Exhibit 10.1
Execution
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
by and among
CARISMA THERAPEUTICS INC.,
AZALEA MERGER SUB, INC.,
ORTHOCELLIX, INC.
and
OCUGEN, INC.
Dated as of June 22, 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Article I DEFINITIONS & INTERPRETATIONS | 3 | ||
Section 1.1 | Certain Definitions | 3 | |
Section 1.2 | Interpretation | 11 | |
Section 1.3 | Currency | 11 | |
Article II THE MERGER | 11 | ||
Section 2.1 | Formation of Merger Sub | 11 | |
Section 2.2 | The Merger | 11 | |
Section 2.3 | Closing | 11 | |
Section 2.4 | Effective Time | 12 | |
Section 2.5 | Effects of the Merger | 12 | |
Section 2.6 | Parent Governance | 12 | |
Section 2.7 | Surviving Company and Surviving Company Governance | 13 | |
Article III EFFECT ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT COMPANIES; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES | 13 | ||
Section 3.1 | Conversion of Capital Stock | 13 | |
Section 3.2 | [RESERVED.] | 15 | |
Section 3.3 | Exchange and Payment | 16 | |
Section 3.4 | Withholding Rights | 18 | |
Section 3.5 | Dissenters Rights | 19 | |
Section 3.6 | Calculation of Net Cash | 19 | |
Section 3.7 | Contingent Value Right | 21 | |
Article IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY | 21 | ||
Section 4.1 | Organization, Standing and Power | 21 | |
Section 4.2 | Capital Stock | 22 | |
Section 4.3 | Subsidiaries | 23 | |
Section 4.4 | Authority | 23 | |
Section 4.5 | No Conflict; Consents and Approvals | 24 | |
Section 4.6 | Financial Statements. | 25 | |
Section 4.7 | No Undisclosed Liabilities | 26 | |
Section 4.8 | Absence of Certain Changes or Events | 26 | |
Section 4.9 | Litigation | 27 | |
Section 4.10 | Compliance with Laws | 27 | |
Section 4.11 | Health Care Regulatory Matters | 27 | |
Section 4.12 | Benefit Plans | 31 | |
Section 4.13 | Labor and Employment Matters | 33 |
ii
Section 4.14 | Environmental Matters | 34 | |
Section 4.15 | Taxes | 35 | |
Section 4.16 | Contracts | 37 | |
Section 4.17 | Insurance | 39 | |
Section 4.18 | Properties; Assets | 39 | |
Section 4.19 | Intellectual Property | 40 | |
Section 4.20 | State Takeover Statutes | 42 | |
Section 4.21 | No Rights Plan | 43 | |
Section 4.22 | Related Party Transactions | 43 | |
Section 4.23 | Certain Payments | 43 | |
Section 4.24 | Trade Control Laws | 43 | |
Section 4.25 | Brokers | 44 | |
Section 4.26 | No Other Representations and Warranties | 44 | |
Article V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB | 44 | ||
Section 5.1 | Organization, Standing and Power | 44 | |
Section 5.2 | Capital Stock | 45 | |
Section 5.3 | Subsidiaries | 46 | |
Section 5.4 | Authority | 46 | |
Section 5.5 | No Conflict; Consents and Approvals | 47 | |
Section 5.6 | SEC Reports; Financial Statements | 48 | |
Section 5.7 | No Undisclosed Liabilities | 50 | |
Section 5.8 | Absence of Certain Changes or Events | 50 | |
Section 5.9 | Litigation | 51 | |
Section 5.10 | Compliance with Law | 51 | |
Section 5.11 | Health Care Regulatory Matters | 52 | |
Section 5.12 | Benefit Plans | 54 | |
Section 5.13 | Labor and Employment Matters | 56 | |
Section 5.14 | Environmental Matters | 58 | |
Section 5.15 | Taxes | 59 | |
Section 5.16 | Contracts | 61 | |
Section 5.17 | Insurance | 62 | |
Section 5.18 | Properties | 63 | |
Section 5.19 | Intellectual Property | 63 | |
Section 5.20 | Related Party Transactions | 65 | |
Section 5.21 | Certain Payments | 65 | |
Section 5.22 | Trade Control Laws | 65 | |
Section 5.23 | Brokers | 66 | |
Section 5.24 | Opinion of Financial Advisor | 66 | |
Section 5.25 | State Takeover Statutes | 66 | |
Section 5.26 | No Other Representations or Warranties | 66 | |
Article VI COVENANTS | 67 | ||
Section 6.1 | Operation of Parent’s Business | 67 |
iii
Section 6.2 | Operation of Company’s Business | 70 | |
Section 6.3 | Access and Investigation | 72 | |
Section 6.4 | No Solicitation | 73 | |
Section 6.5 | Notification of Certain Matters | 74 | |
Section 6.6 | [RESERVED] | 74 | |
Section 6.7 | [RESERVED] | 74 | |
Section 6.8 | Parent ESPP | 74 | |
Section 6.9 | Parent 401(K) Plan | 75 | |
Article VII ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS | 75 | ||
Section 7.1 | Registration Statement; Proxy Statement | 75 | |
Section 7.2 | Company Stockholder Approval | 77 | |
Section 7.3 | Parent Stockholders’ Meeting | 79 | |
Section 7.4 | Efforts; Transaction Litigation | 81 | |
Section 7.5 | Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance | 82 | |
Section 7.6 | Section 16 Matters | 84 | |
Section 7.7 | Disclosure | 85 | |
Section 7.8 | Listing | 85 | |
Section 7.9 | Tax Matters | 86 | |
Section 7.10 | Directors and Officers | 86 | |
Section 7.11 | Obligations of Merger Sub | 87 | |
Section 7.12 | Allocation Certificate | 87 | |
Section 7.13 | [RESERVED]. | 87 | |
Section 7.14 | Concurrent Investment | 87 | |
Section 7.15 | Parent Equity Plans | 88 | |
Section 7.16 | Parent SEC Documents. | 88 | |
Section 7.17 | Parent Legacy Assets. | 88 | |
Section 7.18 | Arrangements Between Company and Company Guarantor. | 89 | |
Article VIII CLOSING CONDITIONS | 89 | ||
Section 8.1 | Conditions Precedent of each Party | 89 | |
Section 8.2 | Conditions Precedent to Obligation of the Company | 90 | |
Section 8.3 | Conditions Precedent of Parent and Merger Sub | 91 | |
Article IX TERMINATION | 92 | ||
Section 9.1 | Termination | 92 | |
Section 9.2 | Effect of Termination | 94 | |
Section 9.3 | Expenses; Termination Fees | 95 | |
Article X GENERAL PROVISIONS | 97 | ||
Section 10.1 | Non-survival of Representations and Warranties | 97 | |
Section 10.2 | Amendment or Supplement | 97 | |
Section 10.3 | Waiver | 97 | |
Section 10.4 | Fees and Expenses | 98 |
iv
Section 10.5 | Notices | 98 | |
Section 10.6 | Entire Agreement | 99 | |
Section 10.7 | No Third Party Beneficiaries | 99 | |
Section 10.8 | Guaranty. | 100 | |
Section 10.9 | Governing Law | 100 | |
Section 10.10 | Submission to Jurisdiction | 100 | |
Section 10.11 | Assignment; Successors | 101 | |
Section 10.12 | Specific Performance | 101 | |
Section 10.13 | Severability | 101 | |
Section 10.14 | Waiver of Jury Trial | 101 | |
Section 10.15 | Counterparts | 101 | |
Section 10.16 | Facsimile or .pdf Signature | 102 | |
Section 10.17 | No Presumption Against Drafting Party | 102 |
Exhibit A | Form of Parent Support Agreement |
Exhibit B | Form of Company Support Agreement |
Exhibit C | Form of Lock-Up Agreement |
Exhibit D | Form of CVR Agreement |
Schedule 1.1(a) | Parent Net Cash Schedule |
Schedule 2.6(c) | Board of Directors |
v
INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
Definition | Location |
2014 Stock Incentive Plan | Section 1.1 |
2017 Stock Incentive Plan | Section 1.1 |
2025 Equity Incentive Plan | Section 1.1 |
2025 ESPP | Section 1.1 |
2025 Plans | Section 1.1 |
AAA | Section 3.6(e) |
Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement | Section 1.1 |
Accounting Firm | Section 3.6(e) |
Acquisition Inquiry | Section 1.1 |
Acquisition Proposal | Section 1.1 |
Acquisition Transaction | Section 1.1 |
Action | Section 4.9 |
Affiliate | Section 1.1 |
Aggregate Valuation | Section 3.1(i)(A) |
Agreement | Preamble |
Allocation Certificate | Section 7.13 |
Anticipated Meeting Date | Section 3.6(a) |
Book-Entry Shares | Section 3.3(b) |
Business Day | Section 1.1 |
Cash Determination Time | Section 3.6(a) |
Certificate of Merger | Section 2.4 |
Certificates | Section 3.3(b) |
Closing | Section 2.3 |
Code | Recitals |
Company | Preamble, Preamble |
Company Allocation Percentage | Section 3.1(i)(B) |
Company Audited Financial Statements | Section 7.1(g) |
Company Board | Recitals |
Company Board Adverse Recommendation Change | Section 7.2(b) |
Company Board Recommendation | Section 7.2(b) |
Company Bylaws | Section 4.1(b) |
Company Charter | Section 4.1(b) |
Company Common Stock | Recitals |
Company Disclosure Letter | Article IV |
Company Employee | Section 4.13 |
Company Fundamental Representations | Section 1.1 |
Company Interim Financial Statements | Section 7.1(g) |
Company Merger Shares | Section 3.1(i)(C) |
Company Notice Period | Section 7.2(c) |
Company Outstanding Shares | Section 3.1(i)(D) |
vi
Company Owned IP | Section 1.1 |
Company Plan | Section 1.1 |
Company Products | Section 4.11(c) |
Company Registered IP | Section 4.19(a) |
Company Service Providers | Section 4.12(b) |
Company Stockholder Approval | Recitals |
Company Support Agreements | Recitals |
Company Termination Fee | 9.3(b) |
Company Triggering Event | Section 1.1 |
Company Valuation | Section 3.1(i)(E) |
Concurrent Investment | Section 1.1 |
Concurrent Investment Amount | Section 1.1 |
Concurrent Investment Shares | Section 3.1(i)(F) |
Confidentiality Agreement | Section 1.1 |
Contemplated Transactions | Section 1.1 |
Contract | Section 4.5(a) |
control | Section 1.1 |
Current Offering Period | Section 6.8 |
Current Premium | Section 7.5(d) |
CVR | Section 3.7(a) |
CVR Agreement | Section 3.7(a) |
D&O Indemnified Parties | Section 7.5(a) |
Data Processors | Section 4.19(h) |
Delaware Secretary of State | Section 2.4 |
Delivery Date | Section 3.6(a) |
DGCL | Recitals |
Dispute Notice | Section 3.6(b) |
Dissenting Shares | Section 3.5 |
Effective Time | Section 2.4 |
Employee Plan | Section 1.1 |
End Date | Section 9.1(b) |
Environmental Law | Section 4.14(b) |
ERISA | Section 1.1 |
Exchange Act | Section 4.5(b) |
Exchange Agent | Section 3.3(a) |
Exchange Fund | Section 3.3(a) |
Exchange Ratio | Section 3.1(a)(i) |
Excluded Shares | Section 3.1(a)(iii) |
FDA | Section 4.11(c) |
FDA Ethics Policy | Section 4.11(i) |
FDCA | Section 4.11(a) |
Final Parent Net Cash | Section 3.6(c) |
Form S-4 | Section 7.1(a) |
GAAP | Section 4.1(a) |
Guarantor Investment Amount | Recitals |
Guarantor Securities Purchase Agremeent | Recitals |
vii
Hazardous Substance | Section 4.14(c) |
Health Care Laws | Section 4.11(a) |
Intellectual Property | Section 1.1 |
IT Systems | Section 4.19(g) |
knowledge | Section 1.1 |
Law | Section 4.5(a) |
Lock-Up Agreement | Recitals |
Material Contracts | Section 4.16(a) |
Measurement Date | Section 5.2(a) |
Merger | Recitals |
Merger Consideration | Section 3.1(a)(i) |
Merger Sub | Preamble |
Multiemployer Plan | Section 1.1 |
Nasdaq | Section 1.1 |
Nasdaq Fees | Section 1.1 |
Nasdaq Issuance Proposal | Recitals |
Nasdaq Listing Application | Section 7.8 |
Nasdaq Reverse Stock Split | Section 1.1 |
Net Cash | Section 1.1 |
Ordinary Course | Section 1.1 |
Ordinary Course Agreement | Section 4.15(g) |
Parent | Preamble |
Parent 401(k) Plan | Section 6.9 |
Parent Allocation Percentage | Section 3.1(i)(G) |
Parent Board | Recitals |
Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change | Section 7.3(b) |
Parent Board Recommendation | Section 7.3(b) |
Parent Capital Stock | Section 1.1 |
Parent Charter Amendment | Section 2.6(a) |
Parent Common Stock | Recitals |
Parent Common Stock Issuance | Section 5.4(a) |
Parent Disclosure Letter | Article V |
Parent Equity Plans | Section 1.1 |
Parent ESPP | Section 1.1 |
Parent Fundamental Representations | Section 1.1 |
Parent Intervening Event | Section 7.3(c) |
Parent IT Systems | Section 5.19(d) |
Parent Legacy Assets | Section 1.1 |
Parent Legacy Business | Section 1.1 (ii) |
Parent Legacy Transaction | Section 6.1(c) |
Parent Material Adverse Effect | Section 5.1(a) |
Parent Material Contracts | Section 5.16(a) |
Parent Net Cash Calculation | Section 3.6(a) |
Parent Net Cash Schedule | Section 3.6(a) |
Parent Notice Period | Section 7.3(c) |
Parent Options | Section 1.1 |
viii
Parent OTM Options | Section 1.1 |
Parent Outstanding Shares | Section 3.1(i)(H) |
Parent Owned IP | Section 1.1 |
Parent Plan | Section 1.1 |
Parent Preferred Stock | Section 1.1 |
Parent Products | Section 5.11(c) |
Parent Registered IP | Section 5.19(a) |
Parent Restricted Stock Unit Awards | Section 1.1 |
Parent SEC Documents | Section 5.6(a) |
Parent Stockholder Approval | Section 5.4(a) |
Parent Stockholder Meeting | Section 7.3(a) |
Parent Stockholder Proposals | Section 7.3(a) |
Parent Support Agreements | Recitals |
Parent Termination Fee | 9.3(d) |
Parent Triggering Event | Section 1.1 |
Parent Valuation | Section 3.1(i)(I) |
Parent Value Per Share | Section 3.1(i)(G) |
Parent Warrant | Section 1.1 |
Permits | Section 4.10 |
Permitted Alternative Agreement | Section 9.1(j) |
Permitted Liens | Section 4.18(a) |
Person | Section 1.1 |
Personal Information | Section 4.19(h) |
Post-Closing Parent Shares | Section 3.1(i)(J) |
Pre-Closing Distribution | Section 3.7(a) |
Pre-Closing Period | Section 6.1(a) |
Privacy Laws | Section 4.19(h) |
Proxy Statement | Section 7.1(a) |
Registration Statement | Section 7.1(a) |
Representative | Section 1.1 |
Response Date | Section 3.6(b) |
Rights Agent | Section 3.7(a) |
Safety Notices | Section 4.11(g) |
Sarbanes-Oxley Act | Section 5.6(a) |
SEC | Section 1.1 |
Securities Act | Section 4.5(b) |
Securities Purchase Agreement | Section 1.1 |
Subsequent Transaction | Section 1.1 |
Subsidiary | Section 1.1 |
Superior Offer | Section 1.1 |
Surviving Company | Section 2.2 |
Takeover laws | Section 4.20 |
Tax Action | Section 4.15(d) |
Tax Opinion | Section 7.9(b) |
Tax Return | Section 1.1 |
Taxes | Section 1.1 |
Trade Approvals | Section 4.24 |
Trade Laws | Section 4.24 |
Transaction Expenses | Section 1.1 |
Transaction Litigation | Section 7.4(c) |
U.S. Tax Treatment | Section 7.9(a) |
Withholding Agent | Section 3.4 |
ix
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”), dated as of June 22, 2025, by and among Carisma Therapeutics Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), Azalea Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”) and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, OrthoCellix, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Ocugen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Guarantor”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Parent and the Company intend to effect a merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company (the “Merger”) in accordance with this Agreement and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). Upon consummation of the Merger, Merger Sub will cease to exist and the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) has (i) determined that the Contemplated Transactions (as defined below) are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its sole stockholder, (ii) approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions and (iii) determined to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the sole stockholder of the Company vote to adopt this Agreement and thereby approve the Contemplated Transactions;
WHEREAS, the Company Board has unanimously approved this Agreement and the Merger, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Company (as defined below), after the Effective Time (as defined below), pursuant to which, among other things, each share of common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, of the Company (the “Company Common Stock”) (other than any Excluded Shares or Dissenting Shares) shall be converted into the right to receive a number of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Parent (the “Parent Common Stock”) equal to the Exchange Ratio;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Parent (the “Parent Board”) has (i) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of Parent and its stockholders, (ii) approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, including the issuance of shares of Parent Capital Stock to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to this Agreement and the Parent Support Agreements and the constructive issuance by the Company of the shares of Company Common Stock to stockholders of Parent (as reflected in Rule 145(a) of the Securities Act) (the “Constructive Issuance”), (iii) determined that the Reverse Stock Split Proposal (as defined below), among other things, is advisable and in the best interests of Parent and its stockholders and (iv) determined to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the stockholders of Parent vote to authorize the issuance of the Parent Common Stock in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635 (the “Nasdaq Issuance Proposal”), the Reverse Stock Split Proposal and the other Parent Stockholder Proposals;
WHEREAS, Merger Sub is a newly incorporated Delaware corporation that is wholly owned by Parent, and has been formed for the sole purpose of effecting the Merger;
1
WHEREAS, on June 19, 2025, the Guarantor contributed the NeoCart Assets to the Company pursuant to an Asset Contribution Agreement, by and between the Guarantor and the Company (the “Contribution Agreement”) in exchange for shares of Common Stock in the Company (such transactions, the “Contribution”);
WHEREAS, the board of directors of Merger Sub has (i) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of Merger Sub and its sole stockholder, (ii) approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions and (iii) determined to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the stockholder of Merger Sub votes to adopt this Agreement and thereby approve the Contemplated Transactions;
WHEREAS, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company each desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger and also to prescribe certain conditions to the Merger as specified herein;
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and as a condition and inducement to the Company’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, the officers, directors and stockholders of Parent listed on Section A of the Parent Disclosure Letter have entered into Parent Support Agreements, dated as of the date of this Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Parent Support Agreements”), pursuant to which such officers, directors and stockholders have, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, agreed to vote all of their shares of Parent Common Stock in favor of the approval of this Agreement and thereby approve the Contemplated Transactions, including, but not limited to the Parent Stockholder Proposals.
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and as a condition and inducement of Parent’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, the officers, directors and stockholders of the Company listed on Section A of the Company Disclosure Letter have entered into Company Support Agreements, dated as of the date of this Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Company Support Agreements”), pursuant to which such officers, directors and stockholders have, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, agreed to vote all of their shares of Company Common Stock in favor of the adoption of this Agreement and thereby approve the Contemplated Transactions;
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and as a condition and inducement to Parent’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, certain members of the Company Board that are continuing in such role following the Merger, certain members of the Parent Board that are continuing in such role following the Merger and stockholders of the Company listed on Section B of the Company Disclosure Letter are executing lock-up agreements in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Lock-Up Agreement”);
WHEREAS, for United States federal income Tax purposes, it is intended that (i) the Merger shall qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), shall also qualify as a non-taxable exchange of shares of Company Common Stock for shares of Parent Common Stock within the meaning of Section 351(a) of the Code and (ii) this Agreement shall constitute a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a); and
2
WHEREAS, it is expected that within twenty-four (24) hours after the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act, the stockholders of the Company will execute an action by written consent by all holders sufficient to authorize the Contemplated Transactions of outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (the “Company Stockholder Approval”);
WHEREAS, as an inducement by Guarantor for Parent to enter into this Agreement, Guarantor will execute a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Guarantor Securities Purchase Agreement”) committing to purchase not less than $5,000,000 of shares of Parent Common Stock, substantially contemporaneously with the Closing (the “Guarantor Investment Amount”).
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company hereby agree as follows:
Article I
DEFINITIONS & INTERPRETATIONS
Section 1.1 Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) “2014 Stock Incentive Plan” means Parent’s Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Incentive Plan.
(b) “2017 Stock Incentive Plan” means Parent’s 2017 Stock Incentive Plan.
(c) “2025 Equity Incentive Plan” shall mean an equity incentive plan of Parent in form and substance as designated by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Parent, reserving for issuance a number of shares of Parent Common Stock to designated by the Company and consented to by Parent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
(d) “2025 ESPP” shall mean an “employee stock purchase plan” of Parent in form and substance as designated by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Parent, reserving for issuance a number of shares of Parent Common Stock to designated by the Company and consented to by Parent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
(e) “2025 Plans” shall mean both the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan and 2025 ESPP.
(f) “Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement” means a confidentiality agreement containing terms not materially less restrictive in the aggregate to the counterparty thereto than the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, except such confidentiality agreement need not contain any standstill, non-solicitation or no hire provisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Person who has previously entered into a confidentiality agreement with Parent or the Company, as applicable, relating to a potential Acquisition Proposal on terms that are not materially less restrictive than the Confidentiality Agreement with respect to the scope of coverage and restrictions on disclosure and use shall not be required to enter into a new or revised confidentiality agreement, and such existing confidentiality agreement shall be deemed to be an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement.
3
(g) “Acquisition Inquiry” means, with respect to a party, an inquiry, indication of interest or request for information (other than an inquiry, indication of interest or request for information made or submitted by the Company, on the one hand, or Parent, on the other hand, to the other party) that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, other than the Concurrent Investment, or (subject to Section 7.13) a Parent Legacy Transaction.
(h) “Acquisition Proposal” means, with respect to either party hereto, any proposal or offer (whether written or oral) from any Person (other than the other party or any of its Representatives) contemplating or otherwise relating to an Acquisition Transaction (other than in connection with the Concurrent Investment, or (subject to Section 7.13) a Parent Legacy Transaction).
(i) “Acquisition Transaction” means any transaction or series of related transactions (other than the Concurrent Investment or any Parent Legacy Transaction) involving:
(i) any merger, consolidation, amalgamation, share exchange, business combination, issuance of securities, acquisition of securities, reorganization, recapitalization, tender offer, exchange offer or other similar transaction: (i) in which a party is a constituent entity, (ii) in which a Person or “group” (as defined in the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder) of Persons directly or indirectly acquires beneficial or record ownership of securities representing more than 20% of the outstanding securities of any class of voting securities of a party or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) in which a party or any of its Subsidiaries issues securities representing more than 20% of the outstanding securities of any class of voting securities of such party or any of its Subsidiaries; or
(ii) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer, license, acquisition or disposition of any business or businesses or assets that constitute or account for 20% or more of the consolidated book value of the fair market value of the assets of a party and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(j) “Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first Person.
4
(k) “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by applicable Law to be closed.
(l) “Concurrent Investment” means an aggregate commitment of not less than the Concurrent Investment Amount pursuant to which certain investors will agree, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Securities Purchase Agreement, to subscribe for and purchase a number of shares of Parent Common Stock substantially contemporaneously with the Closing.
(m) “Concurrent Investment Amount” means $25,000,000. For the avoidance of doubt, the Concurrent Investment Amount shall be inclusive of the Guarantor Investment Amount.
(n) “Company Fundamental Representations” means each of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 4.1, Section 4.2, Section 4.4 and Section 4.25.
(o) “Company Owned IP” means all Intellectual Property owned by the Company in whole or in part.
(p) “Company Plan” means each Employee Plan that is sponsored, maintained, or contributed (or required to be contributed) to by the Company or Guarantor for the benefit of current or former employees, officers, directors or other service providers of Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries providing services to the Company or with respect to which the Company has any liability, contingent or otherwise, other than any plan, program, arrangement, agreement or policy mandated by applicable Laws.
(q) “Company Triggering Event” shall be deemed to have occurred if: (a) the Company Board shall have publicly approved, endorsed or recommended any Acquisition Proposal, (b) the Company shall have entered into any letter of intent or similar document or any Contract relating to any Acquisition Proposal (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement) permitted pursuant to Section 6.4 or (c) the Company shall have materially and willfully breached its obligations under Section 6.4(a).
(r) “Confidentiality Agreement” means that certain Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2025, between the Company and Parent.
(s) “Contemplated Transactions” means the Merger, the Constructive Issuance and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than the Parent Legacy Transaction and Parent Charter Amendment) including the CVR Agreement, the Concurrent Investment and the Nasdaq Reverse Stock Split (to the extent applicable and deemed necessary by Parent and the Company).
(t) “control” (including the terms “controlled,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
5
(u) “Employee Plan” means each “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA), Multiemployer Plans, and all stock purchase, stock option, phantom stock or other equity-based plan, severance, employment, change-in-control, fringe benefit, bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, compensation, supplemental retirement, health, life, or disability insurance, dependent care, vacation and all other employee benefit and compensation plans, agreements, programs, policies or other arrangements, whether or not subject to ERISA (including any funding mechanism therefor now in effect or required in the future as a result of the Contemplated Transactions or otherwise), whether formal or informal, written or oral.
(v) “ERISA” means the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
(w) “Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property rights of any kind, including all of the following: (i) trademarks or service marks (whether registered or unregistered), trade names, domain names, social media user names, social media addresses, logos, slogans, and trade dress, including applications to register any of the foregoing, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing; (ii) patents, utility models and any similar or equivalent statutory rights with respect to the protection of inventions, and all applications for any of the foregoing, together with all re-issuances, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, revisions, extensions and reexaminations thereof; (iii) copyrights (registered and unregistered) and applications for registration; (iv) trade secrets and customer lists, in each case to the extent any of the foregoing derives economic value (actual or potential) from not being generally known to other Persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use, and other confidential information (“Trade Secrets”); and (v) any other proprietary or intellectual property rights of any kind or nature.
(x) “knowledge” of any party means (i) the actual knowledge of any executive officer of such party or other officer having primary responsibility for the relevant matter or any employee consultant or interim officer serving similar roles and (ii) any fact or matter which any such Person would be expected to discover or otherwise become aware of in the course of conducting due inquiry, consistent with such Person’s title and responsibilities, concerning the existence of the relevant matter.
(y) “Manufacturing and Supply Agreement” means a manufacturing and supply agreement to be negotiated (in a form and substance subject to Parent’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) pursuant to Section 7.18, the material terms of which will be substantially final on or prior to July 11, 2025, and to be entered into between the Guarantor and the Company on or prior to the Closing Date.
6
(z) “Multiemployer Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(37) of ERISA.
(aa) “Nasdaq” means The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.
(bb) “Nasdaq Fees” means all Nasdaq fees associated with any action contemplated by Section 7.8.
(cc) “Nasdaq Reverse Stock Split” means a reverse stock split of all outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock at a reverse stock split ratio as mutually agreed to by Parent and the Company that is effectuated by Parent for the purpose of maintaining or achieving compliance with Nasdaq listing standards.
(dd) “NeoCart Assets” has the meaning set forth in the Contribution Agreement.
(ee) “Net Cash” means, without duplication, (i) the sum of Parent’s unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities and the cash consideration attributable to the sale of Legacy Assets, solely to the extent not received by Parent as of the Effective Time and solely to the extent Parent and the Company mutually agree will be received within ninety (90) days following the Closing, plus (ii), solely to the extent Parent and the Company mutually agree such funds will be available to and usable by Parent within ninety (90) days of the Closing Date, all prepaid expenses and deposits, credits and refunds set forth on Schedule 1.1(a)(ii), minus (iii) the sum of Parent’s short-term and long-term liabilities (including any outstanding liabilities with respect to Parent’s obligations with respect to the items set forth on Schedule 1.1(a)(iii)) (including all accounts payable and indebtedness), including lease termination costs, all actual costs and expenses (and reasonably projected costs and expenses as mutually agreed between Parent and the Company, acting in good faith) relating to the winding down of the Parent Legacy Business and any related prepayment penalties and premiums and any unpaid Transaction Expenses (including any costs, fees or other liabilities, including Taxes, related to the premiums, commissions and other fees payable in connection with obtaining Parent’s D&O tail policy as set forth in Section 7.5(d)), minus (iv) any and all change in control payments and severance payments, in each case, payable to Parent’s employees, and any employer-side payroll or similar Taxes owed in connection with the foregoing or in connection with the exercise of Parent Options and vesting and settlement of Parent Restricted Stock Unit Awards, in each case to the extent payable in connection with the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, and minus (v) 50% of the mutually agreed estimated settlement amounts for any Transaction Litigation existing as of the Closing. Set forth on Section 1.1(a) of the Parent Disclosure Letter is an illustrative example of the calculation of Net Cash.
(ff) “Ordinary Course” means, in the case of each of the Company and Parent, such actions taken in the ordinary course of its business and consistent with its past practice or, with respect to the Company, the customary practices of a recently formed company at a similar stage of development.
7
(gg) “Parent Capital Stock” means the Parent Common Stock and the Parent Preferred Stock.
(hh) “Parent Equity Plans” means each of Parent’s 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, 2017 Stock Incentive Plan and Parent ESPP in each case, as amended from time to time.
(ii) “Parent ESPP” means Parent’s Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(jj) “Parent Fundamental Representations” means each of the representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub set forth in Section 5.1, Section 5.2, Section 5.3, Section 5.4 and Section 5.25.
(kk) “Parent Legacy Assets” means all assets, technology and Intellectual Property of Parent, as they existed at any time prior to the date of this Agreement, relating to the Company’s research and development programs, as conducted and proposed to be conducted, including its CT-0525, CT-0508, CT-1119 and its engineered macrophage, and in vivo mRNA/lipid nanopartical CAR-M programs and its partnership with ModernaTX, Inc., including, for purposes of clarity, the tangible and intangible assets of Parent relating thereto (the “Parent Legacy Business”).
(ll) “Parent Options” means options to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock issued pursuant to a Parent Equity Plan, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Parent ESPP.
(mm) “Parent OTM Option” means Parent Options with an exercise price greater than $2.00 per share (before giving effect to the Nasdaq Reverse Stock Split).
(nn) “Parent Owned IP” means all Intellectual Property owned by Parent in whole or in part.
(oo) “Parent Plan” means each Employee Plan that is sponsored, maintained, or contributed (or required to be contributed) to by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of current or former employees, officers, directors or other service providers of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or with respect to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has any liability, contingent or otherwise, other than any plan, program, arrangement, agreement or policy mandated by applicable Laws.
(pp) “Parent Preferred Stock” means the shares of Parent’s capital stock designated as preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share of Parent.
(qq) “Parent Restricted Stock Unit Awards” means each award of restricted stock unit awards with respect to shares of Parent Common Stock issued pursuant to a Parent Equity Plan or otherwise.
8
(rr) “Parent Warrant” means warrants to purchase shares of Parent Capital Stock issued by Parent.
(ss) “Parent Triggering Event” shall be deemed to have occurred if: (i) Parent shall have failed to include in the Proxy Statement the Parent Board Recommendation (as defined below), (ii) the Parent Board or any committee thereof shall have made a Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change or approved, endorsed or recommended any Acquisition Proposal, (iii) Parent shall have entered into any letter of intent or similar document or any Contract relating to any Acquisition Proposal (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement permitted pursuant to Section 6.4), (iv) a tender offer or exchange offer for outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock is commenced, and the Parent Board (or any committee thereof) recommends that the stockholders of Parent tender their shares in such tender or exchange offer or, within ten (10) Business Days after the commencement of such tender offer or exchange offer, the Parent Board fails to recommend against acceptance of such offer, (v) Parent shall have failed to issue a press release confirming the Parent Board Recommendation within ten (10) Business Days following the Company’s written request to Parent to issue such press release in response to any other publicly announced Acquisition Proposal with respect to Parent or (vi) Parent shall have materially and willfully breached its obligations under Section 6.4.
(tt) “Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including any Governmental Entity.
(uu) “Representative” means a party’s directors, officers, employees, investment bankers, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants or other advisors, agents or representatives.
(vv) “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(ww) “Securities Purchase Agreement” means each Contract, in form and substance as agreed to in writing between Parent and the Company, entered into on or following the date hereof and prior to the Closing pursuant to which the signatory thereto has agreed to purchase for cash shares of Parent Common Stock immediately following the Closing pursuant to Section 7.14 or as otherwise agreed in writing between Parent and the Company.
(xx) “Subsequent Transaction” means any Acquisition Transaction (with all references to 20% in the definition of Acquisition Transaction being treated as references to 50% for these purposes).
(yy) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which stock or other equity interests having ordinary voting power to elect more than 50% of the board of directors or other governing body are owned, directly or indirectly, by such first Person.
9
(zz) “Superior Offer” means an unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition Proposal (with all references to 20% in the definition of Acquisition Transaction being treated as references to 50% for these purposes) that: (i) was not obtained or made as a direct or indirect result of a breach of (or in violation of) the Agreement, and (ii) is on terms and conditions that the Parent Board or the Company Board, as applicable, determines in good faith, based on such matters that it deems relevant (including the likelihood of consummation thereof and the financing terms thereof), as well as any written offer by the other party to the Agreement to amend the terms of the Agreement, and following consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, if any, are more favorable, from a financial point of view, to the Parent’s stockholders or the Company’s stockholders, as applicable, than the terms of the Contemplated Transactions.
(aaa) “Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, certificate, bill, election, claim for refund, information return, statement or other written information and any other document filed or supplied or required to be filed or supplied to any Governmental Entity with respect to Taxes, including any schedule, attachment or supplement thereto, and including any amendment thereof.
(bbb) “Taxes” means all U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, stock, ad valorem, transfer, transaction, franchise, profits, gains, registration, license, wages, lease, service, service use, employee and other withholding, imputed underpayment, social security, unemployment, welfare, disability, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, workers’ compensation, premium, real property, personal property, windfall profits, net worth, capital, value-added, alternative or add-on minimum, customs duties, estimated and other taxes, fees, assessments, charges or levies in the nature of a tax (whether imposed, assessed, determined, administered, enforced or collected directly or through withholding and including any amounts resulting from the failure to file any Tax Return), whether disputed or not, together with any interest and any penalties, or additions to tax with respect thereto (or attributable to the nonpayment thereof).
(ccc) “Transaction Expenses” means the aggregate amount (without duplication) of all costs, fees, Taxes and expenses incurred by Parent and Merger Sub, or for which Parent or Merger Sub are or may become liable in connection with the Contemplated Transactions and the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement or any other agreement, document, instrument, filing, certificate, schedule, exhibit, letter or other document prepared or executed in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, including (i) the amount of fees and expenses payable to financial advisors, investment bankers, legal counsel, accountants, brokers, consultants, Tax advisors, transfer agents, proxy solicitor and other advisors of Parent, including the employer portion of any payroll or similar Taxes incurred or to be incurred by Parent or Merger Sub with respect to the payment of any item listed in this definition of Transaction Expenses; (ii) 50% of the fees paid to the SEC in connection with filing the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement, and any amendments and supplements thereto, with the SEC; (iii) 50% of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the printing, mailing and distribution of the Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto; (iv) 50% of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Exchange Agent; (v) 50% of the Nasdaq Fees and (vi) 100% of the fees of the Rights Agent under the CVR Agreement.
10
(ddd) “Transition Services Agreement” means a transition services agreement to be negotiated in a form and substance subject to Parent’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) pursuant to Section 7.18, the material terms of which will be substantially final on or prior to July 11, 2025, and to be entered into between the Guarantor and the Company on or prior to the Closing Date.
Section 1.2 Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to a Section, Article, Exhibit or Schedule such reference shall be to a Section, Article, Exhibit or Schedule of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement or in any Exhibit or Schedule are for convenience of reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require. Any capitalized terms used in any Exhibit or Schedule but not otherwise defined therein shall have the meaning as defined in this Agreement. All Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth herein. The word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement will mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to the Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision in this Agreement. The term “or” is not exclusive. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” References to days mean calendar days unless otherwise specified.
Section 1.3 Currency. All references to “dollars” or “$” or “US$” in this Agreement refer to United States dollars, which is the currency used for all purposes in this Agreement.
Article II
THE MERGER
Section 2.1 Formation of Merger Sub. Parent has caused Merger Sub to be organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.
Section 2.2 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the DGCL, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease, and the Company shall continue as the surviving company of the Merger and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the “Surviving Company”).
Section 2.3 Closing. Unless this Agreement is earlier terminated pursuant to the provisions of Article IX, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VIII, the consummation of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall take place remotely by the electronic exchange of documents, as promptly as practicable (but in no event later than the second Business Day following the satisfaction or waiver of the last to be satisfied or waived of the conditions set forth in Article VIII, other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of such conditions), unless another time, date and place is mutually agreed upon by Parent and the Company in writing. The date on which the Closing actually takes place is referred to as the “Closing Date.”
11
Section 2.4 Effective Time. Upon the terms and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, at the Closing, the parties shall cause the Merger to be consummated by executing and filing a certificate of merger in a form to be mutually agreed by the parties hereto (the “Certificate of Merger”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Secretary of State” ), in such form as is required by, and executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL. The Merger shall become effective at the time of the filing of such Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later time as may be specified in such Certificate of Merger (the time as of which the Merger becomes effective being the “Effective Time”).
Section 2.5 Effects of the Merger. At and after the Effective Time, the Merger shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement and in the relevant provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Company, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Company.
Section 2.6 Parent Governance.
(a) Parent Certificate of Incorporation. At the Effective Time, or at such other time as Parent and the Company shall agree in writing, Parent shall file an amendment to the certificate of incorporation to (i) change the name of Parent to “OrthoCellix, Inc.” or such other name as determined by the Company, (ii) increase the number of shares of Parent Capital Stock that Parent is authorized to issue to a number mutually agreed between Parent and the Company, such amount to be sufficient to allow for consummation of the Contemplated Transactions and (iii) make such other changes as mutually agreeable to Parent and the Company (such amendment, the “Parent Charter Amendment”).
(b) Parent Bylaws. At the Effective Time, the bylaws of Parent shall be identical to the bylaws of Parent immediately prior to the Effective Time, until thereafter amended in accordance with their terms and as provided by applicable Law.
(c) Board of Directors. The parties shall take all action necessary (including, to the extent necessary, procuring the resignation of any directors on the Parent Board immediately prior to the Effective Time) so that, as of the Effective Time, the Board of Directors shall upon the Effective Time initially include the Persons set forth on Schedule 2.6(c).
12
(d) Parent Officers. The parties shall take all action necessary (including, to the extent necessary, procuring the resignation or removal of any officers of Parent immediately prior to the Effective Time) so that, as of the Effective Time, the Parent officers shall initially consist of the Persons designated by the Company as of the Effective Time.
Section 2.7 Surviving Company and Surviving Company Governance.
(a) At the Effective Time:
(i) The Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Company shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any further action, be amended and restated to read in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit A to the Certificate of Merger, and, as so amended and restated, shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Company until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable Law;
(ii) The bylaws of the Surviving Company shall be amended and restated to read in their entirety as the bylaws of Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time (except that references to the name of Merger Sub shall be replaced with references to the name of the Surviving Company), and, as so amended and restated, shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Company until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable Law;
(iii) The directors of the Surviving Company shall be such persons as are designated by the Company prior to the Effective Time, each to hold office in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Company until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified; and
(iv) The officers of the Surviving Company shall be such persons as are designated by the Company prior to the Effective Time, each to hold office in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Company until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.
Article III
EFFECT ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT COMPANIES; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
Section 3.1 Conversion of Capital Stock.
(a) At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the holders of any shares of capital stock of the Parent, Merger Sub or the Company:
(i) Subject to Section 3.3(f), each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any Excluded Shares or Dissenting Shares) shall be converted into and become exchangeable for the right to receive, a number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio (the “Merger Consideration” ). As of the Effective Time, all such shares of Company Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and shall thereafter only represent the right to receive the Merger Consideration. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Exchange Ratio” shall mean the ratio (rounded to four decimal places) equal to (A) the Company Merger Shares divided by (B) the Company Outstanding Shares, in which:
(A) “Aggregate Valuation” means the sum of (i) the Company Valuation and (ii) the Parent Valuation.
13
(B) “Company Allocation Percentage” means the quotient (rounded to two decimal places) determined by dividing (i) the Company Valuation by (ii) the Aggregate Valuation.
(C) “Company Merger Shares” means (i) the product determined by multiplying (x) the Post-Closing Parent Shares by (y) the Company Allocation Percentage minus (ii) the Concurrent Investment Shares.
(D) “Company Outstanding Shares” means the total number of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, expressed on a fully diluted and as-converted-to-Company Common Stock basis assuming, without limitation or duplication the rights or commitments to receive shares of Company Common Stock (or securities convertible or exercisable into shares of Company Common Stock), whether conditional or unconditional, that are outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(E) “Company Valuation” means (i) $135,000,000 minus (ii) the amount, if any, by which the Concurrent Investment Amount is less than $25,000,000.
(F) Concurrent Investment Shares” means the number of shares of Parent Common Stock issued to investors in respect of the first $25,000,000 of Parent Common Stock purchased pursuant to the Concurrent Investment (or, if the aggregate amount of the Concurrent Investment is less than $25,000,000, such number of shares of Parent Common Stock issued to investors pursuant to the Concurrent Investment).
(G) “Parent Allocation Percentage” means the quotient (rounded to two decimal places) determined by dividing (i) the Parent Valuation by (ii) the Aggregate Valuation.
(H) “Parent Outstanding Shares” means (i) the total number of shares of Parent Capital Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (after giving effect to the Nasdaq Reverse Stock Split), assuming the exercise, conversion or exchange of all options, warrants, conversion rights, exchange rights or any other rights to receive shares of Parent Capital Stock which exist immediately prior to the Effective Time, (ii) without duplication of any amounts set forth in the foregoing clause (i), the exercise of Parent Options outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and (iii) without duplication of any amounts set forth in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the settlement in shares of Parent Common Stock of Parent Restricted Stock Unit Awards outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time. For the avoidance of doubt, Parent OTM Options and Parent Warrants, shall not be included in the total number of shares of Parent Capital Stock for purposes of determining the Parent Outstanding Shares.
14
(I) “Parent Valuation” means (i) $15,000,000, minus (ii) the amount by which Net Cash is less than $0 (if any) and plus (iii) the amount by which Net Cash is more than $0 (if any).
(J) “Parent Value Per Share” equals the Parent Valuation divided by the number of Parent Outstanding Shares (rounded to four decimal places).
(K) “Post-Closing Parent Shares” means the quotient determined by dividing (i) the Parent Outstanding Shares by (ii) the Parent Allocation Percentage. For the avoidance of doubt, the Post-Closing Parent Shares shall include the Concurrent Investment Shares but shall exclude any shares issued pursuant to the Concurrent Investment in excess of the Concurrent Investment Shares.
For the avoidance of doubt and for illustrative purposes only, sample “Exchange Ratio”, “Company Valuation” and “Parent Valuation” calculations are set forth on Section 3.1(a)(i)(F) of the Parent Disclosure Letter.
(ii) At the Effective Time, each share of Parent Capital Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain outstanding.
(iii) Each share of Company Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company or owned, directly or indirectly, by Parent or Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time (collectively, “Excluded Shares”) shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.
(iv) Each share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and become one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Surviving Company.
(b) If, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, the outstanding Company Common Stock or Parent Capital Stock shall have been changed into, or exchanged for, a different number of shares or a different class, by reason of any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization (including the Nasdaq Reverse Stock Split to the extent such split has not previously been taken into account in calculating the Exchange Ratio), split, combination or exchange of shares or other like change, the Exchange Ratio shall, to the extent necessary, be equitably adjusted to reflect such change to the extent necessary to provide the holders of Company Common Stock, and Parent Capital Stock with the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination or exchange of shares or other like change; provided, however, that nothing herein will be construed to permit the Company or Parent to take any action with respect to Company Common Stock or Parent Capital Stock, respectively, that is prohibited or not expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
Section 3.2 [RESERVED.]
15
Section 3.3 Exchange and Payment.
(a) Parent shall issue and deposit (or cause to be deposited) with a bank or trust company mutually agreed upon by the Company and Parent (the “Exchange Agent”), in trust for the benefit of holders of shares of Company Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than holders to the extent they hold Excluded Shares or Dissenting Shares), book-entry shares (or certificates if requested) representing the shares of Parent Capital Stock issuable pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(i). In addition, Parent shall make available by depositing with the Exchange Agent, as necessary from time to time after the Effective Time any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 3.3(d). All certificates representing shares of Parent Capital Stock, and any dividends, distributions and cash deposited with the Exchange Agent are hereinafter referred to as the “Exchange Fund.”
(b) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time and in any event not later than the third (3rd) Business Day following the Closing Date, the parties shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of a certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (collectively, the “Certificates”) and to each holder of record of uncertificated shares of Company Common Stock represented by book entry (“Book-Entry Shares”) that were converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration (together with any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 3.3(d)), (i) a form of letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to any Certificates held by such Person shall pass, only upon proper delivery of such Certificates, if any, and identification of the Book-Entry Shares, if any, to the Exchange Agent, and which letter shall be in customary form and contain such other provisions as Parent or the Exchange Agent may reasonably specify) and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of any such Certificates and identifying such Book-Entry Shares in exchange for the Merger Consideration (together with any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 3.3(d)). Upon surrender of a Certificate and identification of the Book-Entry Shares, as applicable, to the Exchange Agent, together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents as the Exchange Agent may reasonably require, the holder of such Certificate or Book-Entry Share shall be entitled to receive in exchange for the shares of Company Common Stock formerly represented by such Certificate or Book-Entry Share (other than Excluded Shares or Dissenting Shares) (A) that number of whole shares of Parent Capital Stock (after taking into account all shares of Company Common Stock then held by such holder under all Certificates so surrendered and Book-Entry Shares so identified) to which such holder of Company Common Stock shall have become entitled pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(i) (which shall be in uncertificated book-entry form unless a physical certificate is requested), and (B) any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 3.3(d), and any Certificate so surrendered, together with any Book-Entry Shares, shall forthwith be cancelled. No interest will be paid or accrued on any unpaid dividends and distributions, if any, payable to holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 3.3, each Certificate or Book-Entry Share shall be deemed after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive the Merger Consideration payable in respect thereof (together with any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 3.3(d)).
16
(c) If payment of the Merger Consideration is to be made to a Person other than the Person in whose name the surrendered Certificate or Book-Entry Share is registered, it shall be a condition of payment that such Certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or shall be otherwise in proper form for transfer or such Book-Entry Share shall be properly transferred and that the Person requesting such payment shall have paid any transfer and other Taxes required by reason of the payment of the Merger Consideration to a Person other than the registered holder of such Certificate or Book-Entry Share or shall have established to the satisfaction of Parent that such Tax is not applicable.
(d) (i) No dividends or other distributions with respect to Parent Capital Stock with a record date after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect to the shares of Parent Capital Stock that the holder thereof has the right to receive upon the surrender thereof until the holder thereof shall surrender such Certificate in accordance with this Article III. Following the surrender of a Certificate in accordance with this Article III, there shall be paid to the record holder thereof, without interest, (A) promptly after such surrender, the amount of any dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of Parent Capital Stock, and (B) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to such surrender and a payment date subsequent to such surrender payable with respect to such whole shares of Parent Capital Stock.
(ii) Holders of Book-Entry Shares who are entitled to receive shares of Parent Capital Stock under this Article III shall be paid (A) at the time of payment of such Parent Capital Stock by the Exchange Agent under Section 3.3, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of Parent Capital Stock, and (B) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to the time of such payment by the Exchange Agent under Section 3.3 and a payment date subsequent to the time of such payment by the Exchange Agent under Section 3.3 payable with respect to such whole shares of Parent Capital Stock.
(e) The Merger Consideration (together with any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 3.3(d)) shall be deemed to have been issued and paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares of Company Common Stock formerly represented by such Certificates or Book-Entry Shares. At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and there shall be no further registration of transfers of the shares of Company Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates are presented to the Surviving Company or the Exchange Agent for transfer or transfer is sought for Book-Entry Shares, such Certificates or Book-Entry Shares shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this Article III.
17
(f) No fractional shares of Parent Capital Stock shall be issued in connection with the Merger, and no certificates or scrip for any such fractional shares shall be issued. For purposes of calculating the Merger Consideration issuable to each holder of Company Common Stock, the number of shares of Company Common Stock to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number (without any consideration payable for such fractional shares).
(g) Any portion of the Exchange Fund that remains undistributed to the holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares six months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to the Surviving Company, upon demand, and any remaining holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares (except to the extent representing Excluded Shares or Dissenting Shares) shall thereafter look only to the Surviving Company, as general creditors thereof, for payment of the Merger Consideration (together with any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 3.3(d)) (subject to abandoned property, escheat or other similar laws), without interest.
(h) None of Parent, the Surviving Company, the Exchange Agent or any other Person shall be liable to any Person in respect of shares of Parent Capital Stock, dividends or other distributions with respect thereto properly delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law. If any Certificates or Book-Entry Shares shall not have been exchanged prior to two years after the Effective Time (or immediately prior to such earlier date on which the related Merger Consideration (and all dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Parent Capital Stock) would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any Governmental Entity), any such Merger Consideration (and such dividends, distributions and cash) in respect thereof shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of the Surviving Company, free and clear of all claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.
(i) If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Parent, of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Parent or the Exchange Agent, the posting by such Person of a bond in such amount as Parent or the Exchange Agent may determine is reasonably necessary as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it or the Surviving Company with respect to such Certificate, then the Exchange Agent will deliver in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration payable in respect thereof (together with any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 3.3(d)).
Section 3.4 Withholding Rights. Parent, the Surviving Company and the Exchange Agent (each, a “Withholding Agent”) shall each be entitled to deduct and withhold, or cause to be deducted and withheld, from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as any Withholding Agent is required to deduct and withhold under applicable Law. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld by a Withholding Agent and remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of whom such deduction and withholding was made. The Withholding Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) notify each holder of Company Common Stock at least five (5) Business Days prior to deducting or withholding any amounts of its intent to deduct and withhold and (ii) cooperate with such holder to minimize any such deductions and withholding.
18
Section 3.5 Dissenters Rights. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each share of the Company Common Stock (other than Excluded Shares) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and held by a holder who is entitled to demand and has properly demanded appraisal for such shares of the Company Common Stock in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL and, as of the Effective Time, have neither effectively withdrawn nor lost their rights to such appraisal and payment under the DGCL (“Dissenting Shares”), shall not be converted into or be exchangeable for the right to receive a portion of the Merger Consideration but shall be entitled only to such rights as are granted by Section 262 of the DGCL, unless and until such holder fails to perfect or withdraws or otherwise loses such holder’s right to appraisal and payment under the DGCL. If, after the Effective Time, any such holder fails to perfect or withdraws or loses such holder’s right to appraisal, such Dissenting Shares shall thereupon be treated as if they had been converted as of the Effective Time into the right to receive the portion of the Merger Consideration, if any, to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(i), without interest. The Company shall give Parent (a) prompt notice of any demands received by the Company for appraisal of any shares of the Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, attempted written withdrawals of such demands, and any other instruments served pursuant to the DGCL and received by the Company relating to stockholders’ rights to appraisal with respect to the Merger and (b) the opportunity to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to any exercise of such appraisal rights under the DGCL. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Parent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, voluntarily make any payment with respect to any demands for payment of fair value for capital stock of the Company, offer to settle or settle any such demands or approve any withdrawal of any such demands.
Section 3.6 Calculation of Net Cash.
(a) Not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the anticipated date for the Parent Stockholder Meeting as mutually agreed in good faith by Parent and the Company (the “Anticipated Meeting Date”), Parent will deliver to the Company a certificate signed by an officer of Parent in the form reasonably acceptable to the Company setting forth a schedule (the “Parent Net Cash Schedule” , and the date of delivery of the Parent Net Cash Schedule, the “Delivery Date”) setting forth, in reasonable detail, Parent’s good faith, estimated calculation of Net Cash (the “Parent Net Cash Calculation”) as of the close of business on the Closing Date (the “Cash Determination Time”) prepared and certified by Parent’s chief financial officer (or if there is no chief financial officer at such time, the principal financial and accounting officer for Parent). Parent shall make available to the Company (electronically to the greatest extent possible), as reasonably requested by the Company, the work papers and back-up materials (including all relevant invoices and similar evidence of outstanding obligations) used or useful in preparing the Parent Net Cash Schedule and, if reasonably requested by the Company, Parent’s internal finance personnel, accountants and counsel at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice.
19
(b) Within three (3) Business Days after the Delivery Date (the last day of such period, the “Response Date”), the Company shall have the right to dispute any part of the Parent Net Cash Calculation by delivering a written notice to that effect to Parent (a “Dispute Notice”). Any Dispute Notice shall identify in reasonable detail and, to the extent known, the nature and amounts of any proposed revisions to the Parent Net Cash Calculation.
(c) If, on or prior to the Response Date, the Company notifies Parent in writing that it has no objections to the Parent Net Cash Calculation or, if prior to 11:59 p.m. (Eastern time) on the Response Date, the Company fails to deliver a Dispute Notice as provided in Section 3.6(b), then the Parent Net Cash Calculation as set forth in the Parent Net Cash Schedule shall be deemed to have been finally determined for purposes of this Agreement and to represent the Net Cash at the Cash Determination Time (the “Final Parent Net Cash”) for purposes of this Agreement.
(d) If the Company delivers a Dispute Notice on or prior to 11:59 p.m. (Eastern time) on the Response Date, then Representatives of Parent and the Company shall promptly, and in no event later than one calendar day after the Response Date, communicate and attempt in good faith to resolve the disputed item(s) and negotiate an agreed-upon determination of Net Cash, which agreed upon Net Cash amount (if so resolved) shall be deemed to have been finally determined for purposes of this Agreement and to represent the Final Parent Net Cash for purposes of this Agreement.
(e) If Representatives of Parent and the Company are unable to resolve the disputed items pursuant to Section 3.6(d) within three calendar days after delivery of the Dispute Notice (or such other period as Parent and the Company may mutually agree upon), then any remaining disagreements as to the calculation of Net Cash shall be referred to an independent auditor of recognized national standing jointly selected by Parent and the Company (provided that if the parties are unable to select an independent auditor within five (5) days, then either Parent or the Company may thereafter request that the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Office of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) make such selection (either the independent auditor jointly selected by both parties or such independent auditor selected by the AAA, the “Accounting Firm”)). Parent shall promptly deliver to the Accounting Firm all work papers and back-up materials used in preparing the Parent Net Cash Schedule, and Parent and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Accounting Firm to make its determination within five calendar days of accepting its selection. Parent and the Company shall be afforded the opportunity to present to the Accounting Firm any material related to the unresolved disputes and to discuss the issues with the Accounting Firm; provided, however, that no such presentation or discussion shall occur without the presence of a Representative of each of Parent and the Company. The determination of the Accounting Firm shall be limited to the disagreements submitted to the Accounting Firm. The determination of the amount of Net Cash made by the Accounting Firm shall be made in writing delivered to each of Parent and the Company, shall be final and binding on Parent and the Company and shall (absent manifest error) be deemed to have been finally determined for purposes of this Agreement and to represent the Final Parent Net Cash for purposes of this Agreement. The parties shall delay the Closing until the resolution of the matters described in this Section 3.6(e). The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be allocated between Parent and the Company in the same proportion that the disputed amount of the Net Cash that was unsuccessfully disputed amount by such party (as finally determined by the Accounting Firm) bears to the total disputed amount of the Net Cash amount and such portion of the costs and expenses of the Accounting Firm borne by the Company and any other fees, costs or expenses incurred by the Company following the Anticipated Meeting Date in connection with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.6(e) shall be deducted from the final determination of the amount of Net Cash, to the extent of available amounts. If this Section 3.6(e) applies as to the determination of the Final Parent Net Cash described in Section 3.6(a), upon resolution of the matter in accordance with this Section 3.6(e), the parties shall not be required to determine the Net Cash again even though the Closing Date may occur later than the Anticipated Meeting Date. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, Parent shall redetermine the Final Parent Net Cash if the Closing Date is more than ten calendar days after the Anticipated Meeting Date.
20
Section 3.7 Contingent Value Right. Prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall declare a distribution (the “Pre-Closing Distribution”) to holders of Parent Common Stock of record the right to receive one contingent value right (each, a “CVR”) for each outstanding share of Parent Common Stock held by such stockholder as of such date, each representing the right to receive contingent payments upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in, and subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of, the Contingent Value Rights Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, to be entered into between Parent and Computershare (or such other nationally recognized rights agent agreed to between Parent and the Company) (the “Rights Agent”), with such revisions thereto requested by the Rights Agent that are not, individually or in the aggregate, materially detrimental to the holders of CVRs and reasonably acceptable to Parent and the Company (the “CVR Agreement”). The record date for the Pre-Closing Distribution shall be the close of business on the last Business Day prior to the day on which the Effective Time occurs.
Article IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
Except as set forth in the corresponding section or subsection of the disclosure letter delivered by the Company to Parent (the “Company Disclosure Letter”) (it being agreed that the disclosure of any information in a particular section or subsection of the Company Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosure of such information with respect to any other section or subsection of this Agreement to which the relevance of such information is readily apparent on its face), each of the Company and Guarantor represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as follows:
Section 4.1 Organization, Standing and Power.
(a) The Company (i) is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, (ii) has all requisite corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted and as currently contemplated to be conducted and (iii) is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership, leasing or operation of its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except in the case of clause (iii), where the failure to be so qualified or licensed or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” means any event, change, circumstance, occurrence, effect or state of facts that (A) is or would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, or results of operations of the Company, taken as a whole, or (B) materially impairs the ability of the Company to consummate the Merger or any of the other Contemplated Transactions; provided, however, that in the case of clause (A) only, Material Adverse Effect shall not include any event, change, circumstance, occurrence, effect or state of facts to the extent resulting from (1) changes or conditions generally affecting the industries in which the Company operates, or the economy or the financial, debt, banking, capital, credit or securities markets, in the United States, including effects on such industries, economy or markets resulting from any regulatory and political conditions or developments in general, (2) the outbreak or escalation of war or acts of terrorism or any natural disasters, acts of God or comparable events, epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak or any worsening of the foregoing, or any declaration of martial law, quarantine or similar directive, policy or guidance or Law or other action by any Governmental Entity in response thereto, (3) changes in Law or generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), or the interpretation or enforcement thereof or (4) the public announcement or pendency of this Agreement; provided, that, with respect to clauses (1), (2) and (3), the impact of such event, change, circumstance, occurrence, effect or state of facts is not disproportionately adverse to the Company as compared to other participants in the industries in which the Company operates.
21
(b) The Company has previously made available to Parent true and complete copies of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Company Charter”) and bylaws (the “Company Bylaws”), in each case as amended to the date of this Agreement, and each as so delivered is in full force and effect. The Company is not in violation of any provision of its Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws.
Section 4.2 Capital Stock.
(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 1,000 shares of Company Common Stock. (i) 1,000 shares of Company Common Stock (excluding treasury shares) are issued and outstanding, all of which are owned by Guarantor, and (ii) no shares of Company Common Stock are held by the Company in its treasury. All outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to any preemptive rights. The Company does not have any outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, securities having the right to vote) with the stockholders of the Company on any matter. Except as set forth above in this Section 4.2(a), the Company does not have any outstanding (A) shares of capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of the Company, (B) securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock of the Company or other voting securities or equity interests of the Company, (C) stock appreciation rights, “phantom” stock rights, performance units, interests in or rights to the ownership or earnings of the Company or other equity equivalent or equity-based awards or rights, (D) subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, commitments, Contracts or other rights to acquire from the Company, or obligations of the Company to issue, any shares of capital stock of the Company, voting securities, equity interests or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of the Company or rights or interests described in the preceding clause (C), or (E) obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such securities or to issue, grant, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, granted, delivered or sold, any such securities. There are no stockholder agreements, voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which the Company or Guarantor is a party or of which the Company or Guarantor has knowledge with respect to the holding, voting, registration, redemption, repurchase or disposition of, or that restricts the transfer of, any capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of the Company.
(b) As of the date hereof, there are no outstanding options or other similar rights to purchase or receive shares of Company Common Stock or similar rights with respect to any Company Common Stock.
22
Section 4.3 Subsidiaries. The Company has no Subsidiaries and the Company does not own any capital stock or membership interests of, or any equity, ownership or profit sharing interest of any nature in, or controls directly or indirectly, any other entity. The Company is not and has never otherwise been, directly or indirectly, a party to, member of or participant in any partnership, joint venture or similar business entity. The Company has not agreed or is obligated to make, or is bound by any Contract under which it may become obligated to make, any future investment in or capital contribution to any other entity. The Company has not, at any time, been a general partner of, or has otherwise been liable for any of the debts or other obligations of, any general partnership, limited partnership or other entity.
Section 4.4 Authority.
(a) The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the Contemplated Transactions have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions, subject, in the case of the consummation of the Merger, to receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by Parent and Merger Sub, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity).
(b) The Company Board has (i) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its sole stockholder, (ii) approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, (iii) determined to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the sole stockholder of the Company vote to adopt this Agreement and thereby approve the Contemplated Transactions.
23
(c) The Company Stockholder Approval is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of the Company Common Stock or other securities required in connection with the consummation of the Merger. Other than the Company Stockholder Approval (and except with respect to the Concurrent Investment), no vote of the holders of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or other securities is required in connection with the consummation of any of the Contemplated Transactions to be consummated by the Company.
Section 4.5 No Conflict; Consents and Approvals.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 4.5(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company does not, and the consummation of the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions (including the Contribution) and compliance by the Company with the provisions hereof will not, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of, or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination, cancellation, modification or acceleration of any obligation or to the loss of a benefit under, or result in the creation of any pledge, claim, lien, charge, option, right of first refusal, encumbrance or security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any limitation on voting, sale, transfer or other disposition or exercise of any other attribute of ownership) (collectively, “Liens”) in or upon any of the properties, assets or rights of the Company under, or give rise to any increased, additional, accelerated or guaranteed rights or entitlements under, or require any consent, waiver or approval of any Person pursuant to, any provision of (i) the Company Charter or Company Bylaws, (ii) any material bond, debenture, note, mortgage, indenture, guarantee, license, lease, purchase or sale order or other contract, commitment, agreement, instrument, obligation, arrangement, understanding, undertaking, permit, concession or franchise, whether oral or written (each, including all amendments thereto, a “Contract”) to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or any of its properties or assets may be bound or (iii) subject to the governmental filings and other matters referred to in Section 4.5(b), any federal, state, local or foreign law (including common law), statute, ordinance, rule, code, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other legally enforceable requirement (“Law”) applicable to the Company or by which the Company or any of its properties or assets may be bound, except as, in the case of clause (iii), as individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
24
(b) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration, filing with or notice to, any federal, state, local or foreign government or subdivision thereof or any other governmental, administrative, judicial, arbitral, legislative, executive, regulatory or self-regulatory authority, instrumentality, agency, commission or body (each, a “Governmental Entity”) is required by or with respect to the Company in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company or the consummation by the Company of the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions or compliance with the provisions hereof, except for (i) the filing with the SEC of such reports under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, (ii) such other filings and reports as may be required pursuant to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Exchange Act and any other applicable state or federal securities, takeover and “blue sky” laws, (iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State as required by the DGCL, and (iv) such other consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations, filings or notices the failure of which to be obtained or made, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.6 Financial Statements.
(a) As of the Closing, the Company will have made available to the Parent true and correct copies of the Company Audited Financial Statements and the Company Interim Financial Statements. Each of the Company Audited Financial Statements and the Company Interim Financial Statements (i) will be, as of the Closing, correct and complete in all material respects and have been prepared in accordance with the books and records of the Company; (ii) will have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto); and (iii) will fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as at the respective dates thereof and for the respective periods indicated therein, except as otherwise noted therein and subject, in the case of the Company Interim Financial Statements, to normal and recurring year-end adjustments that will not, individually or in the aggregate, be material.
(b) Except as and to the extent adequately accrued or reserved against in the balance sheet set forth in the Company Audited Financial Statements, the Company does not have any liability or obligation of any nature, whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, whether known or unknown and whether or not required by GAAP to be reflected in a balance sheet of the Company or disclosed in the notes thereto, except for liabilities and obligations, incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since the date of the Company Audited Financial Statements, that are not, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Company.
25
Section 4.7 No Undisclosed Liabilities. The Company does not have any liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, known or unknown, whether due or to become due and whether or not required to be recorded or reflected on a balance sheet under GAAP, except for liabilities and obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (none of which is a liability for a breach or default under any contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement, misappropriation or violation of law) that are not individually or in the aggregate material to the Company.
Section 4.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as set forth in Section 4.8 of the Company Disclosure Letter, since June 19, 2025: (i) except in connection with the execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, the Company has conducted their business only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and consistent with the business of the Company as currently contemplated to be conducted; (ii) there has not been any change, event or development or prospective change, event or development that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) the Company has not:
(a) (i) declared, set aside or paid any dividends on, or made any other distributions (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of, any of its capital stock or other equity interests, (ii) purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired shares of capital stock or other equity interests of the Company or any options, warrants, or rights to acquire any such shares or other equity interests, or (iii) split, combined, reclassified or otherwise amended the terms of any of its capital stock or other equity interests or issued or authorized the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of its capital stock or other equity interests;
(b) amended or otherwise changed, or authorized or proposed to amend or otherwise change, its certificate of incorporation or by-laws (or similar organizational documents);
(c) issued, granted, promised or otherwise committed to issue, any Company Common Stock or other securities of the Company;
(d) sold, leased, licensed or otherwise disposed of any of its assets or properties, or grant any Lien with respect to such assets or properties, including with respect to any Company Intellectual Property;
(e) adopted or entered into a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization or reorganization; or
26
(f) changed its financial or Tax accounting methods, principles or practices, except insofar as may have been required by a change in GAAP or applicable Law, or revalued any of its material assets.
Section 4.9 Litigation. There is no action, suit, claim, arbitration, investigation, inquiry, grievance or other proceeding (each, an “Action”) (or basis therefor) pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, its properties or assets, or any present or former officer, director or employee of the Company in such individual’s capacity as such, other than any Action that (a) does not involve an amount in controversy in excess of $100,000 and (b) does not seek injunctive or other non-monetary relief. The Company’s properties and assets are not subject to any outstanding judgment, order, injunction, rule or decree of any Governmental Entity. There is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened seeking to prevent, hinder, modify, delay or challenge the Merger or any of the other Contemplated Transactions.
Section 4.10 Compliance with Laws. The Company has been in compliance in all material respects with all Laws applicable to their businesses, operations, properties or assets. Neither Guarantor nor the Company has received, since January 1, 2022 a notice or other written communication alleging or relating to a possible material violation of any Law applicable to their businesses, operations, properties, assets or Company Products (as defined below). The Company has in effect all material permits, licenses, variances, exemptions, applications, approvals, clearances, authorizations, registrations, formulary listings, consents, operating certificates, franchises, orders and approvals (collectively, “Permits”) of all Governmental Entities necessary or advisable for them to own, lease or operate its properties and assets and to carry on its businesses and operations as now conducted and as currently contemplated to be conducted, and there has occurred no violation of, default (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) under or event giving to others any right of revocation, non-renewal, adverse modification or cancellation of, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, any such Permit, nor would any such revocation, non-renewal, adverse modification or cancellation result from the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions.
Section 4.11 Health Care Regulatory Matters. Except as set forth in Section 4.11 of the Company Disclosure Letter:
(a) The Company and Guarantor, and to the knowledge of the Company, each of its directors, officers, management employees, agents (while acting in such capacity), contract manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors are, and since January 1, 2022 has been, in material compliance with all health care laws to the extent applicable to the Company or any of its products or activities, including, but not limited to the following: the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”); the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.), including the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (42 U.S.C. § 263a); the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. § 41 et seq.); the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq.); the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b)); the civil monetary penalties law (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7a); the civil False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq.); the administrative False Claims Law (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(a)); the Stark law (42 U.S.C. § 1395nn); the Criminal Health Care Fraud Statute (18 U.S.C. § 1347); the exclusion laws (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7); Medicare (Title XVIII of the Social Security Act); Medicaid (Title XIX of the Social Security Act); any regulations promulgated pursuant to such laws; and any other state, federal or ex-U.S. laws or regulations governing the manufacturing, development, testing, labeling, advertising, marketing or distribution of drug, biologic and medical device products, kickbacks, patient or program charges, recordkeeping, claims process, documentation requirements, medical necessity, referrals, the hiring of employees or acquisition of services or supplies from those who have been excluded from government health care programs, quality, safety, privacy, security, licensure, accreditation or any other aspect of providing health care, clinical laboratory or diagnostic products or services, to the extent applicable to the Company (“Health Care Laws”). To the knowledge of the Company, there are no facts or circumstances that reasonably would be expected to give rise to any material liability under any Health Care Laws.
27
(b) The Company is not party to any material corporate integrity agreements, monitoring agreements, consent decrees, settlement orders, or similar agreements with or imposed by any Governmental Entity.
(c) All applications, notifications, submissions, information, claims, reports and statistical analyses, and other data and conclusions derived therefrom, utilized as the basis for or submitted in connection with any and all requests for a Permit from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) or other Governmental Entity relating to products that are regulated as drugs, medical devices, or other healthcare products under Health Care Laws, including drugs or medical devices, compounds or products being researched, tested, stored, developed, labeled, manufactured, packed, imported, exported and/or distributed by the Company (“Company Products”), including, without limitation, investigational new drug applications and investigational device exemptions, when submitted to the FDA or other Governmental Entity were true, complete and correct in all material respects as of the date of submission and any necessary or required updates, changes, corrections or modification to such applications, submissions, information and data have been submitted to the FDA or other Governmental Entity. The Company does not have knowledge of any facts or circumstances that would be reasonably likely to lead to the revocation, suspension, limitation, or cancellation of a Permit required under Health Care Laws or of any application for marketing approval currently pending before the FA or such other Governmental Entity.
(d) All preclinical studies and clinical trials conducted by or, to the knowledge of the Company, on behalf of the Company have been, and if still pending are being, conducted in compliance with research protocols and all applicable Health Care Laws, including, but not limited to, the FDCA and its applicable implementing regulations at 21 C.F.R. Parts 50, 54, 56, 58, 312, 314, 320 and 812. No clinical trial conducted by or on behalf of the Company has been conducted using any clinical investigators who have been disqualified. No clinical trial conducted by or on behalf of the Company has been terminated or suspended prior to completion, and no clinical investigator that has participated or is participating in, or institutional review board that has or has had jurisdiction over, a clinical trial conducted by or on behalf of the Company has placed a clinical hold order on, or otherwise terminated, delayed or suspended, such a Company clinical trial at a clinical research site based on an actual or alleged lack of safety or efficacy of any Company Product or a failure to conduct such clinical trial in compliance with applicable Health Care Laws.
28
(e) All manufacturing operations conducted by or, to the knowledge of the Company, for the benefit of the Company have been and are being conducted in material compliance with all Permits under applicable Health Care Laws, all applicable provisions of the FDA’s current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) regulations for drug products at 21 C.F.R. Parts 210 and 211, the Quality System (QS) regulations at 21 C.F.R. Part 820 and all comparable foreign regulatory requirements of any Governmental Entity.
(f) The Company has not received any written communication that relates to an alleged violation or non-compliance with any Health Care Laws, including any notification of any pending or threatened claim, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration, import detention or refusal, FDA Warning Letter or Untitled Letter, or any action by a Governmental Entity relating to any Health Care Laws. All Warning Letters, Form-483 observations, or comparable findings from other Governmental Entities listed in Section 4.11(f) of the Company Disclosure Letter have been resolved to the satisfaction of the applicable Governmental Entity.
(g) There have been no seizures, withdrawals, recalls, detentions, or suspensions of manufacturing, testing, or distribution relating to the Company Products required or requested by a Governmental Entity, or other notice of action relating to an alleged lack of safety, efficacy, or regulatory compliance of the Company Products, or any adverse experiences relating to the Company Products that have been reported to FDA or other Governmental Entity (“Safety Notices”). All Safety Notices listed in Section 4.11(g) of the Company Disclosure Letter have been resolved to the satisfaction of the applicable Governmental Entity.
(h) Except as set forth in Section 4.11(h) of the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no unresolved Safety Notices, and to the knowledge the Company, there are no facts or circumstances that would be reasonably likely to result in a Safety Notice with respect to the Company Products or a termination or suspension of developing and testing of any of the Company Products.
(i) Neither the Company, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any officer, employee, agent, or distributor of the Company has made an untrue statement of a material fact or fraudulent or misleading statement to a Governmental Entity, failed to disclose a material fact required to be disclosed to a Governmental Entity, or committed an act, made a statement, or failed to make a statement that would reasonably be expected to provide a basis for the FDA to invoke its policy respecting “Fraud, Untrue Statements of Material Facts, Bribery, and Illegal Gratuities” Final Policy set forth in 56 Fed. Reg. 46191 (September 10, 1991) and any amendments thereto (the “FDA Ethics Policy”). None of the aforementioned is or has been under investigation resulting from any allegedly untrue, fraudulent, misleading, or false statement or omission, including data fraud, or had any action pending or threatened relating to the FDA Ethics Policy.
29
(j) All reports, documents, claims, Permits and notices required to be filed, maintained or furnished to the FDA or any Governmental Entity by the Company have been so filed, maintained or furnished, except where failure to file, maintain or furnish such reports, documents, claims, Permits or notices have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. All such reports, documents, claims, Permits and notices were true and complete in all material respects on the date filed (or were corrected in or supplemented by a subsequent filing).
(k) Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any officer, employee, agent, or distributor of the Company has been convicted of any crime or engaged in any conduct that has resulted, or would reasonably be expected to result, in debarment under applicable Law, including, without limitation, 21 U.S.C. § 335a, or exclusion under 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7, or any other statutory provision or similar law applicable in other jurisdictions in which the Company Products are sold or intended to be sold. Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any officer, employee, agent or distributor of the Company, has been excluded from participation in any federal health care program or convicted of any crime or engaged in any conduct for which such Person could be excluded from participating in any federal health care program under Section 1128 of the Social Security Act of 1935, as amended, or any similar Health Care Law or program.
30
Section 4.12 Benefit Plans.
(a) As of the date hereof, the Company does not have any Employee Plans or employees, independent contractors, consultants, temporary employees, leased employees or other agents employed or used by the Company.
(b) Section 4.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter contains a true, correct, and complete list of each material Company Plan, specifying thereon the Company Plans that cover employees of and individual independent contractors (including those who work through substantially owned entities) that provide services to the Company or that will be or are reasonably likely to be assigned to the Company (together, “Company Service Providers). Neither Guarantor, its Subsidiaries or any member of their Controlled Group has ever sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or been required to contribute to or incurred any liability (contingent or otherwise) with respect to: (i) a Multiemployer Plan, (ii) an “employee pension benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA) that is subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, (iii) any “multiple employer plan” as defined in Section 413 of the Code or Section 210 of ERISA, (iv) a “funded welfare benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 419 of the Code or (v) any “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (as such term is defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA).
(c) With respect to the Company Plans:
(i) each Company Plan is and has been established, operated and administered in all material respects with its terms and materially complies in form and in operation with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and all other applicable legal requirements;
(ii) no Company Plan is, or within the past six years has been, the subject of an application or filing under a government sponsored amnesty, voluntary compliance, or similar program, or been the subject of any self-correction under any such program;
(iii) each Company Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination, advisory and/or opinion letter, as applicable, from the IRS that it is so qualified and nothing has occurred to the knowledge of Guarantor or the Company since the date of such letter that would reasonably be expected to cause the loss of the sponsor’s ability to rely upon such letter, and nothing has occurred to the knowledge of Guarantor or the Company that would reasonably be expected to result in the loss of the qualified status of such Company Plan;
(iv) there is no material Action (including any investigation, audit or other administrative proceeding) by the Department of Labor, the PBGC, the IRS or any other Governmental Entity or by any plan participant or beneficiary pending, or to the knowledge of Guarantor or the Company, threatened, relating to the Company Plans, any fiduciaries thereof with respect to their duties to Company Plans or the assets of any of the trusts under any of the Company Plans (other than routine claims for benefits);
31
(v) none of the Company Plans currently provides, or reflects or represents any liability to provide post-termination or retiree welfare benefits to any person for any reason, except as may be required by COBRA, and neither Company nor any members of its Controlled Group has any liability to provide post-termination or retiree welfare benefits to any person or ever represented, promised or contracted to any employee or former employee of Guarantor or the Company (either individually or to such employees as a group) or any other person that such employee(s) or other person would be provided with post-termination or retiree welfare benefits, except to the extent required by statute or except with respect to a contractual obligation to reimburse any premiums such person may pay in order to obtain health coverage under COBRA;
(vi) all payments and/or contributions required to have been timely made with respect to all Company Plans either have been made or have been accrued in accordance with the terms of the applicable Company Plan and applicable law;
(vii) each Company Plan that includes Company Service Providers is subject exclusively to United States Law; and
(viii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company Stockholder Approval, and the consummation of the Merger will not, either alone or in combination with any other event, (A) entitle any Company Service Providers to severance pay, unemployment compensation or any other similar termination payment, or (B) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of or otherwise enhance any benefit due any such Company Service Providers.
(d) There is no agreement, plan or other arrangement to which Guarantor, the Company, or any of their Subsidiaries is a party or by which Guarantor, the Company, or any of their Subsidiaries is otherwise bound to compensate any Company Service Providers in respect of Taxes or other liabilities incurred with respect to Section 409A of the Code.
(e) Each Company Plan that relates to Company Service Providers is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (or any comparable or similar provision of state, local, or foreign Law) complies in both form and operation in all material respects with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (or any comparable or similar provision of state, local, or foreign Law) and all applicable IRS guidance issued with respect thereto (and has so complied for the entire period during which Section 409A of the Code has applied to such Company Plan) so that no amount paid or payable pursuant to any such Company Plan is subject to any additional Tax or interest under Section 409A of the Code (or any comparable or similar provision of state, local, or foreign Law).
(f) No Company Plan provides major medical health or long-term disability benefits that are not fully insured through an insurance contract.
32
Section 4.13 Labor and Employment Matters.
(a) Solely with respect to Company Service Providers, Guarantor and each of its Subsidiaries are and, since January 1, 2022, have been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to labor or employment matters, including those relating to employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, collective bargaining, disability, immigration, health and safety, wages, hours and benefits, non-discrimination in employment, workers’ compensation, the collection and payment of withholding and/or payroll Taxes and similar Taxes, unemployment compensation, equal employment opportunity, discrimination, harassment, employee and contractor classification, restrictive covenants, pay equity, information privacy and security, and continuation coverage with respect to group health plans, in each case to the extent applicable to Company Service Providers. Since January 1, 2022, there has not been, and as of the date of this Agreement there is not pending or, to the knowledge of Guarantor or the Company, threatened, any labor dispute, work stoppage, labor strike or lockout with respect to the Company and involving any employee of Guarantor or its Subsidiaries that provides services primarily or exclusively to the Company or who will be or is reasonably likely to be assigned to the Company (a “Company Employee” ).
(b) None of Guarantor nor its Subsidiaries is, or since January 1, 2022 has been, party to, or bound by, a collective bargaining agreement or similar labor agreement with respect to the Company Employees, and no such agreement is being negotiated. To the knowledge of Guarantor or the Company, there has not been any activity on behalf of any labor union, labor organization or similar employee group to organize any Company Employees. Solely with respect to Company Employees, there are no, and since January 1, 2022, there has not been any: (i) unfair labor practice charges or complaints against Guarantor, the Company, or any of their Subsidiaries pending before the National Labor Relations Board or any other labor relations tribunal or authority in respect of any Company Employees, and to the knowledge of Guarantor and the Company no such charges or complaints are threatened, or (ii) grievances or pending arbitration proceedings against Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of any Company Employees that arose out of or under any collective bargaining agreement.
(c) Since January 1, 2022, solely with respect to Company Employees, (i) neither Guarantor nor any of its Subsidiaries has effectuated a “plant closing” (as defined in the WARN Act) affecting any site of employment or one or more facilities or operating units within any site of employment or facility, and, in each case, impacting Company Employees, and (ii) there has not occurred a “mass layoff” (as defined in the WARN Act) with respect to Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries affecting any site of employment or one or more facilities or operating units within any site of employment or facility and, in each case, impacting Company Employees. Except as would not result in liability to the Company, Guarantor and its Subsidiaries properly classify and for the two (2) years immediately preceding the date hereof have properly classified, solely with respect to Company Service Providers, its and their (i) Company Employees as exempt or non-exempt in accordance with applicable overtime laws, and (ii) Company Service Providers employees or non-employees (e.g., consultants, independent contractors), in accordance with applicable law.
33
(d) Except as set forth on Section 4.13(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter, with respect to any Company Service Provider, there are no Actions against Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries pending, or to the knowledge of Guarantor or the Company, threatened to be brought or filed, in connection with the employment or engagement of any current or former Company Service Provider, including, without limitation, any claim relating to employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, equal pay, employment classification, contractor classification, wages, hours, and benefits or any other employment related matter arising under applicable Laws, except where such action would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in the Company incurring a material liability.
(e) Since January 1, 2022, (i) no allegations of harassment or unlawful discrimination (with respect to any category protected by applicable law, including, without limitation, sexual harassment), retaliation on the basis of protected activity (including as a whistleblower) or protected class status in accordance with applicable law, or other material misconduct relating to the workplace, have been made, initiated, filed or, to the knowledge of Guarantor or the Company, threatened against or involving any current or former directors, officers or senior level Company Employees.
(f) No Company Service Provider is subject to any service relationship with the Guarantor or its applicable Subsidiaries that either (i) with respect to employees, is not “at-will”, or (ii) cannot be terminated on thirty (30) days’ or less notice without penalty.
Section 4.14 Environmental Matters.
(a) Except as, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company has conducted its businesses in compliance with all, and have not violated any, applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) the Company has obtained all Permits of all Governmental Entities and any other Person that are required under any Environmental Law; (iii) there has been no release of any Hazardous Substance by the Company or any other Person in any manner that has given or would reasonably be expected to give rise to any remedial or investigative obligation, corrective action requirement or liability of the Company under applicable Environmental Laws; (iv) the Company has not received any claims, notices, demand letters or requests for information (except for such claims, notices, demand letters or requests for information the subject matter of which has been resolved prior to the date of this Agreement) from any federal, state, local, foreign or provincial Governmental Entity or any other Person asserting that the Company is in violation of, or liable under, any Environmental Law; (v) no Hazardous Substance has been disposed of, arranged to be disposed of, released or transported in violation of any applicable Environmental Law, or in a manner that has given rise to, or that would reasonably be expected to give rise to, any liability under any Environmental Law, in each case, on, at, under or from any current or former properties or facilities owned or operated by the Company or as a result of any operations or activities of the Company at any location and, to the knowledge of the Company, Hazardous Substances are not otherwise present at or about any such properties or facilities in amount or condition that has resulted in or would reasonably be expected to result in liability to the Company under any Environmental Law; and (vi) neither the Company nor any of its properties or facilities are subject to, or are threatened to become subject to, any liabilities relating to any suit, settlement, court order, administrative order, regulatory requirement, judgment or claim asserted or arising under any Environmental Law or any agreement relating to environmental liabilities.
34
(b) As used herein, “Environmental Law” means any Law relating to (i) the protection, preservation or restoration of the environment (including air, surface water, groundwater, drinking water supply, surface and subsurface soils and strata, wetlands, plant and animal life or any other natural resource) or (ii) the exposure to, or the use, storage, recycling, treatment, generation, transportation, processing, handling, labeling, production, release or disposal of Hazardous Substances.
(c) As used herein, “Hazardous Substance” means any substance listed, defined, designated, classified or regulated as a waste, pollutant or contaminant or as hazardous, toxic, radioactive or dangerous or any other term of similar import under any Environmental Law, including but not limited to petroleum.
Section 4.15 Taxes.
(a) The Company has (i) filed all income and other material Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of it (taking into account any applicable extensions) and all such Tax Returns are true, accurate and complete in all material respects; and (ii) timely paid in full (or caused to be timely paid in full) all material Taxes that are required to be paid by or with respect to it, whether or not such Taxes were shown as due on such Tax Returns.
(b) The Company has not incurred, any liability for Taxes outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.
(c) The Company has not executed any waiver of any statute of limitations on, or extended the period for the assessment or collection of, any amount of Tax, in each case that has not since expired (other than in connection with automatic extensions to file Tax Returns obtained in the ordinary course of business).
(d) No material audits or other investigations, proceedings, claims, assessments or examinations by any Governmental Entity (each, a “Tax Action”) with respect to Taxes or any Tax Return of the Company are presently in progress or have been asserted, threatened or proposed in writing and to the knowledge of the Company, no such Tax Action is being contemplated. No deficiencies or claims for a material amount of Taxes have been claimed, proposed, assessed or asserted in writing against the Company by a Governmental Entity, other than any such claim, proposal, assessment or assertion that has been satisfied by payment in full, settled or withdrawn.
35
(e) Subject to exceptions as would not be material, the Company has timely withheld all Taxes required to have been withheld from payments made (or deemed made) to its employees, independent contractors, creditors, shareholders and other third parties and, to the extent required, such Taxes have been timely paid to the relevant Governmental Entity.
(f) The Company has not engaged in a “listed transaction” as set forth in Treasury Regulations § 1.6011-4(b)(2).
(g) The Company (i) is not a party to or bound by, and has no liability pursuant to, any Tax sharing, allocation, indemnification or similar agreement or obligation, other than any such agreement or obligation which is a customary commercial agreement obligation entered into in the ordinary course of business with vendors, lessors, lenders or the like the primary purpose of which is unrelated to Taxes (each, an “Ordinary Course Agreement”); (ii) is not and has not been a member of a group (other than a group the common parent of which is Guarantor.) filing a consolidated, combined, affiliated, unitary or similar income Tax Return; (iii) does not have any liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than the Guarantor or the Company) pursuant to Treasury Regulations § 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or non-United States Law), as a transferee or successor, by Contract or otherwise by operation of Law; and (iv) is not and has not been treated as a resident for any income Tax purpose, or as subject to Tax by virtue of having a permanent establishment, an office or fixed place of business, in any country other than the country in which it was or is organized.
(h) No private letter rulings, technical advice memoranda, or similar material agreements or rulings have been requested, entered into or issued by any Governmental Entity with respect to the Company which rulings remain in effect.
(i) The Company will not be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of (i) a change in, or use of improper, method of accounting requested or initiated on or prior to the Closing Date, (ii) a “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar provision of Law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) an installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date, (iv) any prepaid amount received or deferred revenue accrued on or prior to the Closing Date, other than in respect of such amounts received in the ordinary course of business or (v) to the knowledge of the Company, an intercompany transaction or excess loss amount described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign income Tax Law).
36
(j) There are no liens for Taxes upon any of the assets of the Company other than Liens described in clause (i) of the definition of Permitted Liens.
(k) The Company has not distributed stock of another Person nor had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction (or series of transactions) that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Sections 355 or 361 of the Code.
(l) The Company has not been a United States real property holding corporation, as defined in Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.
(m) No material claim has been made in writing by any Governmental Entity in a jurisdiction where the Company does not currently file a Tax Return of a certain type or pay Taxes of a certain type that the Company is or may be subject to taxation of such type by such jurisdiction.
(n) There are no outstanding shares of Company stock issued in connection with the performance of services (within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code) that immediately prior to the Effective Time are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (as such terms are defined in Section 83 of the Code) for which a valid election under Section 83(b) of the Code has not been made.
(o) To the knowledge of the Company, the Company has not been, is not, and immediately prior to the Effective Time will not be, treated as an “investment company” within the meaning of Section 368(a)(2)(F) of the Code.
(p) The Company has not taken any action, has not omitted to take any action, and has no knowledge of any fact or circumstance, the taking, omission, or existence of which, as the case may be, would reasonably be expected to prevent (i) the Merger from constituting a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, or (ii) the Merger, from qualifying as a non-taxable exchange of shares of Company Common Stock for shares of Parent Common Stock within the meaning of Section 351(a) of the Code.
Section 4.16 Contracts.
(a) Section 4.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth each contract that, as of the date of this Agreement, that would constitute a “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act), with respect to the Company (assuming the Company were subject to the requirements of the Exchange Act) (all such contracts, in addition to those set forth in Section 4.16(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, “Material Contracts”).
37
(b) Section 4.16(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter lists the following contracts, in effect as of the date of this Agreement, which for the purposes of this Agreement shall be considered Material Contracts:
(i) each Contract relating to any agreement for indemnification or guaranty not entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(ii) each Contract containing (A) any covenant prohibiting the Company or the Surviving Company from engaging in any line of business or competing with any Person, or limiting the development, manufacture or distribution of the Surviving Company’s products or services, (B) any most-favored pricing arrangement, (C) any exclusivity provision in favor of a third party, or (D) any non-solicitation provision applicable to the Company, in the case of the foregoing clause (D), which are material to the Company, taken as a whole;
(iii) each Contract relating to capital expenditures and requiring payments in excess of $250,000 after the date of this Agreement pursuant to its express terms and not cancelable without penalty;
(iv) each Contract pursuant to which Guarantor has retained any right or interest that is used in or otherwise required for the operation of the Company’s business, as currently contemplated to be conducted by the Company;
(v) each contract to which the Company is a party or by which any of its assets and properties is currently bound, which involves annual obligations of or payment by, or annual payments to, the Company in excess of $100,000;
(vi) each Contract relating to the disposition or acquisition of assets or any ownership interest in any Person;
(vii) each employment or independent contractor Contract or retention, severance, change in control, or deal-based bonus Employee Plan, arrangement, or Contract that covers any Company Service Provider;
(viii) each Contract relating to any mortgages, indentures, loans, notes or credit agreements, security agreements or other agreements or instruments relating to the borrowing of money or extension of credit or creating any material Liens with respect to any assets of the Company or any loans or debt obligations with officers or directors of the Company;
(ix) each Contract requiring payment by or to the Company after the date of this Agreement in excess of $100,000 pursuant to its express terms relating to: (A) any Contract involving supply or distribution (identifying any that contain exclusivity provisions), (B) any Contract involving provision of services or products with respect to any pre-clinical or clinical development activities of the Company, (C) any Contract involving a dealer, distributor, joint marketing, alliance, joint venture, cooperation, development or other Contract currently in force under which the Company has continuing obligations to develop or market any product, technology or service, or any Contract pursuant to which the Company has continuing obligations to develop any Intellectual Property that will not be owned, in whole or in part, by the Company or (D) any Contract to license any patent, trademark registration, service mark registration, trade name or copyright registration to or from any third party to manufacture or produce any product, service or technology of the Company or any Contract to sell, distribute or commercialize any products or service of the Company, in each case, except for Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(x) each Contract with any Person, including any financial advisor, broker, finder, investment banker or other Person, providing advisory services to the Company in connection with the Contemplated Transactions; and
(xi) each Contract relating to leases of real properties with respect to which the Company directly or indirectly holds a valid leasehold interest as well as any other real estate that is in the possession of or leased by the Company.
38
(c) (i) Each Material Contract is valid and binding on the Company, and to the knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms; and (ii) as of the date of this Agreement, the Company has not receive any written notice of any material default under any Material Contract by the Company or of any event or condition that has occurred that constitutes, or, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute, a material default on the part of the Company. The Company has made available to Parent true and complete copies of all Material Contracts, including all amendments thereto. Except as set forth in Section 4.16(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no Material Contracts that are not in written form.
Section 4.17 Insurance. The Company is covered by valid and currently effective insurance policies issued in favor of the Company that are customary and adequate for companies of similar size in the industries and locations in which the Company operates. Section 4.17 of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth, as of the date hereof, a true and complete list of all material insurance policies issued in favor of the Company, or pursuant to which the Company is a named insured or otherwise a beneficiary, as well as any historic incurrence-based policies still in force. With respect to each such insurance policy, (a) such policy is in full force and effect and all premiums due thereon have been paid, (b) the Company is not in breach or default, and has not taken any action or failed to take any action which (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) would constitute such a breach or default, or would permit termination or modification of, any such policy and (c) to the knowledge of the Company, no insurer issuing any such policy has been declared insolvent or placed in receivership, conservatorship or liquidation. No notice of cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such policy, nor will any such cancellation or termination result from the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions.
Section 4.18 Properties; Assets.
(a) The Company has, and will have after giving effect to the Contemplated Transactions (including the Contribution), good and valid title to, or in the case of leased property and leased tangible assets, a valid leasehold interest in, all of its real properties and tangible and other assets that are necessary for the Company to conduct the business and operate as operated by Guarantor and as currently contemplated to be conducted by the Company, after taking into account the services to be provided by the Transition Services Agreement and the Manufacturing and Supply Agreement, free and clear of all Liens other than (i) Liens for Taxes and assessments not yet due and payable or the amount or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (ii) mechanics’, workmen’s, repairmen’s, warehousemen’s and carriers’ Liens arising in the ordinary course of business of the Company consistent with past practice and (iii) any such matters of record, Liens and other imperfections of title that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially impair the continued ownership, use and operation of the assets to which they relate in the business of the Company as currently conducted (“Permitted Liens”). Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, the tangible personal property currently used in the operation of the business of the Company is in good working order (reasonable wear and tear excepted).
39
(b) The Company has complied with the terms of all leases to which it is a party, and all such leases are in full force and effect, except for any such noncompliance or failure to be in full force and effect that, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under all such leases, except for any such failure to do so that, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Section 4.18(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of (i) all real property owned by the Company and (ii) all real property leased for the benefit of the Company.
Section 4.19 Intellectual Property.
(a) Section 4.19(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of all (i) patents and patent applications; (ii) trademark registrations and applications; and (iii) material copyright registrations and applications, in each case owned or licensed by the Company (collectively, “Company Registered IP”) and a true and complete list of all domain names owned or exclusively licensed by the Company. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (A) all of the Company Registered IP is subsisting and, solely in the case of any Company Registered IP that is registered or issued, to the knowledge of the Company, valid and enforceable, (B) no Company Registered IP is involved in any interference, reissue, derivation, reexamination, opposition, cancellation or similar proceeding and, to the knowledge of the Company, no such action is threatened with respect to any of the Company Registered IP and (C) the Company owns exclusively, free and clear of any and all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), all Company Owned IP, including all Intellectual Property created on behalf of the Company by employees or independent contractors.
(b) Section 4.19(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter accurately identifies (i) all contracts pursuant to which any Intellectual Property is licensed to the Company (other than (A) any non-customized software that (1) is so licensed solely in executable or object code form pursuant to a nonexclusive, internal use software license and other Intellectual Property associated with such software and (2) is not incorporated into, or material to the development, manufacturing, or distribution of, any of the products and services of the Company, (B) any Intellectual Property licensed on a nonexclusive basis ancillary to the purchase or use of equipment, reagents or other materials, (C) any confidential information provided under confidentiality agreements and (D) agreements between the Company and its employees in the Company’s standard form thereof), (ii) whether such contract involves the Company Registered IP licensed to the Company and (iii) whether the license or licenses granted to the Company are exclusive or nonexclusive.
40
(c) Section 4.19(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter accurately identifies each of the Company’s contracts pursuant to which any Person has been granted any license or covenant not sue under, or otherwise has received or acquired any right (whether or not currently exercisable) or interest in, any Company Registered IP (other than (i) any confidential information provided under confidentiality agreements and (ii) any Company Registered IP nonexclusively licensed to academic collaborators, suppliers, manufacturers or service providers for the sole purpose of enabling such academic collaborator, supplier, manufacturer or service provider to provide services for the Company’s benefit).
(d) The Company Registered IP constitutes all Intellectual Property owned by the Guarantor prior to the Contribution and necessary for the Company to conduct its business as currently proposed to be conducted (after giving effect to the Contribution).
(e) The Company has taken commercially reasonable measures to maintain the confidentiality of all information that constitutes or constituted a material Trade Secret of the Company, including requiring all Persons having access thereto to execute written non-disclosure agreements or other binding obligations to maintain confidentiality of such information.
(f) Except as, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) to the knowledge of the Company, the conduct of the businesses of the Company, including the manufacture, marketing, offering for sale, sale, importation, use or intended use or other disposal of any product as currently sold or under development by Company or currently contemplated to be sold or developed by the Company, has not infringed, misappropriated or diluted, and does not infringe, misappropriate or dilute, any Intellectual Property of any Person, (ii) the Company has not received any written notice or claim asserting or suggesting that any such infringement, misappropriation, or dilution is or may be occurring or has or may have occurred and (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, no Person is infringing, misappropriating, or diluting in any material respect any Company Registered IP.
(g) Except as, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company has taken commercially reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality and security of the computer and information technology systems used by the Company (the “IT Systems”) and the information and transactions stored or contained therein or transmitted thereby, (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, since January 1, 2022, there has been no unauthorized or improper use, loss, access, transmittal, modification or corruption of any such information or data and (iii) since January 1, 2022, there have been no material failures, crashes, viruses, security breaches (including any unauthorized access to any personally identifiable information), affecting the IT Systems.
41
(h) The Company has at all times complied in all material respects with all: (i) applicable Laws, published privacy policies and contractual obligations relating to privacy, data protection, and the collection, retention, protection, and use of information that alone or in combination with other information can be used to identify an individual, household or device (“Personal Information”) collected, used, or held for use by the Company (collectively, “Privacy Laws”), (ii) since January 1, 2022, no claims have been asserted or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against the Company alleging a violation of any Person’s privacy or Personal Information, (iii) neither this Agreement nor the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions will breach or otherwise violate any Privacy Laws and (iv) the Company has taken commercially reasonable steps to protect the Personal Information collected, used or held for use by the Company against loss and unauthorized access, use, modification or disclosure, or other misuse. The Company has contractually obligated all vendors, processors, service providers and other Persons collecting, using or otherwise processing Personal Information by or for the Company (“Data Processors”) to comply with applicable Privacy Laws and to take reasonable measures to protect Personal Information from unauthorized, access, use or disclosure. To the knowledge of the Company, no Data Processors have failed to comply with Privacy Laws with respect to the Personal Information processed on behalf of the Company.
(i) To the knowledge of the Company, no government funding, facilities or resources of a university, college, other educational institution or research center or funding from third parties was used in the development of Company Owned IP or any Intellectual Property exclusively licensed to the Company, and no Governmental Entity, university, college, other educational institution or research center has, to the knowledge of the Company, any claim or right in or to such Intellectual Property.
(j) Except as set forth on Section 4.19(j) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, and the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, will not result in the loss of, or give rise to any right of any third party to terminate or modify any of the rights or obligations of the Company under any agreement under which the Company grants to any Person, or any Person grants to the Company, a license or right under or with respect to any Intellectual Property that is material to any of the businesses of the Company.
Section 4.20 State Takeover Statutes. As of the date hereof and at all times on or prior to the Effective Time, the Company Board has taken all actions so that the restrictions applicable to business combinations contained in Section 203 of the DGCL are, and will be, inapplicable to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the timely consummation of the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions and will not restrict, impair or delay the ability of Parent or Merger Sub, after the Effective Time, to vote or otherwise exercise all rights as a stockholder of the Company. No other “moratorium,” “fair price,” “business combination,” “control share acquisition” or similar provision of any state anti-takeover Law (collectively, “Takeover Laws”) or any similar anti-takeover provision in the Company Charter or Company Bylaws is, or at the Effective Time will be, applicable to this Agreement, the Merger or any of the other Contemplated Transactions.
42
Section 4.21 No Rights Plan. There is no stockholder rights plan, “poison pill” anti-takeover plan or other similar device in effect to which the Company is a party or is otherwise bound.
Section 4.22 Related Party Transactions. Except as set forth on Section 4.22 of the Company Disclosure Letter, there have been no transactions, agreements, arrangements or understandings between the Company, on the one hand, and the Affiliates of the Company (including Guarantor), on the other hand that would be required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act (assuming the Company was subject to the requirements of the Exchange Act).
Section 4.23 Certain Payments. Since January 1, 2022, the Company has not, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their respective directors, executives, representatives, agents or employees (a) has used or is using any corporate funds for any illegal contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity, (b) has used or is using any corporate funds for any direct or indirect unlawful payments to any foreign or domestic governmental officials or employees, (c) has violated or is violating any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, (d) has established or maintained, or is maintaining, any unlawful fund of corporate monies or other properties, or (e) has made any bribe, unlawful rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment of any nature.
Section 4.24 Trade Control Laws. Since January 1, 2022, the Company has been in material compliance with all applicable import, export control, and economic and trade sanctions laws, regulations, statutes, and orders, including the Export Administration Regulations, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and the regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Trade Laws”) and have obtained, or are otherwise qualified to rely upon, all material import and export licenses, consents, notices, waivers, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations or other authorizations from, and made any filings with, any governmental authority required for (i) the import, export, and reexport of products, services, software and technologies and (ii) releases of technologies and software to foreign nationals (the “Trade Approvals”). There are no pending or threatened claims against the Company, nor any actions, conditions, facts, or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any material future claims with respect to the Trade Laws or Trade Approvals.
43
Section 4.25 Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person, other than as set forth on Section 4.25 of the Company Disclosure Letter, the fees and expenses of which will be paid by the Company, or following the Effective Time, Parent is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the Contemplated Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Affiliates.
Section 4.26 No Other Representations and Warranties. Except for the representations and warranties contained in Article V, the Company acknowledges and agrees that none of Parent, Merger Sub or any other Person on behalf of Parent or Merger Sub makes any other express or implied representation or warranty whatsoever, and specifically (but without limiting the generality of the foregoing) that none of Parent, its Subsidiaries or any other Person on behalf of Parent or Merger Sub makes any representation or warranty with respect to any projections or forecasts delivered or made available to the Company or any of its Representatives of future revenues, results of operations (or any component thereof), cash flows or financial condition (or any component thereof) of Parent (including any such projections or forecasts made available to the Company and Representatives in certain “data rooms” or management presentations in expectation of the Contemplated Transactions), and the Company has not relied on any such information or any representation or warranty not set forth in Article V.
Article V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB
Except (a) as disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date of this Agreement and that is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure to be applicable to the representation and warranty set forth herein (other than any disclosures contained or referenced therein under the captions “Risk Factors,” “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” and any other disclosures contained or referenced therein of information, factors, or risks that are predictive, cautionary, or forward-looking in nature); or (b) as set forth in the corresponding section or subsection of the disclosure letter delivered by Parent to the Company (the “Parent Disclosure Letter”) (it being agreed that the disclosure of any information in a particular section or subsection of the Parent Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosure of such information with respect to any other section or subsection of this Agreement to which the relevance of such information is readily apparent on its face), each of Parent and Merger Sub represent and warrant to the Company as follows:
Section 5.1 Organization, Standing and Power.
(a) Each of Parent and Merger Sub is a corporation duly organized or other entity duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation. Each of Parent and Merger Sub (x) has all requisite corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted and (y) is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership, leasing or operation of its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except in the case of clause (y), where the failure to be so qualified or licensed or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement, “Parent Material Adverse Effect” means any event, change, circumstance, occurrence, effect or state of facts that (A) is or would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, or results of operations of Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (B) materially impairs the ability of Parent or Merger Sub to consummate the Merger or any of the other Contemplated Transactions; provided, however, that in the case of clause (A) only, Parent Material Adverse Effect shall not include any event, change, circumstance, occurrence, effect or state of facts to the extent resulting from (1) changes or conditions generally affecting the industries in which Parent and its Subsidiaries operate, or the economy or the financial, debt, banking, capital, credit or securities markets, in the United States, including effects on such industries, economy or markets resulting from any regulatory and political conditions or developments in general, (2) the outbreak or escalation of war or acts of terrorism or any natural disasters, acts of God or comparable events, epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including the COVID-19 virus) or any worsening of the foregoing, or any declaration of martial law, quarantine or similar directive, policy or guidance or Law or other action by any Governmental Entity in response thereto, (3) changes in Law or GAAP, or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, (4) the public announcement or pendency of this Agreement, or (5) any specific action taken (or omitted to be taken) by Parent at or with the express written consent of the Company; provided, that, with respect to clauses (1), (2) and (3), the impact of such event, change, circumstance, occurrence, effect or state of facts is not disproportionately adverse to Parent and its Subsidiaries, as compared to other participants in the industries in which Parent and its Subsidiaries operate.
44
(b) Parent has previously made available to the Company true and complete copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws of each of Parent, each of its Subsidiaries, and Merger Sub, in each case, as amended to the date of this Agreement, and each as so delivered is in full force and effect. None of Parent, its Subsidiaries, or Merger Sub is in violation of any provision of their respective Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws or equivalent governing documents.
Section 5.2 Capital Stock.
(a) The authorized capital stock of Parent consists of 350,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock and 5,000,000 shares of Parent Preferred Stock. As of the close of business on June 20, 2025 (the “Measurement Date”), (i) 41,788,096 shares of Parent Common Stock (excluding treasury shares) were issued and outstanding, all of which were validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (which term means that no further sums are required to be paid by the holders thereof in connection with the issue of such shares) and were free of preemptive rights, (ii) zero (0) shares of Parent Common Stock were held in treasury, (iii) an aggregate of 6,424,376 shares of Parent Common Stock were subject to the exercise of outstanding Parent Options, (iv) zero (0) shares of Parent Common Stock were subject to outstanding Parent Restricted Stock Unit Awards in accordance with their respective terms, as in effect as of the date hereof, (v) zero (0) shares of Parent Common Stock were subject to the exercise of outstanding Parent Warrants and (vi) no shares of Parent Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding or held in treasury. Except as set forth above in this Section 5.2(a), Parent does not have any outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, securities having the right to vote) with the stockholders of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries on any matter. Except as set forth above in this Section 5.2(a) and except for changes since the close of business on the Measurement Date resulting from the exercise of any options or vesting and settlement of outstanding Parent Restricted Stock Unit Awards as described above, as of the Measurement Date, there are no outstanding (A) shares of capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, (B) securities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or other voting securities or equity interests of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, (C) stock appreciation rights, “phantom” stock rights, performance units, interests in or rights to the ownership or earnings of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or other equity equivalent or equity-based awards or rights, (D) subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, commitments, Contracts or other rights to acquire from Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or obligations of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, any shares of capital stock of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, voting securities, equity interests or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or rights or interests described in the preceding clause (C), or (E) obligations of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such securities or to issue, grant, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, granted, delivered or sold, any such securities. There are no stockholder agreements, voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or of which Parent has knowledge with respect to the holding, voting, registration, redemption, repurchase or disposition of, or that restricts the transfer of, any capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) The authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists of 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which 1,000 shares are issued and outstanding, all of which shares are beneficially owned by Parent.
(c) The shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to any preemptive rights.
45
Section 5.3 Subsidiaries. Section 5.3 of the Parent Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of each Subsidiary of Parent, including its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation. Each of Parent’s Subsidiaries (i) is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) has all requisite corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted and (iii) is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership, leasing or operations of its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except in the case of clause (iii), where the failure to be so qualified or licensed or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. All outstanding shares of capital stock and other voting securities or equity interests of each such Subsidiary are owned directly by Parent, free and clear of all Liens. Except for the capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, its Subsidiaries, Parent does not own, directly or indirectly, any equity, membership interest, partnership interest, joint venture interest, or other equity or voting interest in, or any interest convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for any of the foregoing, nor is it under any current or prospective obligation to form or participate in, provide funds to, make any loan, capital contribution, guarantee, credit enhancement or other investment in, or assume any liability or obligation of, any Person. Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions and has engaged in no business other than in connection with the Contemplated Transactions.
Section 5.4 Authority.
(a) Each of Parent and Merger Sub has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions, including the issuance of the shares of Parent Common Stock to the holders of Company Common Stock as Merger Consideration (the “Parent Common Stock Issuance”). The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub and the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Parent and Merger Sub and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Parent or Merger Sub are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions, subject to (i) assuming the Parent Common Stock is listed on Nasdaq immediately before the amendment to the Parent certificate of incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split is effective (the “Reverse Stock Split Proposal”), obtaining the approval of the Nasdaq Issuance Proposal and the Reverse Stock Split Proposal by the holders of a majority of the votes cast for such proposal (the “Parent Stockholder Approval”) and (ii) the approval of this Agreement by Parent as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent and Merger Sub and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each of Parent and Merger Sub, enforceable against each of Parent and Merger Sub in accordance with its terms (except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity).
46
(b) The Parent Board, at a meeting duly called and held at which all directors of Parent were present, unanimously adopted resolutions (i) determining that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of Parent and its stockholders, (ii) approving and declaring advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, including the issuance of shares of Parent Capital Stock to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to this Agreement and the Parent Support Agreements and the Constructive Issuance, (iii) determining that the Reverse Stock Split Proposal, among other things, is advisable and in the best interests of Parent and its stockholders, and (iv) determining to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the stockholders of Parent vote to authorize the Nasdaq Issuance Proposal, the Reverse Stock Split Proposal and the other Parent Stockholder Proposals. The board of directors of Merger Sub (by unanimous written consent) has: (x) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable, and in the best interests of Merger Sub and its sole stockholder, (y) approved and deemed advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions and (z) determined to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the stockholder of Merger Sub vote to adopt this Agreement and thereby the Contemplated Transactions.
(c) The Parent Stockholder Approval is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of the Parent Common Stock or other securities required in connection with the consummation of the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions, including the Parent Common Stock Issuance. Other than the Parent Stockholder Approval, no vote of the holders of any class or series of the Parent Common Stock or other securities is required in connection with the consummation of any of the Contemplated Transactions to be consummated by Parent.
Section 5.5 No Conflict; Consents and Approvals.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 5.5(a) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by each of Parent and Merger Sub does not, and the consummation of the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions (including the Contribution) and compliance by each of Parent and Merger Sub with the provisions hereof will not, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of, or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination, cancellation, modification or acceleration of any obligation or to the loss of a benefit under, or result in the creation of any Lien in or upon any of the properties, assets or rights of Parent or Merger Sub under, or give rise to any increased, additional, accelerated or guaranteed rights or entitlements under, or require any consent, waiver or approval of any Person pursuant to, any provision of (i) the Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws of Parent or Merger Sub, (ii) any Parent Material Contract to which Parent or Merger Sub is a party by which Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound, or (iii) subject to the governmental filings and other matters referred to in Section 5.5(b), any material Law or any rule or regulation of Nasdaq applicable to Parent or Merger Sub or by which Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound, except as, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), as individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
47
(b) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration, filing with or notice to, any Governmental Entity is required by or with respect to Parent or Merger Sub in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Parent or Merger Sub or the consummation by Parent or Merger Sub of the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions or compliance with the provisions hereof, except for (i) the filing with the SEC of such reports under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, (ii) such other filings and reports as may be required pursuant to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any other applicable state or federal securities, takeover and “blue sky” laws, (iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State as required by the DGCL, (iv) any filings required under the rules and regulations of Nasdaq and (v) such consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations, filings or notices the failure of which to be obtained or made, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.6 SEC Reports; Financial Statements.
(a) Parent has filed with or furnished to the SEC on a timely basis true and complete copies of all forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents required to be filed with or furnished to the SEC by Parent since January 1, 2022 (all such documents, together with all exhibits and schedules to the foregoing materials and all information incorporated therein by reference, the “Parent SEC Documents”). As of their respective filing dates (or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date of such filing), the Parent SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), as the case may be, including, in each case, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and none of the Parent SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(b) The financial statements (including the related notes and schedules thereto) included (or incorporated by reference) in the Parent SEC Documents (i) have been prepared in a manner consistent with the books and records of Parent, (ii) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto), (iii) comply as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto and (iv) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of Parent as of the dates thereof and their respective consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal and recurring year-end audit adjustments that were not, or are not expected to be, material in amount), all in accordance with GAAP and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC. Since January 1, 2022, Parent has not made any change in the accounting practices or policies applied in the preparation of its financial statements, except as required by GAAP, SEC rule or policy or applicable Law. The books and records of Parent have been, and are being, maintained in all material respects in accordance with GAAP (to the extent applicable) and any other applicable legal and accounting requirements and reflect only actual transactions.
48
(c) Parent has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information relating to Parent required to be disclosed in Parent’s periodic and current reports under the Exchange Act, is made known to Parent’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer by others within those entities to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures as required under the Exchange Act. The chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Parent have evaluated the effectiveness of Parent’s disclosure controls and procedures and, to the extent required by applicable Law, presented in any applicable Parent SEC Document that is a report on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q, or any amendment thereto, its conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by such report or amendment based on such evaluation.
(d) Parent has established and maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) which is effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of Parent’s financial reporting and the preparation of Parent’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Parent has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation of Parent’s internal control over financial reporting prior to the date hereof, to Parent’s auditors and audit committee (i) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of Parent’s internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect Parent’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in Parent’s internal control over financial reporting. A true, correct and complete summary of any such disclosures made by management to Parent’s auditors and audit committee is set forth as Section 5.6(d) of Parent Disclosure Letter.
(e) Since January 1, 2022, (i) neither Parent nor, to the knowledge of Parent, any of its directors, officers, employees, auditors, accountants or representatives has received or otherwise had or obtained knowledge of any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim, whether written or oral, regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods of Parent or its internal accounting controls, including any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that Parent has engaged in questionable accounting or auditing practices and (ii) no attorney representing Parent, whether or not employed by Parent, has reported evidence of a material violation of securities Laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by Parent or any of its officers, directors, employees or agents to the Parent Board or any committee thereof or to any director or officer of Parent.
49
(f) As of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding or unresolved comments in the comment letters received from the SEC staff with respect to the Parent SEC Documents. To the knowledge of Parent, none of the Parent SEC Documents is subject to ongoing review or outstanding SEC comment or investigation.
(g) Parent is not a party to, or has any commitment to become a party to, any joint venture, off balance sheet partnership or any similar Contract (including any Contract or arrangement relating to any transaction or relationship between or among Parent, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated Affiliate, including any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or Person, on the other hand, or any “off balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S K under the Exchange Act)), where the result, purpose or intended effect of such Contract is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liabilities of, Parent in Parent’s published financial statements or other Parent SEC Documents.
(h) Parent is in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Section 5.7 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, known or unknown, whether due or to become due and whether or not required to be recorded or reflected on a balance sheet under GAAP, except (a) to the extent specifically and adequately accrued or reserved against in the audited balance sheet of Parent as at December 31, 2024 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Parent with the SEC on March 31, 2025 (without giving effect to any amendment thereto filed on or after the date hereof) and (b) for liabilities and obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (none of which is a liability for a breach or default under any contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement, misappropriation or violation of law) since December 31, 2024 that are not individually or in the aggregate material to Parent.
Section 5.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as set forth in Section 5.8 of the Parent Disclosure Letter, since December 31, 2024, (i) except in connection with the execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, Parent and its Subsidiaries have conducted their business only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice; (ii) there has not been any change, event or development or prospective change, event or development that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has:
(a) (i) declared, set aside or paid any dividends on, or made any other distributions (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of, any of its capital stock or other equity interests, (ii) purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired shares of capital stock or other equity interests of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any options, warrants, or rights to acquire any such shares or other equity interests, or (iii) split, combined, reclassified or otherwise amended the terms of any of its capital stock or other equity interests or issued or authorized the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of its capital stock or other equity interests;
50
(b) amended or otherwise changed, or authorized or proposed to amend or otherwise change, its certificate of incorporation or by-laws (or similar organizational documents);
(c) adopted or entered into a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization or reorganization; or
(d) changed its financial or Tax accounting methods, principles or practices, except insofar as may have been required by a change in GAAP or applicable Law, or revalued any of its material assets.
Section 5.9 Litigation. There is no Action (or basis therefor) pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened against or affecting Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, any of its properties or assets, or any present or former officer, director or employee of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in such individual’s capacity as such, other than any Action that (a) does not involve an amount in controversy in excess of $100,000 and (b) does not seek injunctive or other non-monetary relief. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective properties or assets is subject to any outstanding judgment, order, injunction, rule or decree of any Governmental Entity. There is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened seeking to prevent, hinder, modify, delay or challenge the Merger or any of the other Contemplated Transactions.
Section 5.10 Compliance with Law. Parent and each of its Subsidiaries are and have been in compliance in all material respects with all Laws applicable to its businesses, operations, properties or assets. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has received, since January 1, 2022, a notice or other written communication alleging or relating to a possible material violation of any Law applicable to its business, operations, properties, assets or Parent Products (as defined below). Parent and each of its Subsidiaries have in effect all material Permits of all Governmental Entities necessary or advisable for it to own, lease or operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business and operations as now conducted, and there has occurred no violation of, default (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) under or event giving to others any right of revocation, non-renewal, adverse modification or cancellation of, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, any such Permit, nor would any such revocation, non-renewal, adverse modification or cancellation result from the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions.
51
Section 5.11 Health Care Regulatory Matters. Except as set forth in Section 5.11 of the Parent Disclosure Letter:
(a) Parent, and to the knowledge of Parent, each of its directors, officers, management employees, agents (while acting in such capacity), contract manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors are, and at all times prior hereto were, in material compliance with all health care laws to the extent applicable to Parent or any of its products or activities, including, but not limited to the Health Care Laws, to the extent applicable to Parent. To the knowledge of Parent, there are no facts or circumstances that reasonably would be expected to give rise to any material liability under any Health Care Laws.
(b) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is not party to any material corporate integrity agreements, monitoring agreements, consent decrees, settlement orders, or similar agreements with or imposed by any Governmental Entity.
(c) All applications, notifications, submissions, information, claims, reports and statistical analyses, and other data and conclusions derived therefrom, utilized as the basis for or submitted in connection with any and all requests for a Permit from the FDA or other Governmental Entity relating to products that are regulated as biologics under Health Care Laws, including biological candidates, compounds or products being researched, tested, stored, developed, labeled, manufactured, packed, imported, exported and/or distributed by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (“Parent Products”), including, without limitation, investigational new drug applications, when submitted to the FDA or other Governmental Entity were true, complete and correct in all material respects as of the date of submission and any necessary or required updates, changes, corrections or modification to such applications, submissions, information and data have been submitted to the FDA or other Governmental Entity. Parent does not have knowledge of any facts or circumstances that would be reasonably likely to lead the revocation, suspension, limitation, or cancellation of a Permit required under Health Care Laws.
(d) All preclinical studies and clinical trials conducted by or, to the knowledge of Parent, on behalf of Parent in respect of a Parent Product for submission to the FDA or other Governmental Entity have been since January 1, 2022, and if still pending are being, conducted in compliance with research protocols and all applicable Health Care Laws, including, but not limited to, the FDCA and its applicable implementing regulations at 21 C.F.R. Parts 50, 54, 56, 58, 312, 314 and 812. No clinical trial conducted by or on behalf of Parent has been conducted using any clinical investigators who have been disqualified. Except as set forth on Section 5.11(d) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, no clinical trial conducted by or on behalf of the Company has been terminated or suspended prior to completion, and no clinical investigator that has participated or is participating in, or institutional review board that has or has had jurisdiction over, a clinical trial conducted by or on behalf of Parent has placed a clinical hold order on, or otherwise terminated, delayed or suspended, such a clinical trial at a clinical research site based on an actual or alleged lack of safety or efficacy of any Parent Product or a failure to conduct such clinical trial in compliance with applicable Health Care Laws.
52
(e) All manufacturing operations conducted by or, to the knowledge of Parent, for the benefit of Parent have been and are being conducted in material compliance with all Permits under applicable Health Care Laws, all applicable provisions of the FDA’s current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) regulations at 21 C.F.R. Parts 210-211 and Parts 600 and 610 and FDA’s Quality System (QS) regulations at 21 C.F.R. Part 820, and all comparable foreign regulatory requirements of any Governmental Entity.
(f) Parent has not received any written communication that relates to an alleged violation or non-compliance with any Health Care Laws, including any notification of any pending or threatened claim, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration, import detention or refusal, FDA Warning Letter or Untitled Letter, or any action by a Governmental Entity relating to any Health Care Laws. All Warning Letters, Form-483 observations, or comparable findings from other Governmental Entities listed in Section 5.11(f) of the Parent Disclosure Letter have been resolved to the satisfaction of the applicable Governmental Entity.
(g) There have been no seizures, withdrawals, recalls, detentions, or suspensions of manufacturing, testing, or distribution relating to the Parent Products required or requested by a Governmental Entity, or other Safety Notices. All Safety Notices listed in Section 5.11(g) of the Parent Disclosure Letter have been resolved to the satisfaction of the applicable Governmental Entity.
(h) Except as set forth in Section 5.11(h) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, there are no unresolved Safety Notices, and to the knowledge Parent, there are no facts or circumstances that would be reasonably likely to result in a Safety Notice with respect to the Parent Products or a termination or suspension of developing and testing of any of the Parent Products.
(i) Neither Parent, nor, to the knowledge of Parent, any officer, employee, agent, or distributor of Parent has made an untrue statement of a material fact or fraudulent or misleading statement to a Governmental Entity, failed to disclose a material fact required to be disclosed to a Governmental Entity, or committed an act, made a statement, or failed to make a statement that would reasonably be expected to provide a basis for the FDA to invoke its FDA Ethics Policy. None of the aforementioned is or has been under investigation resulting from any allegedly untrue, fraudulent, misleading, or false statement or omission, including data fraud, or had any action pending or threatened relating to the FDA Ethics Policy.
(j) All reports, documents, claims, Permits and notices required to be filed, maintained or furnished to the FDA or any Governmental Entity by Parent have been so filed, maintained or furnished, except where failure to file, maintain or furnish such reports, documents, claims, Permits or notices have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. All such reports, documents, claims, Permits and notices were true and complete in all material respects on the date filed (or were corrected in or supplemented by a subsequent filing).
53
(k) Neither Parent nor, to the knowledge of Parent, any officer, employee, agent, or distributor of Parent has committed any act, made any statement or failed to make any statement that violates the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b, the Federal False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729, other Health Care Laws, or any other similar federal, state, or ex-U.S. law applicable in the jurisdictions in which the Parent Products are sold or intended to be sold.
(l) Neither Parent nor, to the knowledge of Parent, any officer, employee, agent, or distributor of Parent has been convicted of any crime or engaged in any conduct that has resulted, or would reasonably be expected to result, in debarment under applicable Law, including, without limitation, 21 U.S.C. § 335a, or exclusion under 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7, or any other statutory provision or similar law applicable in other jurisdictions in which the Parent Products are sold or intended to be sold. Neither Parent nor, to the knowledge of Parent, any officer, employee, agent or distributor of Parent, has been excluded from participation in any federal health care program or convicted of any crime or engaged in any conduct for which such Person could be excluded from participating in any federal health care program under Section 1128 of the Social Security Act of 1935, as amended, or any similar Health Care Law or program.]
Section 5.12 Benefit Plans.
(a) Section 5.12(a) of the Parent Disclosure Letter contains a true, correct, and complete list of each material Parent Plan.
(b) Parent has provided or made available to the Company a current, accurate and complete copy of each material Parent Plan, or if such Parent Plan is not in written form, a written summary of all of the material terms of such Parent Plan. With respect to each Parent Plan, Parent has furnished or made available to the Company a current, accurate and complete copy of, to the extent applicable: (i) all documents embodying or governing such Parent Plan and any related trust agreement or other funding instrument, (ii) the most recent determination letter of the IRS, (iii) any summary plan description, summary of material modifications, and other similar material written communications (or a written description of any material oral communications) to the employees of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries concerning the extent of the benefits provided under a Parent Plan, (iv) all non-routine correspondence to and from any governmental agency, and (v) for the three most recent years and as applicable (A) the Form 5500 and attached schedules, (B) audited financial statements, (C) nondiscrimination testing results and (D) actuarial valuation reports.
54
(c) Neither Parent, its Subsidiaries or any member of their Controlled Group has ever sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or been required to contribute to or incurred any liability (contingent or otherwise) with respect to: (i) a Multiemployer Plan, (ii) an “employee pension benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA) that is subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, (iii) any “multiple employer plan” as defined in Section 413 of the Code or Section 210 of ERISA, (iv) a “funded welfare benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 419 of the Code or (v) any “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (as such term is defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA).
(d) With respect to the Parent Plans:
(i) each Parent Plan is and has been established, operated and administered in all material respects with its terms and materially complies in form and in operation with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and all other applicable legal requirements;
(ii) no Parent Plan is, or within the past six years has been, the subject of an application or filing under a government sponsored amnesty, voluntary compliance, or similar program, or been the subject of any self-correction under any such program;
(iii) each Parent Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination, advisory and/or opinion letter, as applicable, from the IRS that it is so qualified and nothing has occurred to the knowledge of Parent since the date of such letter that would reasonably be expected to cause the loss of the sponsor’s ability to rely upon such letter, and nothing has occurred to the knowledge of Parent that would reasonably be expected to result in the loss of the qualified status of such Parent Plan;
(iv) there is no material Action (including any investigation, audit or other administrative proceeding) by the Department of Labor, the PBGC, the IRS or any other Governmental Entity or by any plan participant or beneficiary pending, or to the knowledge of Parent, threatened, relating to the Parent Plans, any fiduciaries thereof with respect to their duties to Parent Plans or the assets of any of the trusts under any of the Parent Plans (other than routine claims for benefits);
(v) none of the Parent Plans currently provides, or reflects or represents any liability to provide post-termination or retiree welfare benefits to any person for any reason, except as may be required by COBRA, and neither Parent nor any members of its Controlled Group has any liability to provide post-termination or retiree welfare benefits to any person or ever represented, promised or contracted to any employee or former employee of Parent (either individually or to Parent employees as a group) or any other person that such employee(s) or other person would be provided with post-termination or retiree welfare benefits, except to the extent required by statute or except with respect to a contractual obligation to reimburse any premiums such person may pay in order to obtain health coverage under COBRA;
55
(vi) all payments and/or contributions required to have been timely made with respect to all Parent Plans either have been made or have been accrued in accordance with the terms of the applicable Parent Plan and applicable law;
(vii) each Parent Plan is subject exclusively to United States Law; and
(viii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Parent Stockholder Approval, and the consummation of the Merger will not, either alone or in combination with any other event, (A) entitle any current or former employee, officer, director or consultant of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to severance pay, unemployment compensation or any other similar termination payment, or (B) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of or otherwise enhance any benefit due any such employee, officer, director or consultant.
(e) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or plan (including any Parent Plan) that may reasonably be expected to result, separately or in the aggregate, in connection with the Contemplated Transactions (either alone or in combination with any other events), in the payment of any “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code. There is no agreement, plan or other arrangement to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is otherwise bound to compensate any person in respect of Taxes or other liabilities incurred with respect to Section 409A or 4999 of the Code.
(f) Each Parent Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (or any comparable or similar provision of state, local, or foreign Law) complies in both form and operation in all material respects with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (or any comparable or similar provision of state, local, or foreign Law) and all applicable IRS guidance issued with respect thereto (and has so complied for the entire period during which Section 409A of the Code has applied to such Parent Plan) so that no amount paid or payable pursuant to any such Parent Plan is subject to any additional Tax or interest under Section 409A of the Code (or any comparable or similar provision of state, local, or foreign Law).
(g) No Parent Plan provides major medical health or long-term disability benefits that are not fully insured through an insurance contract.
Section 5.13 Labor and Employment Matters.
(a) Parent and each of its Subsidiaries are and, since January 1, 2022, have been in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to labor or employment matters, including those relating to employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, collective bargaining, disability, immigration, health and safety, wages, hours and benefits, non-discrimination in employment, workers’ compensation, the collection and payment of withholding and/or payroll Taxes and similar Taxes, unemployment compensation, equal employment opportunity, discrimination, harassment, employee and contractor classification, restrictive covenants, pay equity, information privacy and security, and continuation coverage with respect to group health plans. Since January 1, 2022, there has not been, and as of the date of this Agreement there is not pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened, any labor dispute, work stoppage, labor strike or lockout against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries by employees.
56
(b) No employee of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is, or since January 1, 2022 has been, covered by an effective or pending collective bargaining agreement or similar labor agreement. To the knowledge of Parent, there has not been any activity on behalf of any labor union, labor organization or similar employee group to organize any employees of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries. There are no and since January 1, 2022 there has not been any: (i) unfair labor practice charges or complaints against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries pending before the National Labor Relations Board or any other labor relations tribunal or authority and to the knowledge of Parent no such representations, claims or petitions are threatened, (ii) representations, claims or petitions pending before the National Labor Relations Board or any other labor relations tribunal or authority or (iii) grievances or pending arbitration proceedings against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries that arose out of or under any collective bargaining agreement.
(c) Since January 1, 2022, (i) neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has not effectuated a “plant closing” (as defined in the WARN Act) affecting any site of employment or one or more facilities or operating units within any site of employment or facility, (ii) there has not occurred a “mass layoff” (as defined in the WARN Act) in connection with Parent or any of its Subsidiaries affecting any site of employment or one or more facilities or operating units within any site of employment or facility and (iii) neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has not engaged in layoffs or employment terminations sufficient in number to trigger application of any similar state, local or foreign law. Parent and its Subsidiaries properly classify and for the two (2) years immediately preceding the date hereof have properly classified its and their (i) employees as exempt or non-exempt in accordance with applicable overtime laws, (ii) contingent workers in accordance with applicable law and (iii) workers as employees or non-employees (e.g., consultants, independent contractors), in accordance with applicable law.
(d) Except as set forth on Section 5.13(d) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, with respect to any current or former employee, officer, consultant or other service provider of Parent, there are no Actions against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries pending, or to the knowledge of Parent, threatened to be brought or filed, in connection with the employment or engagement of any current or former employee, officer, consultant or other service provider of Parent, including, without limitation, any claim relating to employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, equal pay, employment classification, contractor classification, wages, hours, and benefits or any other employment related matter arising under applicable Laws, except where such action would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in Parent incurring a material liability.
57
(e) Except as set forth on Section 5.13(e) of the Parent Disclosure Letter or with respect to any Parent Plan (which subject is addressed in Section 5.12 above), the execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions set forth in or contemplated by this Agreement will not result in any breach or violation of, or cause any payment to be made under, any applicable Laws respecting labor and employment or any collective bargaining agreement to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party.
(f) Since January 1, 2022, no allegations of harassment or unlawful discrimination (with respect to any category protected by applicable law, including, without limitation, sexual harassment), retaliation on the basis of protected activity (including as a whistleblower) or protected class status in accordance with applicable law, or other material misconduct relating to the workplace have been made, initiated, filed or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened against or involving Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective current or former directors, officers or senior level management employees.
(g) No employee or other worker of Parent is subject to any service relationship that is not “at-will” or that is terminable on more than 30 days’ notice.
Section 5.14 Environmental Matters.
(a) Except as, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, (i) Parent and its Subsidiaries have conducted its businesses in compliance with all, and have not violated any, applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) Parent and its Subsidiaries have obtained all Permits of all Governmental Entities and any other Person that are required under any Environmental Law; (iii) there has been no release of any Hazardous Substance by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Person in any manner that has given or would reasonably be expected to give rise to any remedial or investigative obligation, corrective action requirement or liability of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries under applicable Environmental Laws; (iv) Parent and its Subsidiaries have not received any claims, notices, demand letters or requests for information (except for such claims, notices, demand letters or requests for information the subject matter of which has been resolved prior to the date of this Agreement) from any federal, state, local, foreign or provincial Governmental Entity or any other Person asserting that Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of, or liable under, any Environmental Law; (v) no Hazardous Substance has been disposed of, arranged to be disposed of, released or transported in violation of any applicable Environmental Law, or in a manner that has given rise to, or that would reasonably be expected to give rise to, any liability under any Environmental Law, in each case, on, at, under or from any current or former properties or facilities owned or operated by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or as a result of any operations or activities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries at any location and, to the knowledge of Parent, Hazardous Substances are not otherwise present at or about any such properties or facilities in amount or condition that has resulted in or would reasonably be expected to result in liability to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries under any Environmental Law; and (vi) neither Parent or any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their properties or facilities are subject to, or are threatened to become subject to, any liabilities relating to any suit, settlement, court order, administrative order, regulatory requirement, judgment or claim asserted or arising under any Environmental Law or any agreement relating to environmental liabilities.
58
Section 5.15 Taxes.
(a) Parent and its Subsidiaries have (i) filed all income and other material Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of them (taking into account any applicable extensions) and all such Tax Returns are true, accurate and complete in all material respects; and (ii) timely paid in full (or caused to be timely paid in full) all material Taxes that are required to be paid by or with respect to them, whether or not such Taxes were shown as due on such Tax Returns.
(b) All material Taxes not yet due and payable by Parent as of the date of the balance sheet included in the financial statements (including the related notes and schedules thereto) included (or incorporated by reference) in the Parent SEC Documents have been, in all respects, properly accrued in accordance with GAAP on the financial statements (including the related notes and schedules thereto) included (or incorporated by reference) in the Parent SEC Documents, and such financial statements (including the related notes and schedules thereto) included (or incorporated by reference) in the Parent SEC Documents reflect an adequate reserve (in accordance with GAAP) for all material Taxes accrued but unpaid by Parent through the date of such financial statements. Since the date of financial statements (including the related notes and schedules thereto) included (or incorporated by reference) in the Parent SEC Documents, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred, individually or in the aggregate, any liability for Taxes outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.
(c) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has executed any waiver of any statute of limitations on, or extended the period for the assessment or collection of, any amount of Tax, in each case that has not since expired (other than in connection with automatic extensions to file Tax Returns obtained in the ordinary course of business).
(d) No material Tax Action with respect to Taxes or any Tax Return of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries are presently in progress or have been asserted, threatened or proposed in writing and to the knowledge of Parent, no such Tax Action is being contemplated. No deficiencies or claims for a material amount of Taxes have been claimed, proposed, assessed or asserted in writing against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries by a Governmental Entity, other than any such claim, proposal, assessment or assertion that has been satisfied by payment in full, settled or withdrawn.
(e) Subject to exceptions as would not be material, Parent and its Subsidiaries have timely withheld all Taxes required to have been withheld from payments made (or deemed made) to its employees, independent contractors, creditors, shareholders and other third parties and, to the extent required, such Taxes have been timely paid to the relevant Governmental Entity.
59
(f) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in a “listed transaction” as set forth in Treasury Regulations § 1.6011-4(b)(2).
(g) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) is a party to or bound by, or has any liability pursuant to, any Tax sharing, allocation, indemnification or similar agreement or obligation other than any Ordinary Course Agreement; (ii) is or has been a member of a group (other than a group the common parent of which is Parent) filing a consolidated, combined, affiliated, unitary or similar income Tax Return; (iii) has liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than Parent or its Subsidiaries) pursuant to Treasury Regulations § 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or non-United States Law) as a transferee or successor, by Contract, or otherwise by operation of Law; or (iv) is or has been treated as a resident for any income Tax purpose, or as subject to Tax by virtue of having a permanent establishment, an office or fixed place of business, in any country other than the country in which it was or is organized.
(h) No private letter rulings, technical advice memoranda, or similar material agreements or rulings have been requested, entered into or issued by any Governmental Entity with respect to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries which rulings remain in effect.
(i) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries will be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of (i) a change in, or use of improper, method of accounting requested or initiated on or prior to the Closing Date, (ii) a “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar provision of Law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) an installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date, (iv) any prepaid amount received or deferred revenue accrued on or prior to the Closing Date, other than in respect of such amounts received in the ordinary course of business, or (v) to the knowledge of Parent, an intercompany transaction or excess loss amount described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign income Tax Law).
(j) There are no liens for Taxes upon any of the assets of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries other than Liens described in clause (i) of the definition of Permitted Liens.
(k) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has distributed stock of another Person or has had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction (or series of transactions) that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Sections 355 or 361 of the Code.
60
(l) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a United States real property holding corporation, as defined in Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.
(m) No material claim has been made in writing by any Governmental Entity in a jurisdiction where Parent or any of its Subsidiaries does not currently file a Tax Return of a certain type or pay Taxes of a certain type that Parent is or may be subject to taxation of such type by such jurisdiction.
(n) There are no outstanding shares of Parent stock issued in connection with the performance of services (within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code) that immediately prior to the Effective Time are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (as such terms are defined in Section 83 of the Code) for which a valid election under Section 83(b) of the Code has not been made.
(o) To the knowledge of Parent, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has been, is, or immediately prior to the Effective Time will be, treated as an “investment company” within the meaning of Section 368(a)(2)(F) of the Code.
(p) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action, has omitted to take any action, or has knowledge of any fact or circumstance, the taking, omission, or existence of which, as the case may be, would reasonably be expected to prevent (i) the Merger from constituting a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, or (ii) the Merger, from qualifying as a non-taxable exchange of shares of Company Common Stock for shares of Parent Common Stock within the meaning of Section 351(a) of the Code.
Section 5.16 Contracts.
(a) Except for any Parent Plans (which are the subject of Section 5.12), except as set forth in the Parent SEC Documents publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement, and except for any agreement or contract, the expenses and obligations under which are included in the calculation of Net Cash, Parent is not a party to or bound by any “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act) (all such contracts including those set forth in Section 5.16(b) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, “Parent Material Contracts”).
(b) Section 5.16(b) of the Parent Disclosure Letter lists the following contracts, which for the purposes of this Agreement shall be considered Parent Material Contracts:
(i) each Contract relating to any agreement of indemnification or guaranty not entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(ii) each Contract containing any covenant prohibiting Parent, its Subsidiaries or the Surviving Company from engaging in any line of business or competing with any Person;
61
(iii) each Contract relating to capital expenditures and requiring payments after the date of this Agreement in excess of $100,000 pursuant to its express terms and not cancelable without penalty;
(iv) each Contract relating to the disposition or acquisition of material assets or any ownership interest in any Person;
(v) each Contract relating to any mortgages, indentures, loans, notes or credit agreements, security agreements or other agreements or instruments relating to the borrowing of money or extension of credit in excess of $100,000 or creating any material Liens with respect to any assets of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any loans or debt obligations with officers or directors of the Parent;
(vi) each Contract with any Person, including any financial advisor, broker, finder, investment banker or other Person, providing advisory services to the Parent in connection with the Contemplated Transactions;
(vii) each Contract to which the Parent is a party or by which any of its assets and properties is currently bound, which involves annual obligations of payment by, or annual payments to, the Parent in excess of $250,000 or pursuant to which the Company has outstanding unpaid obligations in excess of $250,000; and
(viii) each Contract relating to leases of real properties with respect to which the Parent directly or indirectly holds a valid leasehold interest as well as any other real estate that is in the possession of or leased by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.
(c) Each Parent Material Contract is valid and binding on Parent, and to the knowledge of Parent, each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms; (ii) Parent, and, to the knowledge of Parent, each other party thereto, has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it under each Parent Material Contract; and (iii) there is no material default under any Parent Material Contract by Parent or, to the knowledge of Parent, any other party thereto, and no event or condition has occurred that constitutes, or, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute, a material default on the part of Parent or, to the knowledge of Parent, any other party thereto under any such Parent Material Contract, nor has Parent received any notice of any such material default, event or condition. Parent has made available to the Company true and complete copies of all Parent Material Contracts, including all amendments thereto. Except as set forth in Section 5.16(c) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, there are no Parent Material Contracts that are not in written form. No Person is renegotiating, or has a right pursuant to the terms of any Parent Material Contract to change, any material amount paid or payable to the Parent under any Parent Material Contract or any other material term or provision of any Parent Material Contract.
Section 5.17 Insurance. Each of Parent and its Subsidiaries is covered by valid and currently effective insurance policies issued in favor of Parent or its Subsidiaries that are customary and adequate for companies of similar size in the industries and locations in which Parent and its Subsidiaries operate. Section 5.17 of the Parent Disclosure Letter sets forth, as of the date hereof, a true and complete list of all material insurance policies issued in favor of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or pursuant to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a named insured or otherwise a beneficiary, as well as any historic incurrence-based policies still in force. With respect to each such insurance policy, (a) such policy is in full force and effect and all premiums due thereon have been paid, (b) neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is in breach or default, and has not taken any action or failed to take any action which (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) would constitute such a breach or default, or would permit termination or modification of, any such policy and (c) to the knowledge of Parent, no insurer issuing any such policy has been declared insolvent or placed in receivership, conservatorship or liquidation. No notice of cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such policy, nor will any such cancellation or termination result from the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions.
62
Section 5.18 Properties.
(a) Parent and its Subsidiaries has good and valid title to, or in the case of leased property and leased tangible assets, a valid leasehold interest in, all of its real properties and tangible assets that are necessary for Parent and its Subsidiaries to conduct its businesses as currently conducted, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens. Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, the tangible personal property currently used in the operation of the business of Parent and its Subsidiaries is in good working order (reasonable wear and tear excepted).
(b) Each of Parent and its Subsidiaries has complied with the terms of all leases to which it is a party, and all such leases are in full force and effect, except for any such noncompliance or failure to be in full force and effect that, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Each of Parent and its Subsidiaries enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under all such leases, except for any such failure to do so that, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Section 5.18(c) of the Parent Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of (i) all real property owned by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) all real property leased for the benefit of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 5.19 Intellectual Property.
(a) Section 5.19(a) of the Parent Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of all (i) patents and patent applications; (ii) trademark registrations and applications; and (iii) material copyright registrations and applications, in each case owned or licensed by Parent and its Subsidiaries (collectively, “Parent Registered IP”) and a true and complete list of all domain names owned or exclusively licensed by Parent and its Subsidiaries. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect (i) all of the Parent Registered IP is subsisting and, solely in the case of any Parent Registered IP that is registered or issued and to the knowledge of Parent, valid and enforceable, (ii) no Parent Registered IP, is involved in any interference, reissue, derivation, reexamination, opposition, cancellation or similar proceeding and, to the knowledge of Parent, no such action is threatened with respect to any of the Parent Registered IP and (iii) Parent and its Subsidiaries own exclusively, free and clear of any and all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), all Parent Owned IP, including all Intellectual Property created on behalf of Parent or its Subsidiaries by employees or independent contractors.
63
(b) Parent and its Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable measures to maintain the confidentiality of all information that constitutes or constituted a material Trade Secret of Parent and its Subsidiaries, including requiring all Persons having access thereto to execute written non-disclosure agreements or other binding obligations to maintain confidentiality of such information.
(c) Except as, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, (i) to the knowledge of Parent, the conduct of the businesses of Parent and its Subsidiaries, including the manufacture, marketing, offering for sale, sale, importation, use or intended use or other disposal of any product as currently sold or under development by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, has not infringed, misappropriated or diluted, and does not infringe, misappropriate or dilute, any Intellectual Property of any Person, (ii) neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries have received any written notice or claim asserting or suggesting that any such infringement, misappropriation, or dilution is or may be occurring or has or may have occurred and (iii) to the knowledge of Parent, no Person is infringing, misappropriating, or diluting in any material respect any Parent Registered IP.
(d) Except as, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, (i) Parent and its Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality and security of the computer and information technology systems used by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (the “Parent IT Systems”) and the information and transactions stored or contained therein or transmitted thereby, (ii) to the knowledge of Parent, during the past two (2) years, there has been no unauthorized or improper use, loss, access, transmittal, modification or corruption of any such information or data, and (iii) during the past two (2) years, there have been no material failures, crashes, viruses, security breaches (including any unauthorized access to any personally identifiable information), affecting the Parent IT Systems.
(e) Except as, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, (i) to the knowledge of Parent, Parent and its Subsidiaries have at all times complied in all material respects with all applicable Privacy Laws, (ii) during the past two (2) years since the Effective Time, no claims have been asserted or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened in writing against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries alleging a violation of any Person’s privacy or Personal Information, (iii) neither this Agreement nor the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions will breach or otherwise violate any Privacy Laws and (iv) Parent and its Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable steps to protect the Personal Information collected, used or held for use by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries against loss and unauthorized access, use, modification or disclosure, or other misuse.
64
(f) To the knowledge of Parent, no government funding, facilities or resources of a university, college, other educational institution or research center or funding from third parties was used in the development of the Parent Owned IP or any Intellectual Property exclusively licensed to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, and no Governmental Entity, university, college, other educational institution or research center has, to the knowledge of Parent, any claim or right in or to such Intellectual Property. Except as set forth on Section 5.19(f) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, the execution, delivery and performance by Parent of this Agreement, and the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, will not result in the loss of, or give rise to any right of any third party to terminate or modify any of the rights or obligations of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries under any agreement under which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries grants to any Person, or any Person grants to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, a license or right under or with respect to any Intellectual Property that is material to any of the businesses of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 5.20 Related Party Transactions. Since January 1, 2022 through the date of this Agreement, there have been no transactions, agreements, arrangements or understandings between Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the Affiliates of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, on the other hand that would be required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act and that have not been so disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents.
Section 5.21 Certain Payments. For the five (5) years immediately preceding the date hereof, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Parent, any of their directors, executives, representatives, agents or employees (a) has used or is using any corporate funds for any illegal contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity, (b) has used or is using any corporate funds for any direct or indirect unlawful payments to any foreign or domestic governmental officials or employees, (c) has violated or is violating any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, (d) has established or maintained, or is maintaining, any unlawful fund of corporate monies or other properties, or (e) has made any bribe, unlawful rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment of any nature.
Section 5.22 Trade Control Laws. Since January 1, 2022, Parent and its Subsidiaries have been in material compliance with all applicable Trade Laws and have obtained, or are otherwise qualified to rely upon, all material Trade Approvals. There are no pending or threatened claims against the Parent or its Subsidiaries, nor any actions, conditions, facts or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any material future claims with respect to the Trade Laws or Trade Approvals.
65
Section 5.23 Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person, other than Lucid Capital Markets, LLC, the fees and expenses of which will be paid by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the Contemplated Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its Affiliates. Parent has furnished to Company a true and complete copy of any Contract between Parent and Lucid Capital Markets, LLC pursuant to which Lucid Capital Markets, LLC, could be entitled to any payment from Parent relating to the Contemplated Transactions.
Section 5.24 Opinion of Financial Advisor. Parent Board has received the opinion of Lucid Capital Markets, LLC, dated the date of this Agreement, to the effect that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the qualifications, limitations, assumptions and other matters set forth therein, the Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to the stockholders of Parent, a signed true and complete copy of which opinion has been or will promptly be provided on a non-reliance basis to the Company.
Section 5.25 State Takeover Statutes. No Takeover Laws or any similar anti-takeover provision in the Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws of Parent applicable to Parent is, or at the Effective Time will be, applicable to this Agreement, the Merger, the Parent Common Stock Issuance, or any of the other Contemplated Transactions. The Parent Board and the Merger Sub board have taken and will take all actions necessary to ensure that the restrictions applicable to business combinations contained in Section 203 of the DGCL are, and will be, inapplicable to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and to the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions.
Section 5.26 No Other Representations or Warranties. Except for the representations and warranties contained in Article IV, each of Parent and Merger Sub acknowledges and agrees that none of the Company or any other Person on behalf of the Company makes any other express or implied representation or warranty whatsoever, and specifically (but without limiting the generality of the foregoing) that none of the Company, or any other Person on behalf of the Company makes any representation or warranty with respect to any projections or forecasts delivered or made available to Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives of future revenues, results of operations (or any component thereof), cash flows or financial condition (or any component thereof) of the Company (including any such projections or forecasts made available to Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives in certain “data rooms” or management presentations in expectation of the Contemplated Transactions), and none of Parent or Merger Sub has relied on any such information or any representation or warranty not set forth in Article IV.
66
Article VI
COVENANTS
Section 6.1 Operation of Parent’s Business.
(a) Except (i) as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, (ii) as expressly required by applicable Law, (iii) in connection with the winding down of Parent’s prior research and development activities (including the termination of employees, independent contractors, service providers, and ongoing contractual obligations related to Parent’s current products or product candidates, as well as any Parent Legacy Transaction) (but in all cases of this clause (iii), in consultation with the Company and subject to the Company’s prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) or (iv) unless the Company shall otherwise consent in writing (email being sufficient), during the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article IX and the Effective Time (the “Pre-Closing Period”), Parent shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable efforts to (x) conduct its business and operations in material compliance with the applicable Law and the requirements of all Contracts that constitute Parent Material Contracts and (y) continue to pay material outstanding accounts payable and other material current liabilities (including payroll) when due and payable.
(b) Except (i) as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or the Securities Purchase Agreement, a Permitted Stock Purchase Agreement or any Parent Legacy Transaction, (ii) as set forth in Section 6.1(b) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, (iii) as required by applicable Law, (iv) in connection the winding down of Parent’s prior research and development activities (including the termination of employees, independent contractors, service providers, and ongoing contractual obligations related to Parent’s current products or product candidates) (but in all cases of this clause (iv), in consultation with the Company and subject to the Company’s prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) or (v) with the prior written consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), at all times during the Pre-Closing Period, Parent shall not, nor shall it cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, do any of the following:
(i) declare, accrue, set aside or pay any dividend or make any other distribution in respect of any shares of its capital stock or repurchase, redeem or otherwise reacquire any shares of its capital stock or other securities (except for any CVR, or shares of Parent Common Stock from terminated employees, directors or consultants of Parent in accordance with agreements in effect on the date of this Agreement providing for the repurchase of shares at no more than the purchase price thereof in connection with any termination of services to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries);
(ii) sell, issue, grant, pledge or otherwise dispose of or encumber or authorize the issuance of: (A) any capital stock or other security (except for Parent Common Stock issued upon the valid exercise or settlement of outstanding Parent Options, Parent Warrants or Parent Restricted Stock Unit Awards, as applicable), (B) any option, warrant or right to acquire any capital stock or any other security or (C) any instrument convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock or other security;
67
(iii) except as required to give effect to anything in contemplation of the Closing, amend any of its organizational documents, or effect or be a party to any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization, reclassification of shares, stock split, reverse stock split or similar transaction except, for the avoidance of doubt, the Contemplated Transactions;
(iv) form any Subsidiary (other than Merger Sub) or acquire any equity interest or other interest in any other entity or enter into a joint venture with any other entity;
(v) (A) lend money to any Person, (B) incur or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money, (C) guarantee any debt securities or others or (D) other than the incurrence or payment of Transaction Expenses, make any capital expenditure or commitment;
(vi) other than as expressly required by applicable Law or the terms of any Parent Plan in effect as of the date of this Agreement: (A) adopt, establish or enter into any Parent Plan, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any equity award plans, (B) cause or permit any Parent Plan to be amended other than as required by Law or in order to make amendments for the purposes of Section 409A of the Code, (C) pay any bonus or make any profit-sharing or similar payment to (except with respect to obligations in place on the date of this Agreement pursuant to any Parent Plan), or increase the amount of the wages, salary, commissions, fringe benefits or other compensation or remuneration payable to, any of its employees, directors or consultants, (D) increase the severance or change of control benefits offered to any current or new employees, directors or consultants, or (E) hire or terminate (other than for cause, or absent such a definition of cause, for conduct that the Parent or such Subsidiary determines in good faith constitutes material misconduct) any officer, employee or consultant;
(vii) enter into any transaction outside the Ordinary Course;
(viii) acquire any material asset or sell, lease, license or otherwise irrevocably dispose of any of its material assets or properties, or grant any Lien with respect to such assets or properties (other than the disposition of Parent Legacy Assets, subject to and in accordance with Section 7.17);
(ix) make, change or revoke any material Tax election; file any amended income or other material Tax Return; settle or compromise any material Tax claim; waive or extend any statute of limitations in respect of a period within which an assessment or reassessment of material Taxes may be issued (other than any extension pursuant to an extension to file any Tax Return); enter into any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar Law) with any Governmental Entity; surrender any material claim for refund; or adopt or change any material accounting method in respect of Taxes;
(x) waive, settle or compromise any pending or threatened Action against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, other than waivers, settlements or agreements (A) for an amount not in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate (excluding amounts to be paid under existing insurance policies or renewals thereof) and (B) that do not impose any material restrictions on the operations or businesses of Parent or its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any equitable relief on, or the admission of wrongdoing by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries;
68
(xi) delay or fail to repay when due, any obligation, including accounts payable and accrued expenses;
(xii) forgive any loans to any Person, including its employees, officers, directors or Affiliate;
(xiii) sell, assign, transfer, license, sublicense or otherwise dispose of any Intellectual Property of the Parent;
(xiv) terminate or modify in any respect, or fail to exercise renewal rights with respect to, any material insurance policy;
(xv) enter into, amend, terminate, or waive any option or right under, any Parent Material Contract or Contract that would be deemed to be a Parent Material Contract if entered into on or prior to the date hereof;
(xvi) other than the incurrence or payment of any Transaction Expenses, make any expenditures, incur any liabilities or discharge or satisfy any obligations;
(xvii) enter into any agreement to purchase or sell any interest in real property, grant any security interest in any real property, enter into any lease, sublease, license or other occupancy agreement with respect to any real property or alter, amend, modify, exercise any extension or expansion right under or violate or terminate any of the terms of any real property leases of Parent;
(xviii) other than as expressly required by Law or GAAP, take any action to change accounting policies or procedures;
(xix) (A) change pricing or royalties or other payments set or charged by Parent or any of Subsidiaries to its customers or licensees or (B) agree to change pricing or royalties or other payments set or charged by Persons who have licensed Intellectual Property to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; or
(xx) agree, resolve or commit to do any of the foregoing.
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give the Company, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of Parent prior to the Effective Time. Prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete unilateral control and supervision over its business operations.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary (including the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.1), Parent may engage in the sale, license, transfer, disposition, divestiture or other monetization transaction (i.e., a royalty transaction) and/or winding down of, and/or the sale, license, transfer, disposition, divestiture or other monetization transaction (i.e., a royalty transaction) or other disposition of any Parent Legacy Assets (each, an “Parent Legacy Transaction”); provided, however, that to the extent any Parent Legacy Transaction results in any monetary or other material obligations of Parent or otherwise or which could cause Parent to incur any material liability that could extend beyond Closing or contemplates that any consideration paid in respect thereof is in anything other than immediately available cash, or otherwise interferes with or delays in any manner the ability of Parent to perform its obligations under this Agreement or timely consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, Parent shall procure prior written consent of the Company prior to entering into any Parent Legacy Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Parent (i) shall permit the Company and its counsel to review and comment on the transaction documents related to the Parent Legacy Transaction; (ii) shall consider any such comments in good faith and shall accept all reasonable additions, deletions or changes suggested by the Company and its counsel in connection therewith; and (iii) shall not sign any agreements, contracts or other definitive documents (not including term sheets or letters of intent) related to Parent Legacy Transaction without first providing the Company and its counsel the opportunity to exercise their rights under clauses (i) and (ii) above.
69
Section 6.2 Operation of Company’s Business.
(a) Except (i) as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, (ii) as set forth in Section 6.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, (iii) as expressly required by applicable Law or (iv) unless Parent shall otherwise consent in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), during the Pre-Closing Period, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct its business and operations in the Ordinary Course and in material compliance with the applicable Law and the requirements of all Contracts that constitute Material Contracts.
(b) Except (i) as set forth in Section 6.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, (ii) as expressly required by applicable Law or (iii) with the prior written consent of Parent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), at all times during the Pre-Closing Period, the Company shall not, nor shall it cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, do any of the following:
(i) declare, accrue, set aside or pay any dividend or make any other distribution in respect of any shares of its capital stock or repurchase, redeem or otherwise reacquire any shares of its capital stock or other securities (except for shares of Company Common Stock from terminated employees, directors or consultants of the Company);
(ii) sell, issue, grant, pledge or otherwise dispose of or encumber or authorize the issuance of any of the foregoing actions: (A) any capital stock or other security, (B) any option, warrant or right to acquire any capital stock or any other security or (C) any instrument convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock or other security;
70
(iii) amend any of its organizational documents, or effect or be a party to any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization, reclassification of shares, stock split, reverse stock split or similar transaction except, for the avoidance of doubt, the Contemplated Transactions;
(iv) form any Subsidiary or acquire any equity interest or other interest in any other entity or enter into a joint venture with any other entity;
(v) (A) lend money to any Person, (B) incur or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money, or (C) guarantee any debt securities;
(vi) sell, lease, license or otherwise irrevocably dispose of any of its assets or properties, or grant any Lien with respect to such assets or properties;
(vii) waive, settle or compromise any pending or threatened Action against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than waivers, settlements or agreements (A) for an amount not in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate (excluding amounts to be paid under existing insurance policies or renewals thereof) and (B) that do not impose any material restrictions on the operations or businesses of the Company or its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any equitable relief on, or the admission of wrongdoing by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(viii) delay or fail to repay when due any material obligation, including accounts payable and accrued expenses, other than in the Ordinary Course;
(ix) make, change or revoke any material Tax election; file any amended income or other material Tax Return; settle or compromise any material Tax claim; waive or extend any statute of limitations in respect of a period within which an assessment or reassessment of material Taxes may be issued (other than any extension pursuant to an extension to file any Tax Return); enter into any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar Law) with any Governmental Entity; surrender any material claim for refund; or adopt or change any material accounting method in respect of Taxes;
(x) sell, assign, transfer, license, sublicense or otherwise dispose of any Intellectual Property of the Company; or
(xi) agree, resolve or commit to do any of the foregoing.
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give Parent, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of the Company prior to the Effective Time. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete unilateral control and supervision over its business operations.
71
Section 6.3 Access and Investigation.
(a) Subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, which the parties agree will continue in full force following the date of this Agreement, during the Pre-Closing Period, upon reasonable advance written notice and during normal business hours, Parent, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, shall and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such party’s Representatives to: (a) provide the other party and such other party’s Representatives with reasonable access during normal business hours to such party’s Representatives, personnel, property and assets and to all existing books, records, Tax Returns, work papers and other documents and information relating to such party and its Subsidiaries, (b) provide the other party and such other party’s Representatives with such copies of the existing books, records, Tax Returns, work papers, product data and other documents and information relating to such party and its Subsidiaries, and with such additional financial, operating and other data and information regarding such party and its Subsidiaries as the other party may reasonably request, (c) permit the other party’s officers and other employees to meet with the chief financial officer and other officers and managers of such party responsible for such party’s financial statements and the internal controls of such party to discuss such matters as the other party may deem necessary and (d) make available to the other party copies of any material notice, report or other document filed with or sent to or received from any Governmental Entity in connection with the Contemplated Transactions. Any investigation conducted by either Parent or the Company pursuant to this Section 6.3(a) shall be conducted in such manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the conduct of the business of the other party.
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary in this Section 6.3(b), no access or examination contemplated by this Section 6.3(b) shall be permitted to the extent that it would require any party or its Subsidiaries (i) to waive the attorney-client privilege or attorney work product privilege, (ii) violate any applicable Law or (iii) breach such party’s confidentiality obligations to a third party; provided, that such party or its Subsidiary (A) shall be entitled to withhold only such information that may not be provided without causing such violation or waiver, (B) shall provide to the other party all related information that may be provided without causing such violation or waiver (including, to the extent permitted, redacted versions of any such information), (C) shall enter into such effective and appropriate joint-defense agreements or other protective arrangements as may be reasonably requested by the other party in order that all such information may be provide to the other party without causing such violation or waiver, and (D) in the case of subsection (iii) above, upon the other party’s reasonable request, such party shall use its reasonable efforts to obtain such third party’s consent to permit such other party access to such information, subject to appropriate confidentiality protections. In addition, no access or examination contemplated by this Section 6.3 shall be permitted to the extent that it would require any party or its Subsidiaries, except as otherwise expressly required by this Agreement, to provide (A) information to the other party that relates to the negotiation of this Agreement, (B) information to the other party that relates to any process a party has conducted with any financial advisor or other communications with any Persons in connection therewith, or (C) minutes of the meetings of the board of directors of a party or any committee thereof discussing the transactions contemplated hereby.
72
Section 6.4 No Solicitation.
(a) Each of Parent (except as it relates to the Concurrent Investment and any Parent Legacy Transaction) and the Company agrees that, during the Pre-Closing Period, neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, nor shall it or any of its Subsidiaries authorize any of its Representatives to, directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage, induce or facilitate the communication, making, submission or announcement of any Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry or take any action that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry, (ii) furnish any nonpublic information regarding such party to any Person in connection with or in response to an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry, (iii) engage in discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry, (iv) approve, endorse or recommend any Acquisition Proposal (subject to Section 7.2 and Section 7.3), (v) execute or enter into any letter of intent or any Contract contemplating or otherwise relating to any Acquisition Transaction, (vi) take any action that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry or (vii) publicly propose to do any of the following; provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 6.4 and subject to compliance with this Section 6.4, prior to obtaining the Parent Stockholder Approval, Parent may furnish nonpublic information regarding Parent and its Subsidiaries to, and enter into discussions or negotiations with, any Person in response to a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal by such Person which the Parent Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, constitutes, or is reasonably likely to result in, a Superior Offer (and is not withdrawn) if: (A) such Acquisition Proposal was not obtained or made as a direct or indirect result of any breach of this Agreement, (B) the Parent Board concludes in good faith, after consulting with outside counsel, that the failure to take such action would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with the Parent Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable Law, (C) at least two (2) Business Days prior to initially furnishing any such nonpublic information to, or enter into discussions with, such Person, Parent provides the Company written notice of the identity of such Person and of Parent’s intention to furnish nonpublic information to, or enter into discussions with, such Person, (D) Parent receives from such Person an executed Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement and (E) at least two (2) Business Days prior to furnishing any such nonpublic information to such Person, Parent furnishes such nonpublic information to the Company (to the extent such information has not been previously furnished by Parent to the Company). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each party acknowledges and agrees that, in the event any Representative of such party takes any action that, if taken by such party, would constitute a breach of this Section 6.4 by such party, the taking of such action by such Representative shall be deemed to constitute a breach of this Section 6.4 by such party for purposes of this Agreement.
(b) If any party or any Representative of such party receives an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry at any time during the Pre-Closing Period, then such party shall promptly (and in no event later than one (1) Business Day after such party becomes aware of such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry) advise the other party orally and in writing of such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry (including the identity of the Person making or submitting such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry, and the terms thereof). Such party shall keep the other party reasonably informed with respect to the status and terms of any such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry and any material modification or material proposed modification thereto.
73
(c) Each party shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing discussions, negotiations and communications with any Person that relate to any Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry as of the date of this Agreement and request the destruction or return of any nonpublic information provided to such Person as soon as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement.
Section 6.5 Notification of Certain Matters. During the Pre-Closing Period, each of the Company, on the one hand, and Parent, on the other hand, shall promptly notify the other (and, if in writing, furnish copies of) if any of the following occurs: (a) any notice or other communication is received from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with any of the Contemplated Transactions, (b) any Action against or involving or otherwise affecting such party or its Subsidiaries is commenced, or, to the knowledge of such party, threatened against such party or, to the knowledge of such party, any director, officer or employee of such party, (c) such party becomes aware of any inaccuracy in any representation or warranty made by such party in this Agreement or (d) the failure of such party to comply with any covenant or obligation of such party; in each case that could reasonably be expected to make the timely satisfaction of any of the conditions set forth in Article VII or Article VIII, as applicable, impossible or materially less likely. No such notice shall be deemed to supplement or amend the Company Disclosure Letter or the Parent Disclosure Letter for the purpose of (x) determining the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties made by the Company or Parent in this Agreement or (y) determining whether any condition set forth in Article VII or Article VIII has been satisfied. Any failure by either party to provide notice pursuant to this Section 6.5 shall not be deemed to be a breach for purposes of Section 8.2(b) and Section 8.3(b), as applicable, unless such failure to provide such notice was knowing and intentional.
Section 6.6 [RESERVED].
Section 6.7 [RESERVED].
Section 6.8 Parent ESPP. As soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, the Parent Board shall adopt appropriate resolutions to provide that (a) no offering periods or purchase periods shall be commenced following or in addition to the offering period underway as of the date hereof under the Parent ESPP (the “Current Offering Period”), (b) no payroll deductions or other contributions shall be made or effected after the Current Offering Period with respect to the Parent ESPP after the date of such resolutions, and (c) the Current Offering Period shall be terminated and each Parent ESPP participant’s accumulated contributions under the Parent ESPP shall be returned to the participant in accordance with the terms of the Parent ESPP.
74
Section 6.9 Parent 401(K) Plan. If requested by the Company in writing at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Parent Board or an authorized committee thereof shall take (or cause to be taken) all actions to adopt such resolutions as may be necessary or appropriate to terminate, effective no later than the day prior to the Closing Date but subject to the Closing, any Parent Plan that contains a cash or deferred arrangement intended to qualify under Section 401(k) of the Code (a “Parent 401(k) Plan”). If Parent is required to terminate any Parent 401(k) Plan, then Parent shall provide to the Company prior to the Closing Date written evidence of the adoption by the Parent Board or an authorized committee thereof of resolutions authorizing the termination of such Parent 401(k) Plan (the form and substance of which shall be subject to the reasonable prior review and approval of the Company, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
Article VII
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
Section 7.1 Registration Statement; Proxy Statement.
(a) As promptly as practicable (but in any event, no later than July 18, 2025), (i) Parent shall prepare, and file with the SEC a proxy statement relating to the Parent Stockholders Meeting to be held in connection with the Merger (together with any amendments thereof or supplements thereto, the “Proxy Statement”) and (ii) Parent, in cooperation with the Company, shall prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Form S-4”), in which the Proxy Statement shall be included as a part (the Proxy Statement and the Form S-4, collectively, the “Registration Statement”), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued by virtue of the Contemplated Transactions, other than any shares of Parent Capital Stock which are not permitted to be registered on Form S-4 pursuant to applicable Law. Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) cause the Registration Statement to comply with the applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, (ii) cause the Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as practicable, and (iii) respond promptly to any comments or requests (written or oral) of the SEC or its staff relating to the Registration Statement. Parent shall promptly notify the Company upon the receipt of any comments or requests (written or oral) from the SEC or its staff or any request from the SEC or its staff for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement. Parent shall take all or any action required under any applicable federal, state, securities and other Laws in connection with the issuance of shares of Parent Capital Stock pursuant to the Contemplated Transactions. Each of the parties shall reasonably cooperate with the other party and furnish all information concerning itself and their Affiliates, as applicable, to the other parties that is required by law to be included in the Registration Statement as the other parties may reasonably request in connection with such actions and the preparation of the Registration Statement.
(b) Parent covenants and agrees that the Registration Statement (and the letter to stockholders, notice of meeting and form of proxy included therewith) will (i) comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of applicable U.S. federal securities laws and the DGCL, and (ii) will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company covenants and agrees that the information supplied by or on behalf of the Company, concerning itself, to Parent for inclusion in the Registration Statement will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make such information, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither party makes any covenant, representation or warranty with respect to statements made in the Registration Statement (and the letter to stockholders, notice of meeting and form of proxy included therewith), if any, based on information provided by the other party or any of their Representatives regarding such other party or its Affiliates for inclusion therein.
75
(c) Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to Parent’s stockholders as promptly as practicable (but in any event no later than two (2) Business Days) after the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act.
(d) If at any time before the Effective Time (i) any party (A) becomes aware of any event or information that, pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, should be disclosed in an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, (B) receives notice of any SEC request for an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or for additional information related thereto, or (C) receives SEC comments on the Registration Statement, or (ii) the information provided in the Registration Statement has become “stale” and new information should be disclosed in an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement; then, in each case such party, as the case may be, shall promptly inform the other parties thereof and shall cooperate with such other parties in filing such amendment or supplement with the SEC (and, if appropriate, in mailing such amendment or supplement to the Parent stockholders) or otherwise addressing such SEC request or comments and each party shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause any such amendment to become effective, if required. Parent shall promptly notify the Company if it becomes aware (1) that the Registration Statement has become effective, (2) of the issuance of any stop order or suspension of the qualification or registration of the Parent Capital Stock issuance in connection with the Contemplated Transactions for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or (3) any order of the SEC related to the Registration Statement, and shall promptly provide to the Company copies of all written correspondence between it or any of its Representatives, on the one hand, and the SEC or staff of the SEC, on the other hand, with respect to the Registration Statement and all orders of the SEC relating to the Registration Statement.
(e) The Company shall reasonably cooperate with Parent and provide, and cause its Representatives to provide, Parent and its Representatives, with all true, correct and complete information regarding the Company that is required by law to be included in the Registration Statement or reasonably requested by Parent to be included in the Registration Statement. Without limiting the Company’s obligations in Section 7.1(a), the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to Parent a letter of the Company’s independent accounting firm, dated no more than two (2) Business Days before the date on which the Registration Statement becomes effective (and reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Parent), that is customary in scope and substance for letters delivered by independent public accountants in connection with registration statements similar to the Registration Statement.
76
(f) The Company and its legal counsel shall be given reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Registration Statement, including all amendments and supplements thereto, prior to the filing thereof with the SEC, and on the response to any comments of the SEC on the Registration Statement, prior to the filing thereof with the SEC. No filing of, or amendment or supplement to, the Registration Statement will be made by Parent, and no filing of, or amendment or supplement to, the Registration Statement will be made by Parent, in each case, without the prior consent of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(g) As promptly as reasonably practicable (and in no event by July 9, 2025), the Company shall furnish to Parent (i) audited financial statements for each of its fiscal years required to be included in the Registration Statement (the “Company Audited Financial Statements”) and (ii) unaudited interim financial statements for each interim period completed prior to Closing that would be required to be included in the Registration Statement or any periodic report due prior to the Closing if the Company were subject to the periodic reporting requirements under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (the “Company Interim Financial Statements”). Each of the Company Audited Financial Statements and the Company Interim Financial Statements will be prepared in accordance with GAAP as applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except in each case as described in the notes thereto and except, in the case of any unaudited financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments) and on that basis will present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and the results of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company as of the dates of and for the periods referred to in the Company Audited Financial Statements or the Company Interim Financial Statements, as the case may be.
Section 7.2 Company Stockholder Approval.
(a) Promptly after the Registration Statement has been declared effective under the Securities Act, and in any event no later than one (1) Business Day thereafter, the Company shall solicit for approval the Company Stockholder Approval. Under no circumstances shall the Company assert that any other approval or consent (including with respect to any approval by Guarantor) is necessary to approve this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions.
(b) The Company agrees that subject to Section 7.2(c): (i) the Company Board shall recommend that the Company’s sole stockholders vote to adopt and approve this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to solicit such approval within the time set forth in Section 7.2(a) (the recommendation of the Company Board that the Company’s sole stockholder vote to adopt and approve this Agreement being referred to as the “Company Board Recommendation”) and (ii) the Company Board Recommendation shall not be withdrawn or modified (and the Company Board shall not publicly propose to withdraw or modify the Company Board Recommendation) in a manner adverse to Parent, and no resolution by the Company Board or any committee thereof to withdraw or modify the Company Board Recommendation in a manner adverse to Parent or to adopt, approve or recommend (or publicly propose to adopt, approve or recommend) any Acquisition Proposal shall be adopted or proposed (the actions set forth in the foregoing clause (ii), collectively, a “Company Board Adverse Recommendation Change”).
77
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 7.2(b), and subject to compliance with Section 6.4 and Section 7.2, if at any time prior to approval and adoption of this Agreement by the Company Stockholder Approval, the Company receives a bona fide written Superior Offer, the Company Board may make a Company Board Adverse Recommendation Change if, but only if, in the case of a Superior Offer, following the receipt of and on account of such Superior Offer, (1) the Company Board determines in good faith, after consulting with outside legal counsel, that the failure to withhold, amend, withdraw or modify such recommendation would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, (2) the Company has, and has caused its financial advisors and outside legal counsel to, during the Company Notice Period, negotiate with Parent in good faith to make such adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement so that such Acquisition Proposal ceases to constitute a Superior Offer (to the extent Parent desires to negotiate) and (3) if after Parent shall have delivered to the Company an irrevocable written offer to alter the terms or conditions of this Agreement during the Company Notice Period, the Company Board shall have determined in good faith, based on the advice of its outside legal counsel, that the failure to withhold, amend, withdraw or modify the Company Board Recommendation would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law (after taking into account such alterations of the terms and conditions of this Agreement); provided that (x) Parent receives written notice from the Company confirming that the Company Board has determined to change its recommendation at least four (4) Business Days in advance of the Company Board Adverse Recommendation Change (the “Company Notice Period”), which notice shall include a description in reasonable detail of the reasons for such Company Board Adverse Recommendation Change, and written copies of any relevant proposed transaction agreements with any party making a potential Superior Offer, (y) during any Company Notice Period, Parent shall be entitled to deliver to the Company one or more counterproposals to such Acquisition Proposal and the Company will, and cause its Representatives to, negotiate with Parent in good faith (to the extent Parent desires to negotiate) to make such adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement so that the applicable Acquisition Proposal ceases to constitute a Superior Offer and (z) in the event of any material amendment to any Superior Offer (including any revision in the amount, form or mix of consideration or percentage of the combined company that the Company’s stockholders would receive as a result of such potential Superior Offer), the Company shall be required to provide Parent with notice of such material amendment and the Company Notice Period shall be extended, if applicable, to ensure that at least two (2) Business Days remain in the Company Notice Period following such notification during which the parties shall comply again with the requirements of this Section 7.2(c) and the Company Board shall not make a Company Board Adverse Recommendation Change prior to the end of such Company Notice Period as so extended (it being understood that there may be multiple extensions).
78
Section 7.3 Parent Stockholders’ Meeting.
(a) Parent shall take all action necessary under applicable Law to call, give notice of and hold a meeting of the holders of Parent Common Stock (the “Parent Stockholder Meeting”) to consider and obtain the Parent Stockholder Approval and thereby approve the Contemplated Transactions and the Parent Charter Amendment and, if deemed necessary by Parent, any Parent Legacy Transaction (the “Parent Stockholder Proposals”). The Parent Stockholder Meeting shall be held as promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act, and in any event no later than forty-five (45) days after the effective date of the Registration Statement. Parent shall take reasonable measures to ensure that all proxies solicited in connection with the Parent Stockholder Meeting are solicited in compliance with all applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if on the date of the Parent Stockholder Meeting, or a date preceding the date on which the Parent Stockholder Meeting is scheduled, Parent reasonably determines in good faith that (i) it will not receive proxies sufficient to obtain the Parent Stockholder Approval, whether or not a quorum would be present or (ii) it will not have sufficient shares of Parent Common Stock represented (whether in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business of the Parent Stockholder Meeting, Parent may postpone or adjourn, or make one or more successive postponements or adjournments of, the Parent Stockholder Meeting as long as the date of the Parent Stockholder Meeting is not postponed or adjourned by more than an aggregate of thirty (30) days in connection with any postponements or adjournments. Except as required by applicable Law, in no event shall the record date of the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting be changed without Company’s prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(b) Parent agrees that, subject to Section 7.3(c), (i) the Parent Board shall recommend that the holders of Parent Common Stock vote to approve the Parent Stockholder Proposals and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to solicit such approval within the timeframe set forth in Section 7.3(a) above and (ii) the Proxy Statement shall include a statement to the effect that the Parent Board recommends that Parent’s stockholders vote to approve the Parent Stockholder Proposal (the recommendation of the Parent Board being referred to as the “Parent Board Recommendation”) and (iii) the Parent Board Recommendation shall not be withheld, amended, withdrawn or modified (and the Parent Board shall not publicly propose to withhold, amend, withdraw or modify the Parent Board Recommendation) in a manner adverse to the Company, and no resolution by the Parent Board or any committee thereof to withdraw or modify the Parent Board Recommendation in a manner adverse to the Company or to adopt, approve or recommend (or publicly propose to adopt, approve or recommend) any Acquisition Proposal shall be adopted or proposed (the actions set forth in the foregoing clause (iii), collectively, a “Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change”).
79
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 7.3(b), and subject to compliance with Section 6.4 and Section 7.3, at any time prior to the approval of the Parent Stockholder Proposal by the Parent Stockholder Approval, (i) if Parent receives a bona fide written Superior Offer or (ii) as a result of a material development or change in circumstances that was not known to, or reasonably foreseeable by, the Parent Board prior to the date hereof (other than any such event, development or change to the extent related to (A) any Acquisition Proposal, Acquisition Inquiry, Acquisition Transaction or the consequences thereof or (B) the fact, in and of itself, that Parent meets or exceeds internal budgets, plans or forecasts of its revenues, earnings or other financial performance or results of operations) that affects the business, assets or operations of Parent that occurs or arises after the date of this Agreement (a “Parent Intervening Event”), the Parent Board may make a Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change if, but only if in the case of a Superior Offer, following the receipt of and on account of such Superior Offer, (1) the Parent Board determines in good faith, after consulting with outside legal counsel, that the failure to withhold, amend, withdraw or modify such recommendation would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, (2) Parent has, and has caused its financial advisors and outside legal counsel to, during the Parent Notice Period, negotiate with the Company in good faith to make such adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement so that such Acquisition Proposal ceases to constitute a Superior Offer (to the extent the Company desires to negotiate) and (3) if after the Company shall have delivered to Parent an irrevocable written offer to alter the terms or conditions of this Agreement during the Parent Notice Period, the Parent Board shall have determined in good faith, based on the advice of its outside legal counsel, that the failure to withhold, amend, withdraw or modify the Parent Board Recommendation would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law (after taking into account such alterations of the terms and conditions of this Agreement); provided that (x) the Company receives written notice from Parent confirming that the Parent Board has determined to change its recommendation at least four (4) Business Days in advance of the Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change (the “Parent Notice Period” ), which notice shall include a description in reasonable detail of the reasons for such Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change, and written copies of any relevant proposed transaction agreements with any party making a potential Superior Offer, (y) during any Parent Notice Period, the Company shall be entitled to deliver to Parent one or more counterproposals to such Acquisition Proposal and Parent will, and cause its Representatives to, negotiate with the Company in good faith (to the extent the Company desires to negotiate) to make such adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement so that the applicable Acquisition Proposal ceases to constitute a Superior Offer and (z) in the event of any material amendment to any Superior Offer (including any revision in the amount, form or mix of consideration or percentage of the combined company that Parent’s stockholders would receive as a result of such potential Superior Offer), Parent shall be required to provide the Company with notice of such material amendment and the Parent Notice Period shall be extended, if applicable, to ensure that at least two (2) Business Days remain in the Parent Notice Period following such notification during which the parties shall comply again with the requirements of this Section 7.3(c) and the Parent Board shall not make a Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change prior to the end of such Parent Notice Period as so extended (it being understood that there may be multiple extensions) or (ii) in the case of a Parent Intervening Event, Parent promptly notifies the Company, in writing, within the Parent Notice Period before making a Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change, which notice shall state expressly the material facts and circumstances related to the applicable Parent Intervening Event and that the Parent Board intends to make a Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change.
80
(d) Unless this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 9.1(j), Parent’s obligation to call, give notice of and hold the Parent Stockholder Meeting in accordance with Section 7.3(a) shall not be limited to or otherwise affected by the commencement, disclosure, announcement or submission of any Superior Offer or Acquisition Proposal, or by any withdrawal or modification of the Parent Board Recommendation or any Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change.
(e) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit Parent or the Parent Board from complying with Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act; provided however, that any disclosure made by Parent or the Parent Board pursuant to Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a) shall be limited to a statement that Parent is unable to take a position with respect to the bidder’s tender offer unless the Parent Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that such statement would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law.
Section 7.4 Efforts; Transaction Litigation.
(a) The parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each party: (i) shall make all filings and other submissions (if any) and give all notices (if any) required to be made and given by such party in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, (ii) shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain each consent (if any) reasonably required to be obtained (pursuant to any applicable law or Contract, or otherwise) by such party in connection with the Contemplated Transactions or for such Contract to remain in full force and effect, (iii) shall use commercially reasonable efforts to lift any injunction prohibiting, or any other legal bar to, the Contemplated Transactions and (iv) shall use commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy the conditions precedent to the consummations of this Agreement.
81
(b) Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to file or otherwise submit, as soon as practicable after the date of this Agreement, all applications, notices, reports and other documents reasonably required to be filed by such party with or otherwise submitted by such party to any Governmental Entity with respect to the Contemplated Transactions, and to submit promptly any additional information requested by any such Governmental Entity.
(c) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Parent shall give the Company prompt (but not later than within two (2) Business Days) written notice of any “demand letter” or any litigation initiated, or threatened or in writing against Parent and/or its directors relating to this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions (the “Transaction Litigation”) (including by providing copies of all pleadings with respect thereto) and keep the Company reasonably informed with respect to the status thereof. Subject to the penultimate sentence of this Section 7.4(c), Parent shall, on behalf of the parties hereto, control and lead all communications and strategy relating to any Transaction Litigation, subject to this Section 7.4(c). Parent will (i) give the Company the opportunity to participate in the defense, settlement or prosecution of any Transaction Litigation, (ii) consult with the Company with respect to the defense, settlement and prosecution of any Transaction Litigation, (iii) consider in good faith the Company’s advice with respect to such Transaction Litigation and (iv) will not settle or consent or agree to settle or compromise any Transaction Litigation without the Company’s prior written consent (which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). Without otherwise limiting the rights of current or former directors and officers of Parent with regard to the right to counsel, following the Effective Time, current or former directors and officers of Parent with rights to indemnification as described in Section 7.5 shall be entitled to retain any counsel selected by such indemnified parties to defend any Transaction Litigation as it relates to such indemnified parties in accordance with Section 7.5.
Section 7.5 Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance.
(a) From the Effective Time through the sixth (6th) anniversary of the date on which the Effective Time occurs, each of Parent and the Surviving Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Person who is now, or has been at any time prior to the date hereof, or who becomes prior to the Effective Time, a director or officer of Parent or the Company, respectively (the “D&O Indemnified Parties”), against all demands, claims, losses, liabilities, damages, judgments, fines and reasonable fees, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and disbursements, incurred in connection with any claim, Action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining to the fact that the D&O Indemnified Party is or was a director or officer of Parent or of the Company, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL. Each D&O Indemnified Party will be entitled to advancement of fees, costs and expenses incurred in the defense of any such demand, claim, Action, suit, proceeding or investigation from each of Parent and the Surviving Company, jointly and severally, upon receipt by Parent or the Surviving Company from the D&O Indemnified Party of a request therefor; provided, that any such D&O Indemnified Party to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to Parent, to the extent then required by the DGCL, to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that such D&O Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification. Such undertaking, if required, shall be unsecured and made without reference to the D&O Indemnified Party’s ability to repay such advances or, except as may be limited by applicable Law, ultimate entitlement to indemnification. No other form of undertaking shall be required. All rights to indemnification, exculpation and advancement of expenses or other protection in respect of any claim asserted or made, and for which a D&O Indemnified Party delivers a written notice to Parent or the Surviving Company prior to the sixth (6th) anniversary of the Effective Time asserting a claim for such protections pursuant to this Section 7.5, shall continue until the final disposition of such claim.
82
(b) The provisions of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Parent with respect to indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation of present and former directors and officers of Parent that are presently set forth in the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Parent shall not be amended, modified or repealed for a period of six (6) years from the Effective Time in a manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of individuals who, at or prior to the Effective Time, were officers or directors of Parent, unless such modification is required by applicable Law. The certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Company shall contain, and Parent shall cause the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Company to so contain, provisions no less favorable with respect to indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation of present and former directors and officers as those presently set forth in the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Parent.
(c) From and after the Effective Time, (i) the Surviving Company shall fulfill and honor in all respects the obligations of the Company to its D&O Indemnified Parties as of immediately prior to the Closing pursuant to any indemnification provisions under the Company’s organizational documents and pursuant to any indemnification agreements between the Company and such D&O Indemnified Parties, with respect to demands, claims, Actions, suits, proceedings or investigations whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, arising out of matters occurring at or prior to the Effective Time and (ii) Parent shall fulfill and honor in all respects the obligations of Parent to its D&O Indemnified Parties as of immediately prior to the Closing pursuant to any indemnification provisions under Parent’s organizational documents and pursuant to any indemnification agreements between Parent and such D&O Indemnified Parties, with respect to demands, claims, Actions, suits, proceedings or investigations whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, arising out of matters occurring at or prior to the Effective Time.
83
(d) From and after the Effective Time, Parent shall maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies, with an effective date as of the Closing Date, on commercially reasonable terms and conditions and with coverage limits customary for U.S. public companies similarly situated to Parent. In addition, Parent shall purchase, prior to the Effective Time, a six-year prepaid “D&O tail policy” for the non-cancellable extension of the directors’ and officers’ liability coverage of Parent’s existing directors’ and officers’ insurance policies for a claims reporting or discovery period of at least six years from and after the Effective Time with respect to any claim related to any period of time at or prior to the Effective Time with terms, conditions, exclusions, retentions and limits of liability that are no less favorable than the coverage provided under Parent’s existing policies as of the date of this Agreement with respect to any actual or alleged error, misstatement, misleading statement, act, omission, neglect, breach of duty or any matter claimed against a director or officer of Parent by reason of him or her serving in such capacity that existed or occurred at or prior to the Effective Time (including in connection with this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions or in connection with Parent’s initial public offering of shares of Parent Common Stock); provided, that, in satisfying its obligation under this Section 7.5(d), neither Parent nor the Surviving Company shall be obligated to pay annual premiums in excess of 300% of the annual premium most recently paid by Parent prior to the date of this Agreement for such insurance (the “Current Premium”) and if such premiums for such insurance would at any time exceed 300% of the Current Premium, then Parent shall, and shall cause the Surviving Company to, maintain policies of insurance that, in Parent’s and the Surviving Company’s good faith judgment, provide the maximum coverage available at an annual premium equal to 300% of the Current Premium.
(e) The provisions of this Section 7.5 are intended to be in addition to the rights otherwise available to the current and former officers and directors of Parent and the Company by Law, charter, statute, bylaw or agreement, and shall operate for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each of the D&O Indemnified Parties, their heirs and their Representatives.
(f) In the event Parent or the Surviving Company or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving company or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Parent or the Surviving Company, as the case may be, shall succeed to the obligations set forth in this Section 7.5. Parent shall cause the Surviving Company to perform all of the obligations of the Surviving Company under this Section 7.5.
Section 7.6 Section 16 Matters. Prior to the Effective Time, each of Parent and the Company shall take all such steps as may be necessary or appropriate to cause the acquisitions of Parent Capital Stock (including derivative securities with respect to such Parent Common Stock) resulting from the Contemplated Transactions by each individual who will become subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to Parent to be exempt under Rule 16b promulgated under the Exchange Act.
84
Section 7.7 Disclosure. The parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to agree to the text of any initial press release and Parent’s Form 8-K announcing the execution and delivery of this Agreement. Without limiting any party’s obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement, no party shall, and no party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries or any of its Representatives to, issue any press release or make any disclosure (to any customers or employees of such party, to the public or otherwise) regarding the Contemplated Transactions unless (a) the other party shall have approved such press release or disclosure in writing, such approval not to be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed; or (b) such party shall have determined in good faith, upon the advice of outside legal counsel, that such disclosure is requited by applicable Law and, to the extent practicable, before such press release or disclosure is issued or made, such party advises the other party of, and consults with the other party regarding, the text of such press release or disclosure; provided, however, that each of the Company and Parent may make any public statement in response to specific questions by the press, analysts, investors or those attending industry conferences or financial analyst conference calls, so long as any such statements made by the Company or Parent in compliance with this Section 7.7. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a party need not consult with any other parties in connection with such portion of any press release, public statement or filing to be issued or made pursuant to Section 7.3(d) or with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, Company Board Adverse Recommendation Change, Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change, or pursuant to Section 7.3(e).
Section 7.8 Listing. From the date hereof until the Effective Time, Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain its existing listing on Nasdaq until the Effective Time. At or prior to the Effective Time, (a) Parent and the Company shall reasonably cooperate to seek approval of the listing of the combined corporation on Nasdaq, (b) in accordance with the rules and regulations of Nasdaq, prepare and submit (with the prior approval of the Company) to Nasdaq a notification form for the listing of shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, and (c) prepare and timely submit to Nasdaq a notification form for the Nasdaq Reverse Stock Split (if required) and submit a copy of the amendment to Parent’s certificate of incorporation effecting the Nasdaq Reverse Stock Split, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to Nasdaq on the Closing Date. In accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5110, the Company shall prepare and file an initial listing application for the Parent Common Stock on Nasdaq (the “Nasdaq Listing Application”), and from the date hereof until the Effective Time, Parent shall assist the Company in preparing and filing such Nasdaq Listing Application and to seek to cause such Nasdaq Listing Application to be conditionally approved prior to the Effective Time. Each party will reasonably promptly inform the other party of all verbal or written communications between Nasdaq and such party or its Representatives. Parent will cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company with respect to the Nasdaq Listing Application and use commercially reasonable efforts to reasonably promptly furnish to the Company all information concerning Parent that may be required or reasonably requested in connection with any action contemplated by this Section 7.8.
85
Section 7.9 Tax Matters.
(a) The parties intend that (i) the Merger shall be treated as a transaction that qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and (ii) the Merger shall qualify as a non-taxable exchange of shares of Company Common Stock for shares of Parent Common Stock within the meaning of Section 351(a) of the Code. Each of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger to qualify, and agree not to, and not to permit or cause any of their Affiliates to, take any action or cause any action to be taken which to its knowledge would reasonably be expected to (A) prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying, as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code or (B) prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying as a non-taxable exchange of shares of Company Common Stock for shares of Parent Common Stock within the meaning of Section 351(a) of the Code (the “U.S. Tax Treatment”). This Agreement is intended to constitute, and the parties hereto hereby adopt this Agreement as, a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a). Each of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company shall report the Merger as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code unless otherwise required pursuant to a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code, including attaching the statement described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-3(a) on or with its Tax Return for the taxable year of the Merger.
(b) If, in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement or any other filing required by applicable Law or the SEC’s review thereof, the SEC requests or requires that a tax opinion with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger and the intended U.S. Tax Treatment be prepared and submitted (a “Tax Opinion””), (i) Parent and the Company shall each use their respective reasonable best efforts to deliver to Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, counsel to Parent, and to Goodwin Procter LLP, counsel to the Company, customary Tax representation letters satisfactory to each such counsel, dated and executed as of the date such relevant filing shall have been declared effective by the SEC and such other date(s) as determined to be reasonably necessary by each such counsel in connection with the preparation and filing of such Registration Statement or any other filing required by applicable Law, (ii) Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP to furnish a Tax Opinion addressed to Parent, subject to customary assumptions and limitations, satisfactory to the SEC, and (iii) the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause Goodwin Procter LLP to furnish a Tax Opinion addressed to the Company, subject to customary assumptions and limitations, satisfactory to the SEC.
Section 7.10 Directors and Officers. Until successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in accordance with applicable Law, the parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take all necessary actions so that the Persons listed on Sections 2.6(c) and 2.6(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter are elected or appointed, as applicable, to the positions of officers and directors of Parent and the Surviving Company, as set forth therein, to serve in such positions effective as of the Effective Time. If any Person listed on Section 2.6(c) and 2.6(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter is unable or unwilling to serve as officer or director of Parent or the Surviving Company, as set forth therein, the party appointing such Person (as set forth on Sections 2.6(c) and 2.6(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter) shall designate a successor. The parties shall use reasonable best efforts to have each of the Persons that will serve as directors and officers of the Parent following the Closing to execute and deliver a Lock-Up Agreement prior to Closing.
86
Section 7.11 Obligations of Merger Sub. Parent will take all action necessary to cause Merger Sub to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Merger on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
Section 7.12 Allocation Certificate. The Company will prepare and deliver to Parent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date a spreadsheet setting forth (as of immediately prior to the Effective Time) (a) each holder of the Company Common Stock, (b) such holder’s name and physical address, (c) the number or percentage of the Company Common Stock held as of the Closing Date for each such holder and (d) the number of shares of Parent Capital Stock to be issued to such holder pursuant to this Agreement in respect of the Company Common Stock held by such holder as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Allocation Certificate”).
Section 7.13 [RESERVED].
Section 7.14 Concurrent Investment.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to enter into Securities Purchase Agreements with one or more investors designated by the Company to subscribe for and purchase a number of shares of Parent Common Stock representing an aggregate commitment (inclusive of the Guarantor Investment Amount) at least equal to the Concurrent Investment Amount and to satisfy the conditions to the Concurrent Investment as set forth in the applicable Securities Purchase Agreement; provided, that the form, terms and conditions of each Securities Purchase Agreement shall be in a form reasonably acceptable to each of the Company and Parent. The Company shall provide Parent at least five (5) Business Days’ written notice prior to the execution of each Securities Purchase Agreement, which such execution shall be subject to the prior consent of Parent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
(b) On or before August 1, 2025, Guarantor shall enter into a Securities Purchase Agreement committing to purchase not less than the Guarantor Investment Amount, with terms (other than the Guarantor Investment Amount) and conditions of such Securities Purchase Agreement to be substantially similar to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement entered into by other investors of the Concurrent Investment.
(c) Prior to the earlier of (i) the Closing and (ii) the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1, Parent agrees, and shall cause its officers and employees, to use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate in connection with the Concurrent Investment as may be reasonably requested by the Company.
(d) At or immediately following the Closing, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Securities Purchase Agreement(s), Parent shall consummate the Concurrent Investment, and issue the equity contemplated thereunder.
87
Section 7.15 Parent Equity Plans.
(a) Prior to the Effective Time, the Parent Board will adopt the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan, subject to the Closing and effective as of the Effective Time, and will include provisions in the Proxy Statement for the stockholders of Parent to approve the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan. Subject to the approval of the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan by the stockholders of Parent prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall file with the SEC, promptly after the Effective Time and at the Company’s expense, a registration statement on Form S-8 (or any successor form), if available for use by Parent, relating to the shares of Parent Common Stock issuable with respect to the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan.
(b) Prior to the Effective Time, the Parent Board will adopt the 2025 ESPP, subject to the Closing and effective as of the Effective Time, and will include provisions in the Proxy Statement for the stockholders of Parent to approve the 2025 ESPP. Subject to the approval of the 2025 ESPP by the stockholders of Parent prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall file with the SEC, promptly after the Effective Time and the Company’s expense, a registration statement on Form S-8 (or any successor form), if available for use by Parent, relating to the shares of Parent Common Stock issuable with respect to the 2025 ESPP.
(c) For the avoidance of doubt, approval of the 2025 Plans by the stockholders of Parent shall not be a condition to Closing.
Section 7.16 Parent SEC Documents. From the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, Parent shall timely file with the SEC all Parent SEC Documents. As of its filing date, or if amended after the date of this Agreement, as of the date of the last such amendment, each Parent SEC Document filed by Parent with the SEC (a) shall comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, and (b) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Section 7.17 Parent Legacy Assets. Prior to the Closing Date, but subject to this Section 7.17, Parent shall be entitled, but under no obligation, to sell, transfer, license, assign or otherwise divest the Parent Legacy Assets to one or more third parties in one or a series of transactions prior to or substantially, concurrently with the Closing (each an “Asset Disposition” and collectively, the “Asset Dispositions”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent may not enter into any agreement with respect to any Asset Disposition that would result in a continuing obligation or liability without the prior written consent of the Company (such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided, that Parent shall provide the Company with a copy of any agreement with respect to an Asset Disposition that would be reasonably likely to result in such continuing obligation or liability of either Parent or the Company on or after the Effective Time at least five (5) Business Days prior to entry into such agreement. Parent shall (i) permit the Company and its counsel to review and comment on the transaction documents related to any Asset Dispositions (ii) consider any such comments in good faith and shall accept all reasonable additions, deletions or changes suggested by the Company and its counsel in connection therewith; and (iii) not sign any agreements, contracts or other definitive documents (not including term sheets or letters of intent) related to without first providing the Company and its counsel the opportunity to exercise their rights under clauses (i) and (ii) above. For the avoidance of doubt, any sale, transfer, license, assignment or other divestiture of Parent Legacy Assets on or after the Closing Date shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the CVR Agreement. Parent shall deliver an executed copy of the CVR Agreement to the Company prior to the Closing.
88
Section 7.18 Arrangements Between Company and Company Guarantor. Prior to the Closing, the Company and the Company Guarantor shall enter into the Transition Services Agreement and the Manufacturing and Supply Agreement, the material terms of which will be substantially final on or prior to July 11, 2025, in each case, by and between the Guarantor and the Company, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Guarantor (subject to Parent’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. At least five (5) Business Days prior to July 11, 2025, the Company shall provide Parent with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on draft versions of the Transition Services Agreement and the Manufacturing and Supply Agreement and the Company will consider in good faith any reasonable comments provided by Parent thereto.
Article VIII
CLOSING CONDITIONS
Section 8.1 Conditions Precedent of each Party. The obligations of each party to effect the Merger and otherwise consummate the Contemplated Transactions to be consummated at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, the written waiver by each of the parties, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions:
(a) The Registration Statement shall have become effective in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act, and shall not be subject to any stop order or proceeding seeking a stop order with respect to the Registration Statement and has not been withdrawn.
(b) No temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order preventing the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions shall have been issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction and remain in effect and there shall not be any Law which has the effect of making the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions illegal.
(c) (i) Parent shall have obtained the Parent Stockholder Approval and (ii) the Company shall have obtained the Company Stockholder Approval.
(d) The Lock-Up Agreements will continue to be in full force and effect as of immediately following the Effective Time.
89
(e) The Parent Charter Amendment shall have been duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, containing such amendments as are necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(f) Parent shall have obtained approval of the listing of the combined corporation on Nasdaq.
Section 8.2 Conditions Precedent to Obligation of the Company. The obligations of the Company to effect the Merger and otherwise consummate the transactions to be consummated at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction or the written waiver by the Company, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions:
(a) Accuracy of Representations. The representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub made in this Agreement (other than the Parent Fundamental Representations) shall have been true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date except (a) in each case, or in the aggregate, where the failure to be so true and correct would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect (without giving effect to any references therein to any Parent Material Adverse Effect or other materiality qualifications) or (b) for those representations and warranties which address matters only as of a particular date (which representations shall have been true and correct, subject to the qualifications as set forth in the preceding clause (a), as of such particular date) (it being understood that, for purposes of determining the accuracy of such representations and warranties, any update of or modification to the Parent Disclosure Letter made or purported to have been made after the date of this Agreement shall be disregarded). The Parent Fundamental Representations shall have been true and correct except in de minimis respects as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct except in de minimis respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date, except, in each case, (x) in respect of Section 5.2 for such inaccuracies which are de minimis, individually or in the aggregate or (y) for those representations and warranties which address matters only as of a particular date (which representations and warranties shall have been true and correct, subject to the qualifications as set forth in the preceding clause (x), as of such particular date).
(b) Performance of Covenants. Parent shall have performed or complied with in all material respects all agreements and covenants required to be performed or complied with by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time.
(c) No Parent Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred any Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Net Cash. The Company shall have Net Cash of at least (-$1,000,000) (negative one million dollars).
90
(e) Documents. The Company shall have received the following documents, each of which shall be in full force and effect:
(i) a certificate executed by an officer of Parent certifying that the conditions set forth in Section 8.2(a), (b), (c) and (d) have been duly satisfied; and
(ii) written resignations in forms reasonably satisfactory to the Company, dated as of the Closing Date and effective as of the Closing executed by the officers and directors of Parent who are not to continue as officers or directors of Parent pursuant to Section 7.10.
Section 8.3 Conditions Precedent of Parent and Merger Sub. The obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to effect the Merger and otherwise consummate the transactions to be consummated at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction or the written waiver by Parent, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions:
(a) Accuracy of Representations. The representations and warranties of the Company made in this Agreement (other than the Company Fundamental Representations) shall have been true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date except (a) in each case, or in the aggregate, where the failure to be so true and correct would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (without giving effect to any references therein to any Material Adverse Effect or other materiality qualifications) or (b) for those representations and warranties which address matters only as of a particular date (which representations shall have been true and correct, subject to the qualifications as set forth in the preceding clause (a), as of such particular date) (it being understood that, for purposes of determining the accuracy of such representations and warranties, any update of or modification to the Company Disclosure Letter made or purported to have been made after the date of this Agreement shall be disregarded). The Company Fundamental Representations shall have been true and correct except in de minimis respects as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct except in de minimis respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date, except, in each case, (x) in respect of Section 4.2 for such inaccuracies which are de minimis, individually or in the aggregate, (y) for those representations and warranties which address matters only as of a particular date (which representations and warranties shall have been true and correct, subject to the qualifications as set forth in the preceding clause (x), as of such particular date), or (z) variances arising solely due to the transactions contemplated under the Securities Purchase Agreement.
(b) Performance of Covenants. The Company shall have performed or complied with in all material respects all agreements and covenants required to be performed or complied with by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time.
91
(c) No Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Closing Certificate. Parent shall have received a certificate executed by an officer of the Company certifying (i) that the conditions set forth in Section 8.3(a), (b), and (c) have been duly satisfied, (ii) that the information set forth in the Allocation Certificate delivered by the Company in accordance with Section 7.12 is true and accurate in all respects as of the Closing Date, and (iii) the Contribution has been completed.
Article IX
TERMINATION
Section 9.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated prior to the Effective Time (whether before or after the adoption of this Agreement by the Company’s stockholders and whether before or after approval of the Parent Stockholder Proposal by Parent’s stockholders, unless otherwise specified below):
(a) by mutual consent of Parent and the Company;
(b) by either Parent or the Company if the Merger shall not have been consummated by December 23, 2025 (the “End Date”); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(b) shall not be available to the Company or Parent if such party’s (or in the case of Parent, Merger Sub’s) breach of this Agreement has been a principal cause of the failure of the Merger to occur on or before the End Date;;
(c) by either Parent or the Company if a court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Entity shall have issued a final and nonappealable order, or shall have taken any other action, having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Contemplated Transactions, provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(c) shall not be available to a party if such party’s (or in the case of Parent, Merger Sub’s) breach of this Agreement is a principal cause of any such Governmental Entity issuing any such order or taking any such other action;
(d) by either Parent or the Company if the Company Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained by written consent of the Company’s sole stockholder in lieu of a meeting within two (2) Business Days of the Registration Statement becoming effective in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act]; provided, however, that once the Company Stockholder Approval has been obtained, neither party may terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(d) and (ii) the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(d) shall not be available to a party if such party’s (or in the case of Parent or Merger Sub’s) breach of this Agreement is a principal cause of the failure of the Company Stockholder Approval to have been obtained on or before such second (2nd) Business Day;
92
(e) by either Parent or the Company if (i) the Parent Stockholder Meeting (including any adjournments and postponements thereof) shall have been held and completed and Parent’s stockholders shall have taken a final vote on the Parent Stockholder Proposal and (ii) the Parent Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at the Parent Stockholder Meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(e) shall not be available to a party if such party’s (or in the case of Parent, Merger Sub’s) breach of this Agreement is a principal cause of the failure of the Parent Stockholder Approval to have been obtained at the Parent Stockholder Meeting;
(f) by the Company (at any time prior to obtaining the Parent Stockholder Approval) if any Parent Triggering Event shall have occurred;
(g) by Parent (at any time prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval) if any Company Triggering Event shall have occurred;
(h) by the Company, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement by Parent or Merger Sub or if any representation or warranty of Parent or Merger Sub shall have become inaccurate, in either case, such that the conditions set forth in Section 8.2(a) or Section 8.2(b) would not be satisfied as of the time of such breach or as of the time such representation or warranty shall have become inaccurate; provided that the Company is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement under this Agreement; provided, further that if such inaccuracy in Parent’s or Merger Sub’s representations and warranties or breach by Parent or Merger Sub is curable by Parent or Merger Sub, then this Agreement shall not terminate pursuant to this Section 9.1(h) as a result of such particular breach or inaccuracy until the earlier of (i) the expiration of a 30-day period commencing upon delivery of written notice from the Company to Parent or Merger Sub of such breach or inaccuracy and its intention to terminate pursuant to this Section 9.1(h) and (ii) Parent or Merger Sub (as applicable) ceasing to exercise commercially reasonable efforts to cure such breach following delivery of written notice from the Company to Parent or Merger Sub of such breach or inaccuracy and its intention to terminate pursuant to this Section 9.1(h) (it being understood that this Agreement shall not terminate pursuant to this Section 9.1(h) as a result of such particular breach or inaccuracy if such breach by Parent or Merger Sub is cured prior to such termination becoming effective);
(i) by the Parent, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement by the Company or if any representation or warranty of Parent or Merger Sub shall have become inaccurate, in either case, such that the conditions set forth in Section 8.3(a) or Section 8.3(b) would not be satisfied as of the time of such breach or as of the time such representation or warranty shall have become inaccurate; provided that Parent is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement under this Agreement; provided, further that if such inaccuracy in the Company’s representations and warranties or breach by the Company is curable by the Company, then this Agreement shall not terminate pursuant to this Section 9.1(i) as a result of such particular breach or inaccuracy until the earlier of (i) the expiration of a 30-day period commencing upon delivery of written notice from the Parent to the Company of such breach or inaccuracy and its intention to terminate pursuant to this Section 9.1(i) and (ii) the Company ceasing to exercise commercially reasonable efforts to cure such breach following delivery of written notice from Parent to the Company of such breach or inaccuracy and its intention to terminate pursuant to this Section 9.1(i) (it being understood that this Agreement shall not terminate pursuant to this Section 9.1(i) as a result of such particular breach or inaccuracy if such breach by the Company is cured prior to such termination becoming effective); or
93
(j) by Parent (at any time prior to obtaining the Parent Stockholder Approval) and following compliance with all of the requirements set forth in the proviso to this Section 9.1(j), concurrently with Parent’s entering into a definitive agreement for a Superior Offer (a “Permitted Alternative Agreement”) and after having paid to the Company the Company Termination Fee pursuant to Section 9.3(c); provided, however, that Parent shall not enter into any Permitted Alternative Agreement unless: (i) the Company shall have received written notice from Parent of Parent’s intention to enter into such Permitted Alternative Agreement at least four (4) Business Days in advance, with such notice describing in reasonable detail the reasons for such intention as well as the material terms and conditions of such Permitted Alternative Agreement, including the identity of the counterparty together with copies of the then current draft of such Permitted Alternative Agreement and any other related principal transaction documents, (ii) Parent shall have complied in all material respects with its obligations under Section 6.4 and Section 7.3, and (iii) the Parent Board shall have determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to enter into such Permitted Alternative Agreement would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary obligations under applicable Law.
(k) By Parent, if the Company otherwise fails to secure the Concurrent Investment Amount such that as of September 15, 2025, Parent has not received, or at any time ceases to have, aggregate commitments equal to or in excess of the Concurrent Investment Amount.
The party desiring to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1 (other than pursuant to Section 9.1(a)) shall give a notice of such termination to the other party specifying the provisions hereof pursuant to which such termination is made and the basis therefor described in reasonable detail.
Section 9.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 9.1, this Agreement shall be of no further force or effect; provided, however, that (a) this Section 9.2, Section 9.3 and Article X (and the related definitions of the defined terms in such section) shall survive the termination of this Agreement and shall remain in full force and effect and (b) the termination of this Agreement and the provisions of Section 9.3 shall not relieve any party of any liability for fraud or for any willful and material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, obligation or other provision contained in this Agreement.
94
Section 9.3 Expenses; Termination Fees.
(a) Except as set forth in this Section 9.3 and Section 7.9 all fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated.
(b) If (i) this Agreement is terminated by Parent or the Company pursuant to Section 9.1(e) (Termination for Failure to Obtain Parent Stockholder Approval) or by the Company pursuant to Section 9.1(h) (Termination for Parent Breach), (ii) at any time after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Parent Stockholder Meeting an Acquisition Proposal with respect to Parent shall have been publicly announced, disclosed or otherwise communicated to the Parent Board (and shall not have been withdrawn) and (iii) within twelve (12) months after the date of such termination, Parent enters into a definitive agreement with respect to a Subsequent Transaction or consummates a Subsequent Transaction, then Parent shall pay the Company, within two (2) Business Days after termination (or, if applicable, upon such entry into a definitive agreement and/or consummation of a Subsequent Transaction), a nonrefundable fee in an amount equal to $500,000 (the “Company Termination Fee”).
(c) If this Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company or by Parent pursuant to Section 9.1(b) (Termination at End Date) (at a time when the Company has the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(f) (Termination for Parent Triggering Event)) or pursuant to Section 9.1(f) (Termination for Parent Triggering Event) or (ii) by Parent pursuant to Section 9.1(j) (Termination for Parent Superior Offer), then Parent shall pay to the Company the Company Termination Fee, by wire transfer of same day funds to an account designated by the Company, (x) in the case of a termination by Parent referred to in the foregoing clause (i) or (ii), prior (and as a condition) to such termination or (y) in the case of a termination by the Company described in the foregoing clause (i), within two (2) Business Days after such termination.
(d) If (i) this Agreement is terminated by Parent or the Company pursuant to Section 9.1(d) (Termination for Failure to Obtain Company Stockholder Approval) or by Parent pursuant to Section 9.1(i) (Termination for Company Breach), (ii) at any time after the date of this Agreement and prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, an Acquisition Proposal with respect to the Company shall have been publicly announced, disclosed or otherwise communicated to the Company Board (and shall not have been withdrawn) and (iii) within six (6) months after the date of such termination, the Company enters into a definitive agreement with respect to a Subsequent Transaction or consummates a Subsequent Transaction, then the Company shall pay to Parent, within two (2) Business Days after termination (or, if applicable, upon the earlier of such entry into a definitive agreement and/or the consummation of a Subsequent Transaction), a nonrefundable fee in an amount equal to $750,000 (the “Parent Termination Fee”), by wire transfer of same-day funds to an account designated by Parent.
95
(e) If this Agreement is terminated by Parent or by the Company pursuant to Section 9.1(b) (Termination at End Date) (at a time when Parent has the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(g) (Termination for Company Triggering Event) or by Parent pursuant to Section 9.1(g) (Termination for Company Triggering Event)) or by Parent pursuant to Section 9.1(k) (Termination for Failure to Obtain Financing), then the Company shall pay to Parent the Parent Termination Fee, by wire transfer of same day funds to an account designated by Parent, (x) in the case of a termination by the Company referred to in the foregoing clause, prior (and as a condition) to such termination or (y) in the case of a termination by Parent described in the foregoing clause, within two (2) Business Days after such termination.
(f) If this Agreement is terminated by Parent or the Company pursuant to Section 9.1(d) (Termination for Failure to Obtain Company Stockholder Approval) or by Parent pursuant to Section 9.1(g) (Termination for Company Triggering Event) or Section 9.1(k) (Termination for Failure to Obtain Financing), the Company shall reimburse Parent for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Parent in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, up to a maximum of $500,000, by wire transfer of same-day funds to an account designated by Parent, within two (2) Business Days following the date on which Parent submits to the Company true and correct copies of reasonable documentation supporting such expenses.
(g) If either party fails to pay when due any amount payable by it under this Section 9.3, then (i) such party shall reimburse the other party for reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred in connection with the collection of such overdue amount and the enforcement by the other party of its rights under this Section 9.3 and (ii) such party shall pay to the other party interest on such overdue amount (for the period commencing as of the date such overdue amount was originally required to be paid and ending on the date such overdue amount is actually paid to the other party in full) at a rate per annum equal to the “prime rate” (as announced by Bank of America or any successor thereto) in effect on the date such overdue amount was originally required to be paid plus three percent.
(h) The parties agree that, subject to Section 9.2, the payment of fees and expenses set forth in this Section 9.3 shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of each party following a termination of this Agreement under the circumstances described in this Section 9.3, it being understood that in no event shall either Parent or the Company be required to pay the individual fees, damages payable pursuant to this Section 9.3 on more than one occasion. Subject to Section 9.2, following the payment of the fees and expenses set forth in this Section 9.3 by a party, (i) such party shall have no further liability to the other party in connection with or arising out of this Agreement or the termination thereof, any breach of this Agreement by the other party giving rise to such termination, or the failure of the Contemplated Transactions to be consummated, (ii) no other party or their respective Affiliates shall be entitled to bring or maintain any other claim, action or proceeding against such party or seek to obtain any recovery, judgment or damages of any kind against such party (or any partner, member, stockholder, director, officer, employee, Subsidiary, Affiliate, agent or other Representative of such party) in connection with or arising out of this Agreement or the termination thereof, any breach by such party giving rise to such termination or the failure of the Contemplated Transactions to be consummated and (iii) all other parties and their respective Affiliates shall be precluded from any other remedy against such party and its Affiliates, at law or in equity or otherwise, in connection with or arising out of this Agreement or the termination thereof, any breach by such party giving rise to such termination or the failure of the Contemplated Transactions to be consummated. Each of the parties acknowledges that (x) the agreements contained in this Section 9.3 are an integral part of the Contemplated Transactions, (y) without these agreements, the parties would not enter into this Agreement and (z) any amount payable pursuant to this Section 9.3 is not a penalty, but rather is liquidated damages in a reasonable amount that will compensate the parties in the circumstances in which such amount is payable; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 9.3(g) shall limit the rights of the parties under Section 10.3.
96
Article X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 10.1 Non-survival of Representations and Warranties. None of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time, other than this Article X and those covenants or agreements of the parties which by their terms apply, or are to be performed in whole or in part, after the Effective Time.
Section 10.2 Amendment or Supplement. This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented by the parties by action taken or authorized by their respective Boards of Directors at any time, whether before or after Company Stockholder Approval or the Parent Stockholder Approval has been obtained; provided, however, that after the Company Stockholder Approval or the Parent Stockholder Approval has been obtained, no amendment shall be made that pursuant to applicable Law requires further approval or adoption by the stockholders of the Company or Parent, as applicable, without such further approval or adoption. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented in any manner, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, except by an instrument in writing specifically designated as an amendment hereto, signed on behalf of each of the parties in interest at the time of the amendment.
Section 10.3 Waiver. The parties may, by action taken or authorized by their respective Boards of Directors, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions of the other parties contained herein; provided, however, that after the Company Stockholder Approval or the Parent Stockholder Approval has been obtained, no waiver may be made that pursuant to applicable Law requires further approval or adoption by the stockholders of the Company or Parent, as applicable, without such further approval or adoption. Any agreement on the part of a party to any such waiver shall be valid only if set forth in a written instrument executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer on behalf of such party. No failure or delay of any party in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power, or any course of conduct, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. No party shall be deemed to have waived any claim arising out of this Agreement, or any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, unless the waiver of such claim, power, right, privilege or remedy is expressly set forth in a written instrument duly executed and delivered on behalf of such party and any such waiver shall not be applicable or have any effect except in the specific instance in which it is given. The rights and remedies of the parties hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would otherwise have hereunder.
97
Section 10.4 Fees and Expenses. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions shall be paid by the party incurring such fees or expenses.
Section 10.5 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (a) one (1) Business Day after being sent for next Business Day delivery, fees prepaid, via a reputable international overnight courier service, (b) upon delivery in the case of delivery by hand or (c) on the date delivered in the place of delivery if sent by email or facsimile (with a written or electronic confirmation of delivery) prior to 6:00 p.m. New York City time, otherwise on the next succeeding Business Day. All notices hereunder shall be delivered to the addresses set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice:
(i) if to Parent, Merger Sub, to:
Carisma Therapeutics Inc.
3675 Market Street, Suite 401
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Attention: Steven Kelly, President and Chief Executive Officer
Email: steven.kelly@carismatx.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
7 World Trade Center
250 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10007
Attention: | Christopher D. Barnstable-Brown, Esq. |
Mark Nylen, Esq.
Brian A. Johnson, Esq.
98
E-mail: cbb@wilmerhale.com
mark.nylen@wilmerhale.com
brian.johnson@wilmerhale.com
(ii) if to Company, to:
OrthoCellix, Inc.
11 Great Valley Parkway
Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355
Attention: | Shankar Musunuri |
E-mail: | shankar.musunuri@ocugen.com |
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Goodwin Procter LLP
3025 John F Kennedy Blvd
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
Attention: | Rachael M. Bushey |
Jennifer L. Porter
Laura U. Gulick
Email: | RBushey@goodwinlaw.com |
JPorter@goodwinlaw.com
LGulick@goodwinlaw.com
Section 10.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto), the Company Disclosure Letter, the Parent Disclosure Letter, the Securities Purchase Agreements, the CVR Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all prior written agreements, arrangements, communications and understandings and all prior and contemporaneous oral agreements, arrangements, communications and understandings among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof; provided, however, that the Confidentiality Agreement shall not be superseded and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms; provided, further, that only the Certificate of Merger is incorporated by reference and made a part hereof for purposes of Section 251 of the DGCL.
Section 10.7 No Third Party Beneficiaries.
(a) Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any Person other than the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature under or by reason of this Agreement, except as provided in Section 7.5.
99
(b) Except as set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement, the representations and warranties in this Agreement are the product of negotiations among the parties hereto and are for the sole benefit of the parties hereto. Any inaccuracies in such representations and warranties are subject to waiver by the parties hereto in accordance with Section 10.3 without notice or liability to any other Person. In some instances, the representations and warranties in this Agreement may represent an allocation among the parties hereto of risks associated with particular matters regardless of the knowledge of any of the parties hereto. Consequently, except as set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement, Persons other than the parties hereto may not rely upon the representations and warranties in this Agreement as characterizations of actual facts or circumstances as of the date of this Agreement or as of any other date.
Section 10.8 Guaranty. Guarantor hereby unconditionally guarantees the complete, due and punctual performance of the Company’s obligations set forth in this Agreement, including all representations, warranties, covenants and other obligations. This guaranty is an irrevocable guaranty of performance and shall continue in effect notwithstanding any extension or modification of the terms of this Agreement or any other act or event which might otherwise operate as a legal or equitable discharge of such guarantor.
Section 10.9 Governing Law. This Agreement and all disputes or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the laws of any other jurisdiction that might be applied because of the conflicts of laws principles of the State of Delaware.
Section 10.10 Submission to Jurisdiction. Each of the parties irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party or its Affiliates against any other party or its Affiliates shall be brought and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; provided, that if jurisdiction is not then available in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, then any such legal action or proceeding may be brought in any federal court located in the State of Delaware or any other Delaware state court. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts for itself and with respect to its property, generally and unconditionally, with regard to any such action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions. Each of the parties agrees not to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating thereto except in the courts described above in Delaware, other than actions in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce any judgment, decree or award rendered by any such court in Delaware as described herein. Each of the parties further agrees that notice as provided herein shall constitute sufficient service of process and the parties further waive any argument that such service is insufficient. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion or as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions, (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in Delaware as described herein for any reason, (b) that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (c) that (i) the suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.
100
Section 10.11 Assignment; Successors. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned or delegated, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties, and any such assignment without such prior written consent shall be null and void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and assigns.
Section 10.12 Specific Performance. The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that the parties hereto do not perform the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with its terms or otherwise breach such provisions. Accordingly, the parties acknowledge and agree that each party shall be entitled to seek an injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, provided, that if jurisdiction is not then available in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, then in any federal court located in the State of Delaware or any other Delaware state court, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such party is entitled at law or in equity. Each of the parties hereby further waives and will not oppose the granting of an injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief on the basis of (a) any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and (b) any requirement under any law to post any bond, surety or other security as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief.
Section 10.13 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable Law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion of any provision had never been contained herein.
Section 10.14 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTIONS.
Section 10.15 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same instrument and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party.
101
Section 10.16 Facsimile or .pdf Signature. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or .pdf signature and a facsimile or .pdf signature shall constitute an original for all purposes.
Section 10.17 No Presumption Against Drafting Party. Each of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company acknowledges that each party to this Agreement has been represented by counsel in connection with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions. Accordingly, any rule of law or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this Agreement against the drafting party has no application and is expressly waived.
[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]
102
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
CARISMA THERAPEUTICS INC. | |||
By: | /s/ Steven Kelly | ||
Name: | Steven Kelly | ||
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
AZALEA MERGER SUB, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ Steven Kelly | ||
Name: | Steven Kelly | ||
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
OCUGEN, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ Shankar Musunuri | ||
Name: | Shankar Musunuri | ||
Title: | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder | ||
ORTHOCELLIX, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ Shankar Musunuri | ||
Name: | Shankar Musunuri | ||
Title: | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder |
[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]
Exhibit A
SUPPORT AGREEMENT
This Support Agreement (this “Agreement”), is made as of [●], 2025, by and among OrthoCellix, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Ocugen Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Guarantor”), Carisma Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and the Person set forth on Schedule A hereto (the “Stockholder”).
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the Stockholder is the holder of the number of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), of Parent set forth opposite the Stockholder’s name on Schedule A (all Common Stock owned by the Stockholder, or hereafter issued to or otherwise acquired, whether beneficially or of record, or owned by the Stockholder prior to the termination of this Agreement, as well as shares set forth on Schedule A, being referred to herein as the “Subject Shares”);
WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, the Company, the Guarantor, Parent and Azalea Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (as such agreement may be amended, restated, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), which provides, among other things, for the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving company (the “Merger”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement (capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement); and
WHEREAS, as a condition to its willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, the Company has required that the Stockholder, and as an inducement and in consideration therefor, the Stockholder (in the Stockholder’s capacity as a holder of the Subject Shares) has agreed to, enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth below and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
Article I
VOTING AGREEMENT; GRANT OF PROXY
The Stockholder hereby covenants and agrees that:
1.1. Voting of Subject Shares.
(a) From and after the date hereof and prior to the Expiration Time (as defined below), at every meeting of the holders of Common Stock (the “Parent Stockholders”), however called, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof (or pursuant to a written consent if the Parent Stockholders act by written consent in lieu of a meeting), the Stockholder shall, or shall cause the holder of record on any applicable record date to, be present (in person or by proxy) and to vote or cause to be voted the Subject Shares: (i) in favor of adopting the Merger Agreement and approving the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions, (ii) against approval of any proposal made in opposition to, or in competition with, the Merger Agreement or the consummation of the Merger, and (iii) against any Acquisition Proposal or any agreement, transaction or other matter that is intended to, or would reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, delay, postpone or materially and adversely affect the consummation of the Merger and the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement.
(b) Except as permitted under clauses (A) through (J) of Section 1.2 below, the Stockholder shall retain at all times the right to vote the Subject Shares in the Stockholder’s sole discretion and without any other limitation on those matters other than those set forth in this Section 1.1 that are at any time or from time to time presented for consideration to the Parent Stockholders. In the event of a stock split, stock dividend or distribution, or any change in the Common Stock by reason of any split-up, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification, reincorporation, exchange of shares or the like, the term “Subject Shares” shall be deemed to refer to and include such shares as well as all such stock dividends and distributions and any securities into which or for which any or all of such shares may be changed or exchanged or which are received in such transaction.
1.2. No Inconsistent Arrangements. Except as provided hereunder or under the Merger Agreement, prior to the Expiration Time, the Stockholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (a) create any Lien other than restrictions imposed by Law or pursuant to this Agreement on any Subject Shares; (b) transfer, sell, assign, gift or otherwise dispose of (collectively, “Transfer”), or enter into any contract with respect to any Transfer of, the Subject Shares or any interest therein; (c) grant or permit the grant of any proxy, power of attorney or other authorization in or with respect to the Subject Shares; (d) deposit or permit the deposit of the Subject Shares into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement or arrangement with respect to the Subject Shares; or (e) take any action that, to the knowledge of the Stockholder, would make any representation or warranty of the Stockholder herein untrue or incorrect in any material respect or have the effect of preventing the Stockholder from performing the Stockholder’s obligations hereunder. Any action taken in violation of the foregoing sentence shall be null and void ab initio. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Stockholder may (A) Transfer Subject Shares as a bona fide charitable contribution, gift or donation; (B) Transfer the Subject Shares to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the Stockholder or the immediate family of the Stockholder; (C) Transfer the Subject Shares by will, other testamentary document or intestate succession to the legal representative, heir, beneficiary or a member of the immediate family of the Stockholder; (D) Transfer the Subject Shares to stockholders, direct or indirect affiliates (within the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act), current or former partners (general or limited), members or managers of the Stockholder, as applicable, or to the estates of any such stockholders, affiliates, partners, members or managers, or to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Stockholder; (E) make Transfers that occur by operation of law pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order or in connection with a divorce settlement; (F) make Transfers not involving a change in beneficial ownership; (G) if the Stockholder is a trust, Transfer the Subject Shares to any beneficiary of the Stockholder or the estate of any such beneficiary; (H) exercise an option or warrant to purchase Common Stock or settle a restricted stock unit or other equity award (including a net or cashless exercise of such option or warrant); (I) Transfer Common Stock to Parent to cover tax withholding obligations of the Stockholder in connection with the vesting, settlement or exercise of any options, warrants, restricted stock units or other equity awards, as applicable; (J) Transfer Common Stock with the prior written consent of Parent; provided that, with respect to clauses (A) through (J) above, the transferee agrees in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and either the Stockholder or the transferee provides Parent with a copy of such agreement promptly upon consummation of any such Transfer; provided further, that in each case, the underlying shares of Common Stock shall continue to be subject to the restrictions on Transfer set forth in this Agreement notwithstanding that such transferee has not executed a counterpart hereof or joinder hereto; or (K) Transfer Common Stock to another holder of capital stock of Parent that has signed a support agreement in the same form as this Agreement. The Stockholder agrees that any shares of capital stock or other equity voting securities of Parent that such Stockholder acquires or with respect to which such Stockholder otherwise acquires sole or shared voting power (including any proxy) after the execution of this Agreement and prior to the Expiration Time (as defined below), including, without limitation, by gift, succession, in the event of a stock split or as a dividend or distribution of any Shares (“New Shares”), shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted the Subject Shares. For purposes of this Agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin.
1.3. Documentation and Information. The Stockholder shall permit and hereby authorizes the Company and Parent to publish and disclose in all documents and schedules filed with the SEC, and any press release or other disclosure document that the Company or Parent reasonably determines to be necessary in connection with the Merger and any of the Contemplated Transactions, the Stockholder’s identity and ownership of the Subject Shares and the nature of the Stockholder’s commitments and obligations under this Agreement. The Company is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Section 1.3.
1.4. Irrevocable Proxy. The Stockholder hereby revokes (or agrees to cause to be revoked) any proxies that the Stockholder has heretofore granted with respect to the Subject Shares. In the event and to the extent that the Stockholder fails to vote the Subject Shares in accordance with Section 1.1 at any applicable meeting of the Parent Stockholders or pursuant to any applicable written consent of the stockholders of Parent, the Stockholder shall be deemed to have irrevocably granted to, and appointed, Parent and any of its designees with full power of substitution and resubstitution, as attorney-in-fact and proxy for and on behalf of the Stockholder, for and in the name, place and stead of the Stockholder, to: (a) attend any and all meetings of the Parent Stockholders, (b) vote, express consent or dissent or issue instructions to the record holder to vote the Subject Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.1 at any and all meetings of the Parent Stockholders or in connection with any action sought to be taken by written consent of the Parent Stockholders without a meeting and (c) grant or withhold, or issue instructions to the record holder to grant or withhold, consistent with the provisions of Section 1.1, all written consents with respect to the Subject Shares at any and all meetings of the Parent Stockholders or in connection with any action sought to be taken by written consent of the Parent Stockholders without a meeting. Parent agrees not to exercise the proxy granted herein for any purpose other than the purposes described in this Agreement. The foregoing proxy shall be deemed to be a proxy coupled with an interest, is irrevocable (and as such shall survive and not be affected by the death, incapacity, mental illness or insanity of the Stockholder, as applicable) until the termination of this Agreement and shall not be terminated by operation of law or upon the occurrence of any other event other than the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3.2. The Stockholder authorizes such attorney and proxy to substitute any other Person to act hereunder, to revoke any substitution and to file this proxy and any substitution or revocation with the Secretary of Parent. The Stockholder hereby affirms that the proxy set forth in this Section 1.4 is given in connection with and granted in consideration of and as an inducement to Parent, Merger Sub and the Company to enter into the Merger Agreement and that such proxy is given to secure the obligations of the Stockholder under Section 1.1. The proxy set forth in this Section 1.4 is executed and intended to be irrevocable, subject, however, to its automatic termination upon the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3.2. With respect to any Subject Shares that are owned beneficially by the Stockholder but are not held of record by the Stockholder (other than shares beneficially owned by the Stockholder that are held in the name of a bank, broker or nominee), the Stockholder shall take all action necessary to cause the record holder of such Subject Shares to grant the irrevocable proxy and take all other actions provided for in this Section 1.4 with respect to such Subject Shares. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the irrevocable proxy granted hereunder shall automatically terminate upon the termination of this Agreement in accordance with the terms set forth in Section 3.2 hereof.
1.5. No Ownership Interest. Nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed to vest in Parent any direct or indirect ownership or incidents of ownership of or with respect to the Subject Shares. All rights, ownership and economic benefits of and relating to the Subject Shares will remain and belong to the Stockholder, and Parent will have no authority to manage, direct, superintend, restrict, regulate, govern or administer any of the policies or operations of Parent or exercise any power or authority to direct the Stockholder in the voting of any of the Subject Shares, except as otherwise expressly provided herein with respect to the Subject Shares and except as otherwise expressly provided in the Merger Agreement.
1.6. No Exercise of Appraisal Rights; Waivers. In connection with the Contemplated Transactions, the Stockholder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (a) waives, and agrees to cause to be waived and to prevent the exercise of, any rights of appraisal, any dissenters’ rights and any similar rights (including any notice requirements related thereto) to the extent permitted under applicable Law, relating to the Merger that Stockholder may have by virtue of, or with respect to any Subject Shares (including all rights under Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix I) and (b) agrees that the Stockholder will not, under any circumstances in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, exercise any dissenters’ or appraisal rights in respect of any Subject Shares, and (c) agrees that the Stockholder will not bring, commence, institute, maintain, prosecute, participate in or voluntarily aid any action, claim, suit or cause of action, in law or in equity, in any court or before any Governmental Entity, which (i) challenges the validity of or seeks to enjoin the operation of any provision of this Agreement or (ii) alleges that the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Stockholder, or the approval of the Merger Agreement by the board of directors of Parent (the “Parent Board”), breaches any fiduciary duty of the Parent Board or any member thereof; provided that the Stockholder may defend against, contest or settle any such action, claim, suit or cause of action brought against the Stockholder that relates solely to the Stockholder’s capacity as a director, officer or securityholder of Parent.
1.7. No Solicitation of Transactions. The Stockholder hereby agrees that, prior to the Expiration Time (as defined below), the Stockholder shall not, directly or indirectly, including through any of its officers, directors or agents: (a) solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage, induce or facilitate the communication, making, submission or announcement of any Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry or take any action that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry; (b) furnish any non-public information regarding Parent to any Person in connection with or in response to an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry; (c) engage in discussions (other than to inform any Person of the existence of the provisions in this Section 1.7) or negotiations with any Person with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry; (d) approve, endorse or recommend any Acquisition Proposal; (e) execute or enter into any letter of intent or any Contract contemplating or otherwise relating to any Acquisition Transaction (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement (as defined in the Merger Agreement) permitted under the Merger Agreement); or (f) publicly propose to do any of the foregoing. The Stockholder hereby represents and warrants that the Stockholder has read Section 6.4 (No Solicitation) of the Merger Agreement and agrees not to engage in any actions prohibited thereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Stockholder will not be responsible for the breaches by its officers, directors or agents that have otherwise entered into a separate support agreement with Parent (in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company), unless the Stockholder knowingly and intentionally caused such breach.
Article II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE Stockholder
The Stockholder represents and warrants to Parent that:
2.1. Organization; Authorization; Binding Agreement. The Stockholder, if not a natural person, is duly incorporated or organized, as applicable, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization. The Stockholder has full legal capacity and power, right and authority to (a) execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform the Stockholder’s obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) vote all of the Subject Shares in the manner set forth in this Agreement without the consent or approval of, or any other action on the part of, any other person or entity (including any Governmental Entity). This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Stockholder, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Stockholder enforceable against the Stockholder in accordance with its terms (except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity).
2.2. Ownership of Subject Shares; Total Shares. The Stockholder is the record or beneficial owner of the Subject Shares and has good and marketable title to the Subject Shares free and clear of any Liens (including any restriction on the right to vote or otherwise transfer the Subject Shares), except (a) as provided hereunder, (b) pursuant to any applicable restrictions on transfer under the Securities Act and (c) as provided in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Parent. The Subject Shares listed on Schedule A opposite the Stockholder’s name constitute all of the Common Stock owned by the Stockholder as of the date hereof. Except pursuant to Parent’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, no Person has any contractual or other right or obligation to purchase or otherwise acquire any of the Subject Shares. For purposes of this Agreement “Beneficial Ownership” shall be interpreted as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided that for purposes of determining Beneficial Ownership, a Person shall be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of any securities that may be acquired by such Person pursuant to any Contract or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise (irrespective of whether the right to acquire such securities is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time, including the passage of time in excess of 60 days, the satisfaction of any conditions, the occurrence of any event or any combination of the foregoing).
2.3. Voting Power. The Stockholder has full voting power, with respect to the Subject Shares, and full power of disposition, full power to issue instructions with respect to the matters set forth herein and full power to agree to all of the matters set forth in this Agreement, in each case, with respect to all of the Subject Shares. None of the Subject Shares are subject to any proxy, voting trust or other agreement or arrangement with respect to the voting of the Subject Shares, except as provided hereunder.
2.4. Reliance. The Stockholder has had the opportunity to review the Merger Agreement, including the provisions relating to the payment and allocation of the consideration to be paid to the Parent Stockholders, and this Agreement with counsel of the Stockholder’s own choosing. The Stockholder has had an opportunity to review with its own tax advisors the tax consequences of the Merger and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Stockholder understands that it must rely solely on its advisors and not on any statements or representations made by Parent, the Company, Guarantor or any of their respective agents or representatives. The Stockholder understands that such Stockholder (and not Parent, the Company, Guarantor or the Surviving Company) shall be responsible for such Stockholder’s tax liability that may arise as a result of the Merger or the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Stockholder understands and acknowledges that the Company, Guarantor, Parent and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon the Stockholder’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.
2.5. Absence of Litigation. With respect to the Stockholder, as of the date hereof, there is no action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending against, or, to the knowledge of the Stockholder, threatened against, the Stockholder or any of the Stockholder’s properties or assets (including the Subject Shares) that could reasonably be expected to prevent, delay or impair the ability of the Stockholder to perform the Stockholder’s obligations hereunder or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
2.6. Non-Contravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Stockholder and the performance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by the Stockholder does not and will not violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of: (a) the organizational documents of such Stockholder, (b) any applicable Law or any injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any Governmental Entity to which the Stockholder is subject, or (c) any Contract to which the Stockholder is a party or is bound or to which the Subject Shares are subject, such that it could reasonably be expected to prevent, delay or impair the ability of the Stockholder to perform the Stockholder’s obligations hereunder or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
Article III
MISCELLANEOUS
3.1. Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to either party hereunder shall be in writing (including electronic mail) and shall be given, (a) if to Parent, in accordance with the provisions of the Merger Agreement and (b) if to the Stockholder, to the Stockholder’s address or electronic mail address set forth on a signature page hereto, or to such other address or electronic mail address as the Stockholder may hereafter specify in writing to Parent.
3.2. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate automatically, without any notice or other action by any Person, upon the earlier of (a) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms and (b) the Effective Time (the “Expiration Time”). Upon termination of this Agreement, neither party shall have any further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement; provided, however, that (i) nothing set forth in this Section 3.2 shall relieve either party from liability for any breach of this Agreement prior to termination hereof, and (ii) the provisions of this Article III shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
3.3. Confidentiality. Except to the extent required by applicable Law, the Stockholder shall hold any non-public information regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the Merger in strict confidence and shall not divulge any such information to any third person until Parent has publicly disclosed its entry into the Merger Agreement and this Agreement; provided, however, that the Stockholder may disclose such information (a) to its attorneys, accountants, consultants, trustees, beneficiaries and other representatives (provided such representatives are subject to confidentiality obligations at least as restrictive as those contained herein), and (b) to any Affiliate, partner, member, stockholder, parent or subsidiary of the Stockholder, provided in each case that the Stockholder informs the Person receiving the information that such information is confidential and such Person agrees in writing to abide by the terms of this Section 3.3. Neither the Stockholder nor any of its Affiliates (other than Parent, whose actions shall be governed by the Merger Agreement), shall issue or cause the publication of any press release or other public announcement with respect to this Agreement, the Merger, the Merger Agreement or the other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby without the prior written consent of the Company and Parent, except as may be required by applicable Law in which circumstance such announcing party shall make reasonable efforts to consult with the Company and Parent to the extent practicable.
3.4. Amendments and Waivers. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed, in the case of an amendment, by each party to this Agreement, or in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective. No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
3.5. Binding Effect; Benefit; Assignment. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Except as set forth in Section 1.3 and Section 3.3, no provision of this Agreement is intended to confer any rights, benefits, remedies, obligations or liabilities hereunder upon any Person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Neither party may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the other party hereto, except that Parent may transfer or assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement, in whole or from time to time in part, to one or more of its Affiliates at any time; provided that such transfer or assignment shall not relieve Parent of any of its obligations hereunder.
3.6. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws. In any action or proceeding between any of the parties hereto arising out of or relating to this Agreement, each party hereto: (a) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware or, to the extent that neither of the foregoing courts has jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Courts”); (b) agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined exclusively in accordance with clause (a) of this Section 3.6; (c) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in such courts; (d) waives any objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any party hereto; (e) agrees that service of process upon such party in any such action or proceeding shall be effective if notice is given in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Agreement; and (f) irrevocably and unconditionally waives the right to trial by jury.
3.7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. The exchange of a fully executed Agreement (in counterparts or otherwise) by all parties by facsimile or electronic transmission in .PDF format shall be sufficient to bind the parties to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
3.8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among or between any of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
3.9. Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction. If a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the parties hereto agree that the court making such determination will have the power to limit such term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases or to replace such term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable as so modified. In the event such court does not exercise the power granted to it in the prior sentence, the parties hereto agree to replace such invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a valid and enforceable term or provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such invalid or unenforceable term or provision.
3.10. Specific Performance. Any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon a party will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by law or equity upon such party, and the exercise by a party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any Delaware Court, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity, and each of the parties hereto waives any bond, surety or other security that might be required of any other party with respect thereto.
3.11. Construction.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, whenever the context requires: the singular number shall include the plural, and vice versa; the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders; the feminine gender shall include the masculine and neuter genders; and the neuter gender shall include masculine and feminine genders.
(b) The parties hereto agree that any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be applied in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
(c) As used in this Agreement, the words “include” and “including,” and variations thereof, shall not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”
(d) Except as otherwise indicated, all references in this Agreement to “Sections,” “Articles,” and “Schedules” are intended to refer to Sections or Articles of this Agreement and Schedules to this Agreement, respectively.
(e) The bold-faced headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement and shall not be referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
3.12. Further Assurances. Each of the parties hereto will execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all further documents and instruments and use their respective reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary under applicable Law to perform their respective obligations as expressly set forth under this Agreement.
3.13. Capacity as Stockholder. The Stockholder is entering into this Agreement solely in the Stockholder’s capacity as a holder of Common Stock, and not in the Stockholder’s capacity as a director, officer or employee of Parent or in the Stockholder’s capacity as a trustee or fiduciary of any employee benefit plan or trust. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing herein shall in any way restrict a director or officer of Parent in the exercise of his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer of Parent or in his or her capacity as a trustee or fiduciary of any employee benefit plan or trust or prevent or be construed to create any obligation on the part of any director or officer of Parent or any trustee or fiduciary of any employee benefit plan or trust from taking any action in his or her capacity as such director, officer, trustee or fiduciary.
3.14. No Agreement Until Executed. Irrespective of negotiations among the parties or the exchanging of drafts of this Agreement, this Agreement shall not constitute or be deemed to evidence a contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding between the parties hereto unless and until (a) the Parent Board has approved, for purposes of any applicable anti-takeover laws and regulations, and any applicable provision of Parent’s organizational documents, the Merger, (b) the Merger Agreement is executed by all parties thereto, and (c) this Agreement is executed by all parties hereto.
(SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
Carisma Therapeutics, Inc. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
OrthoCellix, Inc. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
Ocugen Inc. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
STOCKHOLDER | ||
(Print Name of Stockholder) | ||
(Signature) | ||
(Name and Title of Signatory, if Signing | ||
on Behalf of an Entity) | ||
Address for Notices: | ||
Email: |
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
Schedule A
Name of Stockholder | No. Shares | |
[•] | [•] |
Appendix I
§ 262. Appraisal rights
(a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of stock on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to subsection (d) of this section with respect to such shares, who continuously holds such shares through the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, who has otherwise complied with subsection (d) of this section and who has neither voted in favor of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to § 228 of this title shall be entitled to an appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the fair value of the stockholder’s shares of stock under the circumstances described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. As used in this section, the word “stockholder” means a holder of record of stock in a corporation; the words “stock” and “share” mean and include what is ordinarily meant by those words; the words “depository receipt” mean a receipt or other instrument issued by a depository representing an interest in 1 or more shares, or fractions thereof, solely of stock of a corporation, which stock is deposited with the depository; the words “beneficial owner” mean a person who is the beneficial owner of shares of stock held either in voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person; and the word “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.
(b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation in a merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance to be effected pursuant to § 251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to § 251(g) of this title), § 252, § 254, § 255, § 256, § 257, § 258, § 263, § 264, § 266 or § 390 of this title (other than, in each case and solely with respect to a converted or domesticated corporation, a merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance authorized pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of § 265 or § 388 of this title):
(1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which stock, or depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of the meeting of stockholders, or at the record date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to consent pursuant to § 228 of this title, to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation or the resolution providing for the conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance (or, in the case of a merger pursuant to § 251(h) of this title, as of immediately prior to the execution of the agreement of merger), were either: (i) listed on a national securities exchange or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock of the constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation as provided in § 251(f) of this title.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1) of this section, appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation if the holders thereof are required by the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation, or by the terms of a resolution providing for conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, pursuant to § 251, § 252, § 254, § 255, § 256, § 257, § 258, § 263, § 264, § 266 or § 390 of this title to accept for such stock anything except:
a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from such merger or consolidation, or of the converted entity or the entity resulting from a transfer, domestication or continuance if such entity is a corporation as a result of the conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, or depository receipts in respect thereof;
b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository receipts in respect thereof, which shares of stock (or depository receipts in respect thereof) or depository receipts at the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance will be either listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders;
c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing paragraphs (b)(2)a. and b. of this section; or
d. Any combination of the shares of stock, depository receipts and cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing paragraphs (b)(2)a., b. and c. of this section.
(3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware corporation party to a merger effected under § 253 or § 267 of this title is not owned by the parent immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation.
(4) [Repealed.]
(c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate of incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a constituent corporation, the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation or a conversion effected pursuant to § 266 of this title or a transfer, domestication or continuance effected pursuant to § 390 of this title. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a provision, the provisions of this section, including those set forth in subsections (d), (e), and (g) of this section, shall apply as nearly as is practicable.
(d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:
(1) If a proposed merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance for which appraisal rights are provided under this section is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting, shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record date for notice of such meeting (or such members who received notice in accordance with § 255(c) of this title) with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are available pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section that appraisal rights are available for any or all of the shares of the constituent corporations or the converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation, and shall include in such notice either a copy of this section (and, if 1 of the constituent corporations or the converting corporation is a nonstock corporation, a copy of § 114 of this title) or information directing the stockholders to a publicly available electronic resource at which this section (and, § 114 of this title, if applicable) may be accessed without subscription or cost. Each stockholder electing to demand the appraisal of such stockholder’s shares shall deliver to the corporation, before the taking of the vote on the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, a written demand for appraisal of such stockholder’s shares; provided that a demand may be delivered to the corporation by electronic transmission if directed to an information processing system (if any) expressly designated for that purpose in such notice. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such stockholder’s shares. A proxy or vote against the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance shall not constitute such a demand. A stockholder electing to take such action must do so by a separate written demand as herein provided. Within 10 days after the effective date of such merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, the surviving, resulting or converted entity shall notify each stockholder of each constituent or converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation who has complied with this subsection and has not voted in favor of or consented to the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, and any beneficial owner who has demanded appraisal under paragraph (d)(3) of this section, of the date that the merger, consolidation or conversion has become effective; or
(2) If the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance was approved pursuant to § 228, § 251(h), § 253, or § 267 of this title, then either a constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation before the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, or the surviving, resulting or converted entity within 10 days after such effective date, shall notify each stockholder of any class or series of stock of such constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation who is entitled to appraisal rights of the approval of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance and that appraisal rights are available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of such constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation, and shall include in such notice either a copy of this section (and, if 1 of the constituent corporations or the converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation is a nonstock corporation, a copy of § 114 of this title) or information directing the stockholders to a publicly available electronic resource at which this section (and § 114 of this title, if applicable) may be accessed without subscription or cost. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, shall, also notify such stockholders of the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance. Any stockholder entitled to appraisal rights may, within 20 days after the date of giving such notice or, in the case of a merger approved pursuant to § 251(h) of this title, within the later of the consummation of the offer contemplated by § 251(h) of this title and 20 days after the date of giving such notice, demand in writing from the surviving, resulting or converted entity the appraisal of such holder’s shares; provided that a demand may be delivered to such entity by electronic transmission if directed to an information processing system (if any) expressly designated for that purpose in such notice. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs such entity of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such holder’s shares. If such notice did not notify stockholders of the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, either (i) each such constituent corporation or the converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation shall send a second notice before the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance notifying each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation that are entitled to appraisal rights of the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance or (ii) the surviving, resulting or converted entity shall send such a second notice to all such holders on or within 10 days after such effective date; provided, however, that if such second notice is sent more than 20 days following the sending of the first notice or, in the case of a merger approved pursuant to § 251(h) of this title, later than the later of the consummation of the offer contemplated by § 251(h) of this title and 20 days following the sending of the first notice, such second notice need only be sent to each stockholder who is entitled to appraisal rights and who has demanded appraisal of such holder’s shares in accordance with this subsection and any beneficial owner who has demanded appraisal under paragraph (d)(3) of this section. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary or of the transfer agent of the corporation or entity that is required to give either notice that such notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive either notice, each constituent corporation or the converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation may fix, in advance, a record date that shall be not more than 10 days prior to the date the notice is given, provided, that if the notice is given on or after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, the record date shall be such effective date. If no record date is fixed and the notice is given prior to the effective date, the record date shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the notice is given.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section (but subject to this paragraph (d)(3)), a beneficial owner may, in such person’s name, demand in writing an appraisal of such beneficial owner’s shares in accordance with either paragraph (d)(1) or (2) of this section, as applicable; provided that (i) such beneficial owner continuously owns such shares through the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance and otherwise satisfies the requirements applicable to a stockholder under the first sentence of subsection (a) of this section and (ii) the demand made by such beneficial owner reasonably identifies the holder of record of the shares for which the demand is made, is accompanied by documentary evidence of such beneficial owner’s beneficial ownership of stock and a statement that such documentary evidence is a true and correct copy of what it purports to be, and provides an address at which such beneficial owner consents to receive notices given by the surviving, resulting or converted entity hereunder and to be set forth on the verified list required by subsection (f) of this section.
(e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, the surviving, resulting or converted entity, or any person who has complied with subsections (a) and (d) of this section and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal rights, may commence an appraisal proceeding by filing a petition in the Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the value of the stock of all such stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time within 60 days after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, any person entitled to appraisal rights who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party shall have the right to withdraw such person’s demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance. Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, any person who has complied with the requirements of subsections (a) and (d) of this section, upon request given in writing (or by electronic transmission directed to an information processing system (if any) expressly designated for that purpose in the notice of appraisal), shall be entitled to receive from the surviving, resulting or converted entity a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance (or, in the case of a merger approved pursuant to § 251(h) of this title, the aggregate number of shares (other than any excluded stock (as defined in § 251(h)(6)d. of this title)) that were the subject of, and were not tendered into, and accepted for purchase or exchange in, the offer referred to in § 251(h)(2) of this title)), and, in either case, with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of stockholders or beneficial owners holding or owning such shares (provided that, where a beneficial owner makes a demand pursuant to paragraph (d)(3) of this section, the record holder of such shares shall not be considered a separate stockholder holding such shares for purposes of such aggregate number). Such statement shall be given to the person within 10 days after such person’s request for such a statement is received by the surviving, resulting or converted entity or within 10 days after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under subsection (d) of this section, whichever is later.
(f) Upon the filing of any such petition by any person other than the surviving, resulting or converted entity, service of a copy thereof shall be made upon such entity, which shall within 20 days after such service file in the office of the Register in Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all persons who have demanded appraisal for their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached by such entity. If the petition shall be filed by the surviving, resulting or converted entity, the petition shall be accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register in Chancery, if so ordered by the Court, shall give notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of such petition by registered or certified mail to the surviving, resulting or converted entity and to the persons shown on the list at the addresses therein stated. The forms of the notices by mail and by publication shall be approved by the Court, and the costs thereof shall be borne by the surviving, resulting or converted entity.
(g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the persons who have complied with this section and who have become entitled to appraisal rights. The Court may require the persons who have demanded an appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any person fails to comply with such direction, the Court may dismiss the proceedings as to such person. If immediately before the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance the shares of the class or series of stock of the constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation as to which appraisal rights are available were listed on a national securities exchange, the Court shall dismiss the proceedings as to all holders of such shares who are otherwise entitled to appraisal rights unless (1) the total number of shares entitled to appraisal exceeds 1% of the outstanding shares of the class or series eligible for appraisal, (2) the value of the consideration provided in the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance for such total number of shares exceeds $1 million, or (3) the merger was approved pursuant to § 253 or § 267 of this title.
(h) After the Court determines the persons entitled to an appraisal, the appraisal proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Court of Chancery, including any rules specifically governing appraisal proceedings. Through such proceeding the Court shall determine the fair value of the shares exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, together with interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such fair value, the Court shall take into account all relevant factors. Unless the Court in its discretion determines otherwise for good cause shown, and except as provided in this subsection, interest from the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance through the date of payment of the judgment shall be compounded quarterly and shall accrue at 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate (including any surcharge) as established from time to time during the period between the effective date of the merger, consolidation or conversion and the date of payment of the judgment. At any time before the entry of judgment in the proceedings, the surviving, resulting or converted entity may pay to each person entitled to appraisal an amount in cash, in which case interest shall accrue thereafter as provided herein only upon the sum of (1) the difference, if any, between the amount so paid and the fair value of the shares as determined by the Court, and (2) interest theretofore accrued, unless paid at that time. Upon application by the surviving, resulting or converted entity or by any person entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding, the Court may, in its discretion, proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the final determination of the persons entitled to an appraisal. Any person whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving, resulting or converted entity pursuant to subsection (f) of this section may participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally determined that such person is not entitled to appraisal rights under this section.
(i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares, together with interest, if any, by the surviving, resulting or converted entity to the persons entitled thereto. Payment shall be so made to each such person upon such terms and conditions as the Court may order. The Court’s decree may be enforced as other decrees in the Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving, resulting or converted entity be an entity of this State or of any state.
(j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and taxed upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon application of a person whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving, resulting or converted entity pursuant to subsection (f) of this section who participated in the proceeding and incurred expenses in connection therewith, the Court may order all or a portion of such expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and the fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all the shares entitled to an appraisal not dismissed pursuant to subsection (k) of this section or subject to such an award pursuant to a reservation of jurisdiction under subsection (k) of this section.
(k) Subject to the remainder of this subsection, from and after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, no person who has demanded appraisal rights with respect to some or all of such person’s shares as provided in subsection (d) of this section shall be entitled to vote such shares for any purpose or to receive payment of dividends or other distributions on such shares (except dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date which is prior to the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance). If a person who has made a demand for an appraisal in accordance with this section shall deliver to the surviving, resulting or converted entity a written withdrawal of such person’s demand for an appraisal in respect of some or all of such person’s shares in accordance with subsection (e) of this section, either within 60 days after such effective date or thereafter with the written approval of the corporation, then the right of such person to an appraisal of the shares subject to the withdrawal shall cease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an appraisal proceeding in the Court of Chancery shall not be dismissed as to any person without the approval of the Court, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Court deems just, including without limitation, a reservation of jurisdiction for any application to the Court made under subsection (j) of this section; provided, however that this provision shall not affect the right of any person who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party to withdraw such person’s demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance within 60 days after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, as set forth in subsection (e) of this section. If a petition for an appraisal is not filed within the time provided in subsection (e) of this section, the right to appraisal with respect to all shares shall cease.
(l) The shares or other equity interests of the surviving, resulting or converted entity to which the shares of stock subject to appraisal under this section would have otherwise converted but for an appraisal demand made in accordance with this section shall have the status of authorized but not outstanding shares of stock or other equity interests of the surviving, resulting or converted entity, unless and until the person that has demanded appraisal is no longer entitled to appraisal pursuant to this section.
Exhibit B
SUPPORT AGREEMENT
This Support Agreement (this “Agreement”), is made as of [●], 2025, by and among Orthocellix, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Ocugen, inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Guarantor”), Carisma Therapeutics Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and the Person set forth on Schedule A hereto (the “Stockholder”).
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the Stockholder is the holder of the number of shares of common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth opposite the Stockholder’s name on Schedule A (all Company Common Stock owned by the Stockholder, or hereafter issued to or otherwise acquired, whether beneficially or of record, or owned by the Stockholder prior to the termination of this Agreement, as well as shares set forth on Schedule A, being referred to herein as the “Subject Shares”);
WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, the Company, the Guarantor, Parent and Azalea Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (as such agreement may be amended, restated, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), which provides, among other things, for the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving company (the “Merger”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement (capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement); and
WHEREAS, as a condition to its willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, Parent has required that the Stockholder, and as an inducement and in consideration therefor, the Stockholder (in the Stockholder’s capacity as a holder of the Subject Shares) has agreed to, enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth below and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
Article I
VOTING AGREEMENT; GRANT OF PROXY
The Stockholder hereby covenants and agrees that:
1.1. Voting of Subject Shares.
(a) From and after the date hereof and prior to the Expiration Time (as defined below), at every meeting of the holders of Company Common Stock (the “Company Stockholders”), however called, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof (or pursuant to a written consent if the Company Stockholders act by written consent in lieu of a meeting), the Stockholder shall, or shall cause the holder of record on any applicable record date to, be present (in person or by proxy) and to vote or cause to be voted the Subject Shares: (i) in favor of adopting the Merger Agreement and approving the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions, (ii) against approval of any proposal made in opposition to, or in competition with, the Merger Agreement or the consummation of the Merger, and (iii) against any Acquisition Proposal or any agreement, transaction or other matter that is intended to, or would reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, delay, postpone or materially and adversely affect the consummation of the Merger and the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement.
(b) In furtherance of subsection (a), promptly following the declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, but in any case within twenty-four (24) hours thereafter, take any action reasonably necessary to cause the Subject Shares held by such Stockholder to be voted in favor of the adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
(c) Except as permitted under clauses (A) through (J) of Section 1.2 below, the Stockholder shall retain at all times the right to vote the Subject Shares in the Stockholder’s sole discretion and without any other limitation on those matters other than those set forth in this Section 1.1 that are at any time or from time to time presented for consideration to the Company Stockholders. In the event of a stock split, stock dividend or distribution, or any change in the Common Stock by reason of any split-up, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification, reincorporation, exchange of shares or the like, the term “Subject Shares” shall be deemed to refer to and include such shares as well as all such stock dividends and distributions and any securities into which or for which any or all of such shares may be changed or exchanged or which are received in such transaction.
1.2. No Inconsistent Arrangements. Except as provided hereunder or under the Merger Agreement, prior to the Expiration Time, the Stockholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (a) create any Lien other than restrictions imposed by Law or pursuant to this Agreement on any Subject Shares; (b) transfer, sell, assign, gift or otherwise dispose of (collectively, “Transfer”), or enter into any contract with respect to any Transfer of, the Subject Shares or any interest therein; (c) grant or permit the grant of any proxy, power of attorney or other authorization in or with respect to the Subject Shares; (d) deposit or permit the deposit of the Subject Shares into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement or arrangement with respect to the Subject Shares; or (e) take any action that, to the knowledge of the Stockholder, would make any representation or warranty of the Stockholder herein untrue or incorrect in any material respect or have the effect of preventing the Stockholder from performing the Stockholder’s obligations hereunder. Any action taken in violation of the foregoing sentence shall be null and void ab initio. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Stockholder may (A) Transfer Subject Shares as a bona fide charitable contribution, gift or donation; (B) Transfer the Subject Shares to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the Stockholder or the immediate family of the Stockholder; (C) Transfer the Subject Shares by will, other testamentary document or intestate succession to the legal representative, heir, beneficiary or a member of the immediate family of the Stockholder; (D) Transfer the Subject Shares to stockholders, direct or indirect affiliates (within the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act), current or former partners (general or limited), members or managers of the Stockholder, as applicable, or to the estates of any such stockholders, affiliates, partners, members or managers, or to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Stockholder; (E) make Transfers that occur by operation of law pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order or in connection with a divorce settlement; (F) make Transfers not involving a change in beneficial ownership; (G) if the Stockholder is a trust, Transfer the Subject Shares to any beneficiary of the Stockholder or the estate of any such beneficiary; (H) exercise an option or warrant to purchase Company Common Stock or settle a restricted stock unit or other equity award (including a net or cashless exercise of such option or warrant); (I) Transfer Company Common Stock to the Company to cover tax withholding obligations of the Stockholder in connection with the vesting, settlement or exercise of any options, warrants, restricted stock units or other equity awards, as applicable; (J) Transfer Company Common Stock with the prior written consent of Parent; provided that, with respect to clauses (A) through (J) above, the transferee agrees in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and either the Stockholder or the transferee provides Parent with a copy of such agreement promptly upon consummation of any such Transfer; provided further, that in each case, the underlying shares of Company Common Stock shall continue to be subject to the restrictions on Transfer set forth in this Agreement notwithstanding that such transferee has not executed a counterpart hereof or joinder hereto; or (K) Transfer Company Common Stock to another holder of capital stock of the Company that has signed a support agreement in the same form as this Agreement. The Stockholder agrees that any shares of capital stock or other equity voting securities of the Company that such Stockholder acquires or with respect to which such Stockholder otherwise acquires sole or shared voting power (including any proxy) after the execution of this Agreement and prior to the Expiration Time (as defined below), including, without limitation, by gift, succession, in the event of a stock split or as a dividend or distribution of any Shares (“New Shares”), shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted the Subject Shares. For purposes of this Agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin.
1.3. Documentation and Information. The Stockholder shall permit and hereby authorizes the Company and Parent to publish and disclose in all documents and schedules filed with the SEC, and any press release or other disclosure document that the Company or Parent reasonably determines to be necessary in connection with the Merger and any of the Contemplated Transactions, the Stockholder’s identity and ownership of the Subject Shares and the nature of the Stockholder’s commitments and obligations under this Agreement. The Company is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Section 1.3.
1.4. Irrevocable Proxy. The Stockholder hereby revokes (or agrees to cause to be revoked) any proxies that the Stockholder has heretofore granted with respect to the Subject Shares. In the event and to the extent that the Stockholder fails to vote the Subject Shares in accordance with Section 1.1 at any applicable meeting of the Company Stockholders or pursuant to any applicable written consent of the stockholders of the Company, the Stockholder shall be deemed to have irrevocably granted to, and appointed, Parent and any of its designees with full power of substitution and resubstitution, as attorney-in-fact and proxy for and on behalf of the Stockholder, for and in the name, place and stead of the Stockholder, to: (a) attend any and all meetings of the Company Stockholders, (b) vote, express consent or dissent or issue instructions to the record holder to vote the Subject Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.1 at any and all meetings of the Company Stockholders or in connection with any action sought to be taken by written consent of the Company Stockholders without a meeting and (c) grant or withhold, or issue instructions to the record holder to grant or withhold, consistent with the provisions of Section 1.1, all written consents with respect to the Subject Shares at any and all meetings of the Company Stockholders or in connection with any action sought to be taken by written consent of the Company Stockholders without a meeting. Parent agrees not to exercise the proxy granted herein for any purpose other than the purposes described in this Agreement. The foregoing proxy shall be deemed to be a proxy coupled with an interest, is irrevocable (and as such shall survive and not be affected by the death, incapacity, mental illness or insanity of the Stockholder, as applicable) until the termination of this Agreement and shall not be terminated by operation of law or upon the occurrence of any other event other than the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3.2. The Stockholder authorizes such attorney and proxy to substitute any other Person to act hereunder, to revoke any substitution and to file this proxy and any substitution or revocation with the Secretary of the Company. The Stockholder hereby affirms that the proxy set forth in this Section 1.4 is given in connection with and granted in consideration of and as an inducement to Parent, Merger Sub and the Company to enter into the Merger Agreement and that such proxy is given to secure the obligations of the Stockholder under Section 1.1. The proxy set forth in this Section 1.4 is executed and intended to be irrevocable, subject, however, to its automatic termination upon the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3.2. With respect to any Subject Shares that are owned beneficially by the Stockholder but are not held of record by the Stockholder (other than shares beneficially owned by the Stockholder that are held in the name of a bank, broker or nominee), the Stockholder shall take all action necessary to cause the record holder of such Subject Shares to grant the irrevocable proxy and take all other actions provided for in this Section 1.4 with respect to such Subject Shares. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the irrevocable proxy granted hereunder shall automatically terminate upon the termination of this Agreement in accordance with the terms set forth in Section 3.2 hereof.
1.5. No Ownership Interest. Nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed to vest in Parent any direct or indirect ownership or incidents of ownership of or with respect to the Subject Shares. All rights, ownership and economic benefits of and relating to the Subject Shares will remain and belong to the Stockholder, and Parent will have no authority to manage, direct, superintend, restrict, regulate, govern or administer any of the policies or operations of the Company or exercise any power or authority to direct the Stockholder in the voting of any of the Subject Shares, except as otherwise expressly provided herein with respect to the Subject Shares and except as otherwise expressly provided in the Merger Agreement.
1.6. No Exercise of Appraisal Rights; Waivers. In connection with the Contemplated Transactions, the Stockholder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (a) waives, and agrees to cause to be waived and to prevent the exercise of, any rights of appraisal, any dissenters’ rights and any similar rights (including any notice requirements related thereto) to the extent permitted under applicable Law, relating to the Merger that Stockholder may have by virtue of, or with respect to any Subject Shares (including all rights under Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix I) and (b) agrees that the Stockholder will not, under any circumstances in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, exercise any dissenters’ or appraisal rights in respect of any Subject Shares, and (c) agrees that the Stockholder will not bring, commence, institute, maintain, prosecute, participate in or voluntarily aid any action, claim, suit or cause of action, in law or in equity, in any court or before any Governmental Entity, which (i) challenges the validity of or seeks to enjoin the operation of any provision of this Agreement or (ii) alleges that the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Stockholder, or the approval of the Merger Agreement by the board of directors of the Company (the “Company Board”), breaches any fiduciary duty of the Company Board or any member thereof; provided that the Stockholder may defend against, contest or settle any such action, claim, suit or cause of action brought against the Stockholder that relates solely to the Stockholder’s capacity as a director, officer or securityholder of the Company.
1.7. No Solicitation of Transactions. The Stockholder hereby agrees that, prior to the Expiration Time (as defined below), the Stockholder shall not, directly or indirectly, including through any of its officers, directors or agents: (a) solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage, induce or facilitate the communication, making, submission or announcement of any Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry or take any action that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry; (b) furnish any non-public information regarding the Company to any Person in connection with or in response to an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry; (c) engage in discussions (other than to inform any Person of the existence of the provisions in this Section 1.7) or negotiations with any Person with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry; (d) approve, endorse or recommend any Acquisition Proposal; (e) execute or enter into any letter of intent or any Contract contemplating or otherwise relating to any Acquisition Transaction (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement (as defined in the Merger Agreement) permitted under the Merger Agreement); or (f) publicly propose to do any of the foregoing. The Stockholder hereby represents and warrants that the Stockholder has read Section 6.4 (No Solicitation) of the Merger Agreement and agrees not to engage in any actions prohibited thereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Stockholder will not be responsible for the breaches by its officers, directors or agents that have otherwise entered into a separate support agreement with the Company (in a form reasonably acceptable to Parent), unless the Stockholder knowingly and intentionally caused such breach.
Article II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE Stockholder
The Stockholder represents and warrants to Parent that:
2.1. Organization; Authorization; Binding Agreement. The Stockholder, if not a natural person, is duly incorporated or organized, as applicable, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization. The Stockholder has full legal capacity and power, right and authority to (a) execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform the Stockholder’s obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) vote all of the Subject Shares in the manner set forth in this Agreement without the consent or approval of, or any other action on the part of, any other person or entity (including any Governmental Entity). This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Stockholder, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Stockholder enforceable against the Stockholder in accordance with its terms (except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity).
2.2. Ownership of Subject Shares; Total Shares. The Stockholder is the record or beneficial owner of the Subject Shares and has good and marketable title to the Subject Shares free and clear of any Liens (including any restriction on the right to vote or otherwise transfer the Subject Shares), except (a) as provided hereunder, (b) pursuant to any applicable restrictions on transfer under the Securities Act and (c) as provided in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company. The Subject Shares listed on Schedule A opposite the Stockholder’s name constitute all of the Company Common Stock owned by the Stockholder as of the date hereof. Except pursuant to the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, no Person has any contractual or other right or obligation to purchase or otherwise acquire any of the Subject Shares. For purposes of this Agreement “Beneficial Ownership” shall be interpreted as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided that for purposes of determining Beneficial Ownership, a Person shall be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of any securities that may be acquired by such Person pursuant to any Contract or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise (irrespective of whether the right to acquire such securities is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time, including the passage of time in excess of 60 days, the satisfaction of any conditions, the occurrence of any event or any combination of the foregoing).
2.3. Voting Power. The Stockholder has full voting power, with respect to the Subject Shares, and full power of disposition, full power to issue instructions with respect to the matters set forth herein and full power to agree to all of the matters set forth in this Agreement, in each case, with respect to all of the Subject Shares. None of the Subject Shares are subject to any proxy, voting trust or other agreement or arrangement with respect to the voting of the Subject Shares, except as provided hereunder.
2.4. Reliance. The Stockholder has had the opportunity to review the Merger Agreement, including the provisions relating to the payment and allocation of the consideration to be paid to the Company Stockholders, and this Agreement with counsel of the Stockholder’s own choosing. The Stockholder has had an opportunity to review with its own tax advisors the tax consequences of the Merger and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Stockholder understands that it must rely solely on its advisors and not on any statements or representations made by Parent, the Company, Guarantor or any of their respective agents or representatives. The Stockholder understands that such Stockholder (and not Parent, the Company, Guarantor or the Surviving Company) shall be responsible for such Stockholder’s tax liability that may arise as a result of the Merger or the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Stockholder understands and acknowledges that the Company, Guarantor, Parent and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon the Stockholder’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.
2.5. Absence of Litigation. With respect to the Stockholder, as of the date hereof, there is no action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending against, or, to the knowledge of the Stockholder, threatened against, the Stockholder or any of the Stockholder’s properties or assets (including the Subject Shares) that could reasonably be expected to prevent, delay or impair the ability of the Stockholder to perform the Stockholder’s obligations hereunder or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
2.6. Non-Contravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Stockholder and the performance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by the Stockholder does not and will not violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of: (a) the organizational documents of such Stockholder, (b) any applicable Law or any injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any Governmental Entity to which the Stockholder is subject, or (c) any Contract to which the Stockholder is a party or is bound or to which the Subject Shares are subject, such that it could reasonably be expected to prevent, delay or impair the ability of the Stockholder to perform the Stockholder’s obligations hereunder or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
Article III
MISCELLANEOUS
3.1. Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to either party hereunder shall be in writing (including electronic mail) and shall be given, (a) if to Parent, in accordance with the provisions of the Merger Agreement and (b) if to the Stockholder, to the Stockholder’s address or electronic mail address set forth on a signature page hereto, or to such other address or electronic mail address as the Stockholder may hereafter specify in writing to Parent.
3.2. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate automatically, without any notice or other action by any Person, upon the earlier of (a) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms and (b) the Effective Time (the “Expiration Time”). Upon termination of this Agreement, neither party shall have any further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement; provided, however, that (i) nothing set forth in this Section 3.2 shall relieve either party from liability for any breach of this Agreement prior to termination hereof, and (ii) the provisions of this Article III shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
3.3. Confidentiality. Except to the extent required by applicable Law, the Stockholder shall hold any non-public information regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the Merger in strict confidence and shall not divulge any such information to any third person until Parent has publicly disclosed its entry into the Merger Agreement and this Agreement; provided, however, that the Stockholder may disclose such information (a) to its attorneys, accountants, consultants, trustees, beneficiaries and other representatives (provided such representatives are subject to confidentiality obligations at least as restrictive as those contained herein), and (b) to any Affiliate, partner, member, stockholder, parent or subsidiary of the Stockholder, provided in each case that the Stockholder informs the Person receiving the information that such information is confidential and such Person agrees in writing to abide by the terms of this Section 3.3. Neither the Stockholder nor any of its Affiliates (other than the Company, whose actions shall be governed by the Merger Agreement), shall issue or cause the publication of any press release or other public announcement with respect to this Agreement, the Merger, the Merger Agreement or the other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby without the prior written consent of the Company and Parent, except as may be required by applicable Law in which circumstance such announcing party shall make reasonable efforts to consult with the Company and Parent to the extent practicable.
3.4. Amendments and Waivers. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed, in the case of an amendment, by each party to this Agreement, or in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective. No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
3.5. Binding Effect; Benefit; Assignment. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Except as set forth in Section 1.3 and Section 3.3, no provision of this Agreement is intended to confer any rights, benefits, remedies, obligations or liabilities hereunder upon any Person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Neither party may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the other party hereto, except that Parent may transfer or assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement, in whole or from time to time in part, to one or more of its Affiliates at any time; provided that such transfer or assignment shall not relieve Parent of any of its obligations hereunder.
3.6. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws. In any action or proceeding between any of the parties hereto arising out of or relating to this Agreement, each party hereto: (a) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware or, to the extent that neither of the foregoing courts has jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Courts”); (b) agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined exclusively in accordance with clause (a) of this Section 3.6; (c) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in such courts; (d) waives any objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any party hereto; (e) agrees that service of process upon such party in any such action or proceeding shall be effective if notice is given in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Agreement; and (f) irrevocably and unconditionally waives the right to trial by jury.
3.7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. The exchange of a fully executed Agreement (in counterparts or otherwise) by all parties by facsimile or electronic transmission in .PDF format shall be sufficient to bind the parties to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
3.8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among or between any of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
3.9. Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction. If a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the parties hereto agree that the court making such determination will have the power to limit such term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases or to replace such term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable as so modified. In the event such court does not exercise the power granted to it in the prior sentence, the parties hereto agree to replace such invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a valid and enforceable term or provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such invalid or unenforceable term or provision.
3.10. Specific Performance. Any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon a party will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by law or equity upon such party, and the exercise by a party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any Delaware Court, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity, and each of the parties hereto waives any bond, surety or other security that might be required of any other party with respect thereto.
3.11. Construction.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, whenever the context requires: the singular number shall include the plural, and vice versa; the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders; the feminine gender shall include the masculine and neuter genders; and the neuter gender shall include masculine and feminine genders.
(b) The parties hereto agree that any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be applied in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
(c) As used in this Agreement, the words “include” and “including,” and variations thereof, shall not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”
(d) Except as otherwise indicated, all references in this Agreement to “Sections,” “Articles,” and “Schedules” are intended to refer to Sections or Articles of this Agreement and Schedules to this Agreement, respectively.
(e) The bold-faced headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement and shall not be referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
3.12. Further Assurances. Each of the parties hereto will execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all further documents and instruments and use their respective reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary under applicable Law to perform their respective obligations as expressly set forth under this Agreement.
3.13. Capacity as Stockholder. The Stockholder is entering into this Agreement solely in the Stockholder’s capacity as a holder of Company Common Stock, and not in the Stockholder’s capacity as a director, officer or employee of the Company or in the Stockholder’s capacity as a trustee or fiduciary of any employee benefit plan or trust. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing herein shall in any way restrict a director or officer of the Company in the exercise of his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer of the Company or in his or her capacity as a trustee or fiduciary of any employee benefit plan or trust or prevent or be construed to create any obligation on the part of any director or officer of the Company or any trustee or fiduciary of any employee benefit plan or trust from taking any action in his or her capacity as such director, officer, trustee or fiduciary.
3.14. No Agreement Until Executed. Irrespective of negotiations among the parties or the exchanging of drafts of this Agreement, this Agreement shall not constitute or be deemed to evidence a contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding between the parties hereto unless and until (a) the Company Board has approved, for purposes of any applicable anti-takeover laws and regulations, and any applicable provision of the Company’s organizational documents, the Merger, (b) the Merger Agreement is executed by all parties thereto, and (c) this Agreement is executed by all parties hereto.
(SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
Carisma Therapeutics Inc. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
Orthocellix, Inc. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
Ocugen, Inc. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
STOCKHOLDER | ||
(Print Name of Stockholder) | ||
(Signature) | ||
(Name and Title of Signatory, if Signing | ||
on Behalf of an Entity) | ||
Address for Notices: | ||
Email: |
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
Schedule A
Name of Stockholder | No. Shares | |
[•] | [•] |
Appendix I
§ 262. Appraisal rights
(a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of stock on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to subsection (d) of this section with respect to such shares, who continuously holds such shares through the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, who has otherwise complied with subsection (d) of this section and who has neither voted in favor of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to § 228 of this title shall be entitled to an appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the fair value of the stockholder’s shares of stock under the circumstances described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. As used in this section, the word “stockholder” means a holder of record of stock in a corporation; the words “stock” and “share” mean and include what is ordinarily meant by those words; the words “depository receipt” mean a receipt or other instrument issued by a depository representing an interest in 1 or more shares, or fractions thereof, solely of stock of a corporation, which stock is deposited with the depository; the words “beneficial owner” mean a person who is the beneficial owner of shares of stock held either in voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person; and the word “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.
(b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation in a merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance to be effected pursuant to § 251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to § 251(g) of this title), § 252, § 254, § 255, § 256, § 257, § 258, § 263, § 264, § 266 or § 390 of this title (other than, in each case and solely with respect to a converted or domesticated corporation, a merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance authorized pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of § 265 or § 388 of this title):
(1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which stock, or depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of the meeting of stockholders, or at the record date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to consent pursuant to § 228 of this title, to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation or the resolution providing for the conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance (or, in the case of a merger pursuant to § 251(h) of this title, as of immediately prior to the execution of the agreement of merger), were either: (i) listed on a national securities exchange or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock of the constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation as provided in § 251(f) of this title.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1) of this section, appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation if the holders thereof are required by the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation, or by the terms of a resolution providing for conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, pursuant to § 251, § 252, § 254, § 255, § 256, § 257, § 258, § 263, § 264, § 266 or § 390 of this title to accept for such stock anything except:
a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from such merger or consolidation, or of the converted entity or the entity resulting from a transfer, domestication or continuance if such entity is a corporation as a result of the conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, or depository receipts in respect thereof;
b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository receipts in respect thereof, which shares of stock (or depository receipts in respect thereof) or depository receipts at the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance will be either listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders;
c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing paragraphs (b)(2)a. and b. of this section; or
d. Any combination of the shares of stock, depository receipts and cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing paragraphs (b)(2)a., b. and c. of this section.
(3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware corporation party to a merger effected under § 253 or § 267 of this title is not owned by the parent immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation.
(4) [Repealed.]
(c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate of incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a constituent corporation, the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation or a conversion effected pursuant to § 266 of this title or a transfer, domestication or continuance effected pursuant to § 390 of this title. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a provision, the provisions of this section, including those set forth in subsections (d), (e), and (g) of this section, shall apply as nearly as is practicable.
(d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:
(1) If a proposed merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance for which appraisal rights are provided under this section is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting, shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record date for notice of such meeting (or such members who received notice in accordance with § 255(c) of this title) with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are available pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section that appraisal rights are available for any or all of the shares of the constituent corporations or the converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation, and shall include in such notice either a copy of this section (and, if 1 of the constituent corporations or the converting corporation is a nonstock corporation, a copy of § 114 of this title) or information directing the stockholders to a publicly available electronic resource at which this section (and, § 114 of this title, if applicable) may be accessed without subscription or cost. Each stockholder electing to demand the appraisal of such stockholder’s shares shall deliver to the corporation, before the taking of the vote on the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, a written demand for appraisal of such stockholder’s shares; provided that a demand may be delivered to the corporation by electronic transmission if directed to an information processing system (if any) expressly designated for that purpose in such notice. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such stockholder’s shares. A proxy or vote against the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance shall not constitute such a demand. A stockholder electing to take such action must do so by a separate written demand as herein provided. Within 10 days after the effective date of such merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, the surviving, resulting or converted entity shall notify each stockholder of each constituent or converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation who has complied with this subsection and has not voted in favor of or consented to the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, and any beneficial owner who has demanded appraisal under paragraph (d)(3) of this section, of the date that the merger, consolidation or conversion has become effective; or
(2) If the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance was approved pursuant to § 228, § 251(h), § 253, or § 267 of this title, then either a constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation before the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, or the surviving, resulting or converted entity within 10 days after such effective date, shall notify each stockholder of any class or series of stock of such constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation who is entitled to appraisal rights of the approval of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance and that appraisal rights are available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of such constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation, and shall include in such notice either a copy of this section (and, if 1 of the constituent corporations or the converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation is a nonstock corporation, a copy of § 114 of this title) or information directing the stockholders to a publicly available electronic resource at which this section (and § 114 of this title, if applicable) may be accessed without subscription or cost. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, shall, also notify such stockholders of the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance. Any stockholder entitled to appraisal rights may, within 20 days after the date of giving such notice or, in the case of a merger approved pursuant to § 251(h) of this title, within the later of the consummation of the offer contemplated by § 251(h) of this title and 20 days after the date of giving such notice, demand in writing from the surviving, resulting or converted entity the appraisal of such holder’s shares; provided that a demand may be delivered to such entity by electronic transmission if directed to an information processing system (if any) expressly designated for that purpose in such notice. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs such entity of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such holder’s shares. If such notice did not notify stockholders of the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, either (i) each such constituent corporation or the converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation shall send a second notice before the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance notifying each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation that are entitled to appraisal rights of the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance or (ii) the surviving, resulting or converted entity shall send such a second notice to all such holders on or within 10 days after such effective date; provided, however, that if such second notice is sent more than 20 days following the sending of the first notice or, in the case of a merger approved pursuant to § 251(h) of this title, later than the later of the consummation of the offer contemplated by § 251(h) of this title and 20 days following the sending of the first notice, such second notice need only be sent to each stockholder who is entitled to appraisal rights and who has demanded appraisal of such holder’s shares in accordance with this subsection and any beneficial owner who has demanded appraisal under paragraph (d)(3) of this section. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary or of the transfer agent of the corporation or entity that is required to give either notice that such notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive either notice, each constituent corporation or the converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation may fix, in advance, a record date that shall be not more than 10 days prior to the date the notice is given, provided, that if the notice is given on or after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, the record date shall be such effective date. If no record date is fixed and the notice is given prior to the effective date, the record date shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the notice is given.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section (but subject to this paragraph (d)(3)), a beneficial owner may, in such person’s name, demand in writing an appraisal of such beneficial owner’s shares in accordance with either paragraph (d)(1) or (2) of this section, as applicable; provided that (i) such beneficial owner continuously owns such shares through the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance and otherwise satisfies the requirements applicable to a stockholder under the first sentence of subsection (a) of this section and (ii) the demand made by such beneficial owner reasonably identifies the holder of record of the shares for which the demand is made, is accompanied by documentary evidence of such beneficial owner’s beneficial ownership of stock and a statement that such documentary evidence is a true and correct copy of what it purports to be, and provides an address at which such beneficial owner consents to receive notices given by the surviving, resulting or converted entity hereunder and to be set forth on the verified list required by subsection (f) of this section.
(e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, the surviving, resulting or converted entity, or any person who has complied with subsections (a) and (d) of this section and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal rights, may commence an appraisal proceeding by filing a petition in the Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the value of the stock of all such stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time within 60 days after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, any person entitled to appraisal rights who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party shall have the right to withdraw such person’s demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance. Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, any person who has complied with the requirements of subsections (a) and (d) of this section, upon request given in writing (or by electronic transmission directed to an information processing system (if any) expressly designated for that purpose in the notice of appraisal), shall be entitled to receive from the surviving, resulting or converted entity a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance (or, in the case of a merger approved pursuant to § 251(h) of this title, the aggregate number of shares (other than any excluded stock (as defined in § 251(h)(6)d. of this title)) that were the subject of, and were not tendered into, and accepted for purchase or exchange in, the offer referred to in § 251(h)(2) of this title)), and, in either case, with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of stockholders or beneficial owners holding or owning such shares (provided that, where a beneficial owner makes a demand pursuant to paragraph (d)(3) of this section, the record holder of such shares shall not be considered a separate stockholder holding such shares for purposes of such aggregate number). Such statement shall be given to the person within 10 days after such person’s request for such a statement is received by the surviving, resulting or converted entity or within 10 days after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under subsection (d) of this section, whichever is later.
(f) Upon the filing of any such petition by any person other than the surviving, resulting or converted entity, service of a copy thereof shall be made upon such entity, which shall within 20 days after such service file in the office of the Register in Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all persons who have demanded appraisal for their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached by such entity. If the petition shall be filed by the surviving, resulting or converted entity, the petition shall be accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register in Chancery, if so ordered by the Court, shall give notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of such petition by registered or certified mail to the surviving, resulting or converted entity and to the persons shown on the list at the addresses therein stated. The forms of the notices by mail and by publication shall be approved by the Court, and the costs thereof shall be borne by the surviving, resulting or converted entity.
(g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the persons who have complied with this section and who have become entitled to appraisal rights. The Court may require the persons who have demanded an appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any person fails to comply with such direction, the Court may dismiss the proceedings as to such person. If immediately before the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance the shares of the class or series of stock of the constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation as to which appraisal rights are available were listed on a national securities exchange, the Court shall dismiss the proceedings as to all holders of such shares who are otherwise entitled to appraisal rights unless (1) the total number of shares entitled to appraisal exceeds 1% of the outstanding shares of the class or series eligible for appraisal, (2) the value of the consideration provided in the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance for such total number of shares exceeds $1 million, or (3) the merger was approved pursuant to § 253 or § 267 of this title.
(h) After the Court determines the persons entitled to an appraisal, the appraisal proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Court of Chancery, including any rules specifically governing appraisal proceedings. Through such proceeding the Court shall determine the fair value of the shares exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, together with interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such fair value, the Court shall take into account all relevant factors. Unless the Court in its discretion determines otherwise for good cause shown, and except as provided in this subsection, interest from the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance through the date of payment of the judgment shall be compounded quarterly and shall accrue at 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate (including any surcharge) as established from time to time during the period between the effective date of the merger, consolidation or conversion and the date of payment of the judgment. At any time before the entry of judgment in the proceedings, the surviving, resulting or converted entity may pay to each person entitled to appraisal an amount in cash, in which case interest shall accrue thereafter as provided herein only upon the sum of (1) the difference, if any, between the amount so paid and the fair value of the shares as determined by the Court, and (2) interest theretofore accrued, unless paid at that time. Upon application by the surviving, resulting or converted entity or by any person entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding, the Court may, in its discretion, proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the final determination of the persons entitled to an appraisal. Any person whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving, resulting or converted entity pursuant to subsection (f) of this section may participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally determined that such person is not entitled to appraisal rights under this section.
(i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares, together with interest, if any, by the surviving, resulting or converted entity to the persons entitled thereto. Payment shall be so made to each such person upon such terms and conditions as the Court may order. The Court’s decree may be enforced as other decrees in the Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving, resulting or converted entity be an entity of this State or of any state.
(j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and taxed upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon application of a person whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving, resulting or converted entity pursuant to subsection (f) of this section who participated in the proceeding and incurred expenses in connection therewith, the Court may order all or a portion of such expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and the fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all the shares entitled to an appraisal not dismissed pursuant to subsection (k) of this section or subject to such an award pursuant to a reservation of jurisdiction under subsection (k) of this section.
(k) Subject to the remainder of this subsection, from and after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, no person who has demanded appraisal rights with respect to some or all of such person’s shares as provided in subsection (d) of this section shall be entitled to vote such shares for any purpose or to receive payment of dividends or other distributions on such shares (except dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date which is prior to the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance). If a person who has made a demand for an appraisal in accordance with this section shall deliver to the surviving, resulting or converted entity a written withdrawal of such person’s demand for an appraisal in respect of some or all of such person’s shares in accordance with subsection (e) of this section, either within 60 days after such effective date or thereafter with the written approval of the corporation, then the right of such person to an appraisal of the shares subject to the withdrawal shall cease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an appraisal proceeding in the Court of Chancery shall not be dismissed as to any person without the approval of the Court, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Court deems just, including without limitation, a reservation of jurisdiction for any application to the Court made under subsection (j) of this section; provided, however that this provision shall not affect the right of any person who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party to withdraw such person’s demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance within 60 days after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, as set forth in subsection (e) of this section. If a petition for an appraisal is not filed within the time provided in subsection (e) of this section, the right to appraisal with respect to all shares shall cease.
(l) The shares or other equity interests of the surviving, resulting or converted entity to which the shares of stock subject to appraisal under this section would have otherwise converted but for an appraisal demand made in accordance with this section shall have the status of authorized but not outstanding shares of stock or other equity interests of the surviving, resulting or converted entity, unless and until the person that has demanded appraisal is no longer entitled to appraisal pursuant to this section.
Exhibit C
Lock-Up Agreement
[●], 2025
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned (the “Stockholder”) understands that: (i) Carisma therapeutics Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 22, 2025 (as such agreement may be amended, restated, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), with Orthocellix, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Ocugen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Guarantor”), and Azalea Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, at the effective time (the “Effective Time”), Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”) and the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease and the Company will continue as the surviving corporation; and (ii) in connection with the Merger, the stockholders of the Company will receive shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Parent (“Parent Common Stock”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement.
As a condition and inducement to the willingness of each of the parties to enter into the Merger Agreement and to consummate the Contemplated Transactions, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Stockholder hereby agrees that the Stockholder will not, subject to the exceptions set forth in this letter agreement, during the period commencing upon the date hereof and ending on the date that is 180 days after the Effective Time (the “Restricted Period”), (a) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Parent Common Stock received by the Stockholder in connection with the Contemplated Transactions or any securities of Parent received by the Stockholder in connection with the Contemplated Transactions that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Parent Common Stock, including without limitation, Parent Common Stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Stockholder in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and securities of Parent which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant or settlement of a restricted stock unit or other equity award (collectively, “Shares”), (b) enter into any swap, short sale, hedge or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Shares, regardless of whether any such transaction described in clause (a) or (b) above is to be settled by delivery of Parent Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any Shares, in each case other than:
(i) transfers of Shares as bona fide charitable contributions, gifts or donations as such term is described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
(ii) if the Stockholder is a natural person, transfers or dispositions of Shares to (A) any person related to the Stockholder by blood or adoption who is an immediate family member of the Stockholder, or by marriage or domestic partnership, or to a trust formed for the benefit of the Stockholder or any of the Stockholder’s immediate family, (B) to the Stockholder’s estate, following the death of the Stockholder, by will, intestacy or other operation of Law, (C) by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement, or (D) to any corporation, partnership or other entity, in each case, all of the beneficial ownership interests of which are held by the Stockholder or an immediate family member of the Stockholder;
1
(iii) if the Stockholder is a corporation, partnership or other entity, (A) to another corporation, partnership, or other entity that is a direct or indirect affiliate (as defined under Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) of the Stockholder, including investment funds or other entities under common control or management with the Stockholder (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where the Stockholder is a partnership, to its general partner or a successor partnership or fund, or any other funds managed by such partnership), (B) as a distribution or dividend to equity holders, current or former partners, members, stockholders or managers (or to the estates of any of the foregoing), as applicable, of the Stockholder (including upon the liquidation and dissolution of the Stockholder pursuant to a plan of liquidation approved by the Stockholder’s equity holders), (C) transfers or dispositions not involving a change in beneficial ownership or (D) with prior written consent of Parent (as constituted following the Closing);
(iv) transfers or dispositions of Shares by will, other testamentary document or intestate succession to the legal representative, heir, beneficiary or a member of the immediate family of the Stockholder;
(v) transfers of Shares to stockholders, direct or indirect affiliates (within the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act), current or former partners (general or limited), members or managers of the Stockholder, as applicable, or to the estates of any such stockholders, affiliates, partners, members or managers, or to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Stockholder;
(vi) transfers that occur by operation of law pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order or in connection with a divorce settlement;
(vii) transfers or dispositions not involving a change in beneficial ownership;
(viii) if the Stockholder is a trust, transfers or dispositions to any beneficiary of the Stockholder or the estate of any such beneficiary; provided that, in the case of any transfer or distribution of this clause (viii) such transfer is not for value and each donee, heir, beneficiary or other transferee or distributee shall sign and deliver to Parent a lock up agreement in the form of this letter agreement with respect to the shares of Parent Common Stock or such other securities that have been transferred or distributed;
(ix) transfers pursuant to a bona fide third party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction made to all holders of the Parent’s capital stock involving a change of control of the Parent, provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, consolidation or other such transaction is not completed, the Shares shall remain subject to the restrictions contained in this letter agreement;
(x) any sales in open market transactions (including, without limitation, the establishment of a 10b5-1 Plan (as defined below) and any sales pursuant to such 10b5-1 Plan) during the Restricted Period to generate such amount of net proceeds to the Stockholder from such sales (after deducting commissions) in an aggregate amount up to the total amount of taxes or estimated taxes (as applicable) that become due as a result of the vesting and/or settlement of restricted stock units held by the Stockholder that are scheduled to vest and/or settle immediately prior to or during the Restricted Period;
(xi) transfers pursuant to an order of a court or regulatory agency;
(xii) transfers, distributions, sales or other transactions with the prior written consent of Parent (as constituted following the Closing); or
2
(xiii) transfers, distributions, sales or other transactions of Parent Common Stock, if any, issued in connection with the Concurrent Investment;
or (d) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above; provided, that in each case of clauses (i)-(viii), (1) other than with respect to clause (v), no filing by any party (including any donor, donee, transferor or transferee, distributor or distributee) under the Exchange Act or other public announcement shall be required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer or distribution (other than filings made in respect of involuntary transfers or dispositions or a filing on a Form 5 made after the expiration of the Restricted Period), (2) other than with respect to clause (v), any such transfer or distribution shall not involve a disposition for value, and (3) the transferee or donee agrees in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this letter agreement and either the Stockholder or the transferee or donee provides Parent with a copy of such agreement promptly upon consummation of any such transfer; provided further, that in the case of clause (x), filings under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act shall only be permissible if such filing clearly indicates in the footnotes thereto that the filing relates to securities being sold to generate net proceeds up to the total amount of taxes or estimated taxes (as applicable) that become due as a result of the vesting and/or settlement of Parent equity awards. For purposes of this letter agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin.
Notwithstanding the restrictions imposed by this letter agreement, the Stockholder may (a) exercise an option or warrant to purchase Shares or settle a restricted stock unit or other equity award (including a net or cashless exercise of such option or warrant provided the Shares are transferred to Parent and not sold on the open market) and provided further, that the underlying Shares shall continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this letter agreement, (b) transfer Shares to Parent to cover tax withholding obligations of the Stockholder in connection with the vesting, settlement or exercise of such options, warrants, restricted stock units or other equity awards, as applicable, (c) establish a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act (“10b5-1 Plan”) for the transfer of Shares, provided that such plan does not provide for any transfers of Shares during the Restricted Period (except as provided in clause (ix) above) and, provided further, that, no filing under the Exchange Act or other public announcement shall be made voluntarily in connection with the establishment of such a plan (except if the Stockholder is a director or officer of Parent, for disclosure required under Item 408 to Regulation S-K), (d) transfer Shares to Parent pursuant to arrangements under which Parent has the option to repurchase such Shares, or (e) transfer or dispose of Shares acquired on the open market following the Effective Time.
Any attempted transfer in violation of this letter agreement will be of no effect and null and void, regardless of whether the purported transferee has any actual or constructive knowledge of the transfer restrictions set forth in this letter agreement, and will not be recorded on the stock transfer books of Parent. In order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Stockholder agrees that Parent may issue appropriate “stop transfer” certificates or instructions. Parent may cause the legend set forth below, or a legend substantially equivalent thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) or other documents or instruments evidencing ownership of the Shares:
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO AND MAY ONLY BE TRANSFERRED IN COMPLIANCE WITH A LOCK-UP AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY.
The Stockholder hereby represents and warrants that the Stockholder has full power and authority to enter into this letter agreement. All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred and any obligations of the Stockholder under this letter agreement will be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs or personal representatives of the Stockholder.
3
In the event that during the Restricted Period any holder of Parent’s securities that is subject to a substantially similar agreement entered into by such holder, other than the Stockholder, is permitted by Parent to sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of shares of Parent Common Stock for value other than as permitted by this or a substantially similar agreement entered into by such holder, the same percentage of shares of Parent Common Stock held by the Stockholder shall be immediately and fully released on the same terms from any remaining restrictions set forth herein (the “Pro-Rata Release”); provided, however, that such Pro-Rata Release shall not be applied unless and until permission has been granted by Parent to an equity holder or equity holders to sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of all or a portion of such equity holders’ shares of Parent Common Stock in an aggregate amount in excess of 1% of the number of shares of Parent Common Stock originally subject to a substantially similar agreement.
Upon the release of any Shares from this letter agreement, Parent will cooperate with the Stockholder to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates or the establishment of book entry positions at the Parent’s transfer agent representing the Shares without the restrictive legend above and the withdrawal of any stop transfer instructions at the Parent’s transfer agent.
The Stockholder understands that each of Parent and the Company is relying upon this letter agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the Merger. The Stockholder further understands that this letter agreement is irrevocable and is binding upon the Stockholder’s heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
This letter agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this letter agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
The Stockholder understands that if the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, or the board of directors of Parent makes a Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change, the Stockholder will be released from all obligations under this letter agreement.
This letter agreement may be executed by electronic (i.e., PDF) transmission, which is deemed an original.
[Signature Page Follows]
4
Very truly yours, | ||||
Print Name of Stockholder: | ||||
Signature (for individuals): | ||||
Signature (for entities): | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Lock-up Agreement]
Exhibit D
CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [●], 2025, is entered into by and between Carisma Therapeutics Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and Computershare Inc. a Delaware corporation (“Computershare”), and its affiliate, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., a federally chartered trust company (collectively, as “Rights Agent”).
RECITALS
A. Parent, Azalea Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”) and OrthoCellix, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 22, 2025 (the “Merger Agreement”).
B. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof, Parent has agreed to provide to the Holders (as defined herein) contingent value rights as hereinafter described.
C. The parties have done all things reasonably necessary to make the contingent value rights, when issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement and hereunder, the valid obligations of Parent and to make this Agreement a valid and binding agreement of Parent, in accordance with its terms.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the consummation of the transactions referred to above, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the proportionate benefit of all Holders, as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions.
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement. The following terms have the meanings ascribed to them as follows:
“Acting Holders” means, at the time of determination, the Holders of at least 40% of the outstanding CVRs, as reflected on the CVR Register.
“Assignee” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.5.
“Change of Control” means (a) the acquisition in one transaction or a series of related transactions, by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of the securities of Parent possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all outstanding securities of Parent (provided, however, that a Change of Control will not result upon such acquisition of ownership if such acquisition occurs as a result of: (i) a public offering of Parent’s securities or any financing transaction or series of financing transactions, in each case for bona fide financing purposes or (ii) a merger or consolidation involving Parent where the holders of the outstanding voting securities of Parent immediately prior to such merger or consolidation (taken in the aggregate) possess beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of Parent, the surviving entity, the acquiring entity or a parent or holding company of the acquiring entity, immediately after such merger or consolidation); or (b) the sale, transfer, exclusive license or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of Parent (on a consolidated basis).
“Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.
“Common Stock” means the common stock, $0.001 par value, of Parent.
“CVR” means a contingent contractual right of Holders to receive CVR Payments pursuant to the Merger Agreement and this Agreement.
“CVR Payment” means a cash payment equal to (i) the Net Proceeds received by Parent to the extent such payment relates to a Parent Legacy Transaction entered into during the Disposition Period, if any plus (ii) the Net Proceeds received by Parent to the extent such payment relates to any royalties, milestones or other payments received by Parent following the Closing Date under Parent’s existing agreements as set forth on Schedule 1.11; provided, that Parent, in its reasonable discretion as determined by the Board of Directors, may withhold up to 10% of any CVR Payment solely to the extent (a) that express contractual indemnity obligations under any Disposition Agreement are in excess of any escrow fund established therein, in each case to the extent not already deducted as Permitted Deductions and (b) of any Loss arising out of any third-party claims, demands, actions, or other proceedings relating to or in connection with any Parent Legacy Assets during the CVR Period that have been finally determined; provided, further, that any such withheld Gross Proceeds shall be distributed (net of any Permitted Deductions actually applied against such Gross Proceeds within the (1) year period following such withholding) to the Holders no later than the date that is sixty (60) days following the first (1st) anniversary of the date such Gross Proceeds would have otherwise been distributed to the Holders in the CVR Payment from which such Gross Proceeds were otherwise deducted; provided, further, that such withholding shall not be permitted if (x) the applicable indemnification period under the applicable Disposition Agreement related to such CVR Payment has expired by its terms when the CVR Payment is received or (y) the maximum aggregate liability in respect of the applicable indemnification obligations has been held back or setoff (including any amounts deposited in escrow) by the purchaser or acquiror under the applicable Disposition Agreement.
“CVR Payment Amount” means with respect to each CVR Payment and each Holder, an amount equal to such CVR Payment divided by the total number of CVRs and then multiplied by the total number of CVRs held by such Holder as reflected on the CVR Register.
“CVR Payment Statement” means, for a given CVR Payment, a written statement of Parent, signed on behalf of Parent, setting forth in reasonable detail and certifying the calculation of the applicable CVR Payment.
“CVR Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b).
“CVR Term” means the period beginning on the Closing and ending upon the [fifth (5th) anniversary of this Agreement]2.
“Disposition Agreement” means a definitive written agreement providing for a Parent Legacy Transaction that is entered into during the Disposition Period.
“Disposition Period” means the period beginning on the execution date of the Merger Agreement and ending on the second (2nd) anniversary of the Closing Date.
“Gross Proceeds” means, without duplication, the sum of all cash consideration and all cash proceeds from the sale of non-cash consideration of any kind that is actually paid to Parent or any of its Affiliates, or is actually received by Parent or any of its Affiliates, solely as such consideration relates to a Parent Legacy Asset.
1 Schedule 1.1 to be updated as of the closing date, as applicable.
2 Date to be agreed pending asset sale status prior to the Closing.
“Holder” means, at the relevant time, a Person in whose name CVRs are registered in the CVR Register.
“Liability” means any liability, indebtedness, obligation, expense, claim, deficiency, guaranty or endorsement of any kind, whether accrued, absolute, contingent, matured, unmatured or otherwise.
“Loss” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(g).
“Net Proceeds” means, for any CVR Payment, Gross Proceeds minus Permitted Deductions, all as calculated, to the extent in accordance with GAAP, in a manner consistent with Parent’s accounting practices and the most recently filed annual audited financial statements with the SEC, except as otherwise set forth herein.
“Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer of Parent, in their respective official capacities.
“Parent Legacy Assets” means all assets, technology and Intellectual Property of Parent, as they existed at any time prior to the date of this Agreement, relating to the Company’s research and development programs, as conducted and proposed to be conducted, including its CT-0525, CT-0508, CT-1119 and its engineered macrophage, and in vivo mRNA/lipid nanopartical CAR-M programs and its partnership with ModernaTX, Inc., including, for purposes of clarity, the tangible and intangible assets of Parent relating thereto.
“Parent Legacy Transaction” means the sale, license, transfer, disposition, divestiture or other monetization transaction (i.e., a royalty transaction) and/or winding down of, and/or the sale, license, transfer, disposition, divestiture or other monetization transaction (i.e., a royalty transaction) or other disposition of any Parent Legacy Assets, in each cased entered into during the Disposition Period.
“Party” means Parent or the Rights Agent.
“Permitted Deductions” means the sum of:
(a) any applicable Tax (including any applicable value added or sales taxes) imposed on Gross Proceeds and payable by Parent (regardless of whether the due date for such Taxes arises during or after the Disposition Period) and, without duplication, any income or other similar Taxes payable by Parent or any of its Affiliates that would not have been incurred by Parent or any of its Affiliates but for the Gross Proceeds; provided that, for purposes of calculating income Taxes incurred by Parent in respect of the Gross Proceeds, any such income Taxes shall be computed assuming the only items of income are the Gross Proceeds attributable to the gain recognized by Parent from the Parent Legacy Transaction and after reduction for any net operating loss carryforwards or other Tax attributes of Parent as of the Closing Date that are available to offset such gain after taking into account any limits of the usability of such attributes, including under Section 382 of the Code, as reasonably determined by Parent’s tax advisers (and for the sake of clarity such income taxes shall be calculated without taking into account any net operating losses or other tax attributes generated by Parent or its Affiliates after the Closing Date);
(b) any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by Parent to preserve the Parent Legacy Assets for sale or in respect of its performance of this Agreement following the Closing Date, including any damages, liabilities arising under any Disposition Agreement, including any incurred in litigation or other dispute resolution therefor, and including (i) any costs related to the prosecution, maintenance or enforcement by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of intellectual property rights (but excluding any costs related to a breach of this Agreement, including costs incurred in litigation or dispute resolution in respect of the same), or (ii) any costs related to monetary liabilities of or relating to the Parent Legacy Assets that remain with the Parent following the consummation of any Parent Legacy Transaction;
(c) any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred by Parent in connection with the negotiation, entry into and closing of any Parent Legacy Transaction, including any brokerage fee, finder’s fee, or other transaction fee, or other fee, commission or expense owed to any broker, finder, investment bank, auditor, accountant, counsel, advisor or other third party in relation thereto;
(d) any losses incurred by Parent arising out of any third-party claims, demands, actions, or other proceedings relating to or in connection with any Parent Legacy Transaction, including indemnification obligations of Parent set forth in any Disposition Agreement; and
(e) any liabilities incurred during the CVR Term that would have been required to be included in the calculation of Net Cash (as defined in the Merger Agreement) arising solely out of a Disposition Agreement to the extent not taken into account in the calculation of Net Cash.
“Permitted Transfer” means a transfer of CVRs (a) upon death of a Holder by will or intestacy or by instrument to an inter vivos or testamentary trust in which the CVRs are to be passed to beneficiaries upon the death of the trustee; (b) pursuant to a court order; (c) by operation of law (including by consolidation or merger) or without consideration in connection with the dissolution, liquidation or termination of any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity; (d) in the case of CVRs held in book-entry or other similar nominee form, from a nominee to a beneficial owner and, if applicable, through an intermediary, to the extent allowable by DTC; (e) if the Holder is a partnership or limited liability company, a distribution by the transferring partnership or limited liability company to its partners or members, as applicable or (f) as provided in Section 2.6.
“Rights Agent” means the Rights Agent named in the first paragraph of this Agreement, until a successor Rights Agent will have become the Rights Agent pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Agreement, and thereafter “Rights Agent” will mean such successor Rights Agent.
ARTICLE 2
CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS
Section 2.1 Holders of CVRs; Appointment of Rights Agent.
(a) The CVRs represent the rights of Holders to receive contingent CVR Payments pursuant to this Agreement. The CVRs shall be issued and distributed by Parent in the form a dividend in connection with the Merger, and the initial Holders will be the holders of Common Stock as of immediately prior to the Effective Time. One CVR will be issued with respect to each share of Common Stock that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(b) Parent hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as Rights Agent for Parent in accordance with the express terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment.
Section 2.2 Non-transferable.
The CVRs may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, encumbered or in any other manner transferred or disposed of, in whole or in part, other than through a Permitted Transfer. Any attempted sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, encumbrance or disposal that is not a Permitted Transfer shall be void ab initio and of no effect. The CVRs will not be listed on any quotation system or traded on any securities exchange.
Section 2.3 No Certificate; Registration; Registration of Transfer; Change of Address.
(a) The CVRs will be issued in book-entry form only and will not be evidenced by a certificate or other instrument. Holders’ rights and obligations in respect of CVRs derive solely from this Agreement.
(b) Subject to the receipt by the Rights Agent of the information and instructions described in Section 4.1, the Rights Agent shall create and maintain a register (the “CVR Register”) for the purpose of registering CVRs and Permitted Transfers. The CVR Register will be created, and CVRs will be distributed, pursuant to written instructions to the Rights Agent from Parent. The CVR Register will initially show one position for Cede & Co. representing shares of Common Stock held by DTC on behalf of the street holders of the shares of Common Stock held by such Holders as of immediately prior to the Effective Time. With respect to any payments or issuances to be made under Section 2.4 below, the Rights Agent will accomplish the payment to any former street name holders of shares Common Stock by sending one lump-sum payment or issuance to DTC.
(c) Subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in Section 2.2, every request made to transfer a CVR must be in writing and accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Rights Agent pursuant to its guidelines or procedures, including a guaranty of signature by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a member or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, duly executed and properly completed by the Holder thereof, the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, the Holder’s personal representative or the Holder’s survivor, and setting forth in reasonable detail the circumstances relating to the transfer. Upon receipt of such written notice, the Rights Agent shall, subject to its reasonable determination that the transfer instrument is in proper form and the transfer otherwise complies with the other terms and conditions of this Agreement (including the provisions of Section 2.2), register the transfer of the CVRs in the CVR Register. Parent and the Rights Agent shall not be responsible for, and may require evidence of payment of a sum sufficient to cover (or evidence that such Taxes and charges are not applicable), any stamp, documentary, registration, or other Tax or governmental charge that is imposed in connection with any such registration of transfer. All duly transferred CVRs registered in the CVR Register will be the valid obligations of Parent and will entitle the transferee to the same benefits and rights under this Agreement as those held immediately prior to the transfer by the transferor. No transfer of a CVR will be valid until registered in the CVR Register and any transfer not duly registered in the CVR Register shall be void.
(d) A Holder may make a written request to the Rights Agent to change such Holder’s address of record in the CVR Register. The written request must be duly executed by the Holder. Upon receipt of such written notice, the Rights Agent shall, subject to its reasonable determination that the transfer instrument is in proper form, promptly record the change of address in the CVR Register. The Acting Holders may, without duplication, make a written request to the Rights Agent for a list containing the names, addresses and number of CVRs of the Holders that are registered in the CVR Register. Upon receipt of such written request from the Acting Holders, the Rights Agent shall promptly deliver a copy of such list to the Acting Holders.
(e) Parent will provide written instructions to the Rights Agent for the distribution of CVRs to holders of Common Stock as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Record Time”). Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and Parent’s prompt confirmation of the Effective Time, the Rights Agent shall effect the distribution of the CVRs, less any applicable tax withholding, to each holder of Common Stock as of the Record Time by the mailing of a statement of holding reflecting such CVRs.
Section 2.4 Payment Procedures.
(a) No later than forty-five (45) days following the end of each calendar quarter during which Parent receives a CVR Payment during the CVR Term, Parent shall deliver to the Rights Agent a CVR Payment Statement. Concurrent with the delivery of each CVR Payment Statement, on the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Parent shall pay the Rights Agent in U.S. dollars an amount equal to one-hundred percent (100%) of the applicable Net Proceeds (if any) for the applicable CVR Payment. Such amount of Net Proceeds will be transferred by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by the Rights Agent not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the date of the applicable payment. Upon receipt of the wire transfer referred to in the foregoing sentence, the Rights Agent shall promptly (and in any event, within ten (10) Rights Agent, an amount equal to such Holder’s CVR Payment Amount. The Rights Agent shall, upon any Holder’s request in writing and as soon as practicable after receipt of a CVR Payment Statement under this Section 2.4(a), send such Holder at its registered address a copy of such statement. For the avoidance of doubt Parent shall have no further liability in respect of the relevant CVR Payment upon delivery of such CVR Payment in accordance with this Section 2.4(a) and the satisfaction of each of Parent’s obligations set forth in this Section 2.4(a).
(b) The Rights Agent shall solicit from each Holder an IRS Form W-9 or applicable IRS Form W-8 at such time or times as is necessary to permit any payment under this Agreement to be made without U.S. federal backup withholding. That notwithstanding, Parent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold and hereby authorizes the Rights Agent to deduct and withhold, any tax or similar governmental charge or levy, that is required to be deducted or withheld under applicable law from any amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement (“Withholding Taxes”). To the extent the amounts are so withheld by Parent or the Rights Agent, as the case may be, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the person in respect of whom such deduction and withholding was made. In the event Parent becomes aware that a payment under this Agreement is subject to Withholding Taxes (other than U.S. federal backup withholding), Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide written notice to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide written notice of such Withholding Taxes to the applicable Holders and a reasonable opportunity for the Holder to provide any necessary Tax forms, including an IRS Form W-9 or appropriate IRS Form W-8, as applicable, in order to reduce such withholding amounts; provided that the time period for payment of a CVR Payment by the Rights Agent set forth in Section 2.4(a) will be extended by a period equal to any delay caused by the Holder providing such forms. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that notice has been provided to an applicable Holder pursuant to this Section 2.4(b), no further notice shall be required to be given for any future payments of such Withholding Tax. Parent will use commercially reasonable efforts to provide withholding and reporting instructions in writing (email being sufficient) to the Rights Agent from time to time as relevant, and upon reasonable request of the Rights Agent. The Rights Agent shall have no responsibilities with respect to tax withholding, reporting or payment except specifically instructed by Parent.
(c) Any portion of a CVR Payment that remains undistributed to the Holders six (6) months after the delivery of a CVR Payment Statement (including by means of uncashed checks or invalid addresses on the CVR Register) will be delivered by the Rights Agent to Parent or a person nominated in writing by Parent (with written notice thereof from Parent to the Rights Agent), and any Holder will thereafter look only to Parent for payment of such CVR Payment (which shall be without interest).
(d) If any CVR Payment (or portion thereof) remains unclaimed by a Holder two (2) years after the delivery of a CVR Payment Statement (or immediately prior to such earlier date on which such CVR Payment would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any Governmental Entity), such CVR Payment (or portion thereof) will, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of Parent and will be transferred to Parent or a person nominated in writing by Parent (with written notice thereof from Parent to the Rights Agent), free and clear of all claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto, and no consideration or compensation shall be payable therefor. Neither Parent nor the Rights Agent will be liable to any Person in respect of a CVR Payment delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar legal requirement under applicable Law. In addition to and not in limitation of any other indemnity obligation herein, Parent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Rights Agent with respect to any liability, penalty, cost or expense the Rights Agent may incur or be subject to in connection with transferring such property to Parent, a public office or a person nominated in writing by Parent.
(e) For U.S. federal income and other applicable Tax purposes, the parties hereto agree to treat (i) the issuance of the CVRs as a distribution of property (and not debt or equity of Parent) by Parent to the stockholders of Parent governed by Section 301 of the Code, and (ii) the amount of any CVR Payment as a contractual payment pursuant to the rights afforded by this Agreement to the Holder and not as a distribution by Parent in respect of Parent stock (collectively, the “Intended Tax Treatment”). Consistent with the Intended Tax Treatment, Parent will send, or cause to be sent, IRS Forms 1099-DIV to all Holders notifying them of the portion of the CVR value that is a non-dividend distribution (or a dividend to the extent of Parent’s current or accumulated earnings and profits) for U.S. federal income Tax purposes. The parties hereto will not take any position contrary to the Intended Tax Treatment on any Tax Return or for other Tax purposes, except as may be required by a change in applicable Law or pursuant to a final “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code, in each case, after the date hereof. Parent will independently retain and pay for the services of a third-party valuation firm to determine the fair market value of the CVRs and Parent will utilize such fair market value for purposes of all Tax reporting (including on IRS Forms 1099-DIV) with respect to the CVRs.
Section 2.5 No Voting, Dividends or Interest; No Equity or Ownership Interest.
(a) The CVRs will not have any voting or dividend rights, and interest will not accrue on any amounts payable in respect of CVRs to any Holder.
(b) The sole right of the Holders to receive property hereunder is the right to receive CVR Payments, if any, in accordance with the terms hereof. It is hereby acknowledged and agreed that a CVR shall not constitute a security of Parent.
(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as conferring upon any Holder, by virtue of the CVRs, any rights or obligations of any kind or nature whatsoever as a stockholder or member of Parent or any of its subsidiaries either at law or in equity. The rights of any Holder and the obligations of Parent and its Affiliates and their respective officers, directors and controlling Persons are contract rights limited to those expressly set forth in this Agreement.
(d) By voting in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, the approval of the principal terms of the Merger, and the consummation of the Merger and receiving the benefits thereof, including the receipt of CVRs in connection therewith and any consideration payable in connection with the CVRs, each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that the CVRs and the possibility of any payment hereunder with respect thereto are highly speculative and subject to numerous factors outside of Parent’s control, and there is no assurance that Holders will receive any payments under this Agreement or in connection with the CVRs. Each Holder acknowledges that it is highly possible that no Parent Legacy Transaction will occur prior to the expiration of the Disposition Period and that there will not be any Gross Proceeds that may be the subject of a CVR Payment Amount. It is further acknowledged and agreed that neither Parent nor its Affiliates owe, by virtue of their obligations under this Agreement, a fiduciary duty or any implied duties to the Holders and the parties hereto intend solely the express provisions of this Agreement to govern their contractual relationship with respect to the CVRs. It is acknowledged and agreed that this Section 2.5(d) is an essential and material term of this Agreement.
Section 2.6 Ability to Abandon CVR.
A Holder may at any time, at such Holder’s option, abandon all of such Holder’s remaining rights represented by CVRs by transferring such CVR to Parent or a Person nominated in writing by Parent (with written notice thereof from Parent to the Rights Agent) without consideration in compensation therefor, and such rights will be cancelled, with the Rights Agent being promptly notified in writing by Parent of such transfer and cancellation. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prohibit Parent or its Affiliates from offering to acquire or acquiring CVRs, in private transactions or otherwise, for consideration in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE 3
THE RIGHTS AGENT
Section 3.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) The Rights Agent will not have any liability for any actions taken or not taken in connection with this Agreement, except to the extent such liability arises as a result of the willful misconduct, intentional breach, bad faith, fraud or gross negligence of the Rights Agent (in each case as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of court of competent jurisdiction).
(b) The Rights Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility in the case of the receipt of any written demand from any Holder with respect to any action or default by any person or entity, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any duty or responsibility to initiate or attempt to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise or to make any demand upon Parent. The Rights Agent may (but shall not be required to) enforce all rights of action under this Agreement and any related claim, action, suit, audit, investigation or proceeding instituted by the Rights Agent may be brought in its name as the Rights Agent and any recovery in connection therewith will be for the proportionate benefit of all the Holders, as their respective rights or interests may appear on the CVR Register.
Section 3.2 Certain Rights of Rights Agent.
(a) The Rights Agent undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations will be read into this Agreement against the Rights Agent.
(b) The Rights Agent may rely and will be protected by Parent in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by or on behalf of Parent or, with respect to Section 2.3(d), the Acting Holders.
(c) Whenever the Rights Agent deems it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Rights Agent may rely upon an Officer’s Certificate, which certificate shall be full authorization and protection to the Rights Agent, and the Rights Agent shall, in the absence of bad faith, fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct (each as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction) on its part, not incur any liability and shall be held harmless by Parent for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such Officer’s Certificate; provided, that, Parent shall not be authorized to deliver an Officer’s Certificate inconsistent with the provisions set forth in this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Acting Holders.
(d) The Rights Agent may engage and consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel will, in the absence of bad faith, fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct (in each case, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction) on the part of the Rights Agent, be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or not taken by the Rights Agent in reliance thereon.
(e) Any permissive rights of the Rights Agent hereunder will not be construed as a duty.
(f) The Rights Agent will not be required to give any note or surety in respect of the execution of its powers or otherwise under this Agreement.
(g) Parent agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold the Rights Agent harmless from and against, any loss, liability, damage, judgment, fine, penalty, claim, demand, settlement, cost or expense (including the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of legal counsel) (each, a “Loss”) which may be paid, incurred or suffered by or to which it may become subject, arising from or out of, directly or indirectly, any claims or liability resulting from any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection the execution, acceptance, administration, exercise and performance of its duties under this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability arising therefrom, directly or indirectly, or enforcing its rights hereunder, except to the extent such Loss has been determined by a final non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the Rights Agent’s willful misconduct, bad faith, fraud or gross negligence; provided that this Section 3.2(g) shall not apply with respect to income, receipt, franchise or similar Taxes levied against the Rights Agent by a Governmental Entity.
(h) Parent agrees (i) to pay the fees of the Rights Agent in connection with the Rights Agent’s performance of its obligations hereunder as set forth in a fee schedule agreed upon in writing by the Rights Agent and Parent on or prior to the date of this Agreement (the “Fee Schedule”), and (ii) to reimburse the Rights Agent for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses and other disbursements incurred in the preparation, delivery, negotiation, amendment, administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder, including all stamp and transfer Taxes (and excluding for the avoidance of doubt, any income, receipt, franchise or similar Taxes levied against the Rights Agent by a Governmental Entity) and governmental charges, incurred by the Rights Agent in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement.
(i) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it believes that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(j) The Rights Agent shall have no responsibility to Parent, any holders of CVRs, any holders of shares of Common Stock or any other Person for interest or earnings on any moneys held by the Rights Agent pursuant to this Agreement.
(k) The Rights Agent shall not be subject to, nor be required to comply with, or determine if any Person has complied with, the Merger Agreement or any other agreement between or among any of Parent, the Company or Holders, even though reference thereto may be made in this Agreement, or to comply with any notice, instruction, direction, request or other communication, paper or document other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement.
(l) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorney or agents and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorney or agents or for any loss to Parent or the Company resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, absent willful misconduct, bad faith, fraud or gross negligence (each as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction) in the selection and continued employment thereof.
(m) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, and all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by Parent only.
(n) The Rights Agent shall act hereunder solely as agent for Parent and shall not assume any obligations or relationship of agency or trust with any of the owners or holders of the CVRs. The Rights Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility in the case of the receipt of any written demand from any Holders with respect to any action or default by Parent, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any duty or responsibility to initiate or attempt to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise or to make any demand upon Parent.
(o) The Rights Agent may rely on and be fully authorized and protected in acting or failing to act upon (a) any guaranty of signature by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a member or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program or other comparable “signature guarantee program” or insurance program in addition to, or in substitution for, the foregoing; or (b) any law, act, regulation or any interpretation of the same even though such law, act, or regulation may thereafter have been altered, changed, amended or repealed.
(p) The Rights Agent shall not be liable or responsible for any failure of Parent to comply with any of its obligations relating to any registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or this Agreement, including without limitation obligations under applicable regulation or law.
(q) The obligations of Parent and the rights of the Rights Agent under this Section 3.2, Section 3.1. and Section 2.4 shall survive the expiration of the CVRs and the termination of this Agreement and the resignation, replacement or removal of the Rights Agent.
(r) The Rights Agent will not be deemed to have knowledge of any event of which it was supposed to receive notice hereunder but has not received written notice of such event, and the Rights Agent will not incur any liability for failing to take action in connection therewith, in each case, unless and until it has received such notice in writing.
Section 3.3 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) The Rights Agent may resign at any time by written notice to Parent. Any such resignation notice shall specify the date on which such resignation will take effect (which shall be at least thirty (30) days following the date that such resignation notice is delivered), and such resignation will be effective on the earlier of (x) the date so specified and (y) the appointment of a successor Rights Agent.
(b) Parent will have the right to remove the Rights Agent at any time by written notice to the Rights Agent, specifying the date on which such removal will take effect. Such notice will be given at least thirty (30) days prior to the date so specified (or, if earlier, the appointment of the successor Rights Agent).
(c) If the Rights Agent resigns, is removed or becomes incapable of acting, Parent will promptly appoint a qualified successor Rights Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Parent fails to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent, then the any Holder may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. The successor Rights Agent so appointed will, upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with this Section 3.3(c) and Section 3.4, become the Rights Agent for all purposes hereunder.
(d) Parent will give notice to the Holders of each resignation or removal of the Rights Agent and each appointment of a successor Rights Agent in accordance with Section 7.2. Each notice will include the name and address of the successor Rights Agent. If Parent fails to send such notice within ten (10) Business Days after acceptance of appointment by a successor Rights Agent, the successor Rights Agent will cause the notice to be mailed at the expense of Parent.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.3, unless consented to in writing by the Acting Holders, Parent will not appoint as a successor Rights Agent any Person that is not a stock transfer agent of national reputation or the corporate trust department of a commercial bank.
(f) The Rights Agent will reasonably cooperate with Parent and any successor Rights Agent in connection with the transition of the duties and responsibilities of the Rights Agent to the successor Rights Agent, including the transfer of all relevant data, including the CVR Register, to the successor Rights Agent, but such predecessor Rights Agent shall not be required to make any additional expenditure or assume any additional liability in connection with the foregoing.
Section 3.4 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
Every successor Rights Agent appointed hereunder will, at or prior to such appointment, execute, acknowledge and deliver to Parent and to the resigning or removed Rights Agent an instrument accepting such appointment and a counterpart of this Agreement, and such successor Rights Agent, without any further act, deed or conveyance, will become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the Rights Agent; provided that upon the request of Parent or the successor Rights Agent, such resigning or removed Rights Agent will execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Rights Agent all the rights, powers and trusts of such resigning or removed Rights Agent, except such rights which survive its resignation or removal under the terms hereunder.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.1 List of Holders.
Parent will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Rights Agent, in such form as Parent receives from Parent’s transfer agent (or other agent performing similar services for Parent), the names and addresses of the Holders within fifteen (15) Business Days following the Closing Date.
Section 4.2 No Obligations of Public Company.
(a) [Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (a) Parent and its Affiliates shall have the power and right to control all aspects of their businesses and operations (and all of their assets and products) with respect to any Parent Legacy Assets), and subject to Parent’s compliance with the terms of this Agreement, Parent and its Affiliates may exercise or refrain from exercising such power and right as it may deem appropriate and in the best overall interests of Parent and its Affiliates and its and their stockholders, rather than the interest of the Holders, (b) none of Parent or any of its Affiliates (or any directors, officer, employee, or other representative of the foregoing) owes any fiduciary duty or similar duty or any other implied duties (including the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing) to any Holder in respect of the CVRs or the Parent Legacy Assets and (c) following the Disposition Period, Parent shall be permitted to take any action in respect of the Parent Legacy Assets in order to satisfy any wind-down and termination Liabilities of the Parent Legacy Assets. For clarity and without limitation of the foregoing, following the Disposition Period without a Parent Legacy Transaction, Parent may take any action in respect of the Parent Legacy Assets in its sole and absolute discretion. Notwithstanding anything else herein, none of Parent or any of its Affiliates may amend, modify, restate, amend and restate, terminate, rescind, sell, dispose of, waive any third-party’s obligations under or otherwise modify or transfer any of the agreements listed on Schedule 1.1.]3
Section 4.3 Books and Records.
Until the end of the CVR Term, Parent shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, keep true, complete and accurate records in sufficient detail to support the applicable CVR Payments, if any, payable hereunder in accordance with the terms specified in this Agreement.
Section 4.4 Audits.
Until the Termination Date and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, Parent shall keep complete and accurate records in sufficient detail to support the accuracy of the payments due hereunder. The Acting Holders shall have the right to cause an independent accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Parent to audit such records for the sole purpose of confirming CVR Payments received by Parent or its Affiliates. Parent may require such accounting firm to execute a reasonable confidentiality agreement with Parent prior to commencing the audit. The accounting firm shall disclose to Rights Agent or the Acting Holders, as applicable, only whether the reports are correct or not and the specific details concerning any discrepancies. No other information shall be shared, and in no event shall Parent be required to provide any Tax returns or any other Tax information it deems confidential to the Acting Holders or any other party. Such audits may be conducted during normal business hours upon reasonable prior written notice to Parent, but no more than frequently than once per year. No accounting period of Parent shall be subject to audit more than one time by the Acting Holders, as applicable. Adjustments (including remittances of underpayments or overpayments disclosed by such audit) shall be made by Parent to reflect the results of such audit, which adjustments shall be paid promptly following receipt of an invoice therefor. Whenever such an adjustment is made, Parent shall promptly prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment, and a brief, reasonably detailed statement of the facts, computation and methodology accounting for such adjustment to the extent not already reflected in the audit report and promptly file with the Rights Agent a copy of such report and promptly deliver to the Rights Agent a revised CVR Payment Statement for the relevant CVR Payment. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such report and on any adjustment or statement therein contained and shall have no duty or liability with respect to, and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any such adjustment or any such event unless and until it shall have received such report. The Acting Holders, as applicable, shall bear the full cost and expense of such audit unless such audit discloses an underpayment by Parent of the CVR Payment due under this Agreement, in which case Parent shall bear the full cost and expense of such audit. The Rights Agent shall be entitled to rely on any audit report delivered by the independent accounting firm pursuant to this Section 4.4.
3 Discussion of duties/obligations of Parent to be discussed pending outcome of legacy asset transaction structures and timing.
ARTICLE 5
AMENDMENTS
Section 5.1 Amendments Without Consent of Holders or Rights Agent.
(a) Parent, at any time and from time to time, may (without the consent of any Person, including the Holders, other than the Rights Agent, with such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) enter into one or more amendments to this Agreement for any of the following purposes:
(i) to evidence the appointment of another Person as a successor Rights Agent and the assumption by any successor Rights Agent of the covenants and obligations of the Rights Agent herein in accordance with the provisions hereof;
(ii) subject to Section 6.1, to evidence the succession of another person to Parent and the assumption of any such successor of the covenants of Parent outlined herein in a transaction contemplated by Section 6.1;
(iii) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision in this Agreement that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision in this Agreement, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement; provided that, in each case, such provisions do not adversely affect the interests of the Holders;
(iv) as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that the CVRs are not subject to registration under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or any applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws;
(v) as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that Parent is not required to produce a prospectus or an admission document in order to comply with applicable Law;
(vi) as Parent may reasonably determine to facilitate the administration or performance of obligations under this Agreement and does not adversely affect the Holders;
(vii) to cancel the CVRs (i) in the event that any Holder has abandoned its rights in accordance with Section 2.6, or (ii) following a transfer of such CVRs to Parent or its Affiliates in accordance with Section 2.2 or Section 2.3;
(viii) as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that Parent complies with applicable Law; or
(b) Promptly after the execution by Parent of any amendment pursuant to this Section 5.1, Parent will (or will cause the Rights Agent to) notify the Holders in general terms of the substance of such amendment in accordance with Section 7.2.
Section 5.2 Amendments with Consent of Holders.
(a) In addition to any amendments to this Agreement that may be made by Parent without the consent of any Holder pursuant to Section 5.1, with the consent of the Acting Holders (whether evidenced in a writing or taken at a meeting of the Holders), Parent and the Rights Agent may enter into one or more amendments to this Agreement for the purpose of adding, eliminating or amending any provisions of this Agreement, even if such addition, elimination or amendment is adverse to the interests of the Holders.
(b) Promptly after the execution by Parent and the Rights Agent of any amendment pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.2, Parent will (or will cause the Rights Agent to) notify the Holders in general terms of the substance of such amendment in accordance with Section 7.2.
Section 5.3 Effect of Amendments.
Upon the execution of any amendment under this Article 5, this Agreement will be modified in accordance therewith, such amendment will form a part of this Agreement for all purposes and every Holder will be bound thereby. Upon the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of Parent which states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Article 5, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights Agent shall not be required to execute any supplement or amendment to this Agreement that it has determined would adversely affect its own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under this Agreement. No supplement or amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless duly executed by the Rights Agent.
ARTICLE 6
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE
Section 6.1 Change of Control.
Prior to the Termination Date, Parent shall not consummate a Change of Control without the consent of the Acting Holders (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), unless:
(a) the Person that is the relevant transferee, assignee, acquiror, delegate or other successor (including by operation of law) in such Change of Control (the “Surviving Person”) shall assume or succeed to the obligations on all CVRs (when and as due hereunder); and
(b) Parent has delivered to the Rights Agent an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Change of Control complies with this Article 6 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such Change of Control have been complied with.
Section 6.2 Successor Substituted.
Upon the consummation of any Change of Control in accordance with Section 6.1, the Surviving Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, and shall assume all of the obligations of Parent under this Agreement with the same effect as if the Surviving Person had been named as Parent herein.
ARTICLE 7
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1 Notices to Rights Agent and to Parent.
All notices, requests and other communications (each, a “Notice”) to any party hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly delivered and received hereunder when sent (a) fees prepaid, via a reputable international overnight courier service in the case of delivery in person, by FedEx or other internationally recognized overnight courier service or (b) on the date sent in the place of delivery if sent by email (with a written or electronic confirmation of delivery) prior to 6:00 p.m. (New York City time), otherwise on the next succeeding Business Day, in each case to the intended recipient as set forth below:
if to the Rights Agent, to:
[●]
Attention: [●]
Email: [●]
if to Parent, to:
Carisma Therapeutics Inc.
3675 Market Street, Suite 401
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Attention: Steven Kelly, President and Chief Executive Officer
Email: steven.kelly@carismatx.com
with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
7 World Trade Center
250 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10007
Attention: | Christopher D. Barnstable-Brown, Esq. |
Mark Nylen, Esq.
Brian A. Johnson, Esq.
E-mail: | cbb@wilmerhale.com |
mark.nylen@wilmerhale.com
brian.johnson@wilmerhale.com
or to such other address as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other parties hereto.
Section 7.2 Notice to Holders.
All Notices required to be given to the Holders will be given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder at such Holder’s address as set forth in the CVR Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the sending of such Notice, if any, and will be deemed given on the date of mailing. In any case where notice to the Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such Notice, nor any defect in any Notice so mailed, to any particular Holder will affect the sufficiency of such Notice with respect to other Holders.
Section 7.3 Entire Agreement.
As between Parent and the Rights Agent, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, notwithstanding the reference to any other agreement herein, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among or between any of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.
Section 7.4 Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.
Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the stock transfer or other shareholder services business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such Person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 3.3. The purchase of all or substantially all of the Rights Agent’s assets employed in the performance of transfer agent activities shall be deemed a merger or consolidation for purposes of this Section 7.4.
Section 7.5 Successors and Assigns.
This Agreement will be binding upon, and will be enforceable by and inure solely to the benefit of, the Holders, Parent and the Rights Agent and their respective successors and assigns. Except for assignments pursuant to Section 7.4, the Rights Agent may not assign this Agreement without Parent’s prior written consent. Subject to Section 5.1(a)(ii) and Article 6 hereof, Parent may assign, in its sole discretion and without the consent of any other party, any or all of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to one or more of its Affiliates or to any Person with whom Parent is merged or consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger or consolidation to which Parent shall be a party (each, an “Assignee”); provided, that in connection with any assignment to an Assignee, Parent shall agree to remain liable for the performance by Parent of its obligations hereunder (to the extent Parent exists following such assignment). Parent or an Assignee may not otherwise assign this Agreement without the prior consent of the Acting Holders (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Any attempted assignment of this Agreement in violation of this Section 7.5 will be void ab initio and of no effect.
Section 7.6 Benefits of Agreement; Action by Acting Holders.
Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, will give to any Person (other than Parent, the Rights Agent, the Holders and their respective permitted successors and assigns hereunder) any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of Parent, the Rights Agent, the Holders and their permitted successors and assigns. The Holders will have no rights hereunder except as are expressly set forth herein. Except for the rights of the Rights Agent set forth herein, the Acting Holders will have the sole right, on behalf of all Holders, by virtue of or under any provision of this Agreement, to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity with respect to this Agreement, and no individual Holder or other group of Holders will be entitled to exercise such rights.
Section 7.7 Governing Law.
This Agreement and the CVRs will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any provision of law or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware.
Section 7.8 Jurisdiction.
In any action or proceeding between any of the parties hereto arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, each of the parties hereto: (a) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and appellate courts thereof; (b) agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined exclusively in accordance with clause (a) of this Section 7.8; (c) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in such courts; (d) waives any objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any Party; and (e) agrees that service of process upon such Party in any such action or proceeding shall be effective if notice is given in accordance with Section 7.1 or Section 7.2 of this Agreement; provided that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by Law.
Section 7.9 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATION OF THIS WAIVER, (III) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (IV) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 7.9.
Section 7.10 Severability Clause.
In the event that any provision of this Agreement, or the application of any such provision to any Person or set of circumstances, is for any reason determined to be invalid, unlawful, void or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement, and the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is determined to be invalid, unlawful, void or unenforceable, will not be impaired or otherwise affected and will continue to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law. Upon such a determination, the parties hereto will negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible; provided, however, that if an excluded provision shall affect the rights, immunities, liabilities, duties or obligations of the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent shall be entitled to resign immediately upon written Notice to Parent.
Section 7.11 Counterparts; Effectiveness.
This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement or any counterpart may be executed and delivered by facsimile copies or delivered by electronic communications by portable document format (.pdf), each of which shall be deemed an original. This Agreement will become effective when each party hereto will have received a counterpart hereof signed by the other party hereto. Until and unless each party has received a counterpart hereof signed by the other party hereto, this Agreement will have no effect and no party will have any right or obligation hereunder (whether by virtue of any oral or written agreement or any other communication).
Section 7.12 Termination.
This Agreement will automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect and, except the rights, protections and immunities of the Rights Agent under Article 3, the parties hereto will have no further liability hereunder, and the CVRs will expire without any consideration or compensation therefor, upon the earliest to occur of (a) the expiration of the CVR Term, (b) the expiration of all payment obligations under the Disposition Agreements or any of the agreements listed on Schedule 1.1 or (c) the delivery of a written notice of termination duly executed by Parent and the Acting Holders (such date, the “Termination Date”). The termination of this Agreement will not affect or limit the right of Holders to receive the CVR Payments under Section 2.4 to the extent earned prior to the termination of this Agreement, and the provisions applicable thereto will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement until such CVR Payments, if any, have been made, if applicable.
Section 7.13 Funds.
All funds received by Computershare under this Agreement that are to be distributed or applied by Computershare in the performance of services hereunder (the “Funds”) shall be held by Computershare, as agent for Parent, and deposited in one or more bank accounts to be maintained by Computershare in its name as agent for Parent. Until paid pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, Computershare may hold or invest the Funds through such accounts in: (a) funds backed by obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States of America; (b) debt or commercial paper obligations rated A-1 or P-1 or better by S&P Global Inc. (“S&P”) or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), respectively; (c) Government and Treasury backed AAA-rated Fixed NAV money market funds that comply with Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; or (d) short term certificates of deposit, bank repurchase agreements, and bank accounts with commercial banks with Tier 1 capital exceeding $1 billion, or with an investment grade rating by S&P (LT Local Issuer Credit Rating), Moody’s (Long Term Rating) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (LT Issuer Default Rating) (each as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P.). Computershare shall have no responsibility or liability for any diminution of the Funds that may result from any deposit or investment made by Computershare in accordance with this paragraph, including any losses resulting from a default by any bank, financial institution or other third party. Computershare may from time to time receive interest, dividends or other earnings in connection with such deposits or investments. Computershare shall not be obligated to pay such interest, dividends or earnings to Parent, any holder or any other party.
Section 7.14 Further Assurance by Parent. Parent agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required or requested by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 7.15 Confidentiality.
The Rights Agent and Parent agree that all books, records, information and data pertaining to the business of the other party, including inter alia, personal, non-public CVR holder information, which are exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement including the Fee Schedule shall remain confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person other than representatives of the Rights Agent or Parent, except as may be required by Law, including, without limitation, pursuant to subpoenas from state or federal government authorities (e.g., in divorce and criminal actions).
Section 7.16 Force Majeure.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Rights Agent will not be liable for any delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its reasonable control including, without limitation, acts of God, epidemic, pandemic, terrorist acts, shortage of supply, breakdowns or malfunctions, interruptions or malfunction of computer facilities, or loss of data due to power failures or mechanical difficulties with information storage or retrieval systems, labor difficulties, war, or civil unrest.
Section 7.17 Construction.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, whenever the context requires: singular terms will include the plural, and vice versa; the masculine gender will include the feminine and neuter genders; the feminine gender will include the masculine and neuter genders; and the neuter gender will include the masculine and feminine genders.
(b) As used in this Agreement, the words “include” and “including,” and variations thereof, will not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather will be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”
(c) The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, will not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement and will not be referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
(d) Unless stated otherwise, “Article” and “Section” followed by a number or letter mean and refer to the specified Article or Section of this Agreement. The term “Agreement” and any reference in this Agreement to this Agreement or any other agreement or document includes, and is a reference to, this Agreement or such other agreement or document as it may have been, or may from time to time be, amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or novated and includes all schedules to it.
(e) A period of time is to be computed as beginning on the day following the event that began the period and ending at 4:30 p.m. on the last day of the period, if the last day of the period is a Business Day, or at 4:30 p.m. on the next Business Day if the last day of the period is not a Business Day.
(f) Any reference in this Agreement to a date or time shall be deemed to be such date or time in New York City, United States, unless otherwise specified. The parties hereto and Parent have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and Parent and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Person by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
(g) All references herein to “$” are to United States Dollars.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.
CARISMA THERAPEUTICS INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Contingent Value Rights Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.
COMPUTERSHARE
TRUST COMPANY, N.A. and COMPUTERSHARE INC., | ||
On behalf of both entities | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Contingent Value Rights Agreement]
Schedule 1.1
1. | Collaboration and License Agreement, dated as of January 7, 2022, by and between Carisma Therapeutics Inc. and ModernaTX, Inc. |