occur, as long as it complies with “fair price” provisions specified in the statute or is approved at a meeting of shareholders by a majority of the votes entitled to be counted within each voting group entitled to vote separately on the transaction, not counting the votes of shares as to which the acquiring person has beneficial ownership or voting control. A corporation may not opt out of this statute.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

Worldwide Stock Transfer is the Company’s transfer agent with respect of our Common Stock. The principal business address of One University Plaza, Suite 505, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Phone: (201) 820-2008.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Company’s Common Stock, and a liquid trading market for its Common Stock may not develop or be sustained after this offering. Future sales of substantial amounts of the Company’s Common Stock in the public market, or the anticipation of these sales, could materially and adversely affect market prices prevailing from time to time, and could impair the Company’s ability to raise capital through sales of equity or equity-related securities.

 

Only a limited number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock will be available for sale in the public market for a period of several months after completion of this offering due to contractual and legal restrictions on resale described below. Nevertheless, sales of a substantial number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock in the public market after such restrictions lapse, or the perception that those sales may occur, could materially and adversely affect the prevailing market price of its Common Stock. Although the Company intends to list its Common Stock on the Nasdaq, the Company cannot ensure that there will be an active market for its Common Stock.

 

Of the shares to be outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering, we expect that the shares to be sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act unless purchased by our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act; these restricted securities may be sold in the public market only if registered or pursuant to an exemption from registration, such as Rule 144 or Rule 701 under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144

 

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, once the Company has been subject to the public company reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act for at least 90 days, a person who is not deemed to have been one of the Company’s affiliates for purposes of the Securities Act at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned the shares of its Common Stock proposed to be sold for at least six months is entitled to sell those shares without complying with the manner of sale, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144, subject to compliance with the public information requirements of Rule 144. If such a person has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than Company affiliates, then that person would be entitled to sell those shares without complying with any of the requirements of Rule 144.

 

In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, the Company’s affiliates or persons selling shares of its Common Stock on behalf of its affiliates are entitled to sell upon expiration of the market standoff agreements and lock-up agreements described above, within any three-month period, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:

 

  (a) 1% of the number of shares of the Company’s capital stock then outstanding; or
     
  (b) the average weekly trading volume of the Company’s Common Stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to that sale.

 

Sales under Rule 144 by the Company’s affiliates or persons selling shares of its Common Stock on behalf of its affiliates are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about the Company.

 

Rule 701

 

Rule 701 generally allows a stockholder who purchased shares of the Company’s Common Stock pursuant to a written compensatory plan or contract and who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of the Company during the immediately preceding 90 days to sell these shares in reliance upon Rule 144, but without being required to comply with the public information, holding period, volume limitation, or notice provisions of Rule 144. Rule 701 also permits affiliates of the Company to sell their Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period requirements of Rule 144. All holders of Rule 701 shares, however, are required to wait until 90 days after the date of this prospectus before selling such shares pursuant to Rule 701 and until expiration of the lock-up period described below.

 

Lock-Up Agreements

 

In connection with this offering, the Company has agreed, or will agree, to a 120-day “lock-up” period and its officers, directors, and the Butters Revocable Family Trust and Nancy Nordhoff stockholders have agreed, or will agree, to a 180-day “lock-up” period from the closing of this offering, with respect to the shares that they beneficially own, including shares issuable upon the exercise of convertible securities and options that are currently outstanding or which may be issued. This means that, for a period of 120 days for the Company and for a period of 180 days for the officers directors and the Butters Revocable Family Trust and Nancy Nordhoff following the closing of this offering, such persons may not offer, sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of these securities without the prior written consent of the underwriters. Officers’ and directors’ 180-day restricted period is subject to extension upon certain events and the terms of the lock-up agreements may be waived at the underwriters’ discretion. The lock-up restrictions, specified exceptions and the circumstances under which the lock-up periods may be extended are described in more detail under “Underwriting.”

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK

 

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to non-U.S. holders (as defined below) of the ownership and disposition of the Company’s Common Stock, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations relating thereto. This summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative rulings and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof. These authorities may be changed, possibly retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those set forth below. No ruling on the U.S. federal, state, or local tax considerations relevant to the Company’s operations or to the purchase, ownership or disposition of its shares, has been requested from the IRS or other tax authority. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below.

 

This summary also does not address the tax considerations arising under the laws of any non-U.S., state or local jurisdiction, or under U.S. federal gift and estate tax laws, except to the limited extent set forth below. In addition, this discussion does not address tax considerations applicable to an investor’s particular circumstances or to investors that may be subject to special tax rules, including, without limitation:

 

  banks, insurance companies or other financial institutions, regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts;
     
  persons subject to the alternative minimum tax or Medicare contribution tax on net investment income;
     
  tax-exempt organizations or governmental organizations;
     
  controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;
     
  brokers or dealers in securities or currencies;
     
  traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings;
     
  persons that own, or are deemed to own, more than five percent of the Company’s capital stock (except to the extent specifically set forth below);
     
  U.S. expatriates and certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;
     
  partnerships or entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes or other pass-through entities (and investors therein);
     
  persons who hold the Company’s Common Stock as a position in a hedging transaction, “straddle,” “conversion transaction” or other risk reduction transaction or integrated investment;
     
  persons who hold or receive the Company’s Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation;
     
  persons who do not hold the Company’s Common Stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code; or
     
  persons deemed to sell the Company’s Common Stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

In addition, if a partnership or entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds the Company’s Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend on the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Accordingly, partnerships that hold the Company’s Common Stock, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their tax advisors.

 

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You are urged to consult your tax advisor with respect to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to your particular situation, as well as any tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Company’s Common Stock arising under the U.S. federal estate or gift tax rules or under the laws of any state, local, non-U.S., or other taxing jurisdiction or under any applicable tax treaty.

 

Non-U.S. Holder Defined

 

For purposes of this discussion, you are a non-U.S. holder (other than a partnership) if you are any holder other than:

 

  an individual citizen or resident of the United States (for U.S. federal income tax purposes);
     
  a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia, or other entity treated as such for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
     
  an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or
     
  a trust (x) whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and which has one or more “U.S. persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code) who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (y) which has made a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

Distributions

 

As described in “Dividend Policy,” the Company has never declared or paid cash dividends on its Common Stock and do not anticipate paying any dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. However, if the Company does make distributions on its Common Stock, those payments will constitute dividends for U.S. tax purposes to the extent paid from the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, they will constitute a return of capital and will first reduce your basis in the Company’s Common Stock, but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain from the sale of stock as described below under “— Gain on Disposition of Common Stock.”

 

Subject to the discussion below on effectively connected income, backup withholding and foreign accounts, any dividend paid to you generally will be subject to U.S. withholding tax either at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividend, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. In order to receive a reduced treaty rate, you must provide us with an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, or other appropriate version of IRS Form W-8 certifying qualification for the reduced rate. A non-U.S. holder of shares of the Company’s Common Stock eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. If the non-U.S. holder holds the stock through a financial institution or other agent acting on the non-U.S. holder’s behalf, the non-U.S. holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the agent, which then will be required to provide certification to the Company or its paying agent, either directly or through other intermediaries.

 

Dividends received by you that are effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States) are generally exempt from the withholding tax described above. In order to obtain this exemption, you must provide us with an IRS Form W-8ECI or other applicable IRS Form W-8 properly certifying such exemption. Such effectively connected dividends, although not subject to withholding tax, are taxed at the same graduated rates applicable to U.S. persons, net of certain deductions and credits. In addition, if you are a corporate non-U.S. holder, dividends you receive that are effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. You should consult your tax advisor regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

 

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Gain on Disposition of Common Stock

 

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and foreign accounts, you generally will not be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of the Company’s Common Stock unless:

 

  the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States);
     
  you are a non-resident alien individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable year in which the sale or disposition occurs, and certain other conditions are met; or
     
  the Company’s Common Stock constitutes a United States real property interest by reason of its status as a “United States real property holding corporation,” or USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of (i) the five-year period preceding your disposition of the Company’s Common Stock, or (ii) your holding period for its Common Stock.

 

The Company believes that it is not currently and will not become a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the remainder of this discussion so assumes. However, because the determination of whether it is a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of its U.S. real property relative to the fair market value of its other business assets, there can be no assurance that the Company will not become a USRPHC in the future. Even if it becomes a USRPHC, however, as long as the Company’s Common Stock is regularly traded on an established securities market, such Common Stock will be treated as U.S. real property interests only if you actually or constructively hold more than five percent of such regularly traded Common Stock at any time during the shorter of (i) the five-year period preceding your disposition of the Company’s Common Stock, or (ii) your holding period for the Company’s Common Stock.

 

If you are a non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet above, you will be required to pay tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates, and a corporate non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet above also may be subject to the branch profits tax at a 30% rate, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. If you are an individual non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet above, you will be required to pay a flat 30% tax (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the gain derived from the sale, which gain may be offset by U.S. source capital losses for the year (provided you have timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses). You should consult any applicable income tax or other treaties that may provide for different rules.

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

Generally, the Company must report annually to the IRS, regardless of whether any tax was withheld, the amount of dividends paid to you, your name and address and the amount of tax withheld, if any. A similar report will be sent to you. Pursuant to applicable income tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make these reports available to tax authorities in your country of residence.

 

Payments of dividends or of proceeds on the disposition of stock made to you may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding at a current rate of 24% unless you establish an exemption, for example, by properly certifying your non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, the U.S. federal income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund or credit may generally be obtained from the IRS, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.

 

Foreign Account Tax Compliance

 

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, imposes withholding tax at a rate of 30% on dividends on and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the Company’s Common Stock paid to “foreign financial institutions” (as specially defined under these rules), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding the U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners) or otherwise establishes an exemption. FATCA also generally imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on dividends on and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the Company’s Common Stock paid to a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specially defined for purposes of these rules) unless such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification identifying certain substantial direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity, certifies that there are none, or otherwise establishes an exemption. The withholding provisions under FATCA generally apply to dividends on our Common Stock, and under current transition rules, are expected to apply with respect to the gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the Company’s Common Stock on or after January 1, 2019. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify the requirements described in this paragraph. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their investment in the Company’s Common Stock.

 

Each prospective investor should consult a tax advisor regarding the particular U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax consequences of purchasing, holding and disposing of the Company’s Common Stock, including the consequences of any proposed change in applicable laws.

 

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UNDERWRITING

 

EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC (“EF Hutton”) is acting as representative of the underwriters (the “Representative”). Subject to the terms and conditions of an underwriting agreement between the Company and the Representative, the Company has agreed to sell to each underwriter named below, and each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the number of common shares listed next to its name in the following table:

 

Name of Representative  Number of Common Shares 
EF Hutton    
      

 

The underwriters are committed to purchase all the common shares offered by the Company other than those covered by the option described below, if any, are purchased. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering may be terminated. The underwriters are not obligated to purchase the common shares covered by the underwriters’ option described below. The underwriters are offering the common shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer’s certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

 

Discounts, Commissions and Other Compensation

 

The underwriters propose initially to offer the common shares to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to dealers at those prices less a concession not in excess of $    per common share. If all of the common shares offered by the Company are not sold at the public offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and other selling terms by means of a supplement to this prospectus.

 

In addition, we have agreed to issue to the Representative (or its designees) warrants to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal to 4.0% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock sold in this Offering (including shares of Common Stock sold upon exercise of the over-allotment option). The Representative’s warrants may be exercised at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the four and a half year period commencing six (6) months from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part at an exercise price of $               , which is the public offering price per share of Common Stock sold in this Offering.  The Representative’s warrants and the shares of Common Stock underlying such warrants are registered on the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e), the warrants and any shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of the warrants may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days beginning on the date of commencement of sales of this Offering, except certain transfers of such securities, including, among others: (i) by operation of law or by reason of our reorganization; (ii) to any FINRA member firm participating in the offering and the officers or partners thereof, if all securities so transferred remain subject to the lock-up restriction set forth above for the remainder of the time period; (iii) if the aggregate amount of our securities held by the representative or related persons do not exceed 1% of the securities being offered; (iv) that are beneficially owned on a pro-rata basis by all equity owners of an investment fund, provided that no participating member manages or otherwise directs investments by the fund and the participating members in the aggregate do not own more than 10% of the equity in the fund; or (v) the exercise or conversion of any security, if all securities remain subject to the lock-up restriction set forth above for the remainder of the time period.

 

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions and proceeds before expenses to the Company. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise of the option the Company granted to the Representative.

 

    Per Unit     Total Without
Exercise of
Representative’s
Option
    Total With Full
Exercise of
Representative’s
Option
 
Public offering price   $

    $             $            
Underwriting discount   $       $       $    
Proceeds, before expenses, to us   $       $       $    

 

The Company has agreed to pay the Representative’s expenses relating to the offering, (a) all filing fees and expenses relating to the registration of the common shares with the Commission; (b) all fees and expenses relating to the listing of the common shares on a national exchange; (c) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration or qualification of the common shares under the “blue sky” securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate (including, without limitation, all filing and registration fees, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Company’s “blue sky” counsel, which will be Representative’s counsel, not to exceed $15,000) unless such filings are not required in connection with the Company’s proposed listing on a national exchange; (d) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of the common shares under the securities laws of such foreign jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate; (e) the costs of all mailing and printing of documents related to this offering; (f) transfer and/or stamp taxes, if any, payable upon the transfer of the common shares from the Company to the Representative; and (g) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants; (h) all filing fees and communication expenses associated with the review of this offering by FINRA; (i) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to background checks of the Company’s directors and officers in an amount not to exceed $15,000; (j) up to $20,000 of the Representative’s actual accountable “road show” expenses for this offering; and (k) the $29,500 cost associated with EF Hutton’s use of Ipreo’s book building, prospectus tracking and compliance software for the offering. Additionally, the Company has provided an expense advance to the Representative of $20,000, which shall be applied towards out-of-pocket accountable expenses and any portion of the advance shall be returned back to the Company to the extent not actually incurred in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(C).

 

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The Company estimates that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding the total underwriting discount, will be approximately $[●].

 

Option

 

The Company has granted the underwriters an option. This option, which is exercisable for up to 45 days after the date of this prospectus, permits the underwriters to purchase up to an additional [●] common shares. If the underwriters exercise all or part of this option, they will purchase common shares covered by the option at the public offering price per share that appears on the cover page of this prospectus, less the underwriting discount.

 

Discretionary Accounts

 

The underwriters do not intend to confirm sales of the common shares offered hereby to any accounts over which they have discretionary authority.

 

Lock-Up Agreements

 

Pursuant to “lock-up” agreements, the Company and its executive officers and directors, and certain of its stockholders, have agreed, or will agree, without the prior written consent of the Representative not to directly or indirectly, offer to sell, sell, pledge or otherwise transfer or dispose of any of the Company’s common shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common shares of the Company (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the transfer or disposition by any person at any time in the future of), enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of the Company’s common shares, make any demand for or exercise any right or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any of the Company’s common shares or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for the Company’s common shares or any other securities of the Company or publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, subject to customary exceptions. In the case of the Company, the lock-up restrictions shall be for a period of 120 days from the closing of the offering to which this prospectus relates, and in the case of the Company’s executive officers, directors, and shareholders beneficially owning 5% or more of the Company’s common shares, the lock-up period shall be for a period of 180 days from the closing of the offering to which this prospectus relates.

 

Certain Post Offering Investments

 

The Company has agreed to pay EF Hutton an aggregate cash fee of 8.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds received by the Company, up to $50,000,000 in gross proceeds, plus 6.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds received by the Company in excess of $50,000,000, from the sale of any equity, debt and/or equity derivative instruments to any investor actually introduced by the Representative to the Company during the Engagement Period, in connection with such financing that involves the filing of a registration statement (each a “Tail Financing”), and such Tail Financing is consummated at any time during the Engagement Period or within the twelve (12) month period following the expiration or termination of the Engagement Period (the “Tail Period”), provided that such Tail Financing is by a party actually introduced to the Company in an offering in which the Company has direct knowledge of such party’s participation. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “Engagement Period” means the period beginning December 6, 2021 and ending on the earlier of (i) twelve (12) months thereafter, or (ii) the final closing, if any, of this offering.

 

Indemnification

 

The Company has agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make for these liabilities.

 

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Stabilization

 

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, syndicate-covering transactions, penalty bids and purchases to cover positions created by short sales.

 

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase securities so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum and are engaged in for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities while the offering is in progress.

 

Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of securities to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared with the price at which they may purchase securities through exercise of the option. If the underwriters sell more securities than could be covered by exercise of the option and, therefore, have a naked short position, the position can be closed out only by buying securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that after pricing there could be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

Penalty bids permit the Representative to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by that syndicate member are purchased in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions to cover syndicate short positions.

 

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the Company’s securities or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of its securities. As a result, the price of the Company’s securities in the open market may be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of these transactions. Neither the Company nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the Company’s securities. These transactions may be effected on The Nasdaq Capital Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

 

Passive Market Making

 

In connection with this offering, the underwriters and selling group members may also engage in passive market making transactions in the Company’s common shares. Passive market making consists of displaying bids limited by the prices of independent market makers and effecting purchases limited by those prices in response to order flow. Rule 103 of Regulation M promulgated by the SEC limits the amount of net purchases that each passive market maker may make and the displayed size of each bid. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the common shares at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

 

Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares

 

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more underwriters or selling group members, if any, participating in the offering. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of common shares to underwriters and selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the Representative to underwriters and selling group members that may make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters’ websites and any information contained in any other website maintained by the underwriters is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

Other Relationships

 

From time to time, certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have provided, and may provide in the future, various advisory, investment and commercial banking and other services to the Company in the ordinary course of business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. However, except as disclosed in this prospectus, the Company has no present arrangements with any of the underwriters for any further services.

 

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Market Information

 

The public offering price will be determined by discussions between the Company and the Representative. In addition to prevailing market conditions, the factors to be considered in these discussions will include:

 

an assessment of the Company’s management and the underwriters as to the price at which investors might be willing to participate in this offering;
   
the history of, and prospects for, the Company and the industry in which the Company competes;
   
the Company’s past and present financial information;
   
the Company’s past and present operations, and the prospects for, and timing of, its future revenues;
   
the present state of the Company’s development; and
   
the above factors in relation to market values and various valuation measures of other companies engaged in activities similar to those of the Company.

 

An active trading market for the common shares may not develop. It is also possible that after the offering, the common shares will not trade in the public market at or above the public offering price.

 

Offer and Sale Restrictions Outside the United States

 

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by the Company or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the common shares offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The common shares offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such common shares be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any common shares offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the Common Stock offered by us in this offering will be passed upon for us by Lucosky Brookman LLP, Woodbridge, New Jersey. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriter by Seward & Kissel LLP, New York, New York.

 

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EXPERTS

 

The financial statements as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, included in this registration statement have been so included in reliance upon the report of MaloneBailey LLP, Houston, Texas, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as an expert in auditing and accounting.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Common Stock offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, some of which is contained in exhibits to the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and our Common Stock, we refer you to the registration statement, including the exhibits filed as a part of the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or any other document are not necessarily complete. If a contract or document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see the copy of the contract or document that has been filed. Each statement in this prospectus relating to a contract or document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit.

 

We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we will file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information will be available on the website of the SEC referred to above. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus, and you should not consider the contents of our website in making an investment decision with respect to our Common Stock.

 

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  PAGE
Interim Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements  
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2022 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2021 F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) F-3
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) F-5
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements F-6

 

  PAGE
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 206) F-28
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 F-29
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 F-30
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 F-31
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 F-32
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-33

 

F-1

 

 

EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

  

June 30,

2022

  

December 31,

2021

 
Assets          
Current assets:          
Cash  $10    $345 
Accounts receivable, related party   118    - 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   65    - 
Total current assets   193    345 
Investments   1,878    6,688 
Property and equipment, net   122    130 
Finance lease, net   275    374 
Right of use assets, net   430    - 
Restricted cash   5    200 
Total assets  $2,903   $7,737 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $2,680   $2,755 
Accrued and other current liabilities   1,920    14,937 
Promissory notes payable due to related parties, net of debt discount   1,076    576 
Current convertible notes payable   4,952    4,974 
Current convertible notes due to related parties, net of debt discount   2,577    2,503 
Current portion of finance lease obligations   95    198 
Operating lease obligation, current portion   174    - 
SBA promissory notes   6    9 
Deferred compensation and postemployment benefits, current portion   6,460    13,320 
Total current liabilities   19,940    39,272 
Deferred compensation and postemployment benefits, net of current portion   5,544    14,577 
Convertible notes payable, net of debt discount   201    201 
Convertible notes due to related parties   30    30 
Promissory notes payable   115    115 
SBA promissory notes, net of current   468    465 
Long term portion of finance lease obligations, net of current   226    226 
Operating lease obligation, net of current portion   285    - 
Total liabilities   26,809    54,886 
Commitments and contingencies          
Stockholders’ deficit:          
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 10,000,000 shares:          
Series A convertible preferred stock. Authorized, 1,817,333 shares; issued and outstanding, 1,817,225 shares at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021   1,236    1,236 
Series A-1 convertible preferred stock. Authorized, 2,400,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 2,399,997 shares at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021   18,000    18,000 
Common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized, 40,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 15,143,315 and 14,752,697 shares at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively   15    15 
Additional paid-in capital   139,187    102,109 
Accumulated deficit   (182,344)   (168,509)
Total stockholders’ deficit   (23,906)   (47,149)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit  $2,903   $7,737 

 

The accompanying footnotes are integral to the unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

F-2

 

 

EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

  

Six Months ended

June 30,

 
   2022   2021 
Royalty revenue, related party  $176   $152 
License revenue, related party   -    10 
Operating expenses          
Research and development   164    374 
General and administrative   7,644    2,774 
Total operating expenses   7,808    3,148 
Loss from operations   (7,632)   (2,986)
Other income (expense):          
Unrealized loss on investment   (4,810)   (3,895)
Interest expense   (1,393)   (1,023)
Total other income (expense)   (6,203)   (4,918)
Net loss  $(13,835)  $(7,904)
Net loss attributable to EMulate Therapeutics  $(13,835)  $(7,904)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted  $(0.92)  $(0.58)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted   15,005,420    13,741,100 

 

The accompanying footnotes are integral to the unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

F-3

 

  

EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

   Series A convertible   Series A-1 convertible      Additional       Total 
   preferred stock   preferred stock   Common stock   paid-in   Accumulated   stockholders 
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   capital  

deficit

   deficit 
Balance December 31, 2021   1,817,225   1,236    2,399,997   $18,000    14,752,697    $15   $102,109   $(168,509)  $(47,149)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants   -    -    -    -    155,722    -    311    -    311 
Conversion of convertible note payables and accrued interest to common stock   -    -    -    -    234,896    -    960    -    960 
Warrant inducement   -    -    -    -    -    -    481    -    481 
Stock-based compensation   -    -    -    -    -    -    5,950    -    5,950 
Forgiveness of related party liabilities   -    -    -    -    -    -    29,376    -    29,376 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    (13,835   (13,835)
Balance, June 30, 2022 (unaudited)   1,817,225    $1,236    2,399,997    $18,000    15,143,315    $15    $139,187    $(182,344)   $(23,906)
                                              
Balance, December 31, 2020   1,817,225    $1,236    2,399,997    $18,000    13,738,293    $14    $92,303    $(146,417    $(34,864)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants   -    -    -    -    3,800    -    9    -    9 
Exercise of common stock warrants to reduce promissory notes payable   -    -    -    -    2,400    -    9    -    9 
Stock-based compensation   -    -    -    -    -    -    418    -    418 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    (7,904)   (7,904)
Balance, June 30, 2021 (unaudited)   1,817,225    $1,236    2,399,997    $18,000    13,744,493    $14    $92,739    $(154,321)   $(42,332)

 

The accompanying footnotes are integral to the unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

F-4

 

 

EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2022   2021 
Cash flows from operating activities:  (13,835)  $(7,904)
Net loss        
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:          
Unrealized loss on investment   4,810    3,895 
Depreciation and amortization   114    201 
Stock-based compensation   5,950    418 
Amortization of discounts on promissory notes payable and convertible notes   74    266 
Inducement expense   481    - 
Right of use operating lease expense   67    - 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (118)   (20)
Prepaid expenses   (65)   - 
Accounts payable   (22)   33 
Right of use operating lease liability   (38)   - 
Accrued and other current liabilities   529    616 
Deferred compensation and postemployment benefits   62    1,052 
Net cash used in operating activities  $(1,991)  $(1,443)
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchases of property and equipment   (7)   - 
Net cash used in financing activities   $(7)   $- 
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Payments on finance lease obligations   (103)   (124)
Borrowings from promissory notes payable   760    1,148 
Borrowings on promissory notes payable - related party   500    - 
Proceeds from SBA PPP Loan   -    314 
Proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants   311    9 
Net cash provided by financing activities  $1,468   $1,347 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash for the period   (530)   (96)
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of the year   545    317 
Cash and restricted cash at end of the period  $15   $221 
           
Supplemental Information          
Cash paid for interest  $-   $- 
Cash paid for income taxes  $-   $-  
          
Non-cash investing and financing activities          
Forgiveness of related party liabilities  $29,376   $- 

Right of use asset and operating lease obligation recognized under Topic 842

  $497    $- 
Conversion of convertible notes and accrued interest into common stock  $960    $- 
Conversion of promissory notes and accounts payable into convertible notes payable   $-    $657 
Reduction in promissory notes for the exercise of warrants   $-   $9 

 

The accompanying footnotes are integral to the unaudited consolidated financial statements

  

F-5

 

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

 

  (1) Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

 

  (a) Nature of Business
     
    EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Washington State on February 7, 2002. EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage therapeutic device company developing noninvasive therapies for cancers and other serious diseases.
     
    As of the date of this report, the Company was a holding company owning 100% of the following non-operating subsidiaries: Cellsana Therapeutics, Inc., Indolor Therapeutics, Inc. and Mensana Therapeutics, Inc.
     
    In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. The global status of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rapidly evolve. The extent to which the pandemic may impact our business and clinical studies will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the ultimate geographic spread of the disease, the duration of the pandemic, travel restrictions and social distancing guidelines, business closures or business disruptions and the effectiveness of actions taken to contain and treat the disease. The response to the pandemic may result in permanent changes to the environment in which we operate as described above in ways we are unable to predict. The COVID-19 pandemic may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described herein.
     
    In February 2022, the Russian Federation and Belarus commenced a military action with the country of Ukraine. The specific impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows resulting from this conflict is not determinable as of the date hereof. However, to the extent that such military action spreads to other countries, intensifies, or otherwise remains active, such action could result in conditions or circumstances that have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
     
  (b) Basis of Presentation
     
    The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 filed herein. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Notes to the consolidated financial statements which would substantially duplicate the disclosures herein have been omitted.
     
  (c) Principles of Consolidation
     
    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as of June 30, 2022 and 2021. Significant intercompany balance and transaction have been eliminated.

 

    The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Cellsana Therapeutics, Inc., Mensana Therapeutics, Inc. and Indolor Therapeutics, Inc., which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company. These entities are currently non-operating and do not have any operations, assets, liabilities, or contributed equity.

 

  (d) Going Concern and Liquidity
     
    As of June 30, 2022 the Company had cash and restricted cash of $15, insufficient revenue to meet its ongoing operating expenses, liabilities of $26,809 accumulated losses of $182,344, and a shareholders’ deficit of $23,906. The Company has generated minimal revenues through its license agreements with Hapbee Technologies. The Company received $176 in royalty revenues from a related party during the six months ended June 30, 2022.
     
    The financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2022 have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes the Company will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. The Company anticipates future losses in the development of its business raising substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Company generating profitable operations in the future and, or obtaining the necessary financing to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. Management intends to finance operating costs over the next twelve months with existing cash on hand, loans from directors and, or, the sale of common stock, and seeking licensing opportunities for its technology in medical and non-medical industries. There is no assurance that this series of events will be satisfactorily completed.
     
    The financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of assets and liabilities that may be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

 

  (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

  (a) Use of Estimates
     
    The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the estimated fair value of the Company’s common stock; the recoverability of deferred tax assets; stock based compensation to employees as well as equity based transactions with nonemployees; and other contingencies.

 

F-6

 

 

  (b) Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
     
    The Company considers as cash and cash equivalents all cash on deposit, highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. There were no cash equivalents held by the Company at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
     
    The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the accompanying balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the accompanying statements of cash flows:

 

  

June 30,

2022

   December 31, 2021 
Cash  $10   $345 
Restricted cash included in other long-term assets   5    200 
Total cash and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows  $15   $545 

 

    Restricted cash included in other long term assets on the accompanying balance sheets represents a deposit placed in a bank account controlled by the Company whose use is restricted based on the terms of the Company’s operating lease for its headquarter facilities in Bellevue, Washington as the lessor required a reserve account be established.

 

  (c) Concentration of Credit Risk
     
    The Company places the majority of its cash in one financial institution. At times, cash may be in excess of the FDIC insurance limit. To date, there have been no losses in such accounts.
     
  (d) Property and Equipment
     
    Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Equipment originally acquired under capital leases is stated at the present value of future minimum lease payments at inception of the lease less accumulated amortization. Equipment held under capital leases is amortized on a straight line basis over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset. Leasehold improvements are recorded at cost and are depreciated over the shorter of the remaining lease term or their estimated useful lives. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the financial statements, and any resulting gain or loss is recognized as a component of research and development or general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations for the period depending on the nature of the equipment. The majority of the Company’s equipment is used for research and development.
     
    Depreciation and amortization is computed using the straight line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

 

  Laboratory and office equipment, furniture and fixtures 5 to 10 years
     
  Leasehold improvements Shorter of estimated improvement life or lease term
     
  Software and electronic equipment 3 years

 

    Long lived assets, such as equipment, are reviewed for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. No other triggering events were identified during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

F-7

 

 

  (e) Finance Leases
     
    The Company leases certain equipment under finance leases. Finance leases are recorded at the present value of the future minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 there was $321 and $424 in total financing lease liability, and $275 and $374 in lease financing assets, respectively.
     
  (f) Investment in Hapbee Technologies, Inc. The Company accounts for investments in less than 50% owned and more than 20% owned entities using the equity method of accounting. In accordance with ASC 825-10-15, the Company has elected the fair value option for these investments, with unrealized holding gains and losses during the period included in earnings.
     
  (g) Revenue Recognition
     
    The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, adopted on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. The standard outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. Central to the revenue recognition framework is a five-step revenue recognition model that requires the Company to:

 

  1) Identify the contract,
  2) Identify the performance obligations of the contract,
  3) Determine the transaction price of the contract,
  4) Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations, and
  5) Recognize revenue upon the Company satisfying each performance obligation

 

    The Company’s primary source of revenue is from royalty and distribution fees under license agreements. There are no performance obligations by the Company and the revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 were nominal.

 

  (h) Operating Leases
     
    Leases are reviewed by management based on the provisions of ASC Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”) and examined to see if they are required to be categorized as an operating lease or a finance lease, see note 5(a). The Company leases office space under operating lease agreements. For these operating leases, the company recognizes a lease liability equal to the present value of the lease payments and a right of use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. Minimum rent including tenant improvement allowances, rent holidays and rent escalation clauses on operating leases is expensed on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. See Note 5(a) for more information on finance leases.

 

F-8

 

  

  (3) Financial Instruments
     
    Fair value measurements are determined based on the assumption that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the use of inputs used in valuation methodologies into the following three levels:

 

  Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and must be used to measure fair value whenever available.
     
  Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
     
  Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs which reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use for pricing an asset or liability. For example, level 3 inputs would relate to forecasts of future earnings and cash flows used in a discounted cash flow model.

 

    The recorded amounts of financial instruments, including cash equivalents, accounts payable, and promissory notes approximate their market values as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 due to the intended short-term maturities of these financial instruments.

 

  (4) Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate

 

    As of June 15, 2020, the Company no longer holds a majority of the board seats of Hapbee and therefore was no longer the primary beneficiary. Concurrently, Hapbee completed a forward stock split on a 1-for-4.5 basis resulting in the total common shares outstanding increasing to 60,547,500 and the Company then holding 28,125,000 common shares post-split (6,250,000 x 4.5). Hapbee amended its articles of incorporation to include multiple voting shares, of which the Company exchanged its 28,125,000 common shares for 281,250 multiple voting shares. The Company was required to remeasure it’s retained interest in Hapbee at fair value and include any resulting adjustments as part of a gain or loss recognized on deconsolidation. The Company shares are 100% held by the Company and escrowed for a period of 36 months. The shares are released from escrow at a rate of 10% upon Listing Date, and 15% every six months thereafter over the period of 36 months.  As of June 30, 2022 154,688 multiple voting shares had been released from Escrow. The Company held 25% of the outstanding shares of Hapbee as of June 30 2022 and December 31, 2021.
     
    The fair value of the Company’s investment in Hapbee was determined using the market price of Hapbee’s publicly-traded shares which are quoted on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The quoted stock price at June 30, 2022, December 31, 2021, and June 30, 2021 was $0.07, $0.24, and $0.39, respectively. The following table sets forth the change in fair value of the Company’s investment in Hapbee for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021:

 

F-9

 

 

Investment in Hapbee, as of December 31, 2020  $14,777 
Change in fair value   (3,895)
Investment in Hapbee, 28,125,000 voting shares at June 30, 2021   10,881 
Investment in Hapbee, 28,125,000 voting shares at December 31, 2021   6,688 
Change in fair value   (4,810)
Investment in Hapbee, 28,125,000 at June 30, 2022  $1,878 

 

UNAUDITED

 

We are providing the following unaudited summarized financial information for Hapbee Technologies due to our investment in Hapbee being deemed a significant equity investee as it comprises 65% and 86% of our total assets, respectively. Information presented below is as of the most recent interim period publicly available.

 

  

March 31,

2022

  

December 31,

2021

 
Current Assets  $2,579    4,006 
Noncurrent Assets   2,230    2,283 
Current Liabilities   (1,408)   (1,578)
Noncurrent Liabilities   (3,292)   (3,103)
Total equity   109   1,608

  

  

March 31,

2022

  

June 30,

2021

 
Revenues  $360    1,728 
Gross Profit   36    479 
Net loss   (2,250)   (6,732)
Net loss and comprehensive loss   (2,246)   (6,728)

 

  (5) Property and Equipment

 

  

June 30,

2022

   December 31, 2021 
Property, Plant, & Equipment  $1,001    994 
Financed Lease Assets   1,186    1,186 
Leasehold improvements   611    611 
           
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization   (2,401)   (2,287)
   $397    504 

 

    Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment was $114 and $202 for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively

 

  (a) Finance Leases

 

 

The Company leases certain equipment under finance leases. Equipment financed and used for collateral include only the physical units; the software and signals loaded on the controller units are not included in the financing agreements. Finance Leases are recorded at the present value of the future minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease. Equipment capitalized under finance leases as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 totaled $1,186. Due to the coronavirus epidemic, the Company negotiated deferral agreements, extending lease terms for specific agreements 1-3 months in 2020. As of June 30, 2022, future minimum lease payments under finance leases were as follows for the years ending December 31:

 

2022  $115 
2023   179 
2024   65 
Total minimum lease payments   359 
Less imputed interest   38 
   $321 

 

F-10

 

 

  (6) Debt

 

    The Company has issued debt to related and non-related parties of the Company. In connection with certain of these notes the Company also issued warrants with a legal life of seven years to purchase common stock. The Company recognizes the cost of warrants issued with the debt as debt discounts in the financial statements, which is recorded at the warrants relative fair value measured based on the grant date fair value of the award. The Company estimates the fair value of each warrant at the grant date by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. See note 10 for assumptions used to value the warrants. The Company amortizes the discount under the effective interest method over the term of the respective note. The Company evaluated the promissory notes that were converted into convertible notes and determined there was no accounting impact as a result of the modifications. The Company analyzed the conversion options in the convertible note payables for derivative accounting consideration under ASC 815 and determined that the transactions do not qualify for derivative treatment. As of June 30, 2022, future minimum lease payments of the Company’s debt were as follows for the years ending December 31:

 

2022  $8,620 
2023   331 
2024    
2025 and thereafter   474 
Total  $9,425 

 

(a) Notes payable due to related parties as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2022   2021 
In May 2016, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $100 with a maturity date of October 2016 and an annual interest rate of 9%. In May 2021, June 2021 and August 2021, a total of $21 was reduced for payment of warrants exercised in lieu of cash proceeds (see note 10(a)). The promissory note is past due and payable upon demand as of June 30, 2022.  $79   $79 
           
In August 2017, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $200 with a maturity date of August 2019 and an annual interest rate of 8%. The promissory note is past due and payable upon demand as of June 30, 2022.   200    200 
           
In May 2018, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $100 with a maturity date of May 2019 and an annual interest rate of 9%. In connection with the promissory note issuance the Company issued warrants to purchase 4,892 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $10.22. The Company recorded a discount related to the warrants in the amount of $25. The promissory note is past due and payable upon demand as of June 30, 2022.   100    100 
           
In July 2018, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $100 with a maturity date of July 2019 and an annual interest rate of 9%. In August 2021, $3 was reduced for payment of warrants exercised in lieu of cash proceeds (see note 10(a)). The promissory note is past due and payable upon demand as of June 30, 2022.   97    97 
           
In July 2021, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $150 with a maturity date due on demand but no earlier than September 30, 2021. A payment of $85 was applied to the principal in October 2021. The note earns interest at 10% and is past due and payable on demand as of June 30, 2022.   65    65 
           
In July 2021, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $35 with a maturity date due on demand but no earlier than September 30, 2021. The note earns interest at 10% and is past due and payable on demand as of June 30, 2022.   35    35 
           
In March 2022, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $300 with a maturity date of (a) July 2022 or (b) the date by which the Company completes a transaction for the purchase of its equity or debt securities for cash with the principal purpose of raising capital in an amount not less than $2,500, The note earns interest at 10% and is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.   300     
           
In June 2022, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note in the amount of $100 with a maturity date of (a) September 2022 or (b) the date by which the Company receives immediately available funds sufficient for such payment in connection with the closing of an underwritten initial public offering, The note earns interest at 3.33% per month and is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.   100     
           
In June 2022, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note in the amount of $100 with a maturity date of (a) December 2022 or (b) the date by which the Company receives immediately available funds sufficient for such payment in connection with the closing of an underwritten initial public offering, The note earns interest at 3.33% per month and is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.   100     
           
Notes payable due to related parties  $1,076   $576 
Total notes payable due to related parties  $1,076   $576 

 

F-11

 

 

(b) Note payable due as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2022   2021 
In December 2017 the Company entered into an unsecured promissory note for $150, bearing interest at a rate of 10% per annum, with a maturity date of July 2022. As per the monthly payment terms of the agreement which were not paid and $34 is due as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and included in accounts payable. In August 2021, $78 was reduced for payment of warrants exercised in lieu of cash proceeds (see note 10(a)). The promissory note is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.  $15   $15 
           
In September 2018 the Company entered into an unsecured promissory note for $100, bearing interest at a rate of 10% per annum, with a maturity date of October 2023. The promissory note is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.   100    100 
           
In November 2020, the Company entered into an unsecured loan agreement with the Small Business Association via the Economic Injury and Disaster Loan program (EIDL) for $160, bearing interest at a rate of 3.75% per annum, with a maturity date of November 2050. The loan has a general security interest in the Company’s collateral.   160    160 
           
In March 2021, the Company entered into an unsecured loan agreement with Union Bank for $314 pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) with the Small Business Association. The loan has a maturity date of March 2, 2026 and bears interest at 1% per annum. The PPP loan is eligible for forgiveness under the terms of the CARES Act, wherein each Borrower can apply for and be granted forgiveness for all or a portion of the PPP Loan. Such forgiveness will be determined, subject to limitations, based on the use of loan proceeds in accordance with the terms of the CARES Act. No assurance is provided that any Borrower will obtain forgiveness under any relevant PPP Loan in whole or in part.   314    314 
           
Total notes and SBA loan payables  $589   $589 
Less notes and SBA loan payables – current   (6)   (9)
Total notes and SBA loan payables, net of current  $583   $580 

 

F-12

 

 

(c) Convertible notes due as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2022   2021 
         
During 2019, the Company opened a round of unsecured convertible note financing. The round has a Maturity Date of September 6, 2021 with an interest component of 10%. On September 3, 2021 the Board extended the Maturity Date to the earlier of a) February 28, 2022 b) upon the consummation of deemed liquidation. In February 2022, the Board extended the Maturity date of these notes to September 1, 2022. The round includes Put Features for subscribers, the terms of which are dependent upon the amount invested. At maturity the principal and accrued interest of convertible notes will be automatically converted into common stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the Maturity Date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the Maturity Date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the Maturity Date, or (2) $9.00, in any case rounded down to the nearest whole share of the common stock as of the date of conversion. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At any time the Notes are outstanding prior to the Maturity Date, the Holder may (a) elect to convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into Equity Securities. Conversion price equal to the highest cash price paid for the Nonqualified Equity Securities or (b) Convertible into common stock at a conversion price equal to the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion          
           
Included in this round, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note in September 2019 in the amount of $250 with a maturity date of the earlier of February 2022 or consummation of a deemed liquidation and an annual interest rate of 10% to a related party. In connection with the convertible note issuance the Company issued warrants to purchase 12,916 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $10.22. The Company recorded a discount related to the warrants in the amount of $65. The Company also recognized a beneficial conversion feature of $64 that will be amortized over the life of the note using the effective interest method. The convertible note is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.  $250   $250 
           
Included in the round, the Company issued 15 unsecured convertible notes between January 2021 – June 2021 for an aggregate amount of $1,148. Between January 2022 – June 2022, the Company issued 13 unsecured convertible notes for an aggregate total of $749. All convertible notes have a maturity date of the earlier of September 1, 2022 or consummation of a Deemed Liquidation and an annual interest rate of 10%, except for two notes totaling $201 due in August 2023. In connection with the 2020 convertible note the Company issued warrants to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $10.22. The warrants were offered as a subscription incentive. The Company recorded a discount related to the warrants in the amount of $3. The Company also recognized a beneficial conversion feature of $3 that will be amortized over the life of the note using the effective interest method. Beneficial conversion feature of $18 was in excess of the convertible debt proceeds and therefore was not recognized. The number of warrants granted to each convertible note holder was dependent upon the principal amount of the investor’s note. Total funds in convertible notes issued during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 were $760 and $1,148, respectively.   5,097    5,050 
           
In June 2019, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $500 with a maturity date of the earlier of February 2022 or consummation of a deemed liquidation and an annual interest rate of 10%. The conversion price per share is $9.00. In connection with the convertible note issuance the Company issued warrants to purchase 27,777 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $9.00. The Company recorded a discount related to the warrants in the amount of $139. The Company also recognized a beneficial conversion feature of $139 that will be amortized over the life of the note using the effective interest method. In the event the Note has not been repaid or converted prior to the Maturity Date, then upon the Maturity Date, the outstanding principal and accrued interest shall automatically convert into that number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the outstanding principal and accrued interest by the Conversion Price, $9.00. The convertible note is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.   500    500 
           
In January 2020, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $250 with a maturity date earlier of January 2022 or consummation of a deemed liquidation and an annual interest rate of 10%. The convertible note is outstanding as of June 30, 2022. On September 3, 2021 the Board extended the Maturity Date to February 28, 2022. At maturity the principal and accrued interest of convertible notes will be automatically converted into common stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the Maturity Date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the Maturity Date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the Maturity Date, or (2) $9.00. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At any time the note is outstanding prior to the maturity date, the holder may elect to convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into common stock at the higher of a sale of (A) common stock or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion.   250    250 

 

F-13

 

 

In September 2020, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $250 with a maturity date of September 2022 and an annual interest rate of 10%. The convertible note is outstanding as of June 30, 2022. At maturity the principal and accrued interest of convertible notes will be automatically converted into common stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the Maturity Date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the Maturity Date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the Maturity Date, or (2) $9.00.If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At any time the note is outstanding prior to the maturity date, the holder may elect to convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into common stock at the higher of a sale of common stock or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion     250       250  
                 
In August 2018, the Company issued two unsecured convertible notes in the amount of $63 each with a maturity date of August 2020 and an annual interest rate of 10% The notes have a conversion price equal to the lesser of (1) by dividing the outstanding principal and accrued interest by a conversion price equal to the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of the date of conversion as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of common stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to an employee or service provider, or (2) $10.22 per share. Upon the maturity date, any outstanding principal and accrued interest shall automatically convert to shares of common stock determined by the conversion price.  The convertible notes are outstanding as of June 30, 2022.     125       125  
                 
In November 2020, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $100 with a maturity date of December 2022 or upon the consummation of a deemed liquidation. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to the Maturity by a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. The convertible note earns interest at 10% and is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.     100       100  

 

In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party of $150 which was converted from a promissory note (Refer to table (a)), with a maturity of December 2022, or upon a deemed liquidation and an interest rate of 10% per annum. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to the Maturity by a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. The convertible note is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.     150       150  
                 
In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party of $142 which was converted from a $112 promissory note and $30 accounts payable (Refer to table (a)), with a maturity of December 2022, or upon a deemed liquidation and an interest rate of 10% per annum. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to the Maturity by a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. The convertible note is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.     142       142  
                 
In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party of $228 which was converted from a $200 promissory note and additional $28 principal (Refer to table (a)), with a maturity of December 2022, or upon a deemed liquidation and an interest rate of 10% per annum. Prior to maturity, the related party may elect the conversion upon a Company Financing or as a Voluntary Conversion wherein the conversion price would be equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors.     228       228  
                 
In January 2021, $38 in accounts payables due to a related party was transferred into an unsecured convertible note, with a maturity of December 2022, or upon a deemed liquidation and an interest rate of 3% per annum. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to the Maturity by a conversion price equal to 100% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion.     38       38  

 

F-14

 

 

In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $30 with a maturity date of February 2023 or upon the consummation of a deemed liquidation. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At maturity the principal and accrued interest of convertible notes will be automatically converted into common stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the Maturity Date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the Maturity Date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the Maturity Date, or (2) $9.00. At any time the note is outstanding prior to the maturity date, the holder may elect to convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into common stock at the higher of a sale of common stock or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. The convertible note earns interest at 10% and is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.     30       30  
                 
In July 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $600, of which $500 was converted from a promissory note (Refer to table (a)), with a maturity date of December 2022 or upon the consummation of a deemed liquidation. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to the Maturity by a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. The convertible note earns interest at 10% and is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.     600       600  
                 
Total convertible notes payable   $ 7,760     $ 7,713  
Less discounts     -       (5)  
Less current portion of convertible notes to third parties     (4,952)       (4,974)  
Less current portion of convertible notes to related parties     (2,577)       (2,503)  
                 
Total convertible note payables, net of current portion   $ 231     $ 231  

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company amended the maturity date conversion price per share to a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of common Stock on the maturity Date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of common stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the maturity date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase common stock on or prior to the maturity date, or (2) $4.09. As a result, a total of $960 in principal and accrued interest were converted into 234,896 shares of common stock under the amended conversion terms of the notes. The remaining convertible promissory notes had their maturity dates extended to September 1, 2022. These extended notes will continue to accrue interest under the original terms of the notes.

 

F-15

 

 

  (7) Deferred Compensation and Postemployment Benefits

 

As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had accrued for the following on the accompanying balance sheets:

 

  

June 30,

2022

  

December 31,

2021

 
Deferred Executive Compensation  $91   $6,582 
Postemployment benefits, current   6,369    6,738 
           
Total deferred compensation and postemployment benefits, current   6,460    13,320 
           
Deferred compensation, noncurrent   -    9,100 
Postemployment benefits, noncurrent   5,544    5,477 
           
Total deferred compensation and postemployment benefits  $12,004   $27,897 

 

Deferred Compensation

 

The Company has established deferred cash compensation arrangements with certain of the Company’s current or former executive officers through individual employment or related severance agreements. Authoritative guidance for compensation indicates that if elements of both current and future services are present in a deferred compensation plan, only the portion applicable to the current services shall be accrued. The Company had accrued a total of $91 and $15,862 as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, relating to these deferred compensation arrangements. The majority of the accrued balance at June 30, 2022 is associated with services provided by participants prior to December 31, 2014, when the Company was in its early clinical development stage. Deferred compensation is not discounted because at the end of each reporting period, the aggregate amount of deferred compensation accrued equals the then present value of the benefit expected to be paid to the participants, as required by authoritative guidance.

 

Payment of accrued deferred compensation amounts relating to current or past services is contingent on the Company having sufficient funds to pay deferred compensation amounts such that payment does not jeopardize the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, as determined by the Company’s board of directors, and as outlined in the respective employment or related severance agreements with each participant. At such time as the Company may have sufficient liquid assets in the future to pay accrued deferred compensation and, such that payment of deferred compensation would not jeopardize the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, it is expected that these liabilities will be settled. Amounts that the Company anticipates will be settled within one year of June 30, 2022 primarily relating to the terms outlined in specific severance agreements with former executive officers are classified as current liabilities, with the remaining amounts classified as long-term liabilities on the accompanying balance sheets.

 

Payments of the noncurrent deferred compensation balance outstanding at June 30, 2022 are contingent on the Company having sufficient funds as disclosed.

 

F-16

 

 

Postemployment Benefits

 

On September 30, 2016 the Company entered into employment agreements with several key executive employees. The agreements were established to allow them to be terminated at any time by the Company with or without cause upon written notice to the employee or by the employee for good reason or otherwise. The agreements represent an ongoing termination benefit arrangement, which entitles the employees to nonretirement postemployment benefits, such as wages and other benefits, from date of termination, whether voluntary on the part of the employee or involuntary (the Company has an obligation to make payments in either case), and also provide for payments to be made under certain conditions related to a change in control of the Company. Pursuant to authoritative guidance, an employer that provides contractual termination benefits shall recognize a liability when it is probable that employees will be entitled to benefits and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The cost of termination benefits recognized as a liability shall include the amount of any lump-sum payments and the present value of any expected future payments.

 

The Company has recorded accruals for nonretirement postemployment benefits based on annual salaries and bonuses that would be paid in the event of voluntary terminations by key executive employees as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 totaling $10 and $12,215, respectively. The liabilities have not been discounted. On August 1, 2017 payments under the original agreement were not made. Beginning on March 5, 2018 and through June 1, 2020, the Company and key executives entered into multiple deferral agreements primarily through an arbitration process that resulted in adjustments to scheduled payments of principal and interest (12% on outstanding principal and accrued interest). The deferral agreements were triggered due to non-payment. Nominal amounts of principal were paid during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021. Amounts that the Company anticipates will be settled within one year of June 30, 2022, primarily relating to the terms outlined in specific severance agreements with former executive officers, are classified as current liabilities, with the remaining amounts classified as long-term liabilities on the accompanying balance sheets. Payments to be made under these agreements are not due until one year after the effective termination date of the employees entitled to these benefits and are settled over a period of time not to exceed three years from the effective termination dates via lump sum payments.

 

The Company has not recorded any accruals for postemployment benefits that would be payable in the event of involuntary terminations because such amounts are not considered probable as of June 30, 2022. The Company has also not recorded any accruals for postemployment benefits for medical coverage to be paid in some circumstances up to five years after the effective termination dates of certain key executive employees as such amounts are not currently probable and cannot be estimated as of June 30, 2022 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company amended executive employment agreements with four officers or employees of the Company. The amended employment agreements, among other matters, forgave certain outstanding amounts owed to these individuals totaling $13,149. Other former officers and employees agreed to forgive a total of $2,857 in outstanding amounts owed to them. The forgiveness is presented in additional paid in capital.

 

  (8) Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company has or is subject to the following commitments and contingencies:

 

  (a) Employment Agreements

 

In addition to the terms of the employment agreements described in note 7 associated with deferred compensation and postemployment benefits, executive employment agreements with key executives outline compensation to be paid in exchange for services including salaries, annual incentive bonuses and stock option grants. As of December 31, 2021, an executive officer of the Company had earned $12,560 in four of four guaranteed annual bonuses payable in years 2017 through 2020, and elected to defer those amounts due to be paid.  In March 15, 2022, that executive officer agreed to a revised employment agreement that forgave all guaranteed bonuses totaling $13,370. This forgiveness amount is presented in additional paid in capital. A balance of $10 and $13,380 owed to four individuals was included in accrued and other current liabilities on the accompanying balance sheets at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

 

F-17

 

 

  (b) CEO Common Stock Bonus in the Event of an IPO

 

At December 31, 2021, the employment agreement with the Company’s CEO included a potential one time equity bonus to be paid by granting a variable number of shares of common stock in the event of a future initial public offering (IPO) of the Company’s stock. To receive the equity bonus the CEO must have been employed at the time of an IPO, and the Company’s initial market capitalization at the time of the IPO must have been greater than or equal to $1 billion for any equity bonus to be paid. The ultimate number of shares to have been granted was also dependent on several factors, including the CEO’s total annual compensation at the time as well as the average total annual compensation at that time of three CEOs of other publicly traded, similarly situated biotechnology companies with equivalent market capitalizations. The number of shares to be received by the CEO increased as a factor of his total annual compensation depending on the size of the initial IPO market capitalization, up to a market capitalization of at least $5 billion.

 

The potential bonus to have been paid in a variable number of shares was treated as a cash bonus award to be settled in shares of the Company’s stock (a share-settled liability) subject to the authoritative guidance in ASC Topic 450, Contingencies, and ASC Topic 710, Compensation. No compensation expense or accrual would have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements for this cash bonus award until and if an IPO meeting all of the conditions outlined in the employment agreement triggering the payment of this share-settled liability occurred.

 

On March 15, 2022, the Company’s CEO agreed to a revised employment agreement that waived all guaranteed stock bonuses.

 

  (c) Collaborative Agreements

 

A collaborative arrangement is a contractual arrangement that involves a joint operating activity. A contract with a collaborator or a partner is in the scope of ASC 606 if the counterparty meets the definition of a customer for part or all of the arrangement. If the counterparty is not considered a customer, these arrangements follow the guidance in ASC Topic 808, Collaborative Arrangements, or other authoritative literature. Arrangements accounted for under ASC 808 can involve two or more parties who are considered collaborators but not customers, and are both: (i) active participants in the activity; and (ii) exposed to significant risks and rewards dependent on the commercial success of the activity.

 

The Company enters into collaborative arrangements from time to time for the research and development, manufacture and/or commercialization of its products and/or product candidates.

 

To date the Company’s collaborative arrangements have included any development and commercial performance milestone payments, cost sharing, royalty payments and/or profit sharing. The Company’s collaboration agreements to date have been performed with no guarantee of either technological or commercial success and each is unique in nature.

 

F-18

 

 

  (d) Exclusive License Agreement

 

In 2017 the Company entered into an exclusive patent license agreement for use of the Company’s technology in a specific territory and in a specific field by a third party. The Company received a $3,000 up-front payment under the agreement. Upfront fees are non-refundable and non-cancellable. The Company evaluated the license agreement under ASC 606-10-55-62 and concluded that neither of the criteria exist. The agreement also included further payments the Company could receive contingent on meeting certain milestones. Under the agreement the Company can receive royalties for use of the patents in certain products sold. There were no revenues during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

  (e) Exclusive Distribution Agreement

 

In 2019 the Company entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with a seven-year term and an automatic annual renewal after the initial term, unless terminated prior to renewal, where the Company can earn revenues as a supplier for the third party’s exclusive distribution of the licensed technology in the respective territory. The agreement included an up-front payment to the Company of $50 with further payments contingent on meeting certain milestones. Upfront fees are non-refundable and non-cancellable. The Company evaluated the license agreement under ASC 606-10-55-62 and concluded that neither of the criteria exist. There were no revenues during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

  (f) Exclusive License Agreements

 

In 2019, the Company entered into multiple exclusive license agreements with their former subsidiary, Hapbee Technologies, Inc. for use of the technology. The license agreements required upfront payments of $1,530 and royalties based on Hapbee sales of product utilizing the licensed technology. Upfront fees are non-refundable and non-cancellable. The Company evaluated the license agreement under ASC 606-10-55-62 and concluded that neither of the criteria exist. The license agreements have an initial term of twenty years.

 

In 2021, the Company entered into two exclusive license agreements with Hapbee Technologies, Inc. for the use of the technology. The license agreements required an upfront payment of $10 each and royalties based on Hapbee sales of product utilizing the licensed technology. The license agreements have an initial term of twenty years. $10 in revenues from one of these agreements was included in license revenue on the accompanying statements of operations as of June 30, 2021. There was $0 in license revenue during the year ended June 30, 2022.

  

Royalty Revenues

 

In accordance with two licensing agreements with a related party, the Company has collected royalty revenues in the amount of $176 and $152 during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

  (g) Consulting Agreements

 

In 2016, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with a director of the Company for the performance of services related to ongoing research and intellectual property development. During the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, no payments were made in accordance with this agreement. A balance of $89 owed to the director was included in accounts payable on the accompanying balance sheet at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021

 

  (h) Legal Matters and Arbitration

 

The Company is subject from time to time to other legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. At this time, the Company does not believe that the resolution of any such matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

F-19

 

 

  (9) Leases

 

The Company is party to lease agreements for headquarters and research facilities located in Seattle, Washington that are classified as operating leases in accordance with ASC 842. The Company has irrevocable standby letters of credit with a bank issued to the Company’s landlord. The letter of credit is secured by $200 in cash funds controlled by the Company and is classified as other long term assets on the accompanying balance sheets as of December 31, 2021. The letter of credit expired on January 31, 2022.

 

In January 2022, the Company entered into a sublease agreement to lease office space in Bellevue, Washington under a non-cancelable lease which commenced in February 2022. The lease agreement expires in December 2024.

 

The table below presents the lease related assets and liabilities recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

 

  

June 30,

2022

  

December 31,

2021

 
Assets          
Right of use assets, net  $430   $ 
Total lease assets   430     
           
Liabilities          
Current liabilities          
Operating lease obligation, current portion  $174   $ 
Noncurrent liabilities          
Operating lease liability   285     
Total lease liability  $459   $ 

 

As of June 30, 2022, future minimum lease payments under operating leases were as follows:

 

2022  $86 
2023   180 
2024   193 
 Total  $459 

 

Rental expense for facilities under operating leases was $121 and $153 for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Due to the coronavirus epidemic, the Company negotiated deferral agreements with two leaseholders in 2020.

 

  (10) Convertible Preferred Stock

 

The Company’s amended articles of incorporation provide that it has authorized for issuance 10,000,000 shares of classes of preferred stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share. Shares of preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, with designations, preferences, and limitations established by the Company’s board of directors.

 

The Company’s Series A convertible preferred stock consists of 1,817,333 authorized shares and cannot be increased or decreased. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 the Company had issued 1,817,225 of Series A convertible preferred stock in exchange for cash or the conversion of promissory notes.

 

The Series A-1 convertible preferred stock consists of 2,400,000 authorized shares and cannot be increased or decreased. As of both June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had issued approximately 2,400,000 shares of Series A-1 convertible preferred stock in exchange for cash or the conversion of promissory notes.

 

The Company did not incur any significant financing costs with respect to the issuance of its Series A or Series A-1 convertible preferred stock.

 

   June 30, 2022 
   Authorized shares   Shares outstanding   Shares issuable upon conversion   Carrying amount   Liquidation preference 
Series A   1,817,333    1,817,225    1,817,225    1,236    3,115 
Series A-1   2,400,000    2,399,997    3,839,994    18,000    18,000 
Totals   4,217,333    4,217,222    5,657,219    19,236    21,115 

 

   December 31, 2021 
   Authorized shares   Shares outstanding   Shares issuable upon conversion   Carrying amount   Liquidation preference 
Series A   1,817,333    1,817,225    1,817,225    1,236    3,066 
Series A-1   2,400,000    2,399,997    3,839,994    18,000    18,000 
Totals   4,217,333    4,217,222    5,657,219    19,236    21,066 

 

  (a) Ranking

 

Each series of preferred stock has liquidation and dissolution preferences over, and restricts the payment of dividends to, other equity securities of the Company including its common stock. The Series A-1 convertible preferred stock has liquidation and dissolution preferences over Series A convertible preferred stock and common stock. Series A convertible preferred stock has liquidation and dissolution preferences over common stock.

  

F-20

 

 

  (b) Dividends

 

Cash dividends are payable only when, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors on the Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock. Any such dividends shall not be cumulative.

 

The Series A-1 convertible preferred stockholders hold a dividend preference over other holders. The Series A-1 convertible preferred stock dividend preference gives the Series A-1 convertible preferred stockholders the right to receive dividends prior and in preference to declaration or payment of any dividend on the Series A convertible preferred stock or the Company’s common stock, at a rate of $7.50 per share.

 

The Series A convertible preferred stockholders hold a dividend preference over certain other holders. The Series A dividend preference gives the Series A convertible preferred stockholders the right to receive dividends prior and in preference to declaration or payment of any dividend on the Company’s common stock, at a rate of $0.68 per share.

 

The Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock and convertible preferred stock dividend preferences are not cumulative. This right is received only when, as and if declared by the board of directors. The Series A and A-1 convertible preferred stock dividend preferences shall be deemed waived upon conversion of the Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock into common stock.

 

  (c) Redemption

 

The Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock do not contain mandatory redemption features.

 

Any dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, constitutes a liquidation, including a deemed liquidation including the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or the acquisition of the Company by means of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or reorganization that transfers voting control in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s voting power. This triggers the payment of liquidation preference amounts under the terms of the preferred stock designations. These liquidation characteristics do not require classification of any outstanding series of convertible preferred stock outside of the shareholders’ equity/deficit section of the accompanying balance sheets as there are no factors associated with a liquidation considered to be outside the control of the Company. As such, the Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock are classified as a component of stockholders’ equity/deficit.

 

  (d) Liquidation Preference

 

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Series A-1 convertible preferred stock shall receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of the assets to holders of the Company’s Series A convertible preferred stock and common stock an amount per share equal to $7.50, plus declared but unpaid dividends, if any. If the assets and funds are insufficient to pay this liquidation preference, then the entire assets or funds of the Company will be distributed evenly to holders of Series A-1 convertible preferred stock.

 

Holders of Series A convertible preferred stock shall receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of the assets to holders of the Company’s common stock an amount per share equal to $0.68, plus an amount equal to 8% per annum on the issue price plus declared but unpaid dividends, if any. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the liquidation preference of each share of Series A convertible preferred stock is $1.71 and $1.69, respectively. If the assets and funds are insufficient to pay this liquidation preference, then the entire assets or funds of the Company will be distributed evenly to holders of Series A convertible preferred stock.

 

Once all of the above has occurred, the remaining assets will be distributed to holders of the Company’s common stock on a pro rata basis.

 

  (e) Voting Rights

 

Holders of shares of each of the series of convertible preferred stock shall have the right to vote for each share of common stock into which such preferred stock could then be converted, and with respect to such vote, such holder shall have full voting rights and powers equal to the voting rights and powers of the holders of common stock, and shall be entitled, together with the holders of common stock, with respect to any question upon which holders of common stock have the right to vote.

 

F-21

 

 

  (f) Conversion Rights

 

Each share of Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, into common stock as determined at a ratio of 1:1 and 1:1.6, respectively. These ratios will be adjusted for payment of all or any portion of any stock split, dividend, combination, or other recapitalization as defined.

 

Further, each share of Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock shall automatically be converted into common stock (i) with the approval, by affirmative vote, written consent or agreement, of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding Series A convertible preferred stock or Series A 1 convertible preferred stock, voting together as a class, (ii) upon the prior voluntary conversion of a majority of the Series A or A-1 convertible preferred stock, or (iii) immediately prior to the closing of an underwritten initial public offering of common stock.

 

  (11) Common Stock

 

The Company’s amended articles of incorporation provide for authorization to issue 40,000,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share, and to receive dividends and, upon liquidation or dissolution, are entitled to receive all assets available for distribution to stockholders. The holders have no preemptive or other subscription rights and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to such shares. Common stock is subordinate to the outstanding series of convertible preferred stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, winding up, and dissolution of the Company. The holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held.

 

  (a) Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock

 

There were no cash proceeds from the sale of common stock received during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

  

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, 15 convertible notes reached maturity on February 28, 2022 and triggered the conversion of the outstanding notes, including accrued interest. These notes converted at a total of $960 into 234,896 shares of Common Stock.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, 155,722 warrants were exercised for cash proceeds of $311.

  

  (b) Shares Reserved for Issuance

 

The following shares of common stock were reserved for issuance at June 30:

 

   Shares 
  

June 30,

2022

   December 31,2021 
Series A convertible preferred stock issued and outstanding   1,817,225    1,817,225 
Series A-1 convertible preferred stock  issued and outstanding   3,839,994    3,839,994 
Stock options approved to be issued from 2016 Stock Incentive Plan   5,171,735    4,370,701 
Common stock warrants issued and outstanding   465,301    644,024 
    11,294,255    10,671,944 

 

F-22

 

 

  (c) Stockholder Agreements

 

The Company, the founding stockholders, and other stockholders are party to a Right of First Refusal and Co Sale Agreement that provide for certain restrictions on the transfer of Company stock. The Company has the right of first refusal if any stockholder owning stock wishes to dispose of their stock; the founding stockholders have the right of second refusal on such shares in their pro rata share of ownership.

 

  (d) Common Stock Warrants

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company issued warrants for services totaling 2,000 at an exercise price of $3.75 with an expiration term of 7 years. The Company calculated the fair value using the Black Scholes option pricing model totaling $15, the amount is included in stock-based compensation expense in the accompanying statements of operations.

 

In 2022, the Company offered to two warrant holders an inducement to exercise all or a portion of their warrant for reduced exercise prices ranging from $9.00 to $10.22 per share to $2.00 per share. The warrant holders accepted the inducement offers in January 2022 and subsequently exercised 82,338 shares under the warrant agreements. The inducement resulted in a modification to the award. The Company calculated the fair value of the inducement using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and recognized expense for the difference in fair value of the modified warrant and the fair value of the warrant immediately before modification of $481, which has been recorded as an inducement expense during the six months ended June 30, 2022. Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model are consistent with those used in its stock based compensation calculations disclosed in Note 11(a).

 

The fair market value of warrants issued during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The assumptions are the same as those used to value the Company’s stock option awards.

 

A summary of the warrants as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and the changes during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021 are presented below:

 

       Weighted   Weighted 
       average   average 
   Number   exercise   contractual 
   of warrants   price   life in years 
Balance at December 31, 2020   1,778,617    9.07    5.00 
Granted   10,000    10.22      
Exercised   (995,343)   9.11      
Expired   (149,250)   3.92      
Balance at December 31, 2021   644,024    10.07    4.02 
Granted   2,000    3.75      
Exercised   (155,723)   9.63      
Expired   (25,000)   13.35      
Balance at June 30, 2022   465,301    10.02    3.59 

 

As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there is $1 and $ 0 intrinsic value of the outstanding stock warrants, respectively.

 

F-23

 

 

  (12) Stock Based Compensation

 

Equity Incentive Plan

 

As of June 30, 2022, the Company’s equity incentive plan included the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan as amended (the “2002 Plan”), the Company’s 2016 Stock Option Plan (the “2016 Plan”), and the Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Restated 2016 Plan”) (together, the “Plans”), and provide for the granting of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options and restricted stock units.

 

Options granted under the Plans generally vest either immediately or over a period of one year from the date of grant with certain options granted in 2022 and 2021 vest over four years, and generally expire seven years from date of grant. Restricted stock units are subject to time-vesting and liquidity event vesting.

 

As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were no shares available for grant under the 2002 Plan. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were 306,265 and 1,129,299 shares available for the Company to grant under the 2016 Plan of 5,500,000 shares. Restricted stock units are subject to time-vesting and liquidity event vesting.

 

The grant date fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black Scholes Merton option pricing model. The options granted have a contractual term of 7 years. The Company uses the contractual term to determine the expected term of employee and nonemployee grants. The Company uses comparable peer group public company data to estimate the expected volatility. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur; as such, the Company does not estimate forfeitures at the time of grant.

 

  (a) Stock Option Awards

 

The table below sets forth the assumptions used on the date of grant for estimating the fair value of options granted to employees and non-employees during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021:

 

 

June 30,

2022

   

December 31,

2021

 
Weighted average expected term (years)  7.00     7.00 
Risk-free interest rate  1.71-2.16%    1.32-1.46%
Dividend yield  0     0 
Volatility  70%    70%

 

Employees

 

The Company recognized $4,159 and $418 in stock-based compensation expense to employees in the accompanying statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, respectively.

 

As of June 30, 2022, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options granted to employees is $646 which is expected to be recognized over a period of 4 years.

 

Non-employees

 

The Company recognized $676 and $0 in stock-based compensation expense to nonemployees in the accompanying statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 respectively. There is no remaining unrecognized expense for nonemployee options as of June 30, 2022.

 

F-24

 

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021:

 

       Weighted   Weighted 
       average   average 
   Number   exercise   contractual 
   of shares   price   life in years 
Balance at December 31, 2020   3,728,869    12.24    3.55 
Granted   1,044,833    4.09    - 
Exercised   -    -    - 
Forfeited   (305,101)   11.25    - 
Expired   (97,900)   7.50    - 
Balance at December 31, 2021   4,370,701    10.46    3.61 
Granted   823,034    4.09    - 
Exercised   -    -    - 
Forfeited   -    -    - 
Expired   (22,000)   7.50    - 
Balance at June 30, 2022   5,171,735    9.46    3.71 

 

As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there is $0 and $5,163 intrinsic value of the outstanding stock options, respectively.

 

As of June 30, 2022, total stock options exercisable is 4,833,532.

  

There were 1,044,833 options granted to employees or non-employees during the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 823,034 options granted to employees and non-employees during the six months ended June 30, 2022. In addition, 347,101 options granted in 2021 were to reduce accrued bonus of $1,040 and deferred compensation of $158 with certain officers and employees.

 

The following tables reflects the components of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the accompanying statements of operations for the six months ended June 30:

 

   Stock   Stock   Common stock   Common stock     
   options –   options –   warrants –   warrants –     
June 30, 2021  employees   nonemployees   employees   nonemployees   Total 
Research & Development   116    -    -    -    116 
General & Administrative   302    -    -    -    302 
    418    -    -    -    418 

 

  

Stock

options –

  

Stock

options –

  

Common stock

warrants –

  

Common stock

warrants –

   Restricted stock awards     
June 30, 2022  employees   nonemployees   employees   nonemployees   employees   Total 
Research & Development   55    -    -    -    1,095    1,150 
General & Administrative   4,104    676    -    16    4    4,800 
    4,159    676    -    16    1,099    5,950 

 

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $6.73 and $10.12, respectively. There were no options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

F-25

 

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company authorized the issuance of restricted stock units (“RSU”) totaling 2,200,000 shares of common stock of which 1,524,343 shares were granted in April 2022 at a price of $4.09. These time-based RSU’s vest 50% on the one year anniversary of the grant date, with 1/8th of the award vesting each quarter thereafter. The RSU’s will also vest upon a liquidity event, as defined in the RSU agreement as an IPO, merger or acquisition. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, there was $1,099 in stock based compensation recognized in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations related to the vesting of these RSU’s.

 

As of June 30, 2022, 1,524,343 RSU’s were both outstanding and unvested, and the total unrecognized stock compensation expense related to these awards was $5,140.

 

  (13) Net Income (Loss) Per Share

 

Net income (loss) per share is presented in conformity with the two-class method required for multiple classes of common stock and participating securities. The participating securities include Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock, as the holders of these series of preferred stock are entitled to receive a noncumulative dividend in preference to the common stockholders in the event that a dividend is declared on common stock. No dividend was declared on common stock in 2022 and 2021; therefore, there was no allocation of earnings to these participating securities for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021. The holders of Series A and Series A-1 preferred stock do not have a contractual obligation to share in the losses. As such, net income (loss) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 were not allocated to these participating securities.

 

Basic income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and excludes any dilutive effects of common stock equivalent shares such as stock options, warrants, convertible notes, and convertible preferred stock. Diluted income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive common stock options, warrants, convertible notes, and convertible preferred stock.

  

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the numerator and denominator utilized in the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders during the periods presented:

 

   June 30, 2022   Jun 30, 2021 
Numerator          
Net income (loss)  $(13,835)  $(7,904)
Participating securities:          
Income allocated to participating securities   -    - 
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, for basic and diluted  $(13,835)  $(7,904)
           
Denominator          
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, for basic computation   15,005,420    13,741,100 
Assumed exercise of warrants, net of shares assumed reacquired under the treasury stock method   -    - 
Assumed conversion of preferred stock under the if-converted method   -    - 
Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted computation   15,005,420    13,741,100 
           
Net income(loss) per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted  $(0.92)   (0.58)

 

F-26

 

 

The following potentially dilutive shares of convertible preferred stock, convertible notes payable, and common stock options and warrants were not included in the calculation of diluted shares above as the effect would have been anti-dilutive:

 

   June 30, 2022   June 30, 2021 
Convertible preferred stock   5,657,219    5,657,219 
Convertible notes payable   1,792,520    659,674 
Common stock options and warrants   1,869,867    335,501 
Total   9,319,606    6,652,394 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, common stock equivalents of 463,301 and 3,303,868, respectively, related to warrants and stock options were excluded from diluted earnings per share as the exercise price of these instruments was greater than the average price of the Company’s common stock price throughout the period. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, common stock equivalents of 330,523 and 3,432,868, respectively, related to warrants and stock options were excluded from diluted earnings per share as the exercise price of these instruments was greater than the average price of the Company’s common stock price throughout the period.

  

  (14) Subsequent Events

 

The Company has evaluated subsequent events and transactions through August XX, 2022, the date the financial statements were available for issuance and identified the below transactions that need to be reported.

 

In July 2022, the Company issued three unsecured promissory notes to shareholders totaling $350 with maturity dates of (a) January 2023 or (b) the date by which the Company receives immediately available funds sufficient for such payment in connection with the closing of an underwritten initial public offering, The notes earn interest at 3.33% per month. 

 

In August 2022, the Company issued a convertible note to a shareholder for $100 with a maturity date of September 1, 2022. This note includes Put Features for subscribers, the terms of which are dependent upon the amount invested. At maturity the principal and accrued interest of the note will be automatically converted into common stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the Maturity Date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the Maturity Date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the Maturity Date, or (2) $9.00, in any case rounded down to the nearest whole share of the common stock as of the date of conversion. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At any time the note is outstanding prior to the Maturity Date, the Holder may (a) elect to convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into Equity Securities. Conversion price equal to the highest cash price paid for the Nonqualified Equity Securities or (b) Convertible into common stock at a conversion price equal to the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion.

 

F-27

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Going Concern Matter

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and has a net capital deficiency that raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ MaloneBailey, LLP

www.malonebailey.com

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.

Houston, Texas

May 6, 2022

 

F-28

 

 

EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

   December 31, 
  2021   2020 
Assets        
Current assets:          
Cash  $345   $117 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets       166 
Total current assets   345    283 
Investments   6,688    14,777 
Property and equipment, net   130    282 
Capital lease financing, net   374    601 
Restricted cash   200    200 
Total assets  $7,737   $16,143 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $2,755   $2,820 
Accrued and other current liabilities   14,937    14,710 
Promissory notes payable due to related parties, net of debt discount   576    1,662 
Current convertible notes payable   4,974    3,037 
Current convertible notes due to related parties, net of debt discount   2,503    952 
Current portion of capital lease obligations   198    210 
SBA promissory notes   9     
Deferred compensation and postemployment benefits, current portion   13,320    11,964 
Total current liabilities   39,272    35,355 
Deferred compensation and postemployment benefits, net of current portion   14,577    14,369 
Convertible notes payable, net of debt discount   201     
Convertible notes due to related parties   30    100 
Promissory notes payable   115    194 
SBA promissory notes, net of current   465    474 
Long term portion of capital lease obligations, net of current   226    440 
Other liabilities       75 
Total liabilities   54,886    51,007 
Commitments and contingencies          
Stockholders’ deficit:          
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 10,000,000 shares:          
Series A convertible preferred stock. Authorized, 1,817,333 shares; issued and outstanding, 1,817,225 shares at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020   1,236    1,236 
Series A-1 convertible preferred stock. Authorized, 2,400,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 2,399,997 shares at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020   18,000    18,000 
Common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized, 40,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 14,752,697 and 13,738,293 shares at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively   15    14 
Additional paid-in capital   102,109    92,303 
Accumulated deficit   (168,509)   (146,417)
Total stockholders’ deficit   (47,149)   (34,864)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit  $7,737   $16,143 

 

The accompanying footnotes are integral to the Consolidated financial statements

 

F-29

 

 

EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

   Years ended December 31,
   2021  2020
Royalty revenue, related party  $221   $113 
License revenue, related party   20     
Operating expenses          
Research and development   1,536    2,064 
General and administrative   10,033    8,685 
Total operating expenses   11,569    10,749 
Loss from operations   (11,328)   (10,636)
Other income (expense):          
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment   (8,089)   14,777 
Other income   318     
Interest expense   (2,993)   (1,521)
Total other income (expense)   (10,764)   13,256 
Net income (loss)  $(22,092)  $2,620 
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest       (837)
Net income (loss) attributable to EMulate Therapeutics  $(22,092)  $3,457 
Net income (loss) per share, basic   $ (1.61 )   $ 0.26  
Net income (loss) loss per share, diluted   $ (1.61 )   $ 0.18  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic   13,744,737     13,479,379  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted   13,744,737     19,692,595  

 

The accompanying footnotes are integral to the Consolidated financial statements

 

F-30

 

 

EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

   Series A convertible   Series A-1 convertible                     
   preferred stock   preferred stock   Common stock   Additional           Total 
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   paid-in capital   Accumulated
deficit
   Noncontrolling
Interest
   stockholders’
deficit
 
Balance, December 31, 2019   1,817,225   $1,236    2,399,997   $18,000    13,650,116    $14   $87,800   $(149,874)  $108   $(42,716)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options and warrants                   240        3            3 
Conversion of convertible note payables and                   87,937        898            898 
accrued interest to common stock                                                  
Stock-based compensation                           3,602            3,602 
Deconsolidation of Hapbee Technologies, Inc.                                   729    729 
Net Income                               3,457    (837)   2,620 
Balance, December 31, 2020   1,817,225    $1,236    2,399,997    

$

18,000    13,738,293    $14    $92,303    

$

(146,417) 

$

   $(34,864)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants                   965,306    1    1,637            1,638 
Exercise of common stock warrants to reduce promissory notes payable                       49,098        102            102 
Warrant inducement                                 831            831 
Stock-based compensation                           6,038            6,038 
Options granted to reduce accrued bonus and deferred compensation                           1,198            1,198 
Net loss                               (22,092)       (22,092)
Balance, December 31, 2021   1,817,225    $1,236    2,399,997    $18,000    14,752,697    $15   $102,109    

$

(168,509)   

$

    

$

(47,149)

 

The accompanying footnotes are integral to the Consolidated financial statements

 

F-31

 

 

EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

   December 31, 
    2021    2020 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income (loss)  $(22,092)  $2,620 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:          
Unrealized (gain) loss on investment   8,089    (14,777)
Depreciation and amortization   379    389 
Loss on disposal of property and equipment, net       109 
Stock-based compensation   6,038    3,602 
Amortization of discounts on promissory notes payable and convertible notes   665    205 
Gain on PPP loan forgiveness   (314)    
Inducement expense   831     
Change in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses   166    (28)
Accounts payable   2    485 
Accrued and other current liabilities   1,192    1,036 
Deferred compensation and postemployment benefits   1,722    2,341 
Net cash used in operating activities   (3,322)   (4,018)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Payments on finance lease obligations   (226)   (162)
Borrowings on convertible notes payable   1,766    1,950 
Borrowings on convertible notes payable - related party   158    600 
Borrowings on promissory notes payable - related party   185     
Repayment of promissory notes payable - related party   (285)   (100)
Proceeds from SBA PPP Loan   314    474 
Proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants   1,638    3 
Net cash provided by financing activities   3,550    2,765 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash for the period   228    (1,253)
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of the year   317    1,570 
Cash and restricted cash at end of the period  $545   $317 
           
Supplemental Information          
Cash paid for interest  $   $70 
Cash paid for income taxes  $   $ 
           
Non-cash investing and financing activities          
Options granted to reduce accrued bonus and deferred compensation  $1,198   $ 
Conversion of convertible notes and accrued interest into common stock  $   $898 
Conversion of promissory notes and accounts payable into convertible notes payable  $1,029   $ 
Reduction in promissory notes for the exercise of warrants  $102   $ 

 

The accompanying footnotes are integral to the Consolidated financial statements

 

F-32

 

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2020

(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

 

  (1) Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

 

  (a) Nature of Business
     
    EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Washington State on February 7, 2002. EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage therapeutic device company developing noninvasive therapies for cancers and other serious diseases.
     
    As of the date of this report, the Company was a holding company owning 100% of the following non-operating subsidiaries: Cellsana Therapeutics, Inc., Indolor Therapeutics, Inc., Mensana Therapeutics, Inc. and Zoesana Animal Health, Inc.
     
    In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. The global status of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rapidly evolve. The extent to which the pandemic may impact our business and clinical studies will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the ultimate geographic spread of the disease, the duration of the pandemic, travel restrictions and social distancing guidelines, business closures or business disruptions and the effectiveness of actions taken to contain and treat the disease. The response to the pandemic may result in permanent changes to the environment in which we operate as described above in ways we are unable to predict. The COVID-19 pandemic may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described herein.
     
    In February 2022, the Russian Federation and Belarus commenced a military action with the country of Ukraine. The specific impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows resulting from this conflict is not determinable as of the date hereof. However, to the extent that such military action spreads to other countries, intensifies, or otherwise remains active, such action could result in conditions or circumstances that have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
     
  (b) Basis of Presentation
     
    The accompanying financial statements present the balance sheets, statements of operations, stockholders’ deficit and cash flows of the Company. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”).
     
  (c) Principles of Consolidation
     
    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as of December 31,2021 and 2020. Significant intercompany balance and transaction have been eliminated.
     
    In January 2019, the Company formed Hapbee Technologies, Inc. (“Hapbee”), formerly Elevation Technologies, Inc., in order to utilize the Company’s technology for non-regulated applications. Hapbee was incorporated in Canada and is a Canadian operation. Multiple license agreements, as amended, were entered into between the Company and Hapbee for use of the technology.
     
    Upon formation, Hapbee was a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Board of Directors of Hapbee consisted of three members, two of whom are also members of our Board. Subsequent to the formation, Hapbee initiated a round of financing offering 5 million shares of Hapbee common stock at $1.00 per share.
     
    While the Company held 48% of the outstanding common shares of Hapbee as of December 31, 2019, or 6,250,000 shares, the Company consolidated Hapbee as the Company was determined to be the primary beneficiary under ASC 810, Consolidation, through its holding 2 of Hapbee’s 3 board seats, with a noncontrolling interest recorded by the Company for the interest in Hapbee held by third parties.
     
    According to ASC 810, the Company has determined that application of the variable interest entity (“VIE”) is accorded to the Company’s ownership interest in Hapbee Technologies, Inc., as the Company holds a power component over Hapbee through Board Members, and as the Company has the right of benefits, but is not subject to loss absorption obligations, the Company would be deemed to having a controlling interest.

 

F-33

 

 

    On June 15, 2020, the shareholders of Hapbee elected a new board consisting of six members, of which only two are also members of our Board. As a result, the Company no longer holds a majority of the board seats of Hapbee and therefore no longer the primary beneficiary. Under ASC 810, this resulted in the Company deconsolidating Hapbee. Through deconsolidation, the Company recorded $262 of net assets in Hapbee as a gain on the income statement. Additionally, the deconsolidation resulted in the removal of the non-controlling interest totaling $729 as of June 15, 2020.
     
    As the Company still held 25% as of December 31, 2021 and 46% as of December 31, 2020 of the outstanding shares of Hapbee after deconsolidation and therefore is presumed to have significant influence, the investment in Hapbee is accounted for using the fair value election option as an equity method investment. See Note (4).
     
    The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Cellsana Therapeutics, Inc., Mensana Therapeutics, Inc., Indolor Therapeutics, Inc. and Zoesana Animal Health, Inc., which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company. These entities are currently non-operating and do not have any operations, assets, liabilities, or contributed equity.

 

  (d) Going Concern and Liquidity
     
    As of December 31, 2021 the Company had cash and restricted cash of $545, insufficient revenue to meet its ongoing operating expenses, liabilities of $54,886 accumulated losses of $168,509, and a shareholders’ deficit of $47,149. The Company has generated minimal revenues through its license agreements with Hapbee Technologies. The Company received $221 in royalty revenues from a related party during the year ended December 31, 2021.
     
    The financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes the Company will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. The Company anticipates future losses in the development of its business raising substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Company generating profitable operations in the future and, or obtaining the necessary financing to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. Management intends to finance operating costs over the next twelve months with existing cash on hand, loans from directors and, or, the sale of common stock, and seeking licensing opportunities for its technology in medical and non-medical industries. There is no assurance that this series of events will be satisfactorily completed.
     
    The financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of assets and liabilities that may be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

 

  (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

  (a) Use of Estimates
     
    The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the estimated fair value of the Company’s common stock; the recoverability of deferred tax assets; stock based compensation to employees as well as equity based transactions with nonemployees; and other contingencies.
     
  (b) Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
     
    The Company considers as cash and cash equivalents all cash on deposit, highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. There were no cash equivalents held by the Company at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
     
    The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the accompanying balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the accompanying statements of cash flows:

 

   December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020 
Cash  $345   $117 
Restricted cash included in other long-term assets   200    200 
Total cash and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows  $545   $317 

 

F-34

 

 

    Restricted cash included in other long term assets on the accompanying balance sheets represents a deposit placed in a bank account controlled by the Company whose use is restricted based on the terms of the Company’s operating lease for its headquarter facilities in Bellevue, Washington as the lessor required a reserve account be established.

 

  (c) Concentration of Credit Risk
     
    The Company places the majority of its cash in one financial institution. At times, cash may be in excess of the FDIC insurance limit. To date, there have been no losses in such accounts.
     
  (d) Property and Equipment
     
    Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Equipment originally acquired under capital leases is stated at the present value of future minimum lease payments at inception of the lease less accumulated amortization. Equipment held under capital leases is amortized on a straight line basis over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset. Leasehold improvements are recorded at cost and are depreciated over the shorter of the remaining lease term or their estimated useful lives. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the financial statements, and any resulting gain or loss is recognized as a component of research and development or general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations for the period depending on the nature of the equipment. The majority of the Company’s equipment is used for research and development.
     
    Depreciation and amortization is computed using the straight line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

 

  Laboratory and office equipment, furniture and fixtures 5 to 10 years
     
  Leasehold improvements Shorter of estimated improvement life or lease term
     
  Software and electronic equipment 3 years

 

    Long lived assets, such as equipment, are reviewed for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In 2020, the Company sold equipment that was not being used and determined there was obsolete equipment, which was written off. The Company incurred a loss of $109 due to these activities. No other triggering events were identified during the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
     
  (e) Capital Leases
     
    The Company leases certain equipment under capital leases. Capital leases are recorded at the present value of the future minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 there was $424 and $650 in total capital lease liability, and $374 and $601 in capital lease financing assets, respectively.
     
  (f) Income Taxes
     
    Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Authoritative guidance requires the Company to classify all deferred tax liabilities and assets as noncurrent in the financial statements.
     
    The Company provides a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. At December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets related to temporary differences and operating losses because there is significant uncertainty as to the realizability of the deferred tax assets.

 

F-35

 

 

    The Company follows authoritative guidance in accounting for uncertain tax positions and has evaluated its tax positions taken for all open tax years. The Company is subject to income tax examination by federal tax authorities for tax years beginning in 2017; however, to the extent allowed by law, the tax authorities may have the right to examine prior periods where NOLs and tax credits were generated and carried forward, make adjustments up to the amount of the carryforwards.
     
  (g) Investment in Hapbee Technologies, Inc. The Company accounts for investments in less than 50% owned and more than 20% owned entities using the equity method of accounting. In accordance with ASC 825-10-15, the Company has elected the fair value option for these investments, with unrealized holding gains and losses during the period included in earnings.
     
  (h) Revenue Recognition
     
    The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, adopted on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. The standard outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. Central to the revenue recognition framework is a five-step revenue recognition model that requires the Company to:

 

  1) Identify the contract,
  2) Identify the performance obligations of the contract,
  3) Determine the transaction price of the contract,
  4) Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations, and
  5) Recognize revenue upon the Company satisfying each performance obligation

 

    The Company’s primary source of revenue is from royalty and distribution fees under license agreements. There are no performance obligations by the Company and the revenues for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were nominal.

 

  (i) General and Administrative Expenses
     
    General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, benefits, and related compensation costs, including stock based compensation, for employees not directly involved in research and development activities. General and administrative expenses also include an allocation of rent expense on leased facilities, as well as third party professional services, including any equity based transactions in exchange for services.
     
  (j) Operating Leases
     
    Leases are reviewed by management based on the provisions of ASC 840 and examined to see if they are required to be categorized as an operating lease, a capital lease, or a financing transaction, see note 5(a). The Company leases office space under operating lease agreements. Minimum rent including tenant improvement allowances, rent holidays and rent escalation clauses on operating leases is expensed on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. See Note 5(a) for more information on capital leases.
     
  (k) Stock Based Compensation
     
    The Company accounts for all employee and non-employee stock based compensation expense in accordance with the authoritative guidance included in ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Based Compensation (“ASC 718”). Authoritative guidance requires that all stock based compensation be recognized as an expense in the financial statements and that such cost be measured at the fair value of the award.

 

    Compensation expense recognized includes the estimated expense for stock options or common stock warrants granted to employees, founders and certain advisors of the Company, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, which includes use of the Black Scholes option pricing model to estimate grant date fair value, and is recognized on a straight line basis over the applicable vesting period for each award. Forfeitures are recorded for employee share based awards as incurred. In addition, the contractual term will be able to be used in lieu of an expected term in the option-pricing model for nonemployee awards. See note 11 for more information on stock based compensation.

 

F-36

 

 

  (l) Deferred Financing Costs
     
    Costs with respect to issuance of common stock, warrants, stock options or debt instruments by the Company are initially deferred and ultimately offset against the proceeds from such equity transactions or amortized as debt discount over the term of any debt funding if successful or expensed if the proposed equity or debt transaction is unsuccessful.
     
  (m) Research and Development Costs
     
    Costs incurred in research and development activities are listed separately and expensed as incurred.
     
  (n) New Accounting Pronouncements
     
    In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which revises the accounting related to lessee accounting. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability and a right of use asset for substantially all leases. This guidance is expected to be adopted beginning January 1, 2022. The Company analyzed the potential impact of the adoption and determined there was no material impact due to adoption.
     
    On June 20, 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation–Stock Compensation (Topic 718) – Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which aligns the accounting for share-based payment awards issued to employees and nonemployees. Under ASU 2018-07, the existing employee guidance will apply to nonemployee share-based transactions (as long as the transaction is not effectively a form of financing), with the exception of specific guidance related to the attribution of compensation cost. The cost of nonemployee awards will continue to be recorded as if the grantor has paid cash for the goods or services. In addition, the contractual term will be able to be used in lieu of an expected term in the option-pricing model for nonemployee awards. The Company has adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2020 and there was no material impact due to the adoption.
     
    In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt-Debt with Conversion Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), which simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current U.S. GAAP. The Company early adopted ASU 2020-06 on January 1, 2021. Accordingly, the Company will no longer account for convertible notes with beneficial conversion features as separate liability and equity components. In accordance with ASU 2020-06, the Company will account for convertible notes as a single liability instrument. The adoption of ASU 2020-06 under the modified retrospective method had no impact on the Company’s financial statements.
     
    In May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options. Among other things, the amendments affect (i) the accounting for freestanding equity-classified written call option modifications or exchanges which remain equity classified after the modification or exchange and (ii) the recognition and measurement of earnings per share for certain modifications or exchanges. The Company early adopted ASU 2021-04 effective January 1, 2021 and applied it prospectively to applicable transactions, including the warrant inducement in Note 10 (d). The Company treated the inducement as a modification and recognized expense for the difference in fair value of the modified warrant and the fair value of the warrant immediately before modification. See Note 10 (d).

 

  (3) Financial Instruments
     
    Fair value measurements are determined based on the assumption that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the use of inputs used in valuation methodologies into the following three levels:

 

  Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and must be used to measure fair value whenever available.
     
  Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
     
  Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs which reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use for pricing an asset or liability. For example, level 3 inputs would relate to forecasts of future earnings and cash flows used in a discounted cash flow model.

 

F-37

 

 

    The recorded amounts of financial instruments, including cash equivalents, accounts payable, and promissory notes approximate their market values as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 due to the intended short-term maturities of these financial instruments.

 

  (4) Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate

 

    On June 15, 2020, the Company no longer holds a majority of the board seats of Hapbee and therefore was no longer the primary beneficiary (note 1c). Concurrently, Hapbee completed a forward stock split on a 1-for-4.5 basis resulting in the total common shares outstanding increasing to 60,547,500 and the Company then holding 28,125,000 common shares post-split (6,250,000 x 4.5). Hapbee amended its articles of incorporation to include multiple voting shares, of which the Company exchanged its 28,125,000 common shares for 281,250 multiple voting shares. The Company was required to remeasure it’s retained interest in Hapbee at fair value and include any resulting adjustments as part of a gain or loss recognized on deconsolidation. The Company shares are 100% held by the Company and escrowed for a period of 36 months. The shares are released from escrow at a rate of 10% upon Listing Date, and 15% every six months thereafter over the period of 36 months. As of December 31, 2021, 112,500 multiple voting shares had been released from Escrow. The Company held 25% and 46% of the outstanding shares of Hapbee as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
     
    The fair value of the Company’s investment in Hapbee was determined using the market price of Hapbee’s publicly-traded shares which are quoted on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The quoted stock price at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $0.24 and $0.53, respectively. The following table sets forth the change in fair value of the Company’s investment in Hapbee for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

Investment in Hapbee, as of December 31, 2019  $- 
Retained Interest June 15, 2020   6,250 
Change in fair value   8,527 
Investment in Hapbee, 28,125,000 voting shares at December 31, 2020   14,777 
Change in fair value   (8,089)
Investment in Hapbee, 28,125,000 at December 31, 2021  $6,688 

 

UNAUDITED

 

We are providing the following unaudited summarized unaudited financial information for Hapbee Technologies as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 due to our investment in Hapbee being deemed a significant equity investee as it comprises 82% and 86% of our total assets, respectively.

 

   December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020 
Current assets  $4,006   $3,765 
Noncurrent assets   2,283    2,475 
Current liabilities   (1,578)   (795)
Noncurrent liabilities   (3,103)   (3,236)
Total equity   1,608   2,209

 

  

December 31, 2021

  

December 31, 2020

 
Revenues  $1,728   $662 
Gross Profit   479    145 
Net loss   (6,732)   (10,336)
Net loss and comprehensive loss   (6,728)   (10,306)

 

  (5) Property and Equipment

 

   December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020 
Laboratory and office equipment, furniture and fixtures  $994   $994 
Capital Leased equipment   1,186    1,186 
Leasehold improvements   611    611 
    2,791    2,791 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization   (2,287)   (1,908)
   $504   $883 

 

    Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment was $379 and $389 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

 

  (a) Capital Leases

 

    The Company leases certain equipment under capital leases. Equipment financed and used for collateral include only the physical units; the software and signals loaded on the controller units are not included in the financing agreements. Capital Leases are recorded at the present value of the future minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease. Equipment capitalized under capital leases as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 totaled $1,186 and $1,186, respectively. Due to the coronavirus epidemic, the Company negotiated deferral agreements, extending lease terms for specific agreements 1-3 months in 2020. Future minimum lease payments under capital leases were as follows for the years ending December 31:

 

2022  $230 
2023   179 
2024   65 
Total minimum lease payments   474 
Less imputed interest   50 
   $424 

 

F-38

 

 

  (6) Debt

 

    The Company has issued debt to related and non-related parties of the Company. In connection with certain of these notes the Company also issued warrants with a legal life of seven years to purchase common stock. The Company recognizes the cost of warrants issued with the debt as debt discounts in the financial statements, which is recorded at the warrants relative fair value measured based on the grant date fair value of the award. The Company estimates the fair value of each warrant at the grant date by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. See note 10 for assumptions used to value the warrants. The Company amortizes the discount under the effective interest method over the term of the respective note. The Company evaluated the promissory notes that were converted into convertible notes and determined there was no accounting impact as a result of the modifications. The Company analyzed the conversion options in the convertible note payables for derivative accounting consideration under ASC 815 and determined that the transactions do not qualify for derivative treatment.

 

Five-year Minimum Payments     
2022  $8,308 
2023  100 
2024   - 
2025 and thereafter   465 
Total  $8,873 

 

(a) Notes payable due to related parties as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

 

   December 31,   December 31, 
   2021   2020 
In May 2016, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $100 with a maturity date of October 2016 and an annual interest rate of 9%. In May 2021, June 2021 and August 2021, a total of $21 was reduced for payment of warrants exercised in lieu of cash proceeds (see note 10(a)). The promissory note is past due and payable upon demand as of December 31, 2021.  $79   $100 
           
In August 2017, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $200 with a maturity date of August 2019 and an annual interest rate of 8%. The promissory note is past due and payable upon demand as of December 31, 2021.   200    200 
           
In April 2018, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $500 with a maturity date of May 2018 and an annual interest rate of 9%. In connection with the note issuance the Company issued warrants to purchase 14,677 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $10.22. The Company recorded a discount related to the warrants in the amount of $84. In May 2018 the Company issued additional warrants to purchase 4,892 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $10.22. In July 2021, an agreement was signed converting the promissory note into a convertible note. Refer to table (c).   -    500 

 

F-39

 

 

In May 2018, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $100 with a maturity date of May 2019 and an annual interest rate of 9%. In connection with the promissory note issuance the Company issued warrants to purchase 4,892 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $10.22. The Company recorded a discount related to the warrants in the amount of $25. The promissory note is past due and payable upon demand as of December 31, 2021.   100    100 
           
In June 2018, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $150 with a maturity date of June 2019 and an annual interest rate of 9%. An amendment was signed, extending the maturity date to October 2020. In February 2021, an agreement was signed converting the promissory note into a convertible note. Refer to table (c)   -    150 
           
In July 2018, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $100 with a maturity date of July 2019 and an annual interest rate of 9%. In August 2021, $3 was reduced for payment of warrants exercised in lieu of cash proceeds (see note 10(a)). The promissory note is past due and payable upon demand as of December 31, 2021.   97    100 
           
In December 2018, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $155 with a maturity date of April 2020 and an annual interest rate of 9%. As per the monthly payment terms of the agreement were not paid and $30 is due as of December 31, 2020, and included in accounts payable. In February 2021, an agreement was signed converting the promissory note and accounts payable into a convertible note. Refer to table (c)   -    112 
           
In October 2019, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $200 with a maturity date of October 2020 and an annual interest rate of 10%. In February 2021, an agreement was signed converting the promissory note into a convertible note. Refer to table (c)   -    200 
           
In December 2019, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $300 with a maturity date of March 2020 and an annual interest rate of 10%. In October 2021, the remainder due on the promissory note was fully repaid.   -    200 
           
In July 2021, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $150 with a maturity date due on demand but no earlier than September 30, 2021. A payment of $85 was applied to the principal in October 2021. The note earns interest at 10% and is outstanding as of December 31, 2021.   65    - 
           
In July 2021, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $35 with a maturity date due on demand but no earlier than September 30, 2021. The note earns interest at 10% and is outstanding as of December 31, 2021.   35    - 
           
Notes payable due to related parties  $576   $1,662 
Total notes payable due to related parties  $576   $1,662 

 

F-40

 

 

(b) Note payable due as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

 

  

December 31,

  

December 31,

 
   2021   2020 
In December 2017 the Company entered into an unsecured promissory note for $150, bearing interest at a rate of 10% per annum, with a maturity date of July 2022. As per the monthly payment terms of the agreement which were not paid and $34 is due as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and included in accounts payable. In August 2021, $78 was reduced for payment of warrants exercised in lieu of cash proceeds (see note 10(a)). The promissory note is outstanding as of December 31, 2021.  $15   $94 
           
In September 2018 the Company entered into an unsecured promissory note for $100, bearing interest at a rate of 10% per annum, with a maturity date of October 2023. The promissory note is outstanding as of December 31, 2021.   100    100 
           
In May 2020, the Company entered into an unsecured loan agreement with Union Bank for $314 pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) with the Small Business Association. The loan has a maturity date of May 2022 and bears interest at 1% per annum. In September 2021, the Company received full forgiveness for the outstanding loan. The gain on the forgiveness is included in other income on the income statement.   -    314 
           
In November 2020, the Company entered into an -secured loan agreement with the Small Business Association via the Economic Injury and Disaster Loan program (EIDL) for $160, bearing interest at a rate of 3.75% per annum, with a maturity date of November 2050. The loan has a general security interest in the Company’s collateral.   160    160 
           
In March 2021, the Company entered into an unsecured loan agreement with Union Bank for $314 pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) with the Small Business Association. The loan has a maturity date of March 2, 2026 and bears interest at 1% per annum. The PPP loan is eligible for forgiveness under the terms of the CARES Act, wherein each Borrower can apply for and be granted forgiveness for all or a portion of the PPP Loan. Such forgiveness will be determined, subject to limitations, based on the use of loan proceeds in accordance with the terms of the CARES Act. No assurance is provided that any Borrower will obtain forgiveness under any relevant PPP Loan in whole or in part.   314    - 
           
Total notes and SBA loan payables  $589   $668 
Less notes and SBA loan payables – current   (9)   - 
Total notes and SBA loan payables, net of current  $580   $668 

 

F-41

 

 

(c) Convertible notes due as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

 

  

December 31,

  

December 31,

 
   2021   2020 
         
During 2019, the Company opened a round of unsecured convertible note financing. The round has a Maturity Date of September 6, 2021 with an interest component of 10%. On September 3, 2021 the Board extended the Maturity Date to the earlier of a) February 28, 2022 b) upon the consummation of deemed liquidation. The round includes Put Features for subscribers, the terms of which are dependent upon the amount invested. At maturity the principal and accrued interest of convertible notes will be automatically converted into common stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the Maturity Date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the Maturity Date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the Maturity Date, or (2) $9.00, in any case rounded down to the nearest whole share of the common stock as of the date of conversion. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At any time the Notes are outstanding prior to the Maturity Date, the Holder may (a) elect to convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into Equity Securities. Conversion price equal to the highest cash price paid for the Nonqualified Equity Securities or (b) Convertible into common stock at a conversion price equal to the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion          
           
Included in this round, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note in September 2019 in the amount of $250 with a maturity date of the earlier of February 2022 or consummation of a deemed liquidation and an annual interest rate of 10% to a related party. In connection with the convertible note issuance the Company issued warrants to purchase 12,916 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $10.22. The Company recorded a discount related to the warrants in the amount of $65. The Company also recognized a beneficial conversion feature of $64 that will be amortized over the life of the note using the effective interest method. The convertible note is outstanding as of December 31, 2021.  $250   $250 
           
Included in the round, the Company issued 32 unsecured convertible notes between January 2020 - December 2020 for an aggregate amount of $1,950. Between January 2021 – December 2021, the Company issued 22 unsecured convertible notes for an aggregate total of $1,766. All convertible notes have a maturity date of the earlier of February 2022 or consummation of a Deemed Liquidation and an annual interest rate of 10%, except for two notes totaling $201 due in August 2023. In connection with the 2020 convertible note the Company issued warrants to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $10.22. The warrants were offered as a subscription incentive. The Company recorded a discount related to the warrants in the amount of $3. The Company also recognized a beneficial conversion feature of $3 that will be amortized over the life of the note using the effective interest method. Beneficial conversion feature of $18 was in excess of the convertible debt proceeds and therefore was not recognized. The number of warrants granted to each convertible note holder was dependent upon the principal amount of the investor’s note. Total funds in convertible notes issued during the year ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were $1,766 and $1,950, respectively.   5,050    3,284 
           
In June 2019, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $500 with a maturity date of the earlier of February 2022 or consummation of a deemed liquidation and an annual interest rate of 10%. The conversion price per share is $9.00. In connection with the convertible note issuance the Company issued warrants to purchase 27,777 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $9.00. The Company recorded a discount related to the warrants in the amount of $139. The Company also recognized a beneficial conversion feature of $139 that will be amortized over the life of the note using the effective interest method. In the event the Note has not been repaid or converted prior to the Maturity Date, then upon the Maturity Date, the outstanding principal and accrued interest shall automatically convert into that number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the outstanding principal and accrued interest by the Conversion Price, $9.00. The convertible note is outstanding as of December 31, 2021.   500    500 
           
In January 2020, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $250 with a maturity date earlier of January 2022 or consummation of a deemed liquidation and an annual interest rate of 10%. The convertible note is outstanding as of December 31, 2021. On September 3, 2021 the Board extended the Maturity Date to February 28, 2022. At maturity the principal and accrued interest of convertible notes will be automatically converted into common stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the Maturity Date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the Maturity Date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the Maturity Date, or (2) $9.00. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At any time the note is outstanding prior to the maturity date, the holder may elect to convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into common stock at the higher of a sale of (A) common stock or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion.   250    250 

 

F-42

 

 

In September 2020, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $250 with a maturity date of September 2022 and an annual interest rate of 10%. The convertible note is outstanding as of December 31, 2021 At maturity the principal and accrued interest of convertible notes will be automatically converted into common stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the Maturity Date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the Maturity Date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the Maturity Date, or (2) $9.00.If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At any time the note is outstanding prior to the maturity date, the holder may elect to convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into common stock at the higher of a sale of common stock or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion   250    250 
           
In August 2018, the Company issued two unsecured convertible notes in the amount of $63 each with a maturity date of August 2020 and an annual interest rate of 10% The notes have a conversion price equal to the lesser of (1) by dividing the outstanding principal and accrued interest by a conversion price equal to the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of the date of conversion as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of common stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to an employee or service provider, or (2) $10.22 per share. Upon the maturity date, any outstanding principal and accrued interest shall automatically convert to shares of common stock determined by the conversion price.  The convertible notes are outstanding as of December 31, 2021.   125    125 
           
In November 2020, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $100 with a maturity date of December 2022 or upon the consummation of a deemed liquidation. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to the Maturity by a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. The convertible note earns interest at 10% and is outstanding as of December 31, 2021.   100    100 

 

F-43

 

 

In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party of $150 which was converted from a promissory note (Refer to table (a)), with a maturity of December 2022, or upon a deemed liquidation and an interest rate of 10% per annum. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to the Maturity by a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. The convertible note is outstanding as of December 31, 2021.   150    - 
           
In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party of $142 which was converted from a $112 promissory note and $30 accounts payable (Refer to table (a)), with a maturity of December 2022, or upon a deemed liquidation and an interest rate of 10% per annum. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to the Maturity by a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. The convertible note is outstanding as of December 31, 2021.   142    - 
           
In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party of $228 which was converted from a $200 promissory note and additional $28 principal (Refer to table (a)), with a maturity of December 2022, or upon a deemed liquidation and an interest rate of 10% per annum. Prior to maturity, the related party may elect the conversion upon a Company Financing or as a Voluntary Conversion wherein the conversion price would be equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors.   228    - 
           
In January 2021, $38 in accounts payables due to a related party was transferred into an unsecured convertible note, with a maturity of December 2022, or upon a deemed liquidation and an interest rate of 3% per annum. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to the Maturity by a conversion price equal to 100% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion.   38    - 

 

F-44

 

 

In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $30 with a maturity date of February 2023 or upon the consummation of a deemed liquidation. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At maturity the principal and accrued interest of convertible notes will be automatically converted into common stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the Maturity Date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the Maturity Date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the Maturity Date, or (2) $9.00. At any time the note is outstanding prior to the maturity date, the holder may elect to convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into common stock at the higher of a sale of common stock or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. The convertible note earns interest at 10% and is outstanding as of December 31, 2021.   30    - 
           
In July 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $600, of which $500 was converted from a promissory note (Refer to table (a)), with a maturity date of December 2022 or upon the consummation of a deemed liquidation. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to the Maturity by a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. The convertible note earns interest at 10% and is outstanding as of December 31, 2021.   600    - 
           
Total convertible notes payable  $7,713   $4,759 
Less discounts   (5)   (670)
Less current portion of convertible notes to third parties   (4,974)   (3,037)
Less current portion of convertible notes to related parties   (2,503   (952)
           
Total convertible note payables, net of current portion  $231   $100 

 

F-45

 

 

  (7) Deferred Compensation and Postemployment Benefits

 

As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had accrued for the following on the accompanying balance sheets:

 

   December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020 
Deferred Executive Compensation  $6,582   $5,319 
Deferred compensation, current        
Postemployment benefits, current   6,738    6,645 
           
Total deferred compensation and postemployment benefits, current   13,320    11,964 
           
Deferred compensation, noncurrent   9,100    9,100 
Postemployment benefits, noncurrent   5,477    5,269 
           
Total deferred compensation and postemployment benefits  $27,897   $26,333 

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Company scheduled payments of the balances of deferred compensation and postemployment benefits over the following years:

 

   Deferred Compensation   Post-employment benefits 
2022  $6,582   $6,738 
2022        
2023        
2024        
Thereafter   9,100    5,477 
Total  $15,682   $12,215 

 

Deferred Compensation

 

The Company has established deferred cash compensation arrangements with certain of the Company’s current or former executive officers through individual employment or related severance agreements. Authoritative guidance for compensation indicates that if elements of both current and future services are present in a deferred compensation plan, only the portion applicable to the current services shall be accrued. The Company had accrued a total of $15,682 and $14,419 as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, relating to these deferred compensation arrangements. The majority of the accrued balance at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is associated with services provided by participants prior to December 31, 2014, when the Company was in its early clinical development stage. Deferred compensation is not discounted because at the end of each reporting period, the aggregate amount of deferred compensation accrued equals the then present value of the benefit expected to be paid to the participants, as required by authoritative guidance.

 

Payment of accrued deferred compensation amounts relating to current or past services is contingent on the Company having sufficient funds to pay deferred compensation amounts such that payment does not jeopardize the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, as determined by our Board, and as outlined in the respective employment or related severance agreements with each participant. At such time as the Company may have sufficient liquid assets in the future to pay accrued deferred compensation and, such that payment of deferred compensation would not jeopardize the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, it is expected that these liabilities will be settled. Amounts that the Company anticipates will be settled within one year of December 31, 2021 primarily relating to the terms outlined in specific severance agreements with former executive officers are classified as current liabilities, with the remaining amounts classified as long-term liabilities on the accompanying balance sheets.

 

Payments of the noncurrent deferred compensation balance outstanding at December 31, 2021 are contingent on the Company having sufficient funds as disclosed.

 

Postemployment Benefits

 

On September 30, 2016 the Company entered into employment agreements with several key executive employees. The agreements were established to allow them to be terminated at any time by the Company with or without cause upon written notice to the employee or by the employee for good reason or otherwise. The agreements represent an ongoing termination benefit arrangement, which entitles the employees to nonretirement postemployment benefits, such as wages and other benefits, from date of termination, whether voluntary on the part of the employee or involuntary (the Company has an obligation to make payments in either case), and also provide for payments to be made under certain conditions related to a change in control of the Company. Pursuant to authoritative guidance, an employer that provides contractual termination benefits shall recognize a liability when it is probable that employees will be entitled to benefits and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The cost of termination benefits recognized as a liability shall include the amount of any lump-sum payments and the present value of any expected future payments.

 

F-46

 

 

The Company has recorded accruals for nonretirement postemployment benefits based on annual salaries and bonuses that would be paid in the event of voluntary terminations by key executive employees as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 totaling $12,215 and $11,914, respectively. The liabilities have not been discounted. On August 1, 2017 payments under the original agreement were not made. Beginning on March 5, 2018 and through June 1, 2020, the Company and key executives entered into multiple deferral agreements primarily through an arbitration process that resulted in adjustments to scheduled payments of principal and interest (12% on outstanding balances). The deferral agreements were triggered due to non-payment. Nominal amounts of principal were paid during the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. In accordance with the Deferral Agreement on June 1, 2020, all payments to the two former executive employees were retroactively applied to interest and not principal. Amounts that the Company anticipates will be settled within one year of December 31, 2021, primarily relating to the terms outlined in specific severance agreements with former executive officers, are classified as current liabilities, with the remaining amounts classified as long-term liabilities on the accompanying balance sheets. Payments to be made under these agreements are not due until one year after the effective termination date of the employees entitled to these benefits and are settled over a period of time not to exceed three years from the effective termination dates via lump sum payments.

 

The Company has not recorded any accruals for postemployment benefits that would be payable in the event of involuntary terminations because such amounts are not considered probable as of December 31, 2021. The Company has also not recorded any accruals for postemployment benefits for medical coverage to be paid in some circumstances up to five years after the effective termination dates of certain key executive employees as such amounts are not currently probable and cannot be estimated as of December 31, 2021.

 

  (8) Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company has or is subject to the following commitments and contingencies:

 

(a)Employment Agreements

 

In addition to the terms of the employment agreements described in note 7 associated with deferred compensation and postemployment benefits, executive employment agreements with key executives outline compensation to be paid in exchange for services, including salaries, annual incentive bonuses and stock option grants. As of December 31, 2021, an executive officer of the Company has earned $12,560 in four of four guaranteed annual bonuses payable in years 2017 through 2020, and elected to defer those amounts due to be paid. The Company also accrued $520 in 2021 and 2020 for bonus arrangements with certain employees relating to the successful licensing of its intellectual property and other key milestones in the future. A balance of $13,380 and $13,900 owed to four individuals was included in accrued and other current liabilities on the accompanying balance sheets at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

In November 2021, the Company settled outstanding bonuses and deferred compensation of $1,198 with certain employees, granting them options totaling $2,350 in aggregate, see note 11(a).

 

(b)CEO Common Stock Bonus in the Event of an IPO

 

The employment agreement with the Company’s CEO includes a potential one time equity bonus to be paid by granting a variable number of shares of common stock in the event of a future initial public offering (IPO) of the Company’s stock. To receive the equity bonus the CEO must be employed at the time of an IPO, and the Company’s initial market capitalization at the time of the IPO must greater than or equal to $1 billion for any equity bonus to be paid. The ultimate number of shares to be granted is also dependent on several factors including the CEO’s total annual compensation at the time as well as the average total annual compensation at that time of three CEOs of other publicly traded, similarly situated biotechnology companies with equivalent market capitalizations. The number of shares to be received by the CEO increases as a factor of his total annual compensation depending on the size of the initial IPO market capitalization, up to a market capitalization of at least $5 billion.

 

The potential bonus to be paid in a variable number of shares is treated as a cash bonus award to be settled in shares of the Company’s stock (a share-settled liability) subject to the authoritative guidance in ASC Topic 450, Contingencies, and ASC Topic 710, Compensation. No compensation expense or accrual will be recognized in the Company’s financial statements for this cash bonus award until and if an IPO meeting all of the conditions outlined in the employment agreement triggering the payment of this share-settled liability occurs.

 

F-47

 

 

(c)Leases

 

The Company is party to lease agreements for headquarters and research facilities located in Seattle, Washington that are classified as operating leases. The Company has irrevocable standby letters of credit with a bank issued to the Company’s landlord. The letter of credit is secured by $200 in cash funds controlled by the Company and is classified as other long term assets on the accompanying balance sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. The letter of credit is renewable annually and expired on January 31, 2022.

 

Rental expense for facilities under operating leases was $399 and $523 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Due to the coronavirus epidemic, the Company negotiated deferral agreements with two leaseholders in 2020. The accrued liability of $270 due the two leaseholders is current and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and reported within accounts payable in the balance sheet.

 

Future minimum lease payments are as follows for the years ending December 31:

 

   Operating leases 
2022   206 
2023   229 
2024   198 
Total  $633 

 

(d)Collaborative Agreements

 

A collaborative arrangement is a contractual arrangement that involves a joint operating activity. A contract with a collaborator or a partner is in the scope of ASC 606 if the counterparty meets the definition of a customer for part or all of the arrangement. If the counterparty is not considered a customer, these arrangements follow the guidance in ASC Topic 808, Collaborative Arrangements, or other authoritative literature. Arrangements accounted for under ASC 808 can involve two or more parties who are considered collaborators but not customers, and are both: (i) active participants in the activity; and (ii) exposed to significant risks and rewards dependent on the commercial success of the activity.

 

The Company enters into collaborative arrangements from time to time for the research and development, manufacture and/or commercialization of its products and/or product candidates.

 

To date the Company’s collaborative arrangements have included any development and commercial performance milestone payments, cost sharing, royalty payments and/or profit sharing. The Company’s collaboration agreements to date have been performed with no guarantee of either technological or commercial success and each is unique in nature.

 

(e)Exclusive License Agreement

 

In 2017 the Company entered into an exclusive patent license agreement for use of the Company’s technology in a specific territory and in a specific field by a third party. The Company received a $3,000 up-front payment under the agreement. Upfront fees are non-refundable and non-cancellable. The Company evaluated the license agreement under ASC 606-10-55-62 and concluded that neither of the criteria exist. The agreement also included further payments the Company could receive contingent on meeting certain milestones. Under the agreement the Company can receive royalties for use of the patents in certain products sold. There were no revenues in 2021 and 2020.

 

(f)Exclusive Distribution Agreement

 

In 2019 the Company entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with a seven-year term and an automatic annual renewal after the initial term, unless terminated prior to renewal, where the Company can earn revenues as a supplier for the third party’s exclusive distribution of the licensed technology in the respective territory. The agreement included an up-front payment to the Company of $50 with further payments contingent on meeting certain milestones. Upfront fees are non-refundable and non-cancellable. The Company evaluated the license agreement under ASC 606-10-55-62 and concluded that neither of the criteria exist. There were no revenues during the years ending December 31, 2021 or 2020.

 

(g)Exclusive License Agreement

 

In 2019, the Company entered into multiple exclusive license agreements with their former subsidiary, Hapbee Technologies, Inc. for use of the technology. The license agreements required upfront payments of $1,530 and royalties based on Hapbee sales of product utilizing the licensed technology. Upfront fees are non-refundable and non-cancellable. The Company evaluated the license agreement under ASC 606-10-55-62 and concluded that neither of the criteria exist. During 2020, the Company received $702 from Hapbee Technologies, the remainder due from the $1,530 upfront license agreement fee, signed in 2019. The license agreements have an initial term of twenty years.

 

In 2021, the Company entered into two exclusive license agreements with Hapbee Technologies, Inc. for the use of the technology. The license agreements required an upfront payment of $10 each and royalties based on Hapbee sales of product utilizing the licensed technology. The license agreements have an initial term of twenty years. The $20 in revenues was included in license revenue on the accompanying statements of operations at December 31, 2021.

 

F-48

 

 

Royalty Revenues

 

In accordance with two licensing agreements with a related party, the Company has collected royalty revenues in the amount of $221 and $113,during the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

(h)Consulting Agreements

 

In 2016, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with a director of the Company for the performance of services related to ongoing research and intellectual property development. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company paid $17 and $45 in accordance with this agreement, respectively. A balance of $89 and $83 owed to the director was included in accounts payable on the accompanying balance sheet at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

(i)Legal Matters and Arbitration

 

The Company is subject from time to time to other legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. At this time, the Company does not believe that the resolution of any such matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

  (9) Convertible Preferred Stock

 

The Company’s amended articles of incorporation provide that it has authorized for issuance 10,000,000 shares of classes of preferred stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share. Shares of preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, with designations, preferences, and limitations established by our Board.

 

The Company’s Series A convertible preferred stock consists of 1,817,333 authorized shares and cannot be increased or decreased. As of both December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 the Company had issued 1,817,225 of Series A convertible preferred stock in exchange for cash or the conversion of promissory notes.

 

The Series A-1 convertible preferred stock consists of 2,400,000 authorized shares and cannot be increased or decreased. As of both December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had issued approximately 2,400,000 shares of Series A-1 convertible preferred stock in exchange for cash or the conversion of promissory notes.

 

The Company did not incur any significant financing costs with respect to the issuance of its Series A or Series A-1 convertible preferred stock.

 

   December 31, 2021 
   Authorized shares   Shares outstanding   Shares issuable upon conversion   Carrying amount   Liquidation preference 
Series A   1,817,333    1,817,225    1,817,225    1,236    3,066 
Series A-1   2,400,000    2,399,997    3,839,994    18,000    18,000 
Totals   4,217,333    4,217,222    5,657,219    19,236    21,066 

 

   December 31, 2020 
   Authorized shares   Shares outstanding   Shares issuable upon conversion   Carrying amount   Liquidation preference 
Series A   1,817,333    1,817,225    1,817,225    1,236    2,967 
Series A-1   2,400,000    2,399,997    3,839,994    18,000    18,000 
Totals   4,217,333    4,217,222    5,657,219    19,236    20,967 

 

(a)Ranking

 

Each series of preferred stock has liquidation and dissolution preferences over, and restricts the payment of dividends to, other equity securities of the Company including its common stock. The Series A-1 convertible preferred stock has liquidation and dissolution preferences over Series A convertible preferred stock and common stock. Series A convertible preferred stock has liquidation and dissolution preferences over common stock.

 

F-49

 

 

(b)Dividends

 

Cash dividends are payable only when, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors on the Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock. Any such dividends shall not be cumulative.

 

The Series A-1 convertible preferred stockholders hold a dividend preference over other holders. The Series A-1 convertible preferred stock dividend preference gives the Series A-1 convertible preferred stockholders the right to receive dividends prior and in preference to declaration or payment of any dividend on the Series A convertible preferred stock or the Company’s common stock, at a rate of $7.50 per share.

 

The Series A convertible preferred stockholders hold a dividend preference over certain other holders. The Series A dividend preference gives the Series A convertible preferred stockholders the right to receive dividends prior and in preference to declaration or payment of any dividend on the Company’s common stock, at a rate of $0.68 per share.

 

The Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock and convertible preferred stock dividend preferences are not cumulative. This right is received only when, as and if declared by the board of directors. The Series A and A-1 convertible preferred stock dividend preferences shall be deemed waived upon conversion of the Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock into common stock.

 

(c)Redemption

 

The Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock do not contain mandatory redemption features.

 

Any dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, constitutes a liquidation, including a deemed liquidation including the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or the acquisition of the Company by means of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or reorganization that transfers voting control in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s voting power. This triggers the payment of liquidation preference amounts under the terms of the preferred stock designations. These liquidation characteristics do not require classification of any outstanding series of convertible preferred stock outside of the shareholders’ equity/deficit section of the accompanying balance sheets as there are no factors associated with a liquidation considered to be outside the control of the Company. As such, the Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock are classified as a component of stockholders’ equity/deficit.

 

(d)Liquidation Preference

 

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Series A-1 convertible preferred stock shall receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of the assets to holders of the Company’s Series A convertible preferred stock and common stock an amount per share equal to $7.50, plus declared but unpaid dividends, if any. If the assets and funds are insufficient to pay this liquidation preference, then the entire assets or funds of the Company will be distributed evenly to holders of Series A-1 convertible preferred stock.

 

Holders of Series A convertible preferred stock shall receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of the assets to holders of the Company’s common stock an amount per share equal to $0.68, plus an amount equal to 8% per annum on the issue price plus declared but unpaid dividends, if any. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the liquidation preference of each share of Series A convertible preferred stock is $1.69 and $1.63, respectively. If the assets and funds are insufficient to pay this liquidation preference, then the entire assets or funds of the Company will be distributed evenly to holders of Series A convertible preferred stock.

 

Once all of the above has occurred, the remaining assets will be distributed to holders of the Company’s common stock on a pro rata basis.

 

(e)Voting Rights

 

Holders of shares of each of the series of convertible preferred stock shall have the right to vote for each share of common stock into which such preferred stock could then be converted, and with respect to such vote, such holder shall have full voting rights and powers equal to the voting rights and powers of the holders of common stock, and shall be entitled, together with the holders of common stock, with respect to any question upon which holders of common stock have the right to vote.

 

(f)Conversion Rights

 

Each share of Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, into common stock as determined at a ratio of 1:1 and 1:1.6, respectively. These ratios will be adjusted for payment of all or any portion of any stock split, dividend, combination, or other recapitalization as defined.

 

F-50

 

 

Further, each share of Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock shall automatically be converted into common stock (i) with the approval, by affirmative vote, written consent or agreement, of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding Series A convertible preferred stock or Series A 1 convertible preferred stock, voting together as a class, (ii) upon the prior voluntary conversion of a majority of the Series A or A-1 convertible preferred stock, or (iii) immediately prior to the closing of an underwritten initial public offering of common stock.

 

  (10) Common Stock

 

The Company’s amended articles of incorporation provide for authorization to issue 40,000,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share, and to receive dividends and, upon liquidation or dissolution, are entitled to receive all assets available for distribution to stockholders. The holders have no preemptive or other subscription rights and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to such shares. Common stock is subordinate to the outstanding series of convertible preferred stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, winding up, and dissolution of the Company. The holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held.

 

(a)Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock

 

No cash proceeds from the sale of common stock were received during the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, 240 options were exercised for cash proceeds of $3. No options were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2021, 837,556 warrants were exercised for cash proceeds of $1,638 and 127,750 warrants were exercised on a cashless basis. During the year ended December 31, 2021, 49,098 warrants exercised for the reduction in debt $102 in lieu of cash proceeds. (see note 6(a)). No warrants were exercised in 2020.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, one convertible note reached maturity on August 12, 2020 and triggered the conversion of the outstanding note, including accrued interest. This note converted at a total of $898 into 87,937 shares of Common Stock. No convertible notes were converted during the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

During year ended 2019, the Company’s subsidiary, Hapbee Technologies, Inc., received cash proceeds of $2,900 net of $24 issuance cost for the sale of 13,050,000 common stock shares to investors. The CEO of Hapbee Technologies, Inc. was issued 16,875,000 shares of common stock. The shares were retroactively adjusted at a 4.5:1 forward split effective on June 15, 2020 from their original issuance.

 

(b)Shares Reserved for Issuance

 

The following shares of common stock were reserved for issuance at December 31:

 

   Shares 
   December 31,2021   December 31,2020 
Series A convertible preferred stock issued and outstanding   1,817,225    1,817,225 
Series A-1 convertible preferred stock issued and outstanding   3,839,994    3,839,994 
Stock options approved to be issued from 2016 Stock Incentive Plan   4,370,701    3,045,246 
Common stock warrants issued and outstanding   644,024    1,778,617 
    10,671,944    10,481,082 

 

(c)Stockholder Agreements

 

The Company, the founding stockholders, and other stockholders are party to a Right of First Refusal and Co Sale Agreement that provide for certain restrictions on the transfer of Company stock. The Company has the right of first refusal if any stockholder owning stock wishes to dispose of their stock; the founding stockholders have the right of second refusal on such shares in their pro rata share of ownership.

 

F-51

 

 

(d)Common Stock Warrants

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued warrants in connections with certain debt issuances totaling 25,000. See note 6 for identification of warrants respective terms issued and applied debt discounts (see note 6).

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued warrants for services totaling 250,000 at an exercise price of $2.00 with an expiration term of 7 years. The Company calculated the fair value using the Black Scholes option pricing model totaling $2,231, the amount is included in stock based compensation expense in the accompanying statements of operations.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued warrants for services totaling 10,000 at an exercise price of $10.22 with an expiration term of 7 years. The Company calculated the fair value using the Black Scholes option pricing model totaling $65, the amount is included in stock based compensation expense in the accompanying statements of operations.

 

In July 2021, the Company offered to a warrant holder an inducement to exercise all or a portion of their warrant for a reduced exercise price from $13.35 per share to $2.00 per share. The warrant holder accepted the inducement offer in August 2021 and subsequently exercised 120,000 shares under the warrant agreement. The inducement resulted in a modification to the award. The Company calculated the fair value of the inducement using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and recognized expense for the difference in fair value of the modified warrant and the fair value of the warrant immediately before modification of $831, which has been recorded as an inducement expense during the year ended December 31, 2021. Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model are consistent with those used in its stock based compensation calculations disclosed in Note 11(a).

 

The fair market value of warrants issued during the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The assumptions are the same as those used to value the Company’s stock option awards. The Company recognized $2,406 in stock-based compensation expense for non-employee warrants in the accompanying statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020. See note 11.

 

A summary of the warrants as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and the changes during the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are presented below:

 

       Weighted   Weighted 
       average   average 
   Number   exercise   contractual 
   of warrants   price   life in years 
Balance at December 31, 2019   1,507,373    10.19    5.78 
Granted   286,700    5.00    5.83 
Exercised             
Expired   (15,456)   1.48      
Balance at December 31, 2020   1,778,617    9.07    5.00 
Granted   10,000    2.00     
Exercised   (995,343)   9.11      
Expired   (149,250)   3.92      
Balance at December 31, 2021   644,024    10.07    4.02 

 

At December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 there was $0 and $2,888 intrinsic value of the outstanding stock warrants, respectively.

 

  (11) Stock Based Compensation

 

Equity Incentive Plan

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s equity incentive plan included the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan as amended (the “2002 Plan”), the Company’s 2016 Stock Option Plan (the “2016 Plan”), and the Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Restated 2016 Plan”) (together, the “Plans”), and provide for the granting of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options and restricted stock units.

 

Options granted under the Plans generally vest either immediately or over a period of one year from the date of grant with certain options granted in 2021 vest over four years, and generally expire seven years from date of grant. Options granted in November 2021 has an exercise price of $4.09 and the estimated fair value of the Company’s common stock at that time is $9.0. Restricted stock units are subject to time-vesting and liquidity event vesting.

 

F-52

 

 

As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were no shares available for grant under the 2002 Plan. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, there were 1,129,299 and 1,771,131 shares available for the Company to grant under the 2016 Plan of 5,500,000 shares. Restricted stock units are subject to time-vesting and liquidity event vesting.

 

The grant date fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black Scholes Merton option pricing model. The options granted have a contractual term of 7 years. The Company uses the contractual term to determine the expected term of employee and nonemployee grants. The Company uses comparable peer group public company data to estimate the expected volatility. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur; as such, the Company does not estimate forfeitures at the time of grant.

 

(a)Stock Option Awards

 

The table below sets forth the assumptions used on the date of grant for estimating the fair value of options granted to employees and non-employees during the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

 

  

December 31,

2021

   December 31, 2020 
Weighted average expected term (years)   7.00    7.00 
Risk-free interest rate   1.32-1.46%   1.71-1.72% 
Dividend yield        
Volatility   70%   70%

 

Employees

 

The Company recognized $5,011 and $1,109 in stock-based compensation expense to employees in the accompanying statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2021, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options granted to employees is $526 which is expected to be recognized over a period of 4 years.

 

Non-employees

 

The Company recognized $962 and $86 in stock-based compensation expense to nonemployees in the accompanying statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 respectively. There is no remaining unrecognized expense for nonemployee options as of December 31, 2021.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

 

       Weighted   Weighted 
       average   average 
   Number   exercise   contractual 
   of shares   price   life in years 
Balance at December 31, 2019   3,950,319    12.08    4.31 
Granted             
Exercised   (240)   13.35      
Forfeited             
Expired   (221,210)   9.40      
Balance at December 31, 2020   3,728,869    12.24    3.55 
Granted   1,044,833    4.09      
Exercised             
Forfeited   (305,101)   11.25      
Expired   (97,900)   7.50      
Balance at December 31, 2021   4,370,701    

10.46

    3.61 

 

As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there is $5,163 and $374 intrinsic value of the outstanding stock options, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2021, total stock options exercisable is 4,164,535.

 

F-53

 

 

There were no options granted to employees or non-employees in 2020 and 1,044,833 options granted to employees and non-employees during the year ended December 31, 2021. In addition, 347,101 options granted in 2021 were to reduce accrued bonus of $1,040 and deferred compensation of $158 with certain officers and employees.

 

The following tables reflects the components of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the accompanying statements of operations for the years ended December 31:

 

   Stock   Stock   Common stock   Common stock     
   options –   options –   warrants –   warrants –     
December 31, 2020  employees   nonemployees   employees   nonemployees   Total 
Research and Development   269                269 
General and Administrative   841    86        2,406    3,333 
    1,110    86        2,406    3,602 

 

   Stock   Stock   Common stock   Common stock     
   options –   options –   warrants –   warrants –     
December 31, 2021  employees   nonemployees   employees   nonemployees   Total 
Research and Development   918                918 
General and Administrative   4,093    962        65    5,120 
    5,011    962        65    6,038 

 

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during 2021 and 2020 was $6.73 and $10.12, respectively. There were 240 options exercised during 2020 and no options were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

Subsidiary Shares

 

During 2019, the Company’s former subsidiary, Hapbee Technologies, issued 200,000 stock options as part of an advisory agreement with a consultant. The options were granted with an exercise price of $1.00, but not approved until January 2020.

 

(12)Net Income (Loss) Per Share

 

Net income (loss) per share is presented in conformity with the two-class method required for multiple classes of common stock and participating securities. The participating securities include Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock, as the holders of these series of preferred stock are entitled to receive a noncumulative dividend in preference to the common stockholders in the event that a dividend is declared on common stock. No dividend was declared on common stock in 2021 and 2020; therefore, there was no allocation of earnings to these participating securities for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The holders of Series A and Series A-1 preferred stock do not have a contractual obligation to share in the losses. As such, net income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were not allocated to these participating securities.

 

Basic income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and excludes any dilutive effects of common stock equivalent shares such as stock options, warrants, convertible notes, and convertible preferred stock. Diluted income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive common stock options, warrants, convertible notes, and convertible preferred stock.

 

F-54

 

 

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the numerator and denominator utilized in the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders during the periods presented:

 

   December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020 
Numerator        
Net income (loss)  $(22,092)  $3,457 
Participating securities:          
Income allocated to participating securities   -    - 
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, for basic and diluted  $(22,092)  $3,457 
           
Denominator          
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, for basic computation   13,744,737    13,479,379 
Assumed exercise of warrants, net of shares assumed reacquired under the treasury stock method   -    555,997 
Assumed conversion of preferred stock under the if-converted method   -    5,657,219 
Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted computation   13,744,737    19,692,595 
           
Net income(loss) per share attributable to common stockholders, basic  $(1.61)  $0.26 
Net income(loss) per share attributable to common stockholders, diluted  $(1.61)  $0.18 

 

The following potentially dilutive shares of convertible preferred stock, convertible notes payable, and common stock options and warrants were not included in the calculation of diluted shares above as the effect would have been anti-dilutive:

 

   December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020 
Convertible preferred stock   5,657,219    5,657,219 
Convertible notes payable   654,093    423,734 
Common stock options and warrants   551,628    1,159,264 
Total   6,862,940    7,240,217 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, common stock equivalents of 330,521 and 3,303,868, respectively, related to warrants and stock options were excluded from diluted earnings per share as the exercise price of these instruments was greater than the average price of the Company’s common stock price throughout the period. For the year ended December 31, 2020, common stock equivalents of 939,554 and 1,923,065, respectively, related to warrants and stock options were excluded from diluted earnings per share as the exercise price of these instruments was greater than the average price of the Company’s common stock price throughout the period.

 

(13)Income Taxes

 

The Company’s income tax (benefit) expense was primarily comprised of tax at statutory rates offset by a full valuation allowance in the United States.

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate differs from the statutory federal income tax rate for the following reasons:

 

   2021   2020 
Tax computed at the federal statutory rate of 21%  $(4,639)  $685 
Credits   (13)   (49)
Nondeductible expenses and other   3,389    448 
Uncertain tax positions   3    12 
Valuation allowance   1,260    (1,096)
           
Income tax expense / (benefit)   -    - 

 

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets at December 31, 2021 and 2020 are shown below:

 

   2021   2020 
Deferred tax assets:          
Net operating loss carryforwards  $16,957   $15,860 
Research and development credits   1,701    1,695 
Intangible assets   1,356    1,255 
Deferred stock compensation   2,920    4,551 
Deferred compensation and post-employment benefits   8,668    8,743 
Reserves, accrued expenses, and other, net   126    99 
Total deferred tax assets   31,728    32,203 
Deferred tax liabilities:          
Fixed assets   (7)   (42)
Unrealized Equity Investment Gain   (1,404)   (3,103)
Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets   (30,317)   (29,058)
Net deferred tax assets   -    - 

 

F-55

 

 

The change in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was an increase of $1,259 and a decrease of $1,403 respectively.

 

The Company has incurred losses from operations for the past three years. Due to the impact of these losses, expectation of income tax losses in the near term and the unpredictability of future forecasted results, along with other negative factors, the Company recorded a full valuation allowance in its deferred tax assets.

 

Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 382 and 383, use of the Company’s net operating loss and credit carryforwards may be limited if a cumulative change in ownership of more than 50% occurs within a three-year period.

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $80.7 million. The federal net operating losses will begin to expire in 2022, unless utilized. There are approximately $18.6 million of federal net operating losses that may be carried forward indefinitely. The Company also has federal research tax credit carryforwards of approximately $2.3 million, which will begin to expire in 2022, unless utilized.

 

Management has evaluated tax positions in accordance with FASB ASC 740. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits were $567 and $564, respectively. The Company does not anticipate any significant changes to the unrecognized tax benefits to occur in the next 12 months. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits are carried on the balance sheet as a reduction to the Company’s deferred tax assets. No interest or penalties are accrued related to the unrecognized tax benefits.

 

The Company files income tax returns in the United States and is no longer subject to examination for tax years ending before 2017. However, to the extent allowed by law, the tax authority may have the right to examine prior periods where net operating losses or tax credits were generated and carried forward, and make adjustments up to the amount of the net operating losses or credit carryforwards. At December 31, 2021 we were not under examination by the tax authority.

 

On March 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law. The CARES Act allows net operating losses from the 2018, 2019 and 2020 tax years to be carried back up to five years, provided for an increased interest deduction for tax years 2019 and 2020, as well as the deferral of the employer portion of social security taxes. The Company has determined that the impact of the CARES Act is immaterial to the financial statements.

 
(14)Subsequent Events

 

The Company has evaluated subsequent events and transactions through May 6, 2022, the date the financial statements were available for issuance and identified the below transactions that need to be reported.

 

In February 2022, the Company amended the maturity date conversion price per share to a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of common Stock on the maturity Date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of common stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the maturity date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase common stock on or prior to the maturity date, or (2) $4.09. As a result, a total of $921 in principal and accrued interest were converted into 225,200 shares of common stock under the amended conversion terms of the notes. The remaining convertible promissory notes had their maturity dates extended to September 1 2022. These extended notes will continue to accrue interest under the original terms of the notes.

 

In 2022, the Company issued convertible promissory notes (“2022 Notes”) to unrelated parties totaling $685. The maturity date of the 2022 Notes is September 1, 2022. At maturity, principal and accrued interest under the 2022 Notes will be automatically converted into common stock at an exercise price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the Maturity Date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the Maturity Date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the Maturity Date, or (2) $4.09. At any time, the Notes are outstanding prior to the maturity date, the holder may elect to convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into common stock at the higher of the most recent sale of common stock or grant of stock options or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the 2022 Notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. The 2022 Notes accrue interest at 10.0% per annum.

 

In March 2022, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party in the amount of $300 with a maturity date of (a) July 2022 or (b) the date by which the Company completes a transaction for the purchase of its equity or debt securities for cash with the principal purpose of raising capital in an amount not less than $2,500, The note has a 10% interest rate.

 

F-56

 

 

In 2021, the Company offered warrant holders an inducement to exercise, or commit to do so, on or before December 23, 2021, all or a portion of their warrants for a reduced exercise price from the exercise price on the face of the warrant to $2.00 per share. The inducement resulted in a modification to the award. In January 2022, cash proceeds of $164 were received related to the exercise of warrants for 82,338 warrant shares.

 

In March 2022, the Company authorized for issuance stock options to certain officers and employees totaling 394,500 shares of common stock. The options were granted with an exercise price of $4.09. In addition, 428,534 options granted in 2022 were to reduce accrued bonus and deferred compensation of $1,753 with certain officers and employees. Of the total options granted 690,997 vested immediately, 99,037 vested on December 31, 2022, and the balance of 33,000 vest over 3 years.

 

In March 2022, the Company authorized the issuance of restricted stock units (“RSU”) totaling 2,200,000 shares of common stock of which 1,524,343 shares were granted in April 2022. The RSU’s vest 50% on the one year anniversary of the grant date, with 1/8th of the award vesting each quarter thereafter. The RSU’s will also vest upon a liquidity event, as defined in the RSU agreement as an IPO, merger or acquisition.

 

In March and April 2022, the Company amended executive employment agreements with four officers or employees of the Company. The amended employment agreements, among other matters, settled certain outstanding amounts owed to these individuals totaling $26,495 Other former officers and employees agreed to forgive a total of $2,858 in outstanding amounts owed to them.

 

In January 2022, the Company entered into a sublease agreement to lease office space in Bellevue, Washington under a non-cancelable lease which commenced in February 2022. The lease agreement expires in December 2024 and provides for aggregate future lease payments totaling $560.

 

F-57

 

 

 

 

 

[●] Shares of Common Stock

 

 

 

EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

 

, 2022

 

Sole Bookrunner

 

EF Hutton,

division of Benchmark Investments, LLC

 

, 2022

 

Through and including                   , 2022 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this Offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

The following is an estimate of the expenses (all of which are to be paid by the Company) that we may incur in connection with the securities being registered hereby.

 

Offering Expenses     
SEC registration fee  $

1,446

 
FINRA filing fee  $

[●]

 
Nasdaq listing and filing fees  $5,000 
Printing expenses  $7,000 
Legal fees and expenses  $500,000 
Accounting fees and expenses  $

[●]

 
Miscellaneous  $

[●]

 
Total  $

[●]

 

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

RCW 23B.08.320 permits a Washington corporation to, through its articles of corporation, eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for conduct as a director, except for the following:

 

i. acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct by a director or a knowing violation of law by a director;

 

ii. conduct violating RCW 23B.08.310 relating to unlawful distributions;

 

iii. any transaction from which the director will personally receive a benefit in money, property or services to which the director is not legally entitled; and

 

iv. any act or omission occurring prior to the date when the provision in the articles of incorporation eliminating or limiting liability becomes effective.

 

RCW 23B.08.510 authorizes a Washington corporation to indemnify an individual made a party to a proceeding because the individual is or was a director against liability incurred in the proceeding if:

 

i. the individual acted in good faith; and

 

ii. the individual reasonably believed (a) in the case of conduct in the individual’s official capacity with the corporation, that the individual’s conduct was in its best interests, and (b) in all other cases, that the individual’s conduct was at least not opposed to its best interests; and

 

iii. in the case of any criminal proceeding, the individual had no reasonable cause to believe the individual’s conduct was unlawful.

 

Notwithstanding the forgoing, a Washington corporation may not indemnify a director under RCW 23B.08.510 in connection with (a) a proceeding by or on behalf of the corporation in which the director RCW 23B.08.320 permits a Washington corporation to, through its articles of corporation, eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for conduct as a director, except for the following:

 

i. acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct by a director or a knowing violation of law by a director;

 

ii. conduct violating RCW 23B.08.310 relating to unlawful distributions;

 

iii. any transaction from which the director will personally receive a benefit in money, property or services to which the director is not legally entitled; and

 

iv. any act or omission occurring prior to the date when the provision in the articles of incorporation eliminating or limiting liability becomes effective.

 

II-1
 

 

In addition, our Bylaws provide that:

 

  we are required to indemnify our directors and executive officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by Washington law or any other applicable law, subject to limited exceptions;
     
  we may indemnify our other officers, employees and other agents as set forth in Washington law or any other applicable law;
     
  we are required to advance expenses to our directors and executive officers as incurred in connection with legal proceedings against them for which they may be indemnified; and
     
  the rights conferred in the amended and restated Bylaws are not exclusive.

 

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

 

The following information relates to all securities issued or sold by us within the past three years and not registered under the Securities Act. All dollar amounts below are stated in thousands, except per share amounts.

 

The Company issued an unsecured convertible note in September 2019 with a principal amount of $250 and a maturity date of the earlier of February 2022 or consummation of a deemed liquidation, and an annual interest rate of 10%, to a related party. In connection with this convertible note issuance, the Company issued warrants to purchase 12,916 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $10.22.

 

The Company issued 32 unsecured convertible notes between January 2020 and December 2020 with an aggregate principal amount of $1,950. Between January 2021 and December 2021, the Company issued and additional 22 unsecured convertible notes with an aggregate principal amount of $1,766. Between January 2022 and June 2022, the Company issued an additional 13 unsecured convertible notes in an aggregate principal amount of $749,000. All convertible notes have a maturity date of the earlier of September 2022 (except for two notes totaling $201 due in August 2023) or consummation of a deemed liquidation and bear interest at an annual rate of 10%. During August 2022, one additional note was issued with an aggregate principal amount of $100. In connection with the sale of these convertible notes, the Company issued warrants to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $10.22.

 

The convertible notes include put features, the terms of which are dependent upon the amount invested. At maturity the principal and accrued interest of convertible notes will be automatically converted into common stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the maturity date, as determined by the higher of the price per Share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the maturity date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the maturity date, or (2) $9.00, in any case rounded down to the nearest whole share of the Common Stock as of the date of conversion. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At any time the convertible notes are outstanding, the holder may (a) elect to convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into equity securities. Conversion price equal to the highest cash price paid for the nonqualified equity securities or (b) convertible into common stock at a conversion price equal to the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion.

 

II-2
 

 

In June 2019, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $500 with a maturity date of the earlier of February 2022 or consummation of a deemed liquidation and an annual interest rate of 10%. The conversion price per share is $9.00. In connection with this convertible note issuance, the Company issued warrants to purchase 27,777 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $9.00. In the event this convertible note has not been repaid or converted prior to the maturity date, then upon the maturity date, the outstanding principal and accrued interest shall automatically convert into that number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the outstanding principal and accrued interest by $9.00. The convertible note is outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

 

In January 2020, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $250 with a maturity date earlier of January 2022 or consummation of a deemed liquidation and an annual interest rate of 10%. The convertible note was outstanding as of June 30, 2022. On September 3, 2021, the Board extended the maturity date to February 28, 2022. At maturity the principal and accrued interest of convertible note will be automatically converted into Common Stock at the lesser of (1) the fair market value per Share on the maturity date, as determined by the higher of the price per Share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the maturity date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the maturity date, or (2) $9.00. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors.

 

In September 2020, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $250 with a maturity date of September 2022 and an annual interest rate of 10%. The convertible note was outstanding as of June 30, 2022. At maturity the principal and accrued interest of convertible notes will be automatically converted into Common Stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the maturity date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the maturity date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the maturity date, or (2) $9.00.If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors.

 

In August 2018, the Company issued two unsecured convertible notes in the amount of $63 each with maturity dates of August 2020 and an annual interest rate of 10%. The notes have a conversion price equal to the lesser of (1) by dividing the outstanding principal and accrued interest by a conversion price equal to the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of the date of conversion as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to an employee or service provider, or (2) $10.22 per Share. Upon the maturity date, any outstanding principal and accrued interest shall automatically convert to shares of Common Stock determined by the conversion price. The convertible notes were outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

 

II-3
 

 

In November 2020, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $100 with a maturity date of December 2022 or upon the consummation of a deemed liquidation and an annual interest rate of 10%. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. The conversion price is equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per Share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. This convertible note was outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

 

In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party of $150 in exchange for a promissory note, with a maturity of December 2022 or upon a deemed liquidation and an interest rate of 10% per annum. At any time this note may be converted at a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. This convertible note was outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

 

In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party of $142 in exchange for a $112 promissory note and $30 accounts payable, with a maturity of December 2022 or upon a deemed liquidation and an interest rate of 10% per annum. At any time, this note may be converted at a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per Share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. The convertible note was outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

 

In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party of $228 in exchange for a $200 promissory note and additional $28 in cash, with a maturity of December 2022 or upon a deemed liquidation and an interest rate of 10% per annum. Prior to maturity, the related party may elect to convert at conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors.

 

In January 2021, $38 in accounts payables due to a related party was exchanged for an unsecured convertible note with a maturity of December 2022 or upon a deemed liquidation and an interest rate of 3% per annum. At any time, this note may be converted at a conversion price equal to 100% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion.

 

In February 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $30 with a maturity date of February 2023 or upon the consummation of a deemed liquidation and an interest rate of 10%. per annum. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At maturity the principal and accrued interest of convertible notes will be automatically converted into Common Stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per Share of Common Stock on the Maturity Date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the maturity date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the maturity date, or (2) $9.00. At any time, the holder may elect to convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into Common Stock at the higher of a sale of Common Stock or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. This convertible note was outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

 

II-4
 

 

In July 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible note to a related party in the amount of $600, of which $500 was in exchange for a promissory note, with a maturity date of December 2022 or upon the consummation of a deemed liquidation and an interest rate of 10% per annum. If a financing with proceeds of at least $10,000 is consummated prior to the maturity date, the notes will automatically convert at a conversion price equal to 85% of the highest cash price paid for the securities sold in the financing to other investors. At any time, this note may be converted at a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion. This was outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

 

In connection with one of the 2020 and 2021 notes, the Company issued warrants to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $10.22. During 2022, the Company issued additional warrants to purchase 2,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.75.

 

During 2022, the Company issued an aggregate of 823,034 options to purchase shares of our common stock to employees under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The options vest between March 2022 and December 2025, have an exercise price of $4.09 per share, and expire seven years after the grant date.

 

During 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,044,833 options to purchase shares of our common stock to employees under the Plan. The options vest between November 2021 and November 2025, have an exercise price of 4.09 per share, and expire seven years after the grant date.

 

Unless otherwise stated above, the issuances of these securities were made in reliance upon exemptions provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, Regulation D promulgated thereunder, or Securities Act Rule 701 for the offer and sale of securities not involving a public offering.

 

No underwriter was engaged in connection with the foregoing sales of securities. The Company has reason to believe that all of the foregoing purchasers were familiar with or had access to information concerning the operations and financial conditions of the Company, and all of those individuals purchasing securities represented that they were accredited investors, acquiring the shares for investment and without a view to the distribution thereof. At the time of issuance, all of the foregoing securities were deemed to be restricted securities for purposes of the Securities Act and the certificates representing such securities bore legends to that effect.

 

II-5
 

 

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

        Incorporated by        
Exhibit       Reference   Filed or Furnished
Number   Exhibit Description   Form   Exhibit   Filing Date   Herewith
1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement                
                     
3.1   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., filed June 10, 2014                
                     
3.2   Articles of Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., filed February 27, 2019                
                     
3.3*   Amended and Restated Bylaws of EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.                
                     
4.1*   Specimen certificate evidencing shares of Common Stock                
                     
4.2*   Form of Representative’s Warrant                
                     
5.1*   Legal opinion of Lucosky Brookman LLP                
                     
10.1   Distribution Agreement, dated October 10, 2019, by and between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. and Sayre Therapeutics Private Limited                
                   
10.2   Exclusive License Agreement, dated April 1, 2017, by and between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. and Teijin Limited                
                     
10.3   Exclusive License Agreement, dated April 21, 2021, by and between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. and Hapbee Technologies, Inc.                
                     
10. 4   License Agreement, dated July 29, 2021, by and between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. and Hapbee Technologies, Inc.                
                     
10. 5   Amended and Restated Exclusive License Agreement, dated October 26, 2020, by and between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. and Hapbee Technologies, Inc.                
                     
10. 6   Amendment to Exclusive License Agreement, dated October 26, 2020, by and between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. and Hapbee Technologies, Inc.                
                     
10.7   Right of First Refusal and Co-sale Agreement, dated March 22, 2002, by and between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. and John T. Butters, Bennett M. Butters, and Lisa C. Butters                
                     
10. 8†   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. and Chris E. Rivera, dated as of March 15, 2022                
                     
10. 9†   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. and Steven E. Pope, dated as of March 15, 2022                
                     
10. 10†   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. and David C. Matteson, dated as of March 15, 2022                
                     
10. 11†   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. and Kyle J. Kingma, dated as of April 18, 2022                
                     
10. 12†   EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan                
                     
10. 13†   Form of Stock Option Agreement for EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan                

 

II-6
 

 

10.14   Promissory Note issued to Nancy Nordhoff, dated March 14, 2022               X
                     
10.15   Promissory Note issued to John Kingma, dated July 6, 2021               X
                     
10.16   Promissory Note issued to John Kingma, dated July 15, 2021               X
                     
10.17   Convertible Note issued to John Kingma, dated February 5, 2021               X
                     
10.18   Convertible Note issued to John Kingma, dated February 5, 2021               X
                     
10.19   Convertible Note issued to John Kingma, dated February 5, 2021               X
                     
10.20   Convertible Note issued to John Kingma, dated January 31, 2021               X
                     
10.21   Convertible Note issued to Lucky Good Dog, LLC, dated February 23, 2021               X
                     
10.22   Convertible Note issued to Lucky Good Dog, LLC, dated July 20, 2021               X
                     
14.1   Code of Ethics and Business Conduct                
                     
21.1   Subsidiaries of the Registrant                
                     
23.1   Consent of MaloneBailey LLP                
                     
23.2*   Consent of Lucosky Brookman LLP (reference is made to Exhibit 5.1)                
                     
24.1   Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto)                
                     
99.1   Audit Committee Charter                
                     
99.2   Compensation Committee Charter                
                     
99.3   Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter                
                     
99.4   Insider Trading Policy                
                     
101.PRE   XBRL Instance Document                
                     
101.INS   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document                
                     
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document                
                     
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document                
                     
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document                
                     
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document]                
                     
107   Filing Fee Table                

 

* to be filed by amendment

† Executive compensation plan or arrangement.

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1)That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment will be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time will be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(2)To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(3)That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, will be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

II-7
 

 

(4)That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

 

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i)Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
   
(ii)Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
   
(iii)The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
   
(iv)Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

II-8
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-1 and has duly caused this registration statement or amendment thereto to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Bellevue, State of Washington, on August 16, 2022.

 

  EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
     
  By:

/s/ Chris E. Rivera

    Chris E. Rivera
    Chief Executive Officer

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Chris E Rivera and Steven Pope his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or his their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities held on the dates indicated.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Chris E. Rivera   Chief Executive Officer   August 16, 2022
    (principal executive officer) and Director    
         
/s/ Kyle Kingma  

Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

  August 16, 2022
       
         
/s/ Bennett M. Butters   Director   August 16, 2022
         
/s/ Andrew Daniels   Director   August 16, 2022

 

       
/s/ Richard Henriques   Director   August 16, 2022
         
/s/ John Kingma   Director   August 16, 2022
         
/s/ Charles E. McNerney   Director  

August 16, 2022

 

II-9

 


 

Exhibit 3.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 3.2

 

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT

OF

NATIVIS, INC.

 

Pursuant to RCW 23B.10.060 of the Washington Business Corporation Act (the “Act”), the undersigned corporation hereby submits the following amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Nativis, Inc.

 

1. The name of the corporation is Nativis, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

 

2. Article I of the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

“ARTICLE I. NAME

 

The name of this corporation is EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Corporation”).”

 

3. The date of adoption of these Articles of Amendment was February 20, 2019.

 

4. These Articles of Amendment were duly approved and adopted by the board of directors, and shareholder action was not required, in accordance with the provisions of RCW 23B.10.020.

 

5. These Articles of Amendment will be effective upon filing.

 

Dated: February 20, 2019.

 

  NATIVIS, INC.
     
  By:
    Chris Rivera, President and CEO

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.1

 

DATE: 10 October 2019

 

(1) SAYRE THERAPEUTICS PRIVATE LIMITED

 

- and -

 

(2) EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made on the 10 October 2019

 

BETWEEN:

 

(1) SAYRE THERAPEUTICS PRIVATE LIMITED, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of India and having its registered office at 3rd Floor, No. 91, G.R Square (Indiqube Epsilon), Amarjyothi Nagar Layout, 100 Feet Inner Ring Road, Domlur, Bangalore – 560071, Karnataka, India. Hereinafter referred to as (“SAYRE”)

 

AND

 

(2) EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of Washington, with its principal office located at 425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. Hereinafter referred to as (“EMULATE”)

 

SAYRE and EMULATE hereinafter also being referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.

 

WHEREAS:

 

Whereas EMULATE has established itself as the owner of the Product (as hereinafter defined) and has responsibility for the GMP (as hereinafter defined) -approved manufacture thereof, in accordance with approved MAs (as hereinafter defined).
   
Whereas EMULATE wishes to sell the Product to SAYRE and SAYRE wishes to subsequently supply the Product in the Territory in the Field (as each such term is hereinafter defined).
   
Whereas SAYRE has established itself as a well-known and respected organization supplying speciality pharmaceuticals and medical devices to customers within the Territory,
   
Whereas SAYRE desires to and has agreed to act as licensee for EMULATE and supply (as far as allowed by laws and regulations in the Territory, either by holding the MA or under Name Patient Program (as hereinafter defined)) the Product in the Territory in the Field on the terms set out below.
   
Whereas EMULATE is willing to supply to SAYRE exclusively, the Product for distribution in the Territory in the Field.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein contained, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions

 

In this Agreement unless the context requires otherwise the following words and phrases will have the respective adjacent meanings:

 

“Adverse Event (AE)” Any untoward medical occurrence, unintended disease or injury, or untoward clinical signs (including abnormal laboratory findings) in patients, user or other persons, whether or not related to the investigational medical device.
   
“Affiliate” in respect of either Party, any company which at the relevant time directly or indirectly owns or controls or is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by or in common control with such party to the extent of more than 50% of its shares having the right to vote at a general meeting.

 

 

 

 

“Effective Date” the date written at the beginning of this Agreement.
   
“Field” With respect to EMULATE’s Hælo™ Pediatric system, the treatment of diffuse midline glioma including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in patients less than 22 years of age. With respect to EMULATE’s Voyager system, the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme in adults.
   
“Force Majeure” any cause preventing or hindering the performance of this Agreement arising from or attributable to acts, events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Party affected, which could not have been avoided or overcome through the exercise of reasonable diligence, including but not limited to epidemic of disease, Act of God, shortage of materials, war, labour disputes, accidents, fire, breakdown of machinery, acts of government or other legal authority, riot or civil commotion and whether eiusdem generis to the above causes or not.
   
“Good Distribution Practice (GDP)” “GDP” means those current good distribution requirements, practices and medical device industry standards in force from time to time during the term of this Agreement per EU Medical Device Rules, 2017, and 21 CFR 800 series.
   

“Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)”

 

Current Good Manufacturing Practice relating to Product description, manufacturing processes, quality control, packaging instructions, specifications, and guidelines relating to the manufacture, testing, analysis and packaging of medical devices, per EU Medical Device Rules and 21 CFR 800 series and any subsequent updates to such directives, regulations or guidelines.
   
“Intellectual Property” any patent, copyright, design, trademark (registered or unregistered) or other industrial or intellectual property right subsisting in the Territory in respect of the Product and applications for any of the foregoing;
   
“Marketing Authorisation (MA)” An authorisation or licence issued by the relevant Regulatory Authority in an individual country or group of countries in respect of a medical device which allows for that medical device to be placed on the market for use in specified clinical indication(s) and patients.
   
“Named Patient Program (NPP)” the supply of medical device that is not the subject of an MA in the individual country in the Territory in the Field where a bona fide unsolicited order for use of the medical device has originated from a healthcare professional or from another individual as permitted by the Regulatory Authority in the country where the medical device is intended to be used. This will usually result in a requirement for importation of the unauthorised medical device into the individual country where it is intended to be used. All activities must be performed in accordance with the procedures defined by the Regulatory Authority in the country where the medical device is intended to be used.
   
“Product(s)” EMULATE’s Product(s) (Voyager and Hælo Pediatric system) as attached and more fully described hereto in Schedule 1 for use in their respective Fields; for the Hӕlo Pediatric system, it would be with Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) or Premarket Approval (PMA) status granted at any time by the US FDA, whichever is first granted, and for the Voyager system, it would be with “Conformité Européenne” (CE) mark granted at any time.
   
“Quarter” a period of the three consecutive months commencing on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October in each year during the term of this Agreement;
   
“Regulatory Authority” all such governmental bodies or agencies that are responsible for granting MA for the Product; or for providing authorisation to the importation of a medical device which is unauthorised in the country where it is intended to be used, where such import authorisation is required.
   
“Restricted Information” any non-public, confidential information of either Party (the Disclosing Party), whether oral, visual or written, which (i) is disclosed to the other Party (the Receiving Party) by the Disclosing Party pursuant to, in contemplation of, or otherwise in connection with, this Agreement; or (ii) comes to the attention of the Receiving Party and relates to the Product or the business of either Party or any Affiliate of either Party (whether or not such information is expressly stated to be confidential or marked as such);
   
“Serious Adverse Event (SAE)” an adverse event that (a) led to death, (b) led to serious deterioration in the health of the patient that resulted in either (1) a life-threatening illness or injury, or (2) a permanent impairment of a body structure or a body function, or (3) in-patient or prolonged hospitalization, or (4) medical or surgical intervention to prevent life-threatening illness or injury or permanent impairment to a body structure or a body function, or (c) led to fetal distress, fetal death or a congenital abnormality or birth defect.

 

 

 

 

“Territory” Respective countries as more fully described in Schedule 2;
   
“Trade Mark” the trademarks identified in Schedule 3 hereof.
   
“Transfer Price” as provided in Schedule 1 to this Agreement with respect to each Product sold to SAYRE hereunder

 

1.1 Reference in this Agreement to a person will be deemed to include any legal entity whether it be an individual, partnership, company, unincorporated organisation, or any government or agency thereof.
   
1.2 Where the context admits reference in this Agreement to the singular will include the plural and vice versa and reference to the masculine will include the feminine and vice versa.
   
1.3 The headings in this Agreement are for ease of reference only and will not affect its interpretation.
   
2. Appointment of SAYRE
   
2.1 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, EMULATE hereby appoints SAYRE as its exclusive licensee for the importation, sale, distribution and supply of the Product in the Territory in the Field and SAYRE hereby agrees to act in that capacity subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Supply of the Product will be according to regulatory strategy (as hereinafter defined in Schedule 4).
   
2.2 SAYRE accepts such appointment and agrees not to obtain supplies of the Product for importation, sale, distribution and supply in the Territory during the term of this Agreement from any third party except from EMULATE.
   
2.3 SAYRE will use its best reasonable efforts as permissible by law to prevent sale of Product to:

 

  2.3.1 any person in the Territory where SAYRE knows or has reason to believe that the Product will be resold in any country which is outside the Territory or outside the Field; or
     
  2.3.2 any person outside the Territory.

 

2.4 If SAYRE receives a request from a customer located outside the Territory for supply of the Product, SAYRE will forward it to EMULATE, and EMULATE will in turn forward all queries originating from the Territory to SAYRE.
   
2.5 SAYRE will be entitled to describe itself as an “Authorised Licensee of EMULATE” for the Product in the Territory in the Field, but SAYRE will not hold itself out as EMULATE’s agent for sales of the Product or otherwise as being entitled to bind EMULATE in any way.
   
2.6 SAYRE will ensure that customers purchasing the Product hold the necessary licences/authorisations/permits that allow the purchase of Product on a Named Patient Program basis.

 

 

 

 

3. Responsibilities of EMULATE
   
3.1 EMULATE will work, or will continue to work, with international key opinion leaders in the relevant therapeutic area. EMULATE will share relevant knowledge about and relevant contact details about key opinion leaders in the Territory.
   
3.2 Within thirty (30) days following CE mark issuance, US FDA HDE approval or US FDA marketing approval for the Product, as applicable, EMULATE will provide to Sayre a final version of “Instructions for Use” (IFU) for such approved Product.
   
3.3 EMULATE will to a reasonable extent be available for training and education sessions and international meetings regarding the Product, its application, EMULATE’s know-how, business development activities, exchange of information on scientific aspects and other activities in order to build an awareness and preference for the Product.

 

Following training needed from EMULATE in India:

 

  Skype / appropriate platform-based hands-on training to the medical and sales team of SAYRE by EMULATE on:

 

  Positioning of the coil on patient’s head and correct use of other accessories such as control unit
     
  Training on troubleshooting of the device
     
  Understanding the science behind the Product, to discuss safety, efficacy and management of adverse events.

 

These trainings can be in the form of didactic videos or interactive webinars, in-person visits or other formats of training tools.

 

3.4 To help in facilitating introductions with the key global investigators, so as to enable International speaker programs (ISPs) in India, conducted by SAYRE.
   
3.5 EMULATE will depute appropriate person to participate in person in the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) meeting that is held as part of the Product registration process in the Territory.
   
4. The Product
   
4.1 EMULATE will promptly inform SAYRE in writing should it consider discontinuation of the manufacture of the Product(s) and/or consider making any alteration to the specification attached in Schedule 1 the (“Specification”) of the Product and subject to the regulatory approval as mentioned in Schedule 4, and supply any additional information as may be required by the Regulatory Authority including changes in formulation, presentation or packaging of the Product to support the change in Specification or the decision to discontinue the Product.
   
4.3 EMULATE will use its commercially reasonable efforts to supply the ordered quantity of the Product to SAYRE in accordance with Section 8 (Supply and Delivery) and the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the relevant Purchase Order. In the event EMULATE is unable to supply a Product in accordance with an order placed by SAYRE and accepted by EMULATE, EMULATE will promptly inform SAYRE of the reason for such inability and an alternate date by which the Product can be supplied.

 

 

 

 

4.4 Restrictions on Use of Product Prescribed for Less Than 12-Month Periods: For any Product prescribed for a treatment period of less than twelve (12) months, SAYRE will ensure that such Product is used only or a single prescription and a single patient, and SAYRE will not suffer or permit the use of such Product for treatments of patients or for treatment periods other than those initially prescribed. The parties agree that Products sold under this Agreement will be prescribed for only 3-month, 6-month or 12-month treatment periods.
   
5. Product Approval and Regulatory Matters:
   
5.1 SAYRE will be responsible for permits and ancillary approvals required for SAYRE to import, resell and distribute the Product and for obtaining and maintaining Regulatory Approval of the Product at its own expense, including any government fees and approvals of labelling and packaging of the Product. EMULATE will provide assistance to the extent that it is commercially reasonably able as SAYRE may reasonably request in connection with obtaining Regulatory Approval. SAYRE will also be responsible for obtaining all pricing approvals required to market and resell the Product in the Territory in the Field. Notwithstanding the above allocation of responsibility for obtaining Regulatory Approval and pricing approvals, EMULATE will have the right to review and comment upon all material regulatory filings proposed to be made with respect to the Product.
   
5.2 EMULATE will provide SAYRE with (i) a full copy of the EU Technical File and (ii) to the extent that EMULATE has the legal right, any other relevant and useful information that SAYRE may reasonably request and that is in EMULATE’s possession and may not be included in the EU Technical File but may support the filing and subsequent Regulatory Approval of the Product in the Territory in the Field.
   
5.3 All Regulatory Approvals and pricing approvals in the Territory will be held in the name of SAYRE or its Affiliate. Upon termination of this Agreement, all Regulatory Approvals and pricing approvals will be transferred into the name of EMULATE or EMULATE’s designate, as described in Section 20.8 (d).
   
5.4 EMULATE will share the EU Technical File and the US HDE application in an .PDF format, that is in EMULATE’s possession to SAYRE within 6 (six) months after an EU CE Mark or HDE approval by US FDA, whichever is earlier, as described in Schedule 4. SAYRE should evaluate the EU Technical File and provide EMULATE with any additional requirements for the submission to Regulatory Authorities in the Territory within 6 (six) months after delivery of the dossier. Schedule 5 includes a listing of documents that will need to be notarized or apostilled for regulatory submissions in addition to the EU Technical File in the Territory. EMULATE will provide any additional documents and administrative documentation required by Regulatory Authorities in a reasonable time. However, requirements listed in Schedule 5 are based on current regulations and indicative, however, any change in regulations during MA application, amended requirements will be communicated accordingly.

 

 

 

 

6.Price and Payment

 

6.1The prices of the Product(s) will be the prices specified in Schedule 1 hereof.

 

6.2EMULATE will be entitled to invoice SAYRE at any time after the Product has been shipped to SAYRE.

 

6.3SAYRE will pay EMULATE within 60 (sixty) days of the date of invoice by wire transfer to such bank account EMULATE will nominate from time to time.

 

6.4Product purchase payments will be made in United States Dollars.

 

7.Upfront and Milestone Payment

 

7.1EMULATE and SAYRE agree on the upfront and milestone payment as described in Schedule 1.

 

7.2EMULATE and SAYRE agree that the Transfer Price for the first 10 units will be as detailed in Schedule 1.

 

7.3Milestone payments will be subject to tax withholding; provided, however, that EMULATE will provide SAYRE with necessary relevant Tax Residency Certificates (TRCs) & Permanent Establishment undertaking based on which taxes will be withheld on milestone payments. SAYRE will supply a certificate on the taxes withholding to EMULATE, which EMULATE may use to set off against EMULATE’s US taxes on profits, as part of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between United States and India.

 

7.4HDE, CE Mark and US FDA approval as per the Medical Devices timeline are mentioned in Schedule 1. Parties will discuss in good faith the reasons for any delay of approval process, and the appropriate next steps.

 

8.Supply and Delivery

 

8.1EMULATE will be responsible for the manufacture and supply of Product for the Territory in the Field. EMULATE will be responsible for all costs associated with labelling, packaging, and Product inserts for Product. EMULATE will be responsible for formal quality control and batch release testing in the United States for all Product to be distributed in the Territory. SAYRE will be responsible for any additional country-specific quality control and batch release testing required to distribute the Product in the Territory.

 

8.2SAYRE will provide purchase orders for quantities of Product (each, a “Purchase Order”) and such Purchase Orders will be placed upon receiving a prescription and the delivery date to be specified in such Purchase Order. Each Purchase Order will be subject to acceptance by EMULATE. The terms and conditions of this Agreement will govern the sale of Product regardless of additional or different terms in any Purchase Order or any other document issued by EMULATE or SAYRE, except to the extent such Purchase Order or document expressly provides that its terms will control.

 

8.3Unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Parties, EMULATE will make all reasonable efforts to deliver the Product by the date specified therefor in the applicable Purchase Order. EMULATE will notify SAYRE of any rejection of a Purchase Order no later than three (3) business days from the date of receipt of such Purchase Order, after which EMULATE will be deemed to have accepted the order. In the event of any delays EMULATE will promptly inform SAYRE of the delay and the earliest alternate date of shipment.

 

 

 

 

8.4The Product will be supplied ex works (Incoterms 2010) EXW Seattle, Washington, whereupon title to the Product will pass to SAYRE subject to payment in full therefor. Transport of the Product will be organized by SAYRE. Product will be packed in a packaging able to preserve the integrity of the Product according to the laws and GDP guidelines for the shipment of medical devices. SAYRE confirms that it has the necessary storage facilities available to enable the Product to be stored in its authorised storage conditions.

 

8.5In respect of every order for the Product placed by SAYRE on EMULATE on NPP: (a) the billing name and address will always be that of the patient; (b) the shipping address at which the Product will be delivered may be of the patient, or the relevant medical practitioner or hospital or other address as determined by the patient in consultation with SAYRE; (c) notwithstanding the fact that the billing address is that of the patient as aforesaid, Sayre will always be responsible for paying EMULATE the price of the Product supplied; (d) In the event SAYRE places a single Purchase Order for supply of multiple units of the Product pursuant to multiple prescriptions, EMULATE will pack each unit separately in accordance with the Named Patient details supplied by SAYRE in the applicable Purchase Order.

 

Schedule 4 to be referred to for Section 8.5, on Name Patient Program arrangement till the time SAYRE holds an MA in the Territory.

 

9.Title and Risk

 

9.1Title to the Product will pass to SAYRE after EMULATE has received the full payment therefor. The risk of loss of the Product will pass to SAYRE in accordance with the applicable Incoterms 2010 once the Product is placed at the disposal of SAYRE at the premises of EMULATE.

 

9.2Notwithstanding the retention of title in the Product by EMULATE pursuant to Section 8.1 above, SAYRE has the right to supply the Product at its own discretion on its own conditions of sale in the Territory in the Field in accordance with all applicable laws of the Territory.

 

10.Packaging of the Product(s)

 

The Product will be supplied in EMULATE’s international packaging as detailed in Schedule 1.

 

11.Regulatory Responsibilities for Named Patient Program

 

11.1SAYRE acknowledges that the Product is not registered in the Territory and will be supplied under the NPP procedure for a certain period, as described in Schedule 4; active promotion of the Product is not permitted as of the Effective Date because no MAs are held in the Territory.

 

 

 

 

11.2SAYRE will be responsible for compliance within each country of the Territory with the terms of the NPP procedure, as described in Schedule 4.

 

11.3SAYRE will manage regulatory, importation and customs’ aspects for the importation, resale and distribution of the Product and will be responsible for ensuring that it has all necessary government and regulatory approvals in place to enable it to import, store, resell and distribute the Product under the terms of the NPP procedure in the Territory.

 

11.4Upon SAYRE’s reasonable request, EMULATE will provide SAYRE with all information on the Product required to comply with its obligations hereunder.

 

11.5EMULATE agrees to provide a reasonable number of Product (units) as advised by the Regulatory Authority (referring to Medical Device Rules 2017) and agreed to by EMulate for purposes of testing in an Indian laboratory, as part of the Product registration process in the Territory; provided, that each Product provided will be labelled so as to restrict its use for such testing.

 

11.6EMULATE will ensure that SAYRE has access to the “Instructions for Use” for the Product, authorised as of the Effective Date, in order to enable compliance with the activities for which SAYRE is responsible under this Agreement. EMULATE will provide updated documentation to SAYRE if/when it is revised for the MA for the country. A detailed regulatory strategy for the Product is provided in Schedule 4.

 

12.Surveillance and Medical Information Responsibilities

 

12.1During the NPP arrangement, SAYRE is and will be responsible for compliance with the laws and regulations relating to supply in the Territory, including any safety reporting requirements to the Regulatory Authorities that may apply in the Territory. If SAYRE receives any AE or SAE reports involving the Product, these should be forwarded to EMULATE’s device surveillance team (tel: +1 206 708 2288 or e-mail: dmorganmurray@emulatetx.com) in all instances, within 48 hours of occurrence.

 

12.2Once the Product is registered in India, the SAE reporting will be as per Medical Device Rules 2017, GSR 78(E), Seventh Schedule, Clause (2), Subclause 3(i). If SAYRE receives any AE or SAE reports involving the Product, these should be forwarded to EMULATE’s device surveillance team (tel: +1 206 708 2288 or e-mail: dmorganmurray@emulatetx.com) in all instances, within 48 hours of occurrence. SAYRE may assist, at EMULATE’s request, with follow-up/medical validation of the AE/SAE report with the reporter. EMULATE will be responsible for all other aspects of device surveillance, including the maintenance of an aggregate safety database which complies with requirements and reporting in countries in which EMULATE holds or will be holding an MA.

 

12.3If SAYRE receives any questions of a medical nature from customers for the Product, these should be forwarded to EMULATE Medical Information (tel: +1 888.525.0026 or e-mail: techsupport@emulatetx.com) immediately and in all instances, within one (1) working day. EMULATE will be responsible for preparing a response for the customer and will do so within five (5) working days. SAYRE may assist, at EMULATE’s request, in the delivery of the response to the customer.

 

 

 

 

12.4For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this Section 12 will survive termination or expiration of the Agreement and will continue until expiry of the Product in the Territory.

 

13.Intellectual Property

 

13.1EMULATE hereby authorises SAYRE to use the Trade Marks for purposes of marketing, reselling and distributing the Product in the Territory in the Field for the Term or Successive Term, if applicable for the purpose only of exercising its rights and performing its obligations under this Agreement; provided, that SAYRE will ensure that each reference to and any use of the Trade Mark is in a manner from time to time approved by EMULATE and where appropriate is accompanied by an acknowledgement, in a form approved by EMULATE, that the same is a registered trademark of EMULATE.

 

13.2SAYRE acknowledges that the Trade Mark is and will remain the property of EMULATE and SAYRE disclaims any rights to such Trade Mark other than the rights granted pursuant to Section 13.1 above. SAYRE agrees that it does not and will not make any claims on any Intellectual Property of EMULATE. No other third party is authorized to use the Trade Mark in the Territory.

 

13.3SAYRE will use the Trade Mark in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the Territory and in a manner that always reflects favourably upon and preserves the integrity of the Trade Mark. Except as otherwise provided for herein, SAYRE agrees not to use any of the Trade Mark on or in connection with any goods or services other than the Products.

 

13.4SAYRE will notify EMULATE promptly if it becomes aware of (a) any actual, potential, threatened or alleged infringement by EMULATE of a trademark, trade name, service mark, brand name, patent, trade secret or other intellectual property right (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”) of any third party in the Territory or (b) the actual, potential, threatened or alleged infringement or misappropriation of EMULATE’s Trade Mark in the Territory. EMULATE will be responsible for defending and/or settling any and all claims mentioned in this Section 13, at its sole expense; provided, that SAYRE will cooperate with EMULATE in any such defense and settlement.

 

14.Restricted Information

 

14.1Except as provided in Sections 14.2 and 14.3, each Party will at all times during the continuance of this Agreement and for five (5) years after its termination;

 

14.1.1use its best efforts to keep all Restricted Information disclosed to it by the other Party confidential and accordingly not disclose any Restricted Information to any other person; and

 

14.1.2not use any Restricted Information disclosed to it by the other Party for any purpose other than the performance of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

14.2Any Restricted Information may be disclosed by the Receiving Party to:

 

14.2.1any purchasers of the Product;

 

 

 

 

14.2.2the Regulatory Authority or other governmental authority in the Territory; and

 

14.2.3any employees of the Receiving Party or of any of the aforementioned persons

 

and subject in every case only to the extent necessary for the purposes contemplated in this Agreement or as is required by law and subject in each case to the Receiving Party using its best efforts to ensure that the person in question keeps the same confidential and does not use the same except for the purpose for which the disclosure is made.

 

14.3Restricted Information may be used by the Receiving Party for any purpose or disclosed to the extent only that:

 

14.3.1it is at the date hereof or hereafter becomes public knowledge through no act or omission of the Receiving Party, its agents or employees (provided that in doing so the Receiving Party will not disclose any Restricted Information which is not public knowledge); or

 

14.3.2it can be shown by the Receiving Party to have been known to the Receiving Party prior to its being disclosed by the Disclosing Party to the Receiving Party; or

 

14.3.3it can be shown by the Receiving Party that Restricted Information was obtained from third parties who lawfully acquired such information without restrictions as to its use or dissemination; or

 

14.3.4it can be shown by the Receiving Party that Restricted Information has to be produced due to a law or authority decision; or

 

14.3.5it can be shown by the Receiving Party that the Restricted Information is independently developed without access to the Restricted Information.

 

15.Force Majeure

 

15.1Neither Party will be under any liability to the other for failure or delay in the performance of any obligation hereunder or part thereof (other than obligations to pay money) to the extent and for the period that such performance is prevented by reason of Force Majeure provided that the Party claiming the benefit of this Section gives immediate written notice of the Force Majeure to the other.

 

15.2Either Party will be entitled to terminate this Agreement forthwith by giving written notice to the other if the performance of this Agreement will be hindered or prevented for a period exceeding two (2) months due to an event of Force Majeure affecting either Party which cannot be fully removed or abated.

 

16.Warranty, Indemnity and Insurance by EMULATE

 

16.1EMULATE warrants that:

 

16.1.1all quantities of the Product supplied to SAYRE hereunder will at the time of delivery conform to GMP and the Specification; and

 

16.1.2EMULATE’s quality control procedures will have been carried out prior to delivery of the Product to SAYRE and “Certificate of Conformance” and other required documentation relevant to each batch of Product delivered will be supplied with the Product at the time of delivery.

 

 

 

 

16.2If notwithstanding the above any of the Product supplied by EMULATE is subsequently found to be faulty or defective, then EMULATE will replace all quantities of Product that are acknowledged to be defective and will bear the cost of the re-supply or destruction of such faulty or defective Product and the Parties will give to each other all reasonable assistance with the re-supply by providing each other with all relevant information available to each of them respectively; provided, that EMULATE will not be responsible for any faults or defects in respect of the Products that are attributable to non-compliance with EMULATE’s Product usage instructions.

 

16.3EMULATE will defend and indemnify SAYRE and hold it and its directors and officers harmless from any third-party claims, proceedings, actions, obligations, and liabilities, including any finally awarded damages, costs, reasonable attorney fees or out of pocket expenses of any kind (“Losses”) arising out of a third party claim based on injury to persons (including death) and damage to property resulting from (i) damages to or defects in the Product or (ii) the EMULATE process of manufacturing the Product; (iii) violation of third-party rights.

 

16.4Except for the foregoing indemnity obligations and obligations with respect to Restricted Information under Section 14, but notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in no event will either party be liable to the other party under this Agreement for loss of business, loss of data, loss of profits, loss of contracts or opportunity, cost of substitute services, loss of revenue or for any special, punitive, exemplary, indirect, incidental or consequential damages, whether or not the possibility of such damages could have been reasonably foreseen, and whether as a result of breach of contract, warranty, negligence or tort.

 

In the event that a third party alleges that the Product or the Intellectual Property rights of the Product infringe third party rights, SAYRE will notify EMULATE as soon as practicable and in any event within one (1) week from the date on which it has learned of the allegation, of any such claim and enable EMULATE to conduct the defense, which EMULATE may take over at its sole discretion at its own cost. EMULATE reserves the right to modify or suspend the delivery of Product in order to avoid liability for damages caused by the Product infringing third-party rights. In such event, the Parties will discuss in good faith alternative arrangements regarding fulfilment of Purchase Orders accepted by EMULATE.

 

16.5Except for the warranties set forth herein as expressly provided in this Section 16, EMULATE makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express, implied or otherwise. EMULATE specifically disclaims and SAYRE hereby expressly waives:-

 

16.5.1any express or implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular use with respect to the Product, whether used alone or in connection with other substances or materials; or

 

16.5.2any liability with respect to:

 

16.5.2.1any Product which has been tampered with or in any way altered or modified other than labelling or packaging, other than by EMULATE; or,

 

 

 

 

16.5.2.2any Product which has been subject to misuse, negligence or accident other than by EMULATE; or

 

16.5.2.3any Product which has been stored, handled, maintained or used in a manner contrary to regulatory requirements or EMULATE’s instructions or specifications described in Schedule 1 and otherwise appearing on the Product labelling; or

 

16.5.2.4any Product which has exceeded its stated expiry date: or

 

16.5.2.5SAYRE’s negligence or wilful misconduct, and the warranty set forth in Section 16.1 above

 

and the indemnity set forth in Section 16.3 above will not apply to any such Product.

 

16.6EMULATE’s total liability for any one claim or for the total of all claims arising from any act or default of EMULATE under this Agreement, including (but not limited to) claims for indemnity under this Section 16 will be limited to direct damages not to exceed two times (2x) the total price paid to EMULATE for the Products pursuant to Section 5 during the twelve (12)-month period preceding the last act or omission giving rise to the liability; provided that the foregoing limitation will not apply to EMULATE’s indemnification obligations under this Agreement.

 

16.7EMULATE will at its own cost maintain throughout the period of this Agreement and for a period of not less than two (2) years following its termination insurance coverage for the indemnification of SAYRE pursuant to this Section 16 to the extent such indemnification is insurable.

 

17.Warranty, Indemnity and Insurance by SAYRE

 

17.1SAYRE warrants and covenants that it will:

 

17.1.1comply with all laws and regulations in the Territory pertaining to the supply of the Product on NPP; and

 

17.1.2supply the Product in compliance with the NPP procedure.

 

17.2SAYRE will defend and indemnify EMULATE and hold it and its directors, officers and Affiliates harmless and will keep them indemnified from and against all Losses arising out of a third-party claim resulting from the breach of this Agreement by SAYRE or from SAYRE’s negligence or wilful misconduct, including but not limited to:

 

17.2.1any act, omission, neglect or default of SAYRE’s agents and employees;

 

17.2.2any breach by SAYRE of any of its obligations under this Agreement or arising from the supply of the Product(s) from SAYRE’s designated warehouses or the conduct of SAYRE:

 

17.2.3the failure of SAYRE to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in the Territory.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, SAYRE’s obligation to indemnify EMULATE will be reduced to the extent that the third-party claim is held to have been caused by the negligence or wilful misconduct of EMULATE.

 

 

 

 

17.3Each Party will provide the other Party with reasonable evidence confirming such insurance coverage is in place together with confirmation of receipt of payment of the premiums. Such evidence will be provided upon the other Party’s reasonable request.

 

18.Notices

 

18.1Any notice whatsoever that either Party is required or authorised by this Agreement to give or make to the other Party will be given in writing in the English language, and delivered personally, sent by email (and promptly confirmed by personal delivery or overnight courier as provided in this Agreement), or sent by internationally-recognized overnight courier to the addresses below.

 

 

EMULATE:

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

Attn: Chris E. Rivera

425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200

Seattle, WA 98109

crivera@EMulatetx.com

SAYRE:

 

Sayre Therapeutics Private Limited

Attn: Shukrit Sudhir Chimote

No.1104 Sobha Cinnamon Apartments,

Haralur Road, Somasundara Palya,

Bangalore, India, 560102

shukrit.chimote@sayretherapeutics.com

 

18.2A notice will be deemed to be duly received:

 

(i)if delivered by hand, when left at the address of the recipient, receipt confirmed;

 

(ii)if sent by pre-paid registered post, with return receipt requested, ten (10) days after the date of posting;

 

(iii)if sent by email, on the day following transmission.

 

Any Party may change its contact details for service by notice as provided in this Section 17.3.

 

18.3At the time of the Effective Date the Parties´ contact details are as follows:

 

 

EMULATE:

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

Attn: Chris E. Rivera

425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200

Seattle, WA 98109

crivera@EMulatetx.com

SAYRE:

 

Sayre Therapeutics Private Limited

Attn: Shukrit Sudhir Chimote

No.91, GR Square, Amar jyothi Nagar HBCS Layout, Inner Ring road, Domlur, Bengaluru, Karnataka - 560071

shukrit.chimote@sayretherapeutics.com

 

 

 

 

18.4Neither Party will be entitled to assign any of its rights or duties under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

19.Audit

 

SAYRE agrees to be audited by EMULATE in order to confirm compliance with the terms of this Agreement. Audits will be carried out with reasonable notice, during normal working hours and at EMULATE’s expense. The results of such audit will be treated as ‘Confidential Information’.

 

20.Term & Termination

 

20.1Term. The term of this Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and unless earlier terminated pursuant to this Section 20, will continue in full force and effect for six (6) years from the date of receipt of fulfilment of SAYRE’s first order under the NPP (Named Patient Programme) (the “Term”). Upon the expiry of the Term, the Agreement will be renewed for such further period as the Parties may mutually agree, and such renewal period will be deemed to be included in the “Term.”

 

20.2No Early Termination Right. Neither Party will have the right to terminate this Agreement without assigning any cause during the “Term.”

 

20.3Termination for Material Breach. In addition to any other rights or remedies available at law or in equity, a Party may terminate this Agreement and every Purchase Order, upon written notice, upon the occurrence of a material breach by the other Party of this Agreement that is not cured within forty five (45) days of receipt of written notice thereof.

 

20.3.1Termination for Not Meeting Forecasts. In the event SAYRE fails to diligently pursue and accomplish, on a regular basis, the importation, sale, distribution and supply of the Product in the Territory in the Field, the Parties shall discuss the matter in good faith having regard to the forecasts and rollover provisions in Schedule 1, provided that the forecast in Schedule 1 shall be contingent upon EMULATE receiving a CE Mark approval to treat GBM. These discussions can be done as part of a six-monthly Joint Steering Committee (JSC) between both the parties or otherwise. SAYRE shall not be responsible for any deficiencies caused solely by any delay or failure by EMULATE, or any issues related to the safety or functionality of the Product/s in the Territory. In the event, subsequent to such good faith discussion and after SAYRE has been given an opportunity to roll over and fully perform under this Agreement with respect to the forecasted order quantities as detailed in Schedule 1 within six (6) months following the end of the applicable forecast year, EMULATE may, at the end of such period, first require SAYRE to immediately purchase such number of units of the Product as may be required to fulfill the forecasted quantities in Schedule 1. If SAYRE fails to do so, EMULATE may modify the appointment of SAYRE from an exclusive distributor to a non-exclusive distributor in the Territory or otherwise may, without incurring any liability therefor, and without imposing any further liability on SAYRE therefor, terminate this Agreement and all Purchase Orders hereunder.

 

 

 

 

20.4Insolvency Event. Either EMULATE or SAYRE may terminate this Agreement in the event that the other becomes insolvent, files a petition in bankruptcy, or is declared bankrupt, or makes an assignment for benefit of creditors, during the Term of this Agreement. Termination under this Section will be effective upon twenty (20) days’ prior written notice.

 

20.5SAYRE Change of Control. EMULATE may terminate this Agreement effective upon ninety (90) days’ written notice by delivering to SAYRE or its representative such written notice of termination within one hundred eighty (180) days of any Change of Control of SAYRE if (a) the Change of Control is in favour of a competitor to EMULATE; or (b) if EMULATE reasonably apprehends if the Person in whose favour SAYRE undergoes a Change of Control will be unable to discharge the SAYRE’s obligations under this Agreement.

 

20.6EMULATE Change of Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event the EMULATE undergoes a Change of Control during the Term, such Change of Control will not affect: (i) the validity of this Agreement; or (ii) SAYRE’s rights in respect of the Product under this Agreement, including but not limited to the right to market, resell and otherwise distribute the Product within the Territory in the Field.

 

20.7Modification of Transfer Price. In the event the Parties are unable to reach an agreement in respect of an increase in the Transfer Price within thirty (30) days from the date on which the relevant negotiations were first started, SAYRE may terminate this Agreement effective upon sixty (60) days’ written notice.

 

20.8Effect of Expiration and Termination. Upon any expiration or termination of this Agreement, the following consequences will apply:

 

(a)SAYRE’s rights and each of SAYRE and EMULATE’s obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Territory will terminate, except as otherwise contemplated by this Section.

 

(b)All inventions whether patentable or not, trademarks, marks, trade names, patents, copyrights, designs, drawings, formulas or other data, photographs, samples, literature, and sales and promotional aids of every kind will remain the sole and exclusive property of EMULATE. Within thirty (30) days after the effective date of termination of this Agreement, SAYRE will destroy all tangible items bearing, containing, or contained in, any of the foregoing, in its possession or control and provide written certification of such destruction, or prepare such tangible items for shipment to EMULATE, as EMULATE may direct, at EMULATE’s expense. SAYRE will not make or retain any copies of any confidential or proprietary items or information, which may have been entrusted to it. Effective upon the termination of this Agreement, SAYRE will cease to use all trademarks and trade names of EMULATE.

 

 

 

 

(c)Upon expiration of this Agreement or termination (refer to Section 20.3) hereunder, EMULATE may, in its reasonable discretion in accordance with Applicable Laws, appoint itself as successor to SAYRE or appoint a third party that is located in the Territory, organized under the laws of the Territory and legally competent to hold and maintain the Product Approvals under the laws of the Territory, as successor to SAYRE (the “Successor Entity”). SAYRE will transfer and assign to EMULATE or the Successor Entity, as applicable, all Product Approvals, permits, filings and authorizations (including reimbursement authorizations), if any, obtained by SAYRE for the purpose of marketing, distributing and reselling the Product in the Territory, not later than the effective date of such expiration or termination or as soon as practicable if this Agreement is terminated immediately without prior notice. SAYRE will reasonably cooperate, at EMULATE’s request and reasonable expense, in making any filings, executing any instruments, or taking other actions reasonably necessary to make such transfer of Product Approvals and any pricing approvals effective with Regulatory Authorities. During the period beginning upon the date of termination or expiration of this Agreement and ending twelve (12) months thereafter (the “Transition Period”), SAYRE agrees to import and resell that Product for which it continues to hold the necessary Product Approvals to the Successor Entity at the then-current price, plus (i) a mark-up of twenty percent (20%) and (ii) any applicable consumption tax. The general purchase and sales terms of this Agreement will govern the sale of Product during the Transition Period and EMULATE will guarantee payment of any undisputed amount unpaid by the Successor Entity for any Product resold by SAYRE to the Successor Entity during the Transition Period. SAYRE will, at EMULATE’s request, promptly assign to EMULATE or the Successor Entity, as applicable, all of SAYRE’s rights and obligations under tender contracts for such Territory with any third parties that grant to such third parties rights to purchase Product from SAYRE, but solely to the extent that such tender contract relates to the Product.

 

(d)SAYRE will provide EMULATE with a complete inventory of Product in SAYRE’s possession or in transit to SAYRE from EMULATE or otherwise in SAYRE’s control, within ten (10) business days after the effective date of the expiration or termination of this Agreement. Acceptance of any order from, or sale or license of, any Product to SAYRE after the effective date of termination of this Agreement will not be construed as a renewal or extension hereof, or as a waiver of termination of this Agreement.

 

(e)EMULATE will, at its option, have the right to repurchase from SAYRE, and, if EMULATE exercises such option, SAYRE will sell to EMULATE on the effective date of such termination or expiration of this Agreement, all of SAYRE’s inventory of Product that is not obsolete, damaged or expired, at a price equal to the applicable Transfer Price actually paid by SAYRE for such Product, shipping charges and duties paid by SAYRE in respect of such Products. Any such repurchase will be made within sixty (60) days after the effective date of termination, and SAYRE will promptly ship such Product to a destination specified by EMULATE in accordance with EMULATE’s shipping instructions. The Product so delivered will be subject to inspection by EMULATE and payment therefor will be made within forty five (45) days of final acceptance by EMULATE of Product so inspected. Product repurchased from SAYRE by EMULATE pursuant to this Section will be shipped promptly by SAYRE to a location specified by EMULATE and EMULATE will reimburse SAYRE for all pre-approved reasonable out-of-pocket costs of shipment. This Section 20.8(e) will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

(f)Without prejudice to EMULATE’s indemnification obligations under Section 16.3, SAYRE will not be entitled to any termination compensation, consequential damages, indemnity or other payment for goodwill, lost profits, costs related to any employee or former employee, costs of re-establishment or replacement of the business or any other expenses, or rights relating to the business established by SAYRE. SAYRE expressly acknowledges and agrees that any rights to such indemnity, restitution, lost profits or compensation afforded to SAYRE by law or custom, and to the extent permissible under Applicable Law, are hereby expressly and completely waived by SAYRE. SAYRE will indemnify EMULATE for any claims or actions brought by employees, agents, representatives or other obligees of SAYRE for any severance pay, compensation, disability payment or social security payment or compensation.

 

(g)Termination, relinquishment or expiration of this Agreement for any reason will be without prejudice to any rights that will have accrued to the benefit of any Party prior to such termination, relinquishment or expiration including the payment obligations hereunder and any and all damages or remedies arising from any breach hereof. Such termination, relinquishment or expiration will not relieve any Party from obligations which are expressly indicated to survive termination of this Agreement. All oother rights and obligations of the Parties will cease upon expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

(h)Sections 11; 12; 14; 16; 17; 20; 21; 22; 23 and 24 will continue in full force in accordance with their terms notwithstanding the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

21.Entire Agreement

 

21.1Each Party acknowledges that in entering into this Agreement it does not do so on the basis of, and does not rely on, any representation warranty or other provision except as expressly provided herein and all conditions, warranties or other terms implied by statute or common law are hereby excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

21.2This Agreement and the provisions of any Schedules hereto constitute the entire agreement between the Parties, and supersede and extinguish all previous communications representations, agreements or understandings whether oral or written between the Parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

 

 

 

22.Agency

 

Nothing contained in this Agreement will or be deemed to constitute a partnership or a relationship of principal and agent or a joint venture between the Parties, and neither Party will bind or conduct itself in a manner to suggest it has authority to bind the other in any way except as expressly permitted in this Agreement.

 

23.Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

This Agreement will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of New York, USA, excluding its rules of conflicts of laws.

 

If a dispute arises between the Parties and the Parties do not settle such dispute within sixty (60) days following the commencement of such dispute, then such dispute will be subject to resolution only in a court of competent jurisdiction located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, NY, USA, and each Party waives all defences against the jurisdiction of such court, including, without limitation, the inconvenience of such forum.

 

24.Amendment, Waiver, Etc.

 

24.1Amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement must be made in writing and agreed to in writing by a duly authorised representative of each Party.

 

24.2The failure by either Party to exercise or enforce any right conferred upon it hereunder will not be deemed to be a waiver of any such right or operate to bar the exercise of enforcement thereof at any time or times thereafter.

 

24.3If any provision of this Agreement is held by any court or other competent authority to be void or unenforceable in whole or part, this Agreement will continue to be valid as to the other provisions and the remainder of the affected provision.

 

25.Anti-Bribery Compliance

 

In connection with performance of its obligations under this Agreement, SAYRE will not, and will ensure that its employees, directors, officers, agents or other persons acting on its behalf (collectively, the “SAYRE Representatives”) do not, make, or promise to make, any payment contribution or gift, either directly or indirectly, to any governmental or political official, candidates for public office, hospital, medical insurance of EMULATE or similar provider organization, customer or other person (including, without limitation, any payoff, influence payment, bribe, rebate or kickback) (i) for the purpose of improperly obtaining or paying for registrations, pricing approvals, medical reimbursement coverage of favorable treatment in securing or maintaining business or any other special concession; or (ii) if such payment, contribution or gift would constitute a violation of applicable laws. SAYRE (including all agents) will provide EMULATE with written certification of its compliance with this provision on an annual basis or as requested in writing by EMULATE. SAYRE will, and will ensure that the SAYRE Representatives comply with (i) the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the “FCPA”), (ii) the Bribery Act 2010, (iii) any other applicable local or multi-national laws prohibiting the payment of bribes to government officials (“Anti-Corruption and Bribery Laws”) and (iv) EMULATE’s Anti-Corruption and Bribery Policy (the “Anti-Corruption and Bribery Policy”).

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS whereof this Agreement has been executed by the duly authorised representatives of the Parties as of the Effective Date.

 

Signed for and on behalf of   Signed for and on behalf of
     
EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.   SAYRE THERAPEUTICS PVT. LTD.
     
by:   by:
     
     
Chris E. Rivera   Shukrit Sudhir Chimote
CEO   CEO
     
     
Signature   Signature
     
Date: 10 October 2019   Date:__________________________

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

Product/Price

 

Product: The Voyager system and the Hælo Pediatric system are non-invasive, non-sterile, non-thermal, non-ionizing, battery-operated, portable medical devices that use localized, ultra-low (0-22kHz) radio frequency energy (ulRFE®). Radio frequency energy is delivered to the patient by an electromagnetic coil worn externally on the head.

 

Indication:

 

The Voyager system indicated* for the treatment of:

 

glioblastoma in adults (GBM)

 

The Hælo™ Pediatric System indicated* for the treatment of:

 

diffuse midline glioma (DMG) in patients <22 years old

 

* Subject to approval as described in Schedule 4.

 

Presentation and pack sizes:

 

The EMulate Therapeutics® Voyager system consists of 3 parts – a controller, a headband, and a charger. The Voyager headband is worn on top of the patient’s head and is connected to the controller. The portable Voyager controller is clipped to a pocket or waist pack worn by the patient. Voyager controllers and charger   Voyager system
 
Voyager headband

 

 

 

 

The Voyager system includes 2 separate packages:

 

Package 1 [P/N 1125-002] contains:

 

Package 2 [1120-XXX] contains:

           
  2 Voyager controllers   1 Voyager headband;
           
  1 universal wall-mount charger with 4 interchangeable adapters (EU/UK/AU/US)     Available sizes: -001(XSM), -002(SM),
-003(MED), -004(LRG)
           
  1 Instructions for Use manual      

 

The EMulate Therapeutics® Hælo™ pediatric system contains 2 primary packages:

 

Primary Package #1 (Figure 1),

 

PN 1149-001, Package Assembly, Hælo Controller, V3.0, HDE

 

P/N 2027, Controller, Final Assembly, V3.0 [Qty 2]

 

P/N 1150, Universal Wall Charger-Adapter Assembly, [Qty 1 kit]; an off-the-shelf accessory comprised of a UL/IEC/EN 60601-1 and CE certified wall mount adapter (P/N 9052) with the following interchangeable plug adapters:

 

9053-001, US Plug
9053-002, AU Plug
9053-003, EU Plug
9053-004, British Plug

 

P/N 4324, Instructions for Use (IFU), Patient, Hælo, HDE [Qty 1]

 

Figure 1

 

 

 

 

 

Primary Package #2 (Figure 2)

 

PN 1142-XXX, Package Assembly, Hælo Headcoil, HDE, [Size*]

 

2082-XXX [Qty 1, of the following sizes:]

 

2082-001, XSM
2082-002, SM
2082-003, MED
2082-004, LRG

 

P/N 2079-001, Headband Strap, Hælo, XSM/SM [Qty 1]
   
P/N 2079-002, Headband Strap, Hælo, MED/LRG [Qty 1]

 

*P/N 1142-XXX is provided in 4 sizes represented by the dash numbers: -001(XSM), -002(SM), -003(MED), -004(LRG).

 

Figure 2

 

 

Appendix 1 includes top-level engineering drawings for PN 1149-001 and PN 1142-XXX, Appendix 2 includes the patient’s IFU (with detailed technical information), and Appendix 3 includes the Design History File and documents relevant to manufacturing.

 

 

 

 

The controller is connected to the headcoil, which is placed on the back of the patient’s head and secured by the headstrap (Figure 3), and worn continuously.

 

Figure 3

 

 

Price:

 

US$10,000 / unit (ex-works) (Twelve (12) months treatment)

US$5,000 / unit (ex-works) (Six (06) months treatment)

US$2,500 / unit (ex-works) (Three (03) months treatment)

 

Orders: at least 1 unit

 

Referring to Presentation & Pack Sizes above, 1 unit is defined as complete set of Voyager or Hælo Pediatric System.

 

International packaging:

 

Per EMULATE’s document-controlled Packaging Guidelines for Voyager Systems, Document D00187 (as revised from time to time), which applies to both the Voyager system and the Hӕlo™ Pediatric systems. SAYRE acknowledges receipt of a copy of the latest revision of each of these documents.

 

Shipping Specifications

 

  Storage conditions:  
       
    Temperature range 0°C - 40°C (32°F - 104°F)
         
    Relative humidity 20% - 90% (without condensation)
         
  Transportation conditions:  
       
    Temperature range -25°C - 40°C (-13°F - 104°F)
         
    Relative humidity 20% - 85% (without condensation)

 

 

 

 

Pricing details for 3/6/12 months treatment Periods:

 

Three (3) months   USD 2500.00 
Six (6) months   USD 5000.00 
Twelve (12) months   USD 10,000.00 

 

Forecast –

 

Y1   Y2   Y3   Y4   Y5
14   22   34   45   56

 

Provided that:

 

The forecast indicated above for Y1 or Year 1 shall commence only upon the expiry of 6 months from the date EMULATE informs SAYRE in writing that EMULATE has received a CE Mark to treat GBM applicable to the sale of Product in the Territory and is ready and willing to fulfil SAYRE’s order immediately on the mutually-agreed-to terms of the order and this Agreement.

 

Y1 shall be a period of 12 months from the aforesaid date of commencement. Y2 shall be a period of 12 months commencing from the day immediately following the expiry of Y1.

 

In the event SAYRE is unable to fulfil the forecast in any of the forecast years, the shortfall may be rolled over into the first six (6) months of the subsequent forecast year, and any failure by Sayre to fully perform its obligations under this Agreement with respect to such forecast quantities within such 6-month period will be subject to the appointment and termination provisions of Section 20.3.

 

Upfront and Milestone Payment:

 

Upfront payment upon signing the definitive agreement   USD 50,000 
Payment on CE Mark approval of the device for GBM   USD 50,000 
Payment on US FDA approval of the device for GBM   USD 25,000 

 

Upfront payment of USD 50,000 will be in addition to the Transfer Price of the Product. Provided that the first 10 twelve-month-treatment units will be charged at a Transfer Price of USD 5,000 per unit, i.e., 50% of the otherwise-applicable Transfer Price of USD 10,000 per unit, until such time that the Transfer Prices for all units supplied under this Agreement, irrespective of the treatment period for units supplied, aggregate to USD 50,000,

 

 

 

 

In respect of orders for three-month-treatment units, SAYRE shall be provided two (2) units at no charge for every two (2) units ordered at the above price until such time that the Transfer Prices for all units supplied under this Agreement, irrespective of the treatment period for units supplied, aggregate to USD 50,000.

 

In respect of orders for six-month-treatment units, SAYRE shall be provided one (1) unit at no charge for every one (1) unit ordered at the above price until such time that the Transfer Prices for all units supplied under this Agreement, irrespective of the treatment period for units supplied, aggregate to USD 50,000.

 

Potential Approval Timelines:

 

HDE approval of Hælo Pediatric system to treat DMG in Q4 2019 or 1H 2020.
CE Mark for Voyager to treat GBM in Q1 2020.
FDA approval of Voyager to treat newly diagnosed GBM tentatively in 2025.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 2

 

TERRITORY

 

1. The Republic of India, including its 29 States and Union Territories

 

Additional countries to be confirmed with EMULATE’s prior written agreement on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 3

TRADE MARKS

EMulate®

 

EMulate Therapeutics®

 

Hælo®

 

 

 

 

Schedule 4

 

Regulatory Affairs

 

Two-step regulatory process for the Product in the Territory:

 

Step 1:

 

Voyager and Hӕlo™ will be marketed under a managed access/Named Patient Program (NPP) once Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) status is granted by the US FDA or “Conformité Européenne” (CE) mark is granted in Europe and the Product is launched in the global markets. Under NPP, SAYRE will discuss the Product in closed-door meetings with radiation oncologists, neuro-surgeons and/or neuro-oncologists, as appropriate. Product will be marketed with the managed access stocks from EMULATE. SAYRE will adhere to the guidelines framed by Indian Regulatory Authorities for managing Voyager and Hӕlo under Named Patient Program.

 

Step 2:

 

Once the Product gets some traction and the globally approved dossier is ready for the regulatory submissions in India, SAYRE will file with the regulatory authorities for marketing authorization approval. However, this will be done after 2 years of market standing in the country of origin to aim for a clinical trial waiver in India; until such time SAYRE will continue with NPP. Requirements of importing the Product under NPP are as described in Section 7.5.

 

Cost of Registration in India: USD 20,000.00; These costs will be reimbursed by EMULATE to SAYRE in the event SAYRE transfers the registration in favour of EMULATE in accordance with this Agreement.

 

CONTACT POINTS FOR THE EXCHANGE OF PRODUCT INFORMATION, I.E., US / EMA SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS AND PACKAGE LEAFLET

 

EMULATE   SAYRE

Regulatory Affairs

 

Tel: +1 206 708 2288

Email: dmorganmurray@emulatetx.com

 

Regulatory Affairs

 

Tel: 080 4866 6604

Email: ravi.kunjithai@sayretherapeutics.com

 

 

 

 

Schedule 5

 

[document listing to be provided]

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.2

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

This EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into as of April 1, 2017 (the “Effective Date”), between NATIVIS, INC., a company incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington, U.S. (“Nativis”), and having a principal place of business at 425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98109, U.S., and TEIJIN LIMITED, a company organized under the laws of Japan, and having a principal place of business at 6-7, Minami-Hommachi 1- chome, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-8587, Japan (“Teijin”). Nativis and Teijin may be referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.

 

RECITALS

 

Whereas, Nativis is a development company focusing on the research and development of innovative treatments for diseases, including brain and other cancers, and owns or controls certain patents, know-how, and other intellectual property relating to its proprietary medical treatment product currently identified as the Nativis Voyager® ulRFE™ system; and

 

Whereas, Teijin desires to obtain from Nativis certain exclusive rights and licenses to develop, use, import, and commercialize Nativis’ proprietary medical treatment product for use in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme in Japan, and Nativis is willing to grant to Teijin such rights and licenses, all on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Nativis and Teijin hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS

 

As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set out in this Article 1 unless the context clearly and unambiguously dictates otherwise.

 

1.1 “Adjustable Milestone Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.

 

1.2 Affiliate” of a Party means any Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Party, as the case may be, but for only so long as such control exists. As used in this Section 1.2, “control” means (a) direct or indirect beneficial ownership of at least 50% (or such lesser percentage which is the maximum allowed to be owned by a foreign Person in a particular jurisdiction) of the voting share capital or other equity interest in such Person, or (b) the power to direct the management of such Person by contract or otherwise.

 

1.3 Applicable Laws” means the applicable provisions of any and all national, supranational, regional, state, and local laws, treaties, statutes, rules, regulations, administrative codes, guidance, ordinances, judgments, decrees, directives, injunctions, orders, permits (including Regulatory Approvals) of or from any court, arbitrator, Regulatory Authority, or governmental agency or authority having jurisdiction over or related to the subject item.

 

 
 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

1.4 Auditor” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.5.

 

1.5 Bankruptcy Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2(d).

 

1.6 Budget” means the budget included within the applicable Development Plan for conducting the clinical or non-clinical studies, regulatory activities (including making Regulatory Filings), and other activities under such Development Plan.

 

1.7 Business Day” means a day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in Tokyo, Japan, or Seattle, Washington, are required by law to remain closed.

 

1.8 Calendar Quarter” means a period of three consecutive months during a Calendar Year beginning on and including January 1st, April 1st, July 1st or October 1st; provided, however that (a) the first Calendar Quarter of the Term will extend from the Effective Date to the last day of the Calendar Quarter in which the Effective Date falls; and (b) the last Calendar Quarter of the Term will end upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

1.9 Calendar Year” means a period of twelve consecutive months beginning on and including January 1st and ending on December 31st; provided however, that (a) the first Calendar Year of the Term will extend from the Effective Date to the last day of the Calendar Year in which the Effective Date falls; and (b) the last Calendar Year of the Term will end upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

1.10 Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 

1.11 Clinical Supply Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

 

1.12 Cognates” means digitized data which simulates the electromagnetic or magnetic field signal or ultralow radio frequency energy (“ulRFE”) of particular chemicals, biochemical or biological agents or molecules which is used to provide therapeutic treatment of the Indication, and any improvements or updates of the digitized data for the Indication that are developed using the Licensed Product during the term of this Agreement.

 

1.13 Coil” means a flexible coil unit that is placed externally over the prescribed target area (e.g., around the head or over another body part) and which transmits the magnetic field encoded by Cognates into the target area for the treatment of the Indication developed and used in the Licensed Product during the term of this Agreement.

 

1.14 Commercially Reasonable Efforts” means, with respect to a Party in the performance of its obligations hereunder in relation to Licensed Products, the application by or on behalf of such Party of a level of efforts that a similarly-situated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device company, as the case may be, would apply to such activities in relation to a similar medical treatment product owned by it or to which it has exclusive rights, which product is at a similar stage in its development or product life and is of similar market potential and strategic value (in each case as compared to the Licensed Product) taking into account efficacy, safety, expected labeling, the competitiveness of alternative products in the marketplace sold by Third Parties, the patent and other proprietary position of the product, the likelihood of regulatory approval given the regulatory structure involved, the expected and actual profitability of the product including the royalties payable to licensors, and other relevant factors, based on then- current conditions.

 

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1.15 Commercial Supply Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

 

1.16 Commercialization” means any and all activities undertaken before and after obtaining Regulatory Approval relating specifically to the pre-launch, launch, promotion, marketing, sale, lease, rental, and distribution (including importing, exporting, transporting, customs clearance, warehousing, invoicing, handling, and delivering the Licensed Product to customers) of the Licensed Product, including: (a) strategic marketing, sale, lease, rentals force detailing, advertising, medical education and liaison, and market and product support within the Field; (b) any post-approval clinical trials, and (c) all customer support, invoicing, and sale, lease, rentals activities within the Field. “Commercialize” means to engage in Commercialization activities.

 

1.17 Confidential Information” means all information of a confidential or proprietary nature disclosed by a Party to the other Party under this Agreement, including any such information related to any scientific, clinical, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, financial, or personnel matters relating to a Party, or related to a Party’s present or future products, sale, lease, rentals, suppliers, customers, employees, investors, business plans, Know-How, regulatory filings, data, compounds, research projects, work in progress, future developments or business, in all such cases whether disclosed in oral, written, graphic, or electronic form, and whether or not specifically marked as confidential or proprietary, where under the circumstances in which such disclosure was made or given the nature of information disclosed, a reasonable person would consider such information confidential; provided, however, that in any event, Confidential Information excludes any information that (a) is known by the recipient at the time of disclosure, and not through a prior disclosure by or on behalf of the disclosing Party, as documented by written records; (b) is or becomes properly in the public domain through no fault of the receiving Party; (c) is subsequently rightfully disclosed to the receiving Party by a Third Party who is not directly or indirectly under an obligation of confidentiality to the disclosing Party, as documented by written records in existence prior to the disclosure of such information to the receiving Party; or (d) is developed by the receiving Party independently of, and without reference to or use of, the information received from the disclosing Party. Without limiting the foregoing, Confidential Information will include:

(y) the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and (z) Confidential Information disclosed by either Party pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreement.

 

1.18 Confidentiality Agreement” means that certain Non-Disclosure Agreement between the Parties dated January 20, 2016.

 

1.19 Control” means with respect to any Know-How, Patent, or other intellectual property right, possession of the right, whether directly or indirectly, and whether by ownership, license, or otherwise, to grant a license, sublicense, or other right to or under such Know-How, Patent, or other intellectual property right as provided for herein without violating the terms of any agreement or other arrangements with any Third Party at the time when such license, sublicense, or other right is granted hereunder. “Controlled” has a correlative meaning.

 

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1.20 “Controller” means the controller-amplifier device that is used to deliver the Cognates consisting of a processor, data file storage, a digital to analog converter, a current/voltage output stage and a battery unit that is developed and used in the Licensed Product during the term of this Agreement.

 

1.21 Data” means any and all scientific, technical (including ultra-low radio frequency energy (ulRFE)), test, marketing, or sale, lease, rentals data pertaining to any Licensed Product that is generated by or on behalf of Nativis or its Affiliates, or Teijin, its Affiliates, and Sublicensees, including research data, radio frequency data, pre-clinical data, clinical data, clinical study reports, or submissions made in association with an IDE or an MAA with respect to any Licensed Product.

 

1.22 Development” means all development activities for the Licensed Product that are directed to obtaining Regulatory Approval(s) of the Licensed Product, including all non-clinical, preclinical, and clinical testing and studies of the Licensed Product; statistical analyses; assay development; protocol design and development; the preparation, filing, and prosecution of any MAA for the Licensed Product; development activities conducted after receipt of Regulatory Approval; and all regulatory affairs related to any of the foregoing. “Develop” and “Developing” have correlative meanings.

 

1.23 Development Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2

 

1.24 Disclosing Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

 

1.25 Distributor” means a Third Party or an Affiliate of Teijin to whom Teijin or an Affiliate of Teijin has granted the right to market, promote, advertise, retail, sell, lease, rent, and distribute (but not Develop) the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory.

 

1.26 FDA” means the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or any successor agency thereto.

 

1.27 Field” means the treatment or palliation of the Indication.

 

1.28 First Commercial Sale” means, with respect to the Territory, the first commercial lease, rental or sale, under this Agreement by Teijin, its Affiliates, or its Sublicensees of any Licensed Product to an end user or prescriber for use or resale, lease, rental in the Territory after obtaining Regulatory Approval for such Licensed Product. For the avoidance of doubt, leases, rentals or sales, of Licensed Products to an Affiliate or sublicensee of Teijin will not constitute a First Commercial Sale unless such Affiliate or sublicensee is an end user of the Licensed Product.

 

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1.29 Gross Sales” means the gross amounts invoiced by or on behalf of Teijin, its Affiliates, and/or Sublicensees for sales, leases, and/or rentals of Licensed Product to Third Parties (other than Sublicensees), excluding taxes and other charges separately invoiced to the customer apart from the selling price of the Licensed Products. For clarity, the computation of Gross Sales will exclude any deductions actually incurred, allowed, paid, or accrued, or otherwise specifically identified as related to the Licensed Product by Teijin, its Affiliates, and/or Sublicensees. Sales, leases, or rentals of Licensed Product between Teijin and its Affiliates or Sublicensees for resale, lease, and/or rental will be excluded from the computation of Gross Sales, but the subsequent resale, lease, rental of such Licensed Product by an Affiliate or Sublicensee, as applicable, to a Third Party will be included within the computation of Gross Sales. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, sale, lease, rental, disposal, or use of the Licensed Product for marketing, regulatory, development, or charitable purposes, such as clinical trials, preclinical trials, compassionate use, named patient use, or indigent patient programs, without consideration, will not be deemed to be a sale, lease, rental hereunder.

 

1.30 GMP” means the then-current good manufacturing practices required by the FDA or an applicable governmental agency in the Territory, as set forth in the U.S. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, for the Manufacture of medical treatment products, and comparable laws or regulations applicable to the Manufacture of medical treatment products in the Territory, as they may be updated from time to time.

 

1.31 “IDE” means an Investigational Device Exemption.

 

1.32 Indication” means glioblastoma multiforme in humans.

 

1.33 Inventions” means any and all inventions, discoveries, and developments, whether or not patentable, discovered, made, conceived, or reduced to practice in the course of activities contemplated by this Agreement.

 

1.34 Japan Reimbursement Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9.

 

1.35 Joint Inventions” means any and all Inventions discovered, conceived or reduced to practice jointly by or on behalf Teijin or its Affiliates, on the one hand, and by or on behalf of Nativis or its Affiliates, on the other hand.

 

1.36 Joint Know-How” means all Know-How included in Joint Inventions, other than any Joint Patent.

 

1.37 Joint Patents” means all Patents claiming any Joint Invention.

 

1.38 JSC” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

 

1.39 Know-How” means all tangible and intangible scientific, technical, clinical, regulatory, trade, marketing, commercial, financial, or business information and materials, including compounds, solid state forms, compositions of matter, formulations, devices, techniques, processes, methods, trade secrets, formulae, procedures, tests, data, results, analyses, documentation, reports, information (including pharmacological, toxicological, non-clinical (including chemistry, manufacturing and control)), and clinical test design, methods, protocols, data, results, analyses, and conclusions, quality assurance and quality control information, regulatory documentation, information and submissions pertaining to, or made in association with, filings with any Regulatory Authority, knowledge, know-how, skill, and experience.

 

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1.40 Knowledge” of a Party means the actual or constructive knowledge of the senior executives of such Party, including the chief executive officer, and any vice president, the general counsel, or the chief medical officer of a Party, or any personnel holding positions equivalent to such job titles (but only to the extent such positions exist at such Party).

 

1.41 Licensed Product” means that certain medical treatment product referred to as Nativis Voyager ulRFE system (which, for clarity, includes any improvements or successors to such Licensed Product for which Nativis seeks Regulatory Approval in the United States for the Indication): (a) which is composed of the Controller, connective data cables, and the Coil, (b) which is capable of delivering Cognates and (c) the use, sale, lease, rental, importation or manufacture of which would, but for the license granted to Teijin hereunder, infringe a Valid Claim of the Nativis Patents or use Nativis Know-How in the Territory.

 

1.42 Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 

1.43 MAA” means a Marketing Authorization Application or equivalent application, and all amendments and supplements thereto, filed with the applicable Regulatory Authority.

 

1.44 MAA Approval” means approval of an MAA by the applicable Regulatory Authority for marketing and sale, lease, rental of the Licensed Product.

 

1.45 Manufacture” means all operations and processes involved in the manufacturing, quality control testing (including in-process, release and testing), assembling, testing, releasing, labeling, packaging, shipping, inspection, handling, and storage of the Licensed Product or any component thereof. “Manufacture” and “Manufacturing” have correlative meanings.

 

1.46 Manufacturing Cost” means the fully burdened Manufacturing cost of Licensed Product expressed on a per unit basis, which will be the sum of: (i) the Direct Manufacturing Costs and (ii) the Indirect Manufacturing Costs. For the purposes of this definition:

 

(a) Direct Manufacturing Costs” means the direct costs incurred in connection with the Manufacture of the Licensed Product, including (i) those material expenses captured in invoices and the like which are specifically attributable to the Manufacture of the Licensed Product, including costs of raw materials, manufacturing supplies, packaging, labels, and other materials used in production, (ii) labor expenses captured in time sheets and the like, including salaries and fringe benefits (but not overhead) for personnel directly involved in Manufacturing the Licensed Product or any component thereof or purchasing or managing the materials used in the Manufacture thereof or maintaining equipment necessary to support the Manufacture thereof, (iii) expenses arising out of quality assurance requirements (e.g., GMP) such as production, quality control, quality assurance, and other similar departments that are reasonably necessary and participate directly in the production of the Licensed Product or any component thereof, and (iv) equipment and facility depreciation and other allocations of fixed assets in use to support the Manufacture of the Licensed Product or any component thereof, but in any event excluding any administrative overhead (e.g., costs associated with human resources, business development, and executive management). Direct expenses also include reasonable out-of-pocket payments to Third Parties (without mark-up) for services related to the Manufacture of the Licensed Product or any component thereof.

 

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(b) Indirect Manufacturing Costs” means the reasonable and allocated internal costs and out-of-pocket costs, incurred or accrued by Nativis in connection with the Manufacture of the Licensed Product or any component thereof, including costs arising from or associated with (i) freight, carrier insurance, and other transportation charges directly related to the delivery or distribution of the Licensed Product, (ii) storage and warehousing, (iii) taxes, duties, or other governmental charges (including any tax such as a value added or similar tax, other than any taxes based on income), but excluding indirect and overhead costs (e.g., costs associated with human resources, business development, and executive management).

 

For clarity, to the extent that a Third Party manufacturer Manufactures all or a portion of the Licensed Product, then the actual cost of the Third Party expense shall be billed at direct cost without mark-up, and in any event no double-counting of expenses will apply with respect to costs included in the calculation of Manufacturing Costs.

 

1.47 Medical Affairs Activities” means: (a) the coordination of medical information requests in the Territory with respect to the Licensed Product commercially launched in the Territory; and (b) those clinical studies conducted in or for the Territory after Regulatory Approval of the Licensed Product has been obtained which are neither intended nor designed to support a Regulatory Filing including medical affairs studies, post marketing studies, and investigator and physician-initiated studies, in all such cases initiated by or under the control or direction of Teijin.

 

1.48 MHLW” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9.

 

1.49 Nativis Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 

1.50 Nativis Know-How” means all Know-How that is necessary or reasonably useful for the Development, use or Commercialization of the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory, which Know-How is Controlled by Nativis or any of its Affiliates with respect to the Licensed Product as of the Effective Date or during the Term. For the avoidance of doubt, Nativis Know-How will not include any Joint Know-How.

 

1.51 Nativis Patents” means all Patents that are necessary or reasonably useful for the Development, use, or Commercialization of the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory, which Patents are Controlled by Nativis or any of its Affiliates as of the Effective Date or during the Term. For the avoidance of doubt, Nativis Patents will not include any Joint Patents. A list of Nativis Patents as of the Effective Date is set forth in Exhibit 1.51, which list will be updated from time to time upon written agreement by the Parties.

 

1.52 Nativis Technology” means the Nativis Know-How, Nativis Patents, and Nativis’ interest in the Joint Patents and Joint Know-How.

 

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1.53 Nativis Trademarks” means Nativis’ Trademarks related to the Licensed Product, including Nativis®, Nativis Voyager® and ulRFE™. A list of Nativis Trademarks as of the Effective Date is set forth in Exhibit 1.53.

 

1.54 Patent(s)” means (a) all patents, certificates of invention, applications for certificates of invention, priority patent filings, and patent applications, and (b) any renewal, division, continuation (in whole or in part), or request for continued examination of any of such patents, certificates of invention and patent applications, and any and all patents or certificates of invention issuing thereon, and any and all reissues, reexaminations, extensions, divisions, renewals, substitutions, confirmations, registrations, revalidations, revisions, and additions of or to any of the foregoing.

 

1.55 Patent Term Extension” means any term extensions, supplementary protection certificates, regulatory exclusivity, and equivalents thereof offering patent protection beyond the initial term with respect to any issued Patents.

 

1.56 Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, governmental entity, or other legal entity of any nature whatsoever.

 

1.57 Pharmacovigilance Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8(c).

 

1.58 Receiving Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

 

1.59 Regulatory Approval” means approval by a Regulatory Authority to manufacture, distribute and sell or have sold or have manufactured medical treatments in the Field.

 

1.60 Regulatory Authority” means any applicable government regulatory authority involved in granting approvals for the Manufacture, Commercialization and/or Reimbursement Approval of the Licensed Product. “Regulatory Authority” in the Territory includes Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, or any successor agency of the foregoing having regulatory jurisdiction over the manufacture, distribution, and sale, lease, rental of medical devices or pharmaceutical products in the Territory.

 

1.61 Regulatory Filings” means all applications, approvals, licenses, registrations, notifications, submissions, and authorizations made to or received from a Regulatory Authority in a country necessary for the manufacture, commercialization, use, storage, promotion, marketing, sale, lease, rental, offering for sale, lease, rental, and import of the Licensed Product in such country, including without limitation any IDEs, MAAs, MAA Approvals, and amendments and supplements of any of the foregoing, as well as the contents of any minutes from meetings (whether in person or by audio conference or videoconference) with a Regulatory Authority.

 

1.62 Reimbursement Approval” means the governmental decision establishing the cumulative price for the Licensed Product to be paid by the customer, whether health care provider, hospital or the individual end-consumer or patient.

 

1.63 Royalty Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(c).

 

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1.64 Senior Executives” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.1.

 

1.65 Specifications” means the specifications and quality control testing procedures for Manufacturing of the Licensed Product, as may be modified from time to time by the Parties in accordance with the terms of the Clinical Supply Agreement or the Commercial Supply Agreement.

 

1.66 Sublicensee” means a Third Party or an Affiliate of Teijin, other than a Distributor, to whom Teijin or an Affiliate of Teijin has granted a sublicense under the Nativis Technology as permitted under Section 2.3 of this Agreement.

 

1.67 Teijin Housemark” means any trademark or trade name, and registrations and applications therefor, Controlled by Teijin in the Territory and covering Teijin’s (or its Affiliate’s) corporate name or company logo.

 

1.68 Teijin Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.

 

1.69 Teijin Know-How” means all Know-How that is Controlled by Teijin as of the Effective Date or during the Term, and that is generated by or on behalf of Teijin or any of its Affiliates in connection with the Development, use or Commercialization of the Licensed Product hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, Teijin Know-How will not include any Joint Know-How.

 

1.70 Teijin Patents” means all Patents that claim Inventions that relate to the Licensed Product and that are conceived, made, or generated by or on behalf of Teijin or any of its Affiliates during the Term pursuant to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Teijin Patents will not include any Joint Patents.

 

1.71 Teijin Technology” means all Teijin Know-How, Teijin Patents, and Teijin’s interest in the Joint Patents and Joint Know-How. For the avoidance of doubt, (a) all and any of Teijin’s know-how and Teijin’s patents which are unrelated to Licensed Products and (b) all and any know-how or patents of Teijin that are developed, identified or conceived without the use of Nativis Confidential Information or outside of the use of the Licensed Product (i.e., independently developed) are excluded from Teijin Technology.

 

1.72 Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.

 

1.73 Territory” means Japan.

 

1.74 Third Party” means any Person other than Nativis, Teijin, and their respective Affiliates.

 

1.75 “TPM” means Teijin’s Affiliate, Teijin Pharma Limited, a company organized under the laws of Japan, and having a principal place of business at 2-1, Kasumigaseki 3-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8585, Japan.

 

1.76 Trademarks” means trademarks, trade names, trade dresses, domain names, logos, and brandings of a Party.

 

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1.77 Transfer Price” means the Manufacturing Cost of a unit of Licensed Product plus ten percent (10%); provided that in the Commercial Supply Agreement, the Transfer Price will be adjusted to reflect, in the Manufacturing Cost of a unit of Licensed Product, certain R&D expenses for development of Nativis Technology totaling $5.4 million (“R&D Reimbursement Amount”) until such time as the total $5.4 million has been paid, and thereafter the per unit Transfer Price shall not include any R&D Reimbursement Amount. For clarity, the R&D Reimbursement Amount shall not otherwise be reimbursed, except through the Transfer Price, and in any event shall not be subject to a ten percent (10%) mark-up.

 

1.78 U.S.” means the United States of America, including its territories and possessions and the District of Columbia.

 

1.79 Valid Claim” means (a) a claim of an issued and unexpired patent that has not been revoked or held unenforceable, unpatentable, or invalid by a decision of a court or other governmental agency of competent jurisdiction that is not appealable or has not been appealed within the time allowed for appeal, and that has not been abandoned, disclaimed, denied, or admitted to be invalid or unenforceable through reissue, re-examination, or disclaimer or otherwise, or (b) a claim of a pending patent application that has not been cancelled, withdrawn, or abandoned or finally rejected by an administrative agency action from which no appeal can be taken and that has not been pending for more than ten (10) years.

 

1.80 Withholding Tax Action” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(c).

 

ARTICLE 2

GRANT OF LICENSE

 

2.1 License Grants to Teijin.

 

(a) Licensed Technology. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Nativis hereby grants to Teijin an exclusive, royalty-bearing license under the Nativis Technology to Develop, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rent, import, and otherwise Commercialize the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Nativis hereby grants to Teijin an exclusive, royalty-bearing license under the Nativis Technology to ship, label and package Licensed Product for use in the Field in the Territory.

 

(b) Trademarks. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Nativis hereby grants to Teijin a non-exclusive, royalty-free license under the Nativis Trademarks solely to Commercialize, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rental, and import Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory. For clarity, if a Nativis Trademark is not used exclusively with the Licensed Product in the Territory at the time of First Commercial Sale of the Licensed Product, then Nativis has the right to use such Nativis Trademark with any other product in the Territory.

 

2.2 Patent License Registration. Nativis agrees to register by itself or to cooperate with Teijin to register, in each case at Teijin’s expense, the exclusive license of the Nativis Patents granted under Section 2.1(a) to Teijin in the Territory as a “Senyo Jisshiken” in accordance with Article 77 of the Japanese Patent Law of 1959, or a “Kari-Senyo Jisshiken” in accordance with Article 34-2 thereof, in Japan, at Teijin’s request and expense.

 

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2.3 License Grants to Nativis. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Teijin hereby grants to Nativis a royalty-free, fully-paid, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (in accordance with Section 2.4) through multiple tiers, under the Teijin Technology to research, develop, make, have made, commercialize, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rent, and import (a) the Licensed Product outside the Field in the Territory and for any use outside the Territory, and (b) any other product other than the Licensed Product. For clarity, in the Territory, the foregoing right in Section 2.3(b) shall only be subject to use outside of the Field.

 

2.4 Sublicensees; Distributors. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Teijin will have the right to sublicense the rights granted to it under Section 2.1 to:

 

(a) Any of its Affiliates without Nativis’ consent, provided that (i) Teijin provides Nativis with prior notice of the name of the Affiliate and the rights to be sublicensed; (ii) such Affiliate agrees with Nativis in writing to comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement that are applicable to such Affiliate’s activities under such sublicense; and (iii) Teijin remains fully liable for the performance of such Affiliate in accordance with this Agreement. Any sublicense granted by Teijin to one of its Affiliates will terminate if such entity is no longer an Affiliate of Teijin and Nativis’ approval is not obtained for the continuation of such sublicense in accordance with subsection 2.3(b) below.

 

(b) Third Parties with Nativis’ prior consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed; provided, that (i) such sublicensee agrees with Nativis in writing to comply with the term and conditions of this Agreement that are applicable to such Sublicensee’s activities under such sublicense; and (ii) Teijin remains fully liable for the performance of such sublicensee in accordance with this Agreement.

 

(c) Distributors without Nativis’ consent, provided that Teijin will remain responsible for the performance of its Distributors hereunder, including without limitation the compliance with Applicable Laws by such Distributors in connection with the distribution of the Licensed Product hereunder. In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 13.2(c) for breach by Teijin, Nativis will reasonably consider and discuss with each such Distributor potential continuation of the Distributor agreement directly with Nativis if such Distributor is not then in breach of its Teijin Distributor agreement.

 

2.5 No Implied License. Neither Party grants to the other Party any rights or licenses in or to any intellectual property, whether by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, other than the licenses and rights that are expressly granted under this Agreement. For clarity, no rights to Manufacture are granted to Teijin except pursuant to a separate, written agreement between the Parties, and the Parties expressly contemplate such back-up Manufacturing right in the Commercial Supply Agreement.

 

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2.6 Retained Rights. Nativis hereby expressly retains:

 

(a) the right under the Nativis Technology to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under this Agreement, whether directly or through one or more licensees (other than Teijin) or subcontractors, including the right to manufacture, and export the Licensed Product in the Territory; and

 

(b) all rights to practice and to grant licenses under the Nativis Technology outside of the scope of the license granted in Section 2.1(a), including the exclusive right to make and have made the Licensed Product anywhere in the world, and the exclusive right to practice the Nativis Technology with respect to products other than the Licensed Product.

 

2.7 Exclusivity Obligations. During the Term, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, Teijin agrees that it will not acquire, develop, manufacture, sell, lease, rent, import, distribute, or otherwise commercialize in the Territory any medical treatment product for use in the Field other than a pharmaceutical product (including, but not limited to, biopharmaceutical products) or medical devices delivering pharmaceutical products (including, but not limited to, biopharmaceutical products), or the Licensed Product, either by itself or through any of its Affiliates or any Third Party. In furtherance of the license and exclusivity grant to Teijin herein, Nativis covenants that during the Term it will not grant rights to any Third Party to use Cognates in the Field in the Territory.

 

ARTICLE 3

GOVERNANCE

 

3.1 Joint Steering Committee.

 

(a) Establishment. Within thirty (30) days following the Effective Date, Nativis and Teijin will establish a committee (the “JSC”) to oversee, review, and coordinate the Development, supply, regulatory strategy, and Commercialization of the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory.

 

(b) Duties. The JSC will:

 

(i) provide a forum for the Parties to discuss material Development, regulatory, and manufacturing matters pertaining to the Licensed Product in the Territory;

 

(ii) provide a forum for the Parties to exchange information and coordinate their respective activities with respect to Development, regulatory, and manufacturing matters pertaining to the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory and outside the Field or Territory;

 

(iii) review Teijin’s Development and Commercialization plans and discuss Teijin’s proposed activities with respect to obtaining Regulatory Approval, Reimbursement Approval and prelaunch, launch, and subsequent Commercialization plans for the Licensed Product; and

 

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(iv) perform such other duties as are specifically assigned by the Parties to the JSC pursuant to this Agreement.

 

3.2 Membership. Promptly after the Effective Date, each Party will designate three (3) representatives with appropriate expertise to serve as members of the JSC. The Parties may elect to vary the participating member and number of representatives that serve on the JSC, provided that in all cases the JSC maintains an equal number of representatives from each Party. Each Party may replace its representatives on the JSC at any time upon written notice to the other Party.

 

3.3 Chairperson; Minutes. One member of the JSC will serve as the chairperson, who will be responsible for organizing meetings, preparing and circulating an agenda in advance of each meeting, and preparing minutes of each meeting. Each JSC representative will review and approve such minutes in writing; provided that if a representative does not object to the accuracy of such minutes within fifteen (15) days after the circulation of such minutes, such minutes will be deemed approved by such representative. Teijin will appoint the chairperson for an initial one (1) year term and thereafter the Parties will alternate in appointing the chairperson for twelve (12) month terms.

 

3.4 Meetings. Until Reimbursement Approval for the Licensed Product is received in the Territory, the JSC will hold meetings on a Calendar Quarter basis. Thereafter, the JSC will hold meetings at least three (3) times each Calendar Year (i.e., approximately every four (4) months), or more frequently as the Parties may agree. Meetings of the JSC will be effective only if at least one (1) representative of each Party is present or participating. The JSC may meet either (i) in person at either Party’s facilities or at such locations as the Parties may otherwise agree; or (ii) by audio or video teleconference. With the prior consent of the other Party’s representatives (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), each Party may invite non-members to participate in the discussions and meetings of the JSC, provided that such participants will have no vote and will be subject to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Article 10. Additional JSC meetings may be held with each Party’s consent, or as required under this Agreement, and neither Party will unreasonably withhold or delay its consent to hold such an additional meeting.

 

3.5 Decision-Making.

 

(a) The JSC will make good faith efforts to make all decisions on matters before it by consensus. Subject to the terms of this Section 3.5, actions to be taken by the JSC will be taken only following a unanimous vote with each Party’s representatives collectively having one (1) vote. If the JSC fails to reach unanimous consent on a particular matter within thirty (30) days of a Party having requested a formal vote on such matter (or, if such matter is urgent, within ten (10) days of such request), then either Party may submit such matter for resolution to the Senior Executives pursuant to Section 14.1, except as provided in Section 3.5(b).

 

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(b) If the JSC is unable to reach a decision by unanimous vote pursuant to Section 3.5(a), then the Party listed below will have the final say on the following matters:

 

(i) Teijin will have final decision making authority with respect to matters pertaining to obtaining Regulatory Approval of the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory.

 

(ii) Teijin will have final decision making authority with respect to Commercialization of the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory.

 

(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other term of this Agreement, in the event that Nativis reasonably believes that there is a reasonable likelihood that Teijin’s intended activity or conduct with respect to the Development or Commercialization or Regulatory Approval or Reimbursement Approval of the Licensed Product could have a material adverse effect on Nativis’ Development or Commercialization activities, including receiving regulatory approval, with respect to the Licensed Product outside the Territory, such issue will be submitted to the Senior Executives for attempted resolution pursuant to Section 14.1. If the Senior Executives are unable to resolve any such dispute, Nativis will have final decision making authority with respect to such dispute.

 

(iv) In the event that Teijin reasonably believes that there is a reasonable likelihood that Nativis’ intended activity or conduct with respect to the Development or Commercialization of the Licensed Product outside the Territory could have a material adverse effect on Teijin’s Development or Commercialization activities, including receiving Regulatory Approval or Reimbursement Approval with respect to the Licensed Products in the Field in the Territory, such issue will be submitted to the Senior Executives for attempted resolution pursuant to Section 14.1.

 

(c) For the avoidance of doubt, any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement, the performance or alleged nonperformance of a Party’s obligations under this Agreement, or any alleged breach of this Agreement will be resolved in accordance with the terms of Article 14 and will not be subject to the JSC’s decision-making authority.

 

3.6 Expenses. Each Party will be responsible for all of its own travel and other costs and expenses for its respective members, designees, and non-member invitees to attend meetings of, and otherwise participate on, the JSC and any subcommittees or working groups.

 

3.7 Subcommittees. From time to time, the JSC may establish subcommittees to oversee particular projects or activities within the JSC’s scope of authority, as it deems necessary or advisable. Each subcommittee will consist of such number of representatives of each Party as the JSC determines is appropriate from time to time, and will meet with such frequency as the JSC determines.

 

3.8 Discontinuation of Participation. The JSC will continue to exist until the first to occur of: (a) the Parties mutually agreeing to disband the committee; or (b) Nativis providing to Teijin written notice of its intention to disband and no longer participate in such committee. Upon Nativis’ delivery to Teijin of such written notice, the JSC will have no further obligations under this Agreement and any matters that would previously have been addressed by the JSC will be handled by the Parties in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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3.9 Alliance Managers. Promptly after the Effective Date, each Party will appoint an individual who will be an employee of such Party having appropriate qualification and experience to act as the alliance manager for such Party (the “Alliance Manager”). Each Alliance Manager will be responsible for coordinating and managing processes and interfacing between the Parties on a day-to-day basis throughout the Term. The Alliance Manager will ensure communication to the JSC of all relevant matters raised at any joint subcommittees or working groups. Each Alliance Manager will be permitted to attend meetings of the JSC as non-voting participants. The Alliance Managers will be the primary contact for the Parties regarding the activities contemplated by this Agreement and will facilitate all such activities hereunder. Each Party may replace its Alliance Manager with an alternative representative at any time with prior written notice to the other Party. Any Alliance Manager may designate a substitute to temporarily perform the functions of that Alliance Manager. Each Alliance Manager will be charged with creating and maintaining a collaborative work environment within the JSC and its subcommittees. Each Party will be responsible for all of its own costs with respect to its Alliance Manager.

 

ARTICLE 4

DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

 

4.1 Overview. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Parties will collaborate with respect to the Development and Manufacture of the Licensed Product in the Field and share the Data resulting from such collaboration to facilitate the Development and Manufacture of the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory and outside the Territory.

 

4.2 Development Plan; Diligence. Teijin will be responsible for the conduct and cost of all clinical trials and other Development efforts in the Territory necessary to support Regulatory Approval and Reimbursement Approval of the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory. Teijin will submit to the JSC for review and discussion a development plan setting forth the Teijin’s planned Development activities with respect to the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory, together with the Budget in connection therewith (the “Development Plan”). Teijin will conduct all Development activities in accordance with such Development Plan and will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to conduct and complete the studies and activities set forth therein in accordance with the timelines specified therein. Teijin will consult with and provide regular updates to Nativis through the JSC regarding Teijin’s Development activities and will discuss coordination of Development activities in the Field in the Territory with activities outside the Territory.

 

4.3 Nativis Development Responsibilities. Nativis will be responsible for the conduct and cost of all U.S. clinical trials necessary to support Regulatory Approval of the Licensed Product in the Field in the U.S. Nativis will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to obtain Regulatory Approval of the Licensed Product for use in the Field in the U.S.

 

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4.4 Development Records. Each Party will maintain records, in sufficient detail and in good scientific manner appropriate for patent and regulatory purposes, that will fully and properly reflect all work done and results achieved by or on behalf of such Party in the performance of its Development activities under this Agreement. Each Party will keep the JSC appropriately informed of the status of such Party’s clinical development program and other activities with respect to the Licensed Product in the Field. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon request by the JSC from time to time, each Party will promptly provide the JSC with summaries of data and results and, if requested by the JSC, all supporting data and results generated or obtained in the course of such Party’s performance of studies and activities conducted hereunder. Upon reasonable prior written notice, each Party has the right to inspect records and notebooks reflecting the work done and results achieved by or on behalf of the other Party or its Affiliates in the performance of its Development activities with respect to the Licensed Product in the Field pursuant to this Agreement.

 

4.5 Technology and Data Transfer.

 

(a) Data and Know-How as of the Effective Date. Within thirty (30) days after the Effective Date, Nativis will, at Nativis’ cost, make available to Teijin personnel of Nativis who are knowledgeable or experienced in the use of the Licensed Product in the Field to facilitate the transfer of Nativis Know-How (other than manufacturing Know-How) existing as of the Effective Date with a goal to effect transfer within ninety (90) days of the Effective Date. Teijin will cooperate with such transfer and will promptly undertake to complete the transfer and will be responsible for costs and expenses related to any travel expenses for available personnel and delays or failure to affect transfer on a reasonable and mutually agreed schedule for transfer within the ninety (90)-day period.

 

(b) Data and Know-How Generated During the Term. Except for Data subject to Section 4.6, on a Calendar Quarter basis during the Term, and subject to Applicable Laws, each Party will provide to the other Party, to the extent not already provided and at no additional cost to such other Party, electronic access to all Data generated by or on behalf of the Party with respect to the Licensed Product, which are necessary or reasonably useful for such other Party to obtain or maintain Regulatory Approval of the Licensed Product in the Field in its respective territory. Such other Party will have the right to use and reference any and all such Data to obtain and maintain Regulatory Approval for the Licensed Product in the Field and otherwise Commercialize the Licensed Product in the Field in its respective territory in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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4.6 Additional Development Activities.

 

(a) New Studies. If either Party (the “Proposing Party”) intends to conduct additional Development activities with respect to the Licensed Product for use in the Territory (in the case of Teijin) or outside the Territory (in the case of Nativis, solely to the extent that such Development would, in the opinion of Nativis, impact the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory) beyond what is provided for in Sections 4.2 and 4.3 (i.e., studies or other Development related to modification any component of the Licensed Product other than the Controller), in all cases the “New Studies”, then the Proposing Party will provide the other Party (the “Non- Proposing Party”) with a written detailed plan and Budget for such New Studies (the “Development Proposal”). Within thirty (30) days of receipt of any such Development Proposal, the JSC will meet to review the Development Proposal and permit the Non-Proposing Party the opportunity to ask questions and request additional information from the Proposing Party related to the New Studies, including whether such New Studies are reasonably likely to have a material and adverse effect on the Development or Commercialization of the Licensed Product in the Non- Proposing Party’s territory. In the event that the Parties agree to jointly conduct the work set forth in the Development Proposal (the “Joint Development Work”), the costs of such Joint Development Work (the “Joint Work Costs”) will be shared by the Parties as set forth below in Section 4.6(b)(i). If the Non-Proposing Party decides not to jointly conduct the work set forth in the Development Proposal with the Proposing Party, subject to Section 3.5(b), the Proposing Party may conduct such work in its respective territory solely (the “Independent Development Work”) and the Development Costs of such Independent Development Work (the “Independent Work Costs”) will be subject to Section 4.6(b)(ii) below.

 

(b) New Studies Funding.

 

(i) Joint Work Costs. With respect to all Joint Development Work, the Parties will reimburse, based on the agreed share of Joint Work Costs allocated to each Party, one another for the Joint Development Costs depending on which of the Parties pays for the Joint Development Work in the first instance. If the Proposing Party pays for the Joint Development Work, a mutually agreed upon share of the aggregate Joint Work Costs will be reimbursed by the Non-Proposing Party based on the share agreed in accordance with Section 7.5(a). Provided the Party not paying directly for the Joint Development Costs reimburses the other Party for its mutually agreed upon share of such Joint Work Costs, such reimbursing Party will be entitled to access and use such Data as set forth below in Section 4.6(c)(i).

 

(ii) Independent Work Costs. With respect to all Independent Development Work, the Proposing Party will be solely responsible for all Independent Work Costs associated with such Independent Development Work; provided, however, that if the Non- Proposing Party wishes to access and use any Data generated by such Independent Development Work, the Non-Proposing Party will be entitled to do so, but only upon reimbursing the Proposing Party for a mutually agreed upon share of the Independent Work Costs of such Independent Development Work in accordance with Section 7.5(b). Upon the Non-Proposing Party reimbursing the Proposing Party for its mutually agreed upon share of such Independent Work Costs, the Non-Proposing Party will be entitled to access and use such Data as set forth below in the last sentence of Section 4.6(c)(ii).

 

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(c) Data Sharing. On a Calendar Quarter basis during the Term, and subject to the terms set forth in this Section 4.6 and Applicable Laws, each Party will provide to the other Party, to the extent not already provided and at no additional cost to such other Party:

 

(i) With respect to Joint Development Work, copies of all Data generated by or on behalf of the Party with respect to and in the course of conducting Joint Development Work. The Party receiving the Data from the other Party’s performance of Joint Development Work will have the right to use and reference any and all such Data to obtain and maintain Regulatory Approval for the Licensed Product and otherwise Commercialize the Licensed Product in its respective territory in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(ii) With respect to Independent Development Work, copies of all safety and pharmacovigilance Data generated by or on behalf of the Party with respect to and in the course of conducting Independent Development Work. The Party receiving the Data from the other Party’s performance of Independent Development Work will have the right (A) to use such Data solely to the extent reasonably necessary for the receiving Party to comply with its regulatory reporting and compliance obligations, including safety reporting obligations, in its territory, and (B) of reference to all Regulatory Filing in and outside the Territory, as the case may be, but will not have the right to use such Data to apply for Regulatory Approval or in support of any Commercialization activities, unless and until the Non-Proposing Party reimburses the Proposing Party for its share of Independent Work Costs as provided in Section 7.4(b). Upon reimbursing the Proposing Party as provided in Section 7.5(b), the Non-Proposing Party will have the right to use and reference any and all Data (including efficacy Data) resulting from the other Party’s Independent Development Work, to obtain and maintain Regulatory Approval for the Licensed Product and otherwise Commercialize the Licensed Product in its respective territory in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

4.7 Regulatory Responsibilities for the Licensed Product. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all Applicable Laws, Teijin will, at its expense, use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to take all actions necessary to file all Regulatory Filings required to obtain Regulatory Approval for the Licensed Product for use in the Field in the Territory, provided, however that Nativis will, at its expense, use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to take all actions necessary to obtain or cause its Third Party contract manufacturer to obtain a foreign manufacture accreditation for the Licensed Products in the Territory. Subject to Section 3.5, Teijin will have final decision-making authority over all activities with respect to Regulatory Filings in the Territory. Through the JSC, Teijin will keep Nativis reasonably informed of all material events and developments occurring in the course of obtaining Regulatory Approval for the Licensed Product for use in the Field in the Territory.

 

4.8 Regulatory Activities.

 

(a) Holder of Regulatory Filings; Copies. Teijin will hold title to all Regulatory Filings (including MAAs) and Regulatory Approvals with respect to the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory. Teijin will provide to Nativis: (i) electronic copies of each Regulatory Filing as submitted to Regulatory Authorities promptly following such submission, and a summary (in English) of each such filing, (ii) summaries (in English) of written communications to Teijin from any Regulatory Authority in the Territory with respect to Regulatory Filings, promptly following receipt thereof (taking into account the time required to prepare such summaries after such submission of such Regulatory Filings), and (iii) a brief statement (in English) of any material changes in the final Regulatory Filings from the summaries previously provided by Teijin to Nativis.

 

(b) Regulatory Communications. Teijin will timely inform Nativis of all of its scheduled meetings with Regulatory Authorities in the Territory, invite Nativis to attend in such meetings as an observer, and, if Nativis elects not to attend such meetings, provide Nativis with summaries (in English) of such meetings promptly thereafter. In addition, Teijin will promptly provide Nativis with copies of all written communications and summary of material oral discussions with any Regulatory Authority with respect to the Licensed Product in the Territory. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Teijin will timely provide Nativis with summaries of any of its communications and correspondence with the Regulatory Authorities in the Territory regarding safety and pricing reimbursement issues with respect to the Licensed Product for use in the Field in the Territory and Nativis will timely provide Teijin with summaries of any of its communications and correspondence with any Regulatory Authorities regarding safety and manufacturing issues with respect to the Licensed Product for use outside the Field in the Territory or for use outside the Territory.

 

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(c) Pharmacovigilance. Nativis will be responsible for the maintenance of the global safety database for the Licensed Product; provided, however, that the JSC will reasonably allocate the costs for such maintenance between Teijin and Nativis in connection therewith. Teijin will be responsible, at its sole cost and expense, for collecting all pharmacovigilance and other safety Data for the Licensed Product in the Territory as required by Applicable Laws, and for reporting all such Data to the applicable Regulatory Authorities in the Territory and to Nativis (in English) for entry into the global safety database. Each Party will cooperate, and will cause its Affiliates, licensees, Distributors, and Sublicensees to cooperate, in implementing a pharmacovigilance mutual alert process with respect to the Licensed Product to comply with all applicable legal obligations of Regulatory Authorities. The Parties will enter into a pharmacovigilance agreement (the “Pharmacovigilance Agreement”) as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Date setting forth specific details and processes pursuant to which the Parties will share adverse event and other safety Data, which agreement will include terms such as (i) providing detailed procedures regarding the maintenance of core safety information and the exchange of safety data relating to the Licensed Product worldwide within appropriate timeframes and in an appropriate format to enable each party to meet both expedited and periodic regulatory reporting requirements, and (ii) ensuring compliance with the reporting requirements of all applicable Regulatory Authorities on a worldwide basis.

 

4.9 Reimbursed Pricing in Japan. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all Applicable Laws, Teijin will, at its expense, use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to take all actions necessary to obtain Reimbursement Approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare (“MHLW”). At the time of initial Reimbursement Approval determination by MHLW, the Parties will determine the reimbursement rate for the Territory (the “Japan Reimbursement Rate”) which estimated reimbursed price per patient in Japan, which will be calculated as follows:

 

(a) In the case that the reimbursed pricing is determined on a lump sum basis, such lump sum amount will be the Japan Reimbursement Rate,

 

(b) In the case that the reimbursed pricing is determined on a monthly basis:

 

(x) the monthly reimbursed pricing as established in the Reimbursement Approval

 

multiplied by

 

(y) a mutually agreed average duration of therapy for patients in the Field in the Territory based on the clinical data from the pivotal trials in the Field. If no pivotal trials are required for the Territory, the Parties will substitute the average duration of therapy for patients in the U.S. from U.S. pivotal trials.

 

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(c) Promptly following Reimbursement Approval, the Parties shall meet, and within thirty (30) days thereafter, agree upon (i) the average duration of therapy for patients in the Field in the Territory (only in the case of the above (b)); and (ii) confirm the currency conversion rate from the Japan Reimbursement Rate into U.S. dollars, which rate shall be the average U.S. dollar conversion rate for the Japanese yen as published by The Wall Street Journal, Western U.S. Edition, for the ninety (90) day period prior to the date of the Japan Reimbursement Rate determination. For clarity, the Japan Reimbursement Rate shall be established following initial Reimbursement Approval and thereafter not subject to adjustment during the Term, except and only to the extent that additional indications other than the Indication are agreed by the Parties pursuant to a separate, subsequent agreement or amendment hereto.

 

ARTICLE 5

COMMERCIALIZATION

 

5.1 Overview and Diligence. Subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all Applicable Laws, Teijin, at its expense, will be solely responsible for Commercializing the Licensed Product for the Field in the Territory. Teijin will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to achieve the First Commercial Sale in the Territory reasonably promptly after obtaining Regulatory Approval for such Licensed Product in the Territory, but not later than three (3) months after the date on which Reimbursement Approval is granted for such Licensed Product in the Territory; provided, however, that such three (3)-month period may be extended by written agreement of the Parties.

 

5.2 Commercialization Plan. At least six (6) months prior to the date on which Teijin reasonably expects to receive Regulatory Approval for the Licensed Product in the Territory, Teijin will submit to the JSC for review and discussion a commercialization plan setting forth the goals, strategies, and plans for Teijin’s prelaunch activities, launch, and subsequent Commercialization of the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory and the level of anticipated sales force and promotion efforts dedicated to the Licensed Product, together with the budget in connection therewith (the “Commercialization Plan”). Teijin will conduct all Commercialization activities in accordance with such Commercialization Plan. Teijin will consult with and provide regular updates to Nativis through the JSC regarding the Commercialization strategies and will discuss coordination of commercial activities in the Field in the Territory with activities outside the Territory.

 

5.3 Reports. Teijin will present written reports to the JSC annually summarizing Teijin’s significant Commercialization activities with respect to the Licensed Product in the Territory pursuant to this Agreement and including a forecast for the following year’s sales, leases, and rentals of the Licensed Product in the Territory. Such reports will cover subject matter at a level of detail reasonably sufficient to enable Nativis to determine Teijin’s compliance with its diligence obligations pursuant to this Article 5.

 

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5.4 Approval for Certain Marketing Activities. To the extent that any marketing or Medical Affairs Activities by Teijin for Commercialization of the Licensed Product in the Territory relate to or require activities outside of the Territory, including without limitation, initiation of investigator initiated studies, scientific publications, and the education of medical practitioners and caregivers outside the Territory, the JSC will be responsible for coordinating and approving such marketing activities or proposed publications.

 

5.5 Marketing and Promotional Literature. Teijin will prepare all marketing and promotional literature related to Licensed Product for use in the Territory in accordance with Applicable Laws. Nativis will be presented and described as the Party who developed and manufactured the Licensed Product in a manner to be determined by the JSC on, by way of example, all labels, packaging, packaging inserts, and promotional literature related to the Licensed Product, in each case to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

5.6 Labeling and Patent Rights Marking. Subject to, and in accordance with, Applicable Laws, Teijin will identify Nativis as the licensor or manufacturer of the Licensed Product using the Nativis Trademarks designated by Nativis for such use in certain mutually agreed promotional materials for the Licensed Products in the Territory where such identification is appropriate, in a manner approved in advance in writing by both Parties, and in accordance with (and subject to) the Trademark License set forth in Section 2.1(b). To the extent permitted by Applicable Law and customary in the industry for such products, Teijin will mark all Licensed Products sold in the Territory by Teijin, its Affiliates, or Sublicensees with appropriate Nativis Trademarks and patent numbers. Teijin may, in its sole discretion, include any Teijin Housemark on the Licensed Product, and on the labels, packaging, promotional materials, and other materials therefor, subject to Applicable Law.

 

ARTICLE 6

SUPPLY

 

6.1 Supply and Purchase of the Licensed Product. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, during the Term, Nativis will Manufacture and supply all of Teijin’s requirements of the Licensed Product exclusively to Teijin or its Affiliates (including their Sublicensees and Distributors) for use in the Field for the Territory, and Teijin or its Affiliates will purchase exclusively from Nativis, all of Teijin’s and its Affiliates’ and their Sublicensees’ and Distributors’ requirements of Licensed Product for (a) Development use in the Field for the Territory in such quantities as Teijin or its Affiliates will order pursuant to and in accordance with a separate clinical supply agreement to be entered into between TPM and Nativis (the “Clinical Supply Agreement”) within ninety (90) days of the Effective Date, at the Transfer Price for such Licensed Product, and (b) Commercialization use in the Field for the Territory in such quantities as Teijin will order pursuant to and in accordance with a separate commercial supply agreement to be entered into between TPM and Nativis (the “Commercial Supply Agreement”) at the Transfer Price for such Licensed Product. The Parties will negotiate in good faith to enter into the Commercial Supply Agreement on commercially reasonable terms, which agreement will in any event include an expansion of the license to Manufacture Licensed Product in the Field and for use, sale, lease, rental and import in the Territory to be exercisable in the event of customary supply failure provisions by Nativis and continuation of such license in the event of bankruptcy as provided in Section 13.6 of this Agreement, within ninety (90) days following receipt of Regulatory Approval for the Licensed Product for use in the Field in the U.S. Following the execution of such Commercial Supply Agreement, the Parties will negotiate in good faith to enter into a quality agreement to be entered into between TPM and Nativis governing the Specifications and other technical aspects of such commercial supply of the Licensed Product.

 

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ARTICLE 7

FINANCIAL TERMS

 

7.1 Upfront Payment. In consideration for the licenses and rights granted to Teijin hereunder, Teijin will pay to Nativis a non-refundable, non-creditable payment in the amount of three million dollars (US$3,000,000) by wire transfer of immediately available funds into an account designated by Nativis within ten (10) business days from an approval by tax authority in Japan after Teijin’s receipt of the tax forms mentioned below.

 

7.2 Determination of Milestones Based on Reimbursed Pricing. At the time of first reimbursement fee determination by MHLW, as specified in Section 4.9, the Parties will meet and agree upon the Japan Reimbursement Rate. At that same time, the applicable milestone payment amounts (the “Adjustable Milestone Amount”) payable under Section 7.3 will be calculated as follows:

 

(a) If Japan Reimbursement Rate is less than or equal to US$13,500, then Adjustable Milestone Amount = US$0; or

 

(b) If Japan Reimbursement Rate is greater than US$13,500, then Adjustable Milestone Amount =

 

(i) US$5,000,000 multiplied by

 

(ii) (Japan Reimbursement Rate divided by US$57,500).

 

7.3 Milestone Payments. In further consideration for the licenses and rights granted to Teijin hereunder, Teijin will pay to Nativis the following non-refundable, non-creditable milestone payments set forth in the table below (as determined in accordance with Section 7.2) within thirty (30) days of the first achievement of the corresponding milestone.

 

Milestone Event   Milestone Payment (in US$)
Upon receipt of MAA Approval for the Licensed Product in the U.S.   $1,000,000
     
Upon receipt of Reimbursement Approval for the Licensed Product for use in the Field in the Territory   Adjustable Milestone Amount
     
First achievement of aggregate Calendar Year Gross Sales of the Licensed Product in the Field in the   Adjustable Milestone Amount
     
Territory exceeding fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000)    
     
First achievement of aggregate Calendar Year Gross Sales of the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory exceeding thirty million dollars ($30,000,000)   Adjustable Milestone Amount

 

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Any milestone payment payable by Teijin pursuant to this Section 7.3 will be made no more than once with respect to the achievement of each such milestone event.

 

7.4 Royalty Payments.

 

(a) Royalty Rate. Subject to this Section 7.4 and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, in further consideration for the licenses and rights granted to Teijin under this Agreement, Teijin will pay to Nativis, on a Calendar Quarter basis, royalties on the quarterly Gross Sales of the Licensed Product in the Territory multiplied by the applicable percentage royalty rate as follows:

 

Reimbursement Approval for the Licensed Product in the Territory  Royalty Rate 
If Japan Reimbursement Rate is less than or equal to US$13,500   0%
      
If Japan Reimbursement Rate is greater than US$13,500   10%

 

(b) Third Party Licenses. If, during the Term, Teijin determines that it is necessary to obtain a license from any Third Party to any Patent(s) in order to research, Develop, import, use, sell, Manufacture, have sold, or offer for sale, lease, rental the Licensed Product for use in the Field in the Territory, an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of any license fees, royalties, milestone payments, and other payments paid to such Third Party under such license will be deducted from royalties otherwise due to Nativis under this Agreement; provided that in no event will such deduction reduce the royalties otherwise payable to Nativis under this Agreement by more than an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) in any Calendar Quarter. For clarity, any of such payments remaining unpaid as not fully deducted in a Calendar Quarter will be deducted in subsequent Calendar Quarters until they are deducted in full.

 

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(c) Royalty Term. Teijin’s obligation to make royalty payments pursuant to this Section 7.4 will commence upon Reimbursement Approval by MHLW and continue until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Reimbursement Approval by MHLW of such Licensed Product (the “Initial Royalty Term”). Upon the ninth (9th) anniversary of the Reimbursement Approval by MHLW of the Licensed Product, the Parties will commence negotiating in good faith whether to extend the term of Teijin’s license granted in Section 2.1 beyond the Initial Royalty Term and the royalty rate for such extension (any extension of the term beyond the Initial Royalty Term, the “Extended Royalty Term”; and the Initial Royalty Term and Extended Royalty Term together, the “Royalty Term”). The Parties will each appoint managers from their respective business teams to negotiate in good faith the length of the Extended Royalty Term and the royalty rate for such Extended Royalty Term for a period of up to three (3) months. If the business managers are unable to reach an agreement by the end of the three (3)-month period, either Party may refer the matter to the Parties’ senior executives for resolution. If the senior executives are unable to resolve the matter within thirty (30) days of the matter being referred to them, then the matter shall be resolved in accordance with Section 14.3.

 

7.5 Reimbursements of Joint and Independent Work Costs.

 

(a) Joint Work Costs. No later than thirty (30) days after the beginning of each Calendar Quarter during which a Proposing Party will perform and pay in the first instance for any Joint Development Work, such Proposing Party will submit to the Non-Proposing Party a statement setting forth the Joint Work Costs incurred, including the Non-Proposing Party’s share (calculated in accordance with Section 4.6(b)(i)) of (i) estimated Joint Work Costs for the then current Calendar Quarter; (ii) variances from prior invoiced estimates and actual Joint Work Costs; and (iii) Joint Work Costs incurred by or on account of such Proposing Party in the past Calendar Quarter not previously invoiced. Such invoice will include a reasonably detailed report for such Joint Work Costs, including supporting documents. The Non-Proposing Party will pay the amount invoiced within thirty (30) days after receipt of such invoice. To the extent that the Parties have agreed to share the Joint Work Costs or the Non-Proposing Party performs and pays for any Joint Development Work, then the reconciliation and invoicing of Joint Work Costs shall apply mutatis mutandis.

 

(b) Independent Work Costs. Except as set forth in this Section 7.4(b), a Proposing Party will be solely responsible for all Independent Work Costs associated with such Party’s Independent Development Work. If the Non-Proposing Party elects to reimburse the Proposing Party for access and use of the Data generated by such Independent Development Work as provided in Section 4.6(b)(ii), the Non-Proposing Party will provide the Proposing Party written notice thereof. Upon the Proposing Party’s receipt of such notice, the Proposing Party will submit to the Non-Proposing Party a reasonably detailed invoice setting forth the Independent Work Costs incurred, including the Non-Proposing Party’s share (calculated in accordance with Section 4.6(b)(ii)). Such invoice will include a reasonably detailed report for such Independent Work Costs, including supporting documents. The Non-Proposing Party will pay the amount invoiced within thirty (30) days after receipt of such invoice.

 

7.6 Obligations under Existing Third Party Agreements. Nativis will be solely responsible for any and all payments, fees, or other costs payable under its agreements with Third Parties existing as of the Effective Date.

 

7.7 Taxes. All amounts payable to Nativis shall be paid without any reduction or offset for taxes. If any withholding taxes or stamp, VAT, foreign exchange, or other transfer taxes apply to payments payable to Nativis, then Teijin shall pay such taxes directly and shall increase the amounts payable to Nativis so that Nativis receives the full amount it would have received if no such taxes applied, provided that Nativis shall submit Teijin applicable tax forms in advance of the invoice for the avoidance of double taxation, in accordance with the Income Tax Convention between the United States and Japan.

 

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ARTICLE 8

PAYMENTS, BOOKS, AND RECORDS

 

8.1 Payment; Royalty Reports. Royalty payments due by Teijin to Nativis under Section 7.4 will be calculated and reported for each Calendar Quarter. All royalty payments due under Section 7.4 will be paid within thirty (30) days after the end of each Calendar Quarter and will be accompanied by a report setting forth the Gross Sales of the Licensed Product by Teijin and its Affiliates and Sublicensees in the Territory in sufficient detail to permit confirmation of the accuracy of the royalty payment made, including, the number of Licensed Products sold, the Gross Sales of Licensed Products, the royalties payable, the method used to calculate the royalties, the exchange rates used, any adjustments to royalties in accordance with Section 7.4(b), and whether any commercial milestone under Section 7.3 has been achieved. Promptly after the Effective Date, the Parties will agree on the form of royalty report. Teijin will submit a single report for all Gross Sales, including units of Licensed Product sold, during a Calendar Quarter, including all Teijin’s, its Affiliates’ and Sublicensees’ Gross Sales but will separately identify the Gross Sales and other information applicable to each entity.

 

8.2 Payment Currency; Currency Conversion. All references to dollars and “$” herein will refer to U.S. dollars. All payments hereunder will be payable in U.S. dollars. With respect to conversion of Gross Sales in Japanese yen to U.S. dollars, such conversion will be at the exchange rate equal to the U.S. dollar conversion rate for the Japanese yen as published by The Wall Street Journal, Western U.S. Edition, as published on the last business day of the Calendar Quarter in which the applicable Gross Sales were made. All payments owed under this Agreement will be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to a bank and account designated in writing by Nativis, unless otherwise specified in writing by Nativis.

 

8.3 Taxes.

 

(a) Taxes on Income. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.3, each Party will be solely responsible for the payment of all taxes imposed on its share of income arising directly or indirectly from the activities of the Parties under this Agreement.

 

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(b) Tax Cooperation. The Parties agree to cooperate with one another and use reasonable efforts to avoid or reduce tax withholding, transfer taxes, or similar obligations with respect to milestone payments, royalty payments, and other payments made by Teijin to Nativis under this Agreement. To the extent Teijin is required by Applicable Laws to deduct and withhold taxes on any payment to Nativis, Teijin will pay the amounts of such taxes to the proper governmental authority in a timely manner and promptly transmit to Nativis an official tax certificate or other evidence of such payment sufficient to enable Nativis to claim such payment of taxes. Nativis will provide Teijin any tax forms that may be reasonably necessary in order for Teijin to not withhold tax or to withhold tax at a reduced rate under an applicable bilateral income tax treaty, to the extent legally able to do so. Nativis will use reasonable efforts to provide any such tax forms to Teijin in advance of the due date provided that Nativis may direct Teijin to temporarily hold a payment otherwise payable in order to avoid withholding taxes if Nativis is waiting for a required tax form to be issued by a governmental authority. Teijin will provide Nativis with reasonable assistance to enable the recovery, as permitted by Applicable Laws, of withholding taxes, transfer taxes, or similar obligations resulting from payments made under this Agreement, such recovery to be for the benefit of Nativis. Each Party agrees to assist the other Party in claiming exemption from such deductions or withholdings under double taxation or similar agreement or treaty from time to time in force and in minimizing the amount required to be so withheld or deducted.

 

(c) Taxes Resulting From a Party’s Action. Subject to Nativis submitting to Teijin applicable tax forms in advance of the invoice for the avoidance of double taxation in accordance with the Income Tax Convention between the United States and Japan, Teijin represents and warrants that, as of the Effective Date, (i) Teijin is not required by Applicable Law to deduct or withhold taxes on the upfront payment, milestone payments, royalty payments, and other payments payable to Nativis under this Agreement and (ii) no transfer taxes will be imposed on the foregoing payments under the laws of Japan. If a Party takes any action of its own discretion (i.e., not required by a Regulatory Authority), including any assignment, sublicense, change of place of incorporation, or failure to comply with Applicable Laws or filing or record retention requirements, which results in a withholding or deduction obligation or a transfer tax (“Withholding Tax Action”), then such Party will pay the sum associated with such Withholding Tax Action. For clarity, if Teijin undertakes a Withholding Tax Action, then the sum payable by Teijin (in respect of which such deduction or withholding is required to be made) will be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that Nativis receives a sum equal to the sum which it would have received had no such Withholding Tax Action occurred. Otherwise, the sum payable by Teijin (in respect of which such deduction or withholding is required to be made) will be made to Nativis after deduction of the amount required to be so withheld or deducted. If a change in Applicable Laws results in a withholding or deduction obligation absent either Party taking a Withholding Tax Action, then the amount of such withholding or deduction obligation will be paid by Teijin to the applicable governmental authority on behalf of Nativis in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.3(b). The Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to invoke the application of any applicable bilateral income tax treaty that would reduce or eliminate otherwise applicable taxes with respect to payments payable pursuant to this Agreement.

 

8.4 Records. Teijin will keep, and require its Affiliates and Sublicensees to keep, complete, true, and accurate books of accounts and records for the purpose of determining the amounts payable to Nativis pursuant to this Agreement. Such books and records will be kept for such period of time required by law, but no less than at least five (5) years following the end of the Calendar Quarter to which they pertain. Such records will be subject to inspection in accordance with Section 8.5.

 

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8.5 Audits. Upon not less than ten (10) days’ prior written notice, Teijin will permit an independent, certified public accountant selected by Nativis and reasonably acceptable to Teijin, which acceptance will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (for the purposes of this Section 8.5, the “Auditor”), to audit or inspect those books or records of Teijin, its Affiliates, and Sublicensees that relate to Gross Sales, Royalty Reports, Joint Work Costs, and Independent Work Costs for the sole purpose of verifying (a) the royalties payable hereunder in respect of Gross Sales, (b) the withholding taxes, if any, required by Applicable Law to be deducted as a payment by Teijin in respect of such Gross Sales, (c) the exchange rates used in determining the amount of U.S. dollars, and (d) the Joint Work Costs and Independent Work Costs payable hereunder. The Auditor will disclose to Nativis only the amount and accuracy of payments reported and actually paid or otherwise payable under this Agreement. The Auditor will send a copy of the report to Teijin at the same time it is sent to Nativis. Such inspections may be conducted during normal business hours no more than once each Calendar Year, and no more than once with respect to any particular period of time. Nativis will bear the full cost of such audit unless such audit discloses an underpayment of the amount actually owed of more than five percent (5%), in which case Teijin will bear the full out-of-pocket, external cost of such audit. Within thirty (30) days from the auditor’s report, Teijin will submit to Nativis any underpayment discovered in such audit, or Nativis will refund any amounts shown to have been overpaid, in each case as applicable.

 

8.6 Late Payment. Any amounts not paid when due under this Agreement will be subject to interest from and after the date payment is due through and including the date upon which such Party makes such payment at the annual interest rate of one and a half (1.5) percent (1.5%) compounded monthly; provided, however, that in no event will such rate exceed the maximum legal annual interest rate. The payment of such interest will not limit the Party entitled to receive payment from exercising any other rights it may have as a consequence of the lateness of any payment.

 

ARTICLE 9

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

9.1 Ownership of Intellectual Property.

 

(a) Nativis Technology and Teijin Technology. Nativis has and will retain all right, title, and interest in and to, the Nativis Technology. Teijin has and will retain all right, title, and interest in and to, the Teijin Technology.

 

(b) Ownership of Inventions. Ownership of all Inventions will be based on inventorship, as determined in accordance with the rules of inventorship under U.S. patent laws. Each Party will solely own any Inventions made solely by its or its Affiliates’ employees, agents, or independent contractors (“Sole Inventions”). The Parties will jointly own any Inventions that are made jointly by employees, agents, or independent contractors of one Party or its Affiliates together with employees, agents, or independent contractors of the other Party or its Affiliates (“Joint Inventions”). If a Teijin Sole Invention or a Joint Invention covers or is related to the Controller (collectively, the “Controller Inventions”), such Controller Inventions will be owned solely by Nativis and Teijin shall and hereby does assign to Nativis its right and interest in such Controller Inventions and such assigned Controller Inventions shall be included in the Nativis Technology licensed to Teijin pursuant to Section 2.1(a). To the extent a Party believes that any ownership or assignment of Controller Inventions pursuant to this Section 9.1(b) contravenes Applicable Laws, the Parties shall in good faith discuss the basis for such belief with appropriate experts at the time such issue arises.

 

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9.2 Patent Prosecution and Maintenance.

 

(a) Nativis Patents. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.2, Nativis will have the sole right and authority to prepare, file, prosecute, and maintain the Nativis Patents on a worldwide basis. Nativis will bear all costs of preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of the Nativis Patents in the Territory. Nativis will provide Teijin reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such efforts, including by providing Teijin with a copy of material communications from any patent authority in the Territory regarding such Nativis Patents, and by providing drafts of any material filings or responses to be made to such patent authorities in advance of submitting such filings or responses.

 

(b) Nativis Abandonment. If Nativis determines in its sole discretion to abandon or not maintain any such Nativis Patent(s) in the Territory, then Nativis will provide Teijin with written notice of such determination within a period of time reasonably necessary to allow Teijin to determine its interest in such Nativis Patent(s). In the event Teijin provides written notice expressing its interest in obtaining such Nativis Patent(s), Nativis will assign and transfer, without any compensation, to Teijin the ownership of, and interest in, such Nativis Patent(s) in the Territory, at Teijin’s sole expense. Teijin will thereafter bear all costs of preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of such assigned and transferred Patents in the Territory. In the event that Teijin decides to abandon or not maintain any such Patent(s), Teijin will promptly provide Nativis with written notice of such decision.

 

(c) Teijin Patents. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.2, Teijin will have the sole right and authority, in its sole discretion, to prepare, file, prosecute, and maintain the Teijin Patents on a worldwide basis at its own expense. Teijin will provide Nativis reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such efforts regarding Teijin Patents claiming any Teijin Inventions outside the Territory, including by providing Nativis with a copy of material communications from any patent authority regarding such Teijin Patents outside the Territory, and by providing drafts of any material filings or responses to be made to such patent authorities in advance of submitting such filings or responses.

 

(d) Teijin Abandonment. If Teijin determines in its sole discretion to abandon or not maintain any such Patent within the Teijin Patents anywhere in the world, then Teijin will provide Nativis with written notice of such determination within a period of time reasonably necessary to allow Nativis to determine its interest in such Teijin Patent(s). In the event Nativis provides written notice expressing its interest in obtaining such Teijin Patent(s), Teijin will assign and transfer, without any compensation, to Nativis the ownership of, and interest in, such Teijin Patent(s) in the applicable jurisdiction at Nativis’ sole expense. Nativis will thereafter bear all costs of preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of such assigned and transferred Patent(s). For the avoidance of doubt, such transferred Patent(s) will be a part of the Nativis Patents licensed hereunder to Teijin upon Teijin’s payment to Nativis of the patent expenses incurred by Nativis in the Territory related thereto. In the event that Nativis decides to abandon or not maintain any such transferred Patent(s), Nativis will promptly provide Teijin with written notice of such decision.

 

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(e) Joint Patents.

 

(i) Initial Responsibility. Nativis will be responsible for the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of Joint Patents worldwide, subject to the rest of this Section 9.2(e). Nativis will be responsible for preparing, filing, prosecuting, and maintaining all Joint Patents, using a patent counsel selected by Nativis and reasonably acceptable to Teijin; provided that Teijin and Nativis will share equally the cost and expenses of the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of Joint Patents, and Teijin will reimburse Nativis for Teijin’s portion of such costs and expenses incurred by Nativis within thirty (30) days from the date of invoice for such costs and expenses by Nativis.

 

(ii) Cooperation. Nativis will consult with Teijin in preparing Joint Patent applications and will consider and adopt in good faith Teijin’s comments and suggestions prior to the filing of any Joint Patent application. Nativis will keep Teijin fully informed of progress with regard to the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of the Joint Patents in and outside the Territory. Nativis will:

 

(1) provide Teijin with a copy of the final draft of any proposed application at least thirty (30) days prior to filing the same in any patent office worldwide, unless otherwise agreed by patent counsel for both parties, and Nativis will consider in good faith any comments or revisions suggested by Teijin or its counsel;

 

(2) promptly provide Teijin with a copy of each patent application as filed, together with a notice of its filing date and serial number;

 

(3) provide Teijin with a copy of any action, communication, letter, or other correspondence issued by the relevant patent office within at least ten (10) days of receipt thereof, and Nativis will consult with Teijin regarding responding to the same and will consider in good faith any comments, strategies, and the like proposed by Teijin;

 

(4) provide Teijin with a copy of any response, amendment, paper, or other correspondence filed with the relevant patent office within ten (10) days of Nativis’ receipt of the as-filed document;

 

(5) promptly notify Teijin of the allowance, grant, or issuance of such Joint Patents; and

 

(6) consult with Teijin regarding the countries to be filed and maintained, the payment of annuities, taxes and maintenance fees for any such Joint Patents.

 

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(iii) Joint Patent Abandonment. In the event that Nativis desires to abandon or cease prosecution and/or maintenance of any Joint Patent, Nativis will provide reasonable prior written notice to Teijin of such intention to abandon (which notice will, to the extent possible, be given no later than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the next deadline for any action that must be taken with respect to such Joint Patent in the relevant patent office). In such case or if Nativis refuses to pay its share of costs related to any such Joint Patent, at Teijin’s sole discretion, upon written notice from Teijin, Teijin may elect to continue prosecution and/or maintenance of any such Joint Patent at its own expense, and Nativis will execute such documents and perform such acts, at Nativis’ expense, as may be reasonably necessary to effect an assignment of Nativis’ entire right, title, and interest in and to such Joint Patent to Teijin. Any such assignment will be completed in a timely manner to allow Teijin to continue prosecution and/or maintenance of any such Joint Patent. Any Patents so assigned will no longer be considered Joint Patents and will become Teijin Patents.

 

(iv) Teijin Declines Responsibility. If Teijin refuses to pay its share of costs related to any Joint Patent, upon written notice from Nativis, Teijin will assign its entire right, title, and interest in and to any such Joint Patent to Nativis. Any Patents so assigned will no longer be considered Joint Patents and will become Nativis Patents.

 

9.3 Infringement by Third Parties.

 

(a) Notice. In the event that either Nativis or Teijin becomes aware of any infringement or threatened infringement by a Third Party of any Patents that are subject to the prosecution, maintenance, or enforcement by a Party under this Agreement, it will notify the other Party in writing to that effect. Any such notice will include evidence to support an allegation of infringement or threatened infringement by such Third Party.

 

(b) Nativis Patents. Subject to this Section 9.3(b), Nativis has the first right, as between Nativis and Teijin, to bring and control any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any Nativis Patent worldwide, at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice. Teijin has the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice, and Nativis and its counsel will reasonably cooperate with Teijin and its counsel in strategizing, preparing, and presenting any such action or proceeding. If Nativis fails to bring an action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any Nativis Patent described in the preceding sentence within (i) one hundred twenty (120) days following the notice of alleged infringement or (ii) ten (10) days before the time limit, if any, set forth in the appropriate laws and regulations for the filing of such actions, whichever comes first, Teijin has the right, but not the obligation, to bring and control any such action at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice. Upon Teijin’s request, Nativis will timely join any such litigation and cooperate with Teijin in connection with such infringement action. Except as otherwise agreed to by the Parties as part of a cost-sharing arrangement, any recovery or damages realized as a result of such action or proceeding will be used first to reimburse the Parties’ documented out-of-pocket legal expenses relating to the action or proceeding, and any remaining damages relating to the Licensed Product (including without limitation, lost sales, leases, rentals or lost profits with respect to the Licensed Product) will be retained by the Party bringing suit, and if such Party is Teijin, such remaining damages will be deemed Gross Sales subject to the royalty provisions of Section 7.4.

 

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(c) Teijin Patents. Subject to this Section 9.3(c), Teijin has the first right (but not the obligation), as between Nativis and Teijin, to bring and control any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any Teijin Patent worldwide, at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice and the right to retain all damages resulting from its enforcement action.

 

(d) Joint Patents. Any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any Joint Patent worldwide may only be brought by both Parties, with the costs to be shared equally between the Parties. Except as otherwise agreed to by the Parties as part of a cost-sharing arrangement, any recovery or damages from an action or proceeding relating to Joint Patents will be used first to reimburse the Parties’ documented out-of-pocket legal expenses relating to the action or proceeding, and any remaining damages will be shared equally between the Parties.

 

(e) Cooperation. In the event a Party brings an infringement action in accordance with this Section 9.3, the other Party will cooperate fully, including, if required to bring such action, the furnishing of a power of attorney or being named as a party to such action.

 

9.4 Infringement of Third Party Rights. Each Party will promptly notify the other in writing of any allegation by a Third Party that the activity of either of the Parties pursuant to this Agreement infringes or may infringe the intellectual property rights of such Third Party. Nativis has the sole right to control any defense of any such claim involving alleged infringement of Third Party rights by Nativis’ activities at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice, and Teijin has the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice. Teijin has the sole right to control any defense of any such claim involving alleged infringement of Third Party rights by Teijin’s activities at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice, and Nativis has the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice.

 

9.5 Consent for Settlement. Neither Party will enter into any settlement or compromise of any action or proceeding under this Article 9 which would materially alter, diminish, or be in derogation of the other Party’s rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of such other Party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

9.6 Patent Term Extensions. The Parties will discuss and recommend for which, if any, of the Patents within the Nativis Patents and Teijin Patents the Parties should seek Patent Term Extensions in the Territory. Nativis, in the case of the Nativis Patents, and Teijin in the case of the Teijin Patents, has the final decision-making authority with respect to applying for any such Patent Term Extensions in the Territory; provided, however, that if in a particular country or jurisdiction in the Territory only one such Patent may obtain a Patent Term Extension, then the Parties will consult in good faith to determine which such Patent should be the subject of efforts to obtain a Patent Term Extension, and in any event Nativis’ decision on such matter will control in the case of a disagreement. The Party that does not apply for an extension hereunder will cooperate fully with the other Party in making such filings or actions, for example and without limitation, making available all required regulatory data and information and executing any required authorizations to apply for such Patent Term Extension. All expenses incurred in connection with activities of each Party with respect to the Patent(s) for which such Party seeks Patent Term Extensions pursuant to this Section 9.6 will be entirely borne by such Party.

 

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9.7 Patent Marking. Teijin (or its Affiliate, Sublicensee, or Distributor) will mark Licensed Products marketed and sold by Teijin (or its Affiliate, Sublicensee, or Distributor) hereunder with appropriate patent numbers or indicia designed by Nativis to the extent such markings or such notices would impact recoveries of damages or equitable remedies available under Applicable Law with respect to infringements of patents in the Territory.

 

9.8 Trademarks. Teijin will use the Nativis Trademarks selected by Nativis to Commercialize the Licensed Product in the Territory. Where Teijin reasonably believes the Nativis Trademark is not appropriate for commercial use, or if such Nativis Trademark is not approved for use in the Territory by the applicable Regulatory Authority, the Parties will agree on an alternative product trademark for such country and such alternative product trademark will be deemed a Nativis Trademark. In addition, unless prohibited by Applicable Laws, Teijin will include Nativis’ corporate trademark on the packaging and product information of the Licensed Products sold in the Territory to indicate that the Licensed Product is licensed from Nativis. All use of the Nativis Trademarks and Nativis corporate trademark will comply with Applicable Laws and regulations and will be subject to Nativis’ review and approval. For clarity, Teijin will also include its (or its Affiliate’s or Sublicensee’s) corporate logo in the Licensed Product sold in the Territory.

 

ARTICLE 10

CONFIDENTIALITY

 

10.1 Nondisclosure. Except to the extent expressly authorized by this Agreement or otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, during the Term and for seven (7) years thereafter, the receiving Party (the “Receiving Party”) will keep confidential and will not publish or otherwise disclose and will not use for any purpose other than as expressly provided for in this Agreement any Confidential Information of the other Party (the “Disclosing Party”), and both Parties will keep confidential and, subject to Sections 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4, will not publish or otherwise disclose the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Receiving Party’s obligation of confidentiality and restriction on use with respect to the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information which derives economic value from not being generally known to public and is identified in writing by the Disclosing Party as trade secrets will continue perpetually for so long as such Confidential Information is unpublished by the Disclosing Party and no provision of Section 10.2(b), (c), or (d) applies to such Confidential Information. Each Party may use the other Party’s Confidential Information solely to the extent required to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including exercising such Party’s rights or performing its obligations under this Agreement. Each Party will use at least the same standard of care as it uses to protect proprietary or confidential information of its own (but no less than reasonable care) to ensure that its employees, agents, consultants, contractors, and other representatives do not disclose or make any unauthorized use of the Confidential Information of the other Party. Each Party will promptly notify the other Party upon discovery of any unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential Information of the other Party.

 

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10.2 Authorized Disclosure. The Receiving Party may disclose Confidential Information belonging to the Disclosing Party only to the extent such disclosure is reasonably necessary in the following instances:

 

(a) filing or prosecuting Patents as permitted by this Agreement;

 

(b) filing Regulatory Filings in order to obtain or maintain Regulatory Approvals;

 

(c) prosecuting or defending litigation, including responding to a subpoena in a Third Party litigation;

 

(d) complying with Applicable Laws or regulations (including regulations promulgated by securities exchanges) or court or administrative orders;

 

(e) to its Affiliates, Sublicensees or prospective Sublicensees, Third Party Partners, subcontractors or prospective subcontractors, payors, consultants, agents, and advisors on a “need-to-know” basis in order for the Receiving Party to exercise its rights or fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, each of whom prior to disclosure must be bound by obligations of confidentiality and restrictions on use of such Confidential Information that are no less restrictive than those set forth in this Article 10; provided, however, that, in each of the above situations, the Receiving Party will remain responsible for any failure by any Third Party who receives Confidential Information pursuant to this Section 10.2 to treat such Confidential Information as required under this Article 10; or

 

(f) to bona fide potential and actual investors, acquirors, merger partners, licensees, and other financial or commercial partners solely for the purpose of evaluating or carrying out an actual or potential investment, acquisition, or collaboration, in each case under written obligations of confidentiality and non-use at least as stringent as those herein.

 

(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Party is required to make a disclosure of the other Party’s Confidential Information pursuant to Sections 10.2(b), (c), or (d), it will, except where impracticable, give at least thirty (30) days’ advance notice to the other Party of such disclosure, reasonably consider the comments of the other Party with respect to limiting such disclosure, and use efforts to secure confidential treatment of such Confidential Information at least as diligent as such Party would use to protect its own confidential information, but in no event less than reasonable efforts. In any event, the Parties agree to take all reasonable action to avoid disclosure of Confidential Information hereunder. Any information disclosed pursuant to Sections 10.2(b), (c), or (d) will remain the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party and subject to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement, including the foregoing provisions of this Article 10.

 

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10.3 Public Announcements. The Parties agree to issue a joint press release substantially in a form agreed by the Parties and attached to this Agreement as Exhibit 10.3 announcing the signature of this Agreement at or shortly after the Effective Date, but in any event within the time-period as required by relevant securities laws. It is understood that each Party may desire or be required to issue subsequent press releases relating to this Agreement or activities hereunder. The Parties agree to consult with each other reasonably and in good faith with respect to the text and timing of any such press release prior to the issuance thereof, to the extent practicable, provided that a Party may not unreasonably withhold, condition, or delay consent to such releases by more than five (5) Business Days, and that either Party may issue such press releases or make such disclosures to the SEC or other applicable agency as it determines, based on advice of counsel, as reasonably necessary to comply with Applicable Laws or for appropriate market disclosure. Each Party will provide the other Party with advance notice of legally required disclosures to the extent practicable. The Parties will consult with each other on the provisions of this Agreement to be redacted in any filings made by a Party with the SEC or as otherwise required by Applicable Laws; provided that each Party will have the right to make any such filing as it reasonably determines necessary under Applicable Laws. In addition, following the initial joint press release announcing this Agreement, either Party will be free to disclose, without the other Party’s prior written consent, the existence of this Agreement, the identity of the other Party, and those terms of the Agreement which have already been publicly disclosed in accordance herewith.

 

10.4 Publications. Prior to public disclosure or submission for publication of a proposed publication describing the results of any scientific or clinical activity relating to the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory, the Party disclosing or submitting such proposed publication (the “Publishing Party”) will send the other party (the “Reviewing Party”) a copy of the proposed publication to be submitted and will allow the Reviewing Party a reasonable time period (but no less than thirty (30) days from the date of confirmed receipt) in which to determine whether the proposed publication contains subject matter for which patent protection should be sought (prior to publication of such proposed publication) for the purpose of protecting an Invention, or whether the proposed publication contains the Confidential Information of the Reviewing Party. If the Reviewing Party believes that the subject matter of the proposed publication or other disclosure contains Confidential Information or a patentable invention of the Reviewing Party, then prior to the expiration of the applicable time period for review, the Reviewing Party will notify the Publishing Party in writing of its determination that such proposed publication or other disclosure, as applicable, contains such information or subject matter for which patent protection should be sought. Upon receipt of such written notice from the Reviewing Party, the Publishing Party will delay public disclosure of such information or submission of the proposed publication for an additional period of sixty (60) days (or such other time period mutually agreed by the Parties in writing) to permit preparation and filing of a patent application on the disclosed subject matter. The Publishing Party will thereafter be free to publish or disclose such information, except that the Publishing Party may not disclose any Confidential Information of the Reviewing Party in violation of Section 10.1.

 

ARTICLE 11

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

 

11.1 Mutual Representations and Warranties. Each Party represents and warrants to the other that, as of the Effective Date: (a) it is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, and has full corporate or other power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions hereof, (b) it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and the person or persons executing this Agreement on its behalf has been duly authorized to do so by all requisite corporate or partnership action, (c) this Agreement is legally binding upon it, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and does not conflict with any agreement, instrument, or understanding, oral or written, to which it is a Party or by which it may be bound, nor violate any material law or regulation of any court, governmental body, or administrative or other agency having jurisdiction over it, and (d) it has the right to grant the licenses granted by it under this Agreement.

 

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11.2 Debarment. Each Party represents, warrants, and covenants to the other Party that it is not debarred or disqualified under the U.S. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as may be amended, or comparable laws in any country or jurisdiction other than the U.S., and it does not, and will not during the Term, employ or use the services of any person who is debarred or disqualified, in connection with activities relating to any Licensed Product. In the event that either Party becomes aware of the debarment or disqualification or threatened debarment or disqualification of any person providing services to such Party, including the Party itself or its Affiliates or Sublicensees, that directly or indirectly relate to activities contemplated by this Agreement, such Party will immediately notify the other Party in writing and such Party will cease employing, contracting with, or retaining any such person to perform any such services.

 

11.3 Additional Teijin Covenants. Teijin covenants as follows:

 

(a) Teijin will comply in all material respects with all Applicable Laws related to its Commercialization of the Licensed Products.

 

(b) Teijin will Commercialize the Licensed Products solely within the Territory for use in the Field pursuant to the authority, rights, and licenses granted to Teijin under this Agreement. During the Term Teijin will not (i) Commercialize any Licensed Product outside of the Territory, (ii) provide any Licensed Product to any Third Party or Affiliate if Teijin has actual knowledge or reasonably believes that such Third Party or Affiliate, either directly or indirectly, is selling, or intends to sell such Licensed Product outside the Territory and (iii) expressly provide in each agreement with its Distributor that such Distributor will be subject to immediate termination in the event of a breach of the covenants in this Section 11.3(b) and (iv) immediately terminate any Distributor for a breach of the requirements of Section 11.3(b)(iii).

 

11.4 Additional Nativis Representations, Warranties, and Covenants. Nativis represents and warrants to Teijin that as of the Effective Date:

 

(a) Nativis Patent; Nativis Technology. Except as set forth on Schedule 11.4, Nativis owns, or has an exclusive license to, the Nativis Patents listed on Exhibit 1.51, and Exhibit

1.51 is a complete list of all patents and patent applications owned or Controlled by Nativis as of the Effective Date which claim or cover the Licensed Product, or any component thereof, or the use thereof in the Territory.

 

(b) Title; Encumbrances. Nativis has sufficient legal and/or beneficial title, ownership, or license, free and clear from any mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, conditional and installment sale, lease, rental agreements, encumbrances, charges or claims of any kind, of the Nativis Technology to grant the licenses to Teijin as purported to be granted pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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(c) No Conflict. Nativis has not granted any assignment, license, covenant not to sue, or other similar interest or benefit, exclusive or otherwise, to any Third Party relating to any patent, know-how, or other proprietary right that conflicts with or limits the rights granted to Teijin hereunder or which falls within the scope of the licenses granted in Section 2.1.

 

(d) Non-Infringement of Third Party’s IP Rights. To Nativis’ Knowledge, the import, sale, lease, rental, or use of the Licensed Product in the Territory does not infringe any intellectual property rights of any Third Party existing as of the Effective Date.

 

(e) Non-Infringement of Nativis Technology by Third Parties. To Nativis’ Knowledge, Nativis is not aware of any activities by Third Parties that constitute infringement or misappropriation of the Nativis Technology within the Territory.

 

(f) No Claims of Third Party Rights. Nativis has not received any written notice, claim, or demand from any person or entity asserting that the research, development, use, or sale, lease, rental of the Licensed Product infringes a patent of a Third Party in the Territory.

 

(g) No Action or Claim. To Nativis’ Knowledge, there are no actual, pending, alleged, or threatened adverse actions, suits, claims, interferences, or formal governmental investigations involving the Licensed Product by or against Nativis, any of its Affiliates, distributors, licensees, or contractors in or before any court, governmental entity, or Regulatory Authority.

 

(h) Compliance. To Nativis’ Knowledge, Nativis, its Affiliates, distributors, licensees, and contractors have performed in all material respects development work, including manufacturing, supply, packaging, and distribution of clinical supplies, in compliance with all Applicable Laws; and there is no actual, pending, alleged, or threatened adverse action of any Regulatory Authority with respect to the Licensed Product.

 

(i) Disclaimer. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER, NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR EXTENDS ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, VALIDITY AND ENFORCEABILITY OF PATENTS, OR THE PROSPECTS OR LIKELIHOOD OF DEVELOPMENT OR COMMERCIAL SUCCESS OF THE PRODUCT.

 

ARTICLE 12

INDEMNIFICATION

 

12.1 Indemnification of Nativis. Teijin will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of Nativis and its Affiliates and their respective directors, shareholders, officers, and employees (collectively, the “Nativis Indemnitees”) from and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, penalties, fines, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses of litigation) (“Losses”) from any Third Party claims, actions, suits, or proceedings (each, a “Claim”) incurred by any Nativis Indemnitee, arising from, or occurring as a result of (a) the negligence or willful misconduct of Teijin, its Affiliates, Sublicensees, Distributors or other subcontractors; (b) the research, Development, and regulatory activities relating to the Licensed Product conducted by Teijin, its Affiliates, or Sublicensees, and (c) any breach of any representations, warranties, or covenants by Teijin under this Agreement; except in each case to the extent such Claim falls within the scope of Nativis’ indemnification obligations set forth in Section 12.2.

 

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12.2 Indemnification of Teijin. Nativis will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of Teijin and its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, and agents (collectively, the “Teijin Indemnitees”), from and against any and all Losses from any Third Party Claims incurred by any Teijin Indemnitee, arising from, or occurring as a result of (a) the negligence or willful misconduct of Nativis or its Affiliates; and (b) any breach of any representations, warranties, or covenants by Nativis under this Agreement; except in each case to the extent such Claim falls within the scope of the indemnification obligations of Teijin set forth in Section 12.1.

 

12.3 Procedure. Each Party’s agreement to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the other Party is conditioned on the indemnified Party: (a) providing written notice to the indemnifying Party of any Claim for which it is seeking indemnification hereunder promptly after the indemnified Party has knowledge of such Claim; (b) permitting the indemnifying Party to assume full responsibility to investigate, prepare for, and defend against any such Claim, except that the indemnified Party may cooperate in the defense at its own expense using its own counsel; (c) assisting the indemnifying Party, at the indemnifying Party’s reasonable expense, in the investigation of, preparation for, and defense of any such Claim; and (d) not compromising or settling such Claim without the indemnifying Party’s written consent. The indemnifying Party will not settle any Claim without the prior written consent of the indemnified Party, not to be unreasonably withheld, unless the settlement involves only the payment of money. If the indemnifying Party does not assume and conduct the defense of the Claim as provided above, (y) the indemnified Party may defend against and consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to the Claim in any manner the indemnified Party may deem reasonably appropriate (and the indemnified Party need not consult with, or obtain any consent from, the indemnifying Party in connection therewith), and (z) the indemnifying Party will remain responsible to indemnify the indemnified Party as provided in this Article 12. The failure to promptly notify the indemnifying Party after the commencement of any action with respect to a Claim will only relieve the indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article 12 if and to the extent the indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced thereby.

 

12.4 Insurance. Each Party will procure and maintain insurance, including product liability insurance, adequate to cover its obligations hereunder and which are consistent with normal business practices of prudent companies similarly situated at all times during which any Licensed Product is being clinically tested in human subjects or commercially distributed or sold by such Party. It is understood that such insurance will not be construed to create a limit of either Party’s liability with respect to its indemnification obligations under this Article 12. Each Party will provide the other Party with written evidence of such insurance upon request. Each Party will provide the other Party with written notice at least thirty (30) days prior to the cancellation, non-renewal, or material change in such insurance or self-insurance which materially adversely affects the rights of the other Party hereunder.

 

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12.5 Limitation of Liability. NEITHER PARTY WILL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, OR INDIRECT DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF ANY NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 12.5 IS INTENDED TO OR WILL LIMIT OR RESTRICT THE INDEMNIFICATION RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY PARTY UNDER SECTION 12.1 OR SECTION 12.2, OR DAMAGES AVAILABLE FOR A PARTY’S BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS IN ARTICLE 10.

 

ARTICLE 13

Term and Termination

 

13.1 Term. This Agreement will commence on the Effective Date, and unless terminated earlier as provided in this Article 13, will continue in full force and effect until the end of the Royalty Term (the “Term”). The Clinical Supply Agreement and Commercial Supply Agreement, as applicable, will terminate upon any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

13.2 Early Termination.

 

(a) Mutual Agreement. The Parties may terminate this Agreement at any time by mutual written agreement of the Parties.

 

(b) By Teijin for Convenience. Teijin shall have the right to terminate this Agreement in its entirety, for any or no reason, upon one hundred eighty (180) days written notice to Nativis, provided that Teijin shall not have the right to exercise such right to terminate prior to Nativis’ receipt of the first FDA response specifying the potential approvability of the Licensed Product in the U.S. (including but not limited to an approval order, an approvable letter, a not approvable order and an order denying approval).

 

(c) Material Breach. Nativis will have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to Teijin if Teijin, after receiving written notice from Nativis identifying a material breach by Teijin, fails to cure such breach within sixty (60) days from the date of such notice (or within thirty (30) days’ notice for any payment breach). Teijin will have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to Nativis if Nativis, after receiving written notice identifying a material breach by Nativis of its obligations under this Agreement, fails to cure such breach within sixty (60) days from the date of such notice.

 

(d) Bankruptcy. Each Party will have the right to terminate this Agreement immediately in its entirety upon written notice to the other Party if such other Party makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, files an insolvency petition in bankruptcy, petitions for or acquiesces in the appointment of any receiver, trustee, or similar officer to liquidate or conserve its business or any substantial part of its assets, commences under the laws of any jurisdiction (the “Bankruptcy Laws”) any proceeding involving its insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, adjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or any other similar proceeding for the release of financially distressed debtors or becomes a party to any proceeding or action under the Bankruptcy Laws and such proceeding is not dismissed within sixty (60) days after the commencement thereof.

 

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(e) Termination for Safety Reasons. Teijin may terminate this Agreement in its entirety at any time during the Term immediately upon providing written notice to Nativis if any Regulatory Authority in the Territory requests that Teijin withdraw the Licensed Product from the market due to safety concerns.

 

13.3 Effects of Termination by Teijin for Safety Reasons. In the event this Agreement is terminated by Teijin pursuant to Section 13.2(e):

 

(a) Winding-Down of Development Activities. In the event there are any on- going clinical trials of the applicable Licensed Product(s) in the Field in the Territory,

 

(i) The Parties will negotiate in good faith and adopt a plan to wind- down the Development activities in an orderly fashion, with due regard for patient safety and the rights of any subjects that are participants in any clinical trials of the Licensed Products and take any actions it deems reasonably necessary or appropriate to avoid any human health or safety problems and in compliance with all Applicable Laws;

 

(ii) Each Party will perform its outstanding non-cancellable obligations under this Agreement that existed or accrued prior to the notice date of termination; and

 

(iii) All costs and expenses incurred in winding-down the Development activities with respect to the applicable Licensed Product(s) will be borne by Teijin; provided, however, that in no case will Teijin be obligated to pursue or support such activities for a period exceeding twelve (12) months after the date of notice of such termination.

 

(b) Teijin Regulatory Filings (including Marketing Approvals). Upon Nativis’ request and to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, Teijin will transfer to Nativis or its designee any and all Regulatory Filings (including Marketing Approvals) that are owned by Teijin for the Licensed Products.

 

(c) License Grant by Teijin to Nativis. Teijin hereby grants Nativis, effective upon the effective date of such termination, a fully paid, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable, exclusive license, with the right to grant Sublicensees (through multiple tiers), under any and all Patents and Know-How Controlled by Teijin or its Affiliates and incorporated into the Licensed Product at the time of such termination for Nativis to develop, make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rental, and import Licensed Products in the Territory.

 

(d) Clinical Supply. Teijin has the right to cancel its order of the applicable Licensed Product under the Clinical Supply Agreement or Commercial Supply Agreement, as applicable, and Nativis may purchase back from Teijin any remaining supply of the Licensed Product at the same purchase price paid by Teijin.

 

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13.4 Effects of Termination for Cause by Nativis or Termination by Teijin Voluntarily. Upon the early termination of this Agreement by Teijin under Section 13.2(b) or termination by Nativis under Section 13.2(c) or 13.2(d), the following will apply:

 

(a) Winding Down of Development Activities. In the event there are any on- going clinical trials of the applicable Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory,

 

(i) The Parties will work together in good faith to adopt, and Nativis has the final decisional power with respect to, a plan to wind down the Development activities in an orderly fashion, with due regard for patient safety and the rights of any subjects that are participants in any clinical trials of the Licensed Products and take any actions it deems reasonably necessary or appropriate to avoid any human health or safety problems and in compliance with all Applicable Laws;

 

(ii) Each Party will perform its outstanding non-cancellable obligations under this Agreement that existed or accrued prior to the notice date of termination; and

 

(iii) All costs and expenses incurred from the effective date of the termination notice in winding down the Development activities with respect to the applicable Licensed Product will be borne solely by Teijin; provided, however, that in no case will Teijin be obligated to pursue or support such activities for a period exceeding twelve (12) months after the date of notice of such termination.

 

(b) Inventory. Teijin, its Affiliates, Distributors, and Sublicensees will continue, to the extent that Teijin, its Affiliates, Distributors, and Sublicensees continue to have stocks of usable Licensed Product, to fulfill orders received from customers for the Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory for up to six (6) months after the effective date of termination. Teijin will pay royalties to Nativis in accordance with Section 7.4 on the amount of Gross Sales of Licensed Product sold by Teijin, its Affiliates, Distributors, or Sublicensees after notice of termination and after the effective date of termination.

 

(c) Assignment of Regulatory Filings (including Marketing Approvals). At Nativis’ option, which will be exercised by written notice to Teijin, to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws, Teijin will assign or cause to be assigned to Nativis or its designee (or to the extent not assignable, Teijin will take all reasonable actions to make available to Nativis or its designee the benefits of) all Regulatory Filings (including INDs, NDAs, and Marketing Approvals) for the Licensed Product in the Territory, including all such Regulatory Filings made or owned by its Affiliates or Sublicensees. Nativis will notify Teijin before the effective date of termination whether the Regulatory Filings should be assigned to Nativis or its designee, and if the latter, identify the designee, and provide Teijin with all necessary details to enable Teijin to effect the assignment (or availability). If Nativis fails to provide such notification prior to the effective date of termination, Teijin has no obligation to assign the Regulatory Filings to Nativis.

 

(d) License Grant by Teijin to Nativis. Teijin hereby grants Nativis, effective upon the effective date of such termination, a fully paid, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable, exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicensees (through multiple tiers), under any and all Patents and Know-How Controlled by Teijin or its Affiliates and incorporated into the Licensed Product at the time of such termination for Nativis to make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rental and import Licensed Products in the Territory.

 

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(e) Supply. The Clinical Supply Agreement and, if applicable, Commercial Supply Agreement, will terminate upon the effective date of the termination of this Agreement.

 

(f) Transition. Teijin will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to cooperate with Nativis and/or its designee to effect a smooth and orderly transition in the Development, sale, lease, rental and marketing, promotion, and Commercialization of the Licensed Product in the Territory during the notice and the wind-down periods.

 

13.5 Effects of Termination for Cause by Teijin. Upon termination of this Agreement by Teijin under Section 13.2(c) or 13.2(d) the following will apply (in addition to any other rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to such termination):

 

(a) Winding Down of Development Activities. In the event there are any on- going clinical trials of the applicable Licensed Product(s) in the Field in the Territory,

 

(i) The Parties will work together in good faith to adopt, and Teijin will have the final decisional making authority with respect to, a plan to wind down the Development activities in an orderly fashion, with due regard for patient safety and the rights of any subjects that are participants in any clinical trials of the Licensed Products and take any actions it deems reasonably necessary or appropriate to avoid any human health or safety problems and in compliance with all Applicable Laws;

 

(ii) Each Party will perform its outstanding non-cancellable obligations under this Agreement that existed or accrued prior to the notice date of termination; and

 

(iii) All costs and expenses incurred from the effective date of the termination notice in winding down the Development activities with respect to the applicable Licensed Product will be borne solely by Nativis; provided, however, that in no case will Nativis be obligated to pursue or support such activities for a period exceeding twelve (12) months after the date of notice of such termination.

 

(b) License under Nativis Technology. All licenses granted by Nativis to Teijin pursuant to Section 2.1 will terminate; provided, however, that Teijin may elect to have all or any portion of the licenses granted to Teijin pursuant to Section 2.1 (and pursuant to the Clinical Supply Agreement or Commercial Supply Agreement, if applicable) continue, in which case Teijin’s obligations to Nativis under Article 7 of this Agreement and Nativis’ rights under Article 7 will continue; provided that in such event Teijin may offset the amount of Teijin’s Losses resulting from Nativis’ breach of this Agreement against any amounts owed to Nativis pursuant to Article 7 of this Agreement.

 

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13.6 Rights Upon Bankruptcy. All rights and licenses granted under or pursuant to this Agreement by Nativis (and pursuant to the Clinical Supply Agreement or Commercial Supply Agreement, if applicable) are, and will otherwise be deemed to be, for purposes of Section 365(n) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Laws”), licenses of right to “intellectual property” as defined under Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Laws. The Parties agree that Teijin, as licensee of such rights under this Agreement, will retain and may fully exercise all of its rights and elections under the Bankruptcy Laws. The Parties further agree that, in the event of the commencement of a bankruptcy proceeding by or against Nativis under the Bankruptcy Laws, Teijin will be entitled to a complete duplicate of (or complete access to, as appropriate) any such intellectual property and all embodiments of such intellectual property, which, if not already in Teijin’s possession, will be promptly delivered to it (a) upon any such commencement of a bankruptcy proceeding upon Teijin’s written request therefor, unless Nativis elects to continue to perform all of its obligations under this Agreement or (b) if not delivered under clause (a), following the rejection of this Agreement by Nativis upon written request therefor by Teijin.

 

13.7 Return of Confidential Information. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, except to the extent necessary or reasonably useful for a Party to exercise its rights under any license surviving such termination or expiration, each Party will promptly return to the other Party, or delete or destroy, all relevant records and materials in such Party’s possession or control containing Confidential Information of the other Party; provided that such Party may keep one copy of such materials for archival purposes only.

 

13.8 Survival. The following provisions will survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement: Articles 1 (Definitions), 10 (Confidentiality), 12 (Indemnification), 14 (Dispute Resolution), and 15 (General Provisions), and Sections 2.3 (License Grant to Nativis), 2.6 (No Implied License), 8.4 (Records), 8.5 (Audits), 9.1 (Ownership of Intellectual Property), 13.3-13.5 (Effects of Termination; in each case to the extent applicable), and 13.8 (Survival).

 

ARTICLE 14

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

14.1 Dispute Resolution Process. The Parties recognize that disputes as to certain matters may from time to time arise during the Term that relate to interpretation of a Party’s rights and/or obligations hereunder or any alleged breach of this Agreement. If the Parties cannot resolve any such dispute within thirty (30) days after written notice of a dispute from one Party to another, either Party may, by written notice to the other Party, have such dispute referred to the Chief Executive Officer of Nativis and the General Manager of Healthcare Business Group of Teijin (collectively, the “Senior Executives”). The Senior Executives will negotiate in good faith to resolve the dispute within thirty (30) days.

 

14.2 Arbitration. If the Senior Executives are not able to resolve such dispute referred to them under Section 14.1 within such thirty (30) day period, such dispute will be resolved through binding arbitration, which arbitration may be initiated by either Party at any time after the conclusion of such period, on the following basis:

 

(a) The arbitration will be conducted in accordance with the JAMS’ Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures then in effect (the “JAMS Rules”), and judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrator will have the right to conduct discovery in accordance with the provisions as would be permitted by the U.S. Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The arbitration will be governed by the procedural and substantive law set forth in this Section 14.2 and will be governed by the United States Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§1-16 to the exclusion of any inconsistent state laws.

 

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(b) The arbitrators shall have no additional authority or power to grant an award or hand down a decision or judgment other than enforcement of the rights that may accrue or have accrued to a Party pursuant to the express terms of this Agreement with respect to the matters that are the subject of the arbitration.

 

(c) The arbitration will be conducted by a panel of three persons experienced in the pharmaceutical business: within thirty (30) days after initiation of arbitration, each Party will select one person to act as arbitrator and the two Party-selected arbitrators will select a third arbitrator within thirty (30) days of their appointment. If the arbitrators selected by the Parties are unable or fail to agree upon the third arbitrator, the third arbitrator will be appointed by JAMS. The place of arbitration will be San Francisco, California, and all proceedings and communications will be in English.

 

(d) Either Party may apply to the arbitrators for interim injunctive relief until the arbitration award is rendered or the controversy is otherwise resolved. Either Party also may, without waiving any remedy under this Agreement, seek from any court having jurisdiction any injunctive or provisional relief necessary to protect the rights or property of that Party pending the arbitration award. The arbitrators have no authority to award punitive or any other type of damages not measured by a Party’s compensatory damages.

 

(e) Each Party will bear its own costs and expenses and attorneys’ fees and an equal share of the arbitrators’ fees and any administrative fees of arbitration.

 

(f) Except to the extent necessary to confirm an award or as may be required by Applicable Law, neither Party nor any arbitrator may disclose the existence, content, or results of an arbitration without the prior written consent of both Parties.

 

(g) In no event will an arbitration be initiated after the date when commencement of a legal or equitable proceeding based on the dispute, controversy, or claim would be barred by the applicable California statute of limitations.

 

(h) The Parties agree that, in the event of a dispute over the nature or quality of performance under this Agreement, neither Party may terminate this Agreement until final resolution of the dispute through arbitration or other judicial determination. The Parties further agree that any payments made pursuant to this Agreement pending resolution of the dispute will be refunded if an arbitrator or court determines that such payments are not due.

 

(i) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 14.2 will not apply to any dispute, controversy, or claim that concerns the validity, enforceability, or infringement of any patent, trademark, or copyright.

 

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14.3 Baseball Arbitration. If the senior executives are unable to resolve any matter relating to the Royalty Extension Term as provided for in Section 7.4(c), such matter shall be finally decided by “baseball-style” arbitration in accordance with the following procedures:

 

(a) Either Party may send the other Party a written notice that it wishes to resolve the matter by using a neutral Third Party who is an expert with at least fifteen (15) years of experience in area of the matter (the “Neutral Expert”). The date of the other Party’s receipt of such written notices shall be the “Notice Date.”

 

(b) Within fifteen (15) Business Days of the Notice Date, each Party shall notify the other Party in writing of its appointed expert (each, a “Representative Expert”). The Representative Expert for each Party shall jointly appoint the Neutral Expert within fifteen (15) Business Days.

 

(c) Within ten (10) Business Days after the appointment of the Neutral Expert, each Party shall submit to the other Party and the Neutral Expert a written summary regarding its position with respect to the matter (the “Proposal”), along with a memorandum in support thereof (the “Support Memorandum”). Within fifteen (15) Business Days after receipt of the other Party’s Support Memorandum, each Party may submit to the Neutral Expert (with a copy to the other Party) a rebuttal to the other Party’s Support Memorandum. Neither Party may have communications (either written or oral) with the Neutral Expert other than for the sole purpose of engaging the Neutral Expert or as expressly permitted in this Section 14.3 or as directed by the Neutral Expert. Within fifteen (15) Business Days following receipt of each Party’s rebuttal to the other Party’s Support Memorandum, the Neutral Expert shall hold a hearing of such manner and duration as the Neutral Expert may determine, including testimony and cross-examination as the Neutral Expert may direct. Within ten (10) Business Days following the conclusion of such hearing, the Neutral Expert shall select in whole the Proposal that he or she believes most accurately reflects industry norms for a similar arm’s-length transaction. The decision of the Neutral Expert shall be final, binding, and not appealable.

 

(d) The Party whose submission is not selected shall be solely responsible for the expenses and fees of the Neutral Expert.

 

ARTICLE 15

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

15.1 Governing Law. This Agreement and all questions regarding the existence, validity, interpretation, breach, or performance of this Agreement, will be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, United States, without reference to its conflicts of law principles.

 

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15.2 Force Majeure. A Party will be excused from the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, other than the obligation to make monetary payments, and neither Party will be held liable or responsible to the other Party nor be deemed to have defaulted under or breached this Agreement for failure or delay in fulfilling or performing any term of this Agreement, to the extent that such performance is prevented by force majeure and the nonperforming Party promptly provides notice thereof to the other Party. Such excuse will be continued so long as the condition constituting a force majeure event continues and the nonperforming Party uses reasonable efforts to remove the condition. For purposes of this Agreement, a force majeure event will include conditions beyond the reasonable control and without the fault of a Party, such as an act of God, voluntary or involuntary compliance with any regulation, law, or order of any government, war, an act of terrorism, civil commotion, labor strike or lock-out, epidemic, failure or default of public utilities or common carriers, destruction of production facilities or materials by fire, earthquake, storm, or like catastrophe, inability to procure necessary raw materials in a commercially reasonable manner or default of suppliers or sub-contractors; provided, however, the payment of invoices due and owing hereunder may not be delayed by the payor because of a force majeure affecting the payor.

 

15.3 Waiver of Breach. No delay or waiver by either Party of any condition or term hereunder in any one or more instances will be construed as a further or continuing waiver of such condition or term or of any other condition or term in this Agreement. Any waiver by a Party of a particular term or condition will be effective only if set forth in a written instrument duly executed by or on behalf of the Party waiving such term or condition.

 

15.4 Further Actions. Each Party agrees to execute, acknowledge, and deliver such further instruments, and to perform all such other acts, as may be necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

 

15.5 Affiliates; Continuing Responsibility. Each Party may discharge any obligation and exercise any right hereunder through any of its Affiliates (without an assignment of this Agreement); provided that with respect to Teijin, Section 2.4(a) will apply with respect to Teijin’s exercise of any of its licensed rights hereunder.

 

15.6 Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is adjudicated invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Parties will use their best efforts to replace the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision that most closely reflects the original intent of the Parties. All other provisions of this Agreement will not in any way be affected or impaired by such adjudication and will remain in full force and effect.

 

15.7 Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement, including the exhibits, contains the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and communications of the Parties, whether oral, written, or otherwise, concerning any and all matters contained herein. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by authorized representatives of each Party.

 

45
 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

15.8 Notices. Any notice or communication required or permitted under this Agreement will be in writing in the English language, delivered personally, sent by facsimile (and promptly confirmed by personal delivery, registered or certified mail or overnight courier), sent by internationally-recognized courier or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid to the following addresses of the Parties (or at any address such Party may designate by prior written notice to the other Party in accordance with this Section 15.8):

 

If to Nativis, notices must be addressed to:

 

Nativis, Inc.

425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200

Seattle, WA 98109 U.S.A

Attention: President and CEO Tel: +1 206-708-2288, ext. 122

Fax: +1 206-238-9669

 

With a copy to (which will not constitute notice):

 

Nativis, Inc.425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200

Seattle, WA 98109

U.S.A

Attention: SVP General Counsel

Tel: +1 206-708-2288, ext. 105

Fax: +1 206-238-9669

 

If to Teijin, notices must be addressed to:

 

Teijin Pharma Limited

2-1, Kasumigaseki 3-chome, Chiyoda-ku,

Tokyo 100-8585, Japan

Attention: General Manager of Home Healthcare Business Planning Department

Tel: +81 3-3506-4458

Fax: +81 3-3506-4440

 

With a copy to (which will not constitute notice):

 

Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP

275 Battery Street, Suite 2600

San Francisco, CA 94111-3492

Attn: Noriyuki Shimoda, Esq.

Tel: (415) 383-9894

Fax (415) 393-9887

 

Any such notice will be deemed to have been given (a) when delivered if personally delivered; (b) on the next Business Day after dispatch if sent by confirmed facsimile or by internationally-recognized overnight courier; and/or (c) on the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of mailing if sent by mail or other internationally-recognized courier. Notices hereunder will not be deemed sufficient if provided only between or among each Party’s representatives on the JSC.

 

46
 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

15.9 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any obligation of a Party hereunder may be assigned by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided, however, that either Party may assign this Agreement in its entirety without such consent to (i) any of its Affiliates, or (ii) any purchaser of all, or substantially all, of its assets to which this Agreement relates, or (iii) any successor corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation, share exchange, or other similar transaction provided that any such successor corporation will assume all obligations of its assignor under this Agreement and provided further that either Party may assign or sell its rights to receive any amounts due hereunder. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of Nativis and Teijin and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Any assignment of this Agreement that is not made in accordance with this Section 15.9 will be null and void and of no legal force or effect.

 

15.10 Relationship of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement or any action which may be taken pursuant to its terms is intended, or will be deemed, to establish a joint venture, agency, or partnership between Teijin and Nativis. Neither Party to this Agreement has any express or implied right or authority to assume or create any obligations on behalf of, or in the name of, the other Party, or to bind the other Party to any contract, agreement or undertaking with any Third Party, without the prior written consent of the other Party.

 

15.11 Interpretation. The headings of clauses contained in this Agreement preceding the text of the sections, subsections, and paragraphs hereof are inserted solely for convenience and ease of reference only and will not constitute any part of this Agreement, or have any effect on its interpretation or construction. All references in this Agreement to the singular will include the plural where applicable. Unless otherwise specified, references in this Agreement to any Article will include all Sections, subsections, and paragraphs in such Article, references to any Section will include all subsections and paragraphs in such Section, and references in this Agreement to any subsection will include all paragraphs in such subsection. The word “including” and similar words means including without limitation. The word “or” means “and/or” unless the context dictates otherwise because the subject of the conjunction are mutually exclusive. The words “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision. All references to days in this Agreement mean calendar days, unless otherwise specified. Ambiguities and uncertainties in this Agreement, if any, will not be interpreted against either Party, irrespective of which Party may be deemed to have caused the ambiguity or uncertainty to exist. This Agreement has been prepared in the English language and the English language will control its interpretation. In addition, all notices required or permitted to be given hereunder, and all written, electronic, oral, or other communications between the Parties regarding this Agreement will be in the English language.

 

15.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which will be deemed an original, and all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

15.13 Specific Performance. Each Party hereto acknowledges that the other Party hereto will have no adequate remedy at law if it fails to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement. In such event, each of the Parties hereto agrees that the other Party hereto will have the right, in addition to any other rights it may have (whether at law or in equity), to specific performance of this Agreement without the necessity of posting a bond or proving the inadequacy of monetary damages as a remedy and to obtain injunctive relief against any breach of this Agreement. In the event of a breach, the Parties further agree not to assert that a remedy of specific performance is unenforceable, invalid, contrary to applicable law or inequitable for any reason.

 

{Signature Page Follows}

 

47
 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Exclusive License Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

Nativis, Inc.  

Teijin Limited

         
By:     By:  
Name: Chris E. Rivera   Name: Hiroshi Uno
Title: President and CEO   Title: General Manager of Healthcare Business Group

 

{Signature Page to Exclusive License Agreement}

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 1.51

Nativis Patents

 

COUNTRY   SERIAL NO.   FILING DATE   PAT. NO.   ISSUE DATE   TITLE   STATUS
                         

Japan

  2003-580829   March 28, 2003   4425639   December 18, 2009   SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING A SAMPLE BY LOW-FREQUENCY SPECTRA   Granted
Japan   2006-534425   October 8, 2004   4425922   December 18, 2009   SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING A SAMPLE BY LOW-FREQUENCY SPECTRA   Granted
Japan   2007523775   July 27, 2005   5624708   October 3, 2014   SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING CHEMICAL OR BIOCHEMICAL SIGNALS   Granted
Japan   2007-523767   July 27, 2005   4726900   April 22, 2011   SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING, STORING, PROCESSING, TRANSMITTING AND PRESENTING VERY LOW AMPLITUDE SIGNALS   Granted
Japan   2015-521824   July 9, 2015; July 11, 2013 (parent PCT filing date)           MINIATURIZED MOLECULAR INTERROGATION AND DATA SYSTEM   Pending
Japan   2016-503310   September 14, 2015; March 15, 2014 (parent PTC filing date)           CONTROLLER AND FLEXIBLE COILS FOR ADMINISTERING THERAPY, SUCH AS FOR CANCER THERAPY   Pending

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 1.53

Nativis Trademarks

 

1)

   

2)

   

3)

 

 

 

 

EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

Exhibit 10.3

Form of Press Release

 

 

Nativis Enters Into Exclusive Licensing Agreement for Glioblastoma Multiforme in Japan

 

Seattle, Washington, April 4, 2017 – Nativis Inc. (Nativis), a clinical stage life science bio- electronic company developing non-invasive, safe and highly effective treatments for cancers and other serious diseases, today announced that the company has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for the development and commercialization of Nativis’ proprietary ultra-low Radio Frequency Energy (ulRFE™) technology for the potential treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) in the Japanese market, with Teijin Limited (Teijin), a comprehensive Japanese company expanding businesses in high-performance materials, pharmaceuticals, home healthcare, product converting and information technology.

 

Under the terms of the agreement, Teijin will receive an exclusive license to the Nativis Voyager® System for the indication of GBM in Japan. Nativis will receive an undisclosed upfront payment, payments based on the achievement of specific regulatory and commercial milestones, and royalties on the sales of the product in Japan. Teijin will sublicense its rights under the agreement to Teijin Pharma Limited (Teijin Pharma), Teijin’s wholly-owned subsidiary and the core company of Teijin Group’s healthcare business, under which Teijin Pharma will develop and commercialize the licensed technology in Japan.

 

Nativis and Teijin also anticipate expansion of the scope of the alliance and will continue discussions for potential licensing opportunities of the Nativis ulRFE™ technology for other indications in Japan.

 

“We are very pleased to enter into this exclusive licensing agreement with Teijin for GBM; the company has a strong track record of successfully commercializing pharmaceuticals and medical devices in Japan. We believe that this partnership further validates our technology, while their investment in Nativis reinforces our belief in the broader potential of the Voyager platform. With their support, we look forward to further developing and refining the Voyager System for GBM, as well as additional indications in the future,” commented Chris Rivera, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nativis. “This agreement also brings us one step closer to reaching our goal of becoming cash flow positive through strategic partnerships and licenses, and we are excited to work closely with Teijin to bring the Voyager System to market in Japan.”

 

 

 

 

About the Teijin Group

 

Teijin (TSE: 3401) is a technology-driven global group offering advanced solutions in the areas of environmental value; safety, security and disaster mitigation; and demographic change and increased health consciousness. Its main fields of operation are high-performance fibers such as aramid, carbon fibers & composites, healthcare, films, resin & plastic processing, polyester fibers, products converting and IT. The group has some 150 companies and around 19,000 employees spread out over 20 countries worldwide. It posted consolidated sales of JPY790.7 billion (USD 7.4 billion) and total assets of JPY 823.4 billion (USD 7.7 billion) in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.

 

About Nativis, Inc.

 

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Seattle, WA, Nativis is a clinical-stage bio-electronics company. Nativis has invented and patented a groundbreaking technology that utilizes precisely targeted, ultra-low radio frequency energy (ulRFE) to specifically regulate metabolic pathways on the molecular and genetic levels – without chemicals, radiation or drugs – delivered via a simple- to-use non-invasive device called Nativis Voyager®. The company’s goal is to transform disease treatment on a global scale with ulRFE that can potentially be applied to a wide range of conditions and other human health-related needs (together with other applications including agriculture, bio- fuels and veterinary medicine, to name a few). Nativis’ initial focus is on the treatment of patients with brain cancer (initially, recurrent glioblastoma), who are not well served by conventional standard of care therapies, which often result in poor outcomes and devastating side effects. Additional pre-clinical work is being completed for melanoma, lung cancer, liver cancer, inflammatory disease and chronic pain.

 

Nativis Contact:

Corporate Communications

Nativis, Inc.

corporate@nativis.com

 

 

 

 

Schedule 11.4

 

Non-exclusive license agreement dated March 16, 2004 between Nativis (formerly known as WavBank, Inc.) and DigiBio S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.3

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

This Exclusive License Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of April 21, 2021, between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington, U.S. (“EMulate”), and having a principal place of business at 425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98109, U.S., and Hapbee Technologies, Inc., a company existing under the laws of the province of British Columbia, Canada, and having a principal place of business at 700 West Georgia Street, 25th Floor, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B3, Canada (“Hapbee”). EMulate and Hapbee are sometimes each referred to herein as a “Party” and sometimes referred to herein together as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS

 

Whereas, EMulate has developed an innovative technology that uses ultra-low radio frequency energy (ulRFE®) to produce some or all of the biological activity of a broad range of molecules, and owns or controls certain patents, know-how, and other intellectual property relating to its proprietary ulRFE technology; and

 

Whereas, Hapbee desires to obtain from EMulate certain exclusive rights and licenses to develop, use, import, and commercialize a product using the EMulate Technology (as defined herein), which product will be designed to emulate the biological activity associated with one or more of those molecules identified to the Cognate (as defined herein), and EMulate is willing to grant to Hapbee such rights and licenses, all on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, EMulate and Hapbee hereby agree as follows:

 

Article 1
DEFINITIONS

 

As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set out in this Article 1 unless the context clearly and unambiguously requires otherwise.

 

1.1 Applicable Laws” means the applicable provisions of any and all national, supranational, regional, state, and local laws, treaties, statutes, rules, regulations, administrative codes, guidance, ordinances, judgments, decrees, directives, injunctions, orders, permits of or from any court, arbitrator, or governmental agency or authority having jurisdiction over or related to the subject item.

 

1.2 Auditor” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.5.

 

1.3 Authorized Product” means any product (a) that is composed of components authorized for use by EMulate, (b) that transmits the magnetic field encoded by the Cognate in a manner approved by EMulate, and (c) the use, sale, lease, rental, importation or manufacture of which would, but for the license granted to Hapbee hereunder, either infringe a Valid Claim of the EMulate Patents or use EMulate Know-How in the Territory.

 

 
 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

1.4 Bankruptcy Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2(d).

 

1.5 Business Day” means a day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in Vancouver, Canada, or Seattle, Washington, are required by law to remain closed.

 

1.6 Calendar Quarter” means a period of three consecutive months during a Calendar Year beginning on and including January 1st, April 1st, July 1st or October 1st; provided, however that (a) the first Calendar Quarter of the Term will extend from the Effective Date to the last day of the Calendar Quarter in which the Effective Date falls; and (b) the last Calendar Quarter of the Term will end upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

1.7 Calendar Year” means a period of twelve consecutive months beginning on and including January 1st and ending on December 31st; provided however, that (a) the first Calendar Year of the Term will extend from the Effective Date to the last day of the Calendar Year in which the Effective Date falls; and (b) the last Calendar Year of the Term will end upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

1.8 Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 

1.9 Cognate” means digitized data that emulates the electromagnetic or magnetic field signal or ultra-low radio frequency energy (“ulRFE”) of one or more chemicals, biochemical or biological agents or molecules as designated pursuant to Section 2.8.

 

1.10 Cognate Inventions” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(b).

 

1.11 Commercial Supply Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

 

1.12 Commercialization” means any and all activities undertaken relating specifically to the pre-launch, launch, promotion, marketing, use, sale, lease, rental, and distribution (including importing, exporting, transporting, customs clearance, warehousing, invoicing, handling, and delivering the Authorized Product to customers) of the Authorized Product in the Territory, including: (a) strategic marketing, sale, lease, rentals force detailing, advertising, education and liaison, and market and product support within the Field and (b) all customer support, invoicing, and sale, lease, rental and subscription activities within the Field. “Commercialize” means to engage in Commercialization activities.

 

2
 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

1.13 Confidential Information” means all information of a confidential or proprietary nature disclosed by a Party to the other Party under this Agreement, including, without limitation, any such information related to any scientific, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, financial, or personnel matters relating to a Party, or related to a Party’s present or future products, sale, lease, rentals, suppliers, customers, employees, investors, business plans, Know-How, data, research projects, work in progress, future developments or business, in all such cases whether disclosed in oral, written, graphic, or electronic form, and whether or not specifically marked as confidential or proprietary, where under the circumstances in which such disclosure was made or given the nature of information disclosed, a reasonable person would consider such information confidential; provided, however, that in any event, “Confidential Information” excludes any information that (a) is known by the recipient at the time of disclosure, and not through a prior disclosure by or on behalf of the disclosing Party, as documented by written records; (b) is or becomes properly in the public domain through no fault of the receiving Party; (c) is subsequently rightfully disclosed to the receiving Party by a Third Party who is not directly or indirectly under an obligation of confidentiality to the disclosing Party, as documented by written records in existence prior to the disclosure of such information to the receiving Party; or (d) is developed by the receiving Party independently of, and without reference to or use of, the information received from the disclosing Party. Without limiting the foregoing, Confidential Information will include the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

1.14 Control” means with respect to any Know-How, Patent, or other intellectual property right, possession of the right, whether directly or indirectly, and whether by ownership, license, or otherwise, to grant a license, sublicense, or other right to or under such Know-How, Patent, or other intellectual property right as provided for herein without violating the terms of any agreement or other arrangements with any Third Party at the time when such license, sublicense, or other right is granted hereunder. “Controlled” has a correlative meaning.

 

1.15 Disclosing Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

 

1.16 Distributor” means any Third Party to whom Hapbee or a Sublicensee of Hapbee has granted the right to market, promote, advertise, retail, sell, lease, rent, and distribute the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory.

 

1.17 EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

 

1.18 EMulate Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 

1.19 EMulate Know-How” means all Know-How that is necessary or reasonably useful for the use or Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, which Know-How is Controlled by EMulate with respect to the Authorized Product as of the Effective Date or during the Term. For the avoidance of doubt, EMulate Know-How will not include any Joint Know-How.

 

1.20 EMulate Material Breach” may include, but will not be limited to, one or more of the following events (together with any breach of this Agreement determined to be material by a judicial tribunal of competent jurisdiction):

 

(a) Failure by EMulate to perform its obligations under Section 2.8;

 

(b) Failure by EMulate to supply the Cognate for the Authorized Product exclusively to Hapbee or its Sublicensees and Distributors for use in the Field in the Territory, as required by Section 6.1; and

 

(c) Failure by EMulate to perform its indemnification and other obligations pursuant to Article 12.

 

3
 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

1.21 EMulate Patents” means all Patents that are necessary or reasonably useful for the use or Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, which Patents are Controlled by EMulate as of the Effective Date or during the Term. For the avoidance of doubt, EMulate Patents will not include any Joint Patents.

 

1.22 EMulate Technology” means the EMulate Know-How, EMulate Patents and EMulate’s interests in the Joint Patents and Joint Know-How.

 

1.23 EMulate Trademarks” means EMulate’s Trademarks related to the Authorized Product, including ulRFE®.

 

1.24 Field” means the recreational and/or non-medical use (i.e., use that is not regulated by any governmental body under Applicable Laws) in humans of the Authorized Product.

 

1.25 First Commercial Sale” means, with respect to the Territory, the first commercial lease, rental, subscription or sale, under this Agreement by Hapbee, its Sublicensees or Distributors of any Authorized Product to an end user for use or resale, lease, rental in the Field in the Territory.

 

1.26 Hapbee Housemark” means any trademark or trade name, and registrations and applications therefor, Controlled by Hapbee in the Territory and covering Hapbee’s corporate name or company logo or product brand name.

 

1.27 Hapbee Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.

 

1.28 Hapbee Know-How” means all Know-How that is Controlled by Hapbee as of the Effective Date or during the Term, and that is generated by or on behalf of Hapbee or any of its Sublicensees or Distributors in connection with the use or Commercialization of the Authorized Product hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, Hapbee Know-How will not include any Joint Know-How.

 

1.29 Hapbee Manufacturing Cost” means the fully burdened manufacturing cost of Authorized Product expressed on a per unit basis, as supported by Hapbee’s reasonably detailed invoices therefor, which will be the sum of: (i) the Direct Manufacturing Costs and (ii) the Indirect Manufacturing Costs. For the purposes of this definition:

 

(a) Direct Manufacturing Costs” means the direct costs incurred in connection with the manufacture of the Authorized Product, including (i) those material expenses captured in invoices and the like that are specifically attributable to the manufacture of the Authorized Product, including costs of raw materials, manufacturing supplies, packaging, labels, and other materials used in production, (ii) labor expenses captured in time sheets and the like, including salaries and fringe benefits (but not overhead) for personnel directly involved in manufacturing the Authorized Product or any component thereof or purchasing or managing the materials used in the manufacture thereof or maintaining equipment necessary to support the manufacture thereof, (iii) expenses arising out of quality assurance requirements (e.g., good manufacturing practices) such as production, quality control, quality assurance, and other similar departments that are reasonably necessary and participate directly in the production of the Authorized Product or any component thereof, and (iv) equipment and facility depreciation and other allocations of fixed assets in use to support the manufacture of the Authorized Product or any component thereof, but in any event excluding any administrative overhead (e.g., costs associated with human resources, business development, and executive management). Direct expenses also include reasonable out-of-pocket payments to Third Parties (without mark-up) for services related to the manufacture of the Authorized Product or any component thereof.

 

4
 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

(b) Indirect Manufacturing Costs” means the reasonable and allocated internal costs and out-of-pocket costs, incurred or accrued by Hapbee in connection with the manufacture of the Authorized Product or any component thereof, including costs arising from or associated with (i) freight, carrier insurance, and other transportation charges directly related to the delivery or distribution of the Authorized Product, (ii) storage and warehousing, (iii) taxes, duties, or other governmental charges (including any tax such as a value added or similar tax, other than any taxes based on income), but excluding indirect and overhead costs (e.g., costs associated with human resources, business development, and executive management).

 

1.30 Hapbee Material Breach” may include, but will not be limited to, one or more of the following events (together with any breach of this Agreement determined to be material by a judicial tribunal of competent jurisdiction):

 

(a) Hapbee’s failure to manufacture and supply to EMulate or Third Parties products, other than the Authorized Product, designated by EMulate for use outside the Field pursuant to Section 2.3;

 

(b) Hapbee’s sublicensing or attempting to sublicense the rights granted to it under Section 2.1 contrary to the provisions of Section 2.4(a);

 

(c) Failure by Hapbee to provide all marketing and promotional literature to EMulate for review and authorization pursuant to Section 5.4;

 

(d) Failure by Hapbee to timely calculate, report and make royalty payments and late payment interest to EMulate as required by Article 7 and Article 8;

 

(e) Failure by Hapbee to perform its obligations related to the Commercialization of Authorized Product under Section 11.2; and

 

(f) Failure by Hapbee to perform its indemnification and other obligations pursuant to Article 12.

 

1.31 Hapbee Patents” means all Patents that claim Inventions that relate to the Authorized Product and that are conceived, made, or generated by or on behalf of Hapbee during the Term pursuant to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Hapbee Patents will not include any Joint Patents.

 

5
 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

1.32 Hapbee Technology” means all Hapbee Know-How, Hapbee Patents, and Hapbee’s interests in the Joint Patents and Joint Know-How. For the avoidance of doubt, (a) all and any of Hapbee’s know-how and Hapbee’s patents which are unrelated to Authorized Products and (b) all and any know-how or patents of Hapbee that are developed, identified or conceived without the use of EMulate Confidential Information or outside of the use of the Authorized Product (i.e., independently developed) are excluded from Hapbee Technology.

 

1.33 Inventions” means any and all inventions, discoveries, and developments, whether or not patentable, discovered, made, conceived, or reduced to practice in the course of activities contemplated by this Agreement.

 

1.34 Joint Inventions” means any and all Inventions discovered, conceived or reduced to practice jointly by or on behalf Hapbee, on the one hand, and by or on behalf of EMulate, on the other hand.

 

1.35 Joint Know-How” means all Know-How included in Joint Inventions, other than any Joint Patent.

 

1.36 Joint Patents” means all Patents claiming any Joint Invention.

 

1.37 JSC” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

 

1.38 Know-How” means all tangible and intangible scientific, technical, trade, marketing, commercial, financial, or business knowledge and information, formulations, devices, techniques, processes, methods, trade secrets, formulae, procedures, tests, data, results, analyses, documentation, reports, know-how, skill, and experience related to the marketing, sale and Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field.

 

1.39 Knowledge” of a Party means the actual or constructive knowledge of the Senior Executives of such Party, including the chief executive officer, and any vice president, the general counsel, or the chief medical officer of a Party, or any personnel holding positions equivalent to such job titles (but only to the extent such positions exist at such Party).

 

1.40 Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 

1.41 Net Income” means the gross amounts invoiced by or on behalf of Hapbee or otherwise chargeable to Hapbee’s customers, Sublicensees and Distributors for use (e.g., subscriptions for), sales, leases and/or rentals of Authorized Product or the Cognate to Third Parties, reduced only by, with respect to the relevant Authorized Product, the actual cost of manufacturing, shipping, handling and merchant credit card processing for such Authorized Product, it being understood that gross amounts invoiced for subscriptions for the use of the Authorized Product or the Cognate will be net of app store processing fees. For clarity, Net Income will not be reduced by marketing and promotional expenditures, charges by online platforms or distribution platforms or channels on which the Authorized Product or the Cognate is sold, or any incentives, rebates, spiffs or commissions provided by Hapbee to online platforms or Distributors to promote any Authorized Product or the Cognate, or the use, sale, lease, and/or rental thereof. For purposes of calculating Net Income, any amount originally invoiced for any Authorized Product that is returned during any specific period during the Term may be deducted by Hapbee from the gross amounts invoiced by Hapbee for Authorized Product during the same period. All charges solely for clothing, jewelry, necklaces, pillows, hats and other apparel that are not Authorized Products will not be included in “Net Income.”

 

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By way of example and for purposes of clarification only, (i) if Hapbee sells an Authorized Product to a Distributor for resale to Third Parties for $200 and the Distributor resells the Authorized Product to a Customer for $300, Hapbee’s “Net Income” on such Authorized Product will be $200 minus (if applicable to such resale to the Distributor) costs of manufacturing, shipping, handling and merchant credit card processing for the Authorized Product; and (ii) if Hapbee itself sells an Authorized Product on an online platform to a Third Party for $300 and that platform charges Hapbee $60 for the use of its platform, Hapbee’s “Net Income” will be $300 minus costs of manufacturing, shipping, handling and merchant credit card processing for the Authorized Product.

 

By way of further example and for purposes of clarification only, if Hapbee decides that its wholesale or retail prices being charged for any particular Authorized Product are either too high or too low to achieve optimal revenue, Hapbee may elect to adjust the wholesale or retail price it is charging for an Authorized Product and the Net Income attributable to such Authorized Product will be adjusted proportionately. Such adjustments may be made in circumstances such as the following: Group sales discounts such as “Buy Four, Get One 50% Off” offers; special holiday pricing involving reduced prices for a limited time; friends and family discounts; investor discounts; and offers of free subscriptions for a limited time. Examples of price adjustments that would not affect the Net Income attributable to an Authorized Product would be rebates offered to customers who, after paying the full advertised purchase price, would receive cash back following the submission of a rebate card to Hapbee.

 

1.42 Patent(s)” means (a) all patents, certificates of invention, applications for certificates of invention, priority patent filings, and patent applications, and (b) any renewal, division, continuation (in whole or in part), or request for continued examination of any of such patents, certificates of invention and patent applications, and any and all patents or certificates of invention issuing thereon, and any and all reissues, reexaminations, extensions, divisions, renewals, substitutions, confirmations, registrations, revalidations, revisions, and additions of or to any of the foregoing.

 

1.43 Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, governmental entity, or other legal entity of any nature whatsoever.

 

1.44 Receiving Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

 

1.45 Senior Executives” has the meaning set forth in Article 14.

 

1.46 Sublicensee” means a Third Party , other than a Distributor, to whom Hapbee has granted a sublicense under the EMulate Technology as permitted under Section 2.4.

 

1.47 Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.

 

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1.48 Territory” means worldwide; provided, that “worldwide” excludes any national/federal, provincial/regional/state, or local jurisdiction that, with respect to the Cognate in question, does not or ceases to permit the use of such Cognate as contemplated in this Agreement or otherwise, directly or indirectly, limits the full and free exercise of all of the rights with respect to such Cognate granted to ETI under this Agreement.

 

1.49 Third Party” means any Person other than EMulate and Hapbee. “Third-Party” is used in this Agreement as the adjectival form of Third Party.

 

1.50 Trademarks” means trademarks, trade names, trade dresses, domain names, logos, and brandings of a Party.

 

1.51 Transfer Price” means the Hapbee Manufacturing Cost of a unit of Licensed Product plus fifteen percent (15%).

 

1.52 Upfront Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 

1.53 U.S.” means the United States of America, including its territories and possessions and the District of Columbia.

 

1.54 Valid Claim” means (a) a claim of an issued and unexpired patent that has not been revoked or held unenforceable, unpatentable, or invalid by a decision of a court or other governmental agency of competent jurisdiction that is not appealable or has not been appealed within the time allowed for appeal, and that has not been abandoned, disclaimed, denied, or admitted to be invalid or unenforceable through reissue, re-examination, or disclaimer or otherwise, or (b) a claim of a pending patent application that has not been cancelled, withdrawn, or abandoned or finally rejected by an administrative agency action from which no appeal can be taken and that has not been pending for more than ten (10) years.

 

1.55 Withholding Tax Action” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(c).

 

Article 2
GRANT OF LICENSE

 

2.1 License Grants and Hapbee Product Purchases.

 

(a) Licensed Technology. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, EMulate hereby grants to Hapbee an exclusive, royalty-bearing license under the EMulate Technology to use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rent, import, and otherwise Commercialize the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory during the Term. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, EMulate hereby grants to Hapbee an exclusive, royalty-bearing license under the EMulate Technology to ship, label and package Authorized Product for use in the Field in the Territory.

 

(b) Trademarks. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, EMulate hereby grants to Hapbee a non-exclusive, royalty-free license under the EMulate Trademarks solely to Commercialize, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rental, and import Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory during the Term. For clarity, if a EMulate Trademark is not used exclusively with the Authorized Product in the Territory at the time of First Commercial Sale of the Authorized Product, then EMulate has the right to use such EMulate Trademark with any other product in the Territory.

 

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2.2 License Grants to EMulate. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Hapbee hereby grants to EMulate a royalty-free, fully-paid, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (in accordance with Section 2.3) through multiple tiers, in, to and under the Hapbee Technology to research, develop, make, have made, commercialize, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rent, and import any product other than Authorized Product.

 

2.3 Purchase of Product from Hapbee. During the Term, Hapbee will manufacture and supply EMulate such product, other than the Authorized Product, to EMulate or Third Parties designated by EMulate for use outside the Field anywhere in the world, in such quantities as EMulate will order and Hapbee will accept pursuant to and in accordance with a separate commercial supply agreement to be entered into between Hapbee and EMulate (the “EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement”) at the Transfer Price for such product, which Transfer Price will be specified in the EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement. The Parties will negotiate in good faith to enter into the EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement on commercially reasonable terms (other than the Transfer Price).

 

2.4 Sublicensees; Distributors. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Hapbee will have the right to sublicense the rights granted to it under Section 2.1 to:

 

(a) Third Parties with EMulate’s prior consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed; provided, that (i) such sublicensee agrees with EMulate in writing to comply with the term and conditions of this Agreement that are applicable to such Sublicensee’s activities under such sublicense; and (ii) Hapbee remains fully liable for the performance of such sublicensee in accordance with this Agreement.

 

(b) Distributors without EMulate’s consent, provided that Hapbee will remain responsible for the performance of its Distributors hereunder, including without limitation the compliance with Applicable Laws by such Distributors in connection with the distribution of the Authorized Product hereunder. In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 13.2(b) for breach by Hapbee, EMulate will reasonably consider and discuss with each such Distributor potential continuation of the Distributor agreement directly with EMulate if such Distributor is not then in breach of its Hapbee Distributor agreement, a complete copy of which Hapbee will provide to EMulate upon request.

 

2.5 No Implied License. Neither Party grants to the other Party any rights or licenses in or to any intellectual property, whether by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, other than the licenses and rights that are expressly granted under this Agreement.

 

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2.6 Retained Rights. EMulate hereby expressly retains:

 

(a) the right under the EMulate Technology to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under this Agreement, whether directly or through one or more licensees (other than Hapbee) or subcontractors; and

 

(b) all rights to practice and to grant licenses under the EMulate Technology outside of the scope of the license granted in Section 2.1(a), including without limitation the exclusive right to make and have made cognates other than the Cognate anywhere in the world, and the exclusive right to practice the EMulate Technology with respect to products other than the Authorized Product.

 

2.7 Exclusivity Obligations. During the Term, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, Hapbee agrees that it will not acquire, develop, manufacture, sell, lease, rent, import, distribute, or otherwise Commercialize in the Territory any product for use in the Field other than the Authorized Product, either by itself or through any Third Party. In furtherance of the license and exclusivity grant to Hapbee herein, EMulate covenants that during the Term it will not grant rights to any Third Party to use the Cognate in the Field in the Territory or acquire, develop, manufacture, sell, lease, rent, import, distribute, or otherwise Commercialize the Authorized Product in the Territory in the Field.

 

2.8 Designation of Cognate. EMulate has, pursuant to one or more agreements between the Parties (each, an “Evaluation Agreement”), provided Hapbee the opportunity to evaluate (or to have evaluated) for safety one (1) cognate that emulates the electromagnetic or magnetic field signal or ulRFE of adenosine. Based on the results of the evaluations performed, Hapbee hereby designates to EMulate such one (1) cognate, which will, subject to the other provisions of this Section 2.8, hereafter be deemed to be the “Cognate” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Article 3
GOVERNANCE

 

3.1 Joint Steering Committee.

 

(a) Establishment. Within thirty (30) days following the Effective Date, EMulate and Hapbee will establish a committee (the “JSC”) to oversee, review, and coordinate the supply and Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory.

 

(b) Duties. The JSC will:

 

(i) provide a forum for the Parties to discuss material marketing, sales, lease, rental, subscription and manufacturing matters pertaining to the Authorized Product in the Territory;

 

(ii) provide a forum for the Parties to exchange information and coordinate their respective activities with respect to marketing, sales, lease, rental, subscription and manufacturing matters pertaining to the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory and outside the Field or Territory;

 

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(iii) review Hapbee’s Commercialization plans and discuss Hapbee’s proposed activities with respect to realizing Commercialization plans for the Authorized Product; and

 

(iv) perform such other duties as are specifically assigned by the Parties to the JSC pursuant to this Agreement.

 

3.2 Membership. Promptly after the Effective Date, each Party will designate up to three (3) representatives with appropriate expertise to serve as members of the JSC. The Parties may elect to vary the participating member and number of representatives that serve on the JSC, provided that in all cases the JSC maintains an equal number of representatives from each Party. Each Party may replace its representatives on the JSC at any time upon written notice to the other Party.

 

3.3 Chairperson; Minutes. One member of the JSC will serve as the chairperson, who will be responsible for organizing meetings, preparing and circulating an agenda in advance of each meeting, and preparing minutes of each meeting. Each JSC representative will review and approve such minutes in writing; provided that if a representative does not object to the accuracy of such minutes within fifteen (15) days after the circulation of such minutes, such minutes will be deemed approved by such representative. Hapbee will appoint the chairperson for an initial one (1) year term and thereafter the Parties will alternate in appointing the chairperson for twelve (12) month terms.

 

3.4 Meetings. The JSC will hold meetings on a Calendar Quarter basis or on such other schedule to which the Parties may mutually agree. Meetings of the JSC will be effective only if at least one (1) representative of each Party is present or participating. The JSC may meet either (i) in person at either Party’s facilities or at such locations as the Parties may otherwise agree; or (ii) by audio or video teleconference. With the prior consent of the other Party’s representatives (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), each Party may invite non-members to participate in the discussions and meetings of the JSC, provided that such participants will have no vote and will be subject to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Article 10. Additional JSC meetings may be held with each Party’s consent, or as required under this Agreement, and neither Party will unreasonably withhold or delay its consent to hold such an additional meeting.

 

3.5 Decision-Making.

 

(a) The JSC will make good faith efforts to make all decisions on matters that are within the scope of its decision-making authority by consensus. Subject to the terms of this Section 3.5, actions to be taken by the JSC will be taken only following a unanimous vote with each Party’s representatives collectively having one (1) vote. If the JSC fails to reach unanimous consent on a particular matter that is within the scope of its decision-making authority within thirty (30) days of a Party having requested a formal vote on such matter (or, if such matter is urgent, within ten (10) days of such request), then either Party may submit such matter for resolution to the Senior Executives pursuant to Article 14.

 

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(b) The scope of the JSC’s decision making authority is limited to coordination of operational and planning matters that relate to the performance by the Parties of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement, the performance or alleged nonperformance of a Party’s obligations under this Agreement, or any alleged breach of this Agreement (including but not limited to the alleged occurrence of a Hapbee Material Breach of an EMulate Material Breach)will be resolved in accordance with the terms of Article 14 and are outside the scope of the JSC’s decision-making authority.

 

3.6 Expenses. Each Party will be responsible for all of its own travel and other costs and expenses for its respective members, designees, and non-member invitees to attend meetings of, and otherwise participate on, the JSC and any subcommittees or working groups.

 

3.7 Subcommittees. From time to time, the JSC may establish subcommittees to oversee particular projects or activities within the JSC’s scope of authority, as it deems necessary or advisable. Each subcommittee will consist of such number of representatives of each Party as the JSC determines is appropriate from time to time, and will meet with such frequency as the JSC determines.

 

3.8 Discontinuation of Participation. The JSC will continue to exist until the first to occur of: (a) the Parties mutually agreeing to disband the committee; or (b) EMulate providing to Hapbee written notice of its intention to disband and no longer participate in such committee. Upon EMulate’s delivery to Hapbee of such written notice, the JSC will have no further obligations under this Agreement and any matters that would previously have been addressed by the JSC will be handled by the Parties in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

3.9 Alliance Managers. Promptly after the Effective Date, each Party will appoint an individual who will be an employee of such Party having appropriate qualification and experience to act as the alliance manager for such Party (the “Alliance Manager”). Each Alliance Manager will be responsible for coordinating and managing processes and interfacing between the Parties on a day-to-day basis throughout the Term. The Alliance Manager will ensure communication to the JSC of all relevant matters raised at any joint subcommittees or working groups. Each Alliance Manager will be permitted to attend meetings of the JSC as non-voting participants. The Alliance Managers will be the primary contact for the Parties regarding the activities contemplated by this Agreement and will facilitate all such activities hereunder. Each Party may replace its Alliance Manager with an alternative representative at any time with prior written notice to the other Party. Any Alliance Manager may designate a substitute to temporarily perform the functions of that Alliance Manager. Each Alliance Manager will be charged with creating and maintaining a collaborative work environment within the JSC and its subcommittees. Each Party will be responsible for all of its own costs with respect to its Alliance Manager.

 

Article 4
COMMERCIALIZATION ACTIVITIES

 

4.1 Diligence. Hapbee will be responsible for the conduct and cost of all activities and efforts in the Territory necessary to support the Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory. Hapbee will submit to the JSC for review and discussion a plan setting forth Hapbee’s planned Commercialization activities with respect to the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory. Hapbee will consult with and provide regular updates to EMulate through the JSC regarding Hapbee’s Commercialization activities and efforts.

 

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4.2 Records. Hapbee will maintain detailed and accurate records regarding its Commercialization activities and efforts with respect to the Authorized Product in the Field pursuant to this Agreement. Upon request by EMulate from time to time, Hapbee will promptly provide the JSC with summaries of such Commercialization activities and efforts to date. Upon reasonable prior written notice, EMulate will have the right (subject to Article 10) to inspect the books and records of Hapbee and its Sublicensees and Distributors reflecting the work done and results achieved by or on behalf of Hapbee or its Sublicensees or Distributors in the performance of its Commercialization activities and efforts for the sole purpose of determining compliance by Hapbee with this Agreement.

 

Article 5
COMMERCIALIZATION

 

5.1 Overview and Diligence; Failure to Commercialize. Subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all Applicable Laws, Hapbee, at its expense, will be solely responsible for Commercializing the Authorized Product for the Field in the Territory. Hapbee will use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve the First Commercial Sale in the Territory within six (6) months after the Effective Date; provided, however, that (a) such 6-month period may be extended by written agreement of the Parties; (b) such 6-month period will be extended if, in EMulate’s sole reasonable determination, Hapbee is making substantial progress towards entering into agreements with one or more third parties for the purpose of Commercializing the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, and (c) if Hapbee does not achieve the First Commercial Sale in the Territory within such 6-month period (if such period has not been extended), then EMulate will have the right to terminate the licenses granted by EMulate pursuant to Section 2.1 and all rights granted to Hapbee under such licenses and under this Agreement with respect thereto will upon such termination immediately revert to EMulate. EMulate will exercise such right of termination by providing written notice thereof to Hapbee.

 

5.2 Commercialization Plan. Upon EMulate’s reasonable request, Hapbee will submit to EMulate for review and discussion at the next scheduled JSC meeting a commercialization plan setting forth the goals, strategies, and plans for Hapbee’s prelaunch activities, launch, and subsequent Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory and the level of anticipated sales force and promotion efforts dedicated to the Authorized Product, together with the budget in connection therewith (the “Commercialization Plan”). Hapbee will conduct all Commercialization activities in accordance with such Commercialization Plan; provided, that, Hapbee may, upon providing notice thereof to EMulate, modify the Commercialization Plan from time to time to the extent that such modification (a) would improve Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, (b) would not constitute a breach by Hapbee of any of its obligations under this Agreement, or (c) would not limit any of the rights of EMulate under this Agreement or any benefits that EMulate would have otherwise received under this Agreement but for such modification. Hapbee will consult with and provide regular updates to EMulate regarding its Commercialization strategies.

 

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5.3 Reports. Hapbee will present written reports to the JSC annually summarizing Hapbee’s significant Commercialization activities with respect to the Authorized Product in the Territory pursuant to this Agreement and including a forecast for the following year’s sales, leases, rentals and subscriptions of or for the Authorized Product in the Territory. Such reports will cover subject matter at a level of detail reasonably sufficient to enable EMulate to determine Hapbee’s compliance with its diligence obligations pursuant to this Article 5.

 

5.4 Marketing and Promotional Literature. Hapbee will prepare all marketing and promotional literature related to Authorized Product for use in the Territory in accordance with Applicable Laws. All such marketing and promotional literature will be subject to the review and authorization of EMulate. EMulate will provide feedback regarding such literature within five (5) business days following receipt thereof, and failure to provide feedback within such period will be deemed to be authorization thereof. At the request of EMulate, EMulate will be presented and described as the Party who developed and manufactured the Authorized Product in a manner satisfactory to both EMulate and Hapbee on, by way of example, all labels, packaging, packaging inserts, and promotional literature related to the Authorized Product, in each case to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, for example by use of phrases like “powered by EMulate Therapeutics.” Without limiting any other provision of this Agreement, Hapbee will have the sole right to brand the Authorized Product for Commercialization in any manner consistent with Applicable Laws that Hapbee deems appropriate, including using Hapbee Housemarks and similar trademarks or trade names of any Hapbee Sublicensee.

 

5.5 Labeling and Patent Rights Marking. Subject to, and in accordance with, Applicable Laws, Hapbee will identify EMulate as the licensor or producer of the Cognate used in the Authorized Product using the EMulate Trademarks designated by EMulate for such use in certain mutually agreed promotional materials for Authorized Product in the Territory where such identification is appropriate, in a manner approved in advance in writing by both Parties, and in accordance with (and subject to) the Trademark License set forth in Section 2.1(b). To the extent permitted by Applicable Law and customary in the industry for such products, Hapbee will mark all Authorized Product sold, leased or rented in the Territory by Hapbee, its Sublicensees or Distributors with appropriate EMulate Trademarks and patent numbers and the appropriate Hapbee Housemarks and patent numbers. Hapbee may, in its sole discretion, include any Hapbee Housemark on the Authorized Product, and on the labels, packaging, promotional materials, and other materials therefor, subject to Applicable Law.

 

Article 6

SUPPLY

 

6.1 Supply and Purchase of the Cognate for the Authorized Product. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, during the Term, EMulate will produce and supply the Cognate for the Authorized Product exclusively to Hapbee or its Sublicensees and Distributors for use in the Field in the Territory, and Hapbee or its Sublicensees and Distributors will purchase exclusively from EMulate, all of Hapbee’s and its Sublicensees’ and Distributors’ requirements of the Cognate used in the Authorized Product for Commercialization use in the Field in the Territory in such quantities as Hapbee will order and EMulate will accept pursuant to and in accordance with a separate commercial supply agreement to be entered into between Hapbee and EMulate (the “Commercial Supply Agreement”). The Parties will negotiate in good faith to enter into the Commercial Supply Agreement on commercially reasonable terms.

 

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Article 7
FINANCIAL TERMS

 

7.1 Upfront Payment. In consideration for the licenses and rights granted to Hapbee under this Agreement with respect to the Cognate designated by and provided to Hapbee pursuant to this Agreement, Hapbee will pay to EMulate, within ten (10) days following the Effective Date, a non-refundable, non-creditable payment in an amount equal to ten thousand US dollars (US$10,000.00) (the “Upfront Amount”). Such payment will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds into an account designated by EMulate.

 

7.2 Royalty Payments.

 

(a) Royalty Rate. Subject to this Section 7.2 and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, in further consideration for the licenses and rights granted to Hapbee under this Agreement, Hapbee will pay to EMulate, on a Calendar Quarter basis, royalties on the quarterly Net Income from (i) sales, lease or rental of the Authorized Product in the Territory multiplied by a percentage royalty rate equal to twenty percent (20%), and (ii) use of (e.g., subscriptions for) the Authorized Product in the Territory multiplied by a percentage royalty rate equal to twenty percent (20%); provided, that the percentage royalty rate on the first ten million US dollars (US$10,000,000.00) of Net Income from use of (e.g., subscriptions for) Authorized Product will be equal to twenty-five percent (25%).

 

(b) Royalty Term. Hapbee’s obligation to make royalty payments pursuant to this Section 7.2 will commence upon the Effective Date and will continue throughout the term of this Agreement.

 

7.3 Taxes. All amounts payable to EMulate will be paid without any reduction or offset for taxes. If any withholding taxes or stamp, VAT, foreign exchange, or other transfer taxes apply to payments payable to EMulate, then Hapbee will pay such taxes directly and will increase the amounts payable to EMulate so that EMulate receives the full amount it would have received if no such taxes applied.

 

7.4 Expenses Related to Cognate. The amount of all costs and expenses incurred by EMulate for producing the Cognate (e.g., costs of measuring, recording and optimizing such Cognate) will be for the account of Hapbee.

 

Article 8
PAYMENTS, BOOKS, AND RECORDS

 

8.1 Payment; Royalty Reports. Royalty payments due by Hapbee to EMulate under Section 7.2 will be calculated and reported for each Calendar Quarter. All royalty payments due under Section 7.2 will be paid within thirty (30) days after the end of each Calendar Quarter and will be accompanied by a report setting forth the Net Income from sales, lease, rental or subscription of or for the Authorized Product by Hapbee and its Sublicensees and Distributors in the Territory in sufficient detail to permit confirmation of the accuracy of the royalty payment made, including, the number of Authorized Product sold, the Net Income from sales, lease, rental or subscription of or for Authorized Product, the royalties payable, the method used to calculate the royalties, and the exchange rates used. Prior to commencement of Commercialization of Authorized Product, the Parties will agree on the form of royalty report. Hapbee will submit a single report for all Net Income from sales, lease, rental, subscription of or for Authorized Product during a Calendar Quarter, including by Hapbee, its Sublicensees and Distributors, but will separately identify the Net Income and other information applicable to each entity.

 

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8.2 Payment Currency; Currency Conversion. All references to dollars and “$” herein will refer to U.S. dollars. All payments hereunder will be payable in U.S. dollars. With respect to conversion of Net Income in any non-U.S. currency to U.S. dollars, such conversion will be at the exchange rate equal to the U.S. dollar conversion rate for such currency as published by The Wall Street Journal, Western U.S. Edition, as published on the last business day of the Calendar Quarter in which the applicable Net Income was invoiced. All payments owed under this Agreement will be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to a bank and account designated in writing by EMulate from time to time for such purpose.

 

8.3 Taxes.

 

(a) Taxes on Income. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.3, each Party will be solely responsible for the payment of all taxes imposed on its share of income arising directly or indirectly from the activities of the Parties under this Agreement.

 

(b) Tax Cooperation. The Parties agree to cooperate with one another and use reasonable efforts to avoid or reduce tax withholding, transfer taxes, or similar obligations with respect to milestone payments, royalty payments, and other payments made by Hapbee to EMulate under this Agreement. To the extent Hapbee is required by Applicable Laws to deduct and withhold taxes on any payment to EMulate, Hapbee will pay the amounts of such taxes to the proper governmental authority in a timely manner and promptly transmit to EMulate an official tax certificate or other evidence of such payment sufficient to enable EMulate to claim such payment of taxes. EMulate will provide Hapbee any tax forms that may be reasonably necessary in order for Hapbee not to withhold tax or to withhold tax at a reduced rate under an applicable bilateral income tax treaty, to the extent legally able to do so. EMulate will use reasonable efforts to provide any such tax forms to Hapbee in advance of the due date; provided, that EMulate may direct Hapbee to temporarily hold a payment otherwise payable in order to avoid withholding taxes if EMulate is waiting for a required tax form to be issued by a governmental authority. Hapbee will provide EMulate with reasonable assistance to enable the recovery, as permitted by Applicable Laws, of withholding taxes, transfer taxes, or similar obligations resulting from payments made under this Agreement, such recovery to be for the benefit of EMulate. Each Party agrees to assist the other Party in claiming exemption from such deductions or withholdings under double taxation or similar agreement or treaty from time to time in force and in minimizing the amount required to be so withheld or deducted.

 

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(c) Taxes Resulting From a Party’s Action. If a Party takes any action, including any assignment, sublicense, change of place of incorporation, or failure to comply with Applicable Laws or filing or record retention requirements, which results in a withholding or deduction obligation or a transfer tax (“Withholding Tax Action”), then such Party will pay the sum associated with such Withholding Tax Action. For clarity, if Hapbee undertakes a Withholding Tax Action, then the sum payable by Hapbee (in respect of which such deduction or withholding is required to be made) will be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that EMulate receives a sum equal to the sum which it would have received had no such Withholding Tax Action occurred. Otherwise, the sum payable by Hapbee (in respect of which such deduction or withholding is required to be made) will be made to EMulate after deduction of the amount required to be so withheld or deducted. If a change in Applicable Laws results in a withholding or deduction obligation absent either Party taking a Withholding Tax Action, then the amount of such withholding or deduction obligation will be paid by Hapbee to the applicable governmental authority on behalf of EMulate in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.3(b). The Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to invoke the application of any applicable bilateral income tax treaty that would reduce or eliminate otherwise applicable taxes with respect to payments payable pursuant to this Agreement.

 

8.4 Records. Hapbee will keep, and require its Sublicensees and Distributors to keep, complete, true, and accurate books of accounts and records for the purpose of determining the amounts payable to EMulate pursuant to this Agreement. Such books and records will be kept for such period of time required by law, but no less than at least five (5) years following the end of the Calendar Quarter to which they pertain. Such records will be subject to inspection in accordance with Section 8.5.

 

8.5 Audits. Upon not less than ten (10) days’ prior written notice, Hapbee will permit an independent, certified public accountant selected by EMulate and reasonably acceptable to Hapbee, which acceptance will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (for the purposes of this Section 8.5, the “Auditor”), to audit or inspect those books or records of Hapbee, its Sublicensees and Distributors that relate to Net Income, or Royalty Reports for the sole purpose of verifying (a) the royalties payable hereunder in respect of Net Income, (b) the withholding taxes, if any, required by Applicable Law to be deducted as a payment by Hapbee in respect of such Net Income, and (c) the exchange rates used in determining the amount of U.S. dollars. The Auditor will disclose to EMulate only the amount and accuracy of payments reported and actually paid or otherwise payable under this Agreement. The Auditor will send a copy of the report to Hapbee at the same time it is sent to EMulate. EMulate will bear the full cost of such audit unless such audit discloses an underpayment of the amount actually owed of more than five percent (5%), in which case Hapbee will bear the full out-of-pocket, external cost of such audit. Within thirty (30) days from the auditor’s report, Hapbee will submit to EMulate any underpayment discovered in such audit, or EMulate will refund any amounts shown to have been overpaid, in each case as applicable.

 

8.6 Late Payment. Any amounts not paid when due under this Agreement will be subject to interest from and after the date payment is due through and including the date upon which such Party makes such payment at the annual interest rate of one and a half (1.5) percent (1.5%) compounded monthly; provided, however, that in no event will such rate exceed the maximum legal annual interest rate. The payment of such interest will not limit the Party entitled to receive payment from exercising any other rights it may have as a consequence of the lateness of any payment.

 

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Article 9
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

9.1 Ownership of Intellectual Property.

 

(a) EMulate Technology and Hapbee Technology. EMulate owns and will retain all rights, title, and interests in and to the EMulate Technology. Hapbee will own and retain all rights, title and interests in and to the Hapbee Technology.

 

(b) Ownership of Inventions. Ownership of all Inventions will be based on inventorship, as determined in accordance with the rules of inventorship under U.S. patent laws. Each Party will solely own any Inventions made solely by its or its employees, agents, or independent contractors (“Sole Inventions”). The Parties will jointly own any Inventions that are made jointly by employees, agents, or independent contractors of one Party together with employees, agents, or independent contractors of the other Party (“Joint Inventions”). If an Hapbee Sole Invention or a Joint Invention covers or is related to the Cognate (collectively, the “Cognate Inventions”), such Cognate Inventions will be owned solely by EMulate, and Hapbee will and hereby does assign to EMulate its right and interest in such Cognate Inventions and such assigned Cognate Inventions will be included in the EMulate Technology licensed to Hapbee pursuant to Section 2.1(a).

 

9.2 Patent Prosecution and Maintenance.

 

(a) EMulate Patents. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.2, EMulate will have the sole right and authority to prepare, file, prosecute, and maintain the EMulate Patents on a worldwide basis. EMulate will bear all costs of preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of the EMulate Patents in the Territory.

 

(b) EMulate Abandonment. If EMulate determines in its sole discretion to abandon or not maintain any such EMulate Patent(s) in the Territory, then EMulate will provide Hapbee with written notice of such determination within a period of time reasonably necessary to allow Hapbee to determine its interest in such EMulate Patent(s). In the event Hapbee provides written notice expressing its interest in obtaining such EMulate Patent(s), EMulate will assign and transfer, without any compensation, to Hapbee the ownership of, and interest in, such EMulate Patent(s) in the Territory, at Hapbee’s sole expense. Hapbee will thereafter bear all costs of preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of such assigned and transferred Patents in the Territory. In the event that Hapbee decides to abandon or not maintain any such Patent(s), Hapbee will promptly provide EMulate with written notice of such decision.

 

(c) Hapbee Patents. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.2, Hapbee will have the sole right and authority, in its sole discretion, to prepare, file, prosecute, and maintain the Hapbee Patents within the Territory at its own expense.

 

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(d) Hapbee Abandonment. If Hapbee determines in its sole discretion to abandon or not maintain any such Patent within the Hapbee Patents anywhere in the world, then Hapbee will provide EMulate with written notice of such determination within a period of time reasonably necessary to allow EMulate to determine its interest in such Hapbee Patent(s). In the event EMulate provides written notice expressing its interest in obtaining such Hapbee Patent(s), Hapbee will assign and transfer, without any compensation, to EMulate the ownership of, and interest in, such Hapbee Patent(s) in the applicable jurisdiction at EMulate’s sole expense. EMulate will thereafter bear all costs of preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of such assigned and transferred Patent(s). For the avoidance of doubt, such transferred Patent(s) will be a part of the EMulate Patents licensed hereunder to Hapbee upon Hapbee’s payment to EMulate of the patent expenses incurred by EMulate in the Territory related thereto. In the event that EMulate decides to abandon or not maintain any such transferred Patent(s), EMulate will promptly provide Hapbee with written notice of such decision.

 

(e) Joint Patents.

 

(i) Initial Responsibility. EMulate will be responsible for the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of Joint Patents worldwide, subject to the rest of this Section 9.2(e). EMulate will be responsible for preparing, filing, prosecuting, and maintaining all Joint Patents, using a patent counsel selected by EMulate and reasonably acceptable to Hapbee; provided, that Hapbee and EMulate will share equally the cost and expenses of the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of Joint Patents, and Hapbee will reimburse EMulate for Hapbee’s portion of such costs and expenses incurred by EMulate within thirty (30) days from the date of invoice for such costs and expenses by EMulate.

 

(ii) Cooperation. EMulate will consult with Hapbee in preparing Joint Patent applications and will consider and adopt in good faith Hapbee’s comments and suggestions prior to the filing of any Joint Patent application. EMulate will keep Hapbee fully informed of progress with regard to the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of the Joint Patents in and outside the Territory. EMulate will:

 

(1) provide Hapbee with a copy of the final draft of any proposed application at least thirty (30) days prior to filing the same in any patent office worldwide, unless otherwise agreed by patent counsel for both parties, and EMulate will consider in good faith any comments or revisions suggested by Hapbee or its counsel;

 

(2) promptly provide Hapbee with a copy of each patent application as filed, together with a notice of its filing date and serial number;

 

(3) provide Hapbee with a copy of any action, communication, letter, or other correspondence issued by the relevant patent office within at least ten (10) days of receipt thereof, and EMulate will consult with Hapbee regarding responding to the same and will consider in good faith any comments, strategies, and the like proposed by Hapbee;

 

(4) provide Hapbee with a copy of any response, amendment, paper, or other correspondence filed with the relevant patent office within ten (10) days of EMulate’s receipt of the as-filed document;

 

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(5) promptly notify Hapbee of the allowance, grant, or issuance of such Joint Patents; and

 

(6) consult with Hapbee regarding the countries to be filed and maintained, the payment of annuities, taxes and maintenance fees for any such Joint Patents.

 

(iii) Joint Patent Abandonment. In the event that EMulate desires to abandon or cease prosecution and/or maintenance of any Joint Patent, EMulate will provide reasonable prior written notice to Hapbee of such intention to abandon (which notice will, to the extent possible, be given no later than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the next deadline for any action that must be taken with respect to such Joint Patent in the relevant patent office). In such case or if EMulate refuses to pay its share of costs related to any such Joint Patent, at Hapbee’s sole discretion, upon written notice from Hapbee, Hapbee may elect to continue prosecution and/or maintenance of any such Joint Patent at its own expense, and EMulate will execute such documents and perform such acts, at EMulate’s expense, as may be reasonably necessary to effect an assignment of EMulate’s entire right, title, and interest in and to such Joint Patent to Hapbee. Any such assignment will be completed in a timely manner to allow Hapbee to continue prosecution and/or maintenance of any such Joint Patent. Any Patents so assigned will no longer be considered Joint Patents and will become Hapbee Patents.

 

(iv) Hapbee Declines Responsibility. If Hapbee refuses to pay its share of costs related to any Joint Patent, upon written notice from EMulate, Hapbee will assign its entire right, title, and interest in and to any such Joint Patent to EMulate. Any Patents so assigned will no longer be considered Joint Patents and will become EMulate Patents.

 

9.3 Infringement by Third Parties.

 

(a) Notice. In the event that either EMulate or Hapbee becomes aware of any infringement or threatened infringement by a Third Party of any Patents that are subject to the prosecution, maintenance, or enforcement by a Party under this Agreement, it will notify the other Party in writing to that effect. Any such notice will include evidence to support an allegation of infringement or threatened infringement by such Third Party.

 

(b) EMulate Patents. Subject to this Section 9.3(b), EMulate has the first right, as between EMulate and Hapbee, to bring and control any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any EMulate Patent worldwide, at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice. Hapbee has the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice, and EMulate and its counsel will reasonably cooperate with Hapbee and its counsel in strategizing, preparing, and presenting any such action or proceeding. If EMulate fails to bring an action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any EMulate Patent described in the preceding sentence within (i) one hundred twenty (120) days following the notice of alleged infringement or (ii) ten (10) days before the time limit, if any, set forth in the appropriate laws and regulations for the filing of such actions, whichever comes first, Hapbee has the right, but not the obligation, to bring and control any such action at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice. Upon Hapbee’s request, EMulate will timely join any such litigation and cooperate with Hapbee in connection with such infringement action. Except as otherwise agreed to by the Parties as part of a cost-sharing arrangement, any recovery or damages realized as a result of such action or proceeding will be used first to reimburse the Parties’ documented out-of-pocket legal expenses relating to the action or proceeding, and any remaining damages relating to the Authorized Product (including without limitation, lost sales, leases, rentals or lost profits with respect to the Authorized Product) will be retained by the Party bringing suit, and if such Party is Hapbee, such remaining damages will be deemed Net Income subject to the royalty provisions of Section 7.3.

 

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(c) Hapbee Patents. Hapbee has the first right (but not the obligation), as between EMulate and Hapbee, to bring and control any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any Hapbee Patent worldwide, at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice and the right to retain all damages resulting from its enforcement action.

 

(d) Joint Patents. Any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any Joint Patent worldwide may only be brought by both Parties, with the costs to be shared equally between the Parties. Except as otherwise agreed to by the Parties as part of a cost-sharing arrangement, any recovery or damages from an action or proceeding relating to Joint Patents will be used first to reimburse the Parties’ documented out-of-pocket legal expenses relating to the action or proceeding, and any remaining damages will be shared equally between the Parties.

 

(e) Cooperation. In the event either Party brings an infringement action in accordance with this Section 9.3, the other Party will cooperate fully, including, if required to bring such action, the furnishing of a power of attorney or being named as a party to such action.

 

9.4 Infringement of Third-Party Rights. Each Party will promptly notify the other in writing of any allegation by a Third Party that the activity of either of the Parties pursuant to this Agreement infringes or may infringe the intellectual property rights of such Third Party. EMulate has the sole right to control any defense of any such claim involving alleged infringement of Third-Party rights by EMulate’s activities at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice, and Hapbee has the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice. Hapbee has the sole right to control any defense of any such claim involving alleged infringement of Third-Party rights by Hapbee’s activities at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice, and EMulate has the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice.

 

9.5 Consent for Settlement. Neither Party will enter into any settlement or compromise of any action or proceeding under this Article 9 which would materially alter, diminish, or be in derogation of the other Party’s rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of such other Party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

9.6 Patent Marking. Hapbee (or its Sublicensees, or Distributors) will mark Authorized Product marketed and sold by Hapbee (or its Sublicensees, or Distributors) hereunder with appropriate patent numbers or indicia designed by EMulate to the extent such markings or such notices would impact recoveries of damages or equitable remedies available under Applicable Law with respect to infringements of patents in the Territory.

 

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9.7 Trademarks. Without limiting any of Hapbee’s rights to brand the Authorized Product as provided for in Section 5.4, Hapbee will use the EMulate Trademarks selected by EMulate to Commercialize the Authorized Product in the Territory. Where Hapbee reasonably believes the EMulate Trademark is not appropriate for commercial use, or if such EMulate Trademark is not approved for use in the Territory by the applicable Regulatory Authority, the Parties will agree on an alternative product trademark for such country and such alternative product trademark will be deemed a EMulate Trademark. In addition, unless prohibited by Applicable Laws, Hapbee will include EMulate’s corporate trademark on the packaging and product information of the Authorized Product sold in the Territory to indicate that the Authorized Product is licensed from EMulate. All use of the EMulate Trademarks and EMulate corporate trademark will comply with Applicable Laws and regulations and will be subject to EMulate’s review and approval. For clarity, Hapbee may also include its (or its Sublicensee’s) corporate logo Hapbee Housemarks and similar trademarks or trade names of any Hapbee Sublicensee in the Authorized Product sold in the Territory.

 

Article 10
CONFIDENTIALITY

 

10.1 Nondisclosure. Except to the extent expressly authorized by this Agreement or otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, during the Term and for seven (7) years thereafter, the receiving Party (the “Receiving Party”) will keep confidential and will not publish or otherwise disclose and will not use for any purpose other than as expressly provided for in this Agreement any Confidential Information of the other Party (the “Disclosing Party”), and both Parties will keep confidential and, subject to Sections 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4, will not publish or otherwise disclose the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Receiving Party’s obligation of confidentiality and restriction on use with respect to the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information which derives economic value from not being generally known to public and is identified in writing by the Disclosing Party as trade secrets will continue perpetually for so long as such Confidential Information is unpublished by the Disclosing Party and no provision of Section 10.2(b), (c), or (d) applies to such Confidential Information. Each Party may use the other Party’s Confidential Information solely to the extent required to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including exercising such Party’s rights or performing its obligations under this Agreement. Each Party will use at least the same standard of care as it uses to protect proprietary or confidential information of its own (but no less than reasonable care) to ensure that its employees, agents, consultants, contractors, other representatives and, in the case of Hapbee, Sublicensees and Distributors do not disclose or make any unauthorized use of the Confidential Information of the other Party. Each Party will promptly notify the other Party upon discovery of any unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential Information of the other Party.

 

10.2 Authorized Disclosure. The Receiving Party may disclose Confidential Information belonging to the Disclosing Party only to the extent such disclosure is reasonably necessary in the following instances:

 

(a) filing or prosecuting Patents as permitted by this Agreement;

 

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(b) prosecuting or defending litigation, including responding to a subpoena in a Third-Party litigation;

 

(c) complying with Applicable Laws or regulations (including regulations promulgated by securities exchanges) or court or administrative orders;

 

(d) to its Sublicensees or prospective Sublicensees, Distributors, Third-Party Partners, subcontractors or prospective subcontractors, payors, consultants, agents, and advisors on a “need-to-know” basis in order for the Receiving Party to exercise its rights or fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, each of whom prior to disclosure must be bound by obligations of confidentiality and restrictions on use of such Confidential Information that are no less restrictive than those set forth in this Article 10; provided, however, that, in each of the above situations, the Receiving Party will remain responsible for any failure by any Third Party who receives Confidential Information pursuant to this Section 10.2 to treat such Confidential Information as required under this Article 10; or

 

(e) to bona fide potential and actual investors, acquirors, merger partners, licensees, and other financial or commercial partners solely for the purpose of evaluating or carrying out an actual or potential investment, acquisition, or collaboration, in each case under written obligations of confidentiality and non-use at least as stringent as those herein.

 

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Party is required to make a disclosure of the other Party’s Confidential Information pursuant to Sections 10.2(b), (c), or (d), it will, except where impracticable, give at least thirty (30) days’ advance notice to the other Party of such disclosure, reasonably consider the comments of the other Party with respect to limiting such disclosure, and use efforts to secure confidential treatment of such Confidential Information at least as diligent as such Party would use to protect its own confidential information, but in no event less than reasonable efforts. In any event, the Parties agree to take all reasonable action to avoid disclosure of Confidential Information hereunder. Any information disclosed pursuant to Sections 10.2(b), (c), or (d) will remain the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party and subject to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement, including the foregoing provisions of this Article 10.

 

10.3 Public Announcements. At the election of EMulate with respect to any or all of the Authorized Product, the Parties agree to issue a joint press release in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to both Parties announcing the signature of this Agreement at or shortly after the Effective Date, but in any event within the time-period as required by Applicable Laws. It is understood that either Party may make such disclosures as it determines, based on advice of counsel, is reasonably necessary to comply with Applicable Laws or for appropriate market disclosure. Each Party will provide the other Party with advance notice of legally required disclosures to the extent practicable. The Parties will consult with each other on the provisions of this Agreement to be redacted in any filings made by a Party as required by Applicable Laws; provided, that each Party will have the right to make any such filing as it reasonably determines necessary under Applicable Laws. In addition, following any initial joint press release announcing this Agreement, either Party will be free to disclose, without the other Party’s prior written consent, the existence of this Agreement, the identity of the other Party, and those terms of the Agreement which have already been publicly disclosed in accordance herewith.

 

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Article 11
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

 

11.1 Mutual Representations and Warranties. Each Party represents and warrants to the other that, as of the Effective Date: (a) it is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, and has full corporate or other power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions hereof, (b) it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and the person or persons executing this Agreement on its behalf has been duly authorized to do so by all requisite corporate or partnership action, (c) this Agreement is legally binding upon it, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and does not conflict with any agreement, instrument, or understanding, oral or written, to which it is a Party or by which it may be bound, nor, to the knowledge of the indemnifying Party, violate any material law or regulation of any court, governmental body, or administrative or other agency having jurisdiction over it, and (d) it has the right to grant the licenses granted by it under this Agreement.

 

11.2 Additional Hapbee Covenants. Hapbee covenants as follows:

 

(a) Hapbee will comply in all material respects with all Applicable Laws related to its Commercialization of Authorized Product.

 

(b) Hapbee will Commercialize all Authorized Product solely within the Territory for use in the Field pursuant to the authority, rights, and licenses granted to Hapbee under this Agreement. During the Term Hapbee will not (i) Commercialize any Authorized Product outside of the Field or of the Territory, (ii) provide any Authorized Product to any Third Party if Hapbee has actual knowledge or reasonably believes that such Third Party, either directly or indirectly, is selling, renting, leasing, or intends to sell, rent or lease such Authorized Product outside the Field or the Territory and (iii) expressly provide in each agreement with its Distributor that such Distributor will be subject to immediate termination in the event of a breach of the covenants in this Section 11.2(b) and (iv) immediately terminate any Distributor for a breach of the requirements of Section 11.2(b)(iii).

 

(c) At EMulate’s request with respect to any jurisdiction in the Territory, Hapbee will cause its special counsel, reasonably acceptable to EMulate, to deliver to EMulate a legal opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to EMulate, stating (among other things) that the transactions contemplated by the Exclusive License Agreement are the legal, valid and binding obligations of Hapbee enforceable against Hapbee in accordance with the terms of such agreement and that the commercial transactions by Hapbee as contemplated in such jurisdiction in the Exclusive License Agreement will not violate any Applicable Laws in the Territory.

 

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11.3 Additional EMulate Representations, Warranties, and Covenants. EMulate represents and warrants to Hapbee that as of the Effective Date:

 

(a) EMulate Patents. EMulate owns, or has an exclusive license to, the EMulate Patents.

 

(b) Title; Encumbrances. EMulate has sufficient legal and/or beneficial title, ownership, or license, free and clear from any mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, conditional and installment sale, lease, rental agreements, encumbrances, charges or claims of any kind, of the EMulate Technology to grant the licenses to Hapbee as purported to be granted pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(c) No Conflict. EMulate has not granted any assignment, license, covenant not to sue, or other similar interest or benefit, exclusive or otherwise, to any Third Party relating to any patent, know-how, or other proprietary right that conflicts with or limits the rights granted to Hapbee hereunder or which falls within the scope of the licenses granted in Section 2.1.

 

(d) Non-Infringement of Third Party’s IP Rights. The EMulate Technology and the import, sale, lease, rental, or use of the Authorized Product in the Territory does not and will not infringe any intellectual property rights of any Third Party existing as of the Effective Date.

 

(e) Non-Infringement of EMulate Technology by Third Parties. EMulate is not aware of any activities by Third Parties that constitute infringement or misappropriation of the EMulate Technology within the Territory.

 

(f) No Claims of Third-Party Rights. EMulate has not received any written notice, claim, or demand from any person or entity asserting that the research, development, use, or sale, lease, rental of the Authorized Product infringes a patent of a Third Party in the Territory, nor is EMulate aware of the threat of such claim.

 

(g) No Action or Claim. To EMulate’s Knowledge as of the Effective Date, there are no actual, pending, alleged, or threatened adverse actions, suits, claims, interferences, or formal governmental investigations involving the Authorized Product by or against EMulate or distributors in or before any court or governmental entity.

 

(h) Disclaimer. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER, NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR EXTENDS ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, VALIDITY AND ENFORCEABILITY OF PATENTS, OR THE PROSPECTS OR LIKELIHOOD OF COMMERCIAL SUCCESS OF THE AUTHORIZED PRODUCT.

 

11.4 No Representation Regarding Cognate. The Parties agree that (without limiting any provision in Section 11.3(h)) EMULATE MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES WITH RESPECT TO (A) THE SAFETY OR EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COGNATE, (B) THE CAPABILITY OR SUITABILITY OF THE COGNATE FOR COMMERCIALIZATION, OR (C) FROM AND AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE, THAT THE USE OF THE COGNATE AS CONTEMPLATED IN THIS AGREEMENT OR OTHERWISE, OR THE EXERCISE OF ANY OF ETI’S RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH COGNATE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT VIOLATE ANY MATERIAL LAW OR REGULATION OF ANY COURT, GOVERNMENTAL BODY, OR ADMINISTRATIVE OR OTHER AGENCY HAVING JURISDICTION OVER IT OR WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY.

 

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Article 12
INDEMNIFICATION

 

12.1 Indemnification of EMulate. Hapbee will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of EMulate and its directors, shareholders, officers, and employees (collectively, the “EMulate Indemnitees”) from and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, penalties, fines, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses of litigation) (“Losses”) from any Third-Party claims, actions, suits, or proceedings (each, a “Claim”) incurred by any EMulate Indemnitee, arising from, or occurring as a result of (a) the negligence or willful misconduct of Hapbee, its Sublicensees, Distributors or other subcontractors, and (b) any breach of any representations, warranties, or covenants by Hapbee under this Agreement; except in each case to the extent such Claim falls within the scope of EMulate’s indemnification obligations set forth in Section 12.2.

 

12.2 Indemnification of Hapbee. EMulate will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of Hapbee and its Sublicensees and Distributors and their respective directors, officers, employees, and agents (collectively, the “Hapbee Indemnitees”), from and against any and all Losses from any Third-Party Claims incurred by any Hapbee Indemnitee, arising from, or occurring as a result of (a) the negligence or willful misconduct of EMulate; and (b) any breach of any representations, warranties, or covenants by EMulate under this Agreement; except in each case to the extent such Claim falls within the scope of the indemnification obligations of Hapbee set forth in Section 12.1.

 

12.3 Procedure. Each Party’s agreement to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the other Party is conditioned on the indemnified Party: (a) providing written notice to the indemnifying Party of any Claim for which it is seeking indemnification hereunder promptly after the indemnified Party has knowledge of such Claim; (b) permitting the indemnifying Party to assume full responsibility to investigate, prepare for, and defend against any such Claim, except that the indemnified Party may cooperate in the defense at its own expense using its own counsel; (c) assisting the indemnifying Party, at the indemnifying Party’s reasonable expense, in the investigation of, preparation for, and defense of any such Claim; and (d) not compromising or settling such Claim without the indemnifying Party’s written consent. The indemnifying Party will not settle any Claim without the prior written consent of the indemnified Party, not to be unreasonably withheld, unless the settlement involves only the payment of money. If the indemnifying Party does not assume and conduct the defense of the Claim as provided above, (y) the indemnified Party may defend against and consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to the Claim in any manner the indemnified Party may deem reasonably appropriate (and the indemnified Party need not consult with, or obtain any consent from, the indemnifying Party in connection therewith), and (z) the indemnifying Party will remain responsible to indemnify the indemnified Party as provided in this Article 12. The failure to promptly notify the indemnifying Party after the commencement of any action with respect to a Claim will only relieve the indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article 12 if and to the extent the indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced thereby.

 

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12.4 Insurance. Each Party will procure and maintain insurance, including product liability insurance, adequate to cover its obligations hereunder and which are consistent with normal business practices of prudent companies similarly situated at all times during the Term. It is understood that such insurance will not be construed to create a limit of either Party’s liability with respect to its indemnification obligations under this Article 12. Each Party will provide the other Party with written evidence of such insurance upon request. Each Party will provide the other Party with written notice at least thirty (30) days prior to the cancellation, non-renewal, or material change in such insurance or self-insurance which materially adversely affects the rights of the other Party hereunder.

 

12.5 Limitation of Liability. NEITHER PARTY WILL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, OR INDIRECT DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF ANY NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 12.5 IS INTENDED TO OR WILL LIMIT OR RESTRICT THE INDEMNIFICATION RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY PARTY UNDER SECTION 12.1 OR SECTION 12.2, OR DAMAGES AVAILABLE FOR A PARTY’S BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS IN ARTICLE 10.

 

Article 13
Term and Termination

 

13.1 Term. This Agreement will commence on the Effective Date, and unless terminated earlier as provided in this Article 13, will continue in full force and effect until the twentieth (20th) anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Term”); provided, that if the Cognate has been determined pursuant to Section 2.8 not to be safe for its intended Commercial use, the Term of this Agreement with respect to such Cognate will terminate as of the date of such determination. The Commercial Supply Agreement, as applicable, will terminate upon any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

13.2 Early Termination.

 

(a) Mutual Agreement. The Parties may terminate this Agreement at any time by mutual written agreement of the Parties.

 

(b) Material Breach. EMulate will have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to Hapbee if Hapbee, after receiving written notice from EMulate identifying a Hapbee Material Breach, fails to cure such Hapbee Material Breach within sixty (60) days from the date of such notice (or within thirty (30) days’ notice for any payment breach). Hapbee will have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to EMulate if EMulate, after receiving written notice identifying an EMulate Material Breach, fails to cure such EMulate Material Breach within sixty (60) days from the date of such notice.

 

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(c) Bankruptcy. Each Party will have the right to terminate this Agreement immediately in its entirety upon written notice to the other Party if such other Party makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, files an insolvency petition in bankruptcy, petitions for or acquiesces in the appointment of any receiver, trustee, or similar officer to liquidate or conserve its business or any substantial part of its assets, commences under the laws of any jurisdiction (the “Bankruptcy Laws”) any proceeding involving its insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, adjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or any other similar proceeding for the release of financially distressed debtors or becomes a party to any proceeding or action under the Bankruptcy Laws and such proceeding is not dismissed within sixty (60) days after the commencement thereof.

 

(d) License Grant by Hapbee to EMulate. Hapbee hereby grants EMulate, effective upon the effective date of an early termination pursuant to this Section 13.2, a fully paid, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable, exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (through multiple tiers), under any and all Patents and Know-How Controlled by Hapbee at the time of such termination for EMulate to develop, make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rental, and import Authorized Product in the Territory.

 

13.3 Effects of Termination. Upon the early termination of this Agreement by EMulate under Section 13.2(b) or 13.2(c), the following will apply:

 

(a) Inventory. Hapbee, its Distributors, and Sublicensees will continue, to the extent that Hapbee, its Distributors, and Sublicensees continue to have stocks of usable Authorized Product, to fulfill orders received from customers for the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory for up to six (6) months after the effective date of termination. Hapbee will pay royalties to EMulate in accordance with Section 7.2 on the amount of Net Income from the use, sale, lease and rental of Authorized Product sold by Hapbee after notice of termination and after the effective date of termination.

 

(b) License Grant by Hapbee to EMulate. Hapbee hereby grants EMulate, effective upon the effective date of such termination, a fully paid, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable, exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (through multiple tiers), under any and all Patents and Know-How Controlled by Hapbee and incorporated into the Authorized Product at the time of such termination for EMulate to make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rental and import Authorized Product in the Territory.

 

(c) Supply. The Commercial Supply Agreement, if applicable, will terminate upon the effective date of the termination of this Agreement.

 

(d) Transition. Hapbee will cooperate with EMulate and/or its designee to effect a smooth and orderly transition in the use, sale, lease, rental and marketing, promotion, and Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Territory.

 

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13.4 Effects of Termination for Cause by Hapbee. Upon termination of this Agreement by Hapbee under Section 13.2(b) or 13.2(c), (in addition to any other rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to such termination) all licenses granted by EMulate to Hapbee pursuant to Section 2.1 will terminate; provided, however, that Hapbee may elect to have all or any portion of the licenses granted to Hapbee pursuant to Section 2.1 (and pursuant to the Commercial Supply Agreement, if applicable) continue, in which case Hapbee’s obligations to EMulate under Article 7 and EMulate’s rights under Article 7 will continue.

 

13.5 Rights Upon Bankruptcy. All rights and licenses granted under or pursuant to this Agreement by EMulate (and pursuant to the Commercial Supply Agreement, if applicable) are, and will otherwise be deemed to be, for purposes of Section 365(n) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, licenses of right to “intellectual property” as defined under Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Laws. The Parties agree that Hapbee, as licensee of such rights under this Agreement, will retain and may fully exercise all of its rights and elections under the Bankruptcy Laws.

 

13.6 Return of Confidential Information. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, except to the extent necessary or reasonably useful for a Party to exercise its rights under any license surviving such termination or expiration, each Party will promptly return to the other Party, or delete or destroy, all relevant records and materials in such Party’s possession or control containing Confidential Information of the other Party; provided, that such Party may keep one copy of such materials for archival purposes only.

 

13.7 Survival. The following provisions will survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement: Articles 1 (Definitions), 10 (Confidentiality), 12 (Indemnification), 14 (Dispute Resolution), and 15 (General Provisions), and Sections 2.3 (License Grant to EMulate), 2.4 (No Implied License), 4.2 (Records), 8.4 (Records), 8.5 (Audits), 9.1 (Ownership of Intellectual Property), 13.3-13.4 (Effects of Termination; in each case to the extent applicable), and 13.7 (Survival).

 

Article 14
DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

The Parties recognize that disputes as to certain matters may from time to time arise during the Term that relate to interpretation of a Party’s rights and/or obligations hereunder or any alleged breach of this Agreement. If the Parties cannot resolve any such dispute within thirty (30) days after written notice of a dispute from one Party to another, either Party may, by written notice to the other Party, have such dispute referred to the Chief Executive Officer of EMulate and the Chief Executive Officer of Hapbee (collectively, the “Senior Executives”). The Senior Executives will negotiate in good faith to resolve the dispute within thirty (30) days. If the Senior Executives are not able to resolve such dispute referred to them under this Article 14 within such thirty (30)-day period, each of the Parties will be free to pursue its legal rights and remedies before a judicial tribunal of competent jurisdiction.

 

29
 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

Article 15
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

15.1 Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement and all questions regarding the existence, validity, interpretation, breach, or performance of this Agreement, will be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Washington, United States, without reference to its conflicts of law principles. Any dispute arising under this Agreement will be pursued in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Seattle, Washington, and each of the Parties waives any objection it may have to the laying of venue brought in any such court, waives any claim that any proceedings with respect to a dispute have been brought in an inconvenient forum, and further waives any right to object that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such Party.

 

15.2 Waiver of Breach. No delay or waiver by either Party of any condition or term hereunder in any one or more instances will be construed as a further or continuing waiver of such condition or term or of any other condition or term in this Agreement. Any waiver by a Party of a particular term or condition will be effective only if set forth in a written instrument duly executed by or on behalf of the Party waiving such term or condition.

 

15.3 Further Actions. Each Party agrees to execute, acknowledge, and deliver such further instruments, and to perform all such other acts, as may be necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

 

15.4 Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is adjudicated to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Parties will use their best efforts to replace the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision that most closely reflects the original intent of the Parties. All other provisions of this Agreement will not in any way be affected or impaired by such adjudication and will remain in full force and effect.

 

15.5 Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement, together with the exhibits hereto (which exhibits are by this reference incorporated into this Agreement), contains the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and communications of the Parties, whether oral, written, or otherwise, concerning any and all matters that are the subject of this Agreement. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by authorized representatives of each Party.

 

15.6 Notices. Any notice or communication required or permitted under this Agreement will be in writing in the English language, delivered personally, sent by facsimile (and promptly confirmed by personal delivery, registered or certified mail or overnight courier), sent by internationally-recognized courier or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid to the following addresses of the Parties (or at any address such Party may designate by prior written notice to the other Party in accordance with this Section 15.6):

 

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CONFIDENTIAL

 

If to EMulate, notices must be addressed to:

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200

Seattle, WA 98109

U.S.A

Attention: President and CEO

Tel: +1 206-708-2288, ext. 122

Fax: +1 206-260-7201

 

With a copy to (which will not constitute notice):

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200

Seattle, WA 98109

U.S.A

Attention: General Counsel

Tel: +1 206-708-2288, ext. 105

Fax: +1 206-260-7201

 

If to Hapbee, notices must be addressed to:

 

Hapbee Technologies, Inc.

700 West Georgia Street
25th Floor
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B3
Canada
Attention: CEO

Tel: +1 360-929-1520

 

Any such notice will be deemed to have been given (a) when delivered if personally delivered; (b) on the next Business Day after dispatch if sent by confirmed facsimile or by internationally-recognized overnight courier; and/or (c) on the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of mailing if sent by mail or other internationally-recognized courier. Notices hereunder will not be deemed sufficient if provided only between or among each Party’s representatives on the JSC.

 

15.7 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any obligation of a Party hereunder may be assigned by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided, however, that either Party may assign this Agreement in its entirety without such consent to (i) any purchaser of all, or substantially all, of its assets to which this Agreement relates, or (ii) any successor corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation, share exchange, or other similar transaction, provided that any such successor corporation will assume all obligations of its assignor under this Agreement. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of EMulate and Hapbee and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Any assignment of this Agreement that is not made in accordance with this Section 15.7 will be null and void and of no legal force or effect.

 

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15.8 Relationship of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement or any action which may be taken pursuant to its terms is intended, or will be deemed, to establish a joint venture, agency, or partnership between Hapbee and EMulate. Neither Party to this Agreement has any express or implied right or authority to assume or create any obligations on behalf of, or in the name of, the other Party, or to bind the other Party to any contract, agreement or undertaking with any Third Party, without the prior written consent of the other Party.

 

15.9 Interpretation. The headings of clauses contained in this Agreement preceding the text of the sections, subsections, and paragraphs hereof are inserted solely for convenience and ease of reference only and will not constitute any part of this Agreement, or have any effect on its interpretation or construction. All references in this Agreement to the singular will include the plural where applicable. Unless otherwise specified, references in this Agreement to any Article will include all sections, subsections, and paragraphs in such Article, references to any section will include all subsections and paragraphs in such section, and references in this Agreement to any subsection will include all paragraphs in such subsection. The word “including” and similar words means including without limitation. The word “or” means “and/or” unless the context dictates otherwise because the subjects of the conjunction are mutually exclusive. The words “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or other subdivision. All references to days in this Agreement mean calendar days, unless otherwise specified. Ambiguities and uncertainties in this Agreement, if any, will not be interpreted against either Party, irrespective of which Party may be deemed to have caused the ambiguity or uncertainty to exist. This Agreement has been prepared in the English language and the English language will control its interpretation. In addition, all notices required or permitted to be given hereunder, and all written, electronic, oral, or other communications between the Parties regarding this Agreement will be in the English language. Les parties reconnaissent avoir exigé que la présente et tous les documents connexes soient rédigés en anglais.

 

15.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which will be deemed an original, and all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

32
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Exclusive License Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.  

Hapbee Technologies, Inc.

 
By:                                                                                  By:                                              
Name: Steven E. Pope   Name: Chris E. Rivera
Title: SVP and Secretary   Title: President

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.4

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

This Exclusive License Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of July 29, 2021, between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington, U.S. (“EMulate”), and having a principal place of business at 425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98109, U.S., and Hapbee Technologies, Inc., a company existing under the laws of the province of British Columbia, Canada, and having a principal place of business at 700 West Georgia Street, 25th Floor, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B3, Canada (“Hapbee”). EMulate and Hapbee are sometimes each referred to herein as a “Party” and sometimes referred to herein together as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS

 

Whereas, EMulate has developed an innovative technology that uses ultra-low radio frequency energy (ulRFE®) to produce some or all of the biological activity of a broad range of molecules, and owns or controls certain patents, know-how, and other intellectual property relating to its proprietary ulRFE technology; and

 

Whereas, Hapbee desires to obtain from EMulate certain exclusive rights and licenses to develop, use, import, and commercialize a product using the EMulate Technology (as defined herein), which product will be designed to emulate the biological activity associated with one or more of those molecules identified to the Cognate (as defined herein), and EMulate is willing to grant to Hapbee such rights and licenses, all on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, EMulate and Hapbee hereby agree as follows:

 

Article 1

DEFINITIONS

 

As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set out in this Article 1 unless the context clearly and unambiguously requires otherwise.

 

1.1 Applicable Laws” means the applicable provisions of any and all national, supranational, regional, state, and local laws, treaties, statutes, rules, regulations, administrative codes, guidance, ordinances, judgments, decrees, directives, injunctions, orders, permits of or from any court, arbitrator, or governmental agency or authority having jurisdiction over or related to the subject item.

 

1.2 Auditor” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.5.

 

1.3 Authorized Product” means any product (a) that is composed of components authorized for use by EMulate, (b) that transmits the magnetic field encoded by the Cognate in a manner approved by EMulate, and (c) the use, sale, lease, rental, importation or manufacture of which would, but for the license granted to Hapbee hereunder, either infringe a Valid Claim of the EMulate Patents or use EMulate Know-How in the Territory.

 

 

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

1.4 Bankruptcy Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2(d).

 

1.5 Business Day” means a day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in Vancouver, Canada, or Seattle, Washington, are required by law to remain closed.

 

1.6 Calendar Quarter” means a period of three consecutive months during a Calendar Year beginning on and including January 1st, April 1st, July 1st or October 1st; provided, however that (a) the first Calendar Quarter of the Term will extend from the Effective Date to the last day of the Calendar Quarter in which the Effective Date falls; and (b) the last Calendar Quarter of the Term will end upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

1.7 Calendar Year” means a period of twelve consecutive months beginning on and including January 1st and ending on December 31st; provided however, that (a) the first Calendar Year of the Term will extend from the Effective Date to the last day of the Calendar Year in which the Effective Date falls; and (b) the last Calendar Year of the Term will end upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

1.8 Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 

1.9 Cognate” means digitized data that emulates the electromagnetic or magnetic field signal or ultra-low radio frequency energy (“ulRFE”) of one or more chemicals, biochemical or biological agents or molecules as designated pursuant to Section 2.8.

 

1.10 Cognate Inventions” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(b).

 

1.11 Commercial Supply Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

 

1.12 Commercialization” means any and all activities undertaken relating specifically to the pre-launch, launch, promotion, marketing, use, sale, lease, rental, and distribution (including importing, exporting, transporting, customs clearance, warehousing, invoicing, handling, and delivering the Authorized Product to customers) of the Authorized Product in the Territory, including: (a) strategic marketing, sale, lease, rentals force detailing, advertising, education and liaison, and market and product support within the Field and (b) all customer support, invoicing, and sale, lease, rental and subscription activities within the Field. “Commercialize” means to engage in Commercialization activities.

 

1.13 Confidential Information” means all information of a confidential or proprietary nature disclosed by a Party to the other Party under this Agreement, including, without limitation, any such information related to any scientific, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, financial, or personnel matters relating to a Party, or related to a Party’s present or future products, sale, lease, rentals, suppliers, customers, employees, investors, business plans, Know-How, data, research projects, work in progress, future developments or business, in all such cases whether disclosed in oral, written, graphic, or electronic form, and whether or not specifically marked as confidential or proprietary, where under the circumstances in which such disclosure was made or given the nature of information disclosed, a reasonable person would consider such information confidential; provided, however, that in any event, “Confidential Information” excludes any information that (a) is known by the recipient at the time of disclosure, and not through a prior disclosure by or on behalf of the disclosing Party, as documented by written records; (b) is or becomes properly in the public domain through no fault of the receiving Party; (c) is subsequently rightfully disclosed to the receiving Party by a Third Party who is not directly or indirectly under an obligation of confidentiality to the disclosing Party, as documented by written records in existence prior to the disclosure of such information to the receiving Party; or (d) is developed by the receiving Party independently of, and without reference to or use of, the information received from the disclosing Party. Without limiting the foregoing, Confidential Information will include the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

2

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

1.14 Control” means with respect to any Know-How, Patent, or other intellectual property right, possession of the right, whether directly or indirectly, and whether by ownership, license, or otherwise, to grant a license, sublicense, or other right to or under such Know-How, Patent, or other intellectual property right as provided for herein without violating the terms of any agreement or other arrangements with any Third Party at the time when such license, sublicense, or other right is granted hereunder. “Controlled” has a correlative meaning.

 

1.15 Disclosing Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

 

1.16 Distributor” means any Third Party to whom Hapbee or a Sublicensee of Hapbee has granted the right to market, promote, advertise, retail, sell, lease, rent, and distribute the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory.

 

1.17 EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

 

1.18 EMulate Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 

1.19 EMulate Know-How” means all Know-How that is necessary or reasonably useful for the use or Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, which Know-How is Controlled by EMulate with respect to the Authorized Product as of the Effective Date or during the Term. For the avoidance of doubt, EMulate Know-How will not include any Joint Know-How.

 

1.20 EMulate Material Breach” may include, but will not be limited to, one or more of the following events (together with any breach of this Agreement determined to be material by a judicial tribunal of competent jurisdiction):

 

(a) Failure by EMulate to perform its obligations under Section 2.8;

 

(b) Failure by EMulate to supply the Cognate for the Authorized Product exclusively to Hapbee or its Sublicensees and Distributors for use in the Field in the Territory, as required by Section 6.1; and

 

(c) Failure by EMulate to perform its indemnification and other obligations pursuant to Article 12.

 

3

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

1.21 EMulate Patents” means all Patents that are necessary or reasonably useful for the use or Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, which Patents are Controlled by EMulate as of the Effective Date or during the Term. For the avoidance of doubt, EMulate Patents will not include any Joint Patents.

 

1.22 EMulate Technology” means the EMulate Know-How, EMulate Patents and EMulate’s interests in the Joint Patents and Joint Know-How.

 

1.23 EMulate Trademarks” means EMulate’s Trademarks related to the Authorized Product, including ulRFE®.

 

1.24 Field” means the recreational and/or non-medical use (i.e., use that is not regulated by any governmental body under Applicable Laws) in humans of the Authorized Product.

 

1.25 First Commercial Sale” means, with respect to the Territory, the first commercial lease, rental, subscription or sale, under this Agreement by Hapbee, its Sublicensees or Distributors of any Authorized Product to an end user for use or resale, lease, rental in the Field in the Territory.

 

1.26 Hapbee Housemark” means any trademark or trade name, and registrations and applications therefor, Controlled by Hapbee in the Territory and covering Hapbee’s corporate name or company logo or product brand name.

 

1.27 Hapbee Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.

 

1.28 Hapbee Know-How” means all Know-How that is Controlled by Hapbee as of the Effective Date or during the Term, and that is generated by or on behalf of Hapbee or any of its Sublicensees or Distributors in connection with the use or Commercialization of the Authorized Product hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, Hapbee Know-How will not include any Joint Know-How.

 

1.29 Hapbee Manufacturing Cost” means the fully burdened manufacturing cost of Authorized Product expressed on a per unit basis, as supported by Hapbee’s reasonably detailed invoices therefor, which will be the sum of: (i) the Direct Manufacturing Costs and (ii) the Indirect Manufacturing Costs. For the purposes of this definition:

 

(a) Direct Manufacturing Costs” means the direct costs incurred in connection with the manufacture of the Authorized Product, including (i) those material expenses captured in invoices and the like that are specifically attributable to the manufacture of the Authorized Product, including costs of raw materials, manufacturing supplies, packaging, labels, and other materials used in production, (ii) labor expenses captured in time sheets and the like, including salaries and fringe benefits (but not overhead) for personnel directly involved in manufacturing the Authorized Product or any component thereof or purchasing or managing the materials used in the manufacture thereof or maintaining equipment necessary to support the manufacture thereof, (iii) expenses arising out of quality assurance requirements (e.g., good manufacturing practices) such as production, quality control, quality assurance, and other similar departments that are reasonably necessary and participate directly in the production of the Authorized Product or any component thereof, and (iv) equipment and facility depreciation and other allocations of fixed assets in use to support the manufacture of the Authorized Product or any component thereof, but in any event excluding any administrative overhead (e.g., costs associated with human resources, business development, and executive management). Direct expenses also include reasonable out-of-pocket payments to Third Parties (without mark-up) for services related to the manufacture of the Authorized Product or any component thereof.

 

4

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

(b) Indirect Manufacturing Costs” means the reasonable and allocated internal costs and out-of-pocket costs, incurred or accrued by Hapbee in connection with the manufacture of the Authorized Product or any component thereof, including costs arising from or associated with (i) freight, carrier insurance, and other transportation charges directly related to the delivery or distribution of the Authorized Product, (ii) storage and warehousing, (iii) taxes, duties, or other governmental charges (including any tax such as a value added or similar tax, other than any taxes based on income), but excluding indirect and overhead costs (e.g., costs associated with human resources, business development, and executive management).

 

1.30 Hapbee Material Breach” may include, but will not be limited to, one or more of the following events (together with any breach of this Agreement determined to be material by a judicial tribunal of competent jurisdiction):

 

(a) Hapbee’s failure to manufacture and supply to EMulate or Third Parties products, other than the Authorized Product, designated by EMulate for use outside the Field pursuant to Section 2.3;

 

(b) Hapbee’s sublicensing or attempting to sublicense the rights granted to it under Section 2.1 contrary to the provisions of Section 2.4(a);

 

(c) Failure by Hapbee to provide all marketing and promotional literature to EMulate for review and authorization pursuant to Section 5.4;

 

(d) Failure by Hapbee to timely calculate, report and make royalty payments and late payment interest to EMulate as required by Article 7 and Article 8;

 

(e) Failure by Hapbee to perform its obligations related to the Commercialization of Authorized Product under Section 11.2; and

 

(f) Failure by Hapbee to perform its indemnification and other obligations pursuant to Article 12.

 

1.31 Hapbee Patents” means all Patents that claim Inventions that relate to the Authorized Product and that are conceived, made, or generated by or on behalf of Hapbee during the Term pursuant to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Hapbee Patents will not include any Joint Patents.

 

5

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

1.32 Hapbee Technology” means all Hapbee Know-How, Hapbee Patents, and Hapbee’s interests in the Joint Patents and Joint Know-How. For the avoidance of doubt, (a) all and any of Hapbee’s know-how and Hapbee’s patents which are unrelated to Authorized Products and (b) all and any know-how or patents of Hapbee that are developed, identified or conceived without the use of EMulate Confidential Information or outside of the use of the Authorized Product (i.e., independently developed) are excluded from Hapbee Technology.

 

1.33 Inventions” means any and all inventions, discoveries, and developments, whether or not patentable, discovered, made, conceived, or reduced to practice in the course of activities contemplated by this Agreement.

 

1.34 Joint Inventions” means any and all Inventions discovered, conceived or reduced to practice jointly by or on behalf Hapbee, on the one hand, and by or on behalf of EMulate, on the other hand.

 

1.35 Joint Know-How” means all Know-How included in Joint Inventions, other than any Joint Patent.

 

1.36 Joint Patents” means all Patents claiming any Joint Invention.

 

1.37 JSC” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

 

1.38 Know-How” means all tangible and intangible scientific, technical, trade, marketing, commercial, financial, or business knowledge and information, formulations, devices, techniques, processes, methods, trade secrets, formulae, procedures, tests, data, results, analyses, documentation, reports, know-how, skill, and experience related to the marketing, sale and Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field.

 

1.39 Knowledge” of a Party means the actual or constructive knowledge of the Senior Executives of such Party, including the chief executive officer, and any vice president, the general counsel, or the chief medical officer of a Party, or any personnel holding positions equivalent to such job titles (but only to the extent such positions exist at such Party).

 

1.40 Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 

1.41 Net Income” means the gross amounts invoiced by or on behalf of Hapbee or otherwise chargeable to Hapbee’s customers, Sublicensees and Distributors for use (e.g., subscriptions for), sales, leases and/or rentals of Authorized Product or the Cognate to Third Parties, reduced only by, with respect to the relevant Authorized Product, the actual cost of manufacturing, shipping, handling and merchant credit card processing for such Authorized Product, it being understood that gross amounts invoiced for subscriptions for the use of the Authorized Product or the Cognate will be net of app store processing fees. For clarity, Net Income will not be reduced by marketing and promotional expenditures, charges by online platforms or distribution platforms or channels on which the Authorized Product or the Cognate is sold, or any incentives, rebates, spiffs or commissions provided by Hapbee to online platforms or Distributors to promote any Authorized Product or the Cognate, or the use, sale, lease, and/or rental thereof. For purposes of calculating Net Income, any amount originally invoiced for any Authorized Product that is returned during any specific period during the Term may be deducted by Hapbee from the gross amounts invoiced by Hapbee for Authorized Product during the same period. All charges solely for clothing, jewelry, necklaces, pillows, hats and other apparel that are not Authorized Products will not be included in “Net Income.”

 

6

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

By way of example and for purposes of clarification only, (i) if Hapbee sells an Authorized Product to a Distributor for resale to Third Parties for $200 and the Distributor resells the Authorized Product to a Customer for $300, Hapbee’s “Net Income” on such Authorized Product will be $200 minus (if applicable to such resale to the Distributor) costs of manufacturing, shipping, handling and merchant credit card processing for the Authorized Product; and (ii) if Hapbee itself sells an Authorized Product on an online platform to a Third Party for $300 and that platform charges Hapbee $60 for the use of its platform, Hapbee’s “Net Income” will be $300 minus costs of manufacturing, shipping, handling and merchant credit card processing for the Authorized Product.

 

By way of further example and for purposes of clarification only, if Hapbee decides that its wholesale or retail prices being charged for any particular Authorized Product are either too high or too low to achieve optimal revenue, Hapbee may elect to adjust the wholesale or retail price it is charging for an Authorized Product and the Net Income attributable to such Authorized Product will be adjusted proportionately. Such adjustments may be made in circumstances such as the following: Group sales discounts such as “Buy Four, Get One 50% Off” offers; special holiday pricing involving reduced prices for a limited time; friends and family discounts; investor discounts; and offers of free subscriptions for a limited time. Examples of price adjustments that would not affect the Net Income attributable to an Authorized Product would be rebates offered to customers who, after paying the full advertised purchase price, would receive cash back following the submission of a rebate card to Hapbee.

 

1.42 Patent(s)” means (a) all patents, certificates of invention, applications for certificates of invention, priority patent filings, and patent applications, and (b) any renewal, division, continuation (in whole or in part), or request for continued examination of any of such patents, certificates of invention and patent applications, and any and all patents or certificates of invention issuing thereon, and any and all reissues, reexaminations, extensions, divisions, renewals, substitutions, confirmations, registrations, revalidations, revisions, and additions of or to any of the foregoing.

 

1.43 Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, governmental entity, or other legal entity of any nature whatsoever.

 

1.44 Receiving Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

 

1.45 Senior Executives” has the meaning set forth in Article 14.

 

1.46 Sublicensee” means a Third Party , other than a Distributor, to whom Hapbee has granted a sublicense under the EMulate Technology as permitted under Section 2.4.

 

1.47 Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.

 

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CONFIDENTIAL

 

1.48 Territory” means worldwide; provided, that “worldwide” excludes any national/federal, provincial/regional/state, or local jurisdiction that, with respect to the Cognate in question, does not or ceases to permit the use of such Cognate as contemplated in this Agreement or otherwise, directly or indirectly, limits the full and free exercise of all of the rights with respect to such Cognate granted to Hapbee under this Agreement.

 

1.49 Third Party” means any Person other than EMulate and Hapbee. “Third-Party” is used in this Agreement as the adjectival form of Third Party.

 

1.50 Trademarks” means trademarks, trade names, trade dresses, domain names, logos, and brandings of a Party.

 

1.51 Transfer Price” means the Hapbee Manufacturing Cost of a unit of Licensed Product plus fifteen percent (15%).

 

1.52 Upfront Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 

1.53 U.S.” means the United States of America, including its territories and possessions and the District of Columbia.

 

1.54 Valid Claim” means (a) a claim of an issued and unexpired patent that has not been revoked or held unenforceable, unpatentable, or invalid by a decision of a court or other governmental agency of competent jurisdiction that is not appealable or has not been appealed within the time allowed for appeal, and that has not been abandoned, disclaimed, denied, or admitted to be invalid or unenforceable through reissue, re-examination, or disclaimer or otherwise, or (b) a claim of a pending patent application that has not been cancelled, withdrawn, or abandoned or finally rejected by an administrative agency action from which no appeal can be taken and that has not been pending for more than ten (10) years.

 

1.55 Withholding Tax Action” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(c).

 

Article 2

GRANT OF LICENSE

 

2.1 License Grants and Hapbee Product Purchases.

 

(a) Licensed Technology. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, EMulate hereby grants to Hapbee an exclusive, royalty-bearing license under the EMulate Technology to use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rent, import, and otherwise Commercialize the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory during the Term. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, EMulate hereby grants to Hapbee an exclusive, royalty-bearing license under the EMulate Technology to ship, label and package Authorized Product for use in the Field in the Territory.

 

(b) Trademarks. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, EMulate hereby grants to Hapbee a non-exclusive, royalty-free license under the EMulate Trademarks solely to Commercialize, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rental, and import Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory during the Term. For clarity, if a EMulate Trademark is not used exclusively with the Authorized Product in the Territory at the time of First Commercial Sale of the Authorized Product, then EMulate has the right to use such EMulate Trademark with any other product in the Territory.

 

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2.2 License Grants to EMulate. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Hapbee hereby grants to EMulate a royalty-free, fully-paid, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (in accordance with Section 2.3) through multiple tiers, in, to and under the Hapbee Technology to research, develop, make, have made, commercialize, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rent, and import any product other than Authorized Product.

 

2.3 Purchase of Product from Hapbee. During the Term, Hapbee will manufacture and supply EMulate such product, other than the Authorized Product, to EMulate or Third Parties designated by EMulate for use outside the Field anywhere in the world, in such quantities as EMulate will order and Hapbee will accept pursuant to and in accordance with a separate commercial supply agreement to be entered into between Hapbee and EMulate (the “EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement”) at the Transfer Price for such product, which Transfer Price will be specified in the EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement. The Parties will negotiate in good faith to enter into the EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement on commercially reasonable terms (other than the Transfer Price).

 

2.4 Sublicensees; Distributors. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Hapbee will have the right to sublicense the rights granted to it under Section 2.1 to:

 

(a) Third Parties with EMulate’s prior consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed; provided, that (i) such sublicensee agrees with EMulate in writing to comply with the term and conditions of this Agreement that are applicable to such Sublicensee’s activities under such sublicense; and (ii) Hapbee remains fully liable for the performance of such sublicensee in accordance with this Agreement.

 

(b) Distributors without EMulate’s consent, provided that Hapbee will remain responsible for the performance of its Distributors hereunder, including without limitation the compliance with Applicable Laws by such Distributors in connection with the distribution of the Authorized Product hereunder. In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 13.2(b) for breach by Hapbee, EMulate will reasonably consider and discuss with each such Distributor potential continuation of the Distributor agreement directly with EMulate if such Distributor is not then in breach of its Hapbee Distributor agreement, a complete copy of which Hapbee will provide to EMulate upon request.

 

2.5 No Implied License. Neither Party grants to the other Party any rights or licenses in or to any intellectual property, whether by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, other than the licenses and rights that are expressly granted under this Agreement.

 

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2.6 Retained Rights. EMulate hereby expressly retains:

 

(a) the right under the EMulate Technology to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under this Agreement, whether directly or through one or more licensees (other than Hapbee) or subcontractors; and

 

(b) all rights to practice and to grant licenses under the EMulate Technology outside of the scope of the license granted in Section 2.1(a), including without limitation the exclusive right to make and have made cognates other than the Cognate anywhere in the world, and the exclusive right to practice the EMulate Technology with respect to products other than the Authorized Product.

 

2.7 Exclusivity Obligations. During the Term, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, Hapbee agrees that it will not acquire, develop, manufacture, sell, lease, rent, import, distribute, or otherwise Commercialize in the Territory any product for use in the Field other than the Authorized Product, either by itself or through any Third Party. In furtherance of the license and exclusivity grant to Hapbee herein, EMulate covenants that during the Term it will not grant rights to any Third Party to use the Cognate in the Field in the Territory or acquire, develop, manufacture, sell, lease, rent, import, distribute, or otherwise Commercialize the Authorized Product in the Territory in the Field.

 

2.8 Designation of Cognate. EMulate has, pursuant to one or more agreements between the Parties (each, an “Evaluation Agreement”), provided Hapbee the opportunity to evaluate (or to have evaluated) for safety one (1) cognate that emulates the electromagnetic or magnetic field signal or ulRFE of theobromine. Based on the results of the evaluations performed, Hapbee hereby designates to EMulate such one (1) cognate, which will, subject to the other provisions of this Section 2.8, hereafter be deemed to be the “Cognate” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Article 3

GOVERNANCE

 

3.1 Joint Steering Committee.

 

(a) Establishment. Within thirty (30) days following the Effective Date, EMulate and Hapbee will establish a committee (the “JSC”) to oversee, review, and coordinate the supply and Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory.

 

(b) Duties. The JSC will:

 

(i) provide a forum for the Parties to discuss material marketing, sales, lease, rental, subscription and manufacturing matters pertaining to the Authorized Product in the Territory;

 

(ii) provide a forum for the Parties to exchange information and coordinate their respective activities with respect to marketing, sales, lease, rental, subscription and manufacturing matters pertaining to the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory and outside the Field or Territory;

 

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(iii) review Hapbee’s Commercialization plans and discuss Hapbee’s proposed activities with respect to realizing Commercialization plans for the Authorized Product; and

 

(iv) perform such other duties as are specifically assigned by the Parties to the JSC pursuant to this Agreement.

 

3.2 Membership. Promptly after the Effective Date, each Party will designate up to three (3) representatives with appropriate expertise to serve as members of the JSC. The Parties may elect to vary the participating member and number of representatives that serve on the JSC, provided that in all cases the JSC maintains an equal number of representatives from each Party. Each Party may replace its representatives on the JSC at any time upon written notice to the other Party.

 

3.3 Chairperson; Minutes. One member of the JSC will serve as the chairperson, who will be responsible for organizing meetings, preparing and circulating an agenda in advance of each meeting, and preparing minutes of each meeting. Each JSC representative will review and approve such minutes in writing; provided that if a representative does not object to the accuracy of such minutes within fifteen (15) days after the circulation of such minutes, such minutes will be deemed approved by such representative. Hapbee will appoint the chairperson for an initial one (1) year term and thereafter the Parties will alternate in appointing the chairperson for twelve (12) month terms.

 

3.4 Meetings. The JSC will hold meetings on a Calendar Quarter basis or on such other schedule to which the Parties may mutually agree. Meetings of the JSC will be effective only if at least one (1) representative of each Party is present or participating. The JSC may meet either (i) in person at either Party’s facilities or at such locations as the Parties may otherwise agree; or (ii) by audio or video teleconference. With the prior consent of the other Party’s representatives (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), each Party may invite non-members to participate in the discussions and meetings of the JSC, provided that such participants will have no vote and will be subject to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Article 10. Additional JSC meetings may be held with each Party’s consent, or as required under this Agreement, and neither Party will unreasonably withhold or delay its consent to hold such an additional meeting.

 

3.5 Decision-Making.

 

(a) The JSC will make good faith efforts to make all decisions on matters that are within the scope of its decision-making authority by consensus. Subject to the terms of this Section 3.5, actions to be taken by the JSC will be taken only following a unanimous vote with each Party’s representatives collectively having one (1) vote. If the JSC fails to reach unanimous consent on a particular matter that is within the scope of its decision-making authority within thirty (30) days of a Party having requested a formal vote on such matter (or, if such matter is urgent, within ten (10) days of such request), then either Party may submit such matter for resolution to the Senior Executives pursuant to Article 14.

 

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(b) The scope of the JSC’s decision making authority is limited to coordination of operational and planning matters that relate to the performance by the Parties of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement, the performance or alleged nonperformance of a Party’s obligations under this Agreement, or any alleged breach of this Agreement (including but not limited to the alleged occurrence of a Hapbee Material Breach of an EMulate Material Breach)will be resolved in accordance with the terms of Article 14 and are outside the scope of the JSC’s decision-making authority.

 

3.6 Expenses. Each Party will be responsible for all of its own travel and other costs and expenses for its respective members, designees, and non-member invitees to attend meetings of, and otherwise participate on, the JSC and any subcommittees or working groups.

 

3.7 Subcommittees. From time to time, the JSC may establish subcommittees to oversee particular projects or activities within the JSC’s scope of authority, as it deems necessary or advisable. Each subcommittee will consist of such number of representatives of each Party as the JSC determines is appropriate from time to time, and will meet with such frequency as the JSC determines.

 

3.8 Discontinuation of Participation. The JSC will continue to exist until the first to occur of: (a) the Parties mutually agreeing to disband the committee; or (b) EMulate providing to Hapbee written notice of its intention to disband and no longer participate in such committee. Upon EMulate’s delivery to Hapbee of such written notice, the JSC will have no further obligations under this Agreement and any matters that would previously have been addressed by the JSC will be handled by the Parties in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

3.9 Alliance Managers. Promptly after the Effective Date, each Party will appoint an individual who will be an employee of such Party having appropriate qualification and experience to act as the alliance manager for such Party (the “Alliance Manager”). Each Alliance Manager will be responsible for coordinating and managing processes and interfacing between the Parties on a day-to-day basis throughout the Term. The Alliance Manager will ensure communication to the JSC of all relevant matters raised at any joint subcommittees or working groups. Each Alliance Manager will be permitted to attend meetings of the JSC as non-voting participants. The Alliance Managers will be the primary contact for the Parties regarding the activities contemplated by this Agreement and will facilitate all such activities hereunder. Each Party may replace its Alliance Manager with an alternative representative at any time with prior written notice to the other Party. Any Alliance Manager may designate a substitute to temporarily perform the functions of that Alliance Manager. Each Alliance Manager will be charged with creating and maintaining a collaborative work environment within the JSC and its subcommittees. Each Party will be responsible for all of its own costs with respect to its Alliance Manager.

 

Article 4

COMMERCIALIZATION ACTIVITIES

 

4.1 Diligence. Hapbee will be responsible for the conduct and cost of all activities and efforts in the Territory necessary to support the Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory. Hapbee will submit to the JSC for review and discussion a plan setting forth Hapbee’s planned Commercialization activities with respect to the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory. Hapbee will consult with and provide regular updates to EMulate through the JSC regarding Hapbee’s Commercialization activities and efforts.

 

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4.2 Records. Hapbee will maintain detailed and accurate records regarding its Commercialization activities and efforts with respect to the Authorized Product in the Field pursuant to this Agreement. Upon request by EMulate from time to time, Hapbee will promptly provide the JSC with summaries of such Commercialization activities and efforts to date. Upon reasonable prior written notice, EMulate will have the right (subject to Article 10) to inspect the books and records of Hapbee and its Sublicensees and Distributors reflecting the work done and results achieved by or on behalf of Hapbee or its Sublicensees or Distributors in the performance of its Commercialization activities and efforts for the sole purpose of determining compliance by Hapbee with this Agreement.

 

Article 5

COMMERCIALIZATION

 

5.1 Overview and Diligence; Failure to Commercialize. Subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all Applicable Laws, Hapbee, at its expense, will be solely responsible for Commercializing the Authorized Product for the Field in the Territory. Hapbee will use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve the First Commercial Sale in the Territory within six (6) months after the Effective Date; provided, however, that (a) such 6-month period may be extended by written agreement of the Parties; (b) such 6-month period will be extended if, in EMulate’s sole reasonable determination, Hapbee is making substantial progress towards entering into agreements with one or more third parties for the purpose of Commercializing the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, and (c) if Hapbee does not achieve the First Commercial Sale in the Territory within such 6-month period (if such period has not been extended), then EMulate will have the right to terminate the licenses granted by EMulate pursuant to Section 2.1 and all rights granted to Hapbee under such licenses and under this Agreement with respect thereto will upon such termination immediately revert to EMulate. EMulate will exercise such right of termination by providing written notice thereof to Hapbee.

 

5.2 Commercialization Plan. Upon EMulate’s reasonable request, Hapbee will submit to EMulate for review and discussion at the next scheduled JSC meeting a commercialization plan setting forth the goals, strategies, and plans for Hapbee’s prelaunch activities, launch, and subsequent Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory and the level of anticipated sales force and promotion efforts dedicated to the Authorized Product, together with the budget in connection therewith (the “Commercialization Plan”). Hapbee will conduct all Commercialization activities in accordance with such Commercialization Plan; provided, that, Hapbee may, upon providing notice thereof to EMulate, modify the Commercialization Plan from time to time to the extent that such modification (a) would improve Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, (b) would not constitute a breach by Hapbee of any of its obligations under this Agreement, or (c) would not limit any of the rights of EMulate under this Agreement or any benefits that EMulate would have otherwise received under this Agreement but for such modification. Hapbee will consult with and provide regular updates to EMulate regarding its Commercialization strategies.

 

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5.3 Reports. Hapbee will present written reports to the JSC annually summarizing Hapbee’s significant Commercialization activities with respect to the Authorized Product in the Territory pursuant to this Agreement and including a forecast for the following year’s sales, leases, rentals and subscriptions of or for the Authorized Product in the Territory. Such reports will cover subject matter at a level of detail reasonably sufficient to enable EMulate to determine Hapbee’s compliance with its diligence obligations pursuant to this Article 5.

 

5.4 Marketing and Promotional Literature. Hapbee will prepare all marketing and promotional literature related to Authorized Product for use in the Territory in accordance with Applicable Laws. All such marketing and promotional literature will be subject to the review and authorization of EMulate. EMulate will provide feedback regarding such literature within five (5) business days following receipt thereof, and failure to provide feedback within such period will be deemed to be authorization thereof. At the request of EMulate, EMulate will be presented and described as the Party who developed and manufactured the Authorized Product in a manner satisfactory to both EMulate and Hapbee on, by way of example, all labels, packaging, packaging inserts, and promotional literature related to the Authorized Product, in each case to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, for example by use of phrases like “powered by EMulate Therapeutics.” Without limiting any other provision of this Agreement, Hapbee will have the sole right to brand the Authorized Product for Commercialization in any manner consistent with Applicable Laws that Hapbee deems appropriate, including using Hapbee Housemarks and similar trademarks or trade names of any Hapbee Sublicensee.

 

5.5 Labeling and Patent Rights Marking. Subject to, and in accordance with, Applicable Laws, Hapbee will identify EMulate as the licensor or producer of the Cognate used in the Authorized Product using the EMulate Trademarks designated by EMulate for such use in certain mutually agreed promotional materials for Authorized Product in the Territory where such identification is appropriate, in a manner approved in advance in writing by both Parties, and in accordance with (and subject to) the Trademark License set forth in Section 2.1(b). To the extent permitted by Applicable Law and customary in the industry for such products, Hapbee will mark all Authorized Product sold, leased or rented in the Territory by Hapbee, its Sublicensees or Distributors with appropriate EMulate Trademarks and patent numbers and the appropriate Hapbee Housemarks and patent numbers. Hapbee may, in its sole discretion, include any Hapbee Housemark on the Authorized Product, and on the labels, packaging, promotional materials, and other materials therefor, subject to Applicable Law.

 

Article 6

SUPPLY

 

6.1 Supply and Purchase of the Cognate for the Authorized Product. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, during the Term, EMulate will produce and supply the Cognate for the Authorized Product exclusively to Hapbee or its Sublicensees and Distributors for use in the Field in the Territory, and Hapbee or its Sublicensees and Distributors will purchase exclusively from EMulate, all of Hapbee’s and its Sublicensees’ and Distributors’ requirements of the Cognate used in the Authorized Product for Commercialization use in the Field in the Territory in such quantities as Hapbee will order and EMulate will accept pursuant to and in accordance with a separate commercial supply agreement to be entered into between Hapbee and EMulate (the “Commercial Supply Agreement”). The Parties will negotiate in good faith to enter into the Commercial Supply Agreement on commercially reasonable terms.

 

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Article 7

FINANCIAL TERMS

 

7.1 Upfront Payment. In consideration for the licenses and rights granted to Hapbee under this Agreement with respect to the Cognate designated by and provided to Hapbee pursuant to this Agreement, Hapbee will pay to EMulate, within ten (10) days following the Effective Date, a non-refundable, non-creditable payment in an amount equal to ten thousand US dollars (US$10,000.00) (the “Upfront Amount”). Such payment will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds into an account designated by EMulate.

 

7.2 Royalty Payments.

 

(a) Royalty Rate. Subject to this Section 7.2 and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, in further consideration for the licenses and rights granted to Hapbee under this Agreement, Hapbee will pay to EMulate, on a Calendar Quarter basis, royalties on the quarterly Net Income from (i) sales, lease or rental of the Authorized Product in the Territory multiplied by a percentage royalty rate equal to twenty percent (20%), and (ii) use of (e.g., subscriptions for) the Authorized Product in the Territory multiplied by a percentage royalty rate equal to twenty percent (20%); provided, that the percentage royalty rate on the first ten million US dollars (US$10,000,000.00) of Net Income from use of (e.g., subscriptions for) Authorized Product will be equal to twenty-five percent (25%).

 

(b) Royalty Term. Hapbee’s obligation to make royalty payments pursuant to this Section 7.2 will commence upon the Effective Date and will continue throughout the term of this Agreement.

 

7.3 Taxes. All amounts payable to EMulate will be paid without any reduction or offset for taxes. If any withholding taxes or stamp, VAT, foreign exchange, or other transfer taxes apply to payments payable to EMulate, then Hapbee will pay such taxes directly and will increase the amounts payable to EMulate so that EMulate receives the full amount it would have received if no such taxes applied.

 

7.4 Expenses Related to Cognate. The amount of all costs and expenses incurred by EMulate for producing the Cognate (e.g., costs of measuring, recording and optimizing such Cognate) will be for the account of Hapbee.

 

Article 8

PAYMENTS, BOOKS, AND RECORDS

 

8.1 Payment; Royalty Reports. Royalty payments due by Hapbee to EMulate under Section 7.2 will be calculated and reported for each Calendar Quarter. All royalty payments due under Section 7.2 will be paid within thirty (30) days after the end of each Calendar Quarter and will be accompanied by a report setting forth the Net Income from sales, lease, rental or subscription of or for the Authorized Product by Hapbee and its Sublicensees and Distributors in the Territory in sufficient detail to permit confirmation of the accuracy of the royalty payment made, including, the number of Authorized Product sold, the Net Income from sales, lease, rental or subscription of or for Authorized Product, the royalties payable, the method used to calculate the royalties, and the exchange rates used. Prior to commencement of Commercialization of Authorized Product, the Parties will agree on the form of royalty report. Hapbee will submit a single report for all Net Income from sales, lease, rental, subscription of or for Authorized Product during a Calendar Quarter, including by Hapbee, its Sublicensees and Distributors, but will separately identify the Net Income and other information applicable to each entity.

 

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8.2 Payment Currency; Currency Conversion. All references to dollars and “$” herein will refer to U.S. dollars. All payments hereunder will be payable in U.S. dollars. With respect to conversion of Net Income in any non-U.S. currency to U.S. dollars, such conversion will be at the exchange rate equal to the U.S. dollar conversion rate for such currency as published by The Wall Street Journal, Western U.S. Edition, as published on the last business day of the Calendar Quarter in which the applicable Net Income was invoiced. All payments owed under this Agreement will be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to a bank and account designated in writing by EMulate from time to time for such purpose.

 

8.3 Taxes.

 

(a) Taxes on Income. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.3, each Party will be solely responsible for the payment of all taxes imposed on its share of income arising directly or indirectly from the activities of the Parties under this Agreement.

 

(b) Tax Cooperation. The Parties agree to cooperate with one another and use reasonable efforts to avoid or reduce tax withholding, transfer taxes, or similar obligations with respect to milestone payments, royalty payments, and other payments made by Hapbee to EMulate under this Agreement. To the extent Hapbee is required by Applicable Laws to deduct and withhold taxes on any payment to EMulate, Hapbee will pay the amounts of such taxes to the proper governmental authority in a timely manner and promptly transmit to EMulate an official tax certificate or other evidence of such payment sufficient to enable EMulate to claim such payment of taxes. EMulate will provide Hapbee any tax forms that may be reasonably necessary in order for Hapbee not to withhold tax or to withhold tax at a reduced rate under an applicable bilateral income tax treaty, to the extent legally able to do so. EMulate will use reasonable efforts to provide any such tax forms to Hapbee in advance of the due date; provided, that EMulate may direct Hapbee to temporarily hold a payment otherwise payable in order to avoid withholding taxes if EMulate is waiting for a required tax form to be issued by a governmental authority. Hapbee will provide EMulate with reasonable assistance to enable the recovery, as permitted by Applicable Laws, of withholding taxes, transfer taxes, or similar obligations resulting from payments made under this Agreement, such recovery to be for the benefit of EMulate. Each Party agrees to assist the other Party in claiming exemption from such deductions or withholdings under double taxation or similar agreement or treaty from time to time in force and in minimizing the amount required to be so withheld or deducted.

 

(c) Taxes Resulting From a Party’s Action. If a Party takes any action, including any assignment, sublicense, change of place of incorporation, or failure to comply with Applicable Laws or filing or record retention requirements, which results in a withholding or deduction obligation or a transfer tax (“Withholding Tax Action”), then such Party will pay the sum associated with such Withholding Tax Action. For clarity, if Hapbee undertakes a Withholding Tax Action, then the sum payable by Hapbee (in respect of which such deduction or withholding is required to be made) will be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that EMulate receives a sum equal to the sum which it would have received had no such Withholding Tax Action occurred. Otherwise, the sum payable by Hapbee (in respect of which such deduction or withholding is required to be made) will be made to EMulate after deduction of the amount required to be so withheld or deducted. If a change in Applicable Laws results in a withholding or deduction obligation absent either Party taking a Withholding Tax Action, then the amount of such withholding or deduction obligation will be paid by Hapbee to the applicable governmental authority on behalf of EMulate in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.3(b). The Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to invoke the application of any applicable bilateral income tax treaty that would reduce or eliminate otherwise applicable taxes with respect to payments payable pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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8.4 Records. Hapbee will keep, and require its Sublicensees and Distributors to keep, complete, true, and accurate books of accounts and records for the purpose of determining the amounts payable to EMulate pursuant to this Agreement. Such books and records will be kept for such period of time required by law, but no less than at least five (5) years following the end of the Calendar Quarter to which they pertain. Such records will be subject to inspection in accordance with Section 8.5.

 

8.5 Audits. Upon not less than ten (10) days’ prior written notice, Hapbee will permit an independent, certified public accountant selected by EMulate and reasonably acceptable to Hapbee, which acceptance will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (for the purposes of this Section 8.5, the “Auditor”), to audit or inspect those books or records of Hapbee, its Sublicensees and Distributors that relate to Net Income, or Royalty Reports for the sole purpose of verifying (a) the royalties payable hereunder in respect of Net Income, (b) the withholding taxes, if any, required by Applicable Law to be deducted as a payment by Hapbee in respect of such Net Income, and (c) the exchange rates used in determining the amount of U.S. dollars. The Auditor will disclose to EMulate only the amount and accuracy of payments reported and actually paid or otherwise payable under this Agreement. The Auditor will send a copy of the report to Hapbee at the same time it is sent to EMulate. EMulate will bear the full cost of such audit unless such audit discloses an underpayment of the amount actually owed of more than five percent (5%), in which case Hapbee will bear the full out-of-pocket, external cost of such audit. Within thirty (30) days from the auditor’s report, Hapbee will submit to EMulate any underpayment discovered in such audit, or EMulate will refund any amounts shown to have been overpaid, in each case as applicable.

 

8.6 Late Payment. Any amounts not paid when due under this Agreement will be subject to interest from and after the date payment is due through and including the date upon which such Party makes such payment at the annual interest rate of one and a half (1.5) percent (1.5%) compounded monthly; provided, however, that in no event will such rate exceed the maximum legal annual interest rate. The payment of such interest will not limit the Party entitled to receive payment from exercising any other rights it may have as a consequence of the lateness of any payment.

 

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Article 9

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

9.1 Ownership of Intellectual Property.

 

(a) EMulate Technology and Hapbee Technology. EMulate owns and will retain all rights, title, and interests in and to the EMulate Technology. Hapbee will own and retain all rights, title and interests in and to the Hapbee Technology.

 

(b) Ownership of Inventions. Ownership of all Inventions will be based on inventorship, as determined in accordance with the rules of inventorship under U.S. patent laws. Each Party will solely own any Inventions made solely by its or its employees, agents, or independent contractors (“Sole Inventions”). The Parties will jointly own any Inventions that are made jointly by employees, agents, or independent contractors of one Party together with employees, agents, or independent contractors of the other Party (“Joint Inventions”). If an Hapbee Sole Invention or a Joint Invention covers or is related to the Cognate (collectively, the “Cognate Inventions”), such Cognate Inventions will be owned solely by EMulate, and Hapbee will and hereby does assign to EMulate its right and interest in such Cognate Inventions and such assigned Cognate Inventions will be included in the EMulate Technology licensed to Hapbee pursuant to Section 2.1(a).

 

9.2 Patent Prosecution and Maintenance.

 

(a) EMulate Patents. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.2, EMulate will have the sole right and authority to prepare, file, prosecute, and maintain the EMulate Patents on a worldwide basis. EMulate will bear all costs of preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of the EMulate Patents in the Territory.

 

(b) EMulate Abandonment. If EMulate determines in its sole discretion to abandon or not maintain any such EMulate Patent(s) in the Territory, then EMulate will provide Hapbee with written notice of such determination within a period of time reasonably necessary to allow Hapbee to determine its interest in such EMulate Patent(s). In the event Hapbee provides written notice expressing its interest in obtaining such EMulate Patent(s), EMulate will assign and transfer, without any compensation, to Hapbee the ownership of, and interest in, such EMulate Patent(s) in the Territory, at Hapbee’s sole expense. Hapbee will thereafter bear all costs of preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of such assigned and transferred Patents in the Territory. In the event that Hapbee decides to abandon or not maintain any such Patent(s), Hapbee will promptly provide EMulate with written notice of such decision.

 

(c) Hapbee Patents. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.2, Hapbee will have the sole right and authority, in its sole discretion, to prepare, file, prosecute, and maintain the Hapbee Patents within the Territory at its own expense.

 

(d) Hapbee Abandonment. If Hapbee determines in its sole discretion to abandon or not maintain any such Patent within the Hapbee Patents anywhere in the world, then Hapbee will provide EMulate with written notice of such determination within a period of time reasonably necessary to allow EMulate to determine its interest in such Hapbee Patent(s). In the event EMulate provides written notice expressing its interest in obtaining such Hapbee Patent(s), Hapbee will assign and transfer, without any compensation, to EMulate the ownership of, and interest in, such Hapbee Patent(s) in the applicable jurisdiction at EMulate’s sole expense. EMulate will thereafter bear all costs of preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of such assigned and transferred Patent(s). For the avoidance of doubt, such transferred Patent(s) will be a part of the EMulate Patents licensed hereunder to Hapbee upon Hapbee’s payment to EMulate of the patent expenses incurred by EMulate in the Territory related thereto. In the event that EMulate decides to abandon or not maintain any such transferred Patent(s), EMulate will promptly provide Hapbee with written notice of such decision.

 

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(e) Joint Patents.

 

(i) Initial Responsibility. EMulate will be responsible for the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of Joint Patents worldwide, subject to the rest of this Section 9.2(e). EMulate will be responsible for preparing, filing, prosecuting, and maintaining all Joint Patents, using a patent counsel selected by EMulate and reasonably acceptable to Hapbee; provided, that Hapbee and EMulate will share equally the cost and expenses of the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of Joint Patents, and Hapbee will reimburse EMulate for Hapbee’s portion of such costs and expenses incurred by EMulate within thirty (30) days from the date of invoice for such costs and expenses by EMulate.

 

(ii) Cooperation. EMulate will consult with Hapbee in preparing Joint Patent applications and will consider and adopt in good faith Hapbee’s comments and suggestions prior to the filing of any Joint Patent application. EMulate will keep Hapbee fully informed of progress with regard to the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of the Joint Patents in and outside the Territory. EMulate will:

 

(1) provide Hapbee with a copy of the final draft of any proposed application at least thirty (30) days prior to filing the same in any patent office worldwide, unless otherwise agreed by patent counsel for both parties, and EMulate will consider in good faith any comments or revisions suggested by Hapbee or its counsel;

 

(2) promptly provide Hapbee with a copy of each patent application as filed, together with a notice of its filing date and serial number;

 

(3) provide Hapbee with a copy of any action, communication, letter, or other correspondence issued by the relevant patent office within at least ten (10) days of receipt thereof, and EMulate will consult with Hapbee regarding responding to the same and will consider in good faith any comments, strategies, and the like proposed by Hapbee;

 

(4) provide Hapbee with a copy of any response, amendment, paper, or other correspondence filed with the relevant patent office within ten (10) days of EMulate’s receipt of the as-filed document;

 

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(5) promptly notify Hapbee of the allowance, grant, or issuance of such Joint Patents; and

 

(6) consult with Hapbee regarding the countries to be filed and maintained, the payment of annuities, taxes and maintenance fees for any such Joint Patents.

 

(iii) Joint Patent Abandonment. In the event that EMulate desires to abandon or cease prosecution and/or maintenance of any Joint Patent, EMulate will provide reasonable prior written notice to Hapbee of such intention to abandon (which notice will, to the extent possible, be given no later than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the next deadline for any action that must be taken with respect to such Joint Patent in the relevant patent office). In such case or if EMulate refuses to pay its share of costs related to any such Joint Patent, at Hapbee’s sole discretion, upon written notice from Hapbee, Hapbee may elect to continue prosecution and/or maintenance of any such Joint Patent at its own expense, and EMulate will execute such documents and perform such acts, at EMulate’s expense, as may be reasonably necessary to effect an assignment of EMulate’s entire right, title, and interest in and to such Joint Patent to Hapbee. Any such assignment will be completed in a timely manner to allow Hapbee to continue prosecution and/or maintenance of any such Joint Patent. Any Patents so assigned will no longer be considered Joint Patents and will become Hapbee Patents.

 

(iv) Hapbee Declines Responsibility. If Hapbee refuses to pay its share of costs related to any Joint Patent, upon written notice from EMulate, Hapbee will assign its entire right, title, and interest in and to any such Joint Patent to EMulate. Any Patents so assigned will no longer be considered Joint Patents and will become EMulate Patents.

 

9.3 Infringement by Third Parties.

 

(a) Notice. In the event that either EMulate or Hapbee becomes aware of any infringement or threatened infringement by a Third Party of any Patents that are subject to the prosecution, maintenance, or enforcement by a Party under this Agreement, it will notify the other Party in writing to that effect. Any such notice will include evidence to support an allegation of infringement or threatened infringement by such Third Party.

 

(b) EMulate Patents. Subject to this Section 9.3(b), EMulate has the first right, as between EMulate and Hapbee, to bring and control any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any EMulate Patent worldwide, at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice. Hapbee has the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice, and EMulate and its counsel will reasonably cooperate with Hapbee and its counsel in strategizing, preparing, and presenting any such action or proceeding. If EMulate fails to bring an action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any EMulate Patent described in the preceding sentence within (i) one hundred twenty (120) days following the notice of alleged infringement or (ii) ten (10) days before the time limit, if any, set forth in the appropriate laws and regulations for the filing of such actions, whichever comes first, Hapbee has the right, but not the obligation, to bring and control any such action at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice. Upon Hapbee’s request, EMulate will timely join any such litigation and cooperate with Hapbee in connection with such infringement action. Except as otherwise agreed to by the Parties as part of a cost-sharing arrangement, any recovery or damages realized as a result of such action or proceeding will be used first to reimburse the Parties’ documented out-of-pocket legal expenses relating to the action or proceeding, and any remaining damages relating to the Authorized Product (including without limitation, lost sales, leases, rentals or lost profits with respect to the Authorized Product) will be retained by the Party bringing suit, and if such Party is Hapbee, such remaining damages will be deemed Net Income subject to the royalty provisions of Section 7.3.

 

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(c) Hapbee Patents. Hapbee has the first right (but not the obligation), as between EMulate and Hapbee, to bring and control any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any Hapbee Patent worldwide, at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice and the right to retain all damages resulting from its enforcement action.

 

(d) Joint Patents. Any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any Joint Patent worldwide may only be brought by both Parties, with the costs to be shared equally between the Parties. Except as otherwise agreed to by the Parties as part of a cost-sharing arrangement, any recovery or damages from an action or proceeding relating to Joint Patents will be used first to reimburse the Parties’ documented out-of-pocket legal expenses relating to the action or proceeding, and any remaining damages will be shared equally between the Parties.

 

(e) Cooperation. In the event either Party brings an infringement action in accordance with this Section 9.3, the other Party will cooperate fully, including, if required to bring such action, the furnishing of a power of attorney or being named as a party to such action.

 

9.4 Infringement of Third-Party Rights. Each Party will promptly notify the other in writing of any allegation by a Third Party that the activity of either of the Parties pursuant to this Agreement infringes or may infringe the intellectual property rights of such Third Party. EMulate has the sole right to control any defense of any such claim involving alleged infringement of Third-Party rights by EMulate’s activities at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice, and Hapbee has the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice. Hapbee has the sole right to control any defense of any such claim involving alleged infringement of Third-Party rights by Hapbee’s activities at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice, and EMulate has the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice.

 

9.5 Consent for Settlement. Neither Party will enter into any settlement or compromise of any action or proceeding under this Article 9 which would materially alter, diminish, or be in derogation of the other Party’s rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of such other Party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

9.6 Patent Marking. Hapbee (or its Sublicensees, or Distributors) will mark Authorized Product marketed and sold by Hapbee (or its Sublicensees, or Distributors) hereunder with appropriate patent numbers or indicia designed by EMulate to the extent such markings or such notices would impact recoveries of damages or equitable remedies available under Applicable Law with respect to infringements of patents in the Territory.

 

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9.7 Trademarks. Without limiting any of Hapbee’s rights to brand the Authorized Product as provided for in Section 5.4, Hapbee will use the EMulate Trademarks selected by EMulate to Commercialize the Authorized Product in the Territory. Where Hapbee reasonably believes the EMulate Trademark is not appropriate for commercial use, or if such EMulate Trademark is not approved for use in the Territory by the applicable Regulatory Authority, the Parties will agree on an alternative product trademark for such country and such alternative product trademark will be deemed a EMulate Trademark. In addition, unless prohibited by Applicable Laws, Hapbee will include EMulate’s corporate trademark on the packaging and product information of the Authorized Product sold in the Territory to indicate that the Authorized Product is licensed from EMulate. All use of the EMulate Trademarks and EMulate corporate trademark will comply with Applicable Laws and regulations and will be subject to EMulate’s review and approval. For clarity, Hapbee may also include its (or its Sublicensee’s) corporate logo Hapbee Housemarks and similar trademarks or trade names of any Hapbee Sublicensee in the Authorized Product sold in the Territory.

 

Article 10

CONFIDENTIALITY

 

10.1 Nondisclosure. Except to the extent expressly authorized by this Agreement or otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, during the Term and for seven (7) years thereafter, the receiving Party (the “Receiving Party”) will keep confidential and will not publish or otherwise disclose and will not use for any purpose other than as expressly provided for in this Agreement any Confidential Information of the other Party (the “Disclosing Party”), and both Parties will keep confidential and, subject to Sections 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4, will not publish or otherwise disclose the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Receiving Party’s obligation of confidentiality and restriction on use with respect to the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information which derives economic value from not being generally known to public and is identified in writing by the Disclosing Party as trade secrets will continue perpetually for so long as such Confidential Information is unpublished by the Disclosing Party and no provision of Section 10.2(b), (c), or (d) applies to such Confidential Information. Each Party may use the other Party’s Confidential Information solely to the extent required to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including exercising such Party’s rights or performing its obligations under this Agreement. Each Party will use at least the same standard of care as it uses to protect proprietary or confidential information of its own (but no less than reasonable care) to ensure that its employees, agents, consultants, contractors, other representatives and, in the case of Hapbee, Sublicensees and Distributors do not disclose or make any unauthorized use of the Confidential Information of the other Party. Each Party will promptly notify the other Party upon discovery of any unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential Information of the other Party.

 

10.2 Authorized Disclosure. The Receiving Party may disclose Confidential Information belonging to the Disclosing Party only to the extent such disclosure is reasonably necessary in the following instances:

 

(a) filing or prosecuting Patents as permitted by this Agreement;

 

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(b) prosecuting or defending litigation, including responding to a subpoena in a Third-Party litigation;

 

(c) complying with Applicable Laws or regulations (including regulations promulgated by securities exchanges) or court or administrative orders;

 

(d) to its Sublicensees or prospective Sublicensees, Distributors, Third-Party Partners, subcontractors or prospective subcontractors, payors, consultants, agents, and advisors on a “need-to-know” basis in order for the Receiving Party to exercise its rights or fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, each of whom prior to disclosure must be bound by obligations of confidentiality and restrictions on use of such Confidential Information that are no less restrictive than those set forth in this Article 10; provided, however, that, in each of the above situations, the Receiving Party will remain responsible for any failure by any Third Party who receives Confidential Information pursuant to this Section 10.2 to treat such Confidential Information as required under this Article 10; or

 

(e) to bona fide potential and actual investors, acquirors, merger partners, licensees, and other financial or commercial partners solely for the purpose of evaluating or carrying out an actual or potential investment, acquisition, or collaboration, in each case under written obligations of confidentiality and non-use at least as stringent as those herein.

 

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Party is required to make a disclosure of the other Party’s Confidential Information pursuant to Sections 10.2(b), (c), or (d), it will, except where impracticable, give at least thirty (30) days’ advance notice to the other Party of such disclosure, reasonably consider the comments of the other Party with respect to limiting such disclosure, and use efforts to secure confidential treatment of such Confidential Information at least as diligent as such Party would use to protect its own confidential information, but in no event less than reasonable efforts. In any event, the Parties agree to take all reasonable action to avoid disclosure of Confidential Information hereunder. Any information disclosed pursuant to Sections 10.2(b), (c), or (d) will remain the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party and subject to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement, including the foregoing provisions of this Article 10.

 

10.3 Public Announcements. At the election of EMulate with respect to any or all of the Authorized Product, the Parties agree to issue a joint press release in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to both Parties announcing the signature of this Agreement at or shortly after the Effective Date, but in any event within the time-period as required by Applicable Laws. It is understood that either Party may make such disclosures as it determines, based on advice of counsel, is reasonably necessary to comply with Applicable Laws or for appropriate market disclosure. Each Party will provide the other Party with advance notice of legally required disclosures to the extent practicable. The Parties will consult with each other on the provisions of this Agreement to be redacted in any filings made by a Party as required by Applicable Laws; provided, that each Party will have the right to make any such filing as it reasonably determines necessary under Applicable Laws. In addition, following any initial joint press release announcing this Agreement, either Party will be free to disclose, without the other Party’s prior written consent, the existence of this Agreement, the identity of the other Party, and those terms of the Agreement which have already been publicly disclosed in accordance herewith.

 

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Article 11

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

 

11.1 Mutual Representations and Warranties. Each Party represents and warrants to the other that, as of the Effective Date: (a) it is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, and has full corporate or other power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions hereof, (b) it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and the person or persons executing this Agreement on its behalf has been duly authorized to do so by all requisite corporate or partnership action, (c) this Agreement is legally binding upon it, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and does not conflict with any agreement, instrument, or understanding, oral or written, to which it is a Party or by which it may be bound, nor, to the knowledge of the indemnifying Party, violate any material law or regulation of any court, governmental body, or administrative or other agency having jurisdiction over it, and (d) it has the right to grant the licenses granted by it under this Agreement.

 

11.2 Additional Hapbee Covenants. Hapbee covenants as follows:

 

(a) Hapbee will comply in all material respects with all Applicable Laws related to its Commercialization of Authorized Product.

 

(b) Hapbee will Commercialize all Authorized Product solely within the Territory for use in the Field pursuant to the authority, rights, and licenses granted to Hapbee under this Agreement. During the Term Hapbee will not (i) Commercialize any Authorized Product outside of the Field or of the Territory, (ii) provide any Authorized Product to any Third Party if Hapbee has actual knowledge or reasonably believes that such Third Party, either directly or indirectly, is selling, renting, leasing, or intends to sell, rent or lease such Authorized Product outside the Field or the Territory and (iii) expressly provide in each agreement with its Distributor that such Distributor will be subject to immediate termination in the event of a breach of the covenants in this Section 11.2(b) and (iv) immediately terminate any Distributor for a breach of the requirements of Section 11.2(b)(iii).

 

(c) At EMulate’s request with respect to any jurisdiction in the Territory, Hapbee will cause its special counsel, reasonably acceptable to EMulate, to deliver to EMulate a legal opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to EMulate, stating (among other things) that the transactions contemplated by the Exclusive License Agreement are the legal, valid and binding obligations of Hapbee enforceable against Hapbee in accordance with the terms of such agreement and that the commercial transactions by Hapbee as contemplated in such jurisdiction in the Exclusive License Agreement will not violate any Applicable Laws in the Territory.

 

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11.3 Additional EMulate Representations, Warranties, and Covenants. EMulate represents and warrants to Hapbee that as of the Effective Date:

 

(a) EMulate Patents. EMulate owns, or has an exclusive license to, the EMulate Patents.

 

(b) Title; Encumbrances. EMulate has sufficient legal and/or beneficial title, ownership, or license, free and clear from any mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, conditional and installment sale, lease, rental agreements, encumbrances, charges or claims of any kind, of the EMulate Technology to grant the licenses to Hapbee as purported to be granted pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(c) No Conflict. EMulate has not granted any assignment, license, covenant not to sue, or other similar interest or benefit, exclusive or otherwise, to any Third Party relating to any patent, know-how, or other proprietary right that conflicts with or limits the rights granted to Hapbee hereunder or which falls within the scope of the licenses granted in Section 2.1.

 

(d) Non-Infringement of Third Party’s IP Rights. The EMulate Technology and the import, sale, lease, rental, or use of the Authorized Product in the Territory does not and will not infringe any intellectual property rights of any Third Party existing as of the Effective Date.

 

(e) Non-Infringement of EMulate Technology by Third Parties. EMulate is not aware of any activities by Third Parties that constitute infringement or misappropriation of the EMulate Technology within the Territory.

 

(f) No Claims of Third-Party Rights. EMulate has not received any written notice, claim, or demand from any person or entity asserting that the research, development, use, or sale, lease, rental of the Authorized Product infringes a patent of a Third Party in the Territory, nor is EMulate aware of the threat of such claim.

 

(g) No Action or Claim. To EMulate’s Knowledge as of the Effective Date, there are no actual, pending, alleged, or threatened adverse actions, suits, claims, interferences, or formal governmental investigations involving the Authorized Product by or against EMulate or distributors in or before any court or governmental entity.

 

(h) Disclaimer. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER, NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR EXTENDS ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, VALIDITY AND ENFORCEABILITY OF PATENTS, OR THE PROSPECTS OR LIKELIHOOD OF COMMERCIAL SUCCESS OF THE AUTHORIZED PRODUCT.

 

11.4 No Representation Regarding Cognate. The Parties agree that (without limiting any provision in Section 11.3(h)) EMULATE MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES WITH RESPECT TO (A) THE SAFETY OR EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COGNATE, (B) THE CAPABILITY OR SUITABILITY OF THE COGNATE FOR COMMERCIALIZATION, OR (C) FROM AND AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE, THAT THE USE OF THE COGNATE AS CONTEMPLATED IN THIS AGREEMENT OR OTHERWISE, OR THE EXERCISE OF ANY OF HAPBEE’S RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH COGNATE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT VIOLATE ANY MATERIAL LAW OR REGULATION OF ANY COURT, GOVERNMENTAL BODY, OR ADMINISTRATIVE OR OTHER AGENCY HAVING JURISDICTION OVER IT OR WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY.

 

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Article 12

INDEMNIFICATION

 

12.1 Indemnification of EMulate. Hapbee will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of EMulate and its directors, shareholders, officers, and employees (collectively, the “EMulate Indemnitees”) from and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, penalties, fines, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses of litigation) (“Losses”) from any Third-Party claims, actions, suits, or proceedings (each, a “Claim”) incurred by any EMulate Indemnitee, arising from, or occurring as a result of (a) the negligence or willful misconduct of Hapbee, its Sublicensees, Distributors or other subcontractors, and (b) any breach of any representations, warranties, or covenants by Hapbee under this Agreement; except in each case to the extent such Claim falls within the scope of EMulate’s indemnification obligations set forth in Section 12.2.

 

12.2 Indemnification of Hapbee. EMulate will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of Hapbee and its Sublicensees and Distributors and their respective directors, officers, employees, and agents (collectively, the “Hapbee Indemnitees”), from and against any and all Losses from any Third-Party Claims incurred by any Hapbee Indemnitee, arising from, or occurring as a result of (a) the negligence or willful misconduct of EMulate; and (b) any breach of any representations, warranties, or covenants by EMulate under this Agreement; except in each case to the extent such Claim falls within the scope of the indemnification obligations of Hapbee set forth in Section 12.1.

 

12.3 Procedure. Each Party’s agreement to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the other Party is conditioned on the indemnified Party: (a) providing written notice to the indemnifying Party of any Claim for which it is seeking indemnification hereunder promptly after the indemnified Party has knowledge of such Claim; (b) permitting the indemnifying Party to assume full responsibility to investigate, prepare for, and defend against any such Claim, except that the indemnified Party may cooperate in the defense at its own expense using its own counsel; (c) assisting the indemnifying Party, at the indemnifying Party’s reasonable expense, in the investigation of, preparation for, and defense of any such Claim; and (d) not compromising or settling such Claim without the indemnifying Party’s written consent. The indemnifying Party will not settle any Claim without the prior written consent of the indemnified Party, not to be unreasonably withheld, unless the settlement involves only the payment of money. If the indemnifying Party does not assume and conduct the defense of the Claim as provided above, (y) the indemnified Party may defend against and consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to the Claim in any manner the indemnified Party may deem reasonably appropriate (and the indemnified Party need not consult with, or obtain any consent from, the indemnifying Party in connection therewith), and (z) the indemnifying Party will remain responsible to indemnify the indemnified Party as provided in this Article 12. The failure to promptly notify the indemnifying Party after the commencement of any action with respect to a Claim will only relieve the indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article 12 if and to the extent the indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced thereby.

 

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12.4 Insurance. Each Party will procure and maintain insurance, including product liability insurance, adequate to cover its obligations hereunder and which are consistent with normal business practices of prudent companies similarly situated at all times during the Term. It is understood that such insurance will not be construed to create a limit of either Party’s liability with respect to its indemnification obligations under this Article 12. Each Party will provide the other Party with written evidence of such insurance upon request. Each Party will provide the other Party with written notice at least thirty (30) days prior to the cancellation, non-renewal, or material change in such insurance or self-insurance which materially adversely affects the rights of the other Party hereunder.

 

12.5 Limitation of Liability. NEITHER PARTY WILL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, OR INDIRECT DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF ANY NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 12.5 IS INTENDED TO OR WILL LIMIT OR RESTRICT THE INDEMNIFICATION RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY PARTY UNDER SECTION 12.1 OR SECTION 12.2, OR DAMAGES AVAILABLE FOR A PARTY’S BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS IN ARTICLE 10.

 

Article 13

Term and Termination

 

13.1 Term. This Agreement will commence on the Effective Date, and unless terminated earlier as provided in this Article 13, will continue in full force and effect until the twentieth (20th) anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Term”); provided, that if the Cognate has been determined pursuant to Section 2.8 not to be safe for its intended Commercial use, the Term of this Agreement with respect to such Cognate will terminate as of the date of such determination. The Commercial Supply Agreement, as applicable, will terminate upon any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

13.2 Early Termination.

 

(a) Mutual Agreement. The Parties may terminate this Agreement at any time by mutual written agreement of the Parties.

 

(b) Material Breach. EMulate will have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to Hapbee if Hapbee, after receiving written notice from EMulate identifying a Hapbee Material Breach, fails to cure such Hapbee Material Breach within sixty (60) days from the date of such notice (or within thirty (30) days’ notice for any payment breach). Hapbee will have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to EMulate if EMulate, after receiving written notice identifying an EMulate Material Breach, fails to cure such EMulate Material Breach within sixty (60) days from the date of such notice.

 

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(c) Bankruptcy. Each Party will have the right to terminate this Agreement immediately in its entirety upon written notice to the other Party if such other Party makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, files an insolvency petition in bankruptcy, petitions for or acquiesces in the appointment of any receiver, trustee, or similar officer to liquidate or conserve its business or any substantial part of its assets, commences under the laws of any jurisdiction (the “Bankruptcy Laws”) any proceeding involving its insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, adjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or any other similar proceeding for the release of financially distressed debtors or becomes a party to any proceeding or action under the Bankruptcy Laws and such proceeding is not dismissed within sixty (60) days after the commencement thereof.

 

(d) License Grant by Hapbee to EMulate. Hapbee hereby grants EMulate, effective upon the effective date of an early termination pursuant to this Section 13.2, a fully paid, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable, exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (through multiple tiers), under any and all Patents and Know-How Controlled by Hapbee at the time of such termination for EMulate to develop, make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rental, and import Authorized Product in the Territory.

 

13.3 Effects of Termination. Upon the early termination of this Agreement by EMulate under Section 13.2(b) or 13.2(c), the following will apply:

 

(a) Inventory. Hapbee, its Distributors, and Sublicensees will continue, to the extent that Hapbee, its Distributors, and Sublicensees continue to have stocks of usable Authorized Product, to fulfill orders received from customers for the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory for up to six (6) months after the effective date of termination. Hapbee will pay royalties to EMulate in accordance with Section 7.2 on the amount of Net Income from the use, sale, lease and rental of Authorized Product sold by Hapbee after notice of termination and after the effective date of termination.

 

(b) License Grant by Hapbee to EMulate. Hapbee hereby grants EMulate, effective upon the effective date of such termination, a fully paid, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable, exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (through multiple tiers), under any and all Patents and Know-How Controlled by Hapbee and incorporated into the Authorized Product at the time of such termination for EMulate to make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rental and import Authorized Product in the Territory.

 

(c) Supply. The Commercial Supply Agreement, if applicable, will terminate upon the effective date of the termination of this Agreement.

 

(d) Transition. Hapbee will cooperate with EMulate and/or its designee to effect a smooth and orderly transition in the use, sale, lease, rental and marketing, promotion, and Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Territory.

 

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13.4 Effects of Termination for Cause by Hapbee. Upon termination of this Agreement by Hapbee under Section 13.2(b) or 13.2(c), (in addition to any other rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to such termination) all licenses granted by EMulate to Hapbee pursuant to Section 2.1 will terminate; provided, however, that Hapbee may elect to have all or any portion of the licenses granted to Hapbee pursuant to Section 2.1 (and pursuant to the Commercial Supply Agreement, if applicable) continue, in which case Hapbee’s obligations to EMulate under Article 7 and EMulate’s rights under Article 7 will continue.

 

13.5 Rights Upon Bankruptcy. All rights and licenses granted under or pursuant to this Agreement by EMulate (and pursuant to the Commercial Supply Agreement, if applicable) are, and will otherwise be deemed to be, for purposes of Section 365(n) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, licenses of right to “intellectual property” as defined under Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Laws. The Parties agree that Hapbee, as licensee of such rights under this Agreement, will retain and may fully exercise all of its rights and elections under the Bankruptcy Laws.

 

13.6 Return of Confidential Information. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, except to the extent necessary or reasonably useful for a Party to exercise its rights under any license surviving such termination or expiration, each Party will promptly return to the other Party, or delete or destroy, all relevant records and materials in such Party’s possession or control containing Confidential Information of the other Party; provided, that such Party may keep one copy of such materials for archival purposes only.

 

13.7 Survival. The following provisions will survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement: Articles 1 (Definitions), 10 (Confidentiality), 12 (Indemnification), 14 (Dispute Resolution), and 15 (General Provisions), and Sections 2.3 (License Grant to EMulate), 2.4 (No Implied License), 4.2 (Records), 8.4 (Records), 8.5 (Audits), 9.1 (Ownership of Intellectual Property), 13.3-13.4 (Effects of Termination; in each case to the extent applicable), and 13.7 (Survival).

 

Article 14

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

The Parties recognize that disputes as to certain matters may from time to time arise during the Term that relate to interpretation of a Party’s rights and/or obligations hereunder or any alleged breach of this Agreement. If the Parties cannot resolve any such dispute within thirty (30) days after written notice of a dispute from one Party to another, either Party may, by written notice to the other Party, have such dispute referred to the Chief Executive Officer of EMulate and the Chief Executive Officer of Hapbee (collectively, the “Senior Executives”). The Senior Executives will negotiate in good faith to resolve the dispute within thirty (30) days. If the Senior Executives are not able to resolve such dispute referred to them under this Article 14 within such thirty (30)-day period, each of the Parties will be free to pursue its legal rights and remedies before a judicial tribunal of competent jurisdiction.

 

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Article 15

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

15.1 Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement and all questions regarding the existence, validity, interpretation, breach, or performance of this Agreement, will be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Washington, United States, without reference to its conflicts of law principles. Any dispute arising under this Agreement will be pursued in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Seattle, Washington, and each of the Parties waives any objection it may have to the laying of venue brought in any such court, waives any claim that any proceedings with respect to a dispute have been brought in an inconvenient forum, and further waives any right to object that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such Party.

 

15.2 Waiver of Breach. No delay or waiver by either Party of any condition or term hereunder in any one or more instances will be construed as a further or continuing waiver of such condition or term or of any other condition or term in this Agreement. Any waiver by a Party of a particular term or condition will be effective only if set forth in a written instrument duly executed by or on behalf of the Party waiving such term or condition.

 

15.3 Further Actions. Each Party agrees to execute, acknowledge, and deliver such further instruments, and to perform all such other acts, as may be necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

 

15.4 Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is adjudicated to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Parties will use their best efforts to replace the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision that most closely reflects the original intent of the Parties. All other provisions of this Agreement will not in any way be affected or impaired by such adjudication and will remain in full force and effect.

 

15.5 Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement, together with the exhibits hereto (which exhibits are by this reference incorporated into this Agreement), contains the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and communications of the Parties, whether oral, written, or otherwise, concerning any and all matters that are the subject of this Agreement. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by authorized representatives of each Party.

 

15.6 Notices. Any notice or communication required or permitted under this Agreement will be in writing in the English language, delivered personally, sent by facsimile (and promptly confirmed by personal delivery, registered or certified mail or overnight courier), sent by internationally-recognized courier or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid to the following addresses of the Parties (or at any address such Party may designate by prior written notice to the other Party in accordance with this Section 15.6):

 

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If to EMulate, notices must be addressed to:

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200

Seattle, WA 98109

U.S.A

Attention: President and CEO

Tel: +1 206-708-2288, ext. 122

Fax: +1 206-260-7201

 

With a copy to (which will not constitute notice):

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200

Seattle, WA 98109

U.S.A

Attention: General Counsel

Tel: +1 206-708-2288, ext. 105

Fax: +1 206-260-7201

 

If to Hapbee, notices must be addressed to:

 

Hapbee Technologies, Inc.

700 West Georgia Street

25th Floor

Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B3

Canada

Attention: CEO

Tel: +1 360-929-1520

 

Any such notice will be deemed to have been given (a) when delivered if personally delivered; (b) on the next Business Day after dispatch if sent by confirmed facsimile or by internationally-recognized overnight courier; and/or (c) on the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of mailing if sent by mail or other internationally-recognized courier. Notices hereunder will not be deemed sufficient if provided only between or among each Party’s representatives on the JSC.

 

15.7 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any obligation of a Party hereunder may be assigned by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided, however, that either Party may assign this Agreement in its entirety without such consent to (i) any purchaser of all, or substantially all, of its assets to which this Agreement relates, or (ii) any successor corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation, share exchange, or other similar transaction, provided that any such successor corporation will assume all obligations of its assignor under this Agreement. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of EMulate and Hapbee and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Any assignment of this Agreement that is not made in accordance with this Section 15.7 will be null and void and of no legal force or effect.

 

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CONFIDENTIAL

 

15.8 Relationship of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement or any action which may be taken pursuant to its terms is intended, or will be deemed, to establish a joint venture, agency, or partnership between Hapbee and EMulate. Neither Party to this Agreement has any express or implied right or authority to assume or create any obligations on behalf of, or in the name of, the other Party, or to bind the other Party to any contract, agreement or undertaking with any Third Party, without the prior written consent of the other Party.

 

15.9 Interpretation. The headings of clauses contained in this Agreement preceding the text of the sections, subsections, and paragraphs hereof are inserted solely for convenience and ease of reference only and will not constitute any part of this Agreement, or have any effect on its interpretation or construction. All references in this Agreement to the singular will include the plural where applicable. Unless otherwise specified, references in this Agreement to any Article will include all sections, subsections, and paragraphs in such Article, references to any section will include all subsections and paragraphs in such section, and references in this Agreement to any subsection will include all paragraphs in such subsection. The word “including” and similar words means including without limitation. The word “or” means “and/or” unless the context dictates otherwise because the subjects of the conjunction are mutually exclusive. The words “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or other subdivision. All references to days in this Agreement mean calendar days, unless otherwise specified. Ambiguities and uncertainties in this Agreement, if any, will not be interpreted against either Party, irrespective of which Party may be deemed to have caused the ambiguity or uncertainty to exist. This Agreement has been prepared in the English language and the English language will control its interpretation. In addition, all notices required or permitted to be given hereunder, and all written, electronic, oral, or other communications between the Parties regarding this Agreement will be in the English language. Les parties reconnaissent avoir exigé que la présente et tous les documents connexes soient rédigés en anglais.

 

15.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which will be deemed an original, and all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Exclusive License Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

 

 

Hapbee Technologies, Inc.

 

By: /s/ Steven E. Pope   By: /s/ Chris E. Rivera
Name: Steven E. Pope   Name: Chris E. Rivera
Title: SVP and Secretary   Title: President

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.5

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Exclusive License Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of October 26, 2020, between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington, U.S. (“EMulate”), and having a principal place of business at 425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98109, U.S., and Hapbee Technologies, Inc., a company existing under the laws of the province of British Columbia, Canada, and having a principal place of business at 700 West Georgia Street, 25th Floor, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B3, Canada (“Hapbee”), to further amend and to restate in its entirety the Exclusive License Agreement dated as of March 29, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), between EMulate and Hapbee. EMulate and Hapbee are sometimes each referred to herein as a “Party” and sometimes referred to herein together as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS

 

Whereas, EMulate has developed an innovative technology that uses ultra-low radio frequency energy (ulRFE®) to produce some or all of the biological activity of a broad range of molecules, and owns or controls certain patents, know-how, and other intellectual property relating to its proprietary ulRFE technology; and

 

Whereas, Hapbee desires to obtain from EMulate certain exclusive rights and licenses to develop, use, import, and commercialize a product using the EMulate Technology (as defined herein), which product will be designed to emulate the biological activity associated with those molecules identified to the Cognates (as defined herein), and EMulate is willing to grant to Hapbee such rights and licenses, all on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, EMulate and Hapbee hereby agree as follows:

 

Article 1

DEFINITIONS

 

As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set out in this Article 1 unless the context clearly and unambiguously requires otherwise.

 

1.1 Applicable Laws” means the applicable provisions of any and all national, supranational, regional, state, and local laws, treaties, statutes, rules, regulations, administrative codes, guidance, ordinances, judgments, decrees, directives, injunctions, orders, permits of or from any court, arbitrator, or governmental agency or authority having jurisdiction over or related to the subject item.

 

1.2 Auditor” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.5.

 

1.3 Authorized Product” means any product (a) that is composed of components authorized for use by EMulate, (b) that transmits the magnetic field encoded by one or more Cognates in a manner approved by EMulate, and (c) the use, sale, lease, rental, importation or manufacture of which would, but for the license granted to Hapbee hereunder, either infringe a Valid Claim of the EMulate Patents or use EMulate Know-How in the Territory.

 

 

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

1.4 Bankruptcy Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2(d).

 

1.5 Business Day” means a day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in Vancouver, Canada, or Seattle, Washington, are required by law to remain closed.

 

1.6 Calendar Quarter” means a period of three consecutive months during a Calendar Year beginning on and including January 1st, April 1st, July 1st or October 1st; provided, however that (a) the first Calendar Quarter of the Term will extend from the Effective Date to the last day of the Calendar Quarter in which the Effective Date falls; and (b) the last Calendar Quarter of the Term will end upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

1.7 Calendar Year” means a period of twelve consecutive months beginning on and including January 1st and ending on December 31st; provided however, that (a) the first Calendar Year of the Term will extend from the Effective Date to the last day of the Calendar Year in which the Effective Date falls; and (b) the last Calendar Year of the Term will end upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

1.8 Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 

1.9 Cognates” means digitized data that emulates the electromagnetic or magnetic field signal or ultra-low radio frequency energy (“ulRFE”) of chemicals, biochemical or biological agents or molecules, as designated pursuant to Section 2.8.

 

1.10 Cognate Inventions” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(b).

 

1.11 Commercial Supply Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

 

1.12 Commercialization” means any and all activities undertaken relating specifically to the pre-launch, launch, promotion, marketing, use, sale, lease, rental, and distribution (including importing, exporting, transporting, customs clearance, warehousing, invoicing, handling, and delivering the Authorized Product to customers) of the Authorized Product in the Territory, including: (a) strategic marketing, sale, lease, rentals force detailing, advertising, education and liaison, and market and product support within the Field and (b) all customer support, invoicing, and sale, lease, rental and subscription activities within the Field. “Commercialize” means to engage in Commercialization activities.

 

1.13 Confidential Information” means all information of a confidential or proprietary nature disclosed by a Party to the other Party under this Agreement, including, without limitation, any such information related to any scientific, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, financial, or personnel matters relating to a Party, or related to a Party’s present or future products, sale, lease, rentals, suppliers, customers, employees, investors, business plans, Know-How, data, research projects, work in progress, future developments or business, in all such cases whether disclosed in oral, written, graphic, or electronic form, and whether or not specifically marked as confidential or proprietary, where under the circumstances in which such disclosure was made or given the nature of information disclosed, a reasonable person would consider such information confidential; provided, however, that in any event, “Confidential Information” excludes any information that (a) is known by the recipient at the time of disclosure, and not through a prior disclosure by or on behalf of the disclosing Party, as documented by written records; (b) is or becomes properly in the public domain through no fault of the receiving Party; (c) is subsequently rightfully disclosed to the receiving Party by a Third Party who is not directly or indirectly under an obligation of confidentiality to the disclosing Party, as documented by written records in existence prior to the disclosure of such information to the receiving Party; or (d) is developed by the receiving Party independently of, and without reference to or use of, the information received from the disclosing Party. Without limiting the foregoing, Confidential Information will include the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

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CONFIDENTIAL

 

1.14 Control” means with respect to any Know-How, Patent, or other intellectual property right, possession of the right, whether directly or indirectly, and whether by ownership, license, or otherwise, to grant a license, sublicense, or other right to or under such Know-How, Patent, or other intellectual property right as provided for herein without violating the terms of any agreement or other arrangements with any Third Party at the time when such license, sublicense, or other right is granted hereunder. “Controlled” has a correlative meaning.

 

1.15 Disclosing Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

 

1.16 Distributor” means any Third Party to whom Hapbee or a Sublicensee of Hapbee has granted the right to market, promote, advertise, retail, sell, lease, rent, and distribute the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory.

 

1.17 EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

 

1.18 EMulate Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 

1.19 EMulate Know-How” means all Know-How that is necessary or reasonably useful for the use or Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, which Know-How is Controlled by EMulate with respect to the Authorized Product as of the Effective Date or during the Term. For the avoidance of doubt, EMulate Know-How will not include any Joint Know-How.

 

1.20 EMulate Material Breach” may include, but will not be limited to, one or more of the following events (together with any breach of this Agreement determined to be material by a judicial tribunal of competent jurisdiction):

 

(a) Failure by EMulate to perform its obligations under Section 2.8;

 

(b) Failure by EMulate to supply the Cognates for the Authorized Product exclusively to Hapbee or its Sublicensees and Distributors for use in the Field in the Territory, as required by Section 6.1; and

 

(c) Failure by EMulate to perform its indemnification and other obligations pursuant to Article 12.

 

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CONFIDENTIAL

 

1.21 EMulate Patents” means all Patents that are necessary or reasonably useful for the use or Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, which Patents are Controlled by EMulate as of the Effective Date or during the Term. For the avoidance of doubt, EMulate Patents will not include any Joint Patents.

 

1.22 EMulate Technology” means the EMulate Know-How, EMulate Patents and EMulate’s interests in the Joint Patents and Joint Know-How.

 

1.23 EMulate Trademarks” means EMulate’s Trademarks related to the Authorized Product, including ulRFE®.

 

1.24 Field” means the recreational and/or non-medical use (i.e., use that is not regulated by any governmental body under Applicable Laws) in humans of the Authorized Product.

 

1.25 First Commercial Sale” means, with respect to the Territory, the first commercial lease, rental, subscription or sale, under this Agreement by Hapbee, its Sublicensees or Distributors of any Authorized Product to an end user for use or resale, lease, rental in the Field in the Territory.

 

1.26 Hapbee Housemark” means any trademark or trade name, and registrations and applications therefor, Controlled by Hapbee in the Territory and covering Hapbee’s corporate name or company logo or product brand name.

 

1.27 Hapbee Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.

 

1.28 Hapbee Know-How” means all Know-How that is Controlled by Hapbee as of the Effective Date or during the Term, and that is generated by or on behalf of Hapbee or any of its Sublicensees or Distributors in connection with the use or Commercialization of the Authorized Product hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, Hapbee Know-How will not include any Joint Know-How.

 

1.29 Hapbee Manufacturing Cost” means the fully burdened manufacturing cost of Authorized Product expressed on a per unit basis, as supported by Hapbee’s reasonably detailed invoices therefor, which will be the sum of: (i) the Direct Manufacturing Costs and (ii) the Indirect Manufacturing Costs. For the purposes of this definition:

 

(a) Direct Manufacturing Costs” means the direct costs incurred in connection with the manufacture of the Authorized Product, including (i) those material expenses captured in invoices and the like that are specifically attributable to the manufacture of the Authorized Product, including costs of raw materials, manufacturing supplies, packaging, labels, and other materials used in production, (ii) labor expenses captured in time sheets and the like, including salaries and fringe benefits (but not overhead) for personnel directly involved in manufacturing the Authorized Product or any component thereof or purchasing or managing the materials used in the manufacture thereof or maintaining equipment necessary to support the manufacture thereof, (iii) expenses arising out of quality assurance requirements (e.g., good manufacturing practices) such as production, quality control, quality assurance, and other similar departments that are reasonably necessary and participate directly in the production of the Authorized Product or any component thereof, and (iv) equipment and facility depreciation and other allocations of fixed assets in use to support the manufacture of the Authorized Product or any component thereof, but in any event excluding any administrative overhead (e.g., costs associated with human resources, business development, and executive management). Direct expenses also include reasonable out-of-pocket payments to Third Parties (without mark-up) for services related to the manufacture of the Authorized Product or any component thereof.

 

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(b) Indirect Manufacturing Costs” means the reasonable and allocated internal costs and out-of-pocket costs, incurred or accrued by Hapbee in connection with the manufacture of the Authorized Product or any component thereof, including costs arising from or associated with (i) freight, carrier insurance, and other transportation charges directly related to the delivery or distribution of the Authorized Product, (ii) storage and warehousing, (iii) taxes, duties, or other governmental charges (including any tax such as a value added or similar tax, other than any taxes based on income), but excluding indirect and overhead costs (e.g., costs associated with human resources, business development, and executive management).

 

1.30 Hapbee Material Breach” may include, but will not be limited to, one or more of the following events (together with any breach of this Agreement determined to be material by a judicial tribunal of competent jurisdiction):

 

(a) Hapbee’s failure to manufacture and supply to EMulate or Third Parties products, other than the Authorized Product, designated by EMulate for use outside the Field pursuant to Section 2.3;

 

(b) Hapbee’s sublicensing or attempting to sublicense the rights granted to it under Section 2.1 contrary to the provisions of Section 2.4(a);

 

(c) Failure by Hapbee to provide all marketing and promotional literature to EMulate for review and authorization pursuant to Section 5.4;

 

(d) Failure by Hapbee to timely calculate, report and make royalty payments and late payment interest to EMulate as required by Article 7 and Article 8;

 

(e) Failure by Hapbee to perform its obligations related to the Commercialization of Authorized Product under Section 11.2; and

 

(f) Failure by Hapbee to perform its indemnification and other obligations pursuant to Article 12.

 

1.31 Hapbee Patents” means all Patents that claim Inventions that relate to the Authorized Product and that are conceived, made, or generated by or on behalf of Hapbee during the Term pursuant to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Hapbee Patents will not include any Joint Patents.

 

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CONFIDENTIAL

 

1.32 Hapbee Technology” means all Hapbee Know-How, Hapbee Patents, and Hapbee’s interests in the Joint Patents and Joint Know-How. For the avoidance of doubt, (a) all and any of Hapbee’s know-how and Hapbee’s patents which are unrelated to Authorized Products and (b) all and any know-how or patents of Hapbee that are developed, identified or conceived without the use of EMulate Confidential Information or outside of the use of the Authorized Product (i.e., independently developed) are excluded from Hapbee Technology.

 

1.33 Inventions” means any and all inventions, discoveries, and developments, whether or not patentable, discovered, made, conceived, or reduced to practice in the course of activities contemplated by this Agreement.

 

1.34 Joint Inventions” means any and all Inventions discovered, conceived or reduced to practice jointly by or on behalf Hapbee, on the one hand, and by or on behalf of EMulate, on the other hand.

 

1.35 Joint Know-How” means all Know-How included in Joint Inventions, other than any Joint Patent.

 

1.36 Joint Patents” means all Patents claiming any Joint Invention.

 

1.37 JSC” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

 

1.38 Know-How” means all tangible and intangible scientific, technical, trade, marketing, commercial, financial, or business knowledge and information, formulations, devices, techniques, processes, methods, trade secrets, formulae, procedures, tests, data, results, analyses, documentation, reports, know-how, skill, and experience related to the marketing, sale and Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field.

 

1.39 Knowledge” of a Party means the actual or constructive knowledge of the Senior Executives of such Party, including the chief executive officer, and any vice president, the general counsel, or the chief medical officer of a Party, or any personnel holding positions equivalent to such job titles (but only to the extent such positions exist at such Party).

 

1.40 Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 

1.41 Net Income” means the gross amounts invoiced by or on behalf of Hapbee or otherwise chargeable to Hapbee’s customers, Sublicensees and Distributors for use (e.g., subscriptions for), sales, leases and/or rentals of Authorized Product or any Cognate to Third Parties, reduced only by, with respect to the relevant Authorized Product, the actual cost of manufacturing, shipping, handling and merchant credit card processing for such Authorized Product, it being understood that gross amounts invoiced for subscriptions for the use of the Authorized Product or any Cognate will be net of app store processing fees. For clarity, Net Income will not be reduced by marketing and promotional expenditures, charges by online platforms or distribution platforms or channels on which the Authorized Products or any Cognates are sold, or any incentives, rebates, spiffs or commissions provided by Hapbee to online platforms or Distributors to promote any Authorized Product or any Cognate, or the use, sale, lease, and/or rental thereof. For purposes of calculating Net Income, any amount originally invoiced for any Authorized Product that is returned during any specific period during the Term may be deducted by Hapbee from the gross amounts invoiced by Hapbee for Authorized Product during the same period. All charges solely for clothing, jewelry, necklaces, pillows, hats and other apparel that are not Authorized Products will not be included in “Net Income.”

 

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CONFIDENTIAL

 

By way of example and for purposes of clarification only, (i) if Hapbee sells an Authorized Product to a Distributor for resale to Third Parties for $200 and the Distributor resells the Authorized Product to a Customer for $300, Hapbee’s “Net Income” on such Authorized Product will be $200 minus (if applicable to such resale to the Distributor) costs of manufacturing, shipping, handling and merchant credit card processing for the Authorized Product; and (ii) if Hapbee itself sells an Authorized Product on an online platform to a Third Party for $300 and that platform charges Hapbee $60 for the use of its platform, Hapbee’s “Net Income” will be $300 minus costs of manufacturing, shipping, handling and merchant credit card processing for the Authorized Product.

 

By way of further example and for purposes of clarification only, if Hapbee decides that its wholesale or retail prices being charged for any particular Authorized Product are either too high or too low to achieve optimal revenue, Hapbee may elect to adjust the wholesale or retail price it is charging for an Authorized Product and the Net Income attributable to such Authorized Product will be adjusted proportionately. Such adjustments may be made in circumstances such as the following: Group sales discounts such as “Buy Four, Get One 50% Off” offers; special holiday pricing involving reduced prices for a limited time; friends and family discounts; investor discounts; and offers of free subscriptions for a limited time. Examples of price adjustments that would not affect the Net Income attributable to an Authorized Product would be rebates offered to customers who, after paying the full advertised purchase price, would receive cash back following the submission of a rebate card to Hapbee.

 

1.42 Patent(s)” means (a) all patents, certificates of invention, applications for certificates of invention, priority patent filings, and patent applications, and (b) any renewal, division, continuation (in whole or in part), or request for continued examination of any of such patents, certificates of invention and patent applications, and any and all patents or certificates of invention issuing thereon, and any and all reissues, reexaminations, extensions, divisions, renewals, substitutions, confirmations, registrations, revalidations, revisions, and additions of or to any of the foregoing.

 

1.43 Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, governmental entity, or other legal entity of any nature whatsoever.

 

1.44 Receiving Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

 

1.45 Senior Executives” has the meaning set forth in Article 14.

 

1.46 Sublicensee” means a Third Party , other than a Distributor, to whom Hapbee has granted a sublicense under the EMulate Technology as permitted under Section 2.4.

 

1.47 Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.

 

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CONFIDENTIAL

 

1.48 Territory” means worldwide; provided, that “worldwide” excludes any national/federal, provincial/regional/state, or local jurisdiction that, with respect to the Cognate in question, does not or ceases to permit the use of such Cognate as contemplated in this Agreement or otherwise, directly or indirectly, limits the full and free exercise of all of the rights with respect to such Cognate granted to ETI under this Agreement.

 

1.49 Third Party” means any Person other than EMulate and Hapbee. “Third-Party” is used in this Agreement as the adjectival form of Third Party.

 

1.50 Trademarks” means trademarks, trade names, trade dresses, domain names, logos, and brandings of a Party.

 

1.51 Transfer Price” means the Hapbee Manufacturing Cost of a unit of Licensed Product plus fifteen percent (15%).

 

1.52 Upfront Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 

1.53 U.S.” means the United States of America, including its territories and possessions and the District of Columbia.

 

1.54 Valid Claim” means (a) a claim of an issued and unexpired patent that has not been revoked or held unenforceable, unpatentable, or invalid by a decision of a court or other governmental agency of competent jurisdiction that is not appealable or has not been appealed within the time allowed for appeal, and that has not been abandoned, disclaimed, denied, or admitted to be invalid or unenforceable through reissue, re-examination, or disclaimer or otherwise, or (b) a claim of a pending patent application that has not been cancelled, withdrawn, or abandoned or finally rejected by an administrative agency action from which no appeal can be taken and that has not been pending for more than ten (10) years.

 

1.55 Withholding Tax Action” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(c).

 

Article 2

 

GRANT OF LICENSE

 

2.1 License Grants and Hapbee Product Purchases.

 

(a) Licensed Technology. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, EMulate hereby grants to Hapbee an exclusive, royalty-bearing license under the EMulate Technology to use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rent, import, and otherwise Commercialize the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory during the Term. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, EMulate hereby grants to Hapbee an exclusive, royalty-bearing license under the EMulate Technology to ship, label and package Authorized Product for use in the Field in the Territory.

 

(b) Trademarks. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, EMulate hereby grants to Hapbee a non-exclusive, royalty-free license under the EMulate Trademarks solely to Commercialize, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rental, and import Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory during the Term. For clarity, if a EMulate Trademark is not used exclusively with the Authorized Product in the Territory at the time of First Commercial Sale of the Authorized Product, then EMulate has the right to use such EMulate Trademark with any other product in the Territory.

 

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CONFIDENTIAL

 

2.2 License Grants to EMulate. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Hapbee hereby grants to EMulate a royalty-free, fully-paid, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (in accordance with Section 2.3) through multiple tiers, in, to and under the Hapbee Technology to research, develop, make, have made, commercialize, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rent, and import any product other than Authorized Product.

 

2.3 Purchase of Product from Hapbee. During the Term, Hapbee will manufacture and supply EMulate such product, other than the Authorized Product, to EMulate or Third Parties designated by EMulate for use outside the Field anywhere in the world, in such quantities as EMulate will order and Hapbee will accept pursuant to and in accordance with a separate commercial supply agreement to be entered into between Hapbee and EMulate (the “EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement”) at the Transfer Price for such product, which Transfer Price will be specified in the EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement. The Parties will negotiate in good faith to enter into the EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement on commercially reasonable terms (other than the Transfer Price).

 

2.4 Sublicensees; Distributors. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Hapbee will have the right to sublicense the rights granted to it under Section 2.1 to:

 

(a) Third Parties with EMulate’s prior consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed; provided, that (i) such sublicensee agrees with EMulate in writing to comply with the term and conditions of this Agreement that are applicable to such Sublicensee’s activities under such sublicense; and (ii) Hapbee remains fully liable for the performance of such sublicensee in accordance with this Agreement.

 

(b) Distributors without EMulate’s consent, provided that Hapbee will remain responsible for the performance of its Distributors hereunder, including without limitation the compliance with Applicable Laws by such Distributors in connection with the distribution of the Authorized Product hereunder. In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 13.2(b) for breach by Hapbee, EMulate will reasonably consider and discuss with each such Distributor potential continuation of the Distributor agreement directly with EMulate if such Distributor is not then in breach of its Hapbee Distributor agreement, a complete copy of which Hapbee will provide to EMulate upon request.

 

2.5 No Implied License. Neither Party grants to the other Party any rights or licenses in or to any intellectual property, whether by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, other than the licenses and rights that are expressly granted under this Agreement.

 

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CONFIDENTIAL

 

2.6 Retained Rights. EMulate hereby expressly retains:

 

(a) the right under the EMulate Technology to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under this Agreement, whether directly or through one or more licensees (other than Hapbee) or subcontractors; and

 

(b) all rights to practice and to grant licenses under the EMulate Technology outside of the scope of the license granted in Section 2.1(a), including without limitation the exclusive right to make and have made cognates other than the Cognates anywhere in the world, and the exclusive right to practice the EMulate Technology with respect to products other than the Authorized Product.

 

2.7 Exclusivity Obligations. During the Term, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, Hapbee agrees that it will not acquire, develop, manufacture, sell, lease, rent, import, distribute, or otherwise Commercialize in the Territory any product for use in the Field other than the Authorized Product, either by itself or through any Third Party. In furtherance of the license and exclusivity grant to Hapbee herein, EMulate covenants that during the Term it will not grant rights to any Third Party to use Cognates in the Field in the Territory or acquire, develop, manufacture, sell, lease, rent, import, distribute, or otherwise Commercialize the Authorized Product in the Territory in the Field.

 

2.8 Designation of Cognates. EMulate has, pursuant to one or more agreements between the Parties (each, an “Evaluation Agreement”), provided Hapbee the opportunity to evaluate (or to have evaluated) for safety a number of cognates that are intended to emulate the electromagnetic or magnetic field signal or ultra-low radio frequency energy (“ulRFE”) of certain chemicals, biochemical or biological agents or molecules requested by Hapbee and agreed to by EMulate. For the avoidance of doubt, any agreement by EMulate pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence will be made or withheld in EMulate’s sole discretion. The procedures and protocols for each such evaluation were as set forth in the applicable Evaluation Agreement. Based on the results of the evaluations performed under Evaluation Agreements reasonably acceptable to each of the Parties, Hapbee has exercised its right to designate to EMulate up to three (3) cognates, i.e., those that emulate and the electromagnetic or magnetic field signal or ulRFE of alcohol (Scotch whisky), melatonin and nicotine, which will hereafter be deemed to be “Cognates” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Article 3

 

GOVERNANCE

 

3.1 Joint Steering Committee.

 

(a) Establishment. The Parties acknowledge that they have established a committee (the “JSC”) to oversee, review, and coordinate the supply and Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory.

 

(b) Duties. The JSC will:

 

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CONFIDENTIAL

 

(i) provide a forum for the Parties to discuss material marketing, sales, lease, rental, subscription and manufacturing matters pertaining to the Authorized Product in the Territory;

 

(ii) provide a forum for the Parties to exchange information and coordinate their respective activities with respect to marketing, sales, lease, rental, subscription and manufacturing matters pertaining to the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory and outside the Field or Territory;

 

(iii) review Hapbee’s Commercialization plans and discuss Hapbee’s proposed activities with respect to realizing Commercialization plans for the Authorized Product; and

 

(iv) perform such other duties as are specifically assigned by the Parties to the JSC pursuant to this Agreement.

 

3.2 Membership. The Parties acknowledge that each Party has designated up to three (3) representatives with appropriate expertise to serve as members of the JSC. The Parties may elect to vary the participating member and number of representatives that serve on the JSC, provided that in all cases the JSC maintains an equal number of representatives from each Party. Each Party may replace its representatives on the JSC at any time upon written notice to the other Party.

 

3.3 Chairperson; Minutes. One member of the JSC will serve as the chairperson, who will be responsible for organizing meetings, preparing and circulating an agenda in advance of each meeting, and preparing minutes of each meeting. Each JSC representative will review and approve such minutes in writing; provided that if a representative does not object to the accuracy of such minutes within fifteen (15) days after the circulation of such minutes, such minutes will be deemed approved by such representative. Hapbee will appoint the chairperson for an initial one (1) year term and thereafter the Parties will alternate in appointing the chairperson for twelve (12) month terms.

 

3.4 Meetings. The JSC will hold meetings on a Calendar Quarter basis or on such other schedule to which the Parties may mutually agree. Meetings of the JSC will be effective only if at least one (1) representative of each Party is present or participating. The JSC may meet either (i) in person at either Party’s facilities or at such locations as the Parties may otherwise agree; or (ii) by audio or video teleconference. With the prior consent of the other Party’s representatives (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), each Party may invite non-members to participate in the discussions and meetings of the JSC, provided that such participants will have no vote and will be subject to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Article 10. Additional JSC meetings may be held with each Party’s consent, or as required under this Agreement, and neither Party will unreasonably withhold or delay its consent to hold such an additional meeting.

 

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3.5 Decision-Making.

 

(a) The JSC will make good faith efforts to make all decisions on matters that are within the scope of its decision-making authority by consensus. Subject to the terms of this Section 3.5, actions to be taken by the JSC will be taken only following a unanimous vote with each Party’s representatives collectively having one (1) vote. If the JSC fails to reach unanimous consent on a particular matter that is within the scope of its decision-making authority within thirty (30) days of a Party having requested a formal vote on such matter (or, if such matter is urgent, within ten (10) days of such request), then either Party may submit such matter for resolution to the Senior Executives pursuant to Article 14.

 

(b) The scope of the JSC’s decision making authority is limited to coordination of operational and planning matters that relate to the performance by the Parties of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement, the performance or alleged nonperformance of a Party’s obligations under this Agreement, or any alleged breach of this Agreement (including but not limited to the alleged occurrence of a Hapbee Material Breach of an EMulate Material Breach)will be resolved in accordance with the terms of Article 14 and are outside the scope of the JSC’s decision-making authority.

 

3.6 Expenses. Each Party will be responsible for all of its own travel and other costs and expenses for its respective members, designees, and non-member invitees to attend meetings of, and otherwise participate on, the JSC and any subcommittees or working groups.

 

3.7 Subcommittees. From time to time, the JSC may establish subcommittees to oversee particular projects or activities within the JSC’s scope of authority, as it deems necessary or advisable. Each subcommittee will consist of such number of representatives of each Party as the JSC determines is appropriate from time to time, and will meet with such frequency as the JSC determines.

 

3.8 Discontinuation of Participation. The JSC will continue to exist until the first to occur of: (a) the Parties mutually agreeing to disband the committee; or (b) EMulate providing to Hapbee written notice of its intention to disband and no longer participate in such committee. Upon EMulate’s delivery to Hapbee of such written notice, the JSC will have no further obligations under this Agreement and any matters that would previously have been addressed by the JSC will be handled by the Parties in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

3.9 Alliance Managers. The Parties acknowledge that each Party has appointed an individual who will be an employee of such Party having appropriate qualification and experience to act as the alliance manager for such Party (the “Alliance Manager”). Each Alliance Manager will be responsible for coordinating and managing processes and interfacing between the Parties on a day-to-day basis throughout the Term. The Alliance Manager will ensure communication to the JSC of all relevant matters raised at any joint subcommittees or working groups. Each Alliance Manager will be permitted to attend meetings of the JSC as non-voting participants. The Alliance Managers will be the primary contact for the Parties regarding the activities contemplated by this Agreement and will facilitate all such activities hereunder. Each Party may replace its Alliance Manager with an alternative representative at any time with prior written notice to the other Party. Any Alliance Manager may designate a substitute to temporarily perform the functions of that Alliance Manager. Each Alliance Manager will be charged with creating and maintaining a collaborative work environment within the JSC and its subcommittees. Each Party will be responsible for all of its own costs with respect to its Alliance Manager.

 

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Article 4

 

COMMERCIALIZATION ACTIVITIES

 

4.1 Diligence. Hapbee will be responsible for the conduct and cost of all activities and efforts in the Territory necessary to support the Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory. Hapbee will submit to the JSC for review and discussion a plan setting forth Hapbee’s planned Commercialization activities with respect to the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory. Hapbee will consult with and provide regular updates to EMulate through the JSC regarding Hapbee’s Commercialization activities and efforts.

 

4.2 Records. Hapbee will maintain detailed and accurate records regarding its Commercialization activities and efforts with respect to the Authorized Product in the Field pursuant to this Agreement. Upon request by EMulate from time to time, Hapbee will promptly provide the JSC with summaries of such Commercialization activities and efforts to date. Upon reasonable prior written notice, EMulate will have the right (subject to Article 10) to inspect the books and records of Hapbee and its Sublicensees and Distributors reflecting the work done and results achieved by or on behalf of Hapbee or its Sublicensees or Distributors in the performance of its Commercialization activities and efforts for the sole purpose of determining compliance by Hapbee with this Agreement.

 

Article 5

 

COMMERCIALIZATION

 

5.1 Overview and Diligence; Failure to Commercialize. Subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all Applicable Laws, Hapbee, at its expense, will be solely responsible for Commercializing the Authorized Product for the Field in the Territory. Hapbee will use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve the First Commercial Sale in the Territory within thirteen (13) months after the Effective Date; provided, however, that (a) such 13-month period may be extended by written agreement of the Parties; (b) such 13-month period will be extended if, in EMulate’s sole reasonable determination, Hapbee is making substantial progress towards entering into agreements with one or more third parties for the purpose of Commercializing the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, and (c) if Hapbee does not achieve the First Commercial Sale in the Territory within such 13-month period (if such period has not been extended), then EMulate will have the right to terminate the licenses granted by EMulate pursuant to Section 2.1 and all rights granted to Hapbee under such licenses and under this Agreement with respect thereto will upon such termination immediately revert to EMulate. EMulate will exercise such right of termination by providing written notice thereof to Hapbee.

 

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5.2 Commercialization Plan. Upon EMulate’s reasonable request, Hapbee will submit to EMulate for review and discussion at the next scheduled JSC meeting a commercialization plan setting forth the goals, strategies, and plans for Hapbee’s prelaunch activities, launch, and subsequent Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory and the level of anticipated sales force and promotion efforts dedicated to the Authorized Product, together with the budget in connection therewith (the “Commercialization Plan”). Hapbee will conduct all Commercialization activities in accordance with such Commercialization Plan; provided, that, Hapbee may, upon providing notice thereof to EMulate, modify the Commercialization Plan from time to time to the extent that such modification (a) would improve Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, (b) would not constitute a breach by Hapbee of any of its obligations under this Agreement, or (c) would not limit any of the rights of EMulate under this Agreement or any benefits that EMulate would have otherwise received under this Agreement but for such modification. Hapbee will consult with and provide regular updates to EMulate regarding its Commercialization strategies.

 

5.3 Reports. Hapbee will present written reports to the JSC annually summarizing Hapbee’s significant Commercialization activities with respect to the Authorized Product in the Territory pursuant to this Agreement and including a forecast for the following year’s sales, leases, rentals and subscriptions of or for the Authorized Product in the Territory. Such reports will cover subject matter at a level of detail reasonably sufficient to enable EMulate to determine Hapbee’s compliance with its diligence obligations pursuant to this Article 5.

 

5.4 Marketing and Promotional Literature. Hapbee will prepare all marketing and promotional literature related to Authorized Product for use in the Territory in accordance with Applicable Laws. All such marketing and promotional literature will be subject to the review and authorization of EMulate. EMulate will provide feedback regarding such literature within five (5) business days following receipt thereof, and failure to provide feedback within such period will be deemed to be authorization thereof. At the request of EMulate, EMulate will be presented and described as the Party who developed and manufactured the Authorized Product in a manner satisfactory to both EMulate and Hapbee on, by way of example, all labels, packaging, packaging inserts, and promotional literature related to the Authorized Product, in each case to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, for example by use of phrases like “powered by EMulate Therapeutics.” Without limiting any other provision of this Agreement, Hapbee will have the sole right to brand the Authorized Product for Commercialization in any manner consistent with Applicable Laws that Hapbee deems appropriate, including using Hapbee Housemarks and similar trademarks or trade names of any Hapbee Sublicensee.

 

5.5 Labeling and Patent Rights Marking. Subject to, and in accordance with, Applicable Laws, Hapbee will identify EMulate as the licensor or producer of the Cognates used in the Authorized Product using the EMulate Trademarks designated by EMulate for such use in certain mutually agreed promotional materials for Authorized Product in the Territory where such identification is appropriate, in a manner approved in advance in writing by both Parties, and in accordance with (and subject to) the Trademark License set forth in Section 2.1(b). To the extent permitted by Applicable Law and customary in the industry for such products, Hapbee will mark all Authorized Product sold, leased or rented in the Territory by Hapbee, its Sublicensees or Distributors with appropriate EMulate Trademarks and patent numbers and the appropriate Hapbee Housemarks and patent numbers. Hapbee may, in its sole discretion, include any Hapbee Housemark on the Authorized Product, and on the labels, packaging, promotional materials, and other materials therefor, subject to Applicable Law.

 

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Article 6

 

SUPPLY

 

6.1 Supply and Purchase of Cognates for the Authorized Product. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, during the Term, EMulate will produce and supply the Cognates for the Authorized Product exclusively to Hapbee or its Sublicensees and Distributors for use in the Field in the Territory, and Hapbee or its Sublicensees and Distributors will purchase exclusively from EMulate, all of Hapbee’s and its Sublicensees’ and Distributors’ requirements of the Cognates used in the Authorized Product for Commercialization use in the Field in the Territory in such quantities as Hapbee will order and EMulate will accept pursuant to and in accordance with a separate commercial supply agreement to be entered into between Hapbee and EMulate (the “Commercial Supply Agreement”). The Parties will negotiate in good faith to enter into the Commercial Supply Agreement on commercially reasonable terms.

 

Article 7

 

FINANCIAL TERMS

 

7.1 Upfront Payment. In consideration for the licenses and rights granted to Hapbee under this Agreement with respect to the Cognates designated by and provided to Hapbee pursuant to this Agreement, Hapbee will pay to EMulate a non-refundable, non-creditable payment in an amount equal to one million five hundred thousand US dollars (US$1,500,000.00) (the “Upfront Amount”). In partial satisfaction of its obligation to pay the Upfront Amount, Hapbee will pay to EMulate, on a non-refundable, non-creditable basis, thirty percent (30%) of the amount of any and all funds raised to capitalize Hapbee. Such payments will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds into an account designated by EMulate within fifteen (15) days following Hapbee’s receipt of any amount of capital or other funds. To the extent not fully paid prior thereto, Hapbee will pay to EMulate the unpaid balance of the Upfront Amount not later than the earlier to occur of (i) April 30, 2020 or (ii) the date by which aggregated amounts of investments in Hapbee equal $5,000,000.00 or more.

 

7.2 Royalty Payments.

 

(a) Royalty Rate. Subject to this Section 7.2 and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, in further consideration for the licenses and rights granted to Hapbee under this Agreement, Hapbee will pay to EMulate, on a Calendar Quarter basis, royalties on the quarterly Net Income from use (e.g., subscriptions for) sales, lease or rental of the Authorized Product in the Territory multiplied by a percentage royalty rate equal to twenty percent (20%).

 

(b) Royalty Term. Hapbee’s obligation to make royalty payments pursuant to this Section 7.2 will commence upon the Effective Date and will continue throughout the term of this Agreement.

 

7.3 Taxes. All amounts payable to EMulate will be paid without any reduction or offset for taxes. If any withholding taxes or stamp, VAT, foreign exchange, or other transfer taxes apply to payments payable to EMulate, then Hapbee will pay such taxes directly and will increase the amounts payable to EMulate so that EMulate receives the full amount it would have received if no such taxes applied.

 

7.4 Expenses Related to Cognates. The amount of all costs and expenses incurred by EMulate for producing each Cognate (e.g., costs of measuring, recording and optimizing such Cognate) will be for the account of Hapbee.

 

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Article 8

 

PAYMENTS, BOOKS, AND RECORDS

 

8.1 Payment; Royalty Reports. Royalty payments due by Hapbee to EMulate under Section 7.2 will be calculated and reported for each Calendar Quarter. All royalty payments due under Section 7.2 will be paid within thirty (30) days after the end of each Calendar Quarter and will be accompanied by a report setting forth the Net Income from sales, lease, rental or subscription of or for the Authorized Product by Hapbee and its Sublicensees and Distributors in the Territory in sufficient detail to permit confirmation of the accuracy of the royalty payment made, including, the number of Authorized Product sold, the Net Income from sales, lease, rental or subscription of or for Authorized Product, the royalties payable, the method used to calculate the royalties, and the exchange rates used. Prior to commencement of Commercialization of Authorized Product, the Parties will agree on the form of royalty report. Hapbee will submit a single report for all Net Income from sales, lease, rental, subscription of or for Authorized Product during a Calendar Quarter, including by Hapbee, its Sublicensees and Distributors, but will separately identify the Net Income and other information applicable to each entity.

 

8.2 Payment Currency; Currency Conversion. All references to dollars and “$” herein will refer to U.S. dollars. All payments hereunder will be payable in U.S. dollars. With respect to conversion of Net Income in any non-U.S. currency to U.S. dollars, such conversion will be at the exchange rate equal to the U.S. dollar conversion rate for such currency as published by The Wall Street Journal, Western U.S. Edition, as published on the last business day of the Calendar Quarter in which the applicable Net Income was invoiced. All payments owed under this Agreement will be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to a bank and account designated in writing by EMulate from time to time for such purpose.

 

8.3 Taxes.

 

(a) Taxes on Income. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.3, each Party will be solely responsible for the payment of all taxes imposed on its share of income arising directly or indirectly from the activities of the Parties under this Agreement.

 

(b) Tax Cooperation. The Parties agree to cooperate with one another and use reasonable efforts to avoid or reduce tax withholding, transfer taxes, or similar obligations with respect to milestone payments, royalty payments, and other payments made by Hapbee to EMulate under this Agreement. To the extent Hapbee is required by Applicable Laws to deduct and withhold taxes on any payment to EMulate, Hapbee will pay the amounts of such taxes to the proper governmental authority in a timely manner and promptly transmit to EMulate an official tax certificate or other evidence of such payment sufficient to enable EMulate to claim such payment of taxes. EMulate will provide Hapbee any tax forms that may be reasonably necessary in order for Hapbee not to withhold tax or to withhold tax at a reduced rate under an applicable bilateral income tax treaty, to the extent legally able to do so. EMulate will use reasonable efforts to provide any such tax forms to Hapbee in advance of the due date; provided, that EMulate may direct Hapbee to temporarily hold a payment otherwise payable in order to avoid withholding taxes if EMulate is waiting for a required tax form to be issued by a governmental authority. Hapbee will provide EMulate with reasonable assistance to enable the recovery, as permitted by Applicable Laws, of withholding taxes, transfer taxes, or similar obligations resulting from payments made under this Agreement, such recovery to be for the benefit of EMulate. Each Party agrees to assist the other Party in claiming exemption from such deductions or withholdings under double taxation or similar agreement or treaty from time to time in force and in minimizing the amount required to be so withheld or deducted.

 

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(c) Taxes Resulting From a Party’s Action. If a Party takes any action, including any assignment, sublicense, change of place of incorporation, or failure to comply with Applicable Laws or filing or record retention requirements, which results in a withholding or deduction obligation or a transfer tax (“Withholding Tax Action”), then such Party will pay the sum associated with such Withholding Tax Action. For clarity, if Hapbee undertakes a Withholding Tax Action, then the sum payable by Hapbee (in respect of which such deduction or withholding is required to be made) will be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that EMulate receives a sum equal to the sum which it would have received had no such Withholding Tax Action occurred. Otherwise, the sum payable by Hapbee (in respect of which such deduction or withholding is required to be made) will be made to EMulate after deduction of the amount required to be so withheld or deducted. If a change in Applicable Laws results in a withholding or deduction obligation absent either Party taking a Withholding Tax Action, then the amount of such withholding or deduction obligation will be paid by Hapbee to the applicable governmental authority on behalf of EMulate in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.3(b). The Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to invoke the application of any applicable bilateral income tax treaty that would reduce or eliminate otherwise applicable taxes with respect to payments payable pursuant to this Agreement.

 

8.4 Records. Hapbee will keep, and require its Sublicensees and Distributors to keep, complete, true, and accurate books of accounts and records for the purpose of determining the amounts payable to EMulate pursuant to this Agreement. Such books and records will be kept for such period of time required by law, but no less than at least five (5) years following the end of the Calendar Quarter to which they pertain. Such records will be subject to inspection in accordance with Section 8.5.

 

8.5 Audits. Upon not less than ten (10) days’ prior written notice, Hapbee will permit an independent, certified public accountant selected by EMulate and reasonably acceptable to Hapbee, which acceptance will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (for the purposes of this Section 8.5, the “Auditor”), to audit or inspect those books or records of Hapbee, its Sublicensees and Distributors that relate to Net Income, or Royalty Reports for the sole purpose of verifying (a) the royalties payable hereunder in respect of Net Income, (b) the withholding taxes, if any, required by Applicable Law to be deducted as a payment by Hapbee in respect of such Net Income, and (c) the exchange rates used in determining the amount of U.S. dollars. The Auditor will disclose to EMulate only the amount and accuracy of payments reported and actually paid or otherwise payable under this Agreement. The Auditor will send a copy of the report to Hapbee at the same time it is sent to EMulate. EMulate will bear the full cost of such audit unless such audit discloses an underpayment of the amount actually owed of more than five percent (5%), in which case Hapbee will bear the full out-of-pocket, external cost of such audit. Within thirty (30) days from the auditor’s report, Hapbee will submit to EMulate any underpayment discovered in such audit, or EMulate will refund any amounts shown to have been overpaid, in each case as applicable.

 

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8.6 Late Payment. Any amounts not paid when due under this Agreement will be subject to interest from and after the date payment is due through and including the date upon which such Party makes such payment at the annual interest rate of one and a half (1.5) percent (1.5%) compounded monthly; provided, however, that in no event will such rate exceed the maximum legal annual interest rate. The payment of such interest will not limit the Party entitled to receive payment from exercising any other rights it may have as a consequence of the lateness of any payment.

 

Article 9

 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

9.1 Ownership of Intellectual Property.

 

(a) EMulate Technology and Hapbee Technology. EMulate owns and will retain all rights, title, and interests in and to the EMulate Technology. Hapbee will own and retain all rights, title and interests in and to the Hapbee Technology.

 

(b) Ownership of Inventions. Ownership of all Inventions will be based on inventorship, as determined in accordance with the rules of inventorship under U.S. patent laws. Each Party will solely own any Inventions made solely by its or its employees, agents, or independent contractors (“Sole Inventions”). The Parties will jointly own any Inventions that are made jointly by employees, agents, or independent contractors of one Party together with employees, agents, or independent contractors of the other Party (“Joint Inventions”). If an Hapbee Sole Invention or a Joint Invention covers or is related to any Cognate (collectively, the “Cognate Inventions”), such Cognate Inventions will be owned solely by EMulate, and Hapbee will and hereby does assign to EMulate its right and interest in such Cognate Inventions and such assigned Cognate Inventions will be included in the EMulate Technology licensed to Hapbee pursuant to Section 2.1(a).

 

9.2 Patent Prosecution and Maintenance.

 

(a) EMulate Patents. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.2, EMulate will have the sole right and authority to prepare, file, prosecute, and maintain the EMulate Patents on a worldwide basis. EMulate will bear all costs of preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of the EMulate Patents in the Territory.

 

(b) EMulate Abandonment. If EMulate determines in its sole discretion to abandon or not maintain any such EMulate Patent(s) in the Territory, then EMulate will provide Hapbee with written notice of such determination within a period of time reasonably necessary to allow Hapbee to determine its interest in such EMulate Patent(s). In the event Hapbee provides written notice expressing its interest in obtaining such EMulate Patent(s), EMulate will assign and transfer, without any compensation, to Hapbee the ownership of, and interest in, such EMulate Patent(s) in the Territory, at Hapbee’s sole expense. Hapbee will thereafter bear all costs of preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of such assigned and transferred Patents in the Territory. In the event that Hapbee decides to abandon or not maintain any such Patent(s), Hapbee will promptly provide EMulate with written notice of such decision.

 

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(c) Hapbee Patents. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.2, Hapbee will have the sole right and authority, in its sole discretion, to prepare, file, prosecute, and maintain the Hapbee Patents within the Territory at its own expense.

 

(d) Hapbee Abandonment. If Hapbee determines in its sole discretion to abandon or not maintain any such Patent within the Hapbee Patents anywhere in the world, then Hapbee will provide EMulate with written notice of such determination within a period of time reasonably necessary to allow EMulate to determine its interest in such Hapbee Patent(s). In the event EMulate provides written notice expressing its interest in obtaining such Hapbee Patent(s), Hapbee will assign and transfer, without any compensation, to EMulate the ownership of, and interest in, such Hapbee Patent(s) in the applicable jurisdiction at EMulate’s sole expense. EMulate will thereafter bear all costs of preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of such assigned and transferred Patent(s). For the avoidance of doubt, such transferred Patent(s) will be a part of the EMulate Patents licensed hereunder to Hapbee upon Hapbee’s payment to EMulate of the patent expenses incurred by EMulate in the Territory related thereto. In the event that EMulate decides to abandon or not maintain any such transferred Patent(s), EMulate will promptly provide Hapbee with written notice of such decision.

 

(e) Joint Patents.

 

(i) Initial Responsibility. EMulate will be responsible for the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of Joint Patents worldwide, subject to the rest of this Section 9.2(e). EMulate will be responsible for preparing, filing, prosecuting, and maintaining all Joint Patents, using a patent counsel selected by EMulate and reasonably acceptable to Hapbee; provided, that Hapbee and EMulate will share equally the cost and expenses of the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of Joint Patents, and Hapbee will reimburse EMulate for Hapbee’s portion of such costs and expenses incurred by EMulate within thirty (30) days from the date of invoice for such costs and expenses by EMulate.

 

(ii) Cooperation. EMulate will consult with Hapbee in preparing Joint Patent applications and will consider and adopt in good faith Hapbee’s comments and suggestions prior to the filing of any Joint Patent application. EMulate will keep Hapbee fully informed of progress with regard to the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of the Joint Patents in and outside the Territory. EMulate will:

 

(1) provide Hapbee with a copy of the final draft of any proposed application at least thirty (30) days prior to filing the same in any patent office worldwide, unless otherwise agreed by patent counsel for both parties, and EMulate will consider in good faith any comments or revisions suggested by Hapbee or its counsel;

 

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(2) promptly provide Hapbee with a copy of each patent application as filed, together with a notice of its filing date and serial number;

 

(3) provide Hapbee with a copy of any action, communication, letter, or other correspondence issued by the relevant patent office within at least ten (10) days of receipt thereof, and EMulate will consult with Hapbee regarding responding to the same and will consider in good faith any comments, strategies, and the like proposed by Hapbee;

 

(4) provide Hapbee with a copy of any response, amendment, paper, or other correspondence filed with the relevant patent office within ten (10) days of EMulate’s receipt of the as-filed document;

 

(5) promptly notify Hapbee of the allowance, grant, or issuance of such Joint Patents; and

 

(6) consult with Hapbee regarding the countries to be filed and maintained, the payment of annuities, taxes and maintenance fees for any such Joint Patents.

 

(iii) Joint Patent Abandonment. In the event that EMulate desires to abandon or cease prosecution and/or maintenance of any Joint Patent, EMulate will provide reasonable prior written notice to Hapbee of such intention to abandon (which notice will, to the extent possible, be given no later than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the next deadline for any action that must be taken with respect to such Joint Patent in the relevant patent office). In such case or if EMulate refuses to pay its share of costs related to any such Joint Patent, at Hapbee’s sole discretion, upon written notice from Hapbee, Hapbee may elect to continue prosecution and/or maintenance of any such Joint Patent at its own expense, and EMulate will execute such documents and perform such acts, at EMulate’s expense, as may be reasonably necessary to effect an assignment of EMulate’s entire right, title, and interest in and to such Joint Patent to Hapbee. Any such assignment will be completed in a timely manner to allow Hapbee to continue prosecution and/or maintenance of any such Joint Patent. Any Patents so assigned will no longer be considered Joint Patents and will become Hapbee Patents.

 

(iv) Hapbee Declines Responsibility. If Hapbee refuses to pay its share of costs related to any Joint Patent, upon written notice from EMulate, Hapbee will assign its entire right, title, and interest in and to any such Joint Patent to EMulate. Any Patents so assigned will no longer be considered Joint Patents and will become EMulate Patents.

 

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9.3 Infringement by Third Parties.

 

(a) Notice. In the event that either EMulate or Hapbee becomes aware of any infringement or threatened infringement by a Third Party of any Patents that are subject to the prosecution, maintenance, or enforcement by a Party under this Agreement, it will notify the other Party in writing to that effect. Any such notice will include evidence to support an allegation of infringement or threatened infringement by such Third Party.

 

(b) EMulate Patents. Subject to this Section 9.3(b), EMulate has the first right, as between EMulate and Hapbee, to bring and control any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any EMulate Patent worldwide, at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice. Hapbee has the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice, and EMulate and its counsel will reasonably cooperate with Hapbee and its counsel in strategizing, preparing, and presenting any such action or proceeding. If EMulate fails to bring an action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any EMulate Patent described in the preceding sentence within (i) one hundred twenty (120) days following the notice of alleged infringement or (ii) ten (10) days before the time limit, if any, set forth in the appropriate laws and regulations for the filing of such actions, whichever comes first, Hapbee has the right, but not the obligation, to bring and control any such action at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice. Upon Hapbee’s request, EMulate will timely join any such litigation and cooperate with Hapbee in connection with such infringement action. Except as otherwise agreed to by the Parties as part of a cost-sharing arrangement, any recovery or damages realized as a result of such action or proceeding will be used first to reimburse the Parties’ documented out-of-pocket legal expenses relating to the action or proceeding, and any remaining damages relating to the Authorized Product (including without limitation, lost sales, leases, rentals or lost profits with respect to the Authorized Product) will be retained by the Party bringing suit, and if such Party is Hapbee, such remaining damages will be deemed Net Income subject to the royalty provisions of Section 7.3.

 

(c) Hapbee Patents. Hapbee has the first right (but not the obligation), as between EMulate and Hapbee, to bring and control any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any Hapbee Patent worldwide, at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice and the right to retain all damages resulting from its enforcement action.

 

(d) Joint Patents. Any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any Joint Patent worldwide may only be brought by both Parties, with the costs to be shared equally between the Parties. Except as otherwise agreed to by the Parties as part of a cost-sharing arrangement, any recovery or damages from an action or proceeding relating to Joint Patents will be used first to reimburse the Parties’ documented out-of-pocket legal expenses relating to the action or proceeding, and any remaining damages will be shared equally between the Parties.

 

(e) Cooperation. In the event either Party brings an infringement action in accordance with this Section 9.3, the other Party will cooperate fully, including, if required to bring such action, the furnishing of a power of attorney or being named as a party to such action.

 

9.4 Infringement of Third-Party Rights. Each Party will promptly notify the other in writing of any allegation by a Third Party that the activity of either of the Parties pursuant to this Agreement infringes or may infringe the intellectual property rights of such Third Party. EMulate has the sole right to control any defense of any such claim involving alleged infringement of Third-Party rights by EMulate’s activities at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice, and Hapbee has the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice. Hapbee has the sole right to control any defense of any such claim involving alleged infringement of Third-Party rights by Hapbee’s activities at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice, and EMulate has the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice.

 

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9.5 Consent for Settlement. Neither Party will enter into any settlement or compromise of any action or proceeding under this Article 9 which would materially alter, diminish, or be in derogation of the other Party’s rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of such other Party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

9.6 Patent Marking. Hapbee (or its Sublicensees, or Distributors) will mark Authorized Product marketed and sold by Hapbee (or its Sublicensees, or Distributors) hereunder with appropriate patent numbers or indicia designed by EMulate to the extent such markings or such notices would impact recoveries of damages or equitable remedies available under Applicable Law with respect to infringements of patents in the Territory.

 

9.7 Trademarks. Without limiting any of Hapbee’s rights to brand the Authorized Product as provided for in Section 5.4, Hapbee will use the EMulate Trademarks selected by EMulate to Commercialize the Authorized Product in the Territory. Where Hapbee reasonably believes the EMulate Trademark is not appropriate for commercial use, or if such EMulate Trademark is not approved for use in the Territory by the applicable Regulatory Authority, the Parties will agree on an alternative product trademark for such country and such alternative product trademark will be deemed a EMulate Trademark. In addition, unless prohibited by Applicable Laws, Hapbee will include EMulate’s corporate trademark on the packaging and product information of the Authorized Product sold in the Territory to indicate that the Authorized Product is licensed from EMulate. All use of the EMulate Trademarks and EMulate corporate trademark will comply with Applicable Laws and regulations and will be subject to EMulate’s review and approval. For clarity, Hapbee may also include its (or its Sublicensee’s) corporate logo Hapbee Housemarks and similar trademarks or trade names of any Hapbee Sublicensee in the Authorized Product sold in the Territory.

 

Article 10

 

CONFIDENTIALITY

 

10.1 Nondisclosure. Except to the extent expressly authorized by this Agreement or otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, during the Term and for seven (7) years thereafter, the receiving Party (the “Receiving Party”) will keep confidential and will not publish or otherwise disclose and will not use for any purpose other than as expressly provided for in this Agreement any Confidential Information of the other Party (the “Disclosing Party”), and both Parties will keep confidential and, subject to Sections 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4, will not publish or otherwise disclose the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Receiving Party’s obligation of confidentiality and restriction on use with respect to the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information which derives economic value from not being generally known to public and is identified in writing by the Disclosing Party as trade secrets will continue perpetually for so long as such Confidential Information is unpublished by the Disclosing Party and no provision of Section 10.2(b), (c), or (d) applies to such Confidential Information. Each Party may use the other Party’s Confidential Information solely to the extent required to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including exercising such Party’s rights or performing its obligations under this Agreement. Each Party will use at least the same standard of care as it uses to protect proprietary or confidential information of its own (but no less than reasonable care) to ensure that its employees, agents, consultants, contractors, other representatives and, in the case of Hapbee, Sublicensees and Distributors do not disclose or make any unauthorized use of the Confidential Information of the other Party. Each Party will promptly notify the other Party upon discovery of any unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential Information of the other Party.

 

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10.2 Authorized Disclosure. The Receiving Party may disclose Confidential Information belonging to the Disclosing Party only to the extent such disclosure is reasonably necessary in the following instances:

 

(a) filing or prosecuting Patents as permitted by this Agreement;

 

(b) prosecuting or defending litigation, including responding to a subpoena in a Third-Party litigation;

 

(c) complying with Applicable Laws or regulations (including regulations promulgated by securities exchanges) or court or administrative orders;

 

(d) to its Sublicensees or prospective Sublicensees, Distributors, Third-Party Partners, subcontractors or prospective subcontractors, payors, consultants, agents, and advisors on a “need-to-know” basis in order for the Receiving Party to exercise its rights or fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, each of whom prior to disclosure must be bound by obligations of confidentiality and restrictions on use of such Confidential Information that are no less restrictive than those set forth in this Article 10; provided, however, that, in each of the above situations, the Receiving Party will remain responsible for any failure by any Third Party who receives Confidential Information pursuant to this Section 10.2 to treat such Confidential Information as required under this Article 10; or

 

(e) to bona fide potential and actual investors, acquirors, merger partners, licensees, and other financial or commercial partners solely for the purpose of evaluating or carrying out an actual or potential investment, acquisition, or collaboration, in each case under written obligations of confidentiality and non-use at least as stringent as those herein.

 

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Party is required to make a disclosure of the other Party’s Confidential Information pursuant to Sections 10.2(b), (c), or (d), it will, except where impracticable, give at least thirty (30) days’ advance notice to the other Party of such disclosure, reasonably consider the comments of the other Party with respect to limiting such disclosure, and use efforts to secure confidential treatment of such Confidential Information at least as diligent as such Party would use to protect its own confidential information, but in no event less than reasonable efforts. In any event, the Parties agree to take all reasonable action to avoid disclosure of Confidential Information hereunder. Any information disclosed pursuant to Sections 10.2(b), (c), or (d) will remain the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party and subject to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement, including the foregoing provisions of this Article 10.

 

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10.3 Public Announcements. At the election of EMulate with respect to any or all of the Authorized Product, the Parties agree to issue a joint press release in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to both Parties announcing the signature of this Agreement at or shortly after the Effective Date, but in any event within the time-period as required by Applicable Laws. It is understood that either Party may make such disclosures as it determines, based on advice of counsel, is reasonably necessary to comply with Applicable Laws or for appropriate market disclosure. Each Party will provide the other Party with advance notice of legally required disclosures to the extent practicable. The Parties will consult with each other on the provisions of this Agreement to be redacted in any filings made by a Party as required by Applicable Laws; provided, that each Party will have the right to make any such filing as it reasonably determines necessary under Applicable Laws. In addition, following any initial joint press release announcing this Agreement, either Party will be free to disclose, without the other Party’s prior written consent, the existence of this Agreement, the identity of the other Party, and those terms of the Agreement which have already been publicly disclosed in accordance herewith.

 

Article 11

 

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

 

11.1 Mutual Representations and Warranties. Each Party represents and warrants to the other that, as of the Effective Date: (a) it is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, and has full corporate or other power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions hereof, (b) it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and the person or persons executing this Agreement on its behalf has been duly authorized to do so by all requisite corporate or partnership action, (c) this Agreement is legally binding upon it, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and does not conflict with any agreement, instrument, or understanding, oral or written, to which it is a Party or by which it may be bound, nor, to the knowledge of the indemnifying Party, violate any material law or regulation of any court, governmental body, or administrative or other agency having jurisdiction over it, and (d) it has the right to grant the licenses granted by it under this Agreement.

 

11.2 Additional Hapbee Covenants. Hapbee covenants as follows:

 

(a) Hapbee will comply in all material respects with all Applicable Laws related to its Commercialization of Authorized Product.

 

(b) Hapbee will Commercialize all Authorized Product solely within the Territory for use in the Field pursuant to the authority, rights, and licenses granted to Hapbee under this Agreement. During the Term Hapbee will not (i) Commercialize any Authorized Product outside of the Field or of the Territory, (ii) provide any Authorized Product to any Third Party if Hapbee has actual knowledge or reasonably believes that such Third Party, either directly or indirectly, is selling, renting, leasing, or intends to sell, rent or lease such Authorized Product outside the Field or the Territory and (iii) expressly provide in each agreement with its Distributor that such Distributor will be subject to immediate termination in the event of a breach of the covenants in this Section 11.2(b) and (iv) immediately terminate any Distributor for a breach of the requirements of Section 11.2(b)(iii).

 

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(c) At EMulate’s request with respect to any jurisdiction in the Territory, Hapbee will cause its special counsel, reasonably acceptable to EMulate, to deliver to EMulate a legal opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to EMulate, stating (among other things) that the transactions contemplated by the Exclusive License Agreement are the legal, valid and binding obligations of Hapbee enforceable against Hapbee in accordance with the terms of such agreement and that the commercial transactions by Hapbee as contemplated in such jurisdiction in the Exclusive License Agreement will not violate any Applicable Laws in the Territory.

 

11.3 Additional EMulate Representations, Warranties, and Covenants. EMulate represents and warrants to Hapbee that as of the Effective Date:

 

(a) EMulate Patents. EMulate owns, or has an exclusive license to, the EMulate Patents.

 

(b) Title; Encumbrances. EMulate has sufficient legal and/or beneficial title, ownership, or license, free and clear from any mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, conditional and installment sale, lease, rental agreements, encumbrances, charges or claims of any kind, of the EMulate Technology to grant the licenses to Hapbee as purported to be granted pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(c) No Conflict. EMulate has not granted any assignment, license, covenant not to sue, or other similar interest or benefit, exclusive or otherwise, to any Third Party relating to any patent, know-how, or other proprietary right that conflicts with or limits the rights granted to Hapbee hereunder or which falls within the scope of the licenses granted in Section 2.1.

 

(d) Non-Infringement of Third Party’s IP Rights. The EMulate Technology and the import, sale, lease, rental, or use of the Authorized Product in the Territory does not and will not infringe any intellectual property rights of any Third Party existing as of the Effective Date.

 

(e) Non-Infringement of EMulate Technology by Third Parties. EMulate is not aware of any activities by Third Parties that constitute infringement or misappropriation of the EMulate Technology within the Territory.

 

(f) No Claims of Third-Party Rights. EMulate has not received any written notice, claim, or demand from any person or entity asserting that the research, development, use, or sale, lease, rental of the Authorized Product infringes a patent of a Third Party in the Territory, nor is EMulate aware of the threat of such claim.

 

(g) No Action or Claim. To EMulate’s Knowledge as of the Effective Date, there are no actual, pending, alleged, or threatened adverse actions, suits, claims, interferences, or formal governmental investigations involving the Authorized Product by or against EMulate or distributors in or before any court or governmental entity.

 

(h) Disclaimer. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER, NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR EXTENDS ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, VALIDITY AND ENFORCEABILITY OF PATENTS, OR THE PROSPECTS OR LIKELIHOOD OF COMMERCIAL SUCCESS OF THE AUTHORIZED PRODUCT.

 

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11.4 No Representation Regarding Cognates. The Parties agree that (without limiting any provision in Section 11.3(h)) EMULATE MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES WITH RESPECT TO (A) THE SAFETY OR EFFECTIVENESS OF ANY OF THE COGNATES, (B) THE CAPABILITY OR SUITABILITY OF ANY OF THE COGNATES FOR COMMERCIALIZATION, OR (C) FROM AND AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE, THAT THE USE OF ANY COGNATE AS CONTEMPLATED IN THIS AGREEMENT OR OTHERWISE, OR THE EXERCISE OF ANY OF ETI’S RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH COGNATE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT VIOLATE ANY MATERIAL LAW OR REGULATION OF ANY COURT, GOVERNMENTAL BODY, OR ADMINISTRATIVE OR OTHER AGENCY HAVING JURISDICTION OVER IT OR WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY.

 

Article 12

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

12.1 Indemnification of EMulate. Hapbee will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of EMulate and its directors, shareholders, officers, and employees (collectively, the “EMulate Indemnitees”) from and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, penalties, fines, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses of litigation) (“Losses”) from any Third-Party claims, actions, suits, or proceedings (each, a “Claim”) incurred by any EMulate Indemnitee, arising from, or occurring as a result of (a) the negligence or willful misconduct of Hapbee, its Sublicensees, Distributors or other subcontractors, and (b) any breach of any representations, warranties, or covenants by Hapbee under this Agreement; except in each case to the extent such Claim falls within the scope of EMulate’s indemnification obligations set forth in Section 12.2.

 

12.2 Indemnification of Hapbee. EMulate will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of Hapbee and its Sublicensees and Distributors and their respective directors, officers, employees, and agents (collectively, the “Hapbee Indemnitees”), from and against any and all Losses from any Third-Party Claims incurred by any Hapbee Indemnitee, arising from, or occurring as a result of (a) the negligence or willful misconduct of EMulate; and (b) any breach of any representations, warranties, or covenants by EMulate under this Agreement; except in each case to the extent such Claim falls within the scope of the indemnification obligations of Hapbee set forth in Section 12.1.

 

12.3 Procedure. Each Party’s agreement to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the other Party is conditioned on the indemnified Party: (a) providing written notice to the indemnifying Party of any Claim for which it is seeking indemnification hereunder promptly after the indemnified Party has knowledge of such Claim; (b) permitting the indemnifying Party to assume full responsibility to investigate, prepare for, and defend against any such Claim, except that the indemnified Party may cooperate in the defense at its own expense using its own counsel; (c) assisting the indemnifying Party, at the indemnifying Party’s reasonable expense, in the investigation of, preparation for, and defense of any such Claim; and (d) not compromising or settling such Claim without the indemnifying Party’s written consent. The indemnifying Party will not settle any Claim without the prior written consent of the indemnified Party, not to be unreasonably withheld, unless the settlement involves only the payment of money. If the indemnifying Party does not assume and conduct the defense of the Claim as provided above, (y) the indemnified Party may defend against and consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to the Claim in any manner the indemnified Party may deem reasonably appropriate (and the indemnified Party need not consult with, or obtain any consent from, the indemnifying Party in connection therewith), and (z) the indemnifying Party will remain responsible to indemnify the indemnified Party as provided in this Article 12. The failure to promptly notify the indemnifying Party after the commencement of any action with respect to a Claim will only relieve the indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article 12 if and to the extent the indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced thereby.

 

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12.4 Insurance. Each Party will procure and maintain insurance, including product liability insurance, adequate to cover its obligations hereunder and which are consistent with normal business practices of prudent companies similarly situated at all times during the Term. It is understood that such insurance will not be construed to create a limit of either Party’s liability with respect to its indemnification obligations under this Article 12. Each Party will provide the other Party with written evidence of such insurance upon request. Each Party will provide the other Party with written notice at least thirty (30) days prior to the cancellation, non-renewal, or material change in such insurance or self-insurance which materially adversely affects the rights of the other Party hereunder.

 

12.5 Limitation of Liability. NEITHER PARTY WILL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, OR INDIRECT DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF ANY NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 12.5 IS INTENDED TO OR WILL LIMIT OR RESTRICT THE INDEMNIFICATION RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY PARTY UNDER SECTION 12.1 OR SECTION 12.2, OR DAMAGES AVAILABLE FOR A PARTY’S BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS IN ARTICLE 10.

 

Article 13

 

Term and Termination

 

13.1 Term. This Agreement will commence on the Effective Date, and unless terminated earlier as provided in this Article 13, will continue in full force and effect until the twentieth (20th) anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Term”); provided, that if any Cognate has been determined pursuant to Section 2.8 not to be safe for its intended Commercial use, the Term of this Agreement with respect to such Cognate will terminate as of the date of such determination. The Commercial Supply Agreement, as applicable, will terminate upon any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

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13.2 Early Termination.

 

(a) Mutual Agreement. The Parties may terminate this Agreement at any time by mutual written agreement of the Parties.

 

(b) Material Breach. EMulate will have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to Hapbee if Hapbee, after receiving written notice from EMulate identifying a Hapbee Material Breach, fails to cure such Hapbee Material Breach within sixty (60) days from the date of such notice (or within thirty (30) days’ notice for any payment breach). Hapbee will have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to EMulate if EMulate, after receiving written notice identifying an EMulate Material Breach, fails to cure such EMulate Material Breach within sixty (60) days from the date of such notice.

 

(c) Bankruptcy. Each Party will have the right to terminate this Agreement immediately in its entirety upon written notice to the other Party if such other Party makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, files an insolvency petition in bankruptcy, petitions for or acquiesces in the appointment of any receiver, trustee, or similar officer to liquidate or conserve its business or any substantial part of its assets, commences under the laws of any jurisdiction (the “Bankruptcy Laws”) any proceeding involving its insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, adjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or any other similar proceeding for the release of financially distressed debtors or becomes a party to any proceeding or action under the Bankruptcy Laws and such proceeding is not dismissed within sixty (60) days after the commencement thereof.

 

(d) License Grant by Hapbee to EMulate. Hapbee hereby grants EMulate, effective upon the effective date of an early termination pursuant to this Section 13.2, a fully paid, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable, exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (through multiple tiers), under any and all Patents and Know-How Controlled by Hapbee at the time of such termination for EMulate to develop, make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rental, and import Authorized Product in the Territory.

 

13.3 Effects of Termination. Upon the early termination of this Agreement by EMulate under Section 13.2(b) or 13.2(c), the following will apply:

 

(a) Inventory. Hapbee, its Distributors, and Sublicensees will continue, to the extent that Hapbee, its Distributors, and Sublicensees continue to have stocks of usable Authorized Product, to fulfill orders received from customers for the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory for up to six (6) months after the effective date of termination. Hapbee will pay royalties to EMulate in accordance with Section 7.2 on the amount of Net Income from the use, sale, lease and rental of Authorized Product sold by Hapbee after notice of termination and after the effective date of termination.

 

(b) License Grant by Hapbee to EMulate. Hapbee hereby grants EMulate, effective upon the effective date of such termination, a fully paid, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable, exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (through multiple tiers), under any and all Patents and Know-How Controlled by Hapbee and incorporated into the Authorized Product at the time of such termination for EMulate to make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rental and import Authorized Product in the Territory.

 

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(c) Supply. The Commercial Supply Agreement, if applicable, will terminate upon the effective date of the termination of this Agreement.

 

(d) Transition. Hapbee will cooperate with EMulate and/or its designee to effect a smooth and orderly transition in the use, sale, lease, rental and marketing, promotion, and Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Territory.

 

13.4 Effects of Termination for Cause by Hapbee. Upon termination of this Agreement by Hapbee under Section 13.2(b) or 13.2(c), (in addition to any other rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to such termination) all licenses granted by EMulate to Hapbee pursuant to Section 2.1 will terminate; provided, however, that Hapbee may elect to have all or any portion of the licenses granted to Hapbee pursuant to Section 2.1 (and pursuant to the Commercial Supply Agreement, if applicable) continue, in which case Hapbee’s obligations to EMulate under Article 7 and EMulate’s rights under Article 7 will continue.

 

13.5 Rights Upon Bankruptcy. All rights and licenses granted under or pursuant to this Agreement by EMulate (and pursuant to the Commercial Supply Agreement, if applicable) are, and will otherwise be deemed to be, for purposes of Section 365(n) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, licenses of right to “intellectual property” as defined under Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Laws. The Parties agree that Hapbee, as licensee of such rights under this Agreement, will retain and may fully exercise all of its rights and elections under the Bankruptcy Laws.

 

13.6 Return of Confidential Information. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, except to the extent necessary or reasonably useful for a Party to exercise its rights under any license surviving such termination or expiration, each Party will promptly return to the other Party, or delete or destroy, all relevant records and materials in such Party’s possession or control containing Confidential Information of the other Party; provided, that such Party may keep one copy of such materials for archival purposes only.

 

13.7 Survival. The following provisions will survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement: Articles 1 (Definitions), 10 (Confidentiality), 12 (Indemnification), 14 (Dispute Resolution), and 15 (General Provisions), and Sections 2.3 (License Grant to EMulate), 2.4 (No Implied License), 4.2 (Records), 8.4 (Records), 8.5 (Audits), 9.1 (Ownership of Intellectual Property), 13.3-13.4 (Effects of Termination; in each case to the extent applicable), and 13.7 (Survival).

 

Article 14

 

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

The Parties recognize that disputes as to certain matters may from time to time arise during the Term that relate to interpretation of a Party’s rights and/or obligations hereunder or any alleged breach of this Agreement. If the Parties cannot resolve any such dispute within thirty (30) days after written notice of a dispute from one Party to another, either Party may, by written notice to the other Party, have such dispute referred to the Chief Executive Officer of EMulate and the Chief Executive Officer of Hapbee (collectively, the “Senior Executives”). The Senior Executives will negotiate in good faith to resolve the dispute within thirty (30) days. If the Senior Executives are not able to resolve such dispute referred to them under this Article 14 within such thirty (30)-day period, each of the Parties will be free to pursue its legal rights and remedies before a judicial tribunal of competent jurisdiction.

 

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Article 15

 

RIGHT OF FIRST NEGOTIATION

 

15.1 This Article will apply with respect to any cognate other than the Cognates (an “Other Cognate”) intended to emulate the electromagnetic or magnetic field signal or ulRFE of certain chemicals, biochemical or biological agents or molecules with respect to which Hapbee desires, after the Effective Date, to receive licensed rights. Hapbee may at any time indicate to EMulate that it desires to license an Other Cognate from EMulate. If EMulate agrees with Hapbee that such Other Cognate requested by Hapbee may be used to produce an Authorized Product in the Field, EMulate and Hapbee will then, pursuant to one or more written agreements between the Parties, provide Hapbee the opportunity to evaluate (or to have evaluated) for safety such Other Cognates. For the avoidance of doubt, any agreement by EMulate pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence will be made or withheld in EMulate’s sole discretion; provided, that EMulate will not unreasonably withhold such agreement with respect to any Other Cognate that (i) emulates the electromagnetic or magnetic field signal or ulRFE of chemicals, biolchemical or biological agents or molecules that are available for purchase in the United States without a prescription and (ii) EMulate reasonably determines should produce the intended effect indicated by Hapbee in a manner that is safe for humans. If EMulate withholds, or after the evaluations contemplated in this Section 15.1 withdraws, its agreement pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence with respect to any contemplated cognate, such cognate will not be deemed to be an Other Cognate for purposes of this Agreement. EMulate and Hapbee will promptly take action to negotiate the terms of a license agreement, containing terms and conditions substantially the same as those set forth in this Agreement with respect to such Other Cognate; provided, that such license agreement will provide that:

 

(a) the upfront payment for each such Other Cognate will be ten thousand US dollars (US$10,000.00);

 

(b) the percentage royalty rate on the first ten million US dollars (US$10,000,000.00) of Net Income use (e.g., subscriptions for) of the licensed product containing such Other Cognate under such license agreement will be equal to twenty-five percent (25%);

 

(c) thereafter, the percentage royalty rate on the Net Income from use (e.g., subscriptions for) of the licensed product containing such Other Cognate under such license agreement will be equal to twenty percent (20%);

 

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(d) the amount of all costs and expenses incurred by EMulate for producing such Other Cognate (e.g., costs of measuring, recording and optimizing such Other Cognate) will be for the account of Hapbee; and

 

(e) EMulate will use reasonable commercial efforts to produce such Other Cognate for Hapbee within two (2) months following the execution and delivery of the license agreement.

 

If despite their good faith efforts to do so, EMulate and Hapbee do not enter into a license agreement with respect to such Other Cognate within thirty (30) days after negotiation of the terms of the related license agreement has commenced, then the obligations of EMulate under this Article with respect to such Other Cognate will cease to apply, and EMulate will have the right to freely license to any Third Party any or all of its rights, title and interests with respect to such Other Cognate.

 

15.2 If EMulate develops an intent to enter into negotiations with any Third Party regarding the commercialization of a recreational and/or non-medical human-use product using an Other Cognate, EMulate will notify Hapbee of the same. Hapbee will have the right, within thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice, to notify EMulate whether or not Hapbee desires to have such Other Cognate fall within the scope of Section 15.1 (a “Scope Notice”). If in the Scope Notice Hapbee indicates that it desires to have such Other Cognate fall within the Scope of Section 15.1, then Section 15.1 will be deemed to apply to such Other Cognate, and EMulate will not then proceed with activities with any Third Party for the commercialization of a recreational and/or non-medical human-use product using such Other Cognate. On the other hand, if in the Scope Notice Hapbee indicates that it does not desire to have such Other Cognate fall within the Scope of Section 15.1, or if Hapbee fails to provide a Scope Notice with respect to such Other Cognate within the 30-day period provided for in this Section 15.2, then Section 15.1 will not apply to such Other Cognate, and EMulate will be free to proceed with activities with any Third Party for the commercialization of a recreational and/or non-medical human-use product using such Other Cognate. In any event, EMulate will be permitted to disclose to the applicable Third Party its negotiation obligations under this Section 15.2.

 

Article 16

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

16.1 Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement and all questions regarding the existence, validity, interpretation, breach, or performance of this Agreement, will be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Washington, United States, without reference to its conflicts of law principles. Any dispute arising under this Agreement will be pursued in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Seattle, Washington, and each of the Parties waives any objection it may have to the laying of venue brought in any such court, waives any claim that any proceedings with respect to a dispute have been brought in an inconvenient forum, and further waives any right to object that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such Party.

 

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16.2 Waiver of Breach. No delay or waiver by either Party of any condition or term hereunder in any one or more instances will be construed as a further or continuing waiver of such condition or term or of any other condition or term in this Agreement. Any waiver by a Party of a particular term or condition will be effective only if set forth in a written instrument duly executed by or on behalf of the Party waiving such term or condition.

 

16.3 Further Actions. Each Party agrees to execute, acknowledge, and deliver such further instruments, and to perform all such other acts, as may be necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

 

16.4 Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is adjudicated to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Parties will use their best efforts to replace the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision that most closely reflects the original intent of the Parties. All other provisions of this Agreement will not in any way be affected or impaired by such adjudication and will remain in full force and effect.

 

16.5 Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement, together with the exhibits hereto (which exhibits are by this reference incorporated into this Agreement), contains the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and communications of the Parties, whether oral, written, or otherwise, concerning any and all matters that are the subject of this Agreement. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by authorized representatives of each Party.

 

16.6 Notices. Any notice or communication required or permitted under this Agreement will be in writing in the English language, delivered personally, sent by facsimile (and promptly confirmed by personal delivery, registered or certified mail or overnight courier), sent by internationally-recognized courier or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid to the following addresses of the Parties (or at any address such Party may designate by prior written notice to the other Party in accordance with this Section 16.6):

 

If to EMulate, notices must be addressed to:

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200

Seattle, WA 98109

U.S.A

Attention: President and CEO

Tel: +1 206-708-2288, ext. 122

Fax: +1 206-260-7201

 

With a copy to (which will not constitute notice):

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200

Seattle, WA 98109

U.S.A

Attention: General Counsel

Tel: +1 206-708-2288, ext. 105

Fax: +1 206-260-7201

 

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If to Hapbee, notices must be addressed to:

 

Hapbee Technologies, Inc.

700 West Georgia Street
25th Floor
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B3
Canada
Attention: CEO

Tel: +1 360-929-1520

 

Any such notice will be deemed to have been given (a) when delivered if personally delivered; (b) on the next Business Day after dispatch if sent by confirmed facsimile or by internationally-recognized overnight courier; and/or (c) on the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of mailing if sent by mail or other internationally-recognized courier. Notices hereunder will not be deemed sufficient if provided only between or among each Party’s representatives on the JSC.

 

16.7 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any obligation of a Party hereunder may be assigned by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided, however, that either Party may assign this Agreement in its entirety without such consent to (i) any purchaser of all, or substantially all, of its assets to which this Agreement relates, or (ii) any successor corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation, share exchange, or other similar transaction, provided that any such successor corporation will assume all obligations of its assignor under this Agreement. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of EMulate and Hapbee and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Any assignment of this Agreement that is not made in accordance with this Section 16.7 will be null and void and of no legal force or effect.

 

16.8 Relationship of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement or any action which may be taken pursuant to its terms is intended, or will be deemed, to establish a joint venture, agency, or partnership between Hapbee and EMulate. Neither Party to this Agreement has any express or implied right or authority to assume or create any obligations on behalf of, or in the name of, the other Party, or to bind the other Party to any contract, agreement or undertaking with any Third Party, without the prior written consent of the other Party.

 

16.9 Interpretation. The headings of clauses contained in this Agreement preceding the text of the sections, subsections, and paragraphs hereof are inserted solely for convenience and ease of reference only and will not constitute any part of this Agreement, or have any effect on its interpretation or construction. All references in this Agreement to the singular will include the plural where applicable. Unless otherwise specified, references in this Agreement to any Article will include all sections, subsections, and paragraphs in such Article, references to any section will include all subsections and paragraphs in such section, and references in this Agreement to any subsection will include all paragraphs in such subsection. The word “including” and similar words means including without limitation. The word “or” means “and/or” unless the context dictates otherwise because the subjects of the conjunction are mutually exclusive. The words “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or other subdivision. All references to days in this Agreement mean calendar days, unless otherwise specified. Ambiguities and uncertainties in this Agreement, if any, will not be interpreted against either Party, irrespective of which Party may be deemed to have caused the ambiguity or uncertainty to exist. This Agreement has been prepared in the English language and the English language will control its interpretation. In addition, all notices required or permitted to be given hereunder, and all written, electronic, oral, or other communications between the Parties regarding this Agreement will be in the English language. Les parties reconnaissent avoir exigé que la présente et tous les documents connexes soient rédigés en anglais.

 

16.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which will be deemed an original, and all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

33

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Exclusive License Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.   Hapbee Technologies, Inc.
     
By: /s/ Steven E. Pope   By: /s/ Chris E. Rivera
Name: Steven E. Pope   Name: Chris E. Rivera
Title: SVP and Secretary   Title: President

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.6

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Exclusive License Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of October 26, 2020, between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington, U.S. (“EMulate”), and having a principal place of business at 425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98109, U.S., and Hapbee Technologies, Inc., a company existing under the laws of the province of British Columbia, Canada, and having a principal place of business at 700 West Georgia Street, 25th Floor, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B3, Canada (“Hapbee”), to further amend and to restate in its entirety the Exclusive License Agreement dated as of October 30, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), between EMulate and Hapbee. EMulate and Hapbee are sometimes each referred to herein as a “Party” and sometimes referred to herein together as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS

 

Whereas, EMulate has developed an innovative technology that uses ultra-low radio frequency energy (ulRFE®) to produce some or all of the biological activity of a broad range of molecules, and owns or controls certain patents, know-how, and other intellectual property relating to its proprietary ulRFE technology; and

 

Whereas, Hapbee desires to obtain from EMulate certain exclusive rights and licenses to develop, use, import, and commercialize a product using the EMulate Technology (as defined herein), which product will be designed to emulate the biological activity associated with those molecules identified to the Cognates (as defined herein), and EMulate is willing to grant to Hapbee such rights and licenses, all on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, EMulate and Hapbee hereby agree as follows:

 

Article 1
DEFINITIONS

 

As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set out in this Article 1 unless the context clearly and unambiguously requires otherwise.

 

1.1 Applicable Laws” means the applicable provisions of any and all national, supranational, regional, state, and local laws, treaties, statutes, rules, regulations, administrative codes, guidance, ordinances, judgments, decrees, directives, injunctions, orders, permits of or from any court, arbitrator, or governmental agency or authority having jurisdiction over or related to the subject item.

 

1.2 Auditor” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.5.

 

1.3 Authorized Product” means any product (a) that is composed of components authorized for use by EMulate, (b) that transmits the magnetic field encoded by one or more Cognates in a manner approved by EMulate, and (c) the use, sale, lease, rental, importation or manufacture of which would, but for the license granted to Hapbee hereunder, either infringe a Valid Claim of the EMulate Patents or use EMulate Know-How in the Territory.

 

 

 

 

1.4 Bankruptcy Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2(d).

 

1.5 Business Daymeans a day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in Vancouver, Canada, or Seattle, Washington, are required by law to remain closed.

 

1.6 Calendar Quarter” means a period of three consecutive months during a Calendar Year beginning on and including January 1st, April 1st, July 1st or October 1st; provided, however that (a) the first Calendar Quarter of the Term will extend from the Effective Date to the last day of the Calendar Quarter in which the Effective Date falls; and (b) the last Calendar Quarter of the Term will end upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

1.7 Calendar Year” means a period of twelve consecutive months beginning on and including January 1st and ending on December 31st; provided however, that (a) the first Calendar Year of the Term will extend from the Effective Date to the last day of the Calendar Year in which the Effective Date falls; and (b) the last Calendar Year of the Term will end upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

1.8 Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 

1.9 Cognates” means digitized data that emulates the electromagnetic or magnetic field signal or ultra-low radio frequency energy (“ulRFE”) of chemicals, biochemical or biochemical agents or molecules, as designated pursuant to Section 2.8.

 

1.10 Cognate Inventions” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(b).

 

1.11 Commercial Supply Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

 

1.12 Commercialization” means any and all activities undertaken relating specifically to the pre-launch, launch, promotion, marketing, use, sale, lease, rental, and distribution (including importing, exporting, transporting, customs clearance, warehousing, invoicing, handling, and delivering the Authorized Product to customers) of the Authorized Product in the Territory, including: (a) strategic marketing, sale, lease, rentals force detailing, advertising, education and liaison, and market and product support within the Field and (b) all customer support, invoicing, and sale, lease, rental and subscription activities within the Field. “Commercialize” means to engage in Commercialization activities.

 

1.13 Confidential Information” means all information of a confidential or proprietary nature disclosed by a Party to the other Party under this Agreement, including, without limitation, any such information related to any scientific, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, financial, or personnel matters relating to a Party, or related to a Party’s present or future products, sale, lease, rentals, suppliers, customers, employees, investors, business plans, Know-How, data, research projects, work in progress, future developments or business, in all such cases whether disclosed in oral, written, graphic, or electronic form, and whether or not specifically marked as confidential or proprietary, where under the circumstances in which such disclosure was made or given the nature of information disclosed, a reasonable person would consider such information confidential; provided, however, that in any event, “Confidential Information” excludes any information that (a) is known by the recipient at the time of disclosure, and not through a prior disclosure by or on behalf of the disclosing Party, as documented by written records; (b) is or becomes properly in the public domain through no fault of the receiving Party; (c) is subsequently rightfully disclosed to the receiving Party by a Third Party who is not directly or indirectly under an obligation of confidentiality to the disclosing Party, as documented by written records in existence prior to the disclosure of such information to the receiving Party; or (d) is developed by the receiving Party independently of, and without reference to or use of, the information received from the disclosing Party. Without limiting the foregoing, Confidential Information will include the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

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1.14 Control” means with respect to any Know-How, Patent, or other intellectual property right, possession of the right, whether directly or indirectly, and whether by ownership, license, or otherwise, to grant a license, sublicense, or other right to or under such Know-How, Patent, or other intellectual property right as provided for herein without violating the terms of any agreement or other arrangements with any Third Party at the time when such license, sublicense, or other right is granted hereunder. “Controlled” has a correlative meaning.

 

1.15 Disclosing Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

 

1.16 Distributor” means any Third Party to whom Hapbee or a Sublicensee of Hapbee has granted the right to market, promote, advertise, retail, sell, lease, rent, and distribute the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory.

 

1.17 EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

 

1.18 EMulate Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 

1.19 EMulate Know-How” means all Know-How that is necessary or reasonably useful for the use or Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, which Know-How is Controlled by EMulate with respect to the Authorized Product as of the Effective Date or during the Term. For the avoidance of doubt, EMulate Know-How will not include any Joint Know-How.

 

1.20 EMulate Material Breach” may include, but will not be limited to, one or more of the following events (together with any breach of this Agreement determined to be material by a judicial tribunal of competent jurisdiction):

 

(a) Failure by EMulate to perform its obligations under Section 2.8;

 

(b) Failure by EMulate to supply the Cognates for the Authorized Product exclusively to Hapbee or its Sublicensees and Distributors for use in the Field in the Territory, as required by Section 6.1; and

 

(c) Failure by EMulate to perform its indemnification and other obligations pursuant to Article 12.

 

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1.21 EMulate Patents” means all Patents that are necessary or reasonably useful for the use or Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, which Patents are Controlled by EMulate as of the Effective Date or during the Term. For the avoidance of doubt, EMulate Patents will not include any Joint Patents.

 

1.22 EMulate Technology” means the EMulate Know-How, EMulate Patents and EMulate’s interests in the Joint Patents and Joint Know-How.

 

1.23 EMulate Trademarks” means EMulate’s Trademarks related to the Authorized Product, including ulRFE®.

 

1.24 Field” means the recreational and/or non-medical use (i.e., use that is not regulated by any governmental body under Applicable Laws) in humans of the Authorized Product.

 

1.25 First Commercial Sale” means, with respect to the Territory, the first commercial lease, rental, subscription or sale, under this Agreement by Hapbee, its Sublicensees or Distributors of any Authorized Product to an end user for use or resale, lease, rental in the Field in the Territory.

 

1.26 Hapbee Housemark” means any trademark or trade name, and registrations and applications therefor, Controlled by Hapbee in the Territory and covering Hapbee’s corporate name or company logo or product brand name.

 

1.27 Hapbee Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.

 

1.28 Hapbee Know-How” means all Know-How that is Controlled by Hapbee as of the Effective Date or during the Term, and that is generated by or on behalf of Hapbee or any of its Sublicensees or Distributors in connection with the use or Commercialization of the Authorized Product hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, Hapbee Know-How will not include any Joint Know-How.

 

1.29 Hapbee Manufacturing Cost” means the fully burdened manufacturing cost of Authorized Product expressed on a per unit basis, as supported by Hapbee’s reasonably detailed invoices therefor, which will be the sum of: (i) the Direct Manufacturing Costs and (ii) the Indirect Manufacturing Costs. For the purposes of this definition:

 

(a) Direct Manufacturing Costs” means the direct costs incurred in connection with the manufacture of the Authorized Product, including (i) those material expenses captured in invoices and the like that are specifically attributable to the manufacture of the Authorized Product, including costs of raw materials, manufacturing supplies, packaging, labels, and other materials used in production, (ii) labor expenses captured in time sheets and the like, including salaries and fringe benefits (but not overhead) for personnel directly involved in manufacturing the Authorized Product or any component thereof or purchasing or managing the materials used in the manufacture thereof or maintaining equipment necessary to support the manufacture thereof, (iii) expenses arising out of quality assurance requirements (e.g., good manufacturing practices) such as production, quality control, quality assurance, and other similar departments that are reasonably necessary and participate directly in the production of the Authorized Product or any component thereof, and (iv) equipment and facility depreciation and other allocations of fixed assets in use to support the manufacture of the Authorized Product or any component thereof, but in any event excluding any administrative overhead (e.g., costs associated with human resources, business development, and executive management). Direct expenses also include reasonable out-of-pocket payments to Third Parties (without mark-up) for services related to the manufacture of the Authorized Product or any component thereof.

 

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(b) Indirect Manufacturing Costs” means the reasonable and allocated internal costs and out-of-pocket costs, incurred or accrued by Hapbee in connection with the manufacture of the Authorized Product or any component thereof, including costs arising from or associated with (i) freight, carrier insurance, and other transportation charges directly related to the delivery or distribution of the Authorized Product, (ii) storage and warehousing, (iii) taxes, duties, or other governmental charges (including any tax such as a value added or similar tax, other than any taxes based on income), but excluding indirect and overhead costs (e.g., costs associated with human resources, business development, and executive management).

 

1.30 Hapbee Material Breach” may include, but will not be limited to, one or more of the following events (together with any breach of this Agreement determined to be material by a judicial tribunal of competent jurisdiction):

 

(a) Hapbee’s failure to manufacture and supply to EMulate or Third Parties products, other than the Authorized Product, designated by EMulate for use outside the Field pursuant to Section 2.3;

 

(b) Hapbee’s sublicensing or attempting to sublicense the rights granted to it under Section 2.1 contrary to the provisions of Section 2.4(a);

 

(c) Failure by Hapbee to provide all marketing and promotional literature to EMulate for review and authorization pursuant to Section 5.4;

 

(d) Failure by Hapbee to timely calculate, report and make royalty payments and late payment interest to EMulate as required by Article 7 and Article 8;

 

(e) Failure by Hapbee to perform its obligations related to the Commercialization of Authorized Product under Section 11.2; and

 

(f) Failure by Hapbee to perform its indemnification and other obligations pursuant to Article 12.

 

1.31 Hapbee Patents” means all Patents that claim Inventions that relate to the Authorized Product and that are conceived, made, or generated by or on behalf of Hapbee during the Term pursuant to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Hapbee Patents will not include any Joint Patents.

 

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1.32 Hapbee Technology” means all Hapbee Know-How, Hapbee Patents, and Hapbee’s interests in the Joint Patents and Joint Know-How. For the avoidance of doubt, (a) all and any of Hapbee’s know-how and Hapbee’s patents which are unrelated to Authorized Products and (b) all and any know-how or patents of Hapbee that are developed, identified or conceived without the use of EMulate Confidential Information or outside of the use of the Authorized Product (i.e., independently developed) are excluded from Hapbee Technology.

 

1.33 Inventions” means any and all inventions, discoveries, and developments, whether or not patentable, discovered, made, conceived, or reduced to practice in the course of activities contemplated by this Agreement.

 

1.34 Joint Inventions” means any and all Inventions discovered, conceived or reduced to practice jointly by or on behalf Hapbee, on the one hand, and by or on behalf of EMulate, on the other hand.

 

1.35 Joint Know-How” means all Know-How included in Joint Inventions, other than any Joint Patent.

 

1.36 Joint Patents” means all Patents claiming any Joint Invention.

 

1.37 JSC” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

 

1.38 Know-How” means all tangible and intangible scientific, technical, trade, marketing, commercial, financial, or business knowledge and information, formulations, devices, techniques, processes, methods, trade secrets, formulae, procedures, tests, data, results, analyses, documentation, reports, know-how, skill, and experience related to the marketing, sale and Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field.

 

1.39 Knowledge” of a Party means the actual or constructive knowledge of the Senior Executives of such Party, including the chief executive officer, and any vice president, the general counsel, or the chief medical officer of a Party, or any personnel holding positions equivalent to such job titles (but only to the extent such positions exist at such Party).

 

1.40 Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 

1.41 Net Income” means the gross amounts invoiced by or on behalf of Hapbee or otherwise chargeable to Hapbee’s customers, Sublicensees and Distributors for use (e.g., subscriptions for), sales, leases and/or rentals of Authorized Product or any Cognate to Third Parties, reduced only by, with respect to the relevant Authorized Product, the actual cost of manufacturing, shipping, handling and merchant credit card processing for such Authorized Product, it being understood that gross amounts invoiced for subscriptions for the use of the Authorized Product or any Cognate will be net of app store processing fees. For clarity, Net Income will not be reduced by marketing and promotional expenditures, charges by online platforms or distribution platforms or channels on which the Authorized Products or any Cognates are sold, or any incentives, rebates, spiffs or commissions provided by Hapbee to online platforms or Distributors to promote any Authorized Product or any Cognate, or the use, sale, lease, and/or rental thereof. For purposes of calculating Net Income, any amount originally invoiced for any Authorized Product that is returned during any specific period during the Term may be deducted by Hapbee from the gross amounts invoiced by Hapbee for Authorized Product during the same period. All charges solely for clothing, jewelry, necklaces, pillows, hats and other apparel that are not Authorized Products will not be included in “Net Income.”

 

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By way of example and for purposes of clarification only, (i) if Hapbee sells an Authorized Product to a Distributor for resale to Third Parties for $200 and the Distributor resells the Authorized Product to a Customer for $300, Hapbee’s “Net Income” on such Authorized Product will be $200 minus (if applicable to such resale to the Distributor) costs of manufacturing, shipping, handling and merchant credit card processing for the Authorized Product; and (ii) if Hapbee itself sells an Authorized Product on an online platform to a Third Party for $300 and that platform charges Hapbee $60 for the use of its platform, Hapbee’s “Net Income” will be $300 minus costs of manufacturing, shipping, handling and merchant credit card processing for the Authorized Product.

 

By way of further example and for purposes of clarification only, if Hapbee decides that its wholesale or retail prices being charged for any particular Authorized Product are either too high or too low to achieve optimal revenue, Hapbee may elect to adjust the wholesale or retail price it is charging for an Authorized Product and the Net Income attributable to such Authorized Product will be adjusted proportionately. Such adjustments may be made in circumstances such as the following: Group sales discounts such as “Buy Four, Get One 50% Off” offers; special holiday pricing involving reduced prices for a limited time; friends and family discounts; investor discounts; and offers of free subscriptions for a limited time. Examples of price adjustments that would not affect the Net Income attributable to an Authorized Product would be rebates offered to customers who, after paying the full advertised purchase price, would receive cash back following the submission of a rebate card to Hapbee.

 

1.42 Patent(s)” means (a) all patents, certificates of invention, applications for certificates of invention, priority patent filings, and patent applications, and (b) any renewal, division, continuation (in whole or in part), or request for continued examination of any of such patents, certificates of invention and patent applications, and any and all patents or certificates of invention issuing thereon, and any and all reissues, reexaminations, extensions, divisions, renewals, substitutions, confirmations, registrations, revalidations, revisions, and additions of or to any of the foregoing.

 

1.43 Personmeans any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, governmental entity, or other legal entity of any nature whatsoever.

 

1.44 Receiving Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

 

1.45 Senior Executives” has the meaning set forth in Article 14.

 

1.46 Sublicensee” means a Third Party , other than a Distributor, to whom Hapbee has granted a sublicense under the EMulate Technology as permitted under Section 2.4.

 

1.47 Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.

 

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1.48 Territory” means worldwide; provided, that “worldwide” excludes any national/federal, provincial/regional/state, or local jurisdiction that, with respect to the Cognate in question, does not or ceases to permit the use of such Cognate as contemplated in this Agreement or otherwise, directly or indirectly, limits the full and free exercise of all of the rights with respect to such Cognate granted to ETI under this Agreement.

 

1.49 Third Party” means any Person other than EMulate and Hapbee. “Third-Party” is used in this Agreement as the adjectival form of Third Party.

 

1.50 Trademarks” means trademarks, trade names, trade dresses, domain names, logos, and brandings of a Party.

 

1.51 Transfer Price” means the Hapbee Manufacturing Cost of a unit of Licensed Product plus fifteen percent (15%).

 

1.52 Upfront Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 

1.53 U.S.” means the United States of America, including its territories and possessions and the District of Columbia.

 

1.54 Valid Claim” means (a) a claim of an issued and unexpired patent that has not been revoked or held unenforceable, unpatentable, or invalid by a decision of a court or other governmental agency of competent jurisdiction that is not appealable or has not been appealed within the time allowed for appeal, and that has not been abandoned, disclaimed, denied, or admitted to be invalid or unenforceable through reissue, re-examination, or disclaimer or otherwise, or (b) a claim of a pending patent application that has not been cancelled, withdrawn, or abandoned or finally rejected by an administrative agency action from which no appeal can be taken and that has not been pending for more than ten (10) years.

 

1.55 Withholding Tax Action” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(c).

 

Article 2

GRANT OF LICENSE

 

2.1 License Grants and Hapbee Product Purchases.

 

(a) Licensed Technology. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, EMulate hereby grants to Hapbee an exclusive, royalty-bearing license under the EMulate Technology to use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rent, import, and otherwise Commercialize the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory during the Term. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, EMulate hereby grants to Hapbee an exclusive, royalty-bearing license under the EMulate Technology to ship, label and package Authorized Product for use in the Field in the Territory.

 

(b) Trademarks. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, EMulate hereby grants to Hapbee a non-exclusive, royalty-free license under the EMulate Trademarks solely to Commercialize, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rental, and import Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory during the Term. For clarity, if a EMulate Trademark is not used exclusively with the Authorized Product in the Territory at the time of First Commercial Sale of the Authorized Product, then EMulate has the right to use such EMulate Trademark with any other product in the Territory.

 

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2.2 License Grants to EMulate. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Hapbee hereby grants to EMulate a royalty-free, fully-paid, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (in accordance with Section 2.3) through multiple tiers, in, to and under the Hapbee Technology to research, develop, make, have made, commercialize, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rent, and import any product other than Authorized Product.

 

2.3 Purchase of Product from Hapbee. During the Term, Hapbee will manufacture and supply EMulate such product, other than the Authorized Product, to EMulate or Third Parties designated by EMulate for use outside the Field anywhere in the world, in such quantities as EMulate will order and Hapbee will accept pursuant to and in accordance with a separate commercial supply agreement to be entered into between Hapbee and EMulate (the “EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement”) at the Transfer Price for such product, which Transfer Price will be specified in the EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement. The Parties will negotiate in good faith to enter into the EMulate Commercial Supply Agreement on commercially reasonable terms (other than the Transfer Price).

 

2.4 Sublicensees; Distributors. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Hapbee will have the right to sublicense the rights granted to it under Section 2.1 to:

 

(a) Third Parties with EMulate’s prior consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed; provided, that (i) such sublicensee agrees with EMulate in writing to comply with the term and conditions of this Agreement that are applicable to such Sublicensee’s activities under such sublicense; and (ii) Hapbee remains fully liable for the performance of such sublicensee in accordance with this Agreement.

 

(b) Distributors without EMulate’s consent, provided that Hapbee will remain responsible for the performance of its Distributors hereunder, including without limitation the compliance with Applicable Laws by such Distributors in connection with the distribution of the Authorized Product hereunder. In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 13.2(b) for breach by Hapbee, EMulate will reasonably consider and discuss with each such Distributor potential continuation of the Distributor agreement directly with EMulate if such Distributor is not then in breach of its Hapbee Distributor agreement, a complete copy of which Hapbee will provide to EMulate upon request.

 

2.5 No Implied License. Neither Party grants to the other Party any rights or licenses in or to any intellectual property, whether by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, other than the licenses and rights that are expressly granted under this Agreement.

 

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2.6 Retained Rights. EMulate hereby expressly retains:

 

(a) the right under the EMulate Technology to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under this Agreement, whether directly or through one or more licensees (other than Hapbee) or subcontractors; and

 

(b) all rights to practice and to grant licenses under the EMulate Technology outside of the scope of the license granted in Section 2.1(a), including without limitation the exclusive right to make and have made cognates other than the Cognates anywhere in the world, and the exclusive right to practice the EMulate Technology with respect to products other than the Authorized Product.

 

2.7 Exclusivity Obligations. During the Term, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, Hapbee agrees that it will not acquire, develop, manufacture, sell, lease, rent, import, distribute, or otherwise Commercialize in the Territory any product for use in the Field other than the Authorized Product, either by itself or through any Third Party. In furtherance of the license and exclusivity grant to Hapbee herein, EMulate covenants that during the Term it will not grant rights to any Third Party to use Cognates in the Field in the Territory or acquire, develop, manufacture, sell, lease, rent, import, distribute, or otherwise Commercialize the Authorized Product in the Territory in the Field.

 

2.8 Designation of Cognates. EMulate has, pursuant to one or more agreements between the Parties (each, an “Evaluation Agreement”), provided Hapbee the opportunity to evaluate (or to have evaluated) for safety three (3) cognates that emulate the electromagnetic or magnetic field signal or ulRFE of caffeine, THC and CBD, respectively. Based on the results of the evaluations performed, Hapbee hereby designates to EMulate such three (3) cognates, i.e., those that emulate the electronmagnetic or magnetic field signal or ulRFE of alcohol (Scotch whisky), melatonin and nicotine, which will, subject to the other provisions of this Section 2.8, hereafter be deemed to be “Cognates” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

EMulate will make commercially reasonable efforts to develop, as part of its clinical and commercialization plan, cognates that could, in a substantially similar way to the CBD Cognate, emulate the biological activity associated with the molecule identified to the CBD Cognate. With respect to the CBD Cognate only, (i) if at any time during the Term EMulate has accumulated sufficient data to show that use of the CBD Cognate in human patients would have clinical utility (the sufficiency and quality of which data will be in EMulate’s sole determination), and (ii) if EMulate’s commercially reasonable efforts have not resulted in EMulate determining (which determination will be in EMulate’s sole reasonable discretion) that it has developed cognates that would, in a substantially similar way to theCBD Cognate, emulate the biological activity associated with the molecule identified to the CBD Cognate, then from and after the thirtieth (30th) day following Hapbee’s receipt of EMulate’s written notice of the same (the “CBD Notice Date”), all of Hapbee’s rights under this Agreement to Commercialize Authorized Product that transmits the magnetic field encoded by the CBD Cognate will immediately terminate; provided, that

 

(a) EMulate will pay to Hapbee, on a Calendar Quarter basis, amounts that, based on historical performance and reasonable projections, are equivalent to the Net Income Hapbee would have otherwise received had Hapbee’s rights under this Agreement to Commercialize Authorized Product that transmits the magnetic field encoded by the CBD Cognate not terminated; and

 

(b) EMulate’s obligation to make payments pursuant to this Section 2.8 will commence upon the CBD Notice Date and will continue throughout the remainder of the Term.

 

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Article 3
GOVERNANCE

 

3.1 Joint Steering Committee.

 

(a) Establishment. Within thirty (30) days following the Effective Date, EMulate and Hapbee will establish a committee (the “JSC”) to oversee, review, and coordinate the supply and Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory.

 

(b) Duties. The JSC will:

 

(i) provide a forum for the Parties to discuss material marketing, sales, lease, rental, subscription and manufacturing matters pertaining to the Authorized Product in the Territory;

 

(ii) provide a forum for the Parties to exchange information and coordinate their respective activities with respect to marketing, sales, lease, rental, subscription and manufacturing matters pertaining to the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory and outside the Field or Territory;

 

(iii) review Hapbee’s Commercialization plans and discuss Hapbee’s proposed activities with respect to realizing Commercialization plans for the Authorized Product; and

 

(iv) perform such other duties as are specifically assigned by the Parties to the JSC pursuant to this Agreement.

 

3.2 Membership. Promptly after the Effective Date, each Party will designate up to three (3) representatives with appropriate expertise to serve as members of the JSC. The Parties may elect to vary the participating member and number of representatives that serve on the JSC, provided that in all cases the JSC maintains an equal number of representatives from each Party. Each Party may replace its representatives on the JSC at any time upon written notice to the other Party.

 

3.3 Chairperson; Minutes. One member of the JSC will serve as the chairperson, who will be responsible for organizing meetings, preparing and circulating an agenda in advance of each meeting, and preparing minutes of each meeting. Each JSC representative will review and approve such minutes in writing; provided that if a representative does not object to the accuracy of such minutes within fifteen (15) days after the circulation of such minutes, such minutes will be deemed approved by such representative. Hapbee will appoint the chairperson for an initial one (1) year term and thereafter the Parties will alternate in appointing the chairperson for twelve (12) month terms.

 

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3.4 Meetings. The JSC will hold meetings on a Calendar Quarter basis or on such other schedule to which the Parties may mutually agree. Meetings of the JSC will be effective only if at least one (1) representative of each Party is present or participating. The JSC may meet either (i) in person at either Party’s facilities or at such locations as the Parties may otherwise agree; or (ii) by audio or video teleconference. With the prior consent of the other Party’s representatives (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), each Party may invite non-members to participate in the discussions and meetings of the JSC, provided that such participants will have no vote and will be subject to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Article 10. Additional JSC meetings may be held with each Party’s consent, or as required under this Agreement, and neither Party will unreasonably withhold or delay its consent to hold such an additional meeting.

 

3.5 Decision-Making.

 

(a) The JSC will make good faith efforts to make all decisions on matters that are within the scope of its decision-making authority by consensus. Subject to the terms of this Section 3.5, actions to be taken by the JSC will be taken only following a unanimous vote with each Party’s representatives collectively having one (1) vote. If the JSC fails to reach unanimous consent on a particular matter that is within the scope of its decision-making authority within thirty (30) days of a Party having requested a formal vote on such matter (or, if such matter is urgent, within ten (10) days of such request), then either Party may submit such matter for resolution to the Senior Executives pursuant to Article 14.

 

(b) The scope of the JSC’s decision making authority is limited to coordination of operational and planning matters that relate to the performance by the Parties of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement, the performance or alleged nonperformance of a Party’s obligations under this Agreement, or any alleged breach of this Agreement (including but not limited to the alleged occurrence of a Hapbee Material Breach of an EMulate Material Breach)will be resolved in accordance with the terms of Article 14 and are outside the scope of the JSC’s decision-making authority.

 

3.6 Expenses. Each Party will be responsible for all of its own travel and other costs and expenses for its respective members, designees, and non-member invitees to attend meetings of, and otherwise participate on, the JSC and any subcommittees or working groups.

 

3.7 Subcommittees. From time to time, the JSC may establish subcommittees to oversee particular projects or activities within the JSC’s scope of authority, as it deems necessary or advisable. Each subcommittee will consist of such number of representatives of each Party as the JSC determines is appropriate from time to time, and will meet with such frequency as the JSC determines.

 

3.8 Discontinuation of Participation. The JSC will continue to exist until the first to occur of: (a) the Parties mutually agreeing to disband the committee; or (b) EMulate providing to Hapbee written notice of its intention to disband and no longer participate in such committee. Upon EMulate’s delivery to Hapbee of such written notice, the JSC will have no further obligations under this Agreement and any matters that would previously have been addressed by the JSC will be handled by the Parties in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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3.9 Alliance Managers. Promptly after the Effective Date, each Party will appoint an individual who will be an employee of such Party having appropriate qualification and experience to act as the alliance manager for such Party (the “Alliance Manager”). Each Alliance Manager will be responsible for coordinating and managing processes and interfacing between the Parties on a day-to-day basis throughout the Term. The Alliance Manager will ensure communication to the JSC of all relevant matters raised at any joint subcommittees or working groups. Each Alliance Manager will be permitted to attend meetings of the JSC as non-voting participants. The Alliance Managers will be the primary contact for the Parties regarding the activities contemplated by this Agreement and will facilitate all such activities hereunder. Each Party may replace its Alliance Manager with an alternative representative at any time with prior written notice to the other Party. Any Alliance Manager may designate a substitute to temporarily perform the functions of that Alliance Manager. Each Alliance Manager will be charged with creating and maintaining a collaborative work environment within the JSC and its subcommittees. Each Party will be responsible for all of its own costs with respect to its Alliance Manager.

 

Article 4
COMMERCIALIZATION ACTIVITIES

 

4.1 Diligence. Hapbee will be responsible for the conduct and cost of all activities and efforts in the Territory necessary to support the Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory. Hapbee will submit to the JSC for review and discussion a plan setting forth Hapbee’s planned Commercialization activities with respect to the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory. Hapbee will consult with and provide regular updates to EMulate through the JSC regarding Hapbee’s Commercialization activities and efforts.

 

4.2 Records. Hapbee will maintain detailed and accurate records regarding its Commercialization activities and efforts with respect to the Authorized Product in the Field pursuant to this Agreement. Upon request by EMulate from time to time, Hapbee will promptly provide the JSC with summaries of such Commercialization activities and efforts to date. Upon reasonable prior written notice, EMulate will have the right (subject to Article 10) to inspect the books and records of Hapbee and its Sublicensees and Distributors reflecting the work done and results achieved by or on behalf of Hapbee or its Sublicensees or Distributors in the performance of its Commercialization activities and efforts for the sole purpose of determining compliance by Hapbee with this Agreement.

 

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Article 5
COMMERCIALIZATION

 

5.1 Overview and Diligence; Failure to Commercialize. Subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all Applicable Laws, Hapbee, at its expense, will be solely responsible for Commercializing the Authorized Product for the Field in the Territory. Hapbee will use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve the First Commercial Sale in the Territory within six (6) months after the Effective Date; provided, however, that (a) such 6-month period may be extended by written agreement of the Parties; (b) such 6-month period will be extended if, in EMulate’s sole reasonable determination, Hapbee is making substantial progress towards entering into agreements with one or more third parties for the purpose of Commercializing the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, and (c) if Hapbee does not achieve the First Commercial Sale in the Territory within such 6-month period (if such period has not been extended), then EMulate will have the right to terminate the licenses granted by EMulate pursuant to Section 2.1 and all rights granted to Hapbee under such licenses and under this Agreement with respect thereto will upon such termination immediately revert to EMulate. EMulate will exercise such right of termination by providing written notice thereof to Hapbee.

 

5.2 Commercialization Plan. Upon EMulate’s reasonable request, Hapbee will submit to EMulate for review and discussion at the next scheduled JSC meeting a commercialization plan setting forth the goals, strategies, and plans for Hapbee’s prelaunch activities, launch, and subsequent Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory and the level of anticipated sales force and promotion efforts dedicated to the Authorized Product, together with the budget in connection therewith (the “Commercialization Plan”). Hapbee will conduct all Commercialization activities in accordance with such Commercialization Plan; provided, that, Hapbee may, upon providing notice thereof to EMulate, modify the Commercialization Plan from time to time to the extent that such modification (a) would improve Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory, (b) would not constitute a breach by Hapbee of any of its obligations under this Agreement, or (c) would not limit any of the rights of EMulate under this Agreement or any benefits that EMulate would have otherwise received under this Agreement but for such modification. Hapbee will consult with and provide regular updates to EMulate regarding its Commercialization strategies.

 

5.3 Reports. Hapbee will present written reports to the JSC annually summarizing Hapbee’s significant Commercialization activities with respect to the Authorized Product in the Territory pursuant to this Agreement and including a forecast for the following year’s sales, leases, rentals and subscriptions of or for the Authorized Product in the Territory. Such reports will cover subject matter at a level of detail reasonably sufficient to enable EMulate to determine Hapbee’s compliance with its diligence obligations pursuant to this Article 5.

 

5.4 Marketing and Promotional Literature. Hapbee will prepare all marketing and promotional literature related to Authorized Product for use in the Territory in accordance with Applicable Laws. All such marketing and promotional literature will be subject to the review and authorization of EMulate. EMulate will provide feedback regarding such literature within five (5) business days following receipt thereof, and failure to provide feedback within such period will be deemed to be authorization thereof. At the request of EMulate, EMulate will be presented and described as the Party who developed and manufactured the Authorized Product in a manner satisfactory to both EMulate and Hapbee on, by way of example, all labels, packaging, packaging inserts, and promotional literature related to the Authorized Product, in each case to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, for example by use of phrases like “powered by EMulate Therapeutics.” Without limiting any other provision of this Agreement, Hapbee will have the sole right to brand the Authorized Product for Commercialization in any manner consistent with Applicable Laws that Hapbee deems appropriate, including using Hapbee Housemarks and similar trademarks or trade names of any Hapbee Sublicensee.

 

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5.5 Labeling and Patent Rights Marking. Subject to, and in accordance with, Applicable Laws, Hapbee will identify EMulate as the licensor or producer of the Cognates used in the Authorized Product using the EMulate Trademarks designated by EMulate for such use in certain mutually agreed promotional materials for Authorized Product in the Territory where such identification is appropriate, in a manner approved in advance in writing by both Parties, and in accordance with (and subject to) the Trademark License set forth in Section 2.1(b). To the extent permitted by Applicable Law and customary in the industry for such products, Hapbee will mark all Authorized Product sold, leased or rented in the Territory by Hapbee, its Sublicensees or Distributors with appropriate EMulate Trademarks and patent numbers and the appropriate Hapbee Housemarks and patent numbers. Hapbee may, in its sole discretion, include any Hapbee Housemark on the Authorized Product, and on the labels, packaging, promotional materials, and other materials therefor, subject to Applicable Law.

 

Article 6

 

SUPPLY

 

6.1 Supply and Purchase of Cognates for the Authorized Product. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, during the Term, EMulate will produce and supply the Cognates for the Authorized Product exclusively to Hapbee or its Sublicensees and Distributors for use in the Field in the Territory, and Hapbee or its Sublicensees and Distributors will purchase exclusively from EMulate, all of Hapbee’s and its Sublicensees’ and Distributors’ requirements of the Cognates used in the Authorized Product for Commercialization use in the Field in the Territory in such quantities as Hapbee will order and EMulate will accept pursuant to and in accordance with a separate commercial supply agreement to be entered into between Hapbee and EMulate (the “Commercial Supply Agreement”). The Parties will negotiate in good faith to enter into the Commercial Supply Agreement on commercially reasonable terms.

 

Article 7
FINANCIAL TERMS

 

7.1 Upfront Payment. In consideration for the licenses and rights granted to Hapbee under this Agreement with respect to each of the Cognates designated by and provided to Hapbee pursuant to this Agreement, Hapbee will pay to EMulate, within ten (10) days following the Effective Date, a non-refundable, non-creditable payment in an amount equal to ten thousand US dollars (US$10,000.00) (the “Upfront Amount”). Such payment will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds into an account designated by EMulate.

 

7.2 Royalty Payments.

 

(a) Royalty Rate. Subject to this Section 7.2 and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, in further consideration for the licenses and rights granted to Hapbee under this Agreement, Hapbee will pay to EMulate, on a Calendar Quarter basis, royalties on the quarterly Net Income from (i) sales, lease or rental of the Authorized Product in the Territory multiplied by a percentage royalty rate equal to twenty percent (20%), and (ii) use of (e.g., subscriptions for) the Authorized Product in the Territory multiplied by a percentage royalty rate equal to twenty percent (20%); provided, that the percentage royalty rate on the first ten million US dollars (US$10,000,000.00) of Net Income from use of (e.g., subscriptions for) Authorized Product will be equal to twenty-five percent (25%).

 

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(b) Royalty Term. Hapbee’s obligation to make royalty payments pursuant to this Section 7.2 will commence upon the Effective Date and will continue throughout the term of this Agreement.

 

7.3 Taxes. All amounts payable to EMulate will be paid without any reduction or offset for taxes. If any withholding taxes or stamp, VAT, foreign exchange, or other transfer taxes apply to payments payable to EMulate, then Hapbee will pay such taxes directly and will increase the amounts payable to EMulate so that EMulate receives the full amount it would have received if no such taxes applied.

 

7.4 Expenses Related to Cognates. The amount of all costs and expenses incurred by EMulate for producing each Cognate (e.g., costs of measuring, recording and optimizing such Cognate) will be for the account of Hapbee.

 

Article 8
PAYMENTS, BOOKS, AND RECORDS

 

8.1 Payment; Royalty Reports. Royalty payments due by Hapbee to EMulate under Section 7.2 will be calculated and reported for each Calendar Quarter. All royalty payments due under Section 7.2 will be paid within thirty (30) days after the end of each Calendar Quarter and will be accompanied by a report setting forth the Net Income from sales, lease, rental or subscription of or for the Authorized Product by Hapbee and its Sublicensees and Distributors in the Territory in sufficient detail to permit confirmation of the accuracy of the royalty payment made, including, the number of Authorized Product sold, the Net Income from sales, lease, rental or subscription of or for Authorized Product, the royalties payable, the method used to calculate the royalties, and the exchange rates used. Prior to commencement of Commercialization of Authorized Product, the Parties will agree on the form of royalty report. Hapbee will submit a single report for all Net Income from sales, lease, rental, subscription of or for Authorized Product during a Calendar Quarter, including by Hapbee, its Sublicensees and Distributors, but will separately identify the Net Income and other information applicable to each entity.

 

8.2 Payment Currency; Currency Conversion. All references to dollars and “$” herein will refer to U.S. dollars. All payments hereunder will be payable in U.S. dollars. With respect to conversion of Net Income in any non-U.S. currency to U.S. dollars, such conversion will be at the exchange rate equal to the U.S. dollar conversion rate for such currency as published by The Wall Street Journal, Western U.S. Edition, as published on the last business day of the Calendar Quarter in which the applicable Net Income was invoiced. All payments owed under this Agreement will be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to a bank and account designated in writing by EMulate from time to time for such purpose.

 

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8.3 Taxes.

 

(a) Taxes on Income. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.3, each Party will be solely responsible for the payment of all taxes imposed on its share of income arising directly or indirectly from the activities of the Parties under this Agreement.

 

(b) Tax Cooperation. The Parties agree to cooperate with one another and use reasonable efforts to avoid or reduce tax withholding, transfer taxes, or similar obligations with respect to milestone payments, royalty payments, and other payments made by Hapbee to EMulate under this Agreement. To the extent Hapbee is required by Applicable Laws to deduct and withhold taxes on any payment to EMulate, Hapbee will pay the amounts of such taxes to the proper governmental authority in a timely manner and promptly transmit to EMulate an official tax certificate or other evidence of such payment sufficient to enable EMulate to claim such payment of taxes. EMulate will provide Hapbee any tax forms that may be reasonably necessary in order for Hapbee not to withhold tax or to withhold tax at a reduced rate under an applicable bilateral income tax treaty, to the extent legally able to do so. EMulate will use reasonable efforts to provide any such tax forms to Hapbee in advance of the due date; provided, that EMulate may direct Hapbee to temporarily hold a payment otherwise payable in order to avoid withholding taxes if EMulate is waiting for a required tax form to be issued by a governmental authority. Hapbee will provide EMulate with reasonable assistance to enable the recovery, as permitted by Applicable Laws, of withholding taxes, transfer taxes, or similar obligations resulting from payments made under this Agreement, such recovery to be for the benefit of EMulate. Each Party agrees to assist the other Party in claiming exemption from such deductions or withholdings under double taxation or similar agreement or treaty from time to time in force and in minimizing the amount required to be so withheld or deducted.

 

(c) Taxes Resulting From a Party’s Action. If a Party takes any action, including any assignment, sublicense, change of place of incorporation, or failure to comply with Applicable Laws or filing or record retention requirements, which results in a withholding or deduction obligation or a transfer tax (“Withholding Tax Action”), then such Party will pay the sum associated with such Withholding Tax Action. For clarity, if Hapbee undertakes a Withholding Tax Action, then the sum payable by Hapbee (in respect of which such deduction or withholding is required to be made) will be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that EMulate receives a sum equal to the sum which it would have received had no such Withholding Tax Action occurred. Otherwise, the sum payable by Hapbee (in respect of which such deduction or withholding is required to be made) will be made to EMulate after deduction of the amount required to be so withheld or deducted. If a change in Applicable Laws results in a withholding or deduction obligation absent either Party taking a Withholding Tax Action, then the amount of such withholding or deduction obligation will be paid by Hapbee to the applicable governmental authority on behalf of EMulate in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.3(b). The Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to invoke the application of any applicable bilateral income tax treaty that would reduce or eliminate otherwise applicable taxes with respect to payments payable pursuant to this Agreement.

 

8.4 Records. Hapbee will keep, and require its Sublicensees and Distributors to keep, complete, true, and accurate books of accounts and records for the purpose of determining the amounts payable to EMulate pursuant to this Agreement. Such books and records will be kept for such period of time required by law, but no less than at least five (5) years following the end of the Calendar Quarter to which they pertain. Such records will be subject to inspection in accordance with Section 8.5.

 

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8.5 Audits. Upon not less than ten (10) days’ prior written notice, Hapbee will permit an independent, certified public accountant selected by EMulate and reasonably acceptable to Hapbee, which acceptance will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (for the purposes of this Section 8.5, the “Auditor”), to audit or inspect those books or records of Hapbee, its Sublicensees and Distributors that relate to Net Income, or Royalty Reports for the sole purpose of verifying (a) the royalties payable hereunder in respect of Net Income, (b) the withholding taxes, if any, required by Applicable Law to be deducted as a payment by Hapbee in respect of such Net Income, and (c) the exchange rates used in determining the amount of U.S. dollars. The Auditor will disclose to EMulate only the amount and accuracy of payments reported and actually paid or otherwise payable under this Agreement. The Auditor will send a copy of the report to Hapbee at the same time it is sent to EMulate. EMulate will bear the full cost of such audit unless such audit discloses an underpayment of the amount actually owed of more than five percent (5%), in which case Hapbee will bear the full out-of-pocket, external cost of such audit. Within thirty (30) days from the auditor’s report, Hapbee will submit to EMulate any underpayment discovered in such audit, or EMulate will refund any amounts shown to have been overpaid, in each case as applicable.

 

8.6 Late Payment. Any amounts not paid when due under this Agreement will be subject to interest from and after the date payment is due through and including the date upon which such Party makes such payment at the annual interest rate of one and a half (1.5) percent (1.5%) compounded monthly; provided, however, that in no event will such rate exceed the maximum legal annual interest rate. The payment of such interest will not limit the Party entitled to receive payment from exercising any other rights it may have as a consequence of the lateness of any payment.

 

Article 9
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

9.1 Ownership of Intellectual Property.

 

(a) EMulate Technology and Hapbee Technology. EMulate owns and will retain all rights, title, and interests in and to the EMulate Technology. Hapbee will own and retain all rights, title and interests in and to the Hapbee Technology.

 

(b) Ownership of Inventions. Ownership of all Inventions will be based on inventorship, as determined in accordance with the rules of inventorship under U.S. patent laws. Each Party will solely own any Inventions made solely by its or its employees, agents, or independent contractors (“Sole Inventions”). The Parties will jointly own any Inventions that are made jointly by employees, agents, or independent contractors of one Party together with employees, agents, or independent contractors of the other Party (“Joint Inventions”). If an Hapbee Sole Invention or a Joint Invention covers or is related to any Cognate (collectively, the “Cognate Inventions”), such Cognate Inventions will be owned solely by EMulate, and Hapbee will and hereby does assign to EMulate its right and interest in such Cognate Inventions and such assigned Cognate Inventions will be included in the EMulate Technology licensed to Hapbee pursuant to Section 2.1(a).

 

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9.2 Patent Prosecution and Maintenance.

 

(a) EMulate Patents. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.2, EMulate will have the sole right and authority to prepare, file, prosecute, and maintain the EMulate Patents on a worldwide basis. EMulate will bear all costs of preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of the EMulate Patents in the Territory.

 

(b) EMulate Abandonment. If EMulate determines in its sole discretion to abandon or not maintain any such EMulate Patent(s) in the Territory, then EMulate will provide Hapbee with written notice of such determination within a period of time reasonably necessary to allow Hapbee to determine its interest in such EMulate Patent(s). In the event Hapbee provides written notice expressing its interest in obtaining such EMulate Patent(s), EMulate will assign and transfer, without any compensation, to Hapbee the ownership of, and interest in, such EMulate Patent(s) in the Territory, at Hapbee’s sole expense. Hapbee will thereafter bear all costs of preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of such assigned and transferred Patents in the Territory. In the event that Hapbee decides to abandon or not maintain any such Patent(s), Hapbee will promptly provide EMulate with written notice of such decision.

 

(c) Hapbee Patents. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.2, Hapbee will have the sole right and authority, in its sole discretion, to prepare, file, prosecute, and maintain the Hapbee Patents within the Territory at its own expense.

 

(d) Hapbee Abandonment. If Hapbee determines in its sole discretion to abandon or not maintain any such Patent within the Hapbee Patents anywhere in the world, then Hapbee will provide EMulate with written notice of such determination within a period of time reasonably necessary to allow EMulate to determine its interest in such Hapbee Patent(s). In the event EMulate provides written notice expressing its interest in obtaining such Hapbee Patent(s), Hapbee will assign and transfer, without any compensation, to EMulate the ownership of, and interest in, such Hapbee Patent(s) in the applicable jurisdiction at EMulate’s sole expense. EMulate will thereafter bear all costs of preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of such assigned and transferred Patent(s). For the avoidance of doubt, such transferred Patent(s) will be a part of the EMulate Patents licensed hereunder to Hapbee upon Hapbee’s payment to EMulate of the patent expenses incurred by EMulate in the Territory related thereto. In the event that EMulate decides to abandon or not maintain any such transferred Patent(s), EMulate will promptly provide Hapbee with written notice of such decision.

 

(e) Joint Patents.

 

(i) Initial Responsibility. EMulate will be responsible for the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of Joint Patents worldwide, subject to the rest of this Section 9.2(e). EMulate will be responsible for preparing, filing, prosecuting, and maintaining all Joint Patents, using a patent counsel selected by EMulate and reasonably acceptable to Hapbee; provided, that Hapbee and EMulate will share equally the cost and expenses of the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of Joint Patents, and Hapbee will reimburse EMulate for Hapbee’s portion of such costs and expenses incurred by EMulate within thirty (30) days from the date of invoice for such costs and expenses by EMulate.

 

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(ii) Cooperation. EMulate will consult with Hapbee in preparing Joint Patent applications and will consider and adopt in good faith Hapbee’s comments and suggestions prior to the filing of any Joint Patent application. EMulate will keep Hapbee fully informed of progress with regard to the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of the Joint Patents in and outside the Territory. EMulate will:

 

(1) provide Hapbee with a copy of the final draft of any proposed application at least thirty (30) days prior to filing the same in any patent office worldwide, unless otherwise agreed by patent counsel for both parties, and EMulate will consider in good faith any comments or revisions suggested by Hapbee or its counsel;

 

(2) promptly provide Hapbee with a copy of each patent application as filed, together with a notice of its filing date and serial number;

 

(3) provide Hapbee with a copy of any action, communication, letter, or other correspondence issued by the relevant patent office within at least ten (10) days of receipt thereof, and EMulate will consult with Hapbee regarding responding to the same and will consider in good faith any comments, strategies, and the like proposed by Hapbee;

 

(4) provide Hapbee with a copy of any response, amendment, paper, or other correspondence filed with the relevant patent office within ten (10) days of EMulate’s receipt of the as-filed document;

 

(5) promptly notify Hapbee of the allowance, grant, or issuance of such Joint Patents; and

 

(6) consult with Hapbee regarding the countries to be filed and maintained, the payment of annuities, taxes and maintenance fees for any such Joint Patents.

 

(iii) Joint Patent Abandonment. In the event that EMulate desires to abandon or cease prosecution and/or maintenance of any Joint Patent, EMulate will provide reasonable prior written notice to Hapbee of such intention to abandon (which notice will, to the extent possible, be given no later than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the next deadline for any action that must be taken with respect to such Joint Patent in the relevant patent office). In such case or if EMulate refuses to pay its share of costs related to any such Joint Patent, at Hapbee’s sole discretion, upon written notice from Hapbee, Hapbee may elect to continue prosecution and/or maintenance of any such Joint Patent at its own expense, and EMulate will execute such documents and perform such acts, at EMulate’s expense, as may be reasonably necessary to effect an assignment of EMulate’s entire right, title, and interest in and to such Joint Patent to Hapbee. Any such assignment will be completed in a timely manner to allow Hapbee to continue prosecution and/or maintenance of any such Joint Patent. Any Patents so assigned will no longer be considered Joint Patents and will become Hapbee Patents.

 

(iv) Hapbee Declines Responsibility. If Hapbee refuses to pay its share of costs related to any Joint Patent, upon written notice from EMulate, Hapbee will assign its entire right, title, and interest in and to any such Joint Patent to EMulate. Any Patents so assigned will no longer be considered Joint Patents and will become EMulate Patents.

 

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9.3 Infringement by Third Parties.

 

(a) Notice. In the event that either EMulate or Hapbee becomes aware of any infringement or threatened infringement by a Third Party of any Patents that are subject to the prosecution, maintenance, or enforcement by a Party under this Agreement, it will notify the other Party in writing to that effect. Any such notice will include evidence to support an allegation of infringement or threatened infringement by such Third Party.

 

(b) EMulate Patents. Subject to this Section 9.3(b), EMulate has the first right, as between EMulate and Hapbee, to bring and control any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any EMulate Patent worldwide, at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice. Hapbee has the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice, and EMulate and its counsel will reasonably cooperate with Hapbee and its counsel in strategizing, preparing, and presenting any such action or proceeding. If EMulate fails to bring an action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any EMulate Patent described in the preceding sentence within (i) one hundred twenty (120) days following the notice of alleged infringement or (ii) ten (10) days before the time limit, if any, set forth in the appropriate laws and regulations for the filing of such actions, whichever comes first, Hapbee has the right, but not the obligation, to bring and control any such action at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice. Upon Hapbee’s request, EMulate will timely join any such litigation and cooperate with Hapbee in connection with such infringement action. Except as otherwise agreed to by the Parties as part of a cost-sharing arrangement, any recovery or damages realized as a result of such action or proceeding will be used first to reimburse the Parties’ documented out-of-pocket legal expenses relating to the action or proceeding, and any remaining damages relating to the Authorized Product (including without limitation, lost sales, leases, rentals or lost profits with respect to the Authorized Product) will be retained by the Party bringing suit, and if such Party is Hapbee, such remaining damages will be deemed Net Income subject to the royalty provisions of Section 7.3.

 

(c) Hapbee Patents. Hapbee has the first right (but not the obligation), as between EMulate and Hapbee, to bring and control any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any Hapbee Patent worldwide, at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice and the right to retain all damages resulting from its enforcement action.

 

(d) Joint Patents. Any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of any Joint Patent worldwide may only be brought by both Parties, with the costs to be shared equally between the Parties. Except as otherwise agreed to by the Parties as part of a cost-sharing arrangement, any recovery or damages from an action or proceeding relating to Joint Patents will be used first to reimburse the Parties’ documented out-of-pocket legal expenses relating to the action or proceeding, and any remaining damages will be shared equally between the Parties.

 

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(e) Cooperation. In the event either Party brings an infringement action in accordance with this Section 9.3, the other Party will cooperate fully, including, if required to bring such action, the furnishing of a power of attorney or being named as a party to such action.

 

9.4 Infringement of Third-Party Rights. Each Party will promptly notify the other in writing of any allegation by a Third Party that the activity of either of the Parties pursuant to this Agreement infringes or may infringe the intellectual property rights of such Third Party. EMulate has the sole right to control any defense of any such claim involving alleged infringement of Third-Party rights by EMulate’s activities at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice, and Hapbee has the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice. Hapbee has the sole right to control any defense of any such claim involving alleged infringement of Third-Party rights by Hapbee’s activities at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice, and EMulate has the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice.

 

9.5 Consent for Settlement. Neither Party will enter into any settlement or compromise of any action or proceeding under this Article 9 which would materially alter, diminish, or be in derogation of the other Party’s rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of such other Party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

9.6 Patent Marking. Hapbee (or its Sublicensees, or Distributors) will mark Authorized Product marketed and sold by Hapbee (or its Sublicensees, or Distributors) hereunder with appropriate patent numbers or indicia designed by EMulate to the extent such markings or such notices would impact recoveries of damages or equitable remedies available under Applicable Law with respect to infringements of patents in the Territory.

 

9.7 Trademarks. Without limiting any of Hapbee’s rights to brand the Authorized Product as provided for in Section 5.4, Hapbee will use the EMulate Trademarks selected by EMulate to Commercialize the Authorized Product in the Territory. Where Hapbee reasonably believes the EMulate Trademark is not appropriate for commercial use, or if such EMulate Trademark is not approved for use in the Territory by the applicable Regulatory Authority, the Parties will agree on an alternative product trademark for such country and such alternative product trademark will be deemed a EMulate Trademark. In addition, unless prohibited by Applicable Laws, Hapbee will include EMulate’s corporate trademark on the packaging and product information of the Authorized Product sold in the Territory to indicate that the Authorized Product is licensed from EMulate. All use of the EMulate Trademarks and EMulate corporate trademark will comply with Applicable Laws and regulations and will be subject to EMulate’s review and approval. For clarity, Hapbee may also include its (or its Sublicensee’s) corporate logo Hapbee Housemarks and similar trademarks or trade names of any Hapbee Sublicensee in the Authorized Product sold in the Territory.

 

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Article 10
CONFIDENTIALITY

 

10.1 Nondisclosure. Except to the extent expressly authorized by this Agreement or otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, during the Term and for seven (7) years thereafter, the receiving Party (the “Receiving Party”) will keep confidential and will not publish or otherwise disclose and will not use for any purpose other than as expressly provided for in this Agreement any Confidential Information of the other Party (the “Disclosing Party”), and both Parties will keep confidential and, subject to Sections 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4, will not publish or otherwise disclose the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Receiving Party’s obligation of confidentiality and restriction on use with respect to the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information which derives economic value from not being generally known to public and is identified in writing by the Disclosing Party as trade secrets will continue perpetually for so long as such Confidential Information is unpublished by the Disclosing Party and no provision of Section 10.2(b), (c), or (d) applies to such Confidential Information. Each Party may use the other Party’s Confidential Information solely to the extent required to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including exercising such Party’s rights or performing its obligations under this Agreement. Each Party will use at least the same standard of care as it uses to protect proprietary or confidential information of its own (but no less than reasonable care) to ensure that its employees, agents, consultants, contractors, other representatives and, in the case of Hapbee, Sublicensees and Distributors do not disclose or make any unauthorized use of the Confidential Information of the other Party. Each Party will promptly notify the other Party upon discovery of any unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential Information of the other Party.

 

10.2 Authorized Disclosure. The Receiving Party may disclose Confidential Information belonging to the Disclosing Party only to the extent such disclosure is reasonably necessary in the following instances:

 

(a) filing or prosecuting Patents as permitted by this Agreement;

 

(b) prosecuting or defending litigation, including responding to a subpoena in a Third-Party litigation;

 

(c) complying with Applicable Laws or regulations (including regulations promulgated by securities exchanges) or court or administrative orders;

 

(d) to its Sublicensees or prospective Sublicensees, Distributors, Third-Party Partners, subcontractors or prospective subcontractors, payors, consultants, agents, and advisors on a “need-to-know” basis in order for the Receiving Party to exercise its rights or fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, each of whom prior to disclosure must be bound by obligations of confidentiality and restrictions on use of such Confidential Information that are no less restrictive than those set forth in this Article 10; provided, however, that, in each of the above situations, the Receiving Party will remain responsible for any failure by any Third Party who receives Confidential Information pursuant to this Section 10.2 to treat such Confidential Information as required under this Article 10; or

 

(e) to bona fide potential and actual investors, acquirors, merger partners, licensees, and other financial or commercial partners solely for the purpose of evaluating or carrying out an actual or potential investment, acquisition, or collaboration, in each case under written obligations of confidentiality and non-use at least as stringent as those herein.

 

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(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Party is required to make a disclosure of the other Party’s Confidential Information pursuant to Sections 10.2(b), (c), or (d), it will, except where impracticable, give at least thirty (30) days’ advance notice to the other Party of such disclosure, reasonably consider the comments of the other Party with respect to limiting such disclosure, and use efforts to secure confidential treatment of such Confidential Information at least as diligent as such Party would use to protect its own confidential information, but in no event less than reasonable efforts. In any event, the Parties agree to take all reasonable action to avoid disclosure of Confidential Information hereunder. Any information disclosed pursuant to Sections 10.2(b), (c), or (d) will remain the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party and subject to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement, including the foregoing provisions of this Article 10.

 

10.3 Public Announcements. At the election of EMulate with respect to any or all of the Authorized Product, the Parties agree to issue a joint press release in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to both Parties announcing the signature of this Agreement at or shortly after the Effective Date, but in any event within the time-period as required by Applicable Laws. It is understood that either Party may make such disclosures as it determines, based on advice of counsel, is reasonably necessary to comply with Applicable Laws or for appropriate market disclosure. Each Party will provide the other Party with advance notice of legally required disclosures to the extent practicable. The Parties will consult with each other on the provisions of this Agreement to be redacted in any filings made by a Party as required by Applicable Laws; provided, that each Party will have the right to make any such filing as it reasonably determines necessary under Applicable Laws. In addition, following any initial joint press release announcing this Agreement, either Party will be free to disclose, without the other Party’s prior written consent, the existence of this Agreement, the identity of the other Party, and those terms of the Agreement which have already been publicly disclosed in accordance herewith.

 

Article 11
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

 

11.1 Mutual Representations and Warranties. Each Party represents and warrants to the other that, as of the Effective Date: (a) it is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, and has full corporate or other power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions hereof, (b) it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and the person or persons executing this Agreement on its behalf has been duly authorized to do so by all requisite corporate or partnership action, (c) this Agreement is legally binding upon it, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and does not conflict with any agreement, instrument, or understanding, oral or written, to which it is a Party or by which it may be bound, nor, to the knowledge of the indemnifying Party, violate any material law or regulation of any court, governmental body, or administrative or other agency having jurisdiction over it, and (d) it has the right to grant the licenses granted by it under this Agreement.

 

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11.2 Additional Hapbee Covenants. Hapbee covenants as follows:

 

(a) Hapbee will comply in all material respects with all Applicable Laws related to its Commercialization of Authorized Product.

 

(b) Hapbee will Commercialize all Authorized Product solely within the Territory for use in the Field pursuant to the authority, rights, and licenses granted to Hapbee under this Agreement. During the Term Hapbee will not (i) Commercialize any Authorized Product outside of the Field or of the Territory, (ii) provide any Authorized Product to any Third Party if Hapbee has actual knowledge or reasonably believes that such Third Party, either directly or indirectly, is selling, renting, leasing, or intends to sell, rent or lease such Authorized Product outside the Field or the Territory and (iii) expressly provide in each agreement with its Distributor that such Distributor will be subject to immediate termination in the event of a breach of the covenants in this Section 11.2(b) and (iv) immediately terminate any Distributor for a breach of the requirements of Section 11.2(b)(iii).

 

(c) At EMulate’s request with respect to any jurisdiction in the Territory, Hapbee will cause its special counsel, reasonably acceptable to EMulate, to deliver to EMulate a legal opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to EMulate, stating (among other things) that the transactions contemplated by the Exclusive License Agreement are the legal, valid and binding obligations of Hapbee enforceable against Hapbee in accordance with the terms of such agreement and that the commercial transactions by Hapbee as contemplated in such jurisdiction in the Exclusive License Agreement will not violate any Applicable Laws in the Territory.

 

11.3 Additional EMulate Representations, Warranties, and Covenants. EMulate represents and warrants to Hapbee that as of the Effective Date:

 

(a) EMulate Patents. EMulate owns, or has an exclusive license to, the EMulate Patents.

 

(b) Title; Encumbrances. EMulate has sufficient legal and/or beneficial title, ownership, or license, free and clear from any mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, conditional and installment sale, lease, rental agreements, encumbrances, charges or claims of any kind, of the EMulate Technology to grant the licenses to Hapbee as purported to be granted pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(c) No Conflict. EMulate has not granted any assignment, license, covenant not to sue, or other similar interest or benefit, exclusive or otherwise, to any Third Party relating to any patent, know-how, or other proprietary right that conflicts with or limits the rights granted to Hapbee hereunder or which falls within the scope of the licenses granted in Section 2.1.

 

(d) Non-Infringement of Third Party’s IP Rights. The EMulate Technology and the import, sale, lease, rental, or use of the Authorized Product in the Territory does not and will not infringe any intellectual property rights of any Third Party existing as of the Effective Date.

 

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(e) Non-Infringement of EMulate Technology by Third Parties. EMulate is not aware of any activities by Third Parties that constitute infringement or misappropriation of the EMulate Technology within the Territory.

 

(f) No Claims of Third-Party Rights. EMulate has not received any written notice, claim, or demand from any person or entity asserting that the research, development, use, or sale, lease, rental of the Authorized Product infringes a patent of a Third Party in the Territory, nor is EMulate aware of the threat of such claim.

 

(g) No Action or Claim. To EMulate’s Knowledge as of the Effective Date, there are no actual, pending, alleged, or threatened adverse actions, suits, claims, interferences, or formal governmental investigations involving the Authorized Product by or against EMulate or distributors in or before any court or governmental entity.

 

(h) Disclaimer. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER, NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR EXTENDS ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, VALIDITY AND ENFORCEABILITY OF PATENTS, OR THE PROSPECTS OR LIKELIHOOD OF COMMERCIAL SUCCESS OF THE AUTHORIZED PRODUCT.

 

11.4 No Representation Regarding Cognates. The Parties agree that (without limiting any provision in Section 11.3(h)) EMULATE MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES WITH RESPECT TO (A) THE SAFETY OR EFFECTIVENESS OF ANY OF THE COGNATES, (B) THE CAPABILITY OR SUITABILITY OF ANY OF THE COGNATES FOR COMMERCIALIZATION, OR (C) FROM AND AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE, THAT THE USE OF ANY COGNATE AS CONTEMPLATED IN THIS AGREEMENT OR OTHERWISE, OR THE EXERCISE OF ANY OF ETI’S RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH COGNATE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT VIOLATE ANY MATERIAL LAW OR REGULATION OF ANY COURT, GOVERNMENTAL BODY, OR ADMINISTRATIVE OR OTHER AGENCY HAVING JURISDICTION OVER IT OR WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY.

 

Article 12
INDEMNIFICATION

 

12.1 Indemnification of EMulate. Hapbee will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of EMulate and its directors, shareholders, officers, and employees (collectively, the “EMulate Indemnitees”) from and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, penalties, fines, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses of litigation) (“Losses”) from any Third-Party claims, actions, suits, or proceedings (each, a “Claim”) incurred by any EMulate Indemnitee, arising from, or occurring as a result of (a) the negligence or willful misconduct of Hapbee, its Sublicensees, Distributors or other subcontractors, and (b) any breach of any representations, warranties, or covenants by Hapbee under this Agreement; except in each case to the extent such Claim falls within the scope of EMulate’s indemnification obligations set forth in Section 12.2.

 

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12.2 Indemnification of Hapbee. EMulate will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of Hapbee and its Sublicensees and Distributors and their respective directors, officers, employees, and agents (collectively, the “Hapbee Indemnitees”), from and against any and all Losses from any Third-Party Claims incurred by any Hapbee Indemnitee, arising from, or occurring as a result of (a) the negligence or willful misconduct of EMulate; and (b) any breach of any representations, warranties, or covenants by EMulate under this Agreement; except in each case to the extent such Claim falls within the scope of the indemnification obligations of Hapbee set forth in Section 12.1.

 

12.3 Procedure. Each Party’s agreement to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the other Party is conditioned on the indemnified Party: (a) providing written notice to the indemnifying Party of any Claim for which it is seeking indemnification hereunder promptly after the indemnified Party has knowledge of such Claim; (b) permitting the indemnifying Party to assume full responsibility to investigate, prepare for, and defend against any such Claim, except that the indemnified Party may cooperate in the defense at its own expense using its own counsel; (c) assisting the indemnifying Party, at the indemnifying Party’s reasonable expense, in the investigation of, preparation for, and defense of any such Claim; and (d) not compromising or settling such Claim without the indemnifying Party’s written consent. The indemnifying Party will not settle any Claim without the prior written consent of the indemnified Party, not to be unreasonably withheld, unless the settlement involves only the payment of money. If the indemnifying Party does not assume and conduct the defense of the Claim as provided above, (y) the indemnified Party may defend against and consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to the Claim in any manner the indemnified Party may deem reasonably appropriate (and the indemnified Party need not consult with, or obtain any consent from, the indemnifying Party in connection therewith), and (z) the indemnifying Party will remain responsible to indemnify the indemnified Party as provided in this Article 12. The failure to promptly notify the indemnifying Party after the commencement of any action with respect to a Claim will only relieve the indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article 12 if and to the extent the indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced thereby.

 

12.4 Insurance. Each Party will procure and maintain insurance, including product liability insurance, adequate to cover its obligations hereunder and which are consistent with normal business practices of prudent companies similarly situated at all times during the Term. It is understood that such insurance will not be construed to create a limit of either Party’s liability with respect to its indemnification obligations under this Article 12. Each Party will provide the other Party with written evidence of such insurance upon request. Each Party will provide the other Party with written notice at least thirty (30) days prior to the cancellation, non-renewal, or material change in such insurance or self-insurance which materially adversely affects the rights of the other Party hereunder.

 

12.5 Limitation of Liability. NEITHER PARTY WILL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, OR INDIRECT DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF ANY NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 12.5 IS INTENDED TO OR WILL LIMIT OR RESTRICT THE INDEMNIFICATION RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY PARTY UNDER SECTION 12.1 OR SECTION 12.2, OR DAMAGES AVAILABLE FOR A PARTY’S BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS IN ARTICLE 10.

 

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Article 13
Term and Termination

 

13.1 Term. This Agreement will commence on the Effective Date, and unless terminated earlier as provided in this Article 13, will continue in full force and effect until the twentieth (20th) anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Term”); provided, that if any Cognate has been determined pursuant to Section 2.8 not to be safe for its intended Commercial use, the Term of this Agreement with respect to such Cognate will terminate as of the date of such determination. The Commercial Supply Agreement, as applicable, will terminate upon any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

13.2 Early Termination.

 

(a) Mutual Agreement. The Parties may terminate this Agreement at any time by mutual written agreement of the Parties.

 

(b) Material Breach. EMulate will have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to Hapbee if Hapbee, after receiving written notice from EMulate identifying a Hapbee Material Breach, fails to cure such Hapbee Material Breach within sixty (60) days from the date of such notice (or within thirty (30) days’ notice for any payment breach). Hapbee will have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to EMulate if EMulate, after receiving written notice identifying an EMulate Material Breach, fails to cure such EMulate Material Breach within sixty (60) days from the date of such notice.

 

(c) Bankruptcy. Each Party will have the right to terminate this Agreement immediately in its entirety upon written notice to the other Party if such other Party makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, files an insolvency petition in bankruptcy, petitions for or acquiesces in the appointment of any receiver, trustee, or similar officer to liquidate or conserve its business or any substantial part of its assets, commences under the laws of any jurisdiction (the “Bankruptcy Laws”) any proceeding involving its insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, adjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or any other similar proceeding for the release of financially distressed debtors or becomes a party to any proceeding or action under the Bankruptcy Laws and such proceeding is not dismissed within sixty (60) days after the commencement thereof.

 

(d) License Grant by Hapbee to EMulate. Hapbee hereby grants EMulate, effective upon the effective date of an early termination pursuant to this Section 13.2, a fully paid, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable, exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (through multiple tiers), under any and all Patents and Know-How Controlled by Hapbee at the time of such termination for EMulate to develop, make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rental, and import Authorized Product in the Territory.

 

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13.3 Effects of Termination. Upon the early termination of this Agreement by EMulate under Section 13.2(b) or 13.2(c), the following will apply:

 

(a) Inventory. Hapbee, its Distributors, and Sublicensees will continue, to the extent that Hapbee, its Distributors, and Sublicensees continue to have stocks of usable Authorized Product, to fulfill orders received from customers for the Authorized Product in the Field in the Territory for up to six (6) months after the effective date of termination. Hapbee will pay royalties to EMulate in accordance with Section 7.2 on the amount of Net Income from the use, sale, lease and rental of Authorized Product sold by Hapbee after notice of termination and after the effective date of termination.

 

(b) License Grant by Hapbee to EMulate. Hapbee hereby grants EMulate, effective upon the effective date of such termination, a fully paid, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable, exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (through multiple tiers), under any and all Patents and Know-How Controlled by Hapbee and incorporated into the Authorized Product at the time of such termination for EMulate to make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, lease, rental and import Authorized Product in the Territory.

 

(c) Supply. The Commercial Supply Agreement, if applicable, will terminate upon the effective date of the termination of this Agreement.

 

(d) Transition. Hapbee will cooperate with EMulate and/or its designee to effect a smooth and orderly transition in the use, sale, lease, rental and marketing, promotion, and Commercialization of the Authorized Product in the Territory.

 

13.4 Effects of Termination for Cause by Hapbee. Upon termination of this Agreement by Hapbee under Section 13.2(b) or 13.2(c), (in addition to any other rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to such termination) all licenses granted by EMulate to Hapbee pursuant to Section 2.1 will terminate; provided, however, that Hapbee may elect to have all or any portion of the licenses granted to Hapbee pursuant to Section 2.1 (and pursuant to the Commercial Supply Agreement, if applicable) continue, in which case Hapbee’s obligations to EMulate under Article 7 and EMulate’s rights under Article 7 will continue.

 

13.5 Rights Upon Bankruptcy. All rights and licenses granted under or pursuant to this Agreement by EMulate (and pursuant to the Commercial Supply Agreement, if applicable) are, and will otherwise be deemed to be, for purposes of Section 365(n) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, licenses of right to “intellectual property” as defined under Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Laws. The Parties agree that Hapbee, as licensee of such rights under this Agreement, will retain and may fully exercise all of its rights and elections under the Bankruptcy Laws.

 

13.6 Return of Confidential Information. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, except to the extent necessary or reasonably useful for a Party to exercise its rights under any license surviving such termination or expiration, each Party will promptly return to the other Party, or delete or destroy, all relevant records and materials in such Party’s possession or control containing Confidential Information of the other Party; provided, that such Party may keep one copy of such materials for archival purposes only.

 

13.7 Survival. The following provisions will survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement: Articles 1 (Definitions), 10 (Confidentiality), 12 (Indemnification), 14 (Dispute Resolution), and 15 (General Provisions), and Sections 2.3 (License Grant to EMulate), 2.4 (No Implied License), 4.2 (Records), 8.4 (Records), 8.5 (Audits), 9.1 (Ownership of Intellectual Property), 13.3-13.4 (Effects of Termination; in each case to the extent applicable), and 13.7 (Survival).

 

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Article 14
DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

The Parties recognize that disputes as to certain matters may from time to time arise during the Term that relate to interpretation of a Party’s rights and/or obligations hereunder or any alleged breach of this Agreement. If the Parties cannot resolve any such dispute within thirty (30) days after written notice of a dispute from one Party to another, either Party may, by written notice to the other Party, have such dispute referred to the Chief Executive Officer of EMulate and the Chief Executive Officer of Hapbee (collectively, the “Senior Executives”). The Senior Executives will negotiate in good faith to resolve the dispute within thirty (30) days. If the Senior Executives are not able to resolve such dispute referred to them under this Article 14 within such thirty (30)-day period, each of the Parties will be free to pursue its legal rights and remedies before a judicial tribunal of competent jurisdiction.

 

Article 15
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

15.1 Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement and all questions regarding the existence, validity, interpretation, breach, or performance of this Agreement, will be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Washington, United States, without reference to its conflicts of law principles. Any dispute arising under this Agreement will be pursued in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Seattle, Washington, and each of the Parties waives any objection it may have to the laying of venue brought in any such court, waives any claim that any proceedings with respect to a dispute have been brought in an inconvenient forum, and further waives any right to object that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such Party.

 

15.2 Waiver of Breach. No delay or waiver by either Party of any condition or term hereunder in any one or more instances will be construed as a further or continuing waiver of such condition or term or of any other condition or term in this Agreement. Any waiver by a Party of a particular term or condition will be effective only if set forth in a written instrument duly executed by or on behalf of the Party waiving such term or condition.

 

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15.3 Further Actions. Each Party agrees to execute, acknowledge, and deliver such further instruments, and to perform all such other acts, as may be necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

 

15.4 Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is adjudicated to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Parties will use their best efforts to replace the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision that most closely reflects the original intent of the Parties. All other provisions of this Agreement will not in any way be affected or impaired by such adjudication and will remain in full force and effect.

 

15.5 Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement, together with the exhibits hereto (which exhibits are by this reference incorporated into this Agreement), contains the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and communications of the Parties, whether oral, written, or otherwise, concerning any and all matters that are the subject of this Agreement. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by authorized representatives of each Party.

 

15.6 Notices. Any notice or communication required or permitted under this Agreement will be in writing in the English language, delivered personally, sent by facsimile (and promptly confirmed by personal delivery, registered or certified mail or overnight courier), sent by internationally-recognized courier or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid to the following addresses of the Parties (or at any address such Party may designate by prior written notice to the other Party in accordance with this Section 15.6):

 

If to EMulate, notices must be addressed to:

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200 

Seattle, WA 98109 

U.S.A 

Attention: President and CEO 

Tel: +1 206-708-2288, ext. 122 

Fax: +1 206-260-7201

 

With a copy to (which will not constitute notice):

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. 

425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 200 

Seattle, WA 98109 

U.S.A 

Attention: General Counsel 

Tel: +1 206-708-2288, ext. 105 

Fax: +1 206-260-7201

 

If to Hapbee, notices must be addressed to:

 

Hapbee Technologies, Inc. 

700 West Georgia Street
25th Floor
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B3
Canada
Attention: CEO 

Tel: +1 360-929-1520

 

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Any such notice will be deemed to have been given (a) when delivered if personally delivered; (b) on the next Business Day after dispatch if sent by confirmed facsimile or by internationally-recognized overnight courier; and/or (c) on the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of mailing if sent by mail or other internationally-recognized courier. Notices hereunder will not be deemed sufficient if provided only between or among each Party’s representatives on the JSC.

 

15.7 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any obligation of a Party hereunder may be assigned by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided, however, that either Party may assign this Agreement in its entirety without such consent to (i) any purchaser of all, or substantially all, of its assets to which this Agreement relates, or (ii) any successor corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation, share exchange, or other similar transaction, provided that any such successor corporation will assume all obligations of its assignor under this Agreement. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of EMulate and Hapbee and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Any assignment of this Agreement that is not made in accordance with this Section 15.7 will be null and void and of no legal force or effect.

 

15.8 Relationship of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement or any action which may be taken pursuant to its terms is intended, or will be deemed, to establish a joint venture, agency, or partnership between Hapbee and EMulate. Neither Party to this Agreement has any express or implied right or authority to assume or create any obligations on behalf of, or in the name of, the other Party, or to bind the other Party to any contract, agreement or undertaking with any Third Party, without the prior written consent of the other Party.

 

15.9 Interpretation. The headings of clauses contained in this Agreement preceding the text of the sections, subsections, and paragraphs hereof are inserted solely for convenience and ease of reference only and will not constitute any part of this Agreement, or have any effect on its interpretation or construction. All references in this Agreement to the singular will include the plural where applicable. Unless otherwise specified, references in this Agreement to any Article will include all sections, subsections, and paragraphs in such Article, references to any section will include all subsections and paragraphs in such section, and references in this Agreement to any subsection will include all paragraphs in such subsection. The word “including” and similar words means including without limitation. The word “or” means “and/or” unless the context dictates otherwise because the subjects of the conjunction are mutually exclusive. The words “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or other subdivision. All references to days in this Agreement mean calendar days, unless otherwise specified. Ambiguities and uncertainties in this Agreement, if any, will not be interpreted against either Party, irrespective of which Party may be deemed to have caused the ambiguity or uncertainty to exist. This Agreement has been prepared in the English language and the English language will control its interpretation. In addition, all notices required or permitted to be given hereunder, and all written, electronic, oral, or other communications between the Parties regarding this Agreement will be in the English language. Les parties reconnaissent avoir exigé que la présente et tous les documents connexes soient rédigés en anglais.

 

15.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which will be deemed an original, and all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Exclusive License Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.   Hapbee Technologies, Inc.
     
By: /s/ Steven E. Pope   By: /s/ Chris E. Rivera
Name: Steven E. Pope   Name: Chris E. Rivera
Title: SVP and Secretary   Title: President 

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.7

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.8

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of March 15, 2022 (the “Effective Date” of this Agreement), by and between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation (formerly known as Nativis, Inc., the “Company”), and Chris E. Rivera (“Employee”), to amend and restate in its entirety the prior Amended and Restated Employment Agreement relating to the employment of Employee by the Company (the “Prior Agreement”) entered into by the Company and Employee as of April 27, 2016. The term “Parties” as used in this Agreement means the Company and Employee and the term “Party” means the Company or Employee, as the context requires.

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1. Employment

 

The Company will employ Employee during the Employment Period as its President and Chief Executive Officer.

 

2. Employment Period

 

The term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement (the “Employment Period”) commenced on January 1, 2016, and will end upon Employee’s termination. The employment of Employee will not be terminated by the Company other than in accordance with Section 10 of this Agreement.

 

3. Duties

 

Employee will perform the duties and exercise the powers as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as well as any additional duties and powers which the Board of Directors of the Company may reasonably and properly assign to him. Employee will attend and participate in meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company, and of its Committees as may be requested from time to time by any such Committee.

 

4. Extent of Services

 

Employee will devote substantially all of his business time, attention and effort to the business and affairs of the Company and its affiliates. Employee may, with the consent of the Board of Directors, participate in other businesses as an outside director or investor, provided that Employee will not actively participate in the operation or management of such businesses unless, in the Board of Directors’ sole determination, there is no conflict of interest or potential perception of a conflict of interest with the Company’s business.

 

 
 

 

5. Salary

 

During the period from the Effective Date through June 30, 2022, the Company will pay Employee, in accordance with its normal payroll practices in monthly or semi-monthly increments, a monthly salary at an initial rate of $15,708.33, which is equal to an annual salary of $188,500.00. From and after June 30, 2022, the Company will pay Employee, in accordance with its normal payroll practices in monthly or semi-monthly increments, a monthly salary at an initial rate of $73,475.00, which is equal to an annual salary (“Base Salary”) of $881,700.00. During the Employment Period, Base Salary will be reviewed at least annually by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”) and will be increased annually in a percentage amount as determined by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, if the power to effect such increase has been delegated by the Board of Directors to the Compensation Committee. Base Salary will not at any time be reduced without the prior written consent of Employee.

 

6. Annual Incentive Bonus (STI); Equity Awards

 

6.1 Within sixty (60) days following each February 1 during the Employment Period, Employee will identify in writing to the Board of Directors the goals he expects to achieve with respect to the Company during the employment year beginning on the Effective Date or such relevant anniversary date. Such goals as are approved by the Board of Directors are referred to in this Agreement with respect to each employment year as “Annual Goals” for such relevant employment year. Promptly following the end of each employment year, Employee and the Board of Directors will review Employee’s performance with respect to achieving the Annual Goals for such employment year, and Employee will receive a cash bonus (STI) to the extent Employee has achieved his Annual Goals (in addition to his Base Salary for such employment year). The target for Employee’s annual cash bonus (STI) for any employment year will be 100% of his Base Salary for such year. Base Salary and any such cash bonus (STI) together will constitute “Total Salary” for the relevant employment year.

 

6.2 Employee will receive an annual award of a stock option to purchase or of RSUs to receive shares of the Company’s common stock. The number of common shares to be included in such option will be determined by the Board based on Employee’s achievement of his Annual Goals, and 100% of shares awarded under any stock option will be vested as of the date of grant of such option. The price for each common share subject to the option will be equal to the fair market value per share for the Company’s common stock at the time the option is granted, as determined by the Board of Directors, and the period in which Employee may exercise such option will be for seven (7) years after the date of grant thereof.

 

6.3 The stock options and RSUs referred to in this Section 6 will be evidenced by and subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the stock option grant notice, the stock option agreement, and the RSU Agreement, as the case may be, related thereto and the Company’s Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended or superseded from time to time).

 

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7. Benefits

 

Employee will be entitled to participate in the Company’s benefit plans both for salaried employees and for officers, including without limitation any supplemental disability plan for executive employees, any supplemental death benefit plan for executive employees, the Company’s medical, disability and life insurance programs, the Company’s 401(k) plan and qualified retirement plans (if any), matching Company contributions with respect to such plans, any deferred compensation plan, any supplemental executive retirement plan and the like, in accordance with their terms, each of which may be amended from time to time, and any other benefit plans now or hereafter available to the Company’s senior executives and officers. The Company will provide Employee with medical, life and disability insurance benefits, and other benefits, with terms and provisions substantially as favorable to Employee as those provided to senior executives and officers of the Company. The Company may prospectively amend, eliminate or add to these insurance and benefit programs at any time, in its sole discretion. Employee will be entitled to paid time off in accordance with Company policies for senior executives and officers.

 

8. Severance

 

8.1 Severance Payment. If Employee’s employment terminates (whether by the Company or by Employee) for any reason except termination by the Company for Cause, then, subject to the terms and conditions of Sections 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4, Employee will be entitled to receive severance equal to his Total Salary (“Severance Payment”). Payment of the Severance Payment will be subject to the effective and irrevocable execution by Employee and the Company of a full settlement agreement and mutual release of claims, in form and substance satisfactory to each of Employee and the Company (the “Release”) and provided that such Release becomes effective and irrevocable no later than sixty (60) days following the Employee’s termination date (such deadline, the “Release Deadline”). If the Release does not become effective and irrevocable by the Release Deadline, Employee will forfeit any rights to severance or benefits under this Agreement. In no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the Release becomes effective and irrevocable. Interest on the unpaid balance of the Severance Payment will accrue commencing on the date of the termination of Employee’s employment at a rate equal to ten percent (10%) per annum, calculated based on a 365-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

8.2 Taxes. All severance payments due to Employee under this Section 8 will be subject to applicable tax reporting and withholdings and, except for the employer portion of any employment taxes, payment of taxes on the payments set forth hereunder will be the full and sole responsibility of the Employee.

 

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8.3. IRC Section 280G Matters. In the event that the severance payments and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Employee constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and but for this Section 8.3, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then Employee’s severance payments and benefits under this Agreement will be payable either:

 

(a) in full, or

 

(b) as to such lesser amount which would result in no portion of such severance payments or benefits being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by Employee on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance payments and benefits under this Agreement, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such severance payments or benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. Any reduction in the severance payments and benefits required by this Section will be made in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments; (ii) reduction of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (iii) reduction of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (iv) reduction of other benefits paid or provided to Employee. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of Employee’s equity awards. If two or more equity awards are granted on the same date, each award will be reduced on a pro-rata basis. The professional firm engaged by the Company or its successor, as relevant, for general tax purposes as of the day prior to the date of the event that might reasonably be anticipated to result in severance payments and benefits that would otherwise be subject to the Excise Tax will perform the foregoing calculations. If the tax firm so engaged by the Company or its successor, as relevant, is serving as accountant or auditor for the acquiring company, the Company or its successor, as relevant, will appoint a nationally recognized tax firm to make the determinations required by this Section. The Company or its successor, as relevant, will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such firm required to be made by this Section. The Company or its successor, as relevant, and Employee will furnish such tax firm such information and documents as the tax firm may reasonably request in order to make its required determination. The tax firm will provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company or its successor, as relevant, and Employee as soon as practicable following its engagement. Any good faith determinations of the tax firm made hereunder will be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company or its successor, as relevant, and Employee.

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8.4 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(a) Limitation. Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, no amount payable pursuant to this Agreement which constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) and the Treasury Regulations issued pursuant to Section 409A of the Code (the “Section 409A Regulations”) will be paid unless and until Employee has incurred a “separation from service” within the meaning of the Section 409A Regulations. Furthermore, to the extent that Employee is a “specified employee” within the meaning of the Section 409A Regulations as of the date of Employee’s separation from service, no amount that constitutes a deferral of compensation which is payable on account of Employee’s separation from service will be paid to Employee before the date which is the earlier to occur of: (i) the date that is six months and one day after the effective date of Employee’s separation from service, and (ii) the date of the Employee’s death (such earlier date, the “Delayed Initial Payment Date”), the Company will (A) pay to Employee a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the payments upon separation from service that Employee would otherwise have received through the Delayed Initial Payment Date if the commencement of the payments had not been delayed pursuant to this Section 8.4, and (B) commence paying the balance of the payments in accordance with the applicable payment schedules set forth herein. No interest will be due on any amounts so deferred.

 

(b) Tax Interpretation. It is intended that all of the benefits and payments under this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Code Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulations 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9), and this Agreement will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions. If not so exempt, this Agreement (and any definitions hereunder) will be construed in a manner that complies with Section 409A, and incorporates by reference all required definitions and payment terms. For purposes of Code Section 409A (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement (whether severance payments, reimbursements or otherwise) will be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment hereunder will at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment. However, neither the Company nor its successor, as relevant, guarantees any particular tax effect under Section 409A for income provided to Employee pursuant to this Agreement. Except for the Company’s, or its successor’s, as relevant, responsibility to withhold and remit applicable income and employment taxes from compensation paid or provided to Employee, neither the Company nor its successor, as relevant, will be responsible for the payment of any applicable taxes on compensation paid or provided to Employee pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(c) Reimbursements. For the avoidance of doubt, if any reimbursements payable to Employee are subject to the provisions of Code Section 409A: (i) to be eligible to obtain reimbursement for such expenses Employee must submit expense reports in accordance with the Company’s reimbursement policy, (ii) any such reimbursements will be paid no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred, (iii) the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year will not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, and (iv) the right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

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9. Pro Ration of Incentives

 

The incentives accruing to Employee under Section 8 will all accrue on a monthly basis rather than requiring completion of each full year of continued employment in order for Employee to receive any incentive credit for that year.

 

10. Termination

 

10.1 Termination for Cause. The Company, acting through the Board of Directors, may terminate Employee’s employment for Cause. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” will mean a finding by the Board of Directors that Employee willfully engaged in illegal or grossly wrongful misconduct that results in financial detriment materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company. No act on Employee’s part will be considered “willful” unless he has acted with an absence of good faith and without a reasonable belief that his action was in or not opposed to the interests of the Company. Employee will have the opportunity to appear before the Board of Directors within sixty (60) days, with legal representation if he so chooses, to present arguments and evidence on his own behalf intended to reverse the Board of Directors’ findings regarding termination for Cause. If the Board of Directors generally fails to comply with the provisions of this Section 10.1, any termination of employment by the Company will be deemed a termination without Cause for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

10.2 Termination without Cause. Either the Company or Employee may, at its or his option and at any time, terminate the Employee’s employment without Cause. In case of such termination, Employee will be entitled to the payments and benefits provided for in Section 8 of this Agreement.

 

10.3 Death or Disability. In the event of termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to his death or Disability, Employee or his estate will be paid his Total Salary earned through the date of such termination, his annual incentive bonus for the employment year during which such termination occurs pro-rated through the date of termination and severance benefits provided for in Section 8 of this Agreement, and all other benefits and payments provided for under this Agreement. “Disability” means a physical or mental condition which, in the opinion of a physician appointed by the Board of Directors, renders Employee unable or incompetent to carry out his material job responsibilities or the material duties to which Employee was assigned at the time the disability was incurred, which has lasted for at least three months and which, in the opinion of the physician appointed by the Board of Directors, is expected to last for a duration in excess of six (6) months.

 

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10.4 Termination with Good Reason. If at any time following the Effective Date Employee terminates his employment with Good Reason by providing written notice of such termination to the Company, Employee will be entitled to the same payments and benefits provided for in Section 8 of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” will mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events, written notice of which has been provided by Employee to the Company and which Company has not cured within thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice:

 

(a) the assignment to Employee of any duties inconsistent with Employee’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibility as contemplated by Sections 1 and 3 or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by Employee;

 

(b) any failure by the Company to comply with the provisions of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by Employee;

 

(c) the Company’s requiring Employee to be based at any location other than its corporate headquarters or relocating the corporate headquarters more than fifty (50) miles from Bellevue, Washington; or

 

(d) any failure by the Company to assign this Agreement to a successor to the Company or the failure of a successor to explicitly assume and agree in writing to be bound by this Agreement.

 

A reasonable determination by Employee that any of the foregoing events has occurred and constitutes Good Reason will be conclusive and binding for all purposes if the Company has not cured the situation giving rise to, or has eliminated, the Good Reason event within the thirty-day period following the Company’s receipt of Employee’s written notice thereof.

 

11. Change of Control

 

11.1 Change of Control. The Board of Directors, in the exercise of its responsibility to serve the best interests of the shareholders of the Company, may at any time consider a merger or acquisition proposal that could result in a Change of Control of the Company. In order to avoid any adverse effect on Employee’s performance under this Agreement that might be caused by uncertainties concerning his tenure and treatment by the Company in the event of such a Change of Control, the Company has agreed to provide certain benefits to Employee in the event of a Change of Control of the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Section. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” will mean the occurrence of any one of the following actions or events:

 

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(a) The acquisition by any single individual, entity or group, through an equity financing while the Company is a privately held company or otherwise, of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act) of 30% or more of either (A) the outstanding common stock of the Company or (B) the outstanding voting securities of the Company; provided, however, that the following acquisitions will not constitute a Change of Control: (x) any acquisition of securities by the Company, (y) any acquisition of securities by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, or (z) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a business combination, if, following such business combination, the conditions described in clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (c)(ii) of this Section 11.1 are satisfied; or

 

(b) A “Board Change,” which, for purposes of this Agreement, will have occurred if a majority of the seats on the Board of Directors are occupied by individuals who were not nominated by a majority of the Incumbent Directors (“Incumbent Director” means a member of the Board of Directors who has been nominated by a majority of the directors of the Company then in office, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person or entity other than the Board of Directors); or

 

(c) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a Business Combination (“Business Combination” means (i) a reorganization, exchange of securities, merger, consolidation or other business combination involving the Company or (ii) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company) unless after giving effect to such Business Combination and any equity financing completed or contemplated in connection with or as a result of such Business Combination, (A) more than 66-2/3% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from or effecting such Business Combination and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the outstanding common stock of the Company and outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination in substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the outstanding common stock of the Company and outstanding voting securities of the Company, as the case may be, (B) no person or entity (excluding the Company and any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or its affiliates) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, twenty percent (20%) or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from or effecting such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from or effecting such Business Combination were Incumbent Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board of Directors providing for such Business Combination.

 

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11.2 Termination. In the event that a Change of Control occurs during the term of this Agreement, and Employee’s employment is terminated for any reason prior to the expiration of one (1) year following the date of the Change of Control, whether by the Company or its successor or by Employee, Employee will, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, be entitled to receive the payments and benefits described in Section 8.

 

12. Benefits Continuation

 

The Company will, or will reimburse Employee his cost to, maintain in full force and effect for five (5) years following the date of any termination of Employee’s employment all employee health and welfare benefit plans, programs and policies, including any life and health insurance plans in which Employee was entitled to participate immediately prior to termination. Coverage under any of the Company plans, programs and policies will be discontinued during such five (5)-year period to the extent Employee is covered by a substantially similar plan, program or policy by another employer.

 

13. No Mitigation

 

Employee will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment due hereunder by seeking other employment and, except as provided in the next sentence, the payments due hereunder will not be affected by any other employment which Employee may obtain. If Employee accepts a position with another employer during the period for payment of employee health and welfare benefits under Section 12, then the Company’s obligation to pay such employee benefits will cease as of the date of Employee’s new employment; provided, however, that the Company will continue such benefits for the full period to the extent that they exceed the comparable benefits from such other employment. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder will not be affected by any circumstances, including set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against Employee or others.

 

14. Indemnification

 

The Company will defend, indemnify and hold harmless Employee from any and all liabilities, obligations, claims or expenses that arise in connection with or as a result of Employee’s service as an officer or employee (or director if Employee is elected and serves as a director) of the Company and/or any of its affiliates and subsidiaries to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Company will ensure that Employee remains covered by the Company’s policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for six (6) years following the date of termination.

 

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15. Payments and Disputes

 

The amounts specified in this Agreement, other than any payments that Employee has elected to receive in the form of a monthly annuity or has elected to defer under a deferred compensation plan, will be paid by the Company no more than forty-five (45) days after the date of termination. In the event that any payments due hereunder will be delayed for any reason for more than five (5) business days from the date due, the amounts due will bear interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum until paid. Any dispute between the Parties hereto with respect to any of the matters set forth herein will be submitted to binding arbitration in Bellevue, Washington. Either Party may commence the arbitration by delivery of a written notice to the other, describing the issue in dispute and its position with regard to the issue. If the Parties are unable to agree on an arbitrator within thirty (30) days following delivery of such notice, the arbitrator will be selected by a Judge of the Superior Court of the State of Washington for King County upon three (3) days’ notice. Discovery will be allowed in connection with any such arbitration to the same extent permitted by the Washington Rules of Civil Procedure, but either Party may petition the arbitrator to limit the scope of such discovery, in which event the arbitrator will determine the extent of discovery allowable in connection with the dispute in question. The arbitrator will have the authority only to interpret and apply the applicable provisions of this Agreement, will not add to, subtract from, reform, or modify any of the provisions of this Agreement, and will not have the authority to grant any award that is not consistent with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, the arbitration will be conducted in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect for expedited proceedings. The award of the arbitrator will be final and binding, and judgment upon an award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitrator will hold a hearing, at which the Parties may present evidence and argument, within thirty (30) days of his or her appointment, and will issue an award within fifteen (15) days of the close of the hearing. The Company will, regardless of the outcome, pay all reasonable fees and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the cost of any arbitrator, incurred by Employee in contesting or disputing any termination for Cause or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Agreement. The arbitration of any disputed matter will be subject to the statutes of limitations of the state of Washington as would have been applicable had such disputed matter been litigated in a court of law.

 

16. Beneficiary

 

If Employee dies prior to receiving all of the amounts payable to him in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such amounts will be paid to his surviving spouse unless Employee has designated another beneficiary in writing or, if there is no surviving spouse or other designated beneficiary, to his estate. Such payments will be made in a lump sum to the extent so payable and otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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17. Notices

 

All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder to either Party will be deemed to be sufficient if contained in a written instrument delivered in person, including delivery by recognized express courier, fees prepaid, or sent by electronic mail (“email”) in each case addressed as set forth below, or to such other address as may hereinafter be designated in writing by the recipient to the sender pursuant to this Section 17. Notices hereunder may not be sent by facsimile or mail. All such notices, requests, consents and other communications will be deemed to have been received in the case of personal delivery, including delivery by express courier, on the date of such delivery, or in the case of email transmission, upon transmission without notification of failure of transmission.

 

If to Employee, to:

 

Chris Rivera

14707 SE 172nd Place

Renton, WA 98058

Email: crivera@emulatetx.com

 

If to Company:

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
13810 SE Eastgate Way
Suite 560
Bellevue, WA 98005
Attention: General Counsel

Email: spope@emulatetx.com

18. Amendment; Waiver

 

This Agreement will not be amended or modified, nor will any provision hereof be waived, except by written instrument executed by the Company and Employee. A waiver of any provision of this Agreement will not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision, and a waiver of any default in any provision will not operate or be construed as a waiver of any later default thereof.

 

19. Effect of This Agreement; Forgiveness

 

This Agreement amends and restates the Prior Agreement in its entirety as of the Effective Date. Without limiting the foregoing, Employee hereby forever forgives in their entirety any and all monetary amounts incurred as a debt or liability of the Company to the Employee prior to the Effective Date. ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.

 

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20. Governing Law

 

This Agreement will be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of Washington, without giving effect to principles and provisions thereof relating to conflict or choice of laws and irrespective of the fact that any one of the Parties is now or may become a resident of a different state.

 

21. Validity

 

In case any term of this Agreement will be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the validity of any of the other terms of this Agreement will not in any way be affected thereby.

 

22. Successors and Assigns

 

The Company may not assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Employee except to a successor of the Company’s business which expressly assumes the Company’s obligations hereunder in writing. Employee may not assign all or any part of this Agreement or delegate any of his duties as an employee of the Company, to any third party without the prior written approval of the Company. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Employee, his estate and surviving spouse or other beneficiary, and of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of the Company.

 

23. Survival of Employee’s Rights

 

All of Employee’s rights hereunder, including his rights to compensation and benefits, will survive the expiration of the Employment Period, any termination of Employee’s employment and the termination of this Agreement.

 

24. Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when so executed, will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

25. Entire Agreement

 

This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the Parties with regard to the subject matter of this Agreement and may only be changed by written agreement hereafter signed by both Parties. Any and all prior discussions, negotiations, commitments and understandings related thereto are merged herein.

 

[This space intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

  EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
   
  By /s/ Steven E. Pope
    Steven E. Pope
    Sr. Vice President, General Counsel
    and Secretary

 

  EMPLOYEE
     
    /s/ Chris E. Rivera
    Chris E. Rivera

 

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Exhibit 10.9

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of March 15, 2022 (the “Effective Date” of this Agreement), by and between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation (formerly known as Nativis, Inc., the “Company”), and Steven E. Pope (“Employee”), to amend and restate in its entirety the prior Amended and Restated Employment Agreement relating to the employment of Employee by the Company (the “Prior Agreement”) entered into by the Company and Employee as of August 20, 2015. The term “Parties” as used in this Agreement means the Company and Employee and the term “Party” means the Company or Employee, as the context requires.

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1. Employment

 

The Company will employ Employee during the Employment Period as its Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. The Parties agree that this is an “executive and officer” position.

 

2. Employment Period

 

The term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement (the “Employment Period”) commenced on September 1, 2010, and will end upon Employee’s termination. The employment of Employee will not be terminated by the Company other than in accordance with Section 10 of this Agreement.

 

3. Duties

 

Employee will perform the duties and exercise the powers as the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, as well as any additional duties and powers that the Chief Executive Officer may reasonably and properly assign to him, including if the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors promotes him to a more senior position. Employee will attend and participate in meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company. Employee will also attend and participate in meetings of the Committees of the Board of Directors as may be requested from time to time by the Board or any such Committee.

 

 
 

 

4. Extent of Services

 

Employee will devote substantially all of his business time, attention and effort to the business and affairs of the Company and its affiliates. Employee may, with the consent of the Chief Executive Officer, participate in other professional endeavors that do not conflict with his duties to the Company and in businesses as an outside director or investor, provided that Employee will not, without the consent of the Chief Executive Officer, actively participate in the operation or management of such businesses.

 

5. Salary

 

5.1 During the period from the Effective Date through June 30, 2022, the Company will pay Employee, in accordance with its normal payroll practices in monthly or semi-monthly increments, a monthly salary at an initial rate of $14,334.96, which is equal to an annual salary of $172,019.54. From and after June 30, 2022, the Company will pay Employee, in accordance with its normal payroll practices in monthly or semi-monthly increments, a monthly salary at an initial rate of $46,150.00, which is equal to an annual salary (“Base Salary”) of $553,800.00.

 

5.2 During the Employment Period, Employee’s Base Salary will be reviewed at least annually by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”) and will be increased annually in a percentage amount as determined by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, if the power to effect such increase has been delegated by the Board of Directors to the Compensation Committee. Base Salary will not at any time be reduced without the prior written consent of Employee.

 

6. Annual Incentive Bonus (STI); Equity Awards

 

6.1 Within sixty (60) days following each February 1 during the Employment Period, Employee will identify in writing to the Chief Executive Officer the goals he expects to achieve with respect to the Company during the employment year beginning on the Effective Date or such relevant anniversary date. Such goals as are approved by the Chief Executive Officer, are referred to in this Agreement with respect to each employment year as “Annual Goals” for such relevant employment year. Promptly following the end of each employment year, Employee and the Chief Executive Officer will review Employee’s performance with respect to achieving the Annual Goals for such employment year, and Employee will receive a cash bonus (STI) to the extent Employee has achieved his Annual Goals (in addition to his Base Salary for such employment year). The target for Employee’s annual cash bonus (STI) for any year will be 60% of his Base Salary for such year. Base Salary and any such cash bonus (STI) together will constitute “Total Salary” for the relevant employment year.

 

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6.2 Employee will receive an annual award of a stock option to purchase or of RSUs to receive shares of the Company’s common stock. The number of common shares to be included in such option will be determined by the Board based on Employee’s achievement of his Annual Goals, and 100% of shares awarded under any stock option will be vested as of the date of grant of such option. The price for each common share subject to the option will be equal to the fair market value per share for the Company’s common stock at the time the option is granted, as determined by the Board of Directors, and the period in which Employee may exercise such option will be for seven (7) years after the date of grant thereof.

 

6.3 The stock options and RSUs referred to in this Section 6 will be evidenced by and subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the stock option grant notice, the stock option agreement, and the RSU Agreement, as the case may be, related thereto and the Company’s Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended or superseded from time to time).

 

7. Benefits

 

Employee will be entitled to participate in the Company’s benefit plans both for salaried employees and for officers, including without limitation any supplemental disability plan for executive employees, any supplemental death benefit plan for executive employees, the Company’s medical, disability and life insurance programs, the Company’s 401(k) plan and qualified retirement plans (if any), matching Company contributions with respect to such plans, any deferred compensation plan, any supplemental executive retirement plan and the like, in accordance with their terms, each of which may be amended from time to time, and any other benefit plans now or hereafter available to the Company’s senior executives and officers. The Company will provide Employee with medical, life and disability insurance benefits, and other benefits, with terms and provisions substantially as favorable to Employee as those provided to senior executives and officers of the Company. The Company may prospectively amend, eliminate or add to these insurance and benefit programs at any time, in its sole discretion. Employee will be entitled to paid time off in accordance with Company policies for senior executives and officers.

 

8. Severance

 

8.1 Severance Payment. If Employee’s employment terminates (whether by the Company or by Employee) for any reason except termination by the Company for Cause, then, subject to the terms and conditions of Sections 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4, Employee will be entitled to receive severance equal to his Total Salary (“Severance Payment”). Payment of the Severance Payment will be subject to the effective and irrevocable execution by Employee and the Company of a full settlement agreement and mutual release of claims, in form and substance satisfactory to each of Employee and the Company (the “Release”) and provided that such Release becomes effective and irrevocable no later than sixty (60) days following the Employee’s termination date (such deadline, the “Release Deadline”). If the Release does not become effective and irrevocable by the Release Deadline, Employee will forfeit any rights to severance or benefits under this Agreement. In no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the Release becomes effective and irrevocable. Interest on the unpaid balance of the Severance Payment will accrue commencing on the date of the termination of Employee’s employment at a rate equal to ten percent (10%) per annum, calculated based on a 365-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

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8.2 Taxes. All severance payments due to Employee under this Section 8 will be subject to applicable tax reporting and withholdings and, except for the employer portion of any employment taxes, payment of taxes on the payments set forth hereunder will be the full and sole responsibility of the Employee.

 

8.3 IRC Section 280G Matters. In the event that the severance payments and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Employee constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and but for this Section 8.3, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then Employee’s severance payments and benefits under this Agreement will be payable either:

 

(a) in full, or

 

(b) as to such lesser amount which would result in no portion of such severance payments or benefits being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by Employee on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance payments and benefits under this Agreement, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such severance payments or benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. Any reduction in the severance payments and benefits required by this Section will be made in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments; (ii) reduction of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (iii) reduction of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (iv) reduction of other benefits paid or provided to Employee. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of Employee’s equity awards. If two or more equity awards are granted on the same date, each award will be reduced on a pro-rata basis. The professional firm engaged by the Company or its successor, as relevant, for general tax purposes as of the day prior to the date of the event that might reasonably be anticipated to result in severance payments and benefits that would otherwise be subject to the Excise Tax will perform the foregoing calculations. If the tax firm so engaged by the Company or its successor, as relevant, is serving as accountant or auditor for the acquiring company, the Company or its successor, as relevant, will appoint a nationally recognized tax firm to make the determinations required by this Section. The Company or its successor, as relevant, will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such firm required to be made by this Section. The Company or its successor, as relevant, and Employee will furnish such tax firm such information and documents as the tax firm may reasonably request in order to make its required determination. The tax firm will provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company or its successor, as relevant, and Employee as soon as practicable following its engagement. Any good faith determinations of the tax firm made hereunder will be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company or its successor, as relevant, and Employee.

 

8.4 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(a) Limitation. Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, no amount payable pursuant to this Agreement which constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) and the Treasury Regulations issued pursuant to Section 409A of the Code (the “Section 409A Regulations”) will be paid unless and until Employee has incurred a “separation from service” within the meaning of the Section 409A Regulations. Furthermore, to the extent that Employee is a “specified employee” within the meaning of the Section 409A Regulations as of the date of Employee’s separation from service, no amount that constitutes a deferral of compensation which is payable on account of Employee’s separation from service will be paid to Employee before the date which is the earlier to occur of: (i) the date that is six months and one day after the effective date of Employee’s separation from service, and (ii) the date of the Employee’s death (such earlier date, the “Delayed Initial Payment Date”), the Company will (A) pay to Employee a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the payments upon separation from service that Employee would otherwise have received through the Delayed Initial Payment Date if the commencement of the payments had not been delayed pursuant to this Section 8.4, and (B) commence paying the balance of the payments in accordance with the applicable payment schedules set forth herein. No interest will be due on any amounts so deferred.

 

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(b) Tax Interpretation. It is intended that all of the benefits and payments under this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Code Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulations 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9), and this Agreement will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions. If not so exempt, this Agreement (and any definitions hereunder) will be construed in a manner that complies with Section 409A, and incorporates by reference all required definitions and payment terms. For purposes of Code Section 409A (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement (whether severance payments, reimbursements or otherwise) will be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment hereunder will at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment. However, neither the Company nor its successor, as relevant, guarantees any particular tax effect under Section 409A for income provided to Employee pursuant to this Agreement. Except for the Company’s, or its successor’s, as relevant, responsibility to withhold and remit applicable income and employment taxes from compensation paid or provided to Employee, neither the Company nor its successor, as relevant, will be responsible for the payment of any applicable taxes on compensation paid or provided to Employee pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(c) Reimbursements. For the avoidance of doubt, if any reimbursements payable to Employee are subject to the provisions of Code Section 409A: (i) to be eligible to obtain reimbursement for such expenses Employee must submit expense reports in accordance with the Company’s reimbursement policy, (ii) any such reimbursements will be paid no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred, (iii) the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year will not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, and (iv) the right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

9. Pro Ration of Incentives

 

The incentives accruing to Employee under Section 8 will all accrue on a monthly basis rather than requiring completion of each full year of continued employment in order for Employee to receive any incentive credit for that year.

 

10. Termination

 

10.1 Termination for Cause. The Company, acting through the Board of Directors, may terminate Employee’s employment for Cause. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” will mean a finding by the Board of Directors that Employee willfully engaged in illegal or grossly wrongful misconduct that results in financial detriment materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company. No act on Employee’s part will be considered “willful” unless he has acted with an absence of good faith and without a reasonable belief that his action was in or not opposed to the interests of the Company. Employee will have the opportunity to appear before the Board of Directors within sixty (60) days, with legal representation if he so chooses, to present arguments and evidence on his own behalf intended to reverse the Board of Directors’ findings regarding termination for Cause. If the Board of Directors generally fails to comply with the provisions of this Section 10.1, any termination of employment by the Company will be deemed a termination without Cause for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

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10.2 Termination without Cause. Either the Company or Employee may, at its or his option and at any time, terminate the Employee’s employment without Cause. In case of such termination, Employee will be entitled to the payments and benefits provided for in Section 8 of this Agreement.

 

10.3 Death or Disability. In the event of termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to his death or Disability, Employee or his estate will be paid his Total Salary earned through the date of such termination, his annual incentive bonus for the employment year during which such termination occurs pro-rated through the date of termination and severance benefits provided for in Section 8 of this Agreement, and all other benefits and payments provided for under this Agreement. “Disability” means a physical or mental condition which, in the opinion of a physician appointed by the Board of Directors, renders Employee unable or incompetent to carry out his material job responsibilities or the material duties to which Employee was assigned at the time the disability was incurred, which has lasted for at least three months and which, in the opinion of the physician appointed by the Board of Directors, is expected to last for a duration in excess of six (6) months.

 

10.4 Termination with Good Reason. If at any time following the Effective Date Employee terminates his employment with Good Reason by providing written notice of such termination to the Company, Employee will be entitled to the same payments and benefits provided for in Section 8 of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” will mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events, written notice of which has been provided by Employee to the Company and which Company has not cured within thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice:

 

(a) the assignment to Employee of any duties inconsistent with Employee’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibility as contemplated by Sections 1 and 3 or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by Employee;

 

(b) any failure by the Company to comply with the provisions of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by Employee;

 

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(c) the Company’s requiring Employee to be based at any location other than its corporate headquarters or relocating the corporate headquarters more than fifty (50) miles from Bellevue, Washington; or

 

(d) any failure by the Company to assign this Agreement to a successor to the Company or the failure of a successor to explicitly assume and agree in writing to be bound by this Agreement.

 

A reasonable determination by Employee that any of the foregoing events has occurred and constitutes Good Reason will be conclusive and binding for all purposes if the Company has not cured the situation giving rise to, or has eliminated, the Good Reason event within the thirty-day period following the Company’s receipt of Employee’s written notice thereof.

 

11. Change of Control

 

11.1 Change of Control. The Board of Directors, in the exercise of its responsibility to serve the best interests of the shareholders of the Company, may at any time consider a merger or acquisition proposal that could result in a Change of Control of the Company. In order to avoid any adverse effect on Employee’s performance under this Agreement that might be caused by uncertainties concerning his tenure and treatment by the Company in the event of such a Change of Control, the Company has agreed to provide certain benefits to Employee in the event of a Change of Control of the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Section. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” will mean the occurrence of any one of the following actions or events:

 

(a) The acquisition by any single individual, entity or group, through an equity financing while the Company is a privately held company or otherwise, of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act) of 30% or more of either (A) the outstanding common stock of the Company or (B) the outstanding voting securities of the Company; provided, however, that the following acquisitions will not constitute a Change of Control: (x) any acquisition of securities by the Company, (y) any acquisition of securities by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, or (z) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a business combination, if, following such business combination, the conditions described in clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (c)(ii) of this Section 11.1 are satisfied; or

 

(b) A “Board Change,” which, for purposes of this Agreement, will have occurred if a majority of the seats on the Board of Directors are occupied by individuals who were not nominated by a majority of the Incumbent Directors (“Incumbent Director” means a member of the Board of Directors who has been nominated by a majority of the directors of the Company then in office, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person or entity other than the Board of Directors); or

 

(c) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a Business Combination (“Business Combination” means (i) a reorganization, exchange of securities, merger, consolidation or other business combination involving the Company or (ii) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company) unless after giving effect to such Business Combination and any equity financing completed or contemplated in connection with or as a result of such Business Combination, (A) more than 66-2/3% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from or effecting such Business Combination and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the outstanding common stock of the Company and outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination in substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the outstanding common stock of the Company and outstanding voting securities of the Company, as the case may be, (B) no person or entity (excluding the Company and any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or its affiliates) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, twenty percent (20%) or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from or effecting such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from or effecting such Business Combination were Incumbent Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board of Directors providing for such Business Combination.

 

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11.2 Termination. In the event that a Change of Control occurs during the term of this Agreement, and Employee’s employment is terminated for any reason prior to the expiration of one (1) year following the date of the Change of Control, whether by the Company or its successor or by Employee, Employee will, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, be entitled to receive the payments and benefits described in Section 8.

 

12. Benefits Continuation

 

The Company will, or will reimburse Employee his cost to, maintain in full force and effect for five (5) years following the date of any termination of Employee’s employment all employee health and welfare benefit plans, programs and policies, including any life and health insurance plans in which Employee was entitled to participate immediately prior to termination. Coverage under any of the Company plans, programs and policies will be discontinued during such five (5)-year period to the extent Employee is covered by a substantially similar plan, program or policy by another employer.

 

13. No Mitigation

 

Employee will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment due hereunder by seeking other employment and, except as provided in the next sentence, the payments due hereunder will not be affected by any other employment which Employee may obtain. If Employee accepts a position with another employer during the period for payment of employee health and welfare benefits under Section 12, then the Company’s obligation to pay such employee benefits will cease as of the date of Employee’s new employment; provided, however, that the Company will continue such benefits for the full period to the extent that they exceed the comparable benefits from such other employment. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder will not be affected by any circumstances, including set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against Employee or others.

 

14. Indemnification

 

The Company will defend, indemnify and hold harmless Employee from any and all liabilities, obligations, claims or expenses that arise in connection with or as a result of Employee’s service as an officer or employee (or director if Employee is elected and serves as a director) of the Company and/or any of its affiliates and subsidiaries to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Company will ensure that Employee remains covered by the Company’s policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for six (6) years following the date of termination.

 

15. Payments and Disputes

 

The amounts specified in this Agreement, other than any payments that Employee has elected to receive in the form of a monthly annuity or has elected to defer under a deferred compensation plan, will be paid by the Company no more than forty-five (45) days after the date of termination. In the event that any payments due hereunder will be delayed for any reason for more than five (5) business days from the date due, the amounts due will bear interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum until paid. Any dispute between the Parties hereto with respect to any of the matters set forth herein will be submitted to binding arbitration in Bellevue, Washington. Either Party may commence the arbitration by delivery of a written notice to the other, describing the issue in dispute and its position with regard to the issue. If the Parties are unable to agree on an arbitrator within thirty (30) days following delivery of such notice, the arbitrator will be selected by a Judge of the Superior Court of the State of Washington for King County upon three (3) days’ notice. Discovery will be allowed in connection with any such arbitration to the same extent permitted by the Washington Rules of Civil Procedure, but either Party may petition the arbitrator to limit the scope of such discovery, in which event the arbitrator will determine the extent of discovery allowable in connection with the dispute in question. The arbitrator will have the authority only to interpret and apply the applicable provisions of this Agreement, will not add to, subtract from, reform, or modify any of the provisions of this Agreement, and will not have the authority to grant any award that is not consistent with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, the arbitration will be conducted in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect for expedited proceedings. The award of the arbitrator will be final and binding, and judgment upon an award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitrator will hold a hearing, at which the Parties may present evidence and argument, within thirty (30) days of his or her appointment, and will issue an award within fifteen (15) days of the close of the hearing. The Company will, regardless of the outcome, pay all reasonable fees and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the cost of any arbitrator, incurred by Employee in contesting or disputing any termination for Cause or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Agreement. The arbitration of any disputed matter will be subject to the statutes of limitations of the state of Washington as would have been applicable had such disputed matter been litigated in a court of law.

 

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16. Beneficiary

 

If Employee dies prior to receiving all of the amounts payable to him in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such amounts will be paid to his surviving spouse unless Employee has designated another beneficiary in writing or, if there is no surviving spouse or other designated beneficiary, to his estate. Such payments will be made in a lump sum to the extent so payable and otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

17. Notices

 

All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder to either Party will be deemed to be sufficient if contained in a written instrument delivered in person, including delivery by recognized express courier, fees prepaid, or sent by electronic mail (“email”) in each case addressed as set forth below, or to such other address as may hereinafter be designated in writing by the recipient to the sender pursuant to this Section 17. Notices hereunder may not be sent by facsimile or mail. All such notices, requests, consents and other communications will be deemed to have been received in the case of personal delivery, including delivery by express courier, on the date of such delivery, or in the case of email transmission, upon transmission without notification of failure of transmission.

 

If to Employee, to:

 

Steven E. Pope

2328 Eyres Place West

Seattle, WA 98199

Email: spope@emulatetx.com

 

If to Company:

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

13810 SE Eastgate Way

Suite 560

Bellevue, WA 98005

Attention:        Chief Executive Officer

Email: spope@emulatetx.com

 

18. Amendment; Waiver

 

This Agreement will not be amended or modified, nor will any provision hereof be waived, except by written instrument executed by the Company and Employee. A waiver of any provision of this Agreement will not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision, and a waiver of any default in any provision will not operate or be construed as a waiver of any later default thereof.

 

19. Effect of This Agreement; Forgiveness

 

This Agreement amends and restates the Prior Agreement in its entirety as of the Effective Date. Without limiting the foregoing, Employee hereby forever forgives in their entirety any and all monetary amounts incurred as a debt or liability of the Company to the Employee prior to the Effective Date. ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.

 

20. Governing Law

 

This Agreement will be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of Washington, without giving effect to principles and provisions thereof relating to conflict or choice of laws and irrespective of the fact that any one of the Parties is now or may become a resident of a different state.

 

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21. Validity

 

In case any term of this Agreement will be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the validity of any of the other terms of this Agreement will not in any way be affected thereby.

 

22. Successors and Assigns

 

The Company may not assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Employee except to a successor of the Company’s business which expressly assumes the Company’s obligations hereunder in writing. Employee may not assign all or any part of this Agreement or delegate any of his duties as an employee of the Company, to any third party without the prior written approval of the Company. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Employee, his estate and surviving spouse or other beneficiary, and of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of the Company.

 

23. Survival of Employee’s Rights

 

All of Employee’s rights hereunder, including his rights to compensation and benefits, will survive the expiration of the Employment Period, any termination of Employee’s employment and the termination of this Agreement.

 

24. Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when so executed, will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

25. Entire Agreement

 

This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the Parties with regard to the subject matter of this Agreement and may only be changed by written agreement hereafter signed by both Parties. Any and all prior discussions, negotiations, commitments and understandings related thereto are merged herein.

 

[This space intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

  EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
     
  By  
    Chris E. Rivera
    President and CEO

 

  EMPLOYEE
   
 
  Steven E. Pope

 

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Exhibit 10.10

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of March 15, 2022 (the “Effective Date” of this Agreement), by and between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation (formerly known as Nativis, Inc., the “Company”), and David C. Matteson (“Employee”), to amend and restate in its entirety the prior Amended and Restated Employment Agreement relating to the employment of Employee by the Company (the “Prior Agreement”) entered into by the Company and Employee as of August 20, 2015. The term “Parties” as used in this Agreement means the Company and Employee and the term “Party” means the Company or Employee, as the context requires.

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1. Employment

 

The Company will employ Employee during the Employment Period as its Vice President, Investor Relations & Education. The Parties agree that this is a “senior executive” position.

 

2. Employment Period

 

The term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement (the “Employment Period”) commenced on July 1, 2012, and will end upon Employee’s termination. The employment of Employee will not be terminated by the Company other than in accordance with Section 10 of this Agreement.

 

3. Duties

 

Employee will perform the duties and exercise the powers as the Vice President, Investor Relations & Education of the Company, as well as any additional duties and powers that the Chief Executive Officer may reasonably and properly assign to him, including if the Chief Executive Officer promotes him to a more senior position. Employee will attend and participate in meetings of the Board of Directors and its Committees as may be requested from time to time by the Board or any such Committee.

 

 
 

 

4. Extent of Services

 

Employee will devote substantially all of his business time, attention and effort to the business and affairs of the Company and its affiliates. Employee may, with the consent of the Chief Executive Officer, participate in other professional endeavors that do not conflict with his duties to the Company and in businesses as an outside director or investor, provided that Employee will not, without the consent of the Chief Executive Officer, actively participate in the operation or management of such businesses.

 

5. Salary

 

5.1 During the period from the Effective Date through June 30, 2022, the Company will pay Employee, in accordance with its normal payroll practices in monthly or semi-monthly increments, a monthly salary at an initial rate of $8,644.26, which is equal to an annual salary of $103,731.00. From and after June 30, 2022, the Company will pay Employee, in accordance with its normal payroll practices in monthly or semi-monthly increments, a monthly salary at an initial rate of $32,125.00, which is equal to an annual salary (“Base Salary”) of $385,500.00.

 

5.2 During the Employment Period, Employee’s Base Salary will be reviewed at least annually by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”) and will be increased annually in a percentage amount as determined by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, if the power to effect such increase has been delegated by the Board of Directors to the Compensation Committee. Base Salary will not at any time be reduced without the prior written consent of Employee.

 

6. Annual Incentive Bonus (STI); Equity Awards

 

6.1 Within sixty (60) days following each February 1 during the Employment Period, Employee will identify in writing to the Chief Executive Officer the goals he expects to achieve with respect to the Company during the employment year beginning on the Effective Date or such relevant anniversary date. Such goals as are approved by the Chief Executive Officer, are referred to in this Agreement with respect to each employment year as “Annual Goals” for such relevant employment year. Promptly following the end of each employment year, Employee and the Chief Executive Officer will review Employee’s performance with respect to achieving the Annual Goals for such employment year, and Employee will receive a cash bonus (STI) to the extent Employee has achieved his Annual Goals (in addition to his Base Salary for such employment year). The target for Employee’s annual cash bonus (STI) for any year will be 40% of his Base Salary for such year. Base Salary and any such cash bonus (STI) together will constitute “Total Salary” for the relevant employment year.

 

6.2 Employee will receive an annual award of a stock option to purchase or of RSUs to receive shares of the Company’s common stock. The number of common shares to be included in such option will be determined by the Board based on Employee’s achievement of his Annual Goals, and 100% of shares awarded under any stock option will be vested as of the date of grant of such option. The price for each common share subject to the option will be equal to the fair market value per share for the Company’s common stock at the time the option is granted, as determined by the Board of Directors, and the period in which Employee may exercise such option will be for seven (7) years after the date of grant thereof.

 

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6.3 The stock options referred to in this Section 6 will be evidenced by and subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the stock option grant notice and the stock option agreement related thereto and the Company’s Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended or superseded from time to time).

 

7. Benefits

 

Employee will be entitled to participate in the Company’s benefit plans both for salaried employees and for officers, including without limitation any supplemental disability plan for executive employees, any supplemental death benefit plan for executive employees, the Company’s medical, disability and life insurance programs, the Company’s 401(k) plan and qualified retirement plans (if any), matching Company contributions with respect to such plans, any deferred compensation plan, any supplemental executive retirement plan and the like, in accordance with their terms, each of which may be amended from time to time, and any other benefit plans now or hereafter available to the Company’s senior executives and officers. The Company will provide Employee with medical, life and disability insurance benefits, and other benefits, with terms and provisions substantially as favorable to Employee as those provided to senior executives and officers of the Company. The Company may prospectively amend, eliminate or add to these insurance and benefit programs at any time, in its sole discretion. Employee will be entitled to paid time off in accordance with Company policies for senior executives and officers.

 

8. Severance

 

8.1 Severance Payment. If Employee’s employment terminates (whether by the Company or by Employee) for any reason except termination by the Company for Cause, then, subject to the terms and conditions of Sections 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4, Employee will be entitled to receive severance equal to his Total Salary (“Severance Payment”). Payment of the Severance Payment will be subject to the effective and irrevocable execution by Employee and the Company of a full settlement agreement and mutual release of claims, in form and substance satisfactory to each of Employee and the Company, (the “Release”) and provided that such Release becomes effective and irrevocable no later than sixty (60) days following the Employee’s termination date (such deadline, the “Release Deadline”). If the Release does not become effective and irrevocable by the Release Deadline, Employee will forfeit any rights to severance or benefits under this Agreement. In no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the Release becomes effective and irrevocable. Interest on the unpaid balance of the Severance Payment will accrue commencing on the date of the termination of Employee’s employment at a rate equal to ten percent (10%) per annum, calculated based on a 365-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

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8.2 Taxes. All severance payments due to Employee under this Section 8 will be subject to applicable tax reporting and withholdings and, except for the employer portion of any employment taxes, payment of taxes on the payments set forth hereunder will be the full and sole responsibility of the Employee.

 

8.3 IRC Section 280G Matters. In the event that the severance payments and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Employee constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and but for this Section 8.3, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then Employee’s severance payments and benefits under this Agreement will be payable either:

 

(a) in full, or

 

(b) as to such lesser amount which would result in no portion of such severance payments or benefits being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by Employee on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance payments and benefits under this Agreement, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such severance payments or benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. Any reduction in the severance payments and benefits required by this Section will be made in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments; (ii) reduction of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (iii) reduction of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (iv) reduction of other benefits paid or provided to Employee. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of Employee’s equity awards. If two or more equity awards are granted on the same date, each award will be reduced on a pro-rata basis. The professional firm engaged by the Company or its successor, as relevant, for general tax purposes as of the day prior to the date of the event that might reasonably be anticipated to result in severance payments and benefits that would otherwise be subject to the Excise Tax will perform the foregoing calculations. If the tax firm so engaged by the Company or its successor, as relevant, is serving as accountant or auditor for the acquiring company, the Company or its successor, as relevant, will appoint a nationally recognized tax firm to make the determinations required by this Section. The Company or its successor, as relevant, will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such firm required to be made by this Section. The Company or its successor, as relevant, and Employee will furnish such tax firm such information and documents as the tax firm may reasonably request in order to make its required determination. The tax firm will provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company or its successor, as relevant, and Employee as soon as practicable following its engagement. Any good faith determinations of the tax firm made hereunder will be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company or its successor, as relevant, and Employee.

 

8.4 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(a) Limitation. Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, no amount payable pursuant to this Agreement which constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) and the Treasury Regulations issued pursuant to Section 409A of the Code (the “Section 409A Regulations”) will be paid unless and until Employee has incurred a “separation from service” within the meaning of the Section 409A Regulations. Furthermore, to the extent that Employee is a “specified employee” within the meaning of the Section 409A Regulations as of the date of Employee’s separation from service, no amount that constitutes a deferral of compensation which is payable on account of Employee’s separation from service will be paid to Employee before the date which is the earlier to occur of: (i) the date that is six months and one day after the effective date of Employee’s separation from service, and (ii) the date of the Employee’s death (such earlier date, the “Delayed Initial Payment Date”). The Company will (A) pay to Employee a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the payments upon separation from service that Employee would otherwise have received through the Delayed Initial Payment Date if the commencement of the payments had not been delayed pursuant to this Section 8.4, and (B) commence paying the balance of the payments in accordance with the applicable payment schedules set forth herein. No interest will be due on any amounts so deferred.

 

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(b) Tax Interpretation. It is intended that all of the benefits and payments under this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Code Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulations 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9), and this Agreement will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions. If not so exempt, this Agreement (and any definitions hereunder) will be construed in a manner that complies with Section 409A, and incorporates by reference all required definitions and payment terms. For purposes of Code Section 409A (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement (whether severance payments, reimbursements or otherwise) will be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment hereunder will at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment. However, neither the Company nor its successor, as relevant, guarantees any particular tax effect under Section 409A for income provided to Employee pursuant to this Agreement. Except for the Company’s, or its successor’s, as relevant, responsibility to withhold and remit applicable income and employment taxes from compensation paid or provided to Employee, neither the Company nor its successor, as relevant, will be responsible for the payment of any applicable taxes on compensation paid or provided to Employee pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(c) Reimbursements. For the avoidance of doubt, if any reimbursements payable to Employee are subject to the provisions of Code Section 409A: (i) to be eligible to obtain reimbursement for such expenses Employee must submit expense reports in accordance with the Company’s reimbursement policy, (ii) any such reimbursements will be paid no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred, (iii) the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year will not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, and (iv) the right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

9. Pro Ration of Incentives

 

The incentives accruing to Employee under Section 8 will all accrue on a monthly basis rather than requiring completion of each full year of continued employment in order for Employee to receive any incentive credit for that year.

 

10. Termination

 

10.1 Termination for Cause. The Company, acting through the Board of Directors, may terminate Employee’s employment for Cause. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” will mean a finding by the Board of Directors that Employee willfully engaged in illegal or grossly wrongful misconduct that results in financial detriment materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company. No act on Employee’s part will be considered “willful” unless he has acted with an absence of good faith and without a reasonable belief that his action was in or not opposed to the interests of the Company. Employee will have the opportunity to appear before the Board of Directors within sixty (60) days, with legal representation if he so chooses, to present arguments and evidence on his own behalf intended to reverse the Board of Directors’ findings regarding termination for Cause. If the Board of Directors generally fails to comply with the provisions of this Section 10.1, any termination of employment by the Company will be deemed a termination without Cause for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

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10.2 Termination without Cause. Either the Company or Employee may, at its or his option and at any time, terminate the Employee’s employment without Cause. In case of such termination, Employee will be entitled to the payments and benefits provided for in Section 8 of this Agreement.

 

10.3 Death or Disability. In the event of termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to his death or Disability, Employee or his estate will be paid his Total Salary earned through the date of such termination, his annual incentive bonus for the employment year during which such termination occurs pro-rated through the date of termination and severance benefits provided for in Section 8 of this Agreement, and all other benefits and payments provided for under this Agreement. “Disability” means a physical or mental condition which, in the opinion of a physician appointed by the Board of Directors, renders Employee unable or incompetent to carry out his material job responsibilities or the material duties to which Employee was assigned at the time the disability was incurred, which has lasted for at least three months and which, in the opinion of the physician appointed by the Board of Directors, is expected to last for a duration in excess of six months.

 

10.4 Termination with Good Reason. If at any time following the Effective Date Employee terminates his employment with Good Reason by providing written notice of such termination to the Company, Employee will be entitled to the same payments and benefits provided for in Section 8 of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” will mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events, written notice of which has been provided by Employee to the Company and which Company has not cured within thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice:

 

(a) the assignment to Employee of any duties inconsistent with Employee’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibility as contemplated by Sections 1 and 3 or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by Employee;

 

(b) any failure by the Company to comply with the provisions of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by Employee;

 

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(c) the Company’s requiring Employee to be based at any location other than its corporate headquarters or relocating the corporate headquarters more than fifty (50) miles from Bellevue, Washington; or

 

(d) any failure by the Company to assign this Agreement to a successor to the Company or the failure of a successor to explicitly assume and agree in writing to be bound by this Agreement.

 

A reasonable determination by Employee that any of the foregoing events has occurred and constitutes Good Reason will be conclusive and binding for all purposes if the Company has not cured the situation giving rise to, or has eliminated, the Good Reason event within the thirty-day period following the Company’s receipt of Employee’s written notice thereof.

 

11. Change of Control

 

11.1 Change of Control. The Board of Directors, in the exercise of its responsibility to serve the best interests of the shareholders of the Company, may at any time consider a merger or acquisition proposal that could result in a Change of Control of the Company. In order to avoid any adverse effect on Employee’s performance under this Agreement that might be caused by uncertainties concerning his tenure and treatment by the Company in the event of such a Change of Control, the Company has agreed to provide certain benefits to Employee in the event of a Change of Control of the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Section. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” will mean the occurrence of any one of the following actions or events:

 

(a) The acquisition by any single individual, entity or group, through an equity financing while the Company is a privately held company or otherwise, of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act) of 30% or more of either (A) the outstanding common stock of the Company or (B) the outstanding voting securities of the Company; provided, however, that the following acquisitions will not constitute a Change of Control: (x) any acquisition of securities by the Company, (y) any acquisition of securities by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, or (z) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a business combination, if, following such business combination, the conditions described in clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (c)(ii) of this Section 11.1 are satisfied; or

 

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(b) A “Board Change,” which, for purposes of this Agreement, will have occurred if a majority of the seats on the Board of Directors are occupied by individuals who were not nominated by a majority of the Incumbent Directors (“Incumbent Director” means a member of the Board of Directors who has been nominated by a majority of the directors of the Company then in office, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person or entity other than the Board of Directors); or

 

(c) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a Business Combination (“Business Combination” means (i) a reorganization, exchange of securities, merger, consolidation or other business combination involving the Company or (ii) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company) unless after giving effect to such Business Combination and any equity financing completed or contemplated in connection with or as a result of such Business Combination, (A) more than 66-2/3% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from or effecting such Business Combination and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the outstanding common stock of the Company and outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination in substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the outstanding common stock of the Company and outstanding voting securities of the Company, as the case may be, (B) no person or entity (excluding the Company and any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or its affiliates) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, twenty percent (20%) or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from or effecting such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from or effecting such Business Combination were Incumbent Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board of Directors providing for such Business Combination.

 

11.2 Termination. In the event that a Change of Control occurs during the term of this Agreement, and Employee’s employment is terminated for any reason prior to the expiration of one (1) year following the date of the Change of Control, whether by the Company or its successor or by Employee, Employee will, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, be entitled to receive the payments and benefits described in Section 8.

 

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12. Benefits Continuation

 

The Company will, or will reimburse Employee his cost to, maintain in full force and effect for five (5) years following the date of any termination of Employee’s employment all employee health and welfare benefit plans, programs and policies, including any life and health insurance plans in which Employee was entitled to participate immediately prior to termination. Coverage under any of the Company plans, programs and policies will be discontinued during such five (5)-year period to the extent Employee is covered by a substantially similar plan, program or policy by another employer.

 

13. No Mitigation

 

Employee will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment due hereunder by seeking other employment and, except as provided in the next sentence, the payments due hereunder will not be affected by any other employment which Employee may obtain. If Employee accepts a position with another employer during the period for payment of employee health and welfare benefits under Section 12, then the Company’s obligation to pay such employee benefits will cease as of the date of Employee’s new employment; provided, however, that the Company will continue such benefits for the full period to the extent that they exceed the comparable benefits from such other employment. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder will not be affected by any circumstances, including set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against Employee or others.

 

14. Payments and Disputes

 

The amounts specified in this Agreement, other than any payments that Employee has elected to receive in the form of a monthly annuity or has elected to defer under a deferred compensation plan, will be paid by the Company no more than forty-five (45) days after the date of termination. In the event that any payments due hereunder will be delayed for any reason for more than five (5) business days from the date due, the amounts due will bear interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum until paid. Any dispute between the Parties hereto with respect to any of the matters set forth herein will be submitted to binding arbitration in Seattle, Washington. Either Party may commence the arbitration by delivery of a written notice to the other, describing the issue in dispute and its position with regard to the issue. If the Parties are unable to agree on an arbitrator within thirty (30) days following delivery of such notice, the arbitrator will be selected by a Judge of the Superior Court of the State of Washington for King County upon three (3) days’ notice. Discovery will be allowed in connection with any such arbitration to the same extent permitted by the Washington Rules of Civil Procedure, but either Party may petition the arbitrator to limit the scope of such discovery, in which event the arbitrator will determine the extent of discovery allowable in connection with the dispute in question. The arbitrator will have the authority only to interpret and apply the applicable provisions of this Agreement, will not add to, subtract from, reform, or modify any of the provisions of this Agreement, and will not have the authority to grant any award that is not consistent with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, the arbitration will be conducted in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect for expedited proceedings. The award of the arbitrator will be final and binding, and judgment upon an award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitrator will hold a hearing, at which the Parties may present evidence and argument, within thirty (30) days of his or her appointment, and will issue an award within fifteen (15) days of the close of the hearing. The Company will, regardless of the outcome, pay all reasonable fees and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the cost of any arbitrator, incurred by Employee in contesting or disputing any termination for Cause or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Agreement. The arbitration of any disputed matter will be subject to the statutes of limitations of the state of Washington as would have been applicable had such disputed matter been litigated in a court of law.

 

15. Beneficiary

 

If Employee dies prior to receiving all of the amounts payable to him in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such amounts will be paid to his surviving spouse unless Employee has designated another beneficiary in writing or, if there is no surviving spouse or other designated beneficiary, to his estate. Such payments will be made in a lump sum to the extent so payable and otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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16. Notices

 

All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder to either Party will be deemed to be sufficient if contained in a written instrument delivered in person, including delivery by recognized express courier, fees prepaid, or sent by electronic mail (“email”) in each case addressed as set forth below, or to such other address as may hereinafter be designated in writing by the recipient to the sender pursuant to this Section 16. Notices hereunder may not be sent by facsimile or mail. All such notices, requests, consents and other communications will be deemed to have been received in the case of personal delivery, including delivery by express courier, on the date of such delivery, or in the case of email transmission, upon transmission without notification of failure of transmission.

 

If to Employee, to:

 

David C. Matteson

830 Northstream Lane

Edmonds, WA 98020

Email: dmatteson@emulatetx.com

 

If to Company:

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

13810 SE Eastgate Way

Suite 560

Bellevue, WA 98005

Attention:      General Counsel

Email: spope@emulatetx.com

 

17. Amendment; Waiver

 

This Agreement will not be amended or modified nor will any provision hereof be waived except by written instrument executed by the Company and Employee. A waiver of any provision of this Agreement will not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision, and a waiver of any default in any provision will not operate or be construed as a waiver of any later default thereof.

 

18. Effect of This Agreement

 

This Agreement amends and restates the Prior Agreement in its entirety as of the Effective Date. Without limiting the foregoing, Employee hereby forever forgives in their entirety any and all monetary amounts incurred as a debt or liability of the Company to the Employee prior to the Effective Date. ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.

 

19. Governing Law

 

This Agreement will be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of Washington, without giving effect to principles and provisions thereof relating to conflict or choice of laws and irrespective of the fact that any one of the Parties is now or may become a resident of a different state.

 

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20. Validity

 

In case any term of this Agreement will be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the validity of any of the other terms of this Agreement will not in any way be affected thereby.

 

21. Successors and Assigns

 

The Company may not assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Employee except to a successor of the Company’s business which expressly assumes the Company’s obligations hereunder in writing. Employee may not assign all or any part of this Agreement or delegate any of his duties as an employee of the Company, to any third party without the prior written approval of the Company. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Employee, his estate and surviving spouse or other beneficiary, and of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of the Company.

 

22. Survival of Employee’s Rights

 

All of Employee’s rights hereunder, including his rights to compensation and benefits, will survive the expiration of the Employment Period, any termination of Employee’s employment and the termination of this Agreement.

 

23. Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when so executed, will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

24. Entire Agreement

 

This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the Parties with regard to the subject matter of this Agreement and may only be changed by written agreement hereafter signed by both Parties. Any and all prior discussions, negotiations, commitments and understandings related thereto are merged herein.

 

[This space intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

  EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
     
  By
    Chris E. Rivera
    President and CEO

 

  EMPLOYEE
   
 
  David C. Matteson

 

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Exhibit 10.11

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of April 18, 2022 (the “Effective Date” of this Agreement), by and between EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation (formerly known as Nativis, Inc., the “Company”), and Kyle J. Kingma (“Employee”), to amend and restate in its entirety the prior Amended and Restated Employment Agreement relating to the employment of Employee by the Company (the “Prior Agreement”) entered into by the Company and Employee as of November 1, 2010 and subsequently amended. The term “Parties” as used in this Agreement means the Company and Employee and the term “Party” means the Company or Employee, as the context requires.

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1. Employment

 

The Company will employ Employee during the Employment Period as its Senior Vice President, Finance. The Parties agree that this is a “senior executive” position.

 

2. Employment Period

 

The term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement (the “Employment Period”) commenced on November 1, 2010, and will end upon Employee’s termination. The employment of Employee will not be terminated by the Company other than in accordance with Section 10 of this Agreement.

 

3. Duties

 

Employee will perform the duties and exercise the powers as the Senior Vice President - Finance & General Manager - Subsidiaries, of the Company, as well as any additional duties and powers that the Chief Executive Officer may reasonably and properly assign to him, including if the Chief Executive Officer promotes him to a more senior position. Employee will attend and participate in meetings of the Board of Directors and its Committees as may be requested from time to time by the Board or any such Committee.

 

4. Extent of Services

 

Employee will devote substantially all of his business time, attention and effort to the business and affairs of the Company and its affiliates. Employee may, with the consent of the Chief Executive Officer, participate in other professional endeavors that do not conflict with his duties to the Company and in businesses as an outside director or investor, provided that Employee will not, without the consent of the Chief Executive Officer, actively participate in the operation or management of such businesses.

 

 

 

 

5. Salary

 

5.1 During the period from the Effective Date through June 30, 2022, the Company will pay Employee, in accordance with its normal payroll practices in monthly or semi-monthly increments, a monthly salary at an initial rate of $13.333.33 which is equal to an annual salary of $160,000.00. From and after June 30, 2022, the Company will pay Employee, in accordance with its normal payroll practices in monthly or semi-monthly increments, a monthly salary at an initial rate of $27,733.33, which is equal to an annual salary (“Base Salary”) of $332,800.00.

 

5.2 During the Employment Period, Employee’s Base Salary will be reviewed at least annually by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”) and will be increased annually in a percentage amount as determined by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, if the power to effect such increase has been delegated by the Board of Directors to the Compensation Committee. Base Salary will not at any time be reduced without the prior written consent of Employee.

 

6. Annual Incentive Bonus (STI); Equity Awards

 

6.1 Within sixty (60) days following each February 1 during the Employment Period, Employee will identify in writing to the Chief Executive Officer the goals he expects to achieve with respect to the Company during the employment year beginning on the Effective Date or such relevant anniversary date. Such goals as are approved by the Chief Executive Officer, are referred to in this Agreement with respect to each employment year as “Annual Goals” for such relevant employment year. Promptly following the end of each employment year, Employee and the Chief Executive Officer will review Employee’s performance with respect to achieving the Annual Goals for such employment year, and Employee will receive a cash bonus (STI) to the extent Employee has achieved his Annual Goals (in addition to his Base Salary for such employment year). The target for Employee’s annual cash bonus (STI) for any year will be 60% of his Base Salary for such year. Base Salary and any such cash bonus (STI) together will constitute “Total Salary” for the relevant employment year.

 

6.2 Employee will receive an annual award of a stock option to purchase or of RSUs to receive shares of the Company’s common stock. The number of common shares to be included in such option will be determined by the Board based on Employee’s achievement of his Annual Goals, and 100% of shares awarded under any stock option will be vested as of the date of grant of such option. The price for each common share subject to the option will be equal to the fair market value per share for the Company’s common stock at the time the option is granted, as determined by the Board of Directors, and the period in which Employee may exercise such option will be for seven (7) years after the date of grant thereof.

 

6.3 The stock options and RSUs referred to in this Section 6 will be evidenced by and subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the stock option grant notice, the stock option agreement, and the RSU Agreement, as the case may be, related thereto and the Company’s Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended or superseded from time to time).

 

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7. Benefits

 

Employee will be entitled to participate in the Company’s benefit plans both for salaried employees and for officers, including without limitation any supplemental disability plan for executive employees, any supplemental death benefit plan for executive employees, the Company’s medical, disability and life insurance programs, the Company’s 401(k) plan and qualified retirement plans (if any), matching Company contributions with respect to such plans, any deferred compensation plan, any supplemental executive retirement plan and the like, in accordance with their terms, each of which may be amended from time to time, and any other benefit plans now or hereafter available to the Company’s senior executives and officers. The Company will provide Employee with medical, life and disability insurance benefits, and other benefits, with terms and provisions substantially as favorable to Employee as those provided to senior executives and officers of the Company. The Company may prospectively amend, eliminate or add to these insurance and benefit programs at any time, in its sole discretion. Employee will be entitled to paid time off in accordance with Company policies for senior executives and officers.

 

8. Severance

 

8.1 Severance Payment. If Employee’s employment terminates (whether by the Company or by Employee) for any reason except termination by the Company for Cause, then, subject to the terms and conditions of Sections 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4, Employee will be entitled to receive severance equal to his Total Salary (“Severance Payment”). Payment of the Severance Payment will be subject to the effective and irrevocable execution by Employee and the Company of a full settlement agreement and mutual release of claims, in form and substance satisfactory to each of Employee and the Company, (the “Release”) and provided that such Release becomes effective and irrevocable no later than sixty (60) days following the Employee’s termination date (such deadline, the “Release Deadline”). If the Release does not become effective and irrevocable by the Release Deadline, Employee will forfeit any rights to severance or benefits under this Agreement. In no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the Release becomes effective and irrevocable. Interest on the unpaid balance of the Severance Payment will accrue commencing on the date of the termination of Employee’s employment at a rate equal to ten percent (10%) per annum, calculated based on a 365-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

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8.2 Taxes. All severance payments due to Employee under this Section 8 will be subject to applicable tax reporting and withholdings and, except for the employer portion of any employment taxes, payment of taxes on the payments set forth hereunder will be the full and sole responsibility of the Employee.

 

8.3 IRC Section 280G Matters. In the event that the severance payments and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Employee constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and but for this Section 8.3, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then Employee’s severance payments and benefits under this Agreement will be payable either:

 

(a) in full, or

 

(b) as to such lesser amount which would result in no portion of such severance payments or benefits being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by Employee on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance payments and benefits under this Agreement, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such severance payments or benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. Any reduction in the severance payments and benefits required by this Section will be made in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments; (ii) reduction of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (iii) reduction of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (iv) reduction of other benefits paid or provided to Employee. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of Employee’s equity awards. If two or more equity awards are granted on the same date, each award will be reduced on a pro-rata basis. The professional firm engaged by the Company or its successor, as relevant, for general tax purposes as of the day prior to the date of the event that might reasonably be anticipated to result in severance payments and benefits that would otherwise be subject to the Excise Tax will perform the foregoing calculations. If the tax firm so engaged by the Company or its successor, as relevant, is serving as accountant or auditor for the acquiring company, the Company or its successor, as relevant, will appoint a nationally recognized tax firm to make the determinations required by this Section. The Company or its successor, as relevant, will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such firm required to be made by this Section. The Company or its successor, as relevant, and Employee will furnish such tax firm such information and documents as the tax firm may reasonably request in order to make its required determination. The tax firm will provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company or its successor, as relevant, and Employee as soon as practicable following its engagement. Any good faith determinations of the tax firm made hereunder will be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company or its successor, as relevant, and Employee.

 

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8.4 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(a) Limitation. Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, no amount payable pursuant to this Agreement which constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) and the Treasury Regulations issued pursuant to Section 409A of the Code (the “Section 409A Regulations”) will be paid unless and until Employee has incurred a “separation from service” within the meaning of the Section 409A Regulations. Furthermore, to the extent that Employee is a “specified employee” within the meaning of the Section 409A Regulations as of the date of Employee’s separation from service, no amount that constitutes a deferral of compensation which is payable on account of Employee’s separation from service will be paid to Employee before the date which is the earlier to occur of: (i) the date that is six months and one day after the effective date of Employee’s separation from service, and (ii) the date of the Employee’s death (such earlier date, the “Delayed Initial Payment Date”). The Company will (A) pay to Employee a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the payments upon separation from service that Employee would otherwise have received through the Delayed Initial Payment Date if the commencement of the payments had not been delayed pursuant to this Section 8.4, and (B) commence paying the balance of the payments in accordance with the applicable payment schedules set forth herein. No interest will be due on any amounts so deferred.

 

(b) Tax Interpretation. It is intended that all of the benefits and payments under this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Code Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulations 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9), and this Agreement will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions. If not so exempt, this Agreement (and any definitions hereunder) will be construed in a manner that complies with Section 409A, and incorporates by reference all required definitions and payment terms. For purposes of Code Section 409A (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement (whether severance payments, reimbursements or otherwise) will be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment hereunder will at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment. However, neither the Company nor its successor, as relevant, guarantees any particular tax effect under Section 409A for income provided to Employee pursuant to this Agreement. Except for the Company’s, or its successor’s, as relevant, responsibility to withhold and remit applicable income and employment taxes from compensation paid or provided to Employee, neither the Company nor its successor, as relevant, will be responsible for the payment of any applicable taxes on compensation paid or provided to Employee pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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(c) Reimbursements. For the avoidance of doubt, if any reimbursements payable to Employee are subject to the provisions of Code Section 409A: (i) to be eligible to obtain reimbursement for such expenses Employee must submit expense reports in accordance with the Company’s reimbursement policy, (ii) any such reimbursements will be paid no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred, (iii) the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year will not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, and (iv) the right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

9. Pro Ration of Incentives

 

The incentives accruing to Employee under Section 8 will all accrue on a monthly basis rather than requiring completion of each full year of continued employment in order for Employee to receive any incentive credit for that year.

 

10. Termination

 

10.1 Termination for Cause. The Company, acting through the Board of Directors, may terminate Employee’s employment for Cause. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” will mean a finding by the Board of Directors that Employee willfully engaged in illegal or grossly wrongful misconduct that results in financial detriment materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company. No act on Employee’s part will be considered “willful” unless he has acted with an absence of good faith and without a reasonable belief that his action was in or not opposed to the interests of the Company. Employee will have the opportunity to appear before the Board of Directors within sixty (60) days, with legal representation if he so chooses, to present arguments and evidence on his own behalf intended to reverse the Board of Directors’ findings regarding termination for Cause. If the Board of Directors generally fails to comply with the provisions of this Section 10.1, any termination of employment by the Company will be deemed a termination without Cause for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

10.2 Termination without Cause. Either the Company or Employee may, at its or his option and at any time, terminate the Employee’s employment without Cause. In case of such termination, Employee will be entitled to the payments and benefits provided for in Section 8 of this Agreement.

 

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10.3 Death or Disability. In the event of termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to his death or Disability, Employee or his estate will be paid his Total Salary earned through the date of such termination, his annual incentive bonus for the employment year during which such termination occurs pro-rated through the date of termination and severance benefits provided for in Section 8 of this Agreement, and all other benefits and payments provided for under this Agreement. “Disability” means a physical or mental condition which, in the opinion of a physician appointed by the Board of Directors, renders Employee unable or incompetent to carry out his material job responsibilities or the material duties to which Employee was assigned at the time the disability was incurred, which has lasted for at least three months and which, in the opinion of the physician appointed by the Board of Directors, is expected to last for a duration in excess of six months.

 

10.4 Termination with Good Reason. If at any time following the Effective Date Employee terminates his employment with Good Reason by providing written notice of such termination to the Company, Employee will be entitled to the same payments and benefits provided for in Section 8 of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” will mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events, written notice of which has been provided by Employee to the Company and which Company has not cured within thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice:

 

(a) the assignment to Employee of any duties inconsistent with Employee’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibility as contemplated by Sections 1 and 3 or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by Employee;

 

(b) any failure by the Company to comply with the provisions of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by Employee;

 

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(c) the Company’s requiring Employee to be based at any location other than its corporate headquarters or relocating the corporate headquarters more than fifty (50) miles from Bellevue, Washington; or

 

(d) any failure by the Company to assign this Agreement to a successor to the Company or the failure of a successor to explicitly assume and agree in writing to be bound by this Agreement.

 

A reasonable determination by Employee that any of the foregoing events has occurred and constitutes Good Reason will be conclusive and binding for all purposes if the Company has not cured the situation giving rise to, or has eliminated, the Good Reason event within the thirty-day period following the Company’s receipt of Employee’s written notice thereof.

 

11. Change of Control

 

11.1 Change of Control. The Board of Directors, in the exercise of its responsibility to serve the best interests of the shareholders of the Company, may at any time consider a merger or acquisition proposal that could result in a Change of Control of the Company. In order to avoid any adverse effect on Employee’s performance under this Agreement that might be caused by uncertainties concerning his tenure and treatment by the Company in the event of such a Change of Control, the Company has agreed to provide certain benefits to Employee in the event of a Change of Control of the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Section. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” will mean the occurrence of any one of the following actions or events:

 

(a) The acquisition by any single individual, entity or group, through an equity financing while the Company is a privately held company or otherwise, of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act) of 30% or more of either (A) the outstanding common stock of the Company or (B) the outstanding voting securities of the Company; provided, however, that the following acquisitions will not constitute a Change of Control: (x) any acquisition of securities by the Company, (y) any acquisition of securities by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, or (z) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a business combination, if, following such business combination, the conditions described in clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (c)(ii) of this Section 11.1 are satisfied; or

 

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(b) A “Board Change,” which, for purposes of this Agreement, will have occurred if a majority of the seats on the Board of Directors are occupied by individuals who were not nominated by a majority of the Incumbent Directors (“Incumbent Director” means a member of the Board of Directors who has been nominated by a majority of the directors of the Company then in office, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person or entity other than the Board of Directors); or

 

(c) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a Business Combination (“Business Combination” means (i) a reorganization, exchange of securities, merger, consolidation or other business combination involving the Company or (ii) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company) unless after giving effect to such Business Combination and any equity financing completed or contemplated in connection with or as a result of such Business Combination, (A) more than 66-2/3% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from or effecting such Business Combination and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the outstanding common stock of the Company and outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination in substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the outstanding common stock of the Company and outstanding voting securities of the Company, as the case may be, (B) no person or entity (excluding the Company and any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or its affiliates) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, twenty percent (20%) or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from or effecting such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from or effecting such Business Combination were Incumbent Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board of Directors providing for such Business Combination.

 

11.2 Termination. In the event that a Change of Control occurs during the term of this Agreement, and Employee’s employment is terminated for any reason prior to the expiration of one (1) year following the date of the Change of Control, whether by the Company or its successor or by Employee, Employee will, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, be entitled to receive the payments and benefits described in Section 8.

 

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12. Benefits Continuation

 

The Company will, or will reimburse Employee his cost to, maintain in full force and effect for five (5) years following the date of any termination of Employee’s employment all employee health and welfare benefit plans, programs and policies, including any life and health insurance plans in which Employee was entitled to participate immediately prior to termination. Coverage under any of the Company plans, programs and policies will be discontinued during such five (5)-year period to the extent Employee is covered by a substantially similar plan, program or policy by another employer.

 

13. No Mitigation

 

Employee will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment due hereunder by seeking other employment and, except as provided in the next sentence, the payments due hereunder will not be affected by any other employment which Employee may obtain. If Employee accepts a position with another employer during the period for payment of employee health and welfare benefits under Section 12, then the Company’s obligation to pay such employee benefits will cease as of the date of Employee’s new employment; provided, however, that the Company will continue such benefits for the full period to the extent that they exceed the comparable benefits from such other employment. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder will not be affected by any circumstances, including set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against Employee or others.

 

14. Payments and Disputes

 

The amounts specified in this Agreement, other than any payments that Employee has elected to receive in the form of a monthly annuity or has elected to defer under a deferred compensation plan, will be paid by the Company no more than forty-five (45) days after the date of termination. In the event that any payments due hereunder will be delayed for any reason for more than five (5) business days from the date due, the amounts due will bear interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum until paid. Any dispute between the Parties hereto with respect to any of the matters set forth herein will be submitted to binding arbitration in Seattle, Washington. Either Party may commence the arbitration by delivery of a written notice to the other, describing the issue in dispute and its position with regard to the issue. If the Parties are unable to agree on an arbitrator within thirty (30) days following delivery of such notice, the arbitrator will be selected by a Judge of the Superior Court of the State of Washington for King County upon three (3) days’ notice. Discovery will be allowed in connection with any such arbitration to the same extent permitted by the Washington Rules of Civil Procedure, but either Party may petition the arbitrator to limit the scope of such discovery, in which event the arbitrator will determine the extent of discovery allowable in connection with the dispute in question. The arbitrator will have the authority only to interpret and apply the applicable provisions of this Agreement, will not add to, subtract from, reform, or modify any of the provisions of this Agreement, and will not have the authority to grant any award that is not consistent with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, the arbitration will be conducted in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect for expedited proceedings. The award of the arbitrator will be final and binding, and judgment upon an award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitrator will hold a hearing, at which the Parties may present evidence and argument, within thirty (30) days of his or her appointment, and will issue an award within fifteen (15) days of the close of the hearing. The Company will, regardless of the outcome, pay all reasonable fees and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the cost of any arbitrator, incurred by Employee in contesting or disputing any termination for Cause or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Agreement. The arbitration of any disputed matter will be subject to the statutes of limitations of the state of Washington as would have been applicable had such disputed matter been litigated in a court of law.

 

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15. Beneficiary

 

If Employee dies prior to receiving all of the amounts payable to him in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such amounts will be paid to his surviving spouse unless Employee has designated another beneficiary in writing or, if there is no surviving spouse or other designated beneficiary, to his estate. Such payments will be made in a lump sum to the extent so payable and otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

16. Notices

 

All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder to either Party will be deemed to be sufficient if contained in a written instrument delivered in person, including delivery by recognized express courier, fees prepaid, or sent by electronic mail (“email”) in each case addressed as set forth below, or to such other address as may hereinafter be designated in writing by the recipient to the sender pursuant to this Section 16. Notices hereunder may not be sent by facsimile or mail. All such notices, requests, consents and other communications will be deemed to have been received in the case of personal delivery, including delivery by express courier, on the date of such delivery, or in the case of email transmission, upon transmission without notification of failure of transmission.

 

If to Employee, to:

 

Kyle J. Kingma

23888 SE 162nd St.

Issaquah, WA 98027

Email: kingma@emulatetx.com

 

If to Company:

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

13810 SE Eastgate Way

Suite 560

Bellevue, WA 98005

Attention: General Counsel

Email: spope@emulatetx.com

 

17. Amendment; Waiver

 

This Agreement will not be amended or modified nor will any provision hereof be waived except by written instrument executed by the Company and Employee. A waiver of any provision of this Agreement will not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision, and a waiver of any default in any provision will not operate or be construed as a waiver of any later default thereof.

 

18. Effect of This Agreement; Forgiveness

 

This Agreement amends and restates the Prior Agreement in its entirety as of the Effective Date. Without limiting the foregoing, Employee hereby forever forgives in their entirety any and all monetary amounts incurred as a debt or liability of the Company to the Employee prior to the Effective Date. ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.

 

19. Governing Law

 

This Agreement will be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of Washington, without giving effect to principles and provisions thereof relating to conflict or choice of laws and irrespective of the fact that any one of the Parties is now or may become a resident of a different state.

 

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20. Validity

 

In case any term of this Agreement will be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the validity of any of the other terms of this Agreement will not in any way be affected thereby.

 

21. Successors and Assigns

 

The Company may not assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Employee except to a successor of the Company’s business which expressly assumes the Company’s obligations hereunder in writing. Employee may not assign all or any part of this Agreement or delegate any of his duties as an employee of the Company, to any third party without the prior written approval of the Company. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Employee, his estate and surviving spouse or other beneficiary, and of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of the Company.

 

22. Survival of Employee’s Rights

 

All of Employee’s rights hereunder, including his rights to compensation and benefits, will survive the expiration of the Employment Period, any termination of Employee’s employment and the termination of this Agreement.

 

23. Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when so executed, will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

24. Entire Agreement

 

This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the Parties with regard to the subject matter of this Agreement and may only be changed by written agreement hereafter signed by both Parties. Any and all prior discussions, negotiations, commitments and understandings related thereto are merged herein.

 

[This space intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

  EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
     
  By
    Chris E. Rivera
    President and CEO
     
    EMPLOYEE
     
   
    Kyle J. Kingma

 

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Exhibit 10.12

 

EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. Establishment, Purpose and Term of Plan.

 

1.1 Establishment. The EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (f/k/a Nativis, Inc. 2016 Stock Option Plan) (the “Plan”) was hereby established effective as of October 27, 2016 (the “Effective Date”).

 

1.2 Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Participating Company Group and its shareholders by providing an incentive to attract, retain and reward persons performing services for the Participating Company Group and by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and profitability of the Participating Company Group.

 

1.3 Term of Plan. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Plan shall continue in effect until the earlier of its termination by the Board or the date on which all of the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan have been issued and all restrictions on such shares under the terms of the Plan and the Award Agreements evidencing Awards granted under the Plan have lapsed. However, all Awards shall be granted, if at all, within ten (10) years from the earlier of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or the date the Plan is duly approved by the shareholders of the Company.

 

2. Definitions and Construction.

 

2.1 Definitions. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth below:

 

(a) “Affiliate” means (i) an entity, other than a Parent Corporation, that directly, or indirectly, through one or more intermediary entities, controls the Company or (ii) an entity, other than a Subsidiary Corporation, that is controlled by the Company directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediary entities. For this purpose, the term “control” (including the term “controlled by”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the relevant entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; or shall have such other meaning assigned such term for the purposes of registration on Form S-8 under the Securities Act.

 

(b) “Award” means any Option, Stock Award, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit, or other incentive granted under the Plan that is payable in cash, shares of Stock or other property as may be designated by the Board from time to time.

 

(c) “Award Agreement” means a written, including electronic, agreement between the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award granted to the Participant and any shares acquired or that may be acquired in connection therewith. An Award Agreement may consist of a form of “Notice of Grant of Award” (with identification of the Award type) and a form of “Award Agreement” incorporated therein by reference (with identification of the Award type), or such other form or forms as the Board may approve from time to time.

 

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(d) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company. If one or more Committees have been appointed by the Board to administer the Plan, “Board” also means such Committee(s).

 

(e) Unless otherwise defined in a contract of employment or service between the Participant and a Participating Company, for purposes of the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement, “Cause” shall mean any of the following, determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Board: (1) the Participant’s theft, dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty for personal profit, or falsification of any Participating Company documents or records; (2) the Participant’s material failure to abide by a Participating Company’s code of conduct or other policies (including, without limitation, policies relating to confidentiality and reasonable workplace conduct); (3) the Participant’s unauthorized use, misappropriation, destruction, or diversion of any tangible or intangible asset or corporate opportunity of a Participating Company (including, without limitation, the Participant’s improper use or disclosure of a Participating Company’s confidential or proprietary information); (4) any intentional act by the Participant which has a material detrimental effect on a Participating Company’s reputation or business; (5) the Participant’s failure or inability to perform any reasonable assigned duties after written notice from a Participating Company of, and a reasonable opportunity to cure, such failure or inability; (6) any material breach by the Participant of any employment or service agreement between the Participant and a Participating Company, which breach is not cured pursuant to the terms of such agreement; or (7) the Participant’s conviction (including any plea of guilty or nolo contendere) of any criminal act involving fraud, dishonesty, misappropriation, or moral turpitude, or which impairs the Participant’s ability to perform his or her duties with a Participating Company.

 

(f) A “Change in Control” shall mean an Ownership Change Event or a series of related Ownership Change Events (collectively, a “Transaction”) wherein the shareholders of the Company immediately before the Transaction do not retain immediately after the Transaction, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company’s voting stock immediately before the Transaction, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company or, in the case of a Transaction described in Section 2.1(v)(iii), the corporation or other business entity to which the assets of the Company were transferred (the “Transferee”), as the case may be; provided, however, that, unless otherwise determined by the Board, none of the following shall be considered a Change in Control: (i) a merger effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation with a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company; or (iii) an equity financing in which the Company is the surviving corporation. For purposes of the preceding sentence, indirect beneficial ownership shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting securities of one or more corporations or other business entities which own the Company or the Transferee, as the case may be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations or other business entities. The Board shall have the right to determine whether multiple sales or exchanges of the voting securities of the Company or multiple Ownership Change Events are related, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

(g) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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(h) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee or other committee of the Board duly appointed to administer the Plan and having such powers as shall be specified by the Board. Unless the powers of the Committee have been specifically limited, the Committee shall have all of the powers of the Board granted herein, including, without limitation, the power to amend or terminate the Plan at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable limitations imposed by law.

 

(i) “Company” means EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., f/k/a Nativis, Inc., a Washington corporation, or any successor corporation thereto.

 

(j) “Consultant” means a person engaged to provide consulting or advisory services (other than as an Employee or a Director) to a Participating Company, provided that the identity of such person, the nature of such services or the entity to which such services are provided would not preclude the Company from offering or selling securities to such person pursuant to the Plan in reliance on either the exemption from registration provided by Rule 701 under the Securities Act or, if the Company is required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, registration on a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act.

 

(k) “Director” means a member of the Board or of the board of directors of any other Participating Company.

 

(l) “Disability” means the inability of the Participant, in the opinion of a qualified physician acceptable to the Company, to perform the major duties of the Participant’s position with the Participating Company Group for a period of time greater than six (6) months because of the sickness or injury of the Participant.

 

(m) “Employee” means any person treated as an employee (including an Officer or a Director who is also treated as an employee) in the records of a Participating Company and, with respect to any Incentive Stock Option granted to such person, who is an employee for purposes of Section 422 of the Code; provided, however, that neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee shall be sufficient to constitute employment for purposes of the Plan. The Company shall determine in good faith and in the exercise of its discretion whether an individual has become or has ceased to be an Employee and the effective date of such individual’s employment or termination of employment, as the case may be. For purposes of an individual’s rights, if any, under the Plan as of the time of the Company’s determination, all such determinations by the Company shall be final, binding and conclusive, notwithstanding that the Company or any court of law or governmental agency subsequently makes a contrary determination.

 

(n) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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(o) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of a share of Stock or other property as determined by the Board, in its discretion, or by the Company, in its discretion, if such determination is expressly allocated to the Company herein, subject to the following:

 

(i) If, on such date, the Stock is listed on a national or regional securities exchange or market system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Stock (or the mean of the closing bid and asked prices of a share of Stock if the Stock is so quoted instead) as quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market or such other national or regional securities exchange or market system constituting the primary market for the Stock, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Company deems reliable. If the relevant date does not fall on a day on which the Stock has traded on such securities exchange or market system, the date on which the Fair Market Value shall be established shall be the last day on which the Stock was so traded prior to the relevant date, or such other appropriate day as shall be determined by the Board, in its discretion.

 

(ii) If, on such date, the Stock is not listed on a national or regional securities exchange or market system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be as determined by the Board in good faith without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse, and subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(p) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement), and which qualifies as, an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.

 

(q) “Insider” means an Officer, a Director of the Company, or other person whose transactions in Stock are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

(r) “IPO” means the first sale of Stock to the general public pursuant to a registration statement filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act, including a registration statement in connection with a direct listing, but excluding a registration statement relating solely to the issuance of Stock pursuant to a business combination or an employee incentive or benefit plan.

 

(s) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement), or which does not qualify as, an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(t) “Officer” means any person designated by the Board as an officer of the Company.

 

(u) “Option” means a right to purchase Stock pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan. An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

(v) An “Ownership Change Event” shall be deemed to have occurred if any of the following occurs with respect to the Company: (i) the direct or indirect sale or exchange in a single or series of related transactions by the shareholders of the Company of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a party; (iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (iv) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

(w) “Parent Corporation” means any present or future “parent corporation” of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

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(x) “Participant” means an eligible person who has been granted one or more Awards.

 

(y) “Participating Company” means the Company or any Parent Corporation, Subsidiary Corporation or Affiliate.

 

(z) “Participating Company Group” means, at any point in time, all entities collectively which are then Participating Companies.

 

(aa) Predecessor Plan means the Company’s 2002 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

(bb) “Restricted Stock Award” means an Award of shares of Stock,either with payment of a purchase price or without payment of a purchase price, the rights of ownership of which are subject to vesting or similar restrictions prescribed by the Board.

 

(cc) “Restricted Stock Unit” or “RSU” means an Award denominated in units of shares of Stock that represents an unfunded, unsecured right to receive the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock for each unit subject to the Award in cash, Stock or other securities on the date of vesting or settlement.

 

(dd) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor rule or regulation.

 

(ee) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(ff) “Service” means a Participant’s employment or service with the Participating Company Group, whether in the capacity of an Employee, a Director or a Consultant. A Participant’s Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders Service to the Participating Company Group or a change in the Participating Company for which the Participant renders such Service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s Service. Furthermore, a Participant’s Service shall not be deemed to have terminated if the Participant takes any military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence approved by the Company; provided, however, that if any such leave exceeds ninety (90) days, on the one hundred eighty-first (181st) day following the commencement of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and instead shall be treated thereafter as a Nonstatutory Stock Option unless the Participant’s right to return to Service is guaranteed by statute or contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise designated by the Company or required by law, a leave of absence shall not be treated as Service for purposes of determining vesting under the Participant’s Award Agreement. The Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an actual termination of Service or upon the corporation for which the Participant performs Service ceasing to be a Participating Company. Subject to the foregoing, the Company, in its discretion, shall determine whether the Participant’s Service has terminated and the effective date of such termination.

 

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(gg) “SPAC Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company’s outstanding shares of capital stock are exchanged for or otherwise converted into securities that are publicly listed, or contemplated to be publicly listed, pursuant to the transaction governing such exchange or conversion, on a securities exchange, excluding an IPO, but including through a merger, acquisition, business combination or similar transaction, in one transaction or series of related transactions, involving a vehicle commonly known as a special purpose acquisition vehicle (SPAC), a reverse merger or otherwise.

 

(hh) “Stock” means the common stock of the Company, as adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 4.3.

 

(ii) “Stock Award” means an Award of shares of Stock, either with payment of a purchase price or without payment of a purchase price, the rights of ownership of which are not subject to vesting or similar restrictions prescribed by the Board.

 

(jj) “Subsidiary Corporation” means any present or future “subsidiary corporation” of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

(kk) “Ten Percent Owner Optionee” means a Participant who, at the time an Option is granted to the Participant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of a Participating Company within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code.

 

2.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

 

3. Administration.

 

3.1 Administration by the Board. The Board shall administer the Plan and determine all questions of interpretation of the Plan or of any Award, and such determinations shall be final and binding upon all persons having an interest in the Plan or such Award.

 

3.2 Authority of Officers. Any Officer shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, determination or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the Officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, determination or election.

 

3.3 Powers of the Board. In addition to any other powers set forth in the Plan and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have the full and final power and authority, in its discretion:

 

(a) to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at which, Awards shall be granted and the number of shares of Stock covered by each Award;

 

(b) to designate Options as Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options;

 

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(c) to determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock or other property;

 

(d) to determine the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to each Award (which need not be identical) and any shares acquired in connection therewith, including, without limitation, (i) the exercise or purchase price of the Award, (ii) the method of payment for shares purchased upon the exercise of an Option or other purchase of shares in connection with an Award, (iii) the method for satisfaction of any tax withholding obligation arising in connection with the Award or the shares covered thereby, including by the withholding or delivery of shares of Stock, (iv) the timing, terms and conditions of the exercisability and vesting of an Option or the vesting of any shares covered by any other type of Award, (v) the time of the expiration of the Award, (vi) the effect of the Participant’s termination of Service with the Participating Company Group on any of the foregoing, and (vii) all other terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to the Award or such shares covered thereby not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan;

 

(e) to approve one or more forms of Award Agreement;

 

(f) to amend, modify, extend, cancel or renew any Award or to waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any Award or any shares acquired in connection therewith;

 

(g) to accelerate, continue, extend or defer the exercisability of any Option or the vesting or forfeiture restrictions of any Award or shares covered by an Award, including with respect to the period following a Participant’s termination of Service with the Participating Company Group;

 

(h) to prescribe, amend or rescind rules, guidelines and policies relating to the Plan, or to adopt supplements to, or alternative versions of, the Plan, including, without limitation, as the Board deems necessary or desirable to comply with the laws of, or to accommodate the tax policy or custom of, foreign jurisdictions whose citizens may be granted Awards;

 

(i) to correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement and to make all other determinations and take such other actions with respect to the Plan or any Award as the Board may deem advisable to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan or applicable law; and

 

(j) with respect to shares of Stock granted or sold under an Award, to determine such restrictions on transfer and repurchase by the Company, which shall lapse over such period(s) of time and/or upon the satisfaction of such continued service and/or performance criteria as the Board shall determine, and shall be subject to such other terms and conditions as the Board shall determine, in its discretion. The Company shall withhold with respect to such Awards all applicable taxes substantially in the manner provided by Section 9 or as otherwise required by applicable laws.

 

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3.4 Administration with Respect to Insiders. With respect to participation by Insiders in the Plan, at any time that any class of equity security of the Company is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered in compliance with the requirements, if any, of Rule 16b-3.

 

3.5 Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members of the Board or officers or employees of the Participating Company Group, members of the Board and any officers or employees of the Participating Company Group to whom authority to act for the Board or the Company is delegated shall be indemnified by the Company against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, or any right granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct in duties; provided, however, that within sixty (60) days after the institution of such action, suit or proceeding, such person shall offer to the Company, in writing, the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend the same.

 

4. Shares Subject to Plan.

 

4.1 Maximum Number of Shares Issuable. Subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 4.2 and Error! Reference source not found., the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to Options shall be 5,500,000 less (a) the number of shares of Stock subject to options outstanding pursuant to the Predecessor Plan as of the Effective Date and (b) the number of shares of Stock issued upon the exercise, or canceled upon the cashless exercise, of options granted pursuant to the Predecessor Plan (the “Maximum Option Shares”). In addition to the foregoing, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, an additional 2,200,000 shares of Stock may be issued under the Plan pursuant to Awards granted as RSUs, Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Awards (the “Maximum Award Shares”). If an outstanding Award for any reason expires or is terminated, canceled or forfeited or if shares of Stock are acquired upon the exercise of an Option or otherwise under an Award and are subject to a Company repurchase option and are repurchased by the Company for an amount not greater than the Participant’s exercise or purchase price, the shares of Stock allocable to the portion of such Option or such repurchased shares of Stock shall again be available for issuance under the Plan and shall be allocated to the applicable share reserve from which they were initially granted. However, except as adjusted pursuant to Sections 4.2 and 4.3, in no event shall more than the Maximum Option Shares be available for issuance pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options (the “ISO Share Issuance Limit”).

 

4.2 Adjustment for Unissued Predecessor Plan Shares. The Maximum Option Shares that may be issued under the Plan as set forth in Section 4.1 shall be cumulatively increased from time to time by:

 

(a) the number of shares of Stock subject to that portion of any option outstanding pursuant to the Predecessor Plan as of the Effective Date which, on or after the Effective Date, expires or is terminated, canceled or exchanged for any reason without having been exercised in full; and

 

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(b) the number of shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the Predecessor Plan subject to forfeiture or repurchase by the Company for an amount not greater than the Participant’s exercise price which, on or after the Effective Date, is so forfeited or repurchased.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Maximum Option Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan shall not exceed 5,500,000, less the number of shares of Stock issued upon the exercise, or canceled upon the cashless exercise, of options granted pursuant to the Predecessor Plan.

 

4.3 Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure. Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, in the event of any change in the Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of payment of a dividend or distribution to the shareholders of the Company in a form other than Stock (excepting normal cash dividends) that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number and class of shares subject to the Plan under the Maximum Option Shares and the Maximum Award Shares and to any outstanding Awards, in the ISO Share Issuance Limit set forth in Section 4.1, and in the exercise or purchase price per share of any outstanding Awards. If a majority of the shares which are of the same class as the shares that are subject to outstanding Awards are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to an Ownership Change Event) shares of another corporation (the “New Shares”), the Board may unilaterally amend the outstanding Awards to provide that such Awards are exercisable for, or otherwise constitute Awards for, New Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the number of shares subject to, and the exercise or purchase price per share of, the outstanding Awards shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner as determined by the Board, in its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 4.3 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and in no event may the exercise price of any Option be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to the Award. The adjustments determined by the Board pursuant to this Section 4.3 shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

5. Eligibility.

 

Awards may be granted only to individuals who are serving as Employees, Consultants, and Directors on the effective date of grant. Eligible persons may be granted more than one (1) Award. However, eligibility in accordance with this Section 5 shall not entitle any person to be granted an Award, or, having been granted an Award, to be granted an additional Award.

 

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6. Terms and Conditions of Options.

 

Award Agreements for Options may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

6.1 Exercise Price. The exercise price for each Option shall be established in the discretion of the Board, subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that (a) the exercise price per share for an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option and (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Owner Optionee shall have an exercise price per share less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option (whether an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option) may be granted with an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner qualifying under the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.

 

6.2 Option Grant Restrictions. Any person who is not an Employee on the effective date of the grant of an Option to such person may be granted only a Nonstatutory Stock Option. An Option granted to a prospective Employee upon the condition that such person become an Employee shall be deemed granted effective on the date such person commences Service with a Participating Company, with an exercise price determined as of such date in accordance with Section 6.1.

 

6.3 Exercisability and Term of Options. Options shall be exercisable at such time or times, or upon such event or events, and subject to such terms, conditions, performance criteria and restrictions as shall be determined by the Board and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option; provided, however, that (a) no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of such Option and (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Owner Optionee shall be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years after the effective date of grant of such Option. Subject to the foregoing, unless otherwise specified by the Board in the grant of an Option, any Option granted hereunder shall terminate ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of the Option, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its provisions.

 

6.4 Fair Market Value Limitation. To the extent that options designated as Incentive Stock Options (granted under all stock option plans of the Participating Company Group, including the Plan) become exercisable by a Participant for the first time during any calendar year for stock having a Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), the portions of such options which exceed such amount shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6.4, options designated as Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this Section 6.4, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date and with respect to such Options as required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If an Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section 6.4, the Participant may designate which portion of such Option the Participant is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Participant shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first. Separate certificates representing each such portion shall be issued upon the exercise of the Option.

 

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6.5 Payment of Exercise Price.

 

(a) Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the exercise price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased pursuant to any Option shall be made (i) in cash, by check or cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company,or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value not less than the exercise price, (iii) by delivery of a properly executed notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired upon the exercise of the Option (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) (a “Cashless Exercise”), (iv) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Board from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (v) by any combination thereof. The Board may at any time or from time to time, by approval of or by amendment to the standard forms of Award Agreement, or by other means, grant Options which do not permit all of the foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment of the exercise price or which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.

 

(b) Limitations on Forms of Consideration.

 

(i) Tender of Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock to the extent such tender or attestation would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, an Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Participant for more than six (6) months (and not used for another Option exercise by attestation during such period) or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.

 

(ii) Cashless Exercise. The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, to establish, decline to approve or terminate any program or procedures for the exercise of Options by means of a Cashless Exercise.

 

(iii) Payment by Promissory Note. No promissory note shall be permitted if the exercise of an Option using a promissory note would be a violation of any law. Any permitted promissory note shall be on such terms as the Board shall determine. The Board shall have the authority to permit or require the Participant to secure any promissory note used to exercise an Option with the shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of the Option or with other collateral acceptable to the Company. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if the Company at any time is subject to the regulations promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other governmental entity affecting the extension of credit in connection with the Company’s securities, any promissory note shall comply with such applicable regulations, and the Participant shall pay the unpaid principal and accrued interest, if any, to the extent necessary to comply with such applicable regulations.

 

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6.6 Effect of Termination of Service.

 

(a) Option Exercisability. Subject to earlier termination of the Option as otherwise provided herein and unless otherwise provided by the Board in the grant of an Option and set forth in the Award Agreement, an Option shall be exercisable after an Optionee’s termination of Service only during the applicable time period determined in accordance with this Section 6.6 and thereafter shall terminate:

 

(i) Disability. If the Optionee’s Service terminates because of the Disability of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee (or the Optionee’s guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months (or such longer period of time as determined by the Board, in its discretion) after the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Option’s term as set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option (the Option Expiration Date).

 

(ii) Death. If the Optionee’s Service terminates because of the death of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee’s legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Optionee’s death at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months (or such longer period of time as determined by the Board, in its discretion) after the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. The Optionee’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if the Optionee dies within three (3) months (or such longer period of time as determined by the Board, in its discretion) after the Optionee’s termination of Service.

 

(iii) Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or the applicable Option Agreement, if the Optionee’s Service is terminated for Cause, the Option shall terminate and cease to be exercisable on the effective date of such termination of Service.

 

(iv) Other Termination of Service. If the Optionee’s Service terminates for any reason, except Disability, death or Cause, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable by the Optionee on the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee at any time prior to the expiration of three (3) months (or such longer period of time as determined by the Board, in its discretion) after the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

 

(b) Extension if Exercise Prevented by Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing (except Termination for Cause), if the exercise of an Option within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 6.6(a) is prevented by the provisions of Section 11 below, the Option shall remain exercisable until three (3) months (or such longer period of time as determined by the Board, in its discretion) after the date the Optionee is notified by the Company that the Option is exercisable, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

 

(c) Extension if Optionee Subject to Section 16(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a sale within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 6.6(a) of shares acquired upon the exercise of the Option would subject the Optionee to suit under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Option shall remain exercisable until the earliest to occur of (i) the tenth (10th) day following the date on which a sale of such shares by the Optionee would no longer be subject to such suit, (ii) the one hundred and ninetieth (190th) day after the Optionee’s termination of Service, or (iii) the Option Expiration Date.

 

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6.7 Transferability of Options. During the lifetime of the Optionee, an Option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee or the Optionee’s guardian or legal representative. No Option shall be assignable or transferable by the Optionee, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Board, in its discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be assignable or transferable subject to Rule 701 under the Securities Act and the General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act.

 

7. Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units.

 

7.1 Grant of Stock Awards, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. The Board may grant Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units on such terms and conditions and subject to such forfeiture or repurchase provisions, if any, which may be based on continuous Service with the Company or any other Participating Company or the achievement of any performance goals, as the Board shall determine in its sole discretion, which terms, conditions and restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

7.2 Vesting of Restricted Stock Units. Upon the satisfaction of any terms, conditions and restrictions prescribed with respect to Restricted Stock Units, or upon a Participant’s release from any terms, conditions and restrictions on Restricted Stock Units, as determined by the Board, Restricted Stock Units shall be paid in shares of Stock, or if set forth in an Award Agreement, in cash or a combination of cash and shares of Stock, with the timing of such payment intended to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code.

 

8. Standard Forms of Award Agreement; First Refusal and Repurchase Rights.

 

8.1 Award Agreement. Unless otherwise provided by the Board at the time the Award is granted, an Award shall comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the form of Award Agreement most recently approved by the Board for the type of Award granted and as amended from time to time. Award Agreements shall specify the number of shares of Stock covered thereby. No Award or purported Award shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced by a fully executed Award Agreement.

 

8.2 Authority to Vary Terms. The Board shall have the authority from time to time to vary the terms of any standard form of Award Agreement described in this Section 8 either in connection with the grant or amendment of an individual Award or in connection with the authorization of a new standard form or forms; provided, however, that the terms and conditions of any such new, revised or amended standard form or forms of Award Agreement are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.

 

8.3 Repurchase Rights. Shares issued under the Plan may be subject to a right of first refusal, one or more repurchase options, or other conditions and restrictions as determined by the Board in its discretion at the time the Award is granted. The Company shall have the right to assign at any time any repurchase right it may have, whether or not such right is then exercisable, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company. Upon request by the Company, each Participant shall execute any agreement evidencing such transfer restrictions prior to the receipt of shares of Stock hereunder and shall promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares of Stock acquired hereunder for the placement on such certificates of appropriate legends evidencing any such transfer restrictions.

 

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9. Tax Withholding.

 

The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to deduct from the shares of Stock issuable upon the exercise of an Option or otherwise issuable in connection with an Award, or to accept from the Participant the tender of, a number of whole shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value, as determined by the Company, equal to all or any part of the federal, state, local and foreign taxes, if any, required by law to be withheld by the Participating Company Group with respect to such Option or the shares acquired in connection with such Award. Alternatively or in addition, in its discretion, the Company shall have the right to require the Participant, through payroll withholding, cash payment or otherwise, including by means of a Cashless Exercise, to make adequate provision for any such tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group arising in connection with the Award, including any shares acquired upon the exercise of an Option. The Fair Market Value of any shares of Stock withheld or tendered to satisfy any such tax withholding obligations shall not exceed the amount determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates or such higher rate permitted by the Company that does not result in adverse financial accounting effects to the Company. The Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock or to release shares of Stock from an escrow established pursuant to the Award Agreement until the Optionee has satisfied the Participating Company Group’s tax withholding obligations.

 

10. Effect of Change in Control on Awards.

 

10.1 In the event of a Change in Control, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the “Acquiror”), may, without the consent of the Participant, either assume the Company’s rights and obligations under outstanding Awards or substitute for outstanding Awards substantially equivalent awards for the Acquiror’s stock. Any Awards which are neither assumed or substituted for by the Acquiror in connection with the Change in Control nor, with respect to Options, exercised as of the date of the Change in Control shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the date of the Change in Control, provided, that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Board may, in its sole discretion, provide in any Award Agreement or, in the event of a Change in Control, may take such actions as it deems appropriate, to provide for the acceleration of the exercisability and/or vesting in connection with such Change in Control of any or all of the outstanding Awards and any shares acquired upon the exercise of such Awards or otherwise acquired in connection with such Awards, subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired in connection with an Award prior to the Change in Control and any consideration received pursuant to the Change in Control with respect to such shares shall continue to be subject to all applicable provisions of the Award Agreement evidencing such Award except as otherwise provided in such Award Agreement. Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the corporation the stock of which is subject to the outstanding Awards immediately prior to an Ownership Change Event described in Section 2.1(v)(i) constituting a Change in Control is the surviving or continuing corporation and immediately after such Ownership Change Event less than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of its voting stock is held by another corporation or by other corporations that are members of an affiliated group within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code without regard to the provisions of Section 1504(b) of the Code, the outstanding Awards shall not terminate unless the Board otherwise provides in its discretion. The Board need not take the same action with respect to all Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants. The Board may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of an Award.

 

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10.2 The Board may, in its sole discretion and without the consent of any Participant, determine that, upon a Change in Control each or any Award outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control shall be canceled in exchange for payment with respect to each vested share of Stock subject to such canceled Award in (i) cash, (ii) stock of the Company or of a corporation or other business entity a party to the Change in Control, or (iii) other property which, in any such case, shall be in an amount having a Fair Market Value equal to the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be paid per share of Stock in the Change in Control over the exercise or purchase price per share under the Award (the “Spread”). In the event such determination is made by the Board, the Spread (reduced by any applicable withholding taxes), shall be paid to the Participants in respect of their canceled Awards as soon as practicable following the date of the Change in Control.

 

11. Compliance with Securities Law.

 

The grant of Awards and the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise of Options or otherwise under Awards shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state and foreign law with respect to such securities. Options may not be exercised and shares under other types of Awards may not be issued if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise or otherwise would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, shares may not be issued under an Award (including upon exercise of an Option, grant of an Award or settlement of an Award) unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of such issuance be in effect with respect to the shares issuable or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the grant of an Award or issuance of shares thereunder, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.

 

12. Termination or Amendment of Plan.

 

The Board may terminate or amend the Plan at any time. However, subject to changes in applicable law, regulations or rules that would permit otherwise, without the approval of the Company’s shareholders, there shall be (a) no increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to the Maximum Option Shares (except by operation of the provisions of Section 4.2 and Section 4.3), (b) no change in the class of persons eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options, and (c) no other amendment of the Plan that would require approval of the Company’s shareholders under any applicable law, regulation or rule. No termination or amendment of the Plan shall affect any then outstanding Award unless expressly provided by the Board. In any event, no termination or amendment of the Plan may materially adversely affect any then outstanding Award without the consent of the Participant, unless such termination or amendment is required to enable an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option or is necessary to comply with any applicable law, regulation or rule.

 

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13. Section 409A of the Code; Changes in Law.

 

13.1 Section 409A. The Plan and the Awards granted under the Plan are intended to be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to the maximum extent possible, whether pursuant to the short-term deferral exception described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), the exclusion applicable to stock options, stock appreciation rights and certain other equity-based compensation under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5), or otherwise. To the extent Section 409A of the Code is applicable to the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, it is intended that the Plan and any Awards granted under the Plan shall comply with the deferral, payout and other limitations and restrictions imposed under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to the contrary, the Plan and any Award granted under the Plan shall be interpreted, operated and administered in a manner consistent with such intentions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to the contrary, with respect to any payments and benefits under the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to which Section 409A of the Code applies, all references in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to the termination of the Participant’s employment or service are intended to mean the Participant’s “separation from service,” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code. In addition, if the Participant is a “specified employee,” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, then to the extent necessary to avoid subjecting the Participant to the imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, amounts that would otherwise be payable under the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan during the six-month period immediately following the Participant’s “separation from service,” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code, shall not be paid to the Participant during such period, but shall instead be accumulated and paid to the Participant (or, in the event of the Participant’s death, the Participant’s estate) in a lump sum on the first business day after the earlier of the date that is six (6) months following the Participant’s separation from service or the Participant’s death. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Board, to the extent it deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion, reserves the right, but shall not be required, to unilaterally amend or modify the Plan and any Award granted under the Plan so that the Award qualifies for exemption from or complies with Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that the Board makes no representations that Awards granted under the Plan shall be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to Awards granted under the Plan.

 

13.2 Changes in Law. Also notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Board shall have broad authority to amend the Plan or any outstanding Award without the consent of the Participant to the extent the Board deems necessary or advisable to comply with, or take into account, changes in applicable tax laws, securities laws, accounting rules or other applicable laws, rules or regulations.

 

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14. Recoupment.

 

Awards shall be subject to the requirements of (a) Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (regarding recovery of erroneously awarded compensation) and any implementing rules and regulations thereunder, (b) similar rules under the laws of any other jurisdiction, (c) any compensation recovery or clawback policies adopted by the Company to implement any such requirements and (d) any other compensation recovery and clawback policies as may be adopted from time to time by the Company, all to the extent determined by the Board in its discretion to be applicable to a Participant. No recovery of compensation under such a recovery or clawback policy shall be an event giving rise to a right to voluntarily terminate employment or service upon a “resignation for good reason” or for a “constructive termination” or a similar term under any plan or agreement with the Company or a Participating Company.

 

15. Shareholder Approval.

 

The Plan or any increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock issuable pursuant to the Maximum Option Shares as provided in Section 4.1 (the “Authorized Shares”) shall be approved by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months of the date of adoption thereof by the Board. Options granted prior to shareholder approval of the Plan or in excess of the Authorized Shares previously approved by the shareholders shall become exercisable no earlier than the date of shareholder approval of the Plan or such increase in the Authorized Shares, as the case may be.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned President of the Company certifies that the foregoing sets forth the EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan as duly adopted by the Board.

 

   _______________________________________________
  By  ____________________________________________
  Its  ____________________________________________

 

[Signature page to EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan]

 

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PLAN HISTORY

 

October 27, 2016 Board adopts Plan and Appendix A, with an initial reserve of 5,500,000 shares, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 4.
   
November 13, 2016 Shareholders approve Plan, with an initial reserve of 5,500,000 shares, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 4.
   
July 30, 2021 Board amends and restates Plan in connection with authorizing RSUs, including establishing an RSU share pool of 2,200,000 shares of Stock.

 

 
 

 

APPENDIX A FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS

TO EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2016 EQUITY

INCENTIVE PLAN

 

This Appendix to the EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) shall have application only to Optionees who are residents of the State of California. Capitalized terms contained herein shall have the same meanings given to them in the Plan, unless otherwise provided in this Appendix. Notwithstanding any provision contained in the Plan to the contrary and to the extent required by applicable law, the following terms and conditions shall apply to all Options granted to residents of the State of California, until such time as the Stock becomes a “listed security” under the Securities Act:

 

1. Options shall have a term of not more than ten years from the date the Option is granted.

 

2. Options will be nontransferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Code, the Board, in its discretion, may permit distribution of an Option to an inter vivos or testamentary trust in which the Option is to be passed to beneficiaries upon the death of the trustor (settlor), or by gift to “immediate family” as that term is defined in Rule 16a-1(e) of the Exchange Act.

 

3. Unless employment is terminated for Cause, the right to exercise an Option in the event of termination of employment, to the extent that the Optionee is otherwise entitled to exercise an Option on the date employment terminates, shall be

 

(a) at least six (6) months from the date of termination of employment if termination was caused by death or Disability; and

 

(b) at least thirty (30) days from the date of termination if termination of employment was caused by other than death or Disability;

 

(c) but in no event later than the remaining term of the Option.

 

4. No Option may be granted to a resident of California more than ten years after the earlier of the date of adoption of the Plan and the date the Plan is approved by the shareholders.

 

5. Any Option exercised before shareholder approval is obtained shall be rescinded if shareholder approval is not obtained within twelve (12) months before or after the Plan is adopted. Such shares shall not be counted in determining whether such approval is obtained.

 

6. To the extent required by applicable law, the Company shall provide annual financial statements of the Company to each California resident holding an outstanding Option under the Plan. Such financial statements need not be audited and need not be issued to key employees whose duties at the Company assure them access to equivalent information.

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.13

 

THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. NO SUCH SALE OR DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, INC.

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. has granted to the individual (the “Optionee”) named in the Notice of Grant of Stock Option (the “Notice”) to which this Stock Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) is attached an option (the “Option”) to purchase certain shares of Stock upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice and this Option Agreement. The Option has been granted pursuant to and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and conditions of the EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), as amended to the Date of Option Grant, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference. By signing the Notice, the Optionee: (a) represents that the Optionee has received copies of, and has read and is familiar with the terms and conditions of, the Notice, the Plan and this Option Agreement; (b) accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Notice, the Plan and this Option Agreement; and (c) agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions arising under the Notice, the Plan or this Option Agreement.

 

1. Definitions and Construction.

 

1.1 Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Notice or the Plan.

 

1.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Option Agreement. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

 

2. Tax Consequences.

 

2.1 Tax Status of Option. This Option is intended to have the tax status designated in the Notice.

 

(a) Incentive Stock Option. If the Notice so designates, this Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code, but the Company does not represent or warrant that this Option qualifies as such. The Optionee should consult with the Optionee’s own tax advisor regarding the tax effects of this Option and the requirements necessary to obtain favorable income tax treatment under Section 422 of the Code, including, but not limited to, holding period requirements. (NOTE TO OPTIONEE: If the Option is exercised more than three (3) months after the date on which you cease to be an Employee (other than by reason of your death or permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), the Option will be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option and not as an Incentive Stock Option to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code.)

 

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(b) Nonstatutory Stock Option. If the Notice so designates, this Option is intended to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option and shall not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.

 

2.2 ISO Fair Market Value Limitation. If the Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, then to the extent that the Option (together with all Incentive Stock Options granted to the Optionee under all stock option plans of the Participating Company Group, including the Plan) becomes exercisable for the first time during any calendar year for shares having a Fair Market Value greater than $100,000, the portion of such options which exceeds such amount will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 2.2, options designated as Incentive Stock Options are taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock is determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this Section 2.2, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If the Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section 2.2, the Optionee may designate which portion of such Option the Optionee is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Optionee shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first. Separate certificates representing each such portion shall be issued upon the exercise of the Option. (NOTE TO OPTIONEE: If the aggregate Exercise Price of the Option (that is, the Exercise Price multiplied by the Number of Option Shares) plus the aggregate exercise price of any other Incentive Stock Options you hold (whether granted pursuant to the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Participating Company Group) is greater than $100,000, you should contact the President of the Company to ascertain whether the entire Option qualifies as an Incentive Stock Option.)

 

3. Administration.

 

All questions of interpretation concerning this Option Agreement shall be determined by the Board. All determinations by the Board shall be final and binding upon all persons having an interest in the Option. Any Officer shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the Officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, or election.

 

4. Exercise of the Option.

 

4.1 Right to Exercise. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Option shall be exercisable on and after the Initial Vesting Date and prior to the termination of the Option (as provided in Section 6) in an amount not to exceed the number of Vested Shares less the number of shares previously acquired upon exercise of the Option, subject to the Company’s repurchase rights set forth in Section 11 and Section 12. In no event shall the Option be exercisable for more shares than the Number of Option Shares.

 

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4.2 Method of Exercise. Exercise of the Option shall be by written notice to the Company which must state the election to exercise the Option, the number of whole shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised and such other representations and agreements as to the Optionee’s investment intent with respect to such shares as may be required pursuant to the provisions of this Option Agreement. The written notice must be signed by the Optionee and must be delivered in person, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, by confirmed facsimile transmission, or by such other means as the Company may permit, to the President of the Company, or other authorized representative of the Participating Company Group, prior to the termination of the Option as set forth in Section 6, accompanied by (i) full payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased and (ii) an executed copy, if required herein, of the then current forms of escrow and security agreement referenced below. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice, the aggregate Exercise Price, and, if required by the Company, such executed agreements.

 

4.3 Payment of Exercise Price.

 

(a) Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised shall be made (i) in cash, by check, or cash equivalent, (ii) by means of a Cashless Exercise, as defined in Section 4.3(b), or (iii) by any combination of the foregoing.

 

(b) Limitations on Forms of Consideration.

 

(i) Cashless Exercise. A Cashless Exercise means the delivery of a properly executed notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker in a form acceptable to the Company providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of the Option pursuant to a program or procedure approved by the Company (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, to decline to approve or terminate any such program or procedure.

 

4.4 Tax Withholding. At the time the Option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, the Optionee hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to the Optionee, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for (including by means of a Cashless Exercise to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group, if any, which arise in connection with the Option, including, without limitation, obligations arising upon (i) the exercise, in whole or in part, of the Option, (ii) the transfer, in whole or in part, of any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option, (iii) the operation of any law or regulation providing for the imputation of interest, or (iv) the lapsing of any restriction with respect to any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option. The Option is not exercisable unless the tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group are satisfied. Accordingly, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock until the tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group have been satisfied by the Optionee.

 

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4.5 Certificate Registration. Except in the event the Exercise Price is paid by means of a Cashless Exercise, the certificate for the shares as to which the Option is exercised shall be registered in the name of the Optionee, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs of the Optionee.

 

4.6 Restrictions on Grant of the Option and Issuance of Shares. The grant of the Option and the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise of the Option shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state or foreign law with respect to such securities. The Option may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, the Option may not be exercised unless (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (ii) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. THE OPTIONEE IS CAUTIONED THAT THE OPTION MAY NOT BE EXERCISED UNLESS THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS ARE SATISFIED. ACCORDINGLY, THE OPTIONEE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE OPTION WHEN DESIRED EVEN THOUGH THE OPTION IS VESTED. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares subject to the Option shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the Company may require the Optionee to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.

 

4.7 Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares upon the exercise of the Option.

 

5. Nontransferability of the Option.

 

The Option may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee or the Optionee’s guardian or legal representative and may not be assigned or transferred in any manner except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Following the death of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent provided in Section 7, may be exercised by the Optionee’s legal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Optionee’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.

 

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6. Termination of the Option.

 

The Option shall terminate and may no longer be exercised after the first to occur of (a) the Option Expiration Date, (b) the last date for exercising the Option following termination of the Optionee’s Service as described in Section 7, or (c) a Change in Control to the extent provided in Section 8.

 

7. Effect of Termination of Service.

 

Except as otherwise provided herein and in the Plan, the Option shall be exercisable after the Optionee’s termination of Service only during the applicable time periods determined in accordance with Section 6.6 of the Plan and thereafter shall terminate.

 

8. Change in Control.

 

In the event of a Change in Control, and provided that the Optionee’s Service has not terminated prior to such date, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the Acquiror), may, without the consent of the Optionee, either assume the Company’s rights and obligations under the Option or substitute for the Option a substantially equivalent option for the Acquiror’s stock. The Option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the date of the Change in Control to the extent that the Option is neither assumed or substituted for by the Acquiror in connection with the Change in Control nor exercised as of the date of the Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired upon exercise of the Option prior to the Change in Control and any consideration received pursuant to the Change in Control with respect to such shares shall continue to be subject to all applicable provisions of this Option Agreement except as otherwise provided herein. Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the corporation the stock of which is subject to the Option immediately prior to an Ownership Change Event described in Section 2.1(u)(i) of the Plan constituting a Change in Control is the surviving or continuing corporation and immediately after such Ownership Change Event less than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of its voting stock is held by another corporation or by other corporations that are members of an affiliated group within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code without regard to the provisions of Section 1504(b) of the Code, the Option shall not terminate unless the Board otherwise provides in its discretion. The Board may, in its discretion, determine that upon a Change in Control the Option shall be canceled in exchange for payment with respect to each Vested Share subject to such Option immediately prior to its cancellation in (a) cash, (b) stock of the Company or the Acquiror or (c) other property which, in any such case, shall be in an amount having a Fair Market Value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be paid per share of Stock in the Change in Control over the Exercise Price per share under the Option (subject to any required tax withholding).

 

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9. Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure.

 

Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, in the event of any change in the Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of payment of a dividend or distribution to the shareholders of the Company in a form other than Stock (excepting normal cash dividends) that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number, Exercise Price and class of shares of stock subject to the Option. If a majority of the shares which are of the same class as the shares that are subject to the Option are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to an Ownership Change Event) shares of another corporation (the New Shares), the Board may unilaterally amend the Option to provide that the Option is exercisable for New Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the Number of Option Shares and the Exercise Price shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner, as determined by the Board, in its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 9 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and in no event may the Exercise Price be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to the Option. The adjustments determined by the Board pursuant to this Section 9 shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

10. Rights as a Shareholder, Employee or Consultant.

 

The Optionee shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares covered by the Option until the date of the issuance of a certificate for the shares for which the Option has been exercised (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 9. If the Optionee is an Employee, the Optionee understands and acknowledges that, except as otherwise provided in a separate, written employment agreement between a Participating Company and the Optionee, the Optionee’s employment is “at will” and is for no specified term. Nothing in this Option Agreement shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue in the Service of a Participating Company or interfere in any way with any right of the Participating Company Group to terminate the Optionee’s Service as an Employee or Consultant, as the case may be, at any time.

 

11. Right of First Refusal.

 

11.1 Grant of Right of First Refusal. Except as provided in Section 11.7 below, in the event the Optionee, the Optionee’s legal representative, or other holder of shares acquired upon exercise of the Option proposes to sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option (the Transfer Shares) to any person or entity, including, without limitation, any shareholder of a Participating Company, the Company shall have the right to repurchase the Transfer Shares under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 11 (the Right of First Refusal).

 

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11.2 Notice of Proposed Transfer. Prior to any proposed transfer of the Transfer Shares, the Optionee shall deliver written notice (the Transfer Notice) to the Company describing fully the proposed transfer, including the number of Transfer Shares, the name and address of the proposed transferee (the Proposed Transferee) and, if the transfer is voluntary, the proposed transfer price, and containing such information necessary to show the bona fide nature of the proposed transfer. In the event of a bona fide gift or involuntary transfer, the proposed transfer price shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of the Transfer Shares, as determined by the Board in good faith. If the Optionee proposes to transfer any Transfer Shares to more than one Proposed Transferee, the Optionee shall provide a separate Transfer Notice for the proposed transfer to each Proposed Transferee. The Transfer Notice shall be signed by both the Optionee and the Proposed Transferee and must constitute a binding commitment of the Optionee and the Proposed Transferee for the transfer of the Transfer Shares to the Proposed Transferee subject only to the Right of First Refusal.

 

11.3 Bona Fide Transfer. If the Company determines that the information provided by the Optionee in the Transfer Notice is insufficient to establish the bona fide nature of a proposed voluntary transfer, the Company shall give the Optionee written notice of the Optionee’s failure to comply with the procedure described in this Section 11, and the Optionee shall have no right to transfer the Transfer Shares without first complying with the procedure described in this Section 11. The Optionee shall not be permitted to transfer the Transfer Shares if the proposed transfer is not bona fide.

 

11.4 Exercise of Right of First Refusal. If the Company determines the proposed transfer to be bona fide, the Company shall have the right to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Transfer Shares (except as the Company and the Optionee otherwise agree) at the purchase price and on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice by delivery to the Optionee of a notice of exercise of the Right of First Refusal within thirty (30) days after the date the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company. The Company’s exercise or failure to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer described in a Transfer Notice shall not affect the Company’s right to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer described in any other Transfer Notice, whether or not such other Transfer Notice is issued by the Optionee or issued by a person other than the Optionee with respect to a proposed transfer to the same Proposed Transferee. If the Company exercises the Right of First Refusal, the Company and the Optionee shall thereupon consummate the sale of the Transfer Shares to the Company on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice within sixty (60) days after the date the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company (unless a longer period is offered by the Proposed Transferee); provided, however, that in the event the Transfer Notice provides for the payment for the Transfer Shares other than in cash, the Company shall have the option of paying for the Transfer Shares by the present value cash equivalent of the consideration described in the Transfer Notice as reasonably determined by the Company. For purposes of the foregoing, cancellation of any indebtedness of the Optionee to any Participating Company shall be treated as payment to the Optionee in cash to the extent of the unpaid principal and any accrued interest canceled.

 

11.5 Failure to Exercise Right of First Refusal. If the Company fails to exercise the Right of First Refusal in full (or to such lesser extent as the Company and the Optionee otherwise agree) within the period specified in Section 11.4 above, the Optionee may conclude a transfer to the Proposed Transferee of the Transfer Shares on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice, provided such transfer occurs not later than ninety (90) days following delivery to the Company of the Transfer Notice. The Company shall have the right to demand further assurances from the Optionee and the Proposed Transferee (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that the transfer of the Transfer Shares was actually carried out on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice. No Transfer Shares shall be transferred on the books of the Company until the Company has received such assurances, if so demanded, and has approved the proposed transfer as bona fide. Any proposed transfer on terms and conditions different from those described in the Transfer Notice, as well as any subsequent proposed transfer by the Optionee, shall again be subject to the Right of First Refusal and shall require compliance by the Optionee with the procedure described in this Section 11.

 

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11.6 Transferees of Transfer Shares. All transferees of the Transfer Shares or any interest therein, other than the Company, shall be required as a condition of such transfer to agree in writing (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that such transferee shall receive and hold such Transfer Shares or interest therein subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, including this Section 11 providing for the Right of First Refusal with respect to any subsequent transfer. Any sale or transfer of any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be void unless the provisions of this Section 11 are met.

 

11.7 Transfers Not Subject to Right of First Refusal. The Right of First Refusal shall not apply to any transfer or exchange of the shares acquired upon exercise of the Option if such transfer or exchange is in connection with an Ownership Change Event. If the consideration received pursuant to such transfer or exchange consists of stock of a Participating Company, such consideration shall remain subject to the Right of First Refusal unless the provisions of Section 11.9 below result in a termination of the Right of First Refusal.

 

11.8 Assignment of Right of First Refusal. The Company shall have the right to assign the Right of First Refusal at any time, whether or not there has been an attempted transfer, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company.

 

11.9 Early Termination of Right of First Refusal. The other provisions of this Option Agreement notwithstanding, the Right of First Refusal shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon (a) the occurrence of a Change in Control, unless the Acquiror assumes the Company’s rights and obligations under the Option or substitutes a substantially equivalent option for the Acquiror’s stock for the Option, or (b) the existence of a public market for the class of shares subject to the Right of First Refusal. A public market shall be deemed to exist if (i) such stock is listed on a national securities exchange (as that term is used in the Exchange Act) or (ii) such stock is traded on the over-the-counter market and prices therefor are published daily on business days in a recognized financial journal.

 

12. Vested Share Repurchase Option.

 

12.1 Grant of Vested Share Repurchase Option. Except as provided in Section 12.4 below, in the event of the occurrence of any Repurchase Event, as defined below, the Company shall have the right to repurchase the shares acquired by the Optionee pursuant to the Option (the Repurchase Shares) under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 12 (the Vested Share Repurchase Option). Each of the following events shall constitute a Repurchase Event:

 

(a) Termination of the Optionee’s Service with the Participating Company Group for any reason or no reason, with or without Cause, including death or Disability. The Repurchase Period, as defined below, shall commence on the date of termination of the Optionee’s Service.

 

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(b) For the Optionee directly or indirectly to own, manage, operate, join, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or render services as an employee, consultant or independent contractor to, any business whether in corporate, proprietorship or partnership form or otherwise with respect to any product or service that is the same as or competitive with the Company’s business. The Repurchase Period, as defined below, shall commence on the date the Company receives actual notice of such activities by Optionee.

 

(c) The Optionee, the Optionee’s legal representative, or other holder of shares acquired upon exercise of the Option attempts to sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of any Repurchase Shares without complying with the provisions of Section 11. The Repurchase Period, as defined below, shall commence on the date the Company receives actual notice of such attempted sale, exchange, transfer, pledge or other disposition.

 

(d) The receivership, bankruptcy or other creditor’s proceeding regarding the Optionee or the taking of any of the Optionee’s shares of Stock by legal process, such as a levy of execution. The Repurchase Period, as defined below, shall commence on the date the Company receives actual notice of the commencement of pendency of the receivership, bankruptcy or other creditor’s proceeding or the date of such taking, as the case may be. The Fair Market Value of the Repurchase Shares shall be determined as of the last day of the month preceding the month in which the proceeding involved commenced or the taking occurred.

 

12.2 Exercise of Vested Share Repurchase Option. The Company may exercise the Vested Share Repurchase Option by written notice to the Optionee, the Optionee’s legal representative, or other holder of the Repurchase Shares, as the case may be, at any time after a Repurchase Event (the “Repurchase Period”). The Vested Share Repurchase Option may be exercised for some or all of the Repurchase Shares, in the discretion of the Company.

 

12.3 Payment for Repurchase Shares. The repurchase price per share being repurchased by the Company pursuant to the Vested Share Repurchase Option shall be an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares determined as of the date of the Repurchase Event. Payment by the Company to the Optionee shall be made in cash on or before the last day of the Repurchase Period. For purposes of the foregoing, cancellation of any indebtedness of the Optionee to the Company shall be treated as payment to the Optionee in cash to the extent of the unpaid principal and any accrued interest canceled.

 

12.4 Transfers Not Subject to Vested Share Repurchase Option. The Vested Share Repurchase Option shall not apply to any transfer or exchange of shares acquired upon exercise of the Option if such transfer or exchange is in connection with an Ownership Change Event. If the consideration received pursuant to such transfer or exchange consists of stock of a Participating Company, such consideration will remain subject to the Vested Share Repurchase Option unless the provisions of Section 12.6 below result in a termination of the Vested Share Repurchase Option.

 

12.5 Assignment of Vested Share Repurchase Option. The Company shall have the right to assign the Vested Share Repurchase Option at any time, whether or not such option is then exercisable, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company.

 

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12.6 Early Termination of Vested Share Repurchase Option. The other provisions of this Option Agreement notwithstanding, the Vested Share Repurchase Option shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon (a) the occurrence of a Change in Control, unless the Acquiror assumes the Company’s rights and obligations under the Option or substitutes a substantially equivalent option for the Acquiror’s stock for the Option, or (b) the existence of a public market, as defined in Section 11.9, for the class of shares subject to the Vested Share Repurchase Option.

 

13. Escrow.

 

13.1 Establishment of Escrow. To ensure that shares subject to the Right of First Refusal or the Vested Share Repurchase Option will be available for repurchase, the Company may require the Optionee to deposit the certificate evidencing the shares which the Optionee purchases upon exercise of the Option with an escrow agent designated by the Company under the terms and conditions of escrow and security agreements approved by the Company. If the Company does not require such deposit as a condition of exercise of the Option, the Company reserves the right at any time to require the Optionee to so deposit the certificate in escrow. Upon the occurrence of an Ownership Change Event or a change, as described in Section 9, in the character or amount of any of the outstanding stock of the corporation the stock of which is subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement, any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property to which the Optionee is entitled by reason of the Optionee’s ownership of shares of Stock acquired upon exercise of the Option that remain, following such Ownership Change Event or change described in Section 9, subject to the Right of First Refusal, the Vested Share Repurchase Option, or any security interest held by the Company shall be immediately subject to the escrow to the same extent as such shares of Stock immediately before such event. The Company shall bear the expenses of the escrow.

 

13.2 Delivery of Shares to Optionee. As soon as practicable after the expiration of the Right of First Refusal, the Vested Share Repurchase Option and after full repayment of any promissory note secured by the shares in escrow, but not more frequently than twice each calendar year, the escrow agent shall deliver to the Optionee the shares no longer subject to such restrictions and no longer securing any promissory note.

 

13.3 Notices and Payments. In the event the shares held in escrow are subject to the Company’s exercise of the Right of First Refusal or the Vested Share Repurchase Option, the notices required to be given to the Optionee shall be given to the escrow agent, and any payment required to be given to the Optionee shall be given to the escrow agent. Within thirty (30) days after payment by the Company, the escrow agent shall deliver the shares which the Company has purchased to the Company and shall deliver the payment received from the Company to the Optionee.

 

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14. Stock Distributions Subject to Option Agreement.

 

If, from time to time, there is any stock dividend, stock split or other change, as described in Section 9, in the character or amount of any of the outstanding stock of the corporation the stock of which is subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement, then in such event any and all new, substituted or additional securities to which the Optionee is entitled by reason of the Optionee’s ownership of the shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be immediately subject to the Right of First Refusal, the Vested Share Repurchase Option, and any security interest held by the Company with the same force and effect as the shares subject to the Right of First Refusal, the Vested Share Repurchase Option and such security interest immediately before such event.

 

15. Notice of Sales Upon Disqualifying Disposition.

 

The Optionee shall dispose of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option only in accordance with the provisions of this Option Agreement. In addition, if the Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, the Optionee shall (a) promptly notify the President of the Company if the Optionee disposes of any of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option within one (1) year after the date the Optionee exercises all or part of the Option or within two (2) years after the Date of Option Grant and (b) provide the Company with a description of the circumstances of such disposition. Until such time as the Optionee disposes of such shares in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Option Agreement, unless otherwise expressly authorized by the Company, the Optionee shall hold all shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the Optionee’s name (and not in the name of any nominee) for the one-year period immediately after the exercise of the Option and the two-year period immediately after Date of Option Grant. At any time during the one-year or two-year periods set forth above, the Company may place a legend on any certificate representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option requesting the transfer agent for the Company’s stock to notify the Company of any such transfers. The obligation of the Optionee to notify the Company of any such transfer shall continue notwithstanding that a legend has been placed on the certificate pursuant to the preceding sentence.

 

16. Legends.

 

The Company may at any time place legends referencing the Right of First Refusal, the Vested Share Repurchase Option, and any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates representing shares of stock subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement. The Optionee shall, at the request of the Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the possession of the Optionee in order to carry out the provisions of this Section. Unless otherwise specified by the Company, legends placed on such certificates may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

 

16.1 “THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, THE SALE IS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 OR RULE 701 UNDER THE ACT, OR THE CORPORATION RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION, STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT.”

 

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16.2 “THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION OR ITS ASSIGNEE SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, OR SUCH HOLDER’S PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THIS CORPORATION.”

 

16.3 “THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A VESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION OR ITS ASSIGNEE SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, OR SUCH HOLDER’S PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THIS CORPORATION.”

 

16.4 “THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED BY THE CORPORATION TO THE REGISTERED HOLDER UPON EXERCISE OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 422 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (“ISO). IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE PREFERENTIAL TAX TREATMENT AFFORDED TO ISOs, THE SHARES SHOULD NOT BE TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO [INSERT DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION DATE HERE]. SHOULD THE REGISTERED HOLDER ELECT TO TRANSFER ANY OF THE SHARES PRIOR TO THIS DATE AND FOREGO ISO TAX TREATMENT, THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE SHARES SHALL NOTIFY THE CORPORATION IMMEDIATELY. THE REGISTERED HOLDER SHALL HOLD ALL SHARES PURCHASED UNDER THE INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION IN THE REGISTERED HOLDER’S NAME (AND NOT IN THE NAME OF ANY NOMINEE) PRIOR TO THIS DATE OR UNTIL TRANSFERRED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.”

 

17. Lock-Up Agreement.

 

The Optionee hereby agrees that in the event of any underwritten public offering of stock, including an initial public offering of stock, made by the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, the Optionee shall not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, hypothecate, grant any option to purchase or make any short sale of, or otherwise dispose of any shares of stock of the Company or any rights to acquire stock of the Company for such period of time from and after the effective date of such registration statement as may be established by the underwriter for such public offering; provided, however, that such period of time shall not exceed one hundred eighty (180) days plus such additional reasonable period as the underwriters of the Company may request in order to facilitate compliance with applicable regulations from the effective date of such registration as may be requested by the Company or such managing underwriters. The foregoing limitation shall not apply to shares registered in the public offering under the Securities Act.

 

18. Restrictions on Transfer of Shares.

 

No shares acquired upon exercise of the Option may be sold, exchanged, transferred (including, without limitation, any transfer to a nominee or agent of the Optionee), assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, including by operation of law, in any manner which violates any of the provisions of this Option Agreement and any such attempted disposition shall be void. The Company shall not be required (a) to transfer on its books any shares which will have been transferred in violation of any of the provisions set forth in this Option Agreement or (b) to treat as owner of such shares or to accord the right to vote as such owner or to pay dividends to any transferee to whom such shares will have been so transferred.

 

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19. Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

19.1 Binding Effect. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, this Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

19.2 Additional Agreements. As a condition to receiving the Options or exercising the Options, the Optionee understands that he or she may be required to execute additional agreements, such as a shareholder agreement, rights of first refusal and co-sale agreement, voting agreement and/or otherwise, in the form provided by the Company, which may subject the shares acquired upon exercise of the Option to additional restrictions with regards to transfer, voting or otherwise. Any benefits hereunder are conditioned on the Optionee executing any such additional agreements as may be required by the Company.

 

19.3 Termination or Amendment. The Board may terminate or amend the Plan or the Option at any time; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 8 in connection with a Change in Control, no such termination or amendment may adversely affect the Option or any unexercised portion hereof without the consent of the Optionee unless such termination or amendment is necessary to comply with any applicable law or government regulation or is required to enable the Option, if designated an Incentive Stock Option in the Notice, to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. No amendment or addition to this Option Agreement shall be effective unless in writing.

 

19.4 Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (except to the extent that this Option Agreement provides for effectiveness only upon actual receipt of such notice) upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at the address shown below that party’s signature or at such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.

 

19.5 Integrated Agreement. The Notice, this Option Agreement and the Plan together with any employment, service or other related agreement with the Optionee and a Participating Company referring to the Option shall constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the Optionee and the Participating Company Group with respect to the subject matter contained herein or therein and supersedes any prior agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations, or warranties among the Optionee and the Participating Company Group with respect to such subject matter other than those as set forth or provided for herein or therein. To the extent contemplated herein or therein, the provisions of the Notice and the Option Agreement shall survive any exercise of the Option and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

19.6 Applicable Law. This Option Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware as such laws are applied to agreements between Delaware residents entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of Delaware.

 

19.7 Counterparts. The Notice may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

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Incentive Stock Option   Optionee: _____________________
Nonstatutory Stock Option    
      Date:__________________

 

STOCK OPTION EXERCISE NOTICE

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

Attention: President

___________________________

___________________________

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

1. Option. I was granted an option (the “Option”) to purchase shares of the common stock (the “Shares”) of Nativis, Inc. (the “Company”) pursuant to the Company’s Amended and restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), my Notice of Grant of Stock Option (the “Notice”) and my Stock Option Agreement (the Option Agreement”) as follows:

 

Grant Number:  ______________________
   
Date of Option Grant:  ______________________
   
Number of Option Shares:  ______________________
   
Exercise Price per Share: $ _____________________

 

2. Exercise of Option. I hereby elect to exercise the Option to purchase the following number of Shares, all of which are Vested Shares in accordance with the Notice and the Option Agreement:

 

Total Shares Purchased: ________________________
   
Total Exercise Price (Total Shares X Price per Share) $ _______________________

 

3. Payments. I enclose payment in full of the total exercise price for the Shares in the following form(s), as authorized by my Option Agreement:

 

☐ Cash: $ ______________________
   
Check: $ ______________________

 

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4. Tax Withholding. I authorize payroll withholding and otherwise will make adequate provision for the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company, if any, in connection with the Option. If I am exercising a Nonstatutory Stock Option, I enclose payment in full of my withholding taxes, if any, as follows:

 

(Contact Plan Administrator for amount of tax due.)

 

Cash: $ ____________________
   
Check: $ ____________________

 

5. Optionee Information.

 

My address is: _____________________________________________________________

 

______________________________________________________________ 

 

My Social Security Number is: __________________________________________________

 

I am exercising the Option in connection with the termination of my Service with the Company:

 

☐ Yes. If so, my estimated last day of Service is _____________, 20__.

 

☐ No

 

6. Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. If the Option is an Incentive Stock Option, I agree that I will promptly notify the President of the Company if I transfer any of the Shares within one (1) year from the date I exercise all or part of the Option or within two (2) years of the Date of Option Grant.

 

7. Binding Effect. I agree that the Shares are being acquired in accordance with and subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Option Agreement, including the Right of First Refusal and the Vested Share Repurchase Option set forth therein, to all of which I hereby expressly assent. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

8. Transfer. I understand and acknowledge that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and that consequently the Shares must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act, an exemption from such registration is available, or they are sold in accordance with Rule 144 or Rule 701 under the Securities Act. I further understand and acknowledge that the Company is under no obligation to register the Shares. I understand that the certificate or certificates evidencing the Shares will be imprinted with legends which prohibit the transfer of the Shares unless they are registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of legal counsel satisfactory to the Company.

 

I am aware that Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which permits limited public resale of securities acquired in a nonpublic offering, is not currently available with respect to the Shares and, in any event, is available only if certain conditions are satisfied. I understand that any sale of the Shares that might be made in reliance upon Rule 144 may only be made in limited amounts in accordance with the terms and conditions of such rule and that a copy of Rule 144 will be delivered to me upon request.

 

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9. Shares Bound by Additional Agreements. I understand and acknowledge that, as a condition to my receipt of the Shares, I may be required to execute additional agreements, such as a shareholder agreement, rights of first refusal and co-sale agreement, voting agreement and/or otherwise, which may subject the Shares to additional restrictions with regards to transfer, voting or otherwise.

 

I understand that I am purchasing the Shares pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Notice and my Option Agreement, copies of which I have received and carefully read and understand.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  ____________________________________
  (Signature)

 

Receipt of the above is hereby acknowledged.  
   
EMulate Therapeutics, INC.  
     
By:  ____________________________________  
     
Title:  ____________________________________  
     
Dated:  ____________________________________  

 

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Exhibit 10.14

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$300,000   March 14, 2022
    Bellevue, Washington

 

For value received, EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation (the “Debtor”) promises to pay to Nancy S. Nordhoff (the “Holder”), the principal sum of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00), together with interest accrued thereon. This promissory note (the “Note”) is subject to the following terms and conditions.

 

1. Calculation and Payment of Principal and Interest

 

  1.1 Calculation and Payment of Interest

 

Interest on the unpaid principal balance of this Note shall begin to accrue commencing on March 14, 2022, and shall be due and payable on the date on which the Principal under this Note is paid in full. Interest shall accrue at a rate equal to ten percent (10%) per annum, calculated based on a 365-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

  1.2 Payment of Principal

 

Principal under this Note shall be due and payable upon demand by the Holder; provided, however, that the Holder shall not demand payment of all or any portion of such principal at any time before the later to occur of (a) July 15, 2022, or (b) the date by which the Debtor completes a transaction for the purchase of its equity or debt securities for cash with the principal purpose of raising capital in an amount not less than $2,500,000.

 

  1.3 Prepayment

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note to the contrary, the Debtor may, without premium or penalty, prepay all or any portion of the amount due under this Note at any time.

 

2. Form and Place of Payment

 

All payments shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America by check or wire transfer at such place and to such account, if applicable, as the Holder hereof may from time to time designate in writing to the Debtor.

 

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3. Default

 

The Debtor shall be in default of this Note if the Debtor fails to make any payment required under this Note when due for five (5) business days after the Holder gives the Debtor, pursuant to the terms of this Note, written notice demanding such payment (the “Default”). Upon the occurrence of a Default, the Holder may declare the entire unpaid principal amount, together with any interest accrued thereon, immediately due and payable in full. The Holder may exercise, in such order she chooses, any and all available remedies respecting such Default, whether arising under this Note or otherwise arising at law or in equity, without waiver of any other right or remedy.

 

Except if and to the extent prohibited by the federal bankruptcy code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) or other applicable law, in the event that a trustee or receiver should be appointed for the property of the Debtor or if the Debtor (i) voluntarily files a petition under the federal Bankruptcy Code, as amended from time to time, or under any similar or successor federal statute relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, arrangements or reorganizations, or under any state bankruptcy or insolvency act, (ii) files an answer in an involuntary proceeding admitting the Debtor’s insolvency or inability to pay debts, (iii) is adjudged bankrupt, or (iv) makes an assignment for the benefit of the Debtor’s creditors, or if there is an attachment, receivership, execution or other judicial seizure, the Holder may, at the Holder’s option and without limitation of any other rights which the Holder may have under this Note or at law or in equity, declare all of the sums secured by this Note, together with any interest accrued thereon, to be immediately due and payable without prior notice to the Debtor, and the Holder may invoke any remedies permitted by this Note or available at law or in equity.

 

4. Miscellaneous

 

  4.1 Remedies

 

Debtor hereby waives notice, presentment, protest and notice of dishonor.

 

  4.2 Assignment; Successors and Assigns

 

This Note may not be assigned, negotiated or otherwise transferred by the Holder (whether voluntarily, by operation of law, or otherwise), in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the Debtor. Subject to the foregoing, the terms and conditions of this Note shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties.

 

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  4.3 Severability

 

If one or more provisions of this Note are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be excluded from this Note, and the balance of this Note shall be interpreted as if such provision was so excluded and shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

  4.4 Governing Law

 

This Note shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the state of Washington as applied to agreements between Washington residents, entered into and to be performed entirely within the state of Washington, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws. The parties irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in King County, Washington, in connection with any action relating to this Note.

 

  4.5 Amendments

 

Any term of this Note may be amended only with the written consent of the Debtor and the Holder. No waiver or modification of this Note shall be effective unless it is express, in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement of the waiver or modification is sought. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 4.5 shall be binding upon the Debtor, the Holder and each transferee of the Note. The failure of the Holder to exercise any of her rights and remedies hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of the right to exercise the same at any subsequent time in respect of the same event or any other event. The acceptance by Holder of any payment hereunder which is less than payment in full of all amounts due and payable at the time of such payment shall not constitute a waiver of the right to exercise any of her rights and remedies hereunder at that time or at any subsequent time or nullify any prior exercise of any such rights and remedies without the express written consent of the Holder.

 

4.6.Notices

 

Any notice required or permitted by this Note shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) upon confirmation of receipt by fax by the party to be notified, (c) one business day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier, prepaid for overnight delivery and addressed as set forth in (d) or (d) three days after deposit with the United States Post Office, postage prepaid, registered or certified with return receipt requested and addressed to the party to be notified at the address indicated below, or at such other address as such party may designate by 10 days’ advance written notice to the other party given in the foregoing manner.

 

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  Address of Debtor: EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
13810 SE Eastgate Way
Suite 560
Bellevue, WA 98005

 

  Address of Holder: Nancy S. Nordhoff
P.O. Box 306
Langley, WA 98260

 

  4.7 Attorneys’ Fees

 

If action is instituted to collect on this Note, the Debtor promises to pay all costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees, incurred in connection with such action.

 

  4.8 Oral Agreements or Commitments

 

ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.

 

  DEBTOR:
     
  EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
     
   

 

  By:
  Name: Chris E. Rivera
  Title: President and CEO

 

HOLDER:  
   
Nancy S. Nordhoff  
   
   
Nancy S. Nordhoff  

 

PROMISSORY NOTE/EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC./NANCY S. NORDHOFF/March 14, 2022

 

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Exhibit 10.15

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$150,000 July 6, 2021
  Seattle, Washington

 

For value received, EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation (the “Debtor”) promises to pay to John E. Kingma and Tamera J. Kingma (the “Holder”), the principal sum of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00), together with interest accrued thereon. This promissory note (the “Note”) is subject to the following terms and conditions.

 

1. Calculation and Payment of Principal and Interest

 

  1.1 Calculation and Payment of Interest

 

Interest on the unpaid principal balance of this Note shall begin to accrue commencing on July 6, 2021, and shall be due and payable at maturity. Interest shall accrue at a rate equal to ten percent (10%) per annum, calculated based on a 365-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

  1.2 Payment of Principal

 

Principal under this Note shall be due and payable upon demand by the Holder; provided, however, that the Holder shall not demand payment of all or any portion of such principal at any time before September 30, 2021. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note to the contrary, the Debtor may, without premium or penalty, prepay all or any portion of the amount due under this Note at any time.

 

2. Form and Place of Payment

 

All payments shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America by check or wire transfer at such place and to such account, if applicable, as the Holder hereof may from time to time designate in writing to the Debtor.

 

3. Default

 

The Debtor shall be in default of this Note if the Debtor fails to make any payment required under this Note when due for five (5) business days after the Holder gives the Debtor, pursuant to the terms of this Note, written notice demanding such payment (the “Default”). Upon the occurrence of a Default, the Holder may declare the entire unpaid principal amount, together with any interest accrued thereon, immediately due and payable in full. The Holder may exercise, in such order as they choose, any and all available remedies respecting such Default, whether arising under this Note or otherwise arising at law or in equity, without waiver of any other right or remedy.

 

 
 

 

Except if and to the extent prohibited by the federal bankruptcy code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) or other applicable law, in the event that a trustee or receiver should be appointed for the property of the Debtor or if the Debtor (i) voluntarily files a petition under the federal Bankruptcy Code, as amended from time to time, or under any similar or successor federal statute relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, arrangements or reorganizations, or under any state bankruptcy or insolvency act, (ii) files an answer in an involuntary proceeding admitting the Debtor’s insolvency or inability to pay debts, (iii) is adjudged bankrupt, or (iv) makes an assignment for the benefit of the Debtor’s creditors, or if there is an attachment, receivership, execution or other judicial seizure, the Holder may, at the Holder’s option and without limitation of any other rights which the Holder may have under this Note or at law or in equity, declare all of the sums secured by this Note, together with any interest accrued thereon, to be immediately due and payable without prior notice to the Debtor, and the Holder may invoke any remedies permitted by this Note or available at law or in equity.

 

4. Miscellaneous

 

  4.1 Remedies

 

Debtor hereby waives notice, presentment, protest and notice of dishonor.

 

  4.2 Assignment; Successors and Assigns

 

This Note may not be assigned, negotiated or otherwise transferred by the Holder (whether voluntarily, by operation of law, or otherwise), in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Debtor. Subject to the foregoing, the terms and conditions of this Note shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties.

 

  4.3 Severability

 

If one or more provisions of this Note are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be excluded from this Note, and the balance of this Note shall be interpreted as if such provision was so excluded and shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

 
 

 

  4.4 Governing Law

 

This Note shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Washington as applied to agreements between Washington residents, entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of Washington, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws. The parties irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in King County, Washington, in connection with any action relating to this Note.

 

  4.5 Amendments

 

Any term of this Note may be amended only with the written consent of the Debtor and the Holder. No waiver or modification of this Note shall be effective unless it is express, in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement of the waiver or modification is sought. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 4.5 shall be binding upon the Debtor, the Holder and each transferee of the Note. The failure of the Holder to exercise any of its rights and remedies hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of the right to exercise the same at any subsequent time in respect of the same event or any other event. The acceptance by Holder of any payment hereunder which is less than payment in full of all amounts due and payable at the time of such payment shall not constitute a waiver of the right to exercise any of its rights and remedies hereunder at that time or at any subsequent time or nullify any prior exercise of any such rights and remedies without the express written consent of the Holder.

 

  4.6. Notices

 

Any notice required or permitted by this Note shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) upon confirmation of receipt by fax by the party to be notified, (c) one business day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier, prepaid for overnight delivery and addressed as set forth in (d) or (d) three days after deposit with the United States Post Office, postage prepaid, registered or certified with return receipt requested and addressed to the party to be notified at the address indicated below, or at such other address as such party may designate by 10 days’ advance written notice to the other party given in the foregoing manner.

 

  Address of Debtor: EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.   
    425 Pontius Avenue North
  Suite 200
    Seattle, WA 98109

 

 
 

 

  Address of Holder:           John E. Kingma and Tamera J. Kingma
    1566 Scenic Heights Road
  Oak Harbor, WA 98277

 

  4.7 Attorneys’ Fees

 

If action is instituted to collect on this Note, the Debtor promises to pay all costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees, incurred in connection with such action.

 

  4.8 Oral Agreements or Commitments

 

ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

 
 

 

  DEBTOR:
     
  EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
     
     
  By:  
  Name: Chris E. Rivera
  Title: President and CEO

 

HOLDER:  
   
   
John E. Kingma  
   
   
Tamera J. Kingma  

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.16

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$ 35,000 July 15, 2021
  Seattle, Washington

 

For value received, EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation (the “Debtor”) promises to pay to John E. Kingma and Tamera J. Kingma (together, the “Holder”), the principal sum of Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars ($35,000.00), together with interest accrued thereon. This promissory note (the “Note”) is subject to the following terms and conditions.

 

1.Calculation and Payment of Principal and Interest

 

1.1       Calculation of Interest

 

Interest on the unpaid principal balance of this Note shall begin to accrue commencing on July 15, 2021, at a rate equal to ten percent (10%) per annum, calculated based on a 365-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

1.2       Payment of Principal and Interest

 

Principal under this Note, together with any interest accrued thereon, shall be due and payable upon demand by the Holder; provided however, that the Holder shall not demand payment of all or any portion of such principal or interest at any time before September 30, 2021.

 

1.3       Prepayment

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note to the contrary, the Debtor may, without premium or penalty, prepay all or any portion of the amounts due under this Note at any time.

 

2.Form and Place of Payment

 

All payments shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America by check or wire transfer at such place and to such account, if applicable, as the Holder hereof may from time to time designate in writing to the Debtor.

 

3.Default

 

The Debtor shall be in default of this Note if the Debtor fails to make any payment required under this Note when due for five (5) business days after the Holder gives the Debtor, pursuant to the terms of this Note, written notice demanding such payment (the “Default”). Upon the occurrence of a Default, the Holder may declare the entire unpaid principal amount, together with any interest accrued thereon, immediately due and payable in full. The Holder may exercise, in such order it chooses, any and all available remedies respecting such Default, whether arising under this Note or otherwise arising at law or in equity, without waiver of any other right or remedy.

 

 

 

 

Except if and to the extent prohibited by the federal bankruptcy code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) or other applicable law, in the event that a trustee or receiver should be appointed for the property of the Debtor or if the Debtor (i) voluntarily files a petition under the federal Bankruptcy Code, as amended from time to time, or under any similar or successor federal statute relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, arrangements or reorganizations, or under any state bankruptcy or insolvency act, (ii) files an answer in an involuntary proceeding admitting the Debtor’s insolvency or inability to pay debts, (iii) is adjudged bankrupt, or (iv) makes an assignment for the benefit of the Debtor’s creditors, or if there is an attachment, receivership, execution or other judicial seizure, the Holder may, at the Holder’s option and without limitation of any other rights which the Holder may have under this Note or at law or in equity, declare all of the sums secured by this Note, together with any interest accrued thereon, to be immediately due and payable without prior notice to the Debtor, and the Holder may invoke any remedies permitted by this Note or available at law or in equity.

 

4.Miscellaneous

 

4.1 Remedies

 

Debtor hereby waives notice, presentment, protest and notice of dishonor.

 

4.2 Assignment; Successors and Assigns

 

This Note may not be assigned, negotiated or otherwise transferred by the Holder (whether voluntarily, by operation of law, or otherwise), in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the Debtor. Subject to the foregoing, the terms and conditions of this Note shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective heirs, successors and assigns of the parties.

 

4.3 Severability

 

If one or more provisions of this Note are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be excluded from this Note, and the balance of this Note shall be interpreted as if such provision was so excluded and shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

4.4 Governing Law

 

This Note shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the state of Washington as applied to agreements between Washington residents, entered into and to be performed entirely within the state of Washington, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws. The parties irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in King County, Washington, in connection with any action relating to this Note.

 

 

 

 

4.5 Amendments

 

Any term of this Note may be amended only with the written consent of the Debtor and the Holder. No waiver or modification of this Note shall be effective unless it is express, in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement of the waiver or modification is sought. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 4.5 shall be binding upon the Debtor, the Holder and each transferee of this Note. The failure of the Holder to exercise any of its rights and remedies hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of the right to exercise the same at any subsequent time in respect of the same event or any other event. The acceptance by the Holder of any payment hereunder which is less than payment in full of all amounts due and payable at the time of such payment shall not constitute a waiver of the right to exercise any of its rights and remedies hereunder at that time or at any subsequent time or nullify any prior exercise of any such rights and remedies without the express written consent of the Holder.

 

4.6. Notices

 

Any notice required or permitted by this Note shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) upon confirmation of receipt by fax by the party to be notified, (c) one business day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier, prepaid for overnight delivery and addressed as set forth in (d) or (d) three days after deposit with the United States Post Office, postage prepaid, registered or certified with return receipt requested and addressed to the party to be notified at the address indicated below, or at such other address as such party may designate by 10 days’ advance written notice to the other party given in the foregoing manner.

 

  Address of Debtor: EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
    425 Pontius Avenue North
    Suite 200
    Seattle, WA 98109
     
  Address of Holder: John E. Kingma
    Tamera J. Kingma
    1566 Scenic Heights Road
    Oak Harbor, WA 98277

 

4.7 Attorneys’ Fees

 

If action is instituted to collect on this Note, the Debtor promises to pay all costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with such action.

 

 

 

 

4.8 Oral Agreements or Commitments

 

Oral agreements or oral commitments to loan money, extend credit or to forbear from enforcing repayment of a debt are not enforceable under Washington law.

 

  DEBTOR:
   
  EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
   
  By:  
  Name: Chris E. Rivera
  Title: President and CEO

 

HOLDER:  
   
John E. Kingma  
 
(signature)  
   
Tamera J. Kingma  
   

(signature)

 

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.17

 

NEITHER THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE NOR ANY SECURITIES THAT MAY BE ISSUED UPON CONVERSION HEREOF HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY SIMILAR STATE LAW. NO OFFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT OR LAW, UNLESS SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED THEREBY. AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY MAY BE REQUIRED TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE OR ANY SECURITIES THAT MAY BE ISSUED UPON CONVERSION HEREOF.

 

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$141,921 February 5, 2021

Seattle, Washington

 

For value received EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation formerly known as Nativis, Inc. (the “Company”), promises to pay to John E. Kingma and Tamara J. Kingma or their permitted assigns (the “Holder”) the principal sum of $141,921.00 (“Principal Amount”), with simple interest on the outstanding Principal Amount at the rate of 10.0% per annum. Such interest shall commence with the date hereof and shall continue on the outstanding principal until paid in full or converted. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days for the actual number of days elapsed.

 

1. Prior Note. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Note cancels and supersedes in its entirety that certain Promissory Note dated December 14, 2018, made by the Company in favor of John E. Kingma and Tamara J. Kingma in the amount of $155,000 (“Prior Note”), that the Prior Note shall have no force or effect from and after the date of this Note, and the Company shall have no obligation or liability to Holder whatsoever under the Prior Note.

 

2. Additional Payment Obligation. The parties agree, as further consideration for the parties’ mutual agreements under this Note, that the Company is indebted, and shall be obligated to pay, to Holder an additional amount equal to $21,006.60 (“Additional Amount”). The Additional Amount shall not be deemed to be either principal or interest under this Note; provided, however, that for purposes of any conversion election by Holder pursuant to Section 5 below or any demand by Holder pursuant to Section 6 below, the Additional Amount shall be treated in the same way as the Outstanding Balance is treated under such sections.

 

3. Payments; Prepayment. All payments of interest and principal shall be in lawful money of the United States of America. All payments shall be applied first to accrued interest, and thereafter to principal. The Company may not prepay this Note without the consent of the Holder.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 1 of 6
Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 

4. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Note, the following terms have the means set forth below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

Common Stock” means the Company’s Common Stock.

 

Conversion Price” means of 85% of the Price Per Share.

 

Deemed Liquidation” has the same meaning as provided in Article II, Section 2(b)(iv) of the Restated Articles.

 

Equity Securities” means the Company’s capital stock, whether authorized and/or issued on or after the date of this Note.

 

Financing” means any form of transaction resulting in a determination of the Company’s valuation, including but not limited to a merger, SPAC merger, or any other form of financing, whether debt or common or preferred stock.

 

Maturity Date” means the earlier to occur of: (a) December 31, 2022, and (b) the consummation of a Deemed Liquidation.

 

Outstanding Balance” means the sum of the unpaid principal balance of this Note and the amount of accrued and unpaid interest on this Note, less any Elected Balance (as defined in Section 3(a)(i)).

 

Price Per Share” means the price per share of the Company’s Equity Securities determined in the Financing.

 

Restated Articles” means the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended and in effect as of the Agreement Date.

 

5. Conversion.

 

(a) Conversion into Capital Stock.

 

(i) Financing. If the Company consummates a Financing prior to the Maturity Date, then, for one year after the closing of such Financing and at the Holder’s election (which election shall be made by Holder by providing written notice thereof to the Company in writing), such part of the Outstanding Balance as the Holder may elect (“Elected Balance”) shall be converted into that number of shares of such Equity Securities obtained by dividing the Elected Balance by the Conversion Price, rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

(ii) Other Voluntary Conversion. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to the Maturity Date, the Holder may elect to convert the Elected Balance into Equity Securities by delivering notice of such election to the Company in writing. The Elected Balance may be converted into that number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing the Elected Balance by a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, in either case rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

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Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 

(b) Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note, no fractional shares shall be issued upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 4, and the Holder hereby agrees to waive their rights with respect to such fractional share or any payment therefor. Upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 4, the shares of capital stock received will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(c) Shareholder Agreements. The Holder agrees and covenants that at any time and from time to time it will promptly execute and deliver to the Company such further instruments and documents and take such further action as the Company may reasonably require in order to carry out the full intent and purpose of this Note and to comply with state or federal securities laws or other regulatory approvals. Upon conversion of a Note pursuant to Section 3, the Holder agrees to execute counterpart signature pages to all applicable shareholder agreements and thereafter be bound by such agreements in the same manner as the other holders of the Equity Securities into which such Note is converted. In the event of a conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 3(a)(i) hereof, the Holder shall automatically be deemed to have executed such agreements and hereby grants an irrevocable power of attorney to any officer of the Company to execute such agreements on the Holder’s behalf. This power of attorney shall be deemed coupled with an interest.

 

6. Payment of the Outstanding Balance. The Outstanding Balance under this Note shall be due and payable upon demand by the Holder; provided however, that the Holder shall not demand payment of all or any portion of the Outstanding Balance at any time before the Maturity Date.

 

7. Default. If there shall be any Event of Default hereunder, upon written notice to the Company (which notice shall not be required in the case of an Event of Default under Section 4(c) or 4(d)), this Note shall accelerate and all principal and unpaid accrued interest shall become due and payable. The occurrence of any one or more of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

 

(a) The Company fails to pay timely any of the principal amount due under this Note on the date the same becomes due and payable or any accrued interest or other amounts due under this Note on the date the same becomes due and payable;

 

(b) The Company shall default in its performance of any covenant under the Agreement and such default shall constitute a material breach of the Agreement;

 

(c) The Company files any petition or action for relief under any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or moratorium law or any other law for the relief of, or relating to, debtors, now or hereafter in effect, or makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors or takes any corporate action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or

 

(d) An involuntary petition is filed against the Company (unless such petition is dismissed or discharged within sixty (60) days) under any bankruptcy statute now or hereafter in effect, or a custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee for the benefit of creditors (or other similar official) is appointed to take possession, custody or control of any property of the Company.

 

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Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 

8. Waiver. The Company hereby waives demand, notice, presentment, protest and notice of dishonor.

 

9. Market Standoff Agreement. The Holder shall not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale, any common stock (or other securities, including without limitation the Equity Securities) of the Company held by such Purchaser pursuant to this Note, for a period of time specified by the managing underwriter(s) (not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days) following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Act in connection with the Company’s initial public offering. Each Purchaser agrees to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company and/or the managing underwriter(s) which are consistent with the foregoing or which are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to such common stock (or other securities) until the end of such period. The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 6 and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

 

10. Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Washington, as applied to agreements among Washington residents, made and to be performed entirely within the State of Washington, without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles.

 

11. Senior Indebtedness. The indebtedness evidenced by this Note is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of any Senior Indebtedness. “Senior Indebtedness” means, unless expressly subordinated to or made on a parity with the amounts due under this Note, all amounts due now or in the future in connection with (a) indebtedness of the Company to banks or other lending institutions regularly engaged in the business of lending money (excluding venture capital, investment banking or similar institutions and their affiliates that sometimes engage in lending activities but that are primarily engaged in investments in equity securities), and (b) any such indebtedness or any debentures, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in exchange for such Senior Indebtedness, or any indebtedness arising from the satisfaction of such Senior Indebtedness by a guarantor.

 

12. Amendment; Waiver. No modification or waiver of any provision of this Note or consent to departure therefrom shall be effective unless in writing and approved by the Company and the Holder.

 

13. Transfer. This Note may be transferred only upon its surrender to the Company for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a duly executed written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company. Thereupon, this Note shall be reissued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee, or a new Note for like principal amount and interest shall be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Interest and principal shall be paid solely to the registered holder of this Note. Such payment shall constitute full discharge of the Company’s obligation to pay such interest and principal.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 4 of 6
Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 

14. Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Note shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) upon confirmation of receipt by fax by the party to be notified, (c) one business day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier, prepaid for overnight delivery and addressed as set forth in (d) or (d) three days after deposit with the United States Post Office, postage prepaid, registered or certified with return receipt requested and addressed to the party to be notified at the address indicated below, or at such other address as such party may designate by 10 days’ advance written notice to the other party given in the foregoing manner.

 

  Address of Debtor: EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
    425 Pontius Avenue North
    Suite 200
    Seattle, WA 98109
   
  Address of Holder: John E. Kingma and Tamara J. Kingma
    1566 Scenic Heights Road
    Oak Harbor, WA 98277

 

15. Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Note are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Note.

 

16. Entire Agreement. This Note constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof and no party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants and agreements except as specifically set forth herein.

 

17. ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT, OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING PAYMENT OF A DEBT

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 5 of 6
Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 

ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.

 

  EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
   
  By:  
  Name: Chris E. Rivera
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

HOLDER:  
   
   
John E. Kingma  
   
   
Tamara J. Kingma  

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 6 of 6
Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 


 

Exhibit 10.18

 

NEITHER THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE NOR ANY SECURITIES THAT MAY BE ISSUED UPON CONVERSION HEREOF HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY SIMILAR STATE LAW. NO OFFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT OR LAW, UNLESS SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED THEREBY. AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY MAY BE REQUIRED TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE OR ANY SECURITIES THAT MAY BE ISSUED UPON CONVERSION HEREOF.

 

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$150,000 February 5, 2021
  Seattle, Washington

 

For value received EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation formerly known as Nativis, Inc. (the “Company”), promises to pay to John E. Kingma or his permitted assigns (the “Holder”) the principal sum of $150,000.00 (“Principal Amount”), with simple interest on the outstanding Principal Amount at the rate of 10.0% per annum. Such interest shall commence with the date hereof and shall continue on the outstanding principal until paid in full or converted. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days for the actual number of days elapsed.

 

1. Prior Note. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Note cancels and supersedes in its entirety that certain Promissory Note dated June 28, 2018, made by the Company in favor of John E. Kingma in the amount of $150,000 (“Prior Note”), that the Prior Note shall have no force or effect from and after the date of this Note, and the Company shall have no obligation or liability to Holder whatsoever under the Prior Note.

 

2. Additional Payment Obligation. The parties agree, as further consideration for the parties’ mutual agreements under this Note, that the Company is indebted, and shall be obligated to pay, to Holder an additional amount equal to $35,284.93 (“Additional Amount”). The Additional Amount shall not be deemed to be either principal or interest under this Note; provided, however, that for purposes of any conversion election by Holder pursuant to Section 5 below or any demand by Holder pursuant to Section 6 below, the Additional Amount shall be treated in the same way as the Outstanding Balance is treated under such sections.

 

3. Payments; Prepayment. All payments of interest and principal shall be in lawful money of the United States of America. All payments shall be applied first to accrued interest, and thereafter to principal. The Company may not prepay this Note without the consent of the Holder.

 

4. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Note, the following terms have the means set forth below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

Common Stock” means the Company’s Common Stock.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 1 of 6
Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 

Conversion Price” means of 85% of the Price Per Share.

 

Deemed Liquidation” has the same meaning as provided in Article II, Section 2(b)(iv) of the Restated Articles.

 

Equity Securities” means the Company’s capital stock, whether authorized and/or issued on or after the date of this Note.

 

Financing” means any form of transaction resulting in a determination of the Company’s valuation, including but not limited to a merger, SPAC merger, or any other form of financing, whether debt or common or preferred stock.

 

Maturity Date” means the earlier to occur of: (a) December 31, 2022, and (b) the consummation of a Deemed Liquidation.

 

Outstanding Balance” means the sum of the unpaid principal balance of this Note and the amount of accrued and unpaid interest on this Note, less any Elected Balance (as defined in Section 3(a)(i)).

 

Price Per Share” means the price per share of the Company’s Equity Securities determined in the Financing.

 

Restated Articles” means the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended and in effect as of the Agreement Date.

 

5. Conversion.

 

(a) Conversion into Capital Stock.

 

(i) Financing. If the Company consummates a Financing prior to the Maturity Date, then, for one year after the closing of such Financing and at the Holder’s election (which election shall be made by Holder by providing written notice thereof to the Company in writing), such part of the Outstanding Balance as the Holder may elect (“Elected Balance”) shall be converted into that number of shares of such Equity Securities obtained by dividing the Elected Balance by the Conversion Price, rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

(ii) Other Voluntary Conversion. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to the Maturity Date, the Holder may elect to convert the Elected Balance into Equity Securities by delivering notice of such election to the Company in writing. The Elected Balance may be converted into that number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing the Elected Balance by a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, in either case rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

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Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 

(b) Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note, no fractional shares shall be issued upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 4, and the Holder hereby agrees to waive his rights with respect to such fractional share or any payment therefor. Upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 4, the shares of capital stock received will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(c) Shareholder Agreements. The Holder agrees and covenants that at any time and from time to time it will promptly execute and deliver to the Company such further instruments and documents and take such further action as the Company may reasonably require in order to carry out the full intent and purpose of this Note and to comply with state or federal securities laws or other regulatory approvals. Upon conversion of a Note pursuant to Section 3, the Holder agrees to execute counterpart signature pages to all applicable shareholder agreements and thereafter be bound by such agreements in the same manner as the other holders of the Equity Securities into which such Note is converted. In the event of a conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 3(a)(i) hereof, the Holder shall automatically be deemed to have executed such agreements and hereby grants an irrevocable power of attorney to any officer of the Company to execute such agreements on the Holder’s behalf. This power of attorney shall be deemed coupled with an interest.

 

6. Payment of the Outstanding Balance. The Outstanding Balance under this Note shall be due and payable upon demand by the Holder; provided however, that the Holder shall not demand payment of all or any portion of the Outstanding Balance at any time before the Maturity Date.

 

7. Default. If there shall be any Event of Default hereunder, upon written notice to the Company (which notice shall not be required in the case of an Event of Default under Section 4(c) or 4(d)), this Note shall accelerate and all principal and unpaid accrued interest shall become due and payable. The occurrence of any one or more of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

 

(a) The Company fails to pay timely any of the principal amount due under this Note on the date the same becomes due and payable or any accrued interest or other amounts due under this Note on the date the same becomes due and payable;

 

(b) The Company shall default in its performance of any covenant under the Agreement and such default shall constitute a material breach of the Agreement;

 

(c) The Company files any petition or action for relief under any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or moratorium law or any other law for the relief of, or relating to, debtors, now or hereafter in effect, or makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors or takes any corporate action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or

 

(d) An involuntary petition is filed against the Company (unless such petition is dismissed or discharged within sixty (60) days) under any bankruptcy statute now or hereafter in effect, or a custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee for the benefit of creditors (or other similar official) is appointed to take possession, custody or control of any property of the Company.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 3 of 6
Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 

8. Waiver. The Company hereby waives demand, notice, presentment, protest and notice of dishonor.

 

9. Market Standoff Agreement. The Holder shall not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale, any common stock (or other securities, including without limitation the Equity Securities) of the Company held by such Purchaser pursuant to this Note, for a period of time specified by the managing underwriter(s) (not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days) following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Act in connection with the Company’s initial public offering. Each Purchaser agrees to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company and/or the managing underwriter(s) which are consistent with the foregoing or which are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to such common stock (or other securities) until the end of such period. The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 6 and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

 

10. Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Washington, as applied to agreements among Washington residents, made and to be performed entirely within the State of Washington, without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles.

 

11. Senior Indebtedness. The indebtedness evidenced by this Note is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of any Senior Indebtedness. “Senior Indebtedness” means, unless expressly subordinated to or made on a parity with the amounts due under this Note, all amounts due now or in the future in connection with (a) indebtedness of the Company to banks or other lending institutions regularly engaged in the business of lending money (excluding venture capital, investment banking or similar institutions and their affiliates that sometimes engage in lending activities but that are primarily engaged in investments in equity securities), and (b) any such indebtedness or any debentures, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in exchange for such Senior Indebtedness, or any indebtedness arising from the satisfaction of such Senior Indebtedness by a guarantor.

 

12. Amendment; Waiver. No modification or waiver of any provision of this Note or consent to departure therefrom shall be effective unless in writing and approved by the Company and the Holder.

 

13. Transfer. This Note may be transferred only upon its surrender to the Company for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a duly executed written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company. Thereupon, this Note shall be reissued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee, or a new Note for like principal amount and interest shall be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Interest and principal shall be paid solely to the registered holder of this Note. Such payment shall constitute full discharge of the Company’s obligation to pay such interest and principal.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 4 of 6
Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 

14. Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Note shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) upon confirmation of receipt by fax by the party to be notified, (c) one business day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier, prepaid for overnight delivery and addressed as set forth in (d) or (d) three days after deposit with the United States Post Office, postage prepaid, registered or certified with return receipt requested and addressed to the party to be notified at the address indicated below, or at such other address as such party may designate by 10 days’ advance written notice to the other party given in the foregoing manner.

 

  Address of Debtor: EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
    425 Pontius Avenue North
    Suite 200
    Seattle, WA 98109
     
  Address of Holder: John E. Kingma
    1566 Scenic Heights Road
    Oak Harbor, WA 98277

 

15. Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Note are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Note.

 

16. Entire Agreement. This Note constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof and no party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants and agreements except as specifically set forth herein.

 

17. ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT, OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING PAYMENT OF A DEBT

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 5 of 6
Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 

ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.

 

  EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
     
  By:  
  Name: Chris E. Rivera
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

HOLDER:    
     
     
John E. Kingma    

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 6 of 6
Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.19

 

NEITHER THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE NOR ANY SECURITIES THAT MAY BE ISSUED UPON CONVERSION HEREOF HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY SIMILAR STATE LAW. NO OFFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT OR LAW, UNLESS SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED THEREBY. AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY MAY BE REQUIRED TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE OR ANY SECURITIES THAT MAY BE ISSUED UPON CONVERSION HEREOF.

 

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$227,500 February 5, 2021
  Seattle, Washington

 

For value received EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation formerly known as Nativis, Inc. (the “Company”), promises to pay to John E. Kingma and Tamara J. Kingma or their permitted assigns (the “Holder”) the principal sum of $227,500.00 (“Principal Amount”), with simple interest on the outstanding Principal Amount at the rate of 10.0% per annum. Such interest shall commence with the date hereof and shall continue on the outstanding principal until paid in full or converted. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days for the actual number of days elapsed.

 

1. Prior Note. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Note cancels and supersedes in its entirety that certain Promissory Note dated October 8, 2019, made by the Company in favor of John E. Kingma and Tamara J. Kingma in the amount of $200,000 (“Prior Note”), that the Prior Note shall have no force or effect from and after the date of this Note, and the Company shall have no obligation or liability to Holder whatsoever under the Prior Note.

 

2. Additional Payment Obligation. The parties agree, as further consideration for the parties’ mutual agreements under this Note, that the Company is indebted, and shall be obligated to pay, to Holder an additional amount equal to $26,750.69 (“Additional Amount”). The Additional Amount shall not be deemed to be either principal or interest under this Note; provided, however, that for purposes of any conversion election by Holder pursuant to Section 5 below or any demand by Holder pursuant to Section 6 below, the Additional Amount shall be treated in the same way as the Outstanding Balance is treated under such sections.

 

3. Payments; Prepayment. All payments of interest and principal shall be in lawful money of the United States of America. All payments shall be applied first to accrued interest, and thereafter to principal. The Company may not prepay this Note without the consent of the Holder.

 

4. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Note, the following terms have the means set forth below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

Common Stock” means the Company’s Common Stock.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
Convertible Promissory Note – Blain TrustConfidentialPage 1 of 6
 

 

Conversion Price” means of 85% of the Price Per Share.

 

Deemed Liquidation” has the same meaning as provided in Article II, Section 2(b)(iv) of the Restated Articles.

 

Equity Securities” means the Company’s capital stock, whether authorized and/or issued on or after the date of this Note.

 

Financing” means any form of transaction resulting in a determination of the Company’s valuation, including but not limited to a merger, SPAC merger, or any other form of financing, whether debt or common or preferred stock.

 

Maturity Date” means the earlier to occur of: (a) December 31, 2022, and (b) the consummation of a Deemed Liquidation.

 

Outstanding Balance” means the sum of the unpaid principal balance of this Note and the amount of accrued and unpaid interest on this Note, less any Elected Balance (as defined in Section 3(a)(i)).

 

Price Per Share” means the price per share of the Company’s Equity Securities determined in the Financing.

 

Restated Articles” means the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended and in effect as of the Agreement Date.

 

5. Conversion.

 

(a) Conversion into Capital Stock.

 

(i) Financing. If the Company consummates a Financing prior to the Maturity Date, then, for one year after the closing of such Financing and at the Holder’s election (which election shall be made by Holder by providing written notice thereof to the Company in writing), such part of the Outstanding Balance as the Holder may elect (“Elected Balance”) shall be converted into that number of shares of such Equity Securities obtained by dividing the Elected Balance by the Conversion Price, rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

(ii) Other Voluntary Conversion. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to the Maturity Date, the Holder may elect to convert the Elected Balance into Equity Securities by delivering notice of such election to the Company in writing. The Elected Balance may be converted into that number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing the Elected Balance by a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, in either case rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
Convertible Promissory Note – Blain TrustConfidentialPage 2 of 6
 

 

(b) Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note, no fractional shares shall be issued upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 4, and the Holder hereby agrees to waive their rights with respect to such fractional share or any payment therefor. Upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 4, the shares of capital stock received will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(c) Shareholder Agreements. The Holder agrees and covenants that at any time and from time to time it will promptly execute and deliver to the Company such further instruments and documents and take such further action as the Company may reasonably require in order to carry out the full intent and purpose of this Note and to comply with state or federal securities laws or other regulatory approvals. Upon conversion of a Note pursuant to Section 3, the Holder agrees to execute counterpart signature pages to all applicable shareholder agreements and thereafter be bound by such agreements in the same manner as the other holders of the Equity Securities into which such Note is converted. In the event of a conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 3(a)(i) hereof, the Holder shall automatically be deemed to have executed such agreements and hereby grants an irrevocable power of attorney to any officer of the Company to execute such agreements on the Holder’s behalf. This power of attorney shall be deemed coupled with an interest.

 

6. Payment of the Outstanding Balance. The Outstanding Balance under this Note shall be due and payable upon demand by the Holder; provided however, that the Holder shall not demand payment of all or any portion of the Outstanding Balance at any time before the Maturity Date.

 

7. Default. If there shall be any Event of Default hereunder, upon written notice to the Company (which notice shall not be required in the case of an Event of Default under Section 4(c) or 4(d)), this Note shall accelerate and all principal and unpaid accrued interest shall become due and payable. The occurrence of any one or more of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

 

(a) The Company fails to pay timely any of the principal amount due under this Note on the date the same becomes due and payable or any accrued interest or other amounts due under this Note on the date the same becomes due and payable;

 

(b) The Company shall default in its performance of any covenant under the Agreement and such default shall constitute a material breach of the Agreement;

 

(c) The Company files any petition or action for relief under any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or moratorium law or any other law for the relief of, or relating to, debtors, now or hereafter in effect, or makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors or takes any corporate action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or

 

(d) An involuntary petition is filed against the Company (unless such petition is dismissed or discharged within sixty (60) days) under any bankruptcy statute now or hereafter in effect, or a custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee for the benefit of creditors (or other similar official) is appointed to take possession, custody or control of any property of the Company.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
Convertible Promissory Note – Blain TrustConfidentialPage 3 of 6
 

 

8. Waiver. The Company hereby waives demand, notice, presentment, protest and notice of dishonor.

 

9. Market Standoff Agreement. The Holder shall not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale, any common stock (or other securities, including without limitation the Equity Securities) of the Company held by such Purchaser pursuant to this Note, for a period of time specified by the managing underwriter(s) (not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days) following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Act in connection with the Company’s initial public offering. Each Purchaser agrees to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company and/or the managing underwriter(s) which are consistent with the foregoing or which are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to such common stock (or other securities) until the end of such period. The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 6 and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

 

10. Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Washington, as applied to agreements among Washington residents, made and to be performed entirely within the State of Washington, without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles.

 

11. Senior Indebtedness. The indebtedness evidenced by this Note is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of any Senior Indebtedness. “Senior Indebtedness” means, unless expressly subordinated to or made on a parity with the amounts due under this Note, all amounts due now or in the future in connection with (a) indebtedness of the Company to banks or other lending institutions regularly engaged in the business of lending money (excluding venture capital, investment banking or similar institutions and their affiliates that sometimes engage in lending activities but that are primarily engaged in investments in equity securities), and (b) any such indebtedness or any debentures, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in exchange for such Senior Indebtedness, or any indebtedness arising from the satisfaction of such Senior Indebtedness by a guarantor.

 

12. Amendment; Waiver. No modification or waiver of any provision of this Note or consent to departure therefrom shall be effective unless in writing and approved by the Company and the Holder.

 

13. Transfer. This Note may be transferred only upon its surrender to the Company for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a duly executed written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company. Thereupon, this Note shall be reissued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee, or a new Note for like principal amount and interest shall be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Interest and principal shall be paid solely to the registered holder of this Note. Such payment shall constitute full discharge of the Company’s obligation to pay such interest and principal.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
Convertible Promissory Note – Blain TrustConfidentialPage 4 of 6
 

 

14. Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Note shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) upon confirmation of receipt by fax by the party to be notified, (c) one business day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier, prepaid for overnight delivery and addressed as set forth in (d) or (d) three days after deposit with the United States Post Office, postage prepaid, registered or certified with return receipt requested and addressed to the party to be notified at the address indicated below, or at such other address as such party may designate by 10 days’ advance written notice to the other party given in the foregoing manner.

 

Address of Debtor: EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
  425 Pontius Avenue North
  Suite 200
  Seattle, WA 98109
   
Address of Holder: John E. Kingma and Tamara J. Kingma
  1566 Scenic Heights Road
  Oak Harbor, WA 98277

 

15. Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Note are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Note.

 

16. Entire Agreement. This Note constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof and no party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants and agreements except as specifically set forth herein.

 

17. ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT, OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING PAYMENT OF A DEBT

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
Convertible Promissory Note – Blain TrustConfidentialPage 5 of 6
 

 

ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.

 

  EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
     
  By:  
  Name: Chris E. Rivera
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

HOLDER:  
   
______________________________  
John E. Kingma  
   
______________________________  
Tamara J. Kingma  

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
Convertible Promissory Note – Blain TrustConfidentialPage 6 of 6

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.20

 

NEITHER THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE NOR ANY SECURITIES THAT MAY BE ISSUED UPON CONVERSION HEREOF HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY SIMILAR STATE LAW. NO OFFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT OR LAW, UNLESS SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED THEREBY. AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY MAY BE REQUIRED TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE OR ANY SECURITIES THAT MAY BE ISSUED UPON CONVERSION HEREOF.

 

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$37,500 January 31, 2021
  Seattle, Washington

 

For value received EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation formerly known as Nativis, Inc. (the “Company”), promises to pay to John E. Kingma and Tamara J. Kingma or their permitted assigns (the “Holder”) the principal sum of $37,500.00 (“Principal Amount”), with simple interest on the outstanding Principal Amount at the rate of 3.0% per annum. Such interest shall commence with the date hereof and shall continue on the outstanding principal until paid in full or converted. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days for the actual number of days elapsed.

 

1. Expense Reimbursement. The parties acknowledge and agree that the amount under this Note is in consideration of payments due from Company to Holder under the Payment Deferral Upon Termination Agreement dated June 20, 2012 (“Payment Agreement”), Section 3, Continuation of Certain Benefits, accrued at $1,500.00 per month for the period May 2013 through January 2021.

 

2. Additional Principal. Until such time as Company has paid in full its obligations under the Payment Agreement, the Company shall be obligated to pay to Holder an additional amount equal to $1,500.00 per month (“Additional Amount”) beginning February 2021. The Additional Amount shall accrue as additional principal under this Note and be subject to all of the terms hereof.

 

3. Payments; Prepayment. All payments of interest and principal shall be in lawful money of the United States of America. All payments shall be applied first to accrued interest, and thereafter to principal. The Company may not prepay this Note without the consent of the Holder.

 

4. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Note, the following terms have the means set forth below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

Common Stock” means the Company’s Common Stock.

 

Conversion Price” means of 100% of the Price Per Share.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 1 of 6
Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 

Deemed Liquidation” has the same meaning as provided in Article II, Section 2(b)(iv) of the Restated Articles.

 

Equity Securities” means the Company’s capital stock, whether authorized and/or issued on or after the date of this Note.

 

Financing” means any form of transaction resulting in a determination of the Company’s valuation, including but not limited to a merger, SPAC merger, or any other form of financing, whether debt or common or preferred stock.

 

Maturity Date” means the earlier to occur of: (a) December 31, 2022, and (b) the consummation of a Deemed Liquidation.

 

Outstanding Balance” means the sum of the unpaid principal balance of this Note and the amount of accrued and unpaid interest on this Note, less any Elected Balance (as defined in Section 3(a)(i)).

 

Price Per Share” means the price per share of the Company’s Equity Securities determined in the Financing.

 

Restated Articles” means the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended and in effect as of the Agreement Date.

 

5. Conversion.

 

(a) Conversion into Capital Stock.

 

(i) Financing. If the Company consummates a Financing prior to the Maturity Date, then, for one year after the closing of such Financing and at the Holder’s election (which election shall be made by Holder by providing written notice thereof to the Company in writing), such part of the Outstanding Balance as the Holder may elect (“Elected Balance”) shall be converted into that number of shares of such Equity Securities obtained by dividing the Elected Balance by the Conversion Price, rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

(ii) Other Voluntary Conversion. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to the Maturity Date, the Holder may elect to convert the Elected Balance into Equity Securities by delivering notice of such election to the Company in writing. The Elected Balance may be converted into that number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing the Elected Balance by a conversion price equal to 100% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, in either case rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

(b) Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note, no fractional shares shall be issued upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 4, and the Holder hereby agrees to waive his rights with respect to such fractional share or any payment therefor. Upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 4, the shares of capital stock received will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 2 of 6
Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 

(c) Shareholder Agreements. The Holder agrees and covenants that at any time and from time to time it will promptly execute and deliver to the Company such further instruments and documents and take such further action as the Company may reasonably require in order to carry out the full intent and purpose of this Note and to comply with state or federal securities laws or other regulatory approvals. Upon conversion of a Note pursuant to Section 3, the Holder agrees to execute counterpart signature pages to all applicable shareholder agreements and thereafter be bound by such agreements in the same manner as the other holders of the Equity Securities into which such Note is converted. In the event of a conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 3(a)(i) hereof, the Holder shall automatically be deemed to have executed such agreements and hereby grants an irrevocable power of attorney to any officer of the Company to execute such agreements on the Holder’s behalf. This power of attorney shall be deemed coupled with an interest.

 

6. Payment of the Outstanding Balance. The Outstanding Balance under this Note shall be due and payable upon demand by the Holder; provided however, that the Holder shall not demand payment of all or any portion of the Outstanding Balance at any time before the Maturity Date.

 

7. Default. If there shall be any Event of Default hereunder, upon written notice to the Company (which notice shall not be required in the case of an Event of Default under Section 4(c) or 4(d)), this Note shall accelerate and all principal and unpaid accrued interest shall become due and payable. The occurrence of any one or more of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

 

(a) The Company fails to pay timely any of the principal amount due under this Note on the date the same becomes due and payable or any accrued interest or other amounts due under this Note on the date the same becomes due and payable;

 

(b) The Company shall default in its performance of any covenant under the Agreement and such default shall constitute a material breach of the Agreement;

 

(c) The Company files any petition or action for relief under any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or moratorium law or any other law for the relief of, or relating to, debtors, now or hereafter in effect, or makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors or takes any corporate action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or

 

(d) An involuntary petition is filed against the Company (unless such petition is dismissed or discharged within sixty (60) days) under any bankruptcy statute now or hereafter in effect, or a custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee for the benefit of creditors (or other similar official) is appointed to take possession, custody or control of any property of the Company.

 

8. Waiver. The Company hereby waives demand, notice, presentment, protest and notice of dishonor.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 3 of 6
Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 

9. Market Standoff Agreement. The Holder shall not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale, any common stock (or other securities, including without limitation the Equity Securities) of the Company held by such Purchaser pursuant to this Note, for a period of time specified by the managing underwriter(s) (not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days) following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Act in connection with the Company’s initial public offering. Each Purchaser agrees to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company and/or the managing underwriter(s) which are consistent with the foregoing or which are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to such common stock (or other securities) until the end of such period. The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 6 and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

 

10. Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Washington, as applied to agreements among Washington residents, made and to be performed entirely within the State of Washington, without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles.

 

11. Senior Indebtedness. The indebtedness evidenced by this Note is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of any Senior Indebtedness. “Senior Indebtedness” means, unless expressly subordinated to or made on a parity with the amounts due under this Note, all amounts due now or in the future in connection with (a) indebtedness of the Company to banks or other lending institutions regularly engaged in the business of lending money (excluding venture capital, investment banking or similar institutions and their affiliates that sometimes engage in lending activities but that are primarily engaged in investments in equity securities), and (b) any such indebtedness or any debentures, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in exchange for such Senior Indebtedness, or any indebtedness arising from the satisfaction of such Senior Indebtedness by a guarantor.

 

12. Amendment; Waiver. No modification or waiver of any provision of this Note or consent to departure therefrom shall be effective unless in writing and approved by the Company and the Holder.

 

13. Transfer. This Note may be transferred only upon its surrender to the Company for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a duly executed written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company. Thereupon, this Note shall be reissued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee, or a new Note for like principal amount and interest shall be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Interest and principal shall be paid solely to the registered holder of this Note. Such payment shall constitute full discharge of the Company’s obligation to pay such interest and principal.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 4 of 6
Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 

14. Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Note shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) upon confirmation of receipt by fax by the party to be notified, (c) one business day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier, prepaid for overnight delivery and addressed as set forth in (d) or (d) three days after deposit with the United States Post Office, postage prepaid, registered or certified with return receipt requested and addressed to the party to be notified at the address indicated below, or at such other address as such party may designate by 10 days’ advance written notice to the other party given in the foregoing manner.

 

  Address of Debtor:   EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
      425 Pontius Avenue North
      Suite 200
      Seattle, WA 98109
       
  Address of Holder:   John E. and Tamara J. Kingma
      1566 Scenic Heights Road
      Oak Harbor, WA 98277

 

15. Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Note are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Note.

 

16. Entire Agreement. This Note constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof and no party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants and agreements except as specifically set forth herein.

 

17. ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT, OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING PAYMENT OF A DEBT

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 5 of 6
Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 

ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.

 

  EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
     
  By:  
  Name: Chris E. Rivera
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

HOLDER:    
     
     
John E. Kingma    
     
     
Tamara J. Kingma    

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 6 of 6
Convertible Promissory Note – Kingma  

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.21

 

NEITHER THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE NOR ANY SECURITIES THAT MAY BE ISSUED UPON CONVERSION HEREOF HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY SIMILAR STATE LAW. NO OFFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT OR LAW, UNLESS SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED THEREBY. AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY MAY BE REQUIRED TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE OR ANY SECURITIES THAT MAY BE ISSUED UPON CONVERSION HEREOF.

 

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$30,000 February 23, 2021
  Seattle, Washington

 

For value received EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation formerly known as Nativis, Inc. (the “Company”), promises to pay to Lucky Good Dog, LLC or its permitted assigns (the “Holder”) the principal sum of $30,000, with simple interest on the outstanding principal amount at the rate of 10.0% per annum. Interest shall commence with the date hereof and shall continue on the outstanding principal until paid in full or converted. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days for the actual number of days elapsed.

 

1. Notes; Convertible Note Purchase Agreement. This note (this “Note”) is issued pursuant to the terms of the Convertible Note Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated as of September 6, 2019 (the “Agreement Date”) as part of a series of Notes (as defined in the Agreement) to be issued to the person(s) and/or entities listed on the Schedule of Purchasers thereto (collectively, the “Holders”).

 

2. Payments; Prepayment. All payments of interest and principal shall be in lawful money of the United States of America and shall be made pro rata among all the Holders. All payments shall be applied first to accrued interest, and thereafter to principal. The Company may prepay this Note with the consent of the Company’s Board of Directors and the Majority Holders (as defined below).

 

3. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Note, the following terms have the means set forth below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

Common Stock” means the Company’s Common Stock.

 

Conversion Price” means of 85% of the Price Per Share.

 

Deemed Liquidation” has the same meaning as provided in Article II, Section 2(b)(iv) of the Restated Articles.

 

Equity Securities” means the Company’s capital stock, whether authorized and/or issued on or after the Agreement Date.

 

Financing” means an offering of Equity Securities for cash with the principal purpose of raising capital.

 

Majority Holders” means the Holders of a majority of the then-outstanding principal balance under the Notes.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 1 of 4
Convertible Promissory Note  

 

 

Maturity Date” means the earlier to occur of: (a) the 24-month anniversary of the Agreement Date and (b) the consummation of a Deemed Liquidation.

 

Nonqualified Financing” means a Financing that is not a Qualified Financing (as defined below).

 

Outstanding Balance” means the sum of the unpaid principal balance of this Note and the amount of accrued and unpaid interest on this Note.

 

Price Per Share” means the highest price per share of the Qualified Equity Securities sold in the Qualified Financing to other investors.

 

Qualified Equity Securities” means the Equity Securities sold in a Qualified Financing.

 

Qualified Financing” means a Financing: (a) that (i) results in the Company’s receipt of gross cash proceeds of at least $10,000,000, excluding the conversion of any indebtedness (including any indebtedness evidenced by the Notes) and (ii) is accomplished in one or more closings as part of a single plan of financing based upon a single set of stock purchase agreements and ancillary documentation; or (b) as otherwise approved by the Majority Holders. If the Qualified Equity Securities are sold at more than one closing, such Qualified Financing shall be deemed to be consummated on the date of the earliest closing at which the gross cash proceeds received by the Company, together with the gross cash proceeds received by the Company at any prior closings, equal or exceed $10,000,000, or on such earlier date as determined by the Majority Holders.

 

Restated Articles” means the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended and in effect as of the Agreement Date.

 

4. Conversion.

 

(a) Conversion into Capital Stock.

 

(i) Qualified Financing. If the Company consummates a Qualified Financing prior to the Maturity Date, then, upon the closing of such Qualifying Financing, the Outstanding Balance shall automatically convert into that number of shares of such Qualified Equity Securities obtained by dividing the Outstanding Balance by the Conversion Price, rounded down to the nearest whole share. The Qualified Equity Securities received upon conversion of the Notes shall have rights, preferences, and privileges equal to the other Qualified Equity Securities issued in the Qualified Financing.

 

(ii) Voluntary Conversion. At any time the Notes are outstanding prior to the Maturity Date, the Holder may elect to convert the Outstanding Balance into Equity Securities pursuant either subclause (1) or (2) below by delivering notice of such election to the Company pursuant to Section 6.5 of the Agreement (a “Voluntary Conversion”).

 

(1) Nonqualified Equity Securities. The Outstanding Balance may be converted into that number of shares of the Equity Securities issued in the Company’s most recent Nonqualified Financing prior to the date of conversion (the “Nonqualified Equity Securities”) obtained by dividing the Outstanding Balance by a conversion price equal to the highest cash price paid for the Nonqualified Equity Securities, rounded down to the nearest whole share. The Nonqualified Equity Securities received upon conversion of the Notes shall have rights, preferences, and privileges equal to the other Nonqualified Equity Securities issued in the Nonqualified Financing.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 2 of 4
Convertible Promissory Note  

 

 

(2) Common Stock. The Outstanding Balance may be converted into that number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing the Outstanding Balance by a conversion price equal to the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, in either case rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

(iii) Maturity Date Conversion. In the event the Notes have not been repaid or converted prior to the Maturity Date, then upon the Maturity Date, the Outstanding Balance shall automatically convert into that number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the Outstanding Balance by a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the Maturity Date, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the Maturity Date or (B) grant of options or other similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company to purchase Common Stock on or prior to the Maturity Date, or (2) $9.00, in any case rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

(b) Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note, no fractional shares shall be issued upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 4, and the Holder hereby agrees to waive its rights with respect to such fractional share or any payment therefore. Upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 4, the shares of capital stock received will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(c) Shareholder Agreements. Upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 4, the Holder has agreed to execute counterpart signature pages to all applicable shareholder agreements and thereafter be bound by such agreements in the same manner as the other holders of the Equity Securities into which this Note is converted (including in the case of conversion pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) to be automatically deemed to have executed such agreements pursuant to an irrevocable power of attorney granted by the Holder in the Agreement).

 

5. Default. If there shall be any Event of Default hereunder, at the option and upon the declaration of the Majority Holders and upon written notice to the Company (which election and notice shall not be required in the case of an Event of Default under Section 6(c) or 6(d)), this Note shall accelerate and all principal and unpaid accrued interest shall become due and payable. The occurrence of any one or more of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

 

(a) The Company fails to pay timely any of the principal amount due under this Note on the date the same becomes due and payable or any accrued interest or other amounts due under this Note on the date the same becomes due and payable;

 

(b) The Company shall default in its performance of any covenant under the Agreement and such default shall constitute a material breach of the Agreement;

 

(c) The Company files any petition or action for relief under any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or moratorium law or any other law for the relief of, or relating to, debtors, now or hereafter in effect, or makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors or takes any corporate action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or

 

(d) An involuntary petition is filed against the Company (unless such petition is dismissed or discharged within sixty (60) days under any bankruptcy statute now or hereafter in effect, or a custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee for the benefit of creditors (or other similar official) is appointed to take possession, custody or control of any property of the Company.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 3 of 4
Convertible Promissory Note  

 

 

6. Waiver. The Company hereby waives demand, notice, presentment, protest and notice of dishonor.

 

7. Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Washington, as applied to agreements among Washington residents, made and to be performed entirely within the State of Washington, without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles.

 

8. Senior Indebtedness. The indebtedness evidenced by this Note is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of any Senior Indebtedness. “Senior Indebtedness” means, unless expressly subordinated to or made on a parity with the amounts due under this Note, all amounts due now or in the future in connection with (a) indebtedness of the Company to banks or other lending institutions regularly engaged in the business of lending money (excluding venture capital, investment banking or similar institutions and their affiliates that sometimes engage in lending activities but that are primarily engaged in investments in equity securities), and (b) any such indebtedness or any debentures, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in exchange for such Senior Indebtedness, or any indebtedness arising from the satisfaction of such Senior Indebtedness by a guarantor.

 

9. Amendment; Waiver. Any term of this Note may be amended or waived in accordance with the terms of Section 6.6 of the Agreement.

 

10. Transfer. This Note may be transferred only upon its surrender to the Company for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a duly executed written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company. Thereupon, this Note shall be reissued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee, or a new Note for like principal amount and interest shall be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Interest and principal shall be paid solely to the registered holder of this Note. Such payment shall constitute full discharge of the Company’s obligation to pay such interest and principal.

 

11. Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Note are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Note.

 

12. ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT, OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING PAYMENT OF A DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.

 

  EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
     
  By:  
  Name: Chris E. Rivera
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.ConfidentialPage 4 of 4
Convertible Promissory Note  

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.22

 

NEITHER THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE NOR ANY SECURITIES THAT MAY BE ISSUED UPON CONVERSION HEREOF HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY SIMILAR STATE LAW. NO OFFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT OR LAW, UNLESS SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED THEREBY. AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY MAY BE REQUIRED TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE OR ANY SECURITIES THAT MAY BE ISSUED UPON CONVERSION HEREOF.

 

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$600,000   July 20, 2021
    Seattle, Washington

 

For value received EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation formerly known as Nativis, Inc. (the “Company”), promises to pay to Lucky Good Dog, LLC or its permitted assigns (the “Holder”) the principal sum of $600,000 (“Principal Amount”), with simple interest on the outstanding Principal Amount at the rate of 10.0% per annum. Such interest shall commence with the date hereof and shall continue on the outstanding principal until paid in full or converted. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days for the actual number of days elapsed.

 

1. Prior Note. The parties acknowledge and agree that (a) this Note cancels and supersedes in its entirety that certain Promissory Note dated April 4, 2018, made by the Company in favor of Andrew Daniels (the owner of Holder) in the amount of $500,000 (“Prior Note”), (b) the Prior Note shall have no force or effect from and after the date of this Note, and (c) the Company shall have no obligation or liability to Holder or to Andrew Daniels whatsoever under the Prior Note.

 

2. Additional Payment Obligation. The parties agree, as further consideration for the parties’ mutual agreements under this Note, that the Company is indebted, and shall be obligated to pay, to Holder an additional amount equal to $ 148,562 (“Additional Amount”). The Additional Amount shall not be deemed to be either principal or interest under this Note; provided, however, that for purposes of any conversion election by Holder pursuant to Section 4 below, the Additional Amount shall be treated in the same way as the Outstanding Balance is treated under such sections.

 

3. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Note, the following terms have the meanings set forth below.

 

Common Stock” means the Company’s Common Stock.

 

Conversion Price” means of 85% of the Price Per Share.

 

Deemed Liquidation” has the same meaning as provided in Article II, Section 2(b)(iv) of the Restated Articles.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

Convertible Promissory Note – Blain Trust

ConfidentialPage 1 of 5

 

 

Equity Securities” means the Company’s capital stock, whether authorized and/or issued on or after the date of this Note.

 

Financing” means any form of transaction resulting in a determination of the Company’s valuation, including but not limited to a merger, SPAC merger, or any other form of financing, whether debt or common or preferred stock.

 

Maturity Date” means the earlier to occur of: (a) December 31, 2022, and (b) the consummation of a Deemed Liquidation.

 

Outstanding Balance” means the sum of the unpaid principal balance of this Note and the amount of accrued and unpaid interest on this Note.

 

Price Per Share” means the price per share of the Company’s Equity Securities determined in the Financing.

 

Restated Articles” means the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended and in effect as of the date of this Note.

 

4. Conversion.

 

(a) Conversion into Capital Stock.

 

(i) Financing. If the Company consummates a Financing prior to the Maturity Date, then the Outstanding Balance shall be converted into that number of shares of such Equity Securities obtained by dividing the Elected Balance by the Conversion Price, rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

(ii) Other Voluntary Conversion. At any time this Note is outstanding prior to the Maturity Date, the Holder may elect to convert such part of the Outstanding Balance as the Holder may elect (“Elected Balance”) into Equity Securities by delivering notice of such election to the Company in writing. The Elected Balance may be converted into that number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing the Elected Balance by a conversion price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as of date of conversion, as determined by the higher of the price per share for the most recent (A) sale of Common Stock to a third party investor by the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, or (B) grant of options to purchase Common Stock or similar equity awards to an employee or service provider of the Company on or prior to the date of conversion, in either case rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

(b) Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note, no fractional shares shall be issued upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 4, and the Holder hereby agrees to waive their rights with respect to such fractional share or any payment therefor. Upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 4, the shares of capital stock received will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

Convertible Promissory Note – Lucky Good Dog

ConfidentialPage 2 of 5

 

 

(c) Shareholder Agreements. The Holder agrees and covenants that at any time and from time to time it will promptly execute and deliver to the Company such further instruments and documents and take such further action as the Company may reasonably require in order to carry out the full intent and purpose of this Note and to comply with state or federal securities laws or other regulatory approvals. Upon conversion of a Note pursuant to Section 4, the Holder agrees to execute counterpart signature pages to all applicable shareholder agreements and thereafter be bound by such agreements in the same manner as the other holders of the Equity Securities into which such Note is converted. In the event of a conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof, the Holder shall automatically be deemed to have executed such agreements and hereby grants an irrevocable power of attorney to any officer of the Company to execute such agreements on the Holder’s behalf. This power of attorney shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest.

 

5. Default. If there shall be any Event of Default hereunder, upon written notice to the Company (which notice shall not be required in the case of an Event of Default under Section 5(c) or 5(d)), this Note shall accelerate and all principal and unpaid accrued interest shall become due and payable. The occurrence of any one or more of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

 

(a) The Company files any petition or action for relief under any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or moratorium law or any other law for the relief of, or relating to, debtors, now or hereafter in effect, or makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors or takes any corporate action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or

 

(b) An involuntary petition is filed against the Company (unless such petition is dismissed or discharged within sixty (60) days) under any bankruptcy statute now or hereafter in effect, or a custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee for the benefit of creditors (or other similar official) is appointed to take possession, custody or control of any property of the Company.

 

6. Waiver. The Company hereby waives demand, notice, presentment, protest and notice of dishonor.

 

7. Market Standoff Agreement. The Holder shall not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale, any common stock (or other securities, including without limitation the Equity Securities) of the Company held by such Purchaser pursuant to this Note, for a period of time specified in the terms of any Financing following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Act in connection with the Company’s initial public offering or listing on a United States stock exchange. Holder agrees to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company and/or the managing underwriter(s) which are consistent with the foregoing or which are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to such common stock (or other securities) until the end of such period.

 

8. Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Washington, as applied to agreements among Washington residents, made and to be performed entirely within the State of Washington, without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

Convertible Promissory Note – Lucky Good Dog

ConfidentialPage 3 of 5

 

 

9. Senior Indebtedness. The indebtedness evidenced by this Note is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of any Senior Indebtedness. “Senior Indebtedness” means, unless expressly subordinated to or made on a parity with the amounts due under this Note, all amounts due now or in the future in connection with (a) indebtedness of the Company to banks or other lending institutions regularly engaged in the business of lending money (excluding venture capital, investment banking or similar institutions and their affiliates that sometimes engage in lending activities but that are primarily engaged in investments in equity securities), and (b) any such indebtedness or any debentures, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in exchange for such Senior Indebtedness, or any indebtedness arising from the satisfaction of such Senior Indebtedness by a guarantor.

 

10. Amendment; Waiver. No modification or waiver of any provision of this Note or consent to departure therefrom shall be effective unless in writing and approved by the Company and the Holder.

 

11. Transfer. This Note may be transferred only upon its surrender to the Company for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a duly executed written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company. Thereupon, this Note shall be reissued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee, or a new Note for like principal amount and interest shall be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Interest and principal shall be paid solely to the registered holder of this Note. Such payment shall constitute full discharge of the Company’s obligation to pay such interest and principal.

 

12. Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Note shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) upon confirmation of receipt by fax by the party to be notified, (c) one business day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier, prepaid for overnight delivery and addressed as set forth in (d) or (d) three days after deposit with the United States Post Office, postage prepaid, registered or certified with return receipt requested and addressed to the party to be notified at the address indicated below, or at such other address as such party may designate by 10 days’ advance written notice to the other party given in the foregoing manner.

 

  Address of Debtor:   EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.
      425 Pontius Avenue North
      Suite 200
      Seattle, WA 98109

 

  Address of Holder:   Lucky Good Dog, LLC
      340 9th Street North
      Unit 249
      Naples, FL 34102

 

13. Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Note are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Note.

 

14. Entire Agreement. This Note constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof and no party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants and agreements except as specifically set forth herein.

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

Convertible Promissory Note – Lucky Good Dog

ConfidentialPage 4 of 5

 

 

15. ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT, OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING PAYMENT OF A DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.

 

  EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Chris E. Rivera
  Name: Chris E. Rivera
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

HOLDER:  
     
Lucky Good Dog, LLC  
     
   
Name: Andrew Daniels  
Title: Manager  

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

Convertible Promissory Note – Lucky Good Dog

ConfidentialPage 5 of 5


 

Exhibit 14.1

 

CODE OF ETHICS

OF

EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

1. Introduction

 

The Board of Directors of EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) has adopted this code of ethics (the “Code”), which is applicable to all directors, officers and employees of the Company, with the intent to:

 

  promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
     
  promote the full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as well as in other public communications made by or on behalf of the Company;
     
  promote compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;
     
  deter wrongdoing; and
     
  require prompt internal reporting of breaches of, and accountability for adherence to, this Code.

 

This Code may be amended only by resolution of the Company’s Board of Directors. In this Code, references to the “Company” include, in appropriate context, the Company’s subsidiaries, if any.

 

2. Honest, Ethical and Fair Conduct

 

Each person owes a duty to the Company to act with integrity. Integrity requires, among other things, being honest, fair and candid. Deceit, dishonesty and subordination of the Company’s interests to personal interests are inconsistent with integrity. Service to the Company should never be subordinated to personal gain or advantage.

 

Each person must:

 

  Act with integrity, including being honest and candid while still maintaining the confidentiality of the Company’s information where required or in the Company’s interests.
     
  Observe all applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations.
     
  Comply with the requirements of applicable accounting and auditing standards, as well as Company policies, in order to maintain a high standard of accuracy and completeness in the Company’s financial records and other business-related information and data.
     
  Adhere to a high standard of business ethics and not seek competitive advantage through unlawful or unethical business practices.
     
  Deal fairly with the Company’s customers, suppliers, competitors and employees.
     
  Refrain from taking advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other unfair-dealing practice.
     
  Protect the assets of the Company and ensure their proper use.
     
  Refrain from taking for themselves personally opportunities that are discovered through the use of corporate assets and refrain from using corporate assets, information, or position for general personal gain outside the scope of employment with the Company.

 

 

 

 

  Avoid conflicts of interest, wherever possible, except under guidelines or resolutions approved by the Board of Directors (or the appropriate committee of the Board of Directors). Anything that would be a conflict for a person subject to this Code also will be a conflict if it is related to a member of his or her family or a close relative. Examples of conflict of interest situations include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  o any significant ownership interest in any supplier or customer;
     
  o any consulting or employment relationship with any customer, supplier, or competitor;
     
  o any outside business activity that detracts from an individual’s ability to devote appropriate time and attention to his or her responsibilities with the Company;
     
  o the receipt of any money, non-nominal gifts or excessive entertainment from any company with which the Company has current or prospective business dealings;
     
  o being in the position of supervising, reviewing, or having any influence on the job evaluation, pay, or benefit of any close relative;
     
  o selling anything to the Company or buying anything from the Company, except on the same terms and conditions as comparable officers or directors are permitted to so purchase or sell; and
     
  o any other circumstance, event, relationship or situation in which the personal interest of a person subject to this Code interferes, or even appears to interfere, with the interests of the Company as a whole.

 

3. Disclosure

 

The Company strives to ensure that the contents of and the disclosures in public communications and in the reports and documents that the Company files with the SEC shall be full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable in accordance with applicable disclosure standards, including standards of materiality, where appropriate. Each person must:

 

  not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Company to others, whether within or outside the Company, including to the Company’s independent auditors, governmental regulators, self-regulating organizations and other governmental officials, as appropriate; and
     
  in relation to his or her area of responsibility, properly review and critically analyze proposed disclosure for accuracy and completeness.

 

In addition to the foregoing, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (or Principal Financial Officer) of the Company and each subsidiary of the Company (or persons performing similar functions), if any, and each other person that typically is involved in the financial reporting of the Company must familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements applicable to the Company as well as the business and financial operations of the Company.

 

Each person must promptly bring to the attention of the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (or the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors if no Audit Committee exists) any information he or she may have concerning (a) significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal and/or disclosure controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data or (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s financial reporting, disclosures, or internal controls.

 

 

 

 

4. Compliance

  

It is the Company’s obligation and policy to comply with all applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations. It is the personal responsibility of each person to, and each person must, adhere to the standards and restrictions imposed by those laws, rules, and regulations, including those relating to accounting and auditing matters.

 

5. Reporting and Accountability

  

The Board of Directors or Audit Committee, if one exists, of the Company is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented to it and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. Any person who becomes aware of any existing or potential breach of this Code is required to notify the Chairman of the Board of Directors or Audit Committee promptly. Failure to do so is itself a breach of this Code.

 

Specifically, each person must:

 

  Notify the Chairman promptly of any existing or potential violation of this Code.
     
  Not retaliate against any other person for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith.
     
  The Company will follow the following procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code and in reporting on the Code:

 

  o The Board of Directors or Audit Committee, if one exists, will take all appropriate action to investigate any breaches reported to it.
     
  o If the Audit Committee (if one exists) determines by majority decision that a breach has occurred, it will inform the Board of Directors.
     
  o Upon being notified that a breach has occurred, the Board of Directors by majority decision will take or authorize such disciplinary or preventive action as it deems appropriate, after consultation with the Audit Committee (if one exists) and/or the Company’s counsel, up to and including dismissal or, in the event of criminal or other serious violations of law, notification of the SEC or other appropriate law enforcement authorities.

 

No person following the above procedure shall, as a result of following such procedure, be subject by the Company or any officer or employee thereof to discharge, demotion suspension, threat, harassment or, in any manner, discrimination against such person in terms and conditions of employment.

 

6. Waivers and Amendments

 

Any waiver (defined below) or an implicit waiver (defined below) from a provision of this Code for the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions or any amendment (as defined below) to this Code is required to be disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K or in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.

 

A “waiver” means the approval by the Company’s Board of Directors of a material departure from a provision of the Code. An “implicit waiver” means the Company’s failure to take action within a reasonable period of time regarding a material departure from a provision of the Code that has been made known to an executive officer of the Company. An “amendment” means any amendment to this Code other than minor technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendments hereto.

 

All persons should note that it is not the Company’s intention to grant or to permit waivers from the requirements of this Code. The Company expects full compliance with this Code.

 

7. Other Policies and Procedures

 

Any other policy or procedure set out by the Company in writing or made generally known to employees, officers or directors of the Company prior to the date hereof or hereafter are separate requirements and remain in full force and effect.

 

8. Inquiries

 

All inquiries and questions in relation to this Code or its applicability to particular people or situations should be addressed to the Company’s Secretary.

 

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries of EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

 

Name   Jurisdiction   D/B/A
Cellsana Therapeutics, Inc.   Washington   -
Indolor Therapeutics, Inc.   Washington   -
Mensana Therapeutics, Inc.   Washington   -
Zoesana Animal Health, Inc.   Washington   -

 

 


 

Exhibit 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated May 6, 2022 with respect to the audited consolidated financial statements of Emulate Therapeutics, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Our report contains an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

We also consent to the references to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

/s/ MaloneBailey, LLP  
www.malonebailey.com  
Houston, Texas  
August 15, 2022  

 

 


 

Exhibit 99.1

 

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

 

Charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

 

I.Audit Committee Purpose

 

The purpose of the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) is to oversee the processes of accounting and financial reporting of the Company and the audits and financial statements of the Company. The Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities are to:

 

A.Monitor the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting process and systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting and legal compliance.

 

B.Monitor the independence and performance of the Company’s independent auditors and the Company’s accounting personnel.

 

C.Provide an avenue of communication among the independent auditors, management, the Company’s accounting personnel, and the Board.

 

D.Appoint and provide oversight for the independent auditors engaged to perform the audit of the financial statements.

 

E.Discuss the scope of the independent auditors’ examination.

 

F.Review the financial statements and the independent auditors’ report.

 

G.Review areas of potential significant financial risk to the Company.

 

H.Monitor compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

 

I.Solicit recommendations from the independent auditors regarding internal controls and other matters.

 

J.Make recommendations to the Board.

 

K.Resolve any disagreements between management and the auditors regarding financial reporting.

 

L.Prepare the report required by Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K, as required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

M.Perform other related tasks as requested by the Board.

 

The committee has the authority to conduct any investigation appropriate to fulfilling its responsibilities, and it has direct access to the independent auditors as well as anyone in the organization. The Committee has the ability to retain, at the Company’s expense, special legal, accounting, or other consultants or experts it deems necessary in the performance of its duties.

 

 

 

 

II. Audit Committee Composition and Meetings

 

A.The Committee shall be compromised of three or more directors as determined by the Board. Each member must be independent of the management of the Company and are free of any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with their exercise of independent judgment as a Committee member. Further, each member of the Committee shall meet the independence and experience requirements of the listing rules of any securities exchange or association in which the Company’s securities are traded and the rules and regulations of the SEC, including Rule 10A-3. All members of the Committee shall have a basic understanding of finance and accounting and be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company’s balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. At least one member of the Committee must have past employment experience in finance or accounting, professional certification in accounting, or any other comparable experience or background that results in the member’s financial sophistication, including being or having been a Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) or Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) or other senior officer with financial oversight responsibilities.

 

B.Committee members shall be appointed by the Board after due consideration of recommendations of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and the Board may designate a Chair of the Committee. If an Audit Committee Chair is not designated or present, the members of the Committee may designate a Chair by majority vote of the Committee membership. The Board may, at any time and at its complete discretion, replace a Committee member.

 

C.Committee members shall meet (either in person or telephonically) at least four times each fiscal year and more often if the Committee, at its discretion, deems this desirable. The Committee shall meet, at its discretion, with management, the Company’s principal accounting officer, the independent auditors, and as a committee to discuss any matters that the Committee or each of these groups believes should be discussed. The Committee may request any officer or employee of the Company or the Company’s outside counsel or independent auditors to attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee.

 

III.Audit Committee Responsibilities and Duties

 

Review Procedures

 

A.Review the Company’s annual audited financial statements prior to distribution. Review should include discussion with management and independent auditors of significant issues regarding accounting principles, practices, and judgments.

 

 

 

 

B.In consultation with the management, the independent auditors, and the Company’s principal accounting officer, consider the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting processes and controls, including any major issues as to the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls, and any special steps adopted in light of any identified material control deficiencies. Discuss significant financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor, control, and report such exposures. Review significant findings prepared by the independent auditors and the Company’s principal accounting officer together with management’s responses.

 

C.The Committee shall review with the management and the independent auditors any correspondence with regulators and any published reports that raise material issues regarding the Company’s accounting policies.

 

Independent Auditors

 

A.The Committee shall have the sole authority to appoint or replace the independent auditor. The Committee shall be directly responsible for the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolutions of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding final reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work. The independent auditor shall report directly to the Committee. The Committee shall approve in advance the provision by the independent auditors of all services to the Company whether or not related to the audit. However, neither the Committee nor any person with authority delegated from the Committee may approve an auditor providing the services that are described in Section 10A(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) as “prohibited activities.”

 

B.The Committee shall obtain, review and discuss reports from the independent auditor regarding (1) all critical accounting policies and practices to be used; (2) all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management officials of the Company, ramifications of the use of these alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditor and the reasons for favoring that treatment; and (3) other material written communications between the independent auditor and Company management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences.

 

C.The Committee shall assure the regular rotation of the lead audit partner as required by Section 10A(j) of the Exchange Act.

 

D.The Committee shall assure that hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditor are consistent with Section 10A(l) of the Exchange Act.

 

E.The Committee shall discuss with the independent auditor and then disclose the matters required to be discussed and disclosed by applicable accounting and auditing guidance, including any difficulties the independent auditor encountered in the course of the audit work, any restrictions on the scope of the independent auditor’s activities or on access to requested information, and any significant disagreements with management.

 

 

 

 

F.The Committee shall ascertain annually from the independent auditor whether the Company has issues under Section 10A(b) of the Exchange Act.

 

G.The Committee shall determine the independence of the auditors and receive from the independent auditors a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the auditor and the company (consistent with PCAOB Independence Standards Board Standard 1 or any other applicable standards), and thereafter actively engaging in a dialogue with the auditor with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the auditor and for taking, or recommending that the full Board take, appropriate action to oversee the independence of the outside auditor.

 

Accounting Department and Legal Compliance

 

The Committee shall:

 

A.Review the personnel activities and qualifications of the Company’s accounting personnel, as needed.

 

B.Review the appointment and performance of the principal accounting officer, and review financial and accounting personnel succession planning with the Company.

 

C.Review significant reports prepared by the Company’s principal accounting officer together with management’s response and follow-up to these reports.

 

D.On at least an annual basis, review with the Company’s counsel any legal matters that could have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and inquiries received from regulators or governmental agencies.

 

E.Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

 

F.The Committee shall review the CEO and CFO’s disclosure and certifications under Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

G.Conduct an appropriate review of and approve all related party transactions on an ongoing basis and the Committee shall review potential conflict of interest situations where appropriate.

 

H.Conduct an annual risk review with respect to the matters within the role and the responsibilities of the Committee.

 

 

 

 

The Committee shall:

 

(a)Report regularly to the Board on its activities;

 

(b)Maintain minutes of its meetings and records relating to those meetings and the Committee’s activities;

 

(c)Have authority to obtain, at the expense of the Company, advice and assistance from internal or external legal, consulting or other advisors;

 

(d)Form and delegate authority to subcommittees of one or more Committee members when desired and appropriate;

 

(e)Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend to the Board any proposed changes to this Charter; and

 

(f)Periodically review the Committee’s own performance.

 

General

 

In performing their responsibilities, Committee members are entitled to rely in good faith on information, opinions, reports or statements prepared or presented by:

 

(a)One of more officers or employees of the Company whom the Committee member reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented;

 

(b)Counsel, independent auditors, or other persons as to matters which the Committee member reasonably believes to be within the professional or expert competence of such person; and

 

(c)Other committees of the Board as to matters within their respective designated authority which the Committee member reasonably believes to merit confidence.

 

The Committee has the powers and responsibilities delineated in this Charter. It is not, however, the Committee’s responsibility to prepare and certify the Company’s financial statements, to guarantee the independent auditor’s report, or to guarantee other disclosures by the Company. These are fundamental responsibilities of management and the independent auditor. Committee members are not full-time Company employees and are not performing the functions of auditors or accountants.

 

 


 

Exhibit 99.2

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

 

Charter of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors

I.Authority and Composition

 

The Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) is established pursuant to Article III of the Bylaws of the Company. Committee members are appointed annually by the Board on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and may be replaced by the Board. The Committee must consist of at least two directors, each of whom shall meet the independence requirements of the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules (subject to any applicable transition periods or exceptions permitted under NASDAQ requirements) and the standards of independence prescribed by NASDAQ and/or for purposes of any federal securities, tax or other laws relating to the Committee’s duties and responsibilities, including Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Without limiting the foregoing, to be considered as independent, the Board will consider all relevant factors, including (a) the source of compensation of the director, including any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee paid by, or on behalf of, the Company, and (b) whether the director is affiliated with the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any affiliate of a subsidiary of the Company.

 

The Board shall appoint a Chairman of the Committee upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Committee may also appoint a Secretary, who need not be a director.

 

This Charter may be amended only by the Board.

 

II.Purposes of the Committee

 

The primary purposes of the Committee are to: (i) develop recommendations for the Board with respect to the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and non-employee directors; (ii) discharge the responsibilities of the Board relating to the approval of the compensation of the Company’s executive officers, other than the CEO; (iii) make determinations with respect to the compensation programs and policies of the Company; (iv) review and discuss with the Company’s management, the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (the “CD&A”) and other Committee or executive compensation disclosures to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement and/or annual report on Form 10-K, and determine whether to recommend to the Board of Directors that the CD&A be included in the proxy statement and/or annual report on Form 10-K; and (v) provide the Compensation Committee Report for inclusion in the Company’s annual proxy statement and/or annual report on Form 10-K that complies with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

 

 

 

III.Duties and Responsibilities of the Committee

The following activities are set forth as a guide with the understanding that the Committee may diverge from this guide as it considers appropriate, subject to compliance with applicable NASDAQ, securities, tax and other legal and self-regulatory requirements. Although the Board may consider other duties from time to time, the Committee, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, will have the following responsibilities:

 

A.The Committee shall annually review goals and objectives relevant to the CEO’s compensation, evaluate the CEO’s performance in light of those goals and objectives, determine the CEO’s cash and equity-based compensation based on this evaluation, and recommend such goals, objectives and compensation to the Board for its approval. In determining any incentive component of the CEO’s compensation, the Committee will consider appropriate factors, which may include the Company’s performance and relative shareholder return, the achievement of the CEO’s performance milestones, the value of similar incentive grants or awards to chief executive officers at comparable companies, and the grants or awards given to the CEO in past years. The CEO may not be present for such discussions and determinations.
   
B.The Committee shall annually review and approve the compensation of the Company’s “executive officers,” (as that term is defined in the regulations promulgated by the SEC and the NASDAQ Rules) other than the CEO. In making such compensation decisions, the Committee will take into account peer group practices and other appropriate factors, such as corporate and individual performance and historical compensation practices for such officers. The Committee will solicit the recommendations of the CEO in connection with the foregoing. The Committee will also provide general oversight of the Company’s compensation and benefits plans, policies and programs that pertain to employees other than executive officers.
   
C.The Committee shall annually review and recommend to the Board for its approval, the fees and equity compensation paid to the Company’s non-employee directors, based on appropriate factors as determined by the Committee. Such review and recommendations shall ensure that no agreements or arrangements for providing professional or consulting services to the Company or an affiliate or an individual officer of the Company or one of their affiliates are made with any director, immediate family members of a director or persons (including entities) with an existing business or personal relationship with any director, without a full review and evaluation of potential conflicts of interest.

 

 

 

 

D.The Committee shall have the sole authority to retain and terminate any compensation consultant to be used by the Committee or the Company to assist in the evaluation of the compensation of non-employee directors, the CEO or the other executive officers, shall have sole authority to approve such compensation consultant’s fees and other retention terms, and shall have sole authority to oversee the work of such compensation consultant. In determining whether to engage a compensation consultant, the Committee shall consider the independence factors set forth in the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules. Management will advise the Committee of any compensation consultant to be retained with respect to other compensation matters in advance of such retention.
   
E.The Committee shall periodically review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to incentive-compensation programs and equity-based plans, and shall periodically review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to the adoption of or material changes in material employee benefit, bonus, severance and other compensation plans of the Company. As appropriate in connection with this process, the Committee shall seek appropriate input from internal or external advisors.
   
F.The Committee shall determine the need for and the appropriateness of employment agreements and change in control agreements for each of the Company’s executive officers and any other officers recommended by the CEO or the Board.
   
G.The Committee shall determine and approve the options and other equity-based compensation to be granted to executive officers, other than the CEO; and shall recommend to the Board for approval options and other equity-based compensation to be granted to the CEO and non-employee directors. The Committee shall, in conjunction with the CEO, determine the issuance of options and other equity-based compensation under the Company’s incentive compensation and other stock-based plans to all other officers and employees of the Company. The Committee may delegate the determination with respect to persons other than officers to the CEO but will approve the aggregate amount granted to all employees and all new hire grants. Any equity awards to the CEO shall be determined by the Committee and recommended to the Board for its review and approval.
   
H.The Committee shall perform such duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Committee by the Board and/or under the terms of any compensation plan of the Company.

 

 

 

 

The Committee shall:

 

(a)Report regularly to the Board on its activities;
   
(b)Maintain minutes of its meetings and records relating to those meetings and the Committee’s activities;
   
(c)Have authority to obtain, at the expense of the Company, advice and assistance from internal or external legal, consulting or other advisors;
   
(d)Form and delegate authority to subcommittees of one or more Committee members when desired and appropriate;
   
(e)Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend to the Board any proposed changes to this Charter; and
   
(f)Periodically review the Committee’s own performance.

 

IV.General

 

In performing their responsibilities, Committee members are entitled to rely in good faith on information, opinions, reports or statements prepared or presented by:

 

(a)One or more officers or employees of the Company whom the Committee member reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented;
   
(b)Counsel, independent auditors, or other persons as to matters which the Committee member reasonably believes to be within the professional or expert competence of such person; and
   
(c)Other committees of the Board as to matters within their respective designated authority which committee the Committee member reasonably believes to merit confidence.

 

 


 

Exhibit 99.3

EMulate Therapeutics, Inc.

 

Charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors

 

The purpose of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) shall be as set forth in this charter (the “Charter”). The Committee has been delegated authority by the Board to: (1) identify qualified individuals to become Board members; (2) determine the composition of the Board and its committees; (3) monitor the self-assessment practices of the Board and its committees; and (4) develop and implement the Company’s corporate governance guidelines.

 

Authority and Responsibilities

 

In furtherance of these purposes, the Committee has the following authority and responsibilities:

 

1.To oversee the administration of the Company’s Code of Ethics and related policies.
2.To lead the search for individuals qualified to become members of the Board and to select director nominees to be presented for election by the shareholders at each annual meeting. The Committee shall select individuals as director nominees who shall have the highest personal and professional integrity, who have demonstrated exceptional ability and judgment and who shall be most effective, in conjunction with the other nominees to the Board, in collectively serving the long-term interests of the shareholders.
3.To ensure, in cooperation with the Compensation Committee, that no agreements or arrangements are made with directors or relatives of directors for providing professional or consulting services to the Company or an affiliate or an individual officer of the Company or one of their affiliated, without appropriate review and evaluation for conflicts of interest.
4.To ensure that Board members do not serve on more than three other for-profit public company boards that have a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in addition to the Company’s board. Newly appointed or elected directors shall have a grace period of nine (9) months to gain compliance with this condition.
5.To review the Board’s committee structure and to recommend to the Board for its approval, directors to serve as members of each committee as well as recommendations for committee chairs. The Committee shall review and recommend committee positions, including chairs of such committees, annually and shall recommend additional committee members to fill vacancies.
6.To review recommendations received from shareholders for persons to be considered for nomination to the board of directors, and to designate a member of the Committee to receive such communications directly from shareholders, and to publish the name and contact information of such person in the Company’s proxy statement for each of its annual meeting of shareholders.

 

 

 

 

7.To monitor compliance with the Company’s corporate governance guidelines. The Committee shall review the guidelines at least annually, and recommend changes as necessary to the Board.
8.To develop and implement an annual self-evaluation of the Board, both individually and as a Board, and of its committees. The Committee shall oversee the annual self-evaluations, with a focus on the effectiveness of the directors, Board, and committees as representative of the shareholders.
9.To review and recommend changes to procedures whereby shareholders may communicate with the Board.
10.To assess the independence of directors annually and report to the Board.
11.To recommend to the Board for its approval, the leadership structure of the Board, including whether the Board should have an executive or non-executive Chair, whether the roles of Chair and CEO should combine, and whether a Lead Director of the Board should be appointed.

 

Actions and Recommendations

 

In carrying out its responsibilities under its charter, the Committee is required to:

 

(a)Establish criteria for selection of potential directors, taking into consideration the following desired attributes: leadership, independence; interpersonal skills; financial acumen; business experiences; industry knowledge; diversity of viewpoints, and any other experiences as the Committee deems important to the effectiveness of the Board. The Committee will periodically assess the criteria to ensure it is consistent with the best practices and the goals of the Company.
(b)Identify individuals who satisfy the criteria for selection to the Board and make recommendations to the Board on new candidates for Board membership.
(c)Receive and evaluate nominations for Board membership which are recommended by existing directors, officers, or shareholders in accordance with procedures established by the Committee in accordance with the Company’s corporate governance guidelines and applicable law.
(d)Oversee the process for conducting background checks on new candidates for Board membership, including the process of validating candidate credentials.
(e)Review any potential conflicts of interest for Board members in the event of a particular member’s change of employment and recommend to the Board the Committee’s belief as to whether that director should continue his or her board service or resign from the Board.
(f)Establish criteria for the evaluation of existing directors and the reelection or removal of directors based on the needs of the Company.
(g)Monitor the requirement that Board members shall not serve on more than three other for-profit public company boards in addition to the Company’s Board. Determinations regarding the definition of “for-profit public company board” shall be made by the Committee.

 

 

 

 

(h)Review the qualifications, performance and independence of existing Board members and make recommendations to the Board whether they should stand for reelection.
(i)Recommend to the Board the removal of a director where appropriate.
(j)Recommend to the Board a slate of nominees for the next annual meeting of shareholders.
(k)Oversee the orientation process for new directors.

 

Shareholder Recommendations

 

The Committee will consider all recommendations for nominations to the Board from any person (or group) who has (or collectively if a group have) held more than 3% of the Company’s voting securities for longer than one year. Shareholders desiring to submit recommendations to the Committee should submit information regarding such recommendation in writing or by electronic mail to the person designated in the proxy statement circulated in advance of each annual meeting of shareholders. Each proxy statement shall set forth the information to be provided either directly in the proxy statement or by reference to the Company’s website. When the required information has been received, the Committee will evaluate the proposed nominee based on the criteria described above, with the principal criteria being the needs of the Company and the qualifications of such proposed nominee to fulfill those needs.

 

The Committee shall:

 

(a)Report regularly to the Board on its activities;
(b)Maintain minutes of its meetings and records relating to those meetings and the Committee’s activities;
(c)Have authority to obtain, at the expense of the Company, advice and assistance from search firms and internal or external legal, consulting, or other advisors;
(d)Form and delegate authority to subcommittees of one or more Committee members when desired and appropriate;
(e)Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend to the Board any proposed changes to this Charter; and
(f)Periodically review the Committee’s own performance.

 

In performing their responsibilities, Committee members are entitled to rely in good faith on information, opinions, reports or statements prepared or presented by:

 

(a)One or more officers or employees of the Company whom the Committee member reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented;
(b)Counsel, independent auditors, or other persons as to matters which the Committee member reasonably believes to be within the professional or expert competence of such person; and
(c)Other committees of the Board as to matters within their respective designated authority which committee the Committee member reasonably believes to merit confidence.

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 99.4

 

Conversion Labs, INC.

POLICY ON INSIDER TRADING

 

This Insider Trading Policy (“Policy”) sets forth the policies of Conversion Labs, Inc. (the “Company”) on trading and causing the trading of securities while in possession of confidential information.

 

Purpose

 

The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted this Policy to provide guidance to the Company’s directors, officers, and employees about trading in the Company’s securities and the securities of any publicly traded companies with whom the Company has a business relationship.

 

This Policy is designed to (i) promote compliance with applicable securities laws in order to preserve the Company’s reputation for integrity and ethical conduct, (ii) provide guidelines for transactions in the securities of the Company, and (iii) provide guidelines for the handling of confidential information about the Company and any companies with which the Company does business.

 

Scope

 

The policy applies to the following “Covered Persons”: (i) all directors of the Company; and (ii) all officers of the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

Sections 1 through 3 and Section 5 apply to the following “Associated Person(s)”: members of your immediate family and persons sharing your household; it also covers venture capital funds and other entities (such as partnerships, trusts and corporations) that are affiliated or associated with such person(s). Affiliated means directly or indirectly controlled or controlled by, or under common control with, such person(s). Associated means (1) a corporation or organization (other than the Company or a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company) of which such person(s) is an officer or partner or is directly or indirectly the beneficial owner of 10% or more of any class of equity securities or (2) any trust in which such person(s) has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar capacity.

 

1.The Basic Policy—No Trading or Causing Trading While in Possession of Material Non-Public Information

 

(a)No person associated with the Company may purchase or sell any security, whether or not issued by the Company, while in possession of material non-public information concerning the security. (The terms “material” and non-public” are defined in Section 2 below.)
(b)No person associated with the Company who knows of material non-public information may communicate that information to any other person if he or she has reason to believe that the information may be improperly used in connection with securities trading.
(c)Covered Persons and Associated Persons must “preclear” all trading in securities of the Company in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4 below.
(d)This Policy applies to all transactions in the Company’s equity securities, including common stock and any other type of securities that the Company may issue, such as preferred stock, notes, bonds, convertible debentures and warrants, and exchange-traded options (including puts and calls) and other derivative securities. This Policy applies to sales, purchases, gifts, exchanges, pledges, options, hedges, puts, calls and short sales.
(e)This Policy does not apply to a surrender of shares to the Company or the retention and withholding from delivery to the applicable officer, director or employee of shares by the Company (i.e., a so-called “net settlement”) upon vesting of restricted stock in satisfaction of any tax withholding obligations in a manner permitted by the applicable equity award agreement or the Company plan pursuant to which the restricted stock was granted.

 

1

 

 

2.The Law Against “Insider Trading”

 

One of the principal purposes of the federal securities laws is to prohibit so-called insider trading. In recent years this has become a major focus of the enforcement program of the Securities and Exchange Commission and of criminal prosecutions brought by United States Attorneys.

 

(a)Application to Non-Insiders and to Securities Other Than Securities of the Company

 

Prohibitions against “insider trading” apply to trades, tips, and recommendations by any person—including all persons associated with the Company —if the information involved is “material” and “non-public.” Thus, for example, the prohibitions would apply if you trade on the basis of material non-public information you obtain regarding the Company, its borrowers, customers, suppliers, or other corporations with which the Company has contractual relationships or may be negotiating transactions. For compliance purposes, you should never trade, tip, or recommend securities (or otherwise cause the purchase or sale of securities) while in possession of information that you have reason to believe is material and non-public unless you first consult with, and obtain the advance approval of, the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer (the “Compliance Officer”).

 

(b)Materiality

 

Insider trading restrictions come into play if the information you possess is “material.” Materiality, however, involves a low threshold.

 

Information is generally regarded as “material” if it has market significance, that is, if its public dissemination is likely to affect the market price of securities, or if it otherwise is information that a reasonable investor would want to know before making an investment decision. Information dealing with the following subjects is reasonably likely to be found material in particular situations:

 

Significant changes in the Company’s prospects;

 

Significant write-downs in assets or increases in reserves;

 

Developments regarding significant litigation or government agency investigations;

 

Liquidity problems;

 

Changes in earnings estimates or unusual gains or losses in major operation;

 

Major changes in management;

 

Changes in dividends;

 

Extraordinary borrowings;

 

Award or loss of a significant contract;

 

Changes in debt ratings;

 

Proposals, plans, or agreements, even if preliminary in nature, involving mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, strategic alliances, licensing arrangements, or purchases or sales of substantial assets;

 

Public offerings; and

 

Pending statistical reports (e.g., consumer price index, money supply and retail figures, or interest rate developments).

 

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Material information is not limited to historical facts but may also include projections and forecasts. With respect to a future event, such as a merger, acquisition, or introduction of a new product, the point at which negotiations or product development are determined to be material is determined by balancing the probability that the event will occur against the magnitude of the effect the event would have on a company’s operations or stock price should it occur. Thus, information concerning an event that would have a large effect on stock price, such as a merger, may be material even if the possibility that the event will occur is small. When in doubt about whether particular non-public information is material, exercise caution. Consult the Compliance Officer before making a decision to disclose such information (other than to persons who need to know it) or to trade in or recommend securities to which that information relates.

 

(c)Non-Public Information

 

Insider trading prohibitions come into play when you possess information that is material and “non-public.” The fact that information has been disclosed to a few members of the public does not make it public for insider trading purposes. To be “public” the information must have been disseminated in a manner designed to reach investors generally. Even after public disclosure of information regarding the Company, you must wait two full business days for the information to be absorbed by public investors before you can treat the information as public.

 

Non-public information may include:

 

Information available to a select group of analysts or brokers or institutional investors;

 

Undisclosed facts that are the subject of rumors, even if the rumors are widely circulated; and

 

Information that has been entrusted to the Company on a confidential basis until a public announcement of the information has been made and enough time has elapsed for the market to respond to a public announcement of the information (two full business days).

 

As with questions of materiality, when in doubt about whether information is non-public, call the designated Compliance Officer or assume that the information is “non-public” and, therefore, treat it as confidential.

 

3.Severe Penalties for Violating Insider Trading Laws

 

Penalties for trading on or communicating material non-public information are severe, both for individuals involved in such unlawful conduct and their employers and supervisors. A person who violates the insider trading laws can be sentenced to a substantial jail term and required to pay a penalty of several times the amount of profits gained or losses avoided.

 

Moreover, Congress has passed insider trading legislation that, in a significant departure from prior law, explicitly empowers the Securities and Exchange Commission to seek substantial penalties from any person who, at the time of an insider trading violation, “directly or indirectly controlled the person who committed such violation.” Such persons may be held liable for up to the greater of $1 million or three times the amount of the profit gained or loss avoided. Thus, even for violations that result in a small or no profit, the Securities and Exchange Commission can seek a minimum of $1 million from the Company and various management and supervisory personnel.

 

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Given the severity of the potential penalties, compliance with the policies set forth in Section 1 of this Statement is absolutely mandatory, and noncompliance is a ground for dismissal. Exceptions to these policies, if any, may only be granted by the Compliance Officer and must be provided before any activity contrary to the above policies takes place.

 

4.Preclearance of Securities Transactions

 

Because Covered Persons are likely to obtain material non-public information on a regular basis, the Company requires all such persons to preclear all purchases and sales of the Company’s securities in accordance with the following procedures:

 

(a)Subject to the exemption in part “(d)” below, no Covered Person may, directly or indirectly, purchase or sell any security issued by the Company without first obtaining prior approval from the Compliance Officer. These procedures also apply to transactions by such person’s spouse, other persons living in such person’s household and minor children, and to transactions by entities over which such person exercises control.
(b)The Compliance Officer shall record the date each request is received and the date and time each request is approved or disapproved. Unless revoked, a grant of permission will normally remain valid until the close of trading two business days following the day on which it was granted.
(c)Requests are most likely to be approved for trading that is to occur in the following “window periods”:

 

(i) Commencing at the close of trading on the second full business day following the date of public disclosure of the financial results for a particular fiscal quarter or year and continuing until the eleventh business day of the third month of the next fiscal quarter. For example, if public disclosure occurs on Monday, May 14th, trading requests would likely be approved from Thursday, May 17th through Thursday, June 14th; or

 

(ii) Following the wide dissemination of information on the status of the Company and current results.

 

(d)Preclearance is not required for purchases and sales of securities under a preexisting written plan, contract, instruction, or arrangement that is adopted pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b5-1(c) (17 C.F.R. § 240.10b5-1(c)) and approved in writing by the Compliance Officer or such other person as the Board of Directors may designate from time to time (the “Authorizing Officer”). Generally, Rule 10b5-1(c) trading plans are developed in consultation with individual counsel and not the responsibility of the Compliance Officer. For more information about Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, see Section 5 below.

 

5.Rule 10B5-1 Trading Plans, Section 16 and Rule 144

 

A.Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans

 

  (1) Overview.

 

Rule 10b5-1 will protect directors, officers and employees from insider trading liability under Rule 10b5-1 for transactions under a previously established contract, plan or instruction to trade in the Company’s stock (a “Trading Plan”) entered into in good faith and in accordance with the terms of Rule 10b5-1 and all applicable state laws and will be exempt from the trading restrictions set forth in this Policy. The initiation of, and any modification to, any such Trading Plan will be deemed to be a transaction in the Company’s securities, and such initiation or modification is subject to all limitations and prohibitions relating to transactions in the Company’s securities. Each such Trading Plan, and any modification thereof, must be submitted to and pre-approved by the Compliance Officer, or such other Authorizing Officer, who may impose such conditions on the implementation and operation of the Trading Plan as the Authorizing Officer deems necessary or advisable. However, compliance of the Trading Plan to the terms of Rule 10b5-1 and the execution of transactions pursuant to the Trading Plan are the sole responsibility of the person initiating the Trading Plan, not the Company or the Authorizing Officer.

 

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Trading Plans do not exempt individuals from complying with Section 16 short swing profit rules or liability.

 

Rule 10b5-1 presents an opportunity for insiders to establish arrangements to sell (or purchase) Company stock without the restrictions of trading windows and black-out periods, even when there is undisclosed material information. A Trading Plan may also help reduce negative publicity that may result when key executives sell the Company’s stock. Rule 10b5-1 only provides an “affirmative defense” in the event there is an insider trading lawsuit. It does not prevent someone from bringing a lawsuit.

 

A director, officer or employee may enter into a Trading Plan only when he or she is not in possession of material, non-public information, and only during a trading window period outside of the trading black-out period. Although transactions effected under a Trading Plan will not require further pre-clearance at the time of the trade, any transaction (including the quantity and price) made pursuant to a Trading Plan of a Section 16 reporting person must be reported to the Company promptly on the day of each trade to permit the Company’s Securities Counsel to assist in the preparation and filing of a required Form 4. Such reporting may be oral or in writing (including by e-mail) and should include the identity of the reporting person, the type of transaction, the date of the transaction, the number of shares involved and the purchase or sale price. However, the ultimate responsibility, and liability, for timely filing remains with the Section 16 reporting person.

 

The Company reserves the right from time to time to suspend, discontinue or otherwise prohibit any transaction in the Company’s securities, even pursuant to a previously approved Trading Plan, if the Authorizing Officer or the Board of Directors, in its discretion, determines that such suspension, discontinuation or other prohibition is in the best interests of the Company. Any Trading Plan submitted for approval hereunder should explicitly acknowledge the Company’s right to prohibit transactions in the Company’s securities. Failure to discontinue purchases and sales as directed shall constitute a violation of the terms of this Section 5 and result in a loss of the exemption set forth herein.

 

Officers, directors and employees may adopt Trading Plans with brokers that outline a pre-set plan for trading of the Company’s stock, including the exercise of options. Trades pursuant to a Trading Plan generally may occur at any time. However, the Company requires a cooling-off period of 30 days between the establishment of a Trading Plan and commencement of any transactions under such plan. An individual may adopt more than one Trading Plan. Please review the following description of how a Trading Plan works.

 

Pursuant to Rule 10b5-1, an individual’s purchase or sale of securities will not be “on the basis of” material, non-public information if:

 

First, before becoming aware of the information, the individual enters into a binding contract to purchase or sell the securities, provides instructions to another person to sell the securities or adopts a written plan for trading the securities (i.e., the Trading Plan).

 

Second, the Trading Plan must either:

 

specify the amount of securities to be purchased or sold, the price at which the securities are to be purchased or sold and the date on which the securities are to be purchased or sold;

 

include a written formula or computer program for determining the amount, price and date of the transactions; or

 

prohibit the individual from exercising any subsequent influence over the purchase or sale of the Company’s stock under the Trading Plan in question.

 

Third, the purchase or sale must occur pursuant to the Trading Plan and the individual must not enter into a corresponding hedging transaction or alter or deviate from the Trading Plan.

 

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(2)Revocation of and Amendments to Trading Plans

 

Revocation of Trading Plans should occur only in unusual circumstances. Effectiveness of any revocation or amendment of a Trading Plan will be subject to the prior review and approval of the Authorizing Officer. Revocation is effected upon written notice to the broker. Once a Trading Plan has been revoked, the participant should wait at least 30 days before trading outside of a Trading Plan and 180 days before establishing a new Trading Plan.

 

A person acting in good faith may amend a prior Trading Plan so long as such amendments are made outside of a quarterly trading black-out period and at a time when the Trading Plan participant does not possess material, non-public information. Plan amendments must not take effect for at least 30 days after the plan amendments are made.

 

Under certain circumstances, a Trading Plan must be revoked. This may include circumstances such as the announcement of a merger or the occurrence of an event that would cause the transaction either to violate the law or to have an adverse effect on the Company. The Authorizing Officer is authorized to notify the broker in such circumstances, thereby insulating the insider in the event of revocation.

 

(3)Discretionary Plans

 

Although non-discretionary Trading Plans are preferred, discretionary Trading Plans, where the discretion or control over trading is transferred to a broker, are permitted if pre-approved by the Authorizing Officer.

 

The Authorizing Officer of the Company must pre-approve any Trading Plan, arrangement or trading instructions, etc., involving potential sales or purchases of the Company’s stock or option exercises, including but not limited to, blind trusts, discretionary accounts with banks or brokers, or limit orders. The actual transactions effected pursuant to a pre-approved Trading Plan will not be subject to further pre-clearance for transactions in the Company’s stock once the Trading Plan or other arrangement has been pre-approved.

 

(4)Reporting (if Required)

 

If required, an SEC Form 144 will be filled out and filed by the individual/brokerage firm in accordance with the existing rules regarding Form 144 filings. A footnote at the bottom of the Form 144 should indicate that the trades “are in accordance with a Trading Plan that complies with Rule 10b5-1 and expires _____.” For Section 16 reporting persons, Form 4s should be filed before the end of the second business day following the date that the broker, dealer or plan administrator informs the individual that a transaction was executed, provided that the date of such notification is not later than the third business day following the trade date. A similar footnote should be placed at the bottom of the Form 4 as outlined above.

 

(5)Options

 

Exercises of options for cash may be executed at any time. “Cashless exercise” option exercises through a broker are subject to trading windows. However, the Company will permit same day sales under Trading Plans. If a broker is required to execute a cashless exercise in accordance with a Trading Plan, then the Company must have exercise forms attached to the Trading Plan that are signed, undated and with the number of shares to be exercised left blank.

 

Once a broker determines that the time is right to exercise the option and dispose of the shares in accordance with the Trading Plan, the broker will notify the Company in writing and the Authorizing Officer will fill in the number of shares and the date of exercise on the previously signed exercise form. The insider should not be involved with this part of the exercise.

 

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(6)Trades Outside of a Trading Plan

 

During an open trading window, trades differing from Trading Plan instructions that are already in place are allowed as long as the Trading Plan continues to be followed.

(7)Public Announcements

 

The Company may make a public announcement that Trading Plans are being implemented in accordance with Rule 10b5-1. It will consider in each case whether a public announcement of a particular Trading Plan should be made. It may also make public announcements or respond to inquiries from the media as transactions are made under a Trading Plan.

 

(8)Prohibited Transactions

 

The transactions prohibited under Section V of this Policy, including among others short sales and hedging transactions, may not be carried out through a Trading Plan or other arrangement or trading instruction involving potential sales or purchases of the Company’s securities.

 

(9)Limitation on Liability

 

None of the Company, the Compliance Officer, the Authorizing Officer or the Company’s other employees will have any liability for any delay in reviewing, or refusal of, a Trading Plan submitted pursuant to this Section 5 or a request for pre-clearance submitted pursuant to Section 5 of this Policy. Notwithstanding any review of a Trading Plan pursuant to this Section 5 or pre-clearance of a transaction pursuant to Section 5 of this Policy, none of the Company, the Compliance Officer, the Authorizing Officer or the Company’s other employees assumes any liability for the legality or consequences of such Trading Plan or transaction to the person engaging in or adopting such Trading Plan or transaction.

 

B.Section 16: Insider Reporting Requirements, Short-Swing Profits and Short Sales          

 

(1) Reporting Obligations Under Section 16(a): SEC Forms 3, 4 and 5

 

Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act generally requires all officers, directors and 10% stockholders (“insiders”), within 10 days after the insider becomes an officer, director or 10% stockholder, to file with the SEC an “Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership of Securities” on SEC Form 3 listing the amount of the Company’s stock, options and warrants which the insider beneficially owns. Following the initial filing on SEC Form 3, changes in beneficial ownership of the Company’s stock, options and warrants must be reported on SEC Form 4, generally within two business days after the date on which such change occurs, or in certain cases on Form 5, within 45 days after fiscal year end. A Form 4 must be filed even if, as a result of balancing transactions, there has been no net change in holdings. In certain situations, purchases or sales of Company stock made within six months prior to the filing of a Form 3 must be reported on Form 4. Similarly, certain purchases or sales of Company stock made within six months after an officer or director ceases to be an insider must be reported on Form 4.

 

(2) Recovery of Profits Under Section 16(b)

 

For the purpose of preventing the unfair use of information which may have been obtained by an insider, any profits realized by any officer, director or 10% stockholder from any “purchase” and “sale” of Company stock during a six-month period, so called “short-swing profits,” may be recovered by the Company. When such a purchase and sale occurs, good faith is no defense. The insider is liable even if compelled to sell for personal reasons, and even if the sale takes place after full disclosure and without the use of any inside information.

 

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The liability of an insider under Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act is only to the Company itself. The Company, however, cannot waive its right to short swing profits, and any Company stockholder can bring suit in the name of the Company. Reports of ownership filed with the SEC on Form 3, Form 4 or Form 5 pursuant to Section 16(a) (discussed above) are readily available to the public, and certain attorneys carefully monitor these reports for potential Section 16(b) violations. In addition, liabilities under Section 16(b) may require separate disclosure in the Company’s annual report to the SEC on Form 10-K or its proxy statement for its annual meeting of stockholders. No suit may be brought more than two years after the date the profit was realized. However, if the insider fails to file a report of the transaction under Section 16(a), as required, the two-year limitation period does not begin to run until after the transactions giving rise to the profit have been disclosed. Failure to report transactions and late filing of reports require separate disclosure in the Company’s proxy statement.

 

Officers and directors should consult the attached “Short-Swing Profit Rule Section 16(b) Checklist” attached hereto as “Attachment A” in addition to consulting the Compliance Officer prior to engaging in any transactions involving the Company’s securities, including without limitation, the Company’s stock, options or warrants.

 

(3) Short Sales Prohibited Under Section 16(c)

 

Section 16(c) of the 1934 Act prohibits insiders absolutely from making short sales of the Company’s equity securities. Short sales include sales of stock which the insider does not own at the time of sale, or sales of stock against which the insider does not deliver the shares within 20 days after the sale. Under certain circumstances, the purchase or sale of put or call options, or the writing of such options, can result in a violation of Section 16(c). Insiders violating Section 16(c) face criminal liability.

 

The Compliance Officer should be consulted if you have any questions regarding reporting obligations, short-swing profits or short sales under Section 16.

 

C. Rule 144

 

Rule 144 provides a safe harbor exemption to the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for certain resales of “restricted securities” and “control securities.” “Restricted securities” are securities acquired from an issuer, or an affiliate of an issuer, in a transaction or chain of transactions not involving a public offering. “Control securities” are any securities owned by directors, executive officers or other “affiliates” of the issuer, including stock purchased in the open market and stock received upon exercise of stock options. Sales of Company restricted and control securities must comply with the requirements of Rule 144, which are summarized below:

 

Holding Period. Restricted securities must be held for at least six months before they may be sold in the market.
   
Current Public Information. The Company must have filed all SEC-required reports during the last 12 months or such shorter period that the Company was required to file such reports.
   
Volume Limitations. For affiliates, total sales of Company common stock for any three-month period may not exceed the greater of: (i) 1% of the total number of outstanding shares of Company common stock, as reflected in the most recent report or statement published by the Company, or (ii) the average weekly reported volume of such shares traded during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of the requisite Form 144.
   
Method of Sale. For affiliates, the shares must be sold either in a “broker’s transaction” or in a transaction directly with a “market maker.” A “broker’s transaction” is one in which the broker does no more than execute the sale order and receive the usual and customary commission. Neither the broker nor the selling person can solicit or arrange for the sale order. In addition, the selling person or Board member must not pay any fee or commission other than to the broker. A “market maker” includes a specialist permitted to act as a dealer, a dealer acting in the position of a block positioner, and a dealer who holds himself out as being willing to buy and sell Company common stock for his own account on a regular and continuous basis.
   
Notice of Proposed Sale. For affiliates, a notice of the sale (a Form 144) may be required to be filed with the SEC at the time of the sale. Brokers generally have internal procedures for executing sales under Rule 144 and will assist you in completing the Form 144 and in complying with the other requirements of Rule 144.

 

If you are subject to Rule 144, you must instruct your broker who handles trades in Company securities to follow the brokerage firm’s Rule 144 compliance procedures in connection with all trades.

 

6.Prohibited Activities

 

(a) ProhibitionsExcept for limited exceptions described below, the following activities are prohibited under this Policy:

 

(i) No Covered Person may purchase, sell, transfer or effectuate any other transaction in Company securities while in possession of material nonpublic information concerning the Company or its securities. This prohibition includes sales of shares received upon exercise of stock options or upon vesting of Restricted Stock Units and Awards, and shares held in the Company’s 401(k) plan.

 

(ii) No Covered Person may “tip” or disclose material nonpublic information concerning the Company or its securities to any outside person (including family members, affiliates, analysts, investors, members of the investment community and news media). Should a Covered Person inadvertently disclose such information to an outsider, the Covered Person must promptly inform the Compliance Officer regarding this disclosure. The Company will take steps necessary to preserve the confidentiality of the information, including requiring the outsider to agree in writing to comply with the terms of this Policy and/or sign a confidentiality agreement.

 

(iii) No Covered Person may purchase Company securities on margin, hold Company securities in a margin account, or otherwise pledge Company securities as collateral for a loan because, in the event of a margin call or default on the loan, the broker or lender could sell the shares at a time when the Covered Person is in possession of material nonpublic information, resulting in liability for insider trading. In addition, pledging of securities by Covered Persons, including margin arrangements, can be perceived to undermine the alignment of their interests and incentives with the long-term interests of other stockholders.

 

(iv) Short-term and speculative trading in Company securities, as well as hedging and other derivative transactions involving Company securities, can create the appearance of impropriety and may become the subject of an SEC investigation, particularly if the trading occurs before a major Company announcement or is followed by unusual activity or price changes in the Company’s stock. These types of transactions can also result in inadvertent violations of insider trading laws and/or liability for short-swing profits under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.1 Therefore, it is the Company’s policy to prohibit the following activities, even if you are not in possession of material nonpublic information:

 

1.No Covered Person may trade in any interest or position relating to the future price of Company securities, such as put or call options or other derivatives, or short sale of Company securities.

 

2.No Covered Person may hedge Company securities. A “hedge” is a transaction designed to offset or reduce the risk of a decline in the market value of an equity security, and can include, but is not limited to, prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, and exchange funds.

 

3.Covered Persons may not trade in securities of the Company on an active basis, including short term speculation.

 

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(v) No Covered Person may trade in securities of another company if the Covered Person is in possession of material nonpublic information about that other company which the Covered Person learned in the course of their work for the Company.

 

(vi) “Quiet” Periods. The Company’s announcement of its quarterly financial results has the potential to have a material effect on the market for the Company’s securities. Therefore, to avoid even the appearance of trading on the basis of material non-public information, Covered Persons who are subject to the pre-clearance procedure set forth above may not, except as expressly permitted under this Policy, carry out any transaction in the Company’s securities during the period beginning on the 15th day of the last month of each quarter (March, June, September, December) and ending on the third business day following the release of the Company’s earnings for that quarter.

 

(vii) Event-Specific Quiet Periods. The Company reserves the right to close any open window period at any time if the Compliance Officer, or his or her designee, determines, in his or her sole discretion, that there may be material non-public information with respect to the Company. If the Company closes an open window, it will not pre clear any transaction that is not expressly permitted by this Policy during the period that such open window is closed.

 

The Company may on occasion issue interim earnings guidance or other potentially material information by means of a press release, Current Report on Form 8-K, or other means designed to achieve widespread dissemination of the information. Covered Persons should anticipate that trading will be prohibited while the Company is in the process of assembling the information to be released and until the information has been released and absorbed by the market.

 

From time to time, an event may occur that is material to the Company and is known by only a few directors, executives, or other employees. So long as the event remains material and non-public, the persons who are aware of the event, as well as all Designated Persons, may not trade in the Company’s securities.

 

The existence of an event-specific quiet period will not be announced, other than to those who are aware of the event giving rise to the quiet period. If, however, a person whose trades are subject to the pre-clearance requirements set forth above desires to effect a transaction during an event-specific quiet period, the Compliance Officer may refuse to grant permission to carry out the transaction and will have no obligation to disclose to the person the reason for the refusal or the reason for the event-specific quiet period. Any person who becomes aware of the existence of an event-specific quiet period shall not disclose the existence of the quiet period to any other person. The failure of the Compliance Officer to inform a person that they are subject to an event-specific quiet period will not relieve that person of the obligation not to trade while aware of material non public information.

 

(b) Exceptions to Prohibited Activities. Prohibitions in trading securities under this Policy do not include:

 

(i) The investment of 401(k) plan contributions in a Company stock fund in accordance with the terms of the Company’s 401(k) plan. However, any changes in your investment election regarding the Company’s stock are subject to trading restrictions under this Policy.

 

(ii) The exercise of vested employee stock options where no Company stock is sold to fund the option exercise. 1

 

(iii) The receipt of Company stock upon vesting of Restricted Stock Units and Awards, as well as the withholding of Company stock by the Company in payment of tax obligations.

 

(iv) Company securities purchased or sold under a Company authorized Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan (see Section 4(d) above).

 

(v) Transfers of Company stock by a Covered Person into a trust for which the Covered Person is a trustee, or from the trust back into the name of the Covered Person.

 

 

1 While vested employee stock options may be exercised at any time under this Policy, the sale of any stock acquired through such exercise is subject to this Policy.

 

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7.Blackout Periods Applicable to Covered Persons

 

(a) No Trading During Blackout Periods. No Covered Person may trade or effectuate any other transactions in Company securities during regular blackout periods or during any special blackout periods designated by the Compliance Officer (except for the limited exceptions described in Section 5(b) above). Remember that even during an open trading window, you may not trade in Company securities if you are in possession of material nonpublic information concerning the Company or its securities.

 

(b) Regular Blackout Periods Defined. Subject to obtaining trading pre-approval from the Compliance Officer, Covered Persons may not trade in Company securities during the period beginning on the 15th day of the last month of each quarter (March, June, September, December) and ending on the third business day following the release of the Company’s earnings for that quarter. To provide clarity, the Compliance Officer will notify Covered Persons, in advance of each quarter end, of the date on which the blackout period begins and ends. Trades made pursuant to an approved 10b5-1 Trading Plan (see Section 4(d) above) are exempted from this restriction.

 

(c) Special Blackout Periods. From time to time, the Compliance Officer may determine that trading in Company securities is inappropriate during an otherwise open trading window due to the existence of material nonpublic information. Accordingly, the Compliance Officer may prohibit trading at any time by announcing a special blackout period. The Compliance Officer will provide notice of any modification of the trading blackout policy or any additional prohibition on trading during the period when trading is otherwise permitted under this Policy. The existence of a special blackout period should be considered confidential information and Covered Persons are prohibited from communicating the existence of a special blackout period to anyone who is not a Covered Person.

 

(d) Blackout Periods Required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In order to comply with certain provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, no director or executive officer of the Company may, directly or indirectly, purchase, sell or otherwise acquire or transfer any equity security of the Company during any period of time that participants in the Company’s 401(k) plan are prohibited from trading interests in the Company’s equity securities under such plan. The “blackout period” is defined for purposes of this rule as any period of more than three consecutive business days during which the ability of 50 percent or more of the participants or beneficiaries located in the United States under all individual account plans of the Company to purchase or sell any equity securities of the Company under any such plan is suspended by action of the Company or a fiduciary of the plan. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires the Company to timely notify affected directors and executive officers and the SEC of any such blackout period. If you are a director or executive officer of the Company, the Compliance Officer will disapprove any requested transaction involving equity securities of the Company that would occur during a blackout period for participants in the Company’s 401(k) plan.

 

(e) Hardship Trading Exceptions. The Compliance Officer may, on a case-by-case basis, authorize trading in Company securities during a trading blackout period due to financial or other hardship. Any person wanting to rely on this exception must first notify the Compliance Officer in writing of the circumstance of the hardship and the amount and nature of the proposed trade. Such person will also be required to certify to the Compliance Officer in writing no earlier than two business days prior to the proposed trade that he or she is not in possession of material nonpublic information concerning the Company or its securities. Upon authorization from the Compliance Officer, the person may trade, although such person will be responsible for ensuring that any such trade complies in all other respects with this Policy.

 

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8.Inquiries

 

If you have any questions regarding any of the provisions of this Policy, please contact the Compliance Officer at compliance@conversionlabs.com.

 

9.Acknowledgment and Certification

 

The undersigned does hereby acknowledge receipt of the Company’s Policy On Insider Trading regarding trading on material non-public information. The undersigned has read and understands (or has had explained to them by someone who understands) such Policy and agrees to be governed by such Policy at all times in connection with the purchase and sale of securities and the confidentiality of non-public information. The undersigned understands that if the undersigned is a Covered Person, the entire policy applies to them. The undersigned understands that if the undersigned is not a Covered Person, Sections 1 through 3 and Section 5 applies to them.

 

     
(Signature)    
     
     
(Please print name)   Title/Relationship to the Company
     
Date:                       

 

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ATTACHMENT A

 

SHORT-SWING PROFIT RULE SECTION 16(B) CHECKLIST

 

Note: ANY combination of PURCHASE AND SALE or SALE AND PURCHASE within six months of each other by an officer, director or 10% stockholder (or any family member living in the same household or certain affiliated entities) results in a violation of Section 16(b), and the “profit” must be recovered by Conversion Labs, Inc. (the “Company”). It makes no difference how long the shares being sold have been held or, for officers and directors, that you were an insider for only one of the two matching transactions. The highest priced sale will be matched with the lowest priced purchase within the six-month period.

 

Sales

 

If a sale is to be made by an officer, director or 10% stockholder (or any family member living in the same household or certain affiliated entities):

 

1.Have there been any purchases by the insider (or family members living in the same household or certain affiliated entities) within the past six months?

 

2.Have there been any option grants or exercises not exempt under Rule 16b-3 within the past six months?

 

3.Are any purchases (or non-exempt option exercises) anticipated or required within the next six months?

 

4.Has a Form 4 been prepared?

 

Note: If a sale is to be made by an affiliate of the Company, has a Form 144 been prepared and has the broker been reminded to sell pursuant to Rule 144?

 

Purchases and Option Exercises

 

If a purchase or option exercise for Company stock is to be made:

 

1.Have there been any sales by the insider (or family members living in the same household or certain affiliated entities) within the past six months?

 

2.Are any sales anticipated or required within the next six months (such as tax- related or year-end transactions)?

 

3.Has a Form 4 been prepared?

 

Before proceeding with a purchase or sale, consider whether you are aware of material, non-public information which could affect the price of the Company stock. All transactions in the Company’s securities by officers and directors must be pre-cleared by contacting the Company’s Compliance Officer.

 

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Exhibit 107

 

Calculation of Filing Fee Tables

 

Form S-1

(Form Type)

 

EMULATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Table 1: Newly Registered Securities

 

  Security
Type
Security
Class
Title
Fee
Calculation
or Carry
Forward Rule

Amount
Registered

(1)

Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Unit
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price
Fee
Rate
Amount of
Registration
Fee(1)
Carry
Forward
Form
Type
Carry
Forward
File
Number
Carry
Forward
Initial
effective
date
Filing Fee
Previously
Paid In
Connection
with
Unsold
Securities
to be
Carried
Forward
Newly Registered Securities
Fees to Be
Paid
Equity Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share 457(o)   $ $15,000,000 (2)(3) 0.0000927 $1390.5        
  Equity Underwriter’s Warrants 457(g)  

$

 

$(4) 0.0000927 $        
    Common stock underlying Warrants 457(g)   $ $600,000 (5) 0.0000927 $55.62        
                         
                         
Fees
Previously
Paid
                       
Carry Forward Securities
Carry
Forward
Securities
                       
 Total Offering Amounts $15,600,000 0.0000927 $1446.12        
 Total Fees Previously Paid  - - -        
 Total Fee Offsets - - -        
  Net Fee Due   $1446.12  

 

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), based on an estimate of the proposed maximum offering price.
   
(2) Includes up to an additional [●]% of the aggregate offering price to cover the underwriter’s option to purchase securities to cover over-allotments, if any. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(a) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), we are also registering an indeterminate number of shares that may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends, or similar transactions.
   
(3) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(o) under the Securities Act.
   
(4) No additional registration fee is payable pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act.
   
(5) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(g) under the Securities Act.