EX-99.(a)(1)(B)

Exhibit (a)(1)(B)

Letter of Transmittal to Tender Shares of Common Stock

DURECT CORPORATION

$1.75 net per share, in cash, plus one non-tradeable contingent value right for each share, which represents the contractual right to receive the pro rata portion, in cash, of two milestone payments of up to $350,000,000 in the aggregate, upon the achievement of specified milestones (minus any amount actually paid to option holders under a retention plan in respect of the applicable milestone)

Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, dated August 12, 2025

BHC LYON MERGER SUB, INC.

a wholly owned subsidiary of

Bausch Health Americas, Inc.

which is a wholly owned subsidiary of

Bausch Health Companies Inc.

THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2025, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED OR EARLIER TERMINATED.

Method of delivery of the certificate(s) is at the option and risk of the owner thereof. See Instruction 2.

Mail or deliver this Letter of Transmittal, together with the certificate(s) representing your shares, to:

The Depositary for the Offer is:


If delivering by hand, express mail, courier or other expedited service:		If delivering by mail:
Equiniti Trust Company, LLC 55 Challenger Rd. Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660 Attention: Equiniti Reorganization Department		Equiniti Trust Company, LLC 55 Challenger Rd. Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660 Attention: Equiniti Reorganization Department

Email the following address ONLY if you are confirming a facsimile transmission CONFIRM: Domenick.Apisa@equiniti.com

Pursuant to the offer of BHC Lyon Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Purchaser”) and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bausch Health Americas, Inc. (“BHA”), a Delaware corporation and an indirect subsidiary of Bausch Health Companies, Inc., a corporation continued under the laws of the Province of British Columbia (“BHC”), to purchase all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Shares”), of DURECT Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“DURECT”), the undersigned encloses herewith and tenders the following certificate(s) representing the Shares:


DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED
Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Owner(s) (If blank, please fill in exactly as name(s) appear(s) on share certificate(s))	Shares Tendered (attached additional list if necessary)
	Certificated Shares**
	Certificate Number(s)*	Total Number of Shares Represented by Certificate(s)*	Number of Shares Tendered**	Book Entry Shares Tendered

	Total Shares
	* Need not be completed by book-entry stockholders. ** Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Shares represented by certificates described above are being tendered hereby.

PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR ANY OF THE OTHER OFFERING DOCUMENTS, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE INFORMATION AGENT, D.F. KING & CO. (THE “INFORMATION AGENT”) AT (212) 596-7578 IF YOU ARE A BANK OR BROKER OR (800) 628-8528 IF YOU ARE A STOCKHOLDER.

You have received this Letter of Transmittal (this “Letter of Transmittal”) in connection with the offer of Purchaser to purchase the Shares at a price of $1.75 per Share, net to you if you sell in cash, without interest thereon and less any applicable withholding taxes (the “Cash Amount”), plus one non-tradeable contractual contingent value right per Share (each, a “CVR”), which will represent the contractual right to receive the pro rata portion, in cash, of two milestone payments of up to $350,000,000 in the aggregate, minus any amount actually paid to option holders under the Retention Plan (as defined in Section 11 of the Offer to Purchase (as defined below)) in respect of the applicable milestone (as set forth in the merger agreement) (the “CVR Payments Amount”), in each case, without interest thereon and less any applicable withholding taxes, pursuant to the CVR Agreement (as defined in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase) (the Cash Amount plus a CVR, collectively, the “Offer Price”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated as of August 12, 2025 (the “Offer to Purchase” and together with this Letter of Transmittal and other related materials, as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer”).

This Letter of Transmittal is to be used if you are delivering Shares represented by stock certificates to Equiniti Trust Company, LLC (the “Depositary”) or, unless an Agent’s Message (as defined in Instruction 2 below) is utilized, if delivery of Shares is to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by the Depositary at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). In this Letter of Transmittal, stockholders who deliver certificates representing their Shares are referred to as “Certificate Stockholders,” and stockholders who deliver their Shares through book-entry transfer are referred to as “Book-Entry Stockholders.”

If certificates for your Shares are not immediately available or you cannot deliver your certificates and all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time (as defined in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase) or you cannot complete the book-entry transfer procedures prior to the Expiration Time, you may nevertheless tender your Shares according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2 below. Delivery of documents to DTC will not constitute delivery to the Depositary.

☐	CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (ONLY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE PARTICIPANTS IN DTC MAY DELIVER SHARES BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER):


Name of Tendering Institution:


DTC Participant Number:


Transaction Code Number:

☐	CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (PLEASE ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF SUCH NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY):


Name(s) of Registered Owner(s):


Window Ticket Number (if any) or DTC Participant Number:


Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:


Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery:

NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.

PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned hereby tenders to BHC Lyon Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Purchaser”) and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bausch Health Americas, Inc. (“BHA”), a Delaware corporation and an indirect subsidiary of Bausch Health Companies, Inc., a corporation continued under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, the shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Shares”), of DURECT Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“DURECT”), at a price of $1.75 per Share, net to the undersigned in cash, without interest thereon and less any applicable withholding taxes (the “Cash Amount”), plus one non-tradeable contractual contingent value right per Share (each, a “CVR”), which will represent the contractual right to receive the pro rata portion, in cash, of two milestone payments of up to $350,000,000 in the aggregate, minus any amount actually paid to option holders under the Retention Plan (as defined in Section 11 of the Offer to Purchase (as defined below)) in respect of the applicable milestone (as set forth in the merger agreement) (the “CVR Payments Amount”), in each case, without interest thereon and less any applicable withholding taxes, pursuant to the CVR Agreement (as defined in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase) (the Cash Amount plus a CVR, collectively, the “Offer Price”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated as of August 12, 2025 (the “Offer to Purchase” and together with this Letter of Transmittal and other related materials, as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer”).

On the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of such extension or amendment), subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment of the Shares validly tendered herewith prior to the Expiration Time (as defined in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase), and not validly withdrawn as permitted under Section 4 of the Offer to Purchase, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, Purchaser, all right, title and interest in and to all of the Shares being tendered hereby and with respect to any and all other securities or rights issued or issuable in respect of such Shares on or after the date hereof (collectively, “Distributions”). In addition, the undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints Equiniti Trust Company, LLC (the “Depositary”) the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact and proxy of the undersigned with respect to such Shares and any and all Distributions with full power of substitution (such proxy and power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest in the tendered Shares and any and all Distributions) to the full extent of such stockholder’s rights with respect to such Shares and any and all Distributions (a) to deliver certificates representing such Shares (the “Share Certificates”) and any and all Distributions, or transfer of ownership of such Shares and any and all Distributions on the account books maintained by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), together, in either such case, with all accompanying evidence of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of Purchaser, (b) to present such Shares and any and all Distributions for transfer on the books of DURECT and (c) to receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares and any and all Distributions, all in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.

By executing this Letter of Transmittal (or taking action resulting in the delivery of an Agent’s Message (as defined in Instruction 2 below)), the undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints each of the designees of Purchaser the attorneys-in-fact and proxies of the undersigned, each with full power of substitution, to the full extent of such stockholder’s rights with respect to the Shares tendered hereby and not properly withdrawn which have been accepted for payment by Purchaser and with respect to any and all Distributions. The designees of Purchaser will, with respect to such Shares, Distributions and any other securities or rights for which the appointment is effective, be empowered to exercise all voting and any other rights of such stockholder, as they, in their sole discretion, may deem proper at any annual, special, adjourned or postponed meeting of DURECT’s stockholders, by written consent in lieu of any such meeting or otherwise as such designee, in its, his or her sole discretion, deems proper with respect to all Shares and any and all Distributions. This proxy and power of attorney shall be irrevocable and coupled with an interest in the tendered Shares and any and all Distributions. Such appointment is effective when, and only to the extent that, Purchaser accepts the Shares tendered with this Letter of Transmittal for payment pursuant to the Offer. Upon the effectiveness of such appointment, without

further action, all prior powers of attorney, proxies and consents given by the undersigned with respect to such Shares and any and all associated Distributions or other securities or rights (other than prior powers of attorney, proxies or consent given by the undersigned to Purchaser or DURECT) will, without further action, be revoked and no subsequent powers of attorney, proxies, consents or revocations (other than powers of attorney, proxies, consents or revocations given to Purchaser or DURECT) may be given by the undersigned (and, if given, will not be deemed effective). Purchaser reserves the right to require that, in order for Shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon Purchaser’s acceptance for payment of such Shares, Purchaser must be able to exercise full voting, consent and other rights, to the extent permitted under applicable law, with respect to such Shares and any and all Distributions, including voting at any meeting of stockholders or executing a written consent concerning any matter and other related securities or rights.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer any and all of the Shares tendered hereby and any and all Distributions and, when the same are accepted for payment by Purchaser, Purchaser will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and the same will not be subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned is the registered owner of the Shares, or the Share Certificate(s) have been endorsed to the undersigned in blank, or the undersigned is a participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Shares. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Depositary or Purchaser to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of any and all the Shares tendered hereby and any and all Distributions . In addition, the undersigned shall promptly remit and transfer to the Depositary for the account of Purchaser any and all Distributions in respect of any and all of the Shares tendered hereby, accompanied by appropriate documentation of transfer and, pending such remittance and transfer or appropriate assurance thereof, Purchaser shall be entitled to all rights and privileges as owner of any such Distributions and may withhold the entire Offer Price or deduct from such Offer Price the amount or value thereof, as determined by Purchaser in its sole discretion.

It is understood that the undersigned will not receive payment for the Shares unless and until the Shares are accepted for payment and until the Share Certificate(s) owned by the undersigned are received by the Depositary at the address set forth above, together with such additional documents as the Depositary may require, or, in the case of Shares held in book-entry form, ownership of Shares is validly transferred on the account books maintained by DTC, and until the same are processed for payment by the Depositary.

IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THE SHARES, THE SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH DTC) IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE UNDERSIGNED AND THAT THE RISK OF LOSS OF SUCH SHARES, SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS SHALL PASS ONLY AFTER THE DEPOSITARY HAS ACTUALLY RECEIVED THE SHARES OR SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) (INCLUDING, IN THE CASE OF A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, BY BOOK- ENTRY CONFIRMATION (AS DEFINED BELOW)). IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS BE SENT BY PROPERLY INSURED REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.

All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred pursuant to this Letter of Transmittal shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer to Purchase, this tender is irrevocable.

The undersigned understands that the valid tender of Shares pursuant to any of the procedures described in the Offer to Purchase and in the instructions hereto will constitute the undersigned’s acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Offer. Purchaser’s acceptance of such Shares for payment will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and Purchaser upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (and if the Offer

is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of such extension or amendment). The undersigned recognizes that under certain circumstances set forth in the Offer, Purchaser may not be required to accept for payment any of the Shares tendered hereby.

The undersigned understands that the CVRs will not be transferable except (a) upon death of a holder by will or intestacy; (b) 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; (c) pursuant to a court order; (d) 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; (e) 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, as allowable by DTC; or (f) to BHA or any of its affiliates in connection with the abandonment of such CVR by the applicable holder. The undersigned further understands that the CVRs will not be evidenced by a certificate or other instrument, will not have any voting or dividend rights, will not represent any equity or ownership interest in BHA, Purchaser, DURECT or any of their respective affiliates, will not be registered or listed for trading, and that no interest will accrue or be payable in respect of any of the amounts that may be payable on CVRs. The undersigned further understands that the CVRs will be governed by the terms and conditions of the CVR Agreement (as defined in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase) and that holders of CVRs will have no greater rights against BHA than those accorded to general, unsecured creditors under applicable law. The undersigned understands that the CVRs will be registered in the name of the undersigned.

Unless otherwise indicated herein under “Special Payment Instructions,” please issue the check for the aggregate Cash Amount for all Shares purchased in the name(s) of, and/or return any Share Certificates representing Shares not validly tendered or accepted for payment to, the registered owner(s) appearing under “Description of Shares Tendered.” Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under “Special Delivery Instructions,” please mail the check for the aggregate Cash Amount for all Shares purchased and/or return any Share Certificates representing Shares not validly tendered or accepted for payment (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the address(es) of the registered owner(s) appearing under “Description of Shares Tendered.” In the event that both the Special Delivery Instructions and the Special Payment Instructions are completed, please issue the check for the aggregate Cash Amount for all Shares purchased and/or issue any Share Certificates representing Shares not validly tendered or accepted for payment (and any accompanying documents, as appropriate) in the name(s) of, and deliver such check and/or return such Share Certificates (and any accompanying documents, as appropriate) to, the person or persons so indicated. Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box titled “Special Payment Instructions,” please credit any Shares tendered hereby or by an Agent’s Message and delivered by book-entry transfer, but which are not purchased, by crediting the account at DTC designated above. The undersigned recognizes that Purchaser has no obligation pursuant to the Special Payment Instructions to transfer any Shares from the name of the registered owner thereof if Purchaser does not accept for payment any of the Shares so tendered.

This Letter of Transmittal shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of law rules of such State.

BY EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, WITH RESPECT TO ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS DESCRIBED HEREIN OR CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR BY THE OFFER TO PURCHASE (OR FOR RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT IN RESPECT THEREOF), THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY (A) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY, (B) IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY CONSENTS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (OR, ONLY IF THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE DECLINES TO ACCEPT OR DOES NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OVER A PARTICULAR MATTER, ANY FEDERAL OR OTHER STATE COURT SITTING IN NEW CASTLE COUNTY WITHIN THE STATE OF DELAWARE), (C) AGREES THAT THE UNDERSIGNED WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO DENY OR DEFEAT SUCH PERSONAL JURISDICTION BY MOTION OR OTHER REQUEST FOR LEAVE FROM ANY SUCH COURT, (D) AGREES THAT SUCH PROCEEDINGS SHALL BE BROUGHT, TRIED AND DETERMINED ONLY IN THE COURT OF

CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (OR, ONLY IF THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE DECLINES TO ACCEPT OR DOES NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OVER A PARTICULAR MATTER, ANY FEDERAL OR OTHER STATE COURT SITTING IN NEW CASTLE COUNTY WITHIN THE STATE OF DELAWARE), (E) WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH PROCEEDING WAS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT COURT AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM THE SAME AND (F) AGREES NOT TO BRING ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY COURT OTHER THAN THE AFORESAID COURTS. THE UNDERSIGNED AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING IN SUCH COURTS AS PROVIDED ABOVE SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7)

To be completed ONLY if Share Certificate(s) not tendered or not accepted for payment and/or the check for the aggregate Cash Amount for Shares accepted for payment are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned or if Shares tendered by book-entry transfer which are not accepted for payment are to be returned by credit to an account maintained at DTC other than that designated above.

Issue: Check and/or

Share Certificates to:


Name:
		(Please Print)

Address:




		(Include Zip Code)


		(Tax Identification or Social Security Number)

		Credit Shares tendered by book-entry transfer that are not accepted for payment to the DTC account set forth below.


		(DTC Account Number)

SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7)

To be completed ONLY if Share Certificate(s) not tendered or not accepted for payment and/or the check for the aggregate Cash Amount for Shares accepted for payment are to be sent to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address other than that shown in the box titled “Description of Shares Tendered” above.

Deliver: Check(s) and/or

Share Certificates to:


Name:
(Please Print)
Address:



(Include Zip Code)

IMPORTANT—SIGN HERE

(U.S. Holders: Please Also Complete the Enclosed IRS Form W-9)

(Non-U.S. Holders: Please Obtain and Complete IRS Form W-8BEN or Other Applicable IRS Form W-8)

(Signature(s) of Stockholder(s))

Dated: , 2025

(Must be signed by registered owner(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on Share Certificate(s) or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered owner(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, agents, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full title and see Instruction 5. For information concerning signature guarantees, see Instruction 1.)


Name(s):
(Please Print)


Capacity (full title):



Address:



(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone Number:
Tax Identification or Social Security No.:

GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)

(For use by Eligible Institutions only;

see Instructions 1 and 5)


Name of Firm:




(Include Zip Code)
Authorized Signature:


Name:


(Please Type or Print)
Area Code and Telephone Number:


Dated: , 2025
Place medallion guarantee in space below:

INSTRUCTIONS

Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Offer

1. Guarantee of Signatures. Except as otherwise provided below, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by a financial institution (including most commercial banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a participant in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Signature Program or other “eligible guarantor institution,” as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (each, an “Eligible Institution” and, collectively, “Eligible Institutions”). Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed (a) if this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) (which term, for purposes of this document, includes any participant in any of DTC’s systems whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Shares) of Shares tendered herewith and such registered owner has not completed the box titled “Special Payment Instructions” or the box titled “Special Delivery Instructions” on this Letter of Transmittal or (b) if such Shares are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 5.

2. Requirements of Tender. In order for Shares to be validly tendered pursuant to the Offer, one of the following procedures must be followed:

For Shares held as physical certificates, the Share Certificates representing tendered Shares, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), together with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the front page of this Letter of Transmittal before the Expiration Time (as defined in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase).

For Shares held in book-entry form, either a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, together with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message in lieu of this Letter of Transmittal, and any other required documents, must be received by the Depositary at the appropriate address set forth on the front page of this Letter of Transmittal, and such Shares must be delivered according to the book-entry transfer procedures (as set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase) and a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Shares into the Depositary’s account at DTC (a “Book-Entry Confirmation”) must be received by the Depositary, in each case before the Expiration Time.

Stockholders whose Share Certificates are not immediately available or who cannot deliver all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time or who cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer prior to the Expiration Time may nevertheless tender their Shares by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such procedure: (a) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution, (b) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery substantially in the form provided by Purchaser must be received by the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time, and (c) Share Certificates representing all tendered Shares, in proper form for transfer (or a Book-Entry Confirmation with respect to such Shares), this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message), and all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, if any, must be received by the Depositary within two Nasdaq Global Select Market Composite trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

The term “Agent’s Message” means a message, transmitted through electronic means by DTC in accordance with the normal procedures of DTC and the Depositary, to, and received by, the Depositary and forming a part of a Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in DTC tendering the Shares that are the subject of such Book-Entry Confirmation that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of this Letter of Transmittal and that Purchaser may enforce such agreement against the participant. The term “Agent’s Message” also includes any hard copy printout evidencing such message generated by a computer terminal maintained at the Depositary’s office.

THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THE SHARES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH DTC, IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING STOCKHOLDER. DELIVERY OF ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS WILL BE DEEMED MADE AND RISK OF LOSS OF THE SHARE CERTIFICATES SHALL PASS ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY (INCLUDING, IN THE CASE OF A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, BY BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION). IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS BE SENT BY PROPERLY INSURED REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.

No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted, and no fractional Shares will be purchased. All tendering stockholders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), waive any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of their Shares for payment.

All questions as to validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of the tender of any Share Certificate hereunder, including questions as to the proper completion or execution of any Letter of Transmittal, Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or other required documents and as to the proper form for transfer of any certificate of Shares, will be determined by Purchaser in its reasonable discretion (which may delegate power in whole or in part to the Depositary), which determination will be final and binding. Purchaser reserves the absolute right to reject any and all tenders determined by it not to be in proper form or the acceptance for payment of or payment for which may be unlawful. Purchaser also reserves the absolute right to waive any defect or irregularity in the tender of any Shares or Share Certificate(s) whether or not similar defects or irregularities are waived in the case of any other stockholder. A tender will not be deemed to have been validly made until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived.

3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided on the cover page to this Letter of Transmittal is inadequate, the certificate numbers and/or the number of Shares should be listed on a separate schedule attached hereto and separately signed on each page thereof in the same manner as this Letter of Transmittal is signed.

4. Partial Tenders (Applicable to Certificate Stockholders Only). If fewer than all the Shares evidenced by any Share Certificate delivered to the Depositary are to be tendered, fill in the number of Shares which are to be tendered in the column titled “Number of Shares Tendered” in the box titled “Description of Shares Tendered.” In such cases, new certificate(s) for the remainder of the Shares that were evidenced by the old certificate(s) but not tendered will be sent to the registered owner, unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable after the Expiration Time. All Shares represented by Share Certificates delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.

5. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal; Stock Powers and Endorsements. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the Share Certificate(s) without alteration or any other change whatsoever.

If any Shares tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

If any tendered Shares are registered in the names of different holder(s), it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there are different registrations of such Shares.

If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or stock powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, agents, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to Purchaser of such persons’ authority so to act must be submitted.

If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the Shares listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsements of Share Certificates or separate stock powers are required unless payment is to be made to, or

Share Certificates representing Shares not tendered or accepted for payment are to be issued in the name of, a person other than the registered owner(s), in which case the Share Certificates representing the Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case, signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered owner(s) or holder(s) appear(s) on the Share Certificates. Signatures on such Share Certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered owner(s) of the Share(s) listed, the Share Certificate(s) must be endorsed or accompanied by the appropriate stock powers, in either case, signed exactly as the name or names of the registered owner(s) or holder(s) appear(s) on the Share Certificate(s). Signatures on such Share Certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

6. Transfer Taxes. Except as otherwise provided in this Instruction 6, all transfer taxes with respect to the transfer and sale of Shares contemplated hereby will be paid or caused to be paid by Purchaser. If payment of the Offer Price is to be made to, or (in the circumstances permitted hereby) if Share Certificates not validly tendered or accepted for payment are to be registered in the name of, any person other than the registered owner(s), or if tendered Share Certificates are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal, it will be a condition to payment that the person requesting such payment shall have paid any transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered owner(s) or such person) payable on account of the transfer to such person or such person shall have established that such transfer taxes have been paid or are not applicable.

Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Share Certificates listed in this Letter of Transmittal.

7. Special Payment and Delivery Instructions. If a check for the aggregate Cash Amount for all Shares accepted for payment is to be issued, and/or Share Certificates representing Shares not validly tendered or accepted for payment are to be issued or returned to, a person other than the signer(s) of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown in the box titled “Description of Shares Tendered” above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed. Stockholders delivering Shares tendered hereby or by Agent’s Message by book-entry transfer may request that Shares not purchased be credited to an account maintained at DTC as such stockholder may designate in the box titled “Special Payment Instructions” herein. If no such instructions are given, all such Shares not purchased will be returned by crediting the same account at DTC as the account from which such Shares were delivered.

8. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to D.F. King & Co. (the “Information Agent”) at its address and telephone numbers set forth below or to your broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and other tender offer materials may be obtained from the Information Agent as set forth below, and will be furnished at Purchaser’s expense.

9. Tax Forms: Under U.S. federal income tax law, failure to provide a properly completed and signed Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-9 or applicable IRS Form W-8 may result in backup withholding on any consideration paid pursuant to the Offer or the Merger (as defined in the Introduction to the Offer to Purchase) and may result in a penalty imposed by the IRS. Each “U.S. person” (as defined in the instructions accompanying the enclosed IRS Form W-9) receiving consideration is required to provide a correct Taxpayer Identification Number on IRS Form W-9, and to indicate whether the holder is subject to backup withholding. Additionally, each non-U.S. person is required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BENE (or other applicable IRS Form W-8). Please see “IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION”.

NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE IRS FORM W-9 MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF A PORTION OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE “IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION” SECTION BELOW.

10. Lost, Destroyed, Mutilated or Stolen Share Certificates. If any Share Certificate has been lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen, the stockholder should promptly notify DURECT’s stock transfer agent, Computershare at

(781) 575 2879. The stockholder will then be instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the Share Certificate. This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing lost, mutilated, destroyed or stolen Share Certificates have been followed.

11. Waiver of Conditions. Purchaser expressly reserves the right to waive, in whole or in part, any of the Offer Conditions (as defined in Section 15 the Offer to Purchase) and make any changes to the terms and conditions of the Offer, including the Offer Conditions. However, without the prior written consent of DURECT, Purchaser is not permitted to (a) waive or modify the Minimum Condition, the No Legal Restraint Condition, the No Antitrust Proceedings Condition or the Termination Condition (each as defined in Section 15 the Offer to Purchase), (b) change the form of consideration payable in the Offer, (c) decrease the Cash Amount, (d) decrease the number of Shares sought to be purchased in the Offer, (e) extend the Offer or the Expiration Time or terminate the Offer, except as permitted under the Merger Agreement, (f) impose conditions to the Offer other than the Offer Conditions, (g) amend any term or condition of the Offer in any manner that is materially adverse to DURECT stockholders, or that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the Offer or prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of BHA or Purchaser to consummate the Offer, the Merger or the other Transactions (as defined in Section 9 of the Offer to Purchase), (h) decrease the number of CVRs to be issued per Share, (i) amend or purport or seek to amend any term of the CVR or the CVR Agreement in any manner that is materially adverse to any DURECT stockholder, or (j) provide any “subsequent offering period” within the meaning of Rule 14d-11 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

SHARE CERTIFICATES, OR A BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION INTO THE DEPOSITARY’S ACCOUNT AT DTC, AS WELL AS THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED, WITH ANY REQUIRED SIGNATURE GUARANTEES, OR AN AGENT’S MESSAGE (IF UTILIZED IN LIEU OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IN CONNECTION WITH A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER), AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION TIME, OR THE TENDERING STOCKHOLDER MUST COMPLY WITH THE PROCEDURES FOR GUARANTEED DELIVERY.

IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION

PLEASE COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THE ACCOMPANYING IRS FORM W-9 IF YOU ARE A U.S. PERSON OR THE APPROPRIATE IRS FORM W-8 IF YOU ARE NOT A U.S. PERSON, WHICH SUCH FORM CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE IRS WEBSITE AT WWW.IRS.GOV. Please note that a failure to properly complete and return an IRS Form W-9 or IRS Form W-8, as applicable, may subject any payments made to you in connection with this Letter of Transmittal to backup withholding (at the applicable statutory rate (currently 24%)).

Under current U.S. federal income tax law, a stockholder or assignee that is a non-exempt “U.S. person” (as defined in the instructions accompanying the enclosed IRS Form W-9) whose tendered Shares are accepted for payment, or whose Shares are converted in the Merger may be subject to backup withholding (in either case, a “Payee”). In order to avoid such backup withholding, the Payee must provide the Depositary with the Payee’s correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) and certify under penalties of perjury that such TIN is correct, that such Payee is not subject to such backup withholding and that the Payee is a U.S. person by completing the IRS Form W-9 provided herewith. In general, if the Payee is an individual, the TIN is generally his or her Social Security number. If the Depositary is not provided with the correct TIN, the Payee may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS and any consideration such Payee receives in the Merger may be subject to backup withholding at the applicable rate (currently 24%). For further information concerning backup withholding and instructions for completing the IRS Form W-9 (including how to obtain a taxpayer identification number if you do not have one and how to complete the IRS Form W-9 if DURECT stock certificates are held in more than one name), consult the instructions on the IRS Form W-9.

Certain Payees that are U.S. persons (including, among others, certain corporations) are exempt recipients not subject to these backup withholding requirements. See the enclosed copy of the IRS Form W-9 and the General

Instructions to Form W-9. To avoid possible erroneous backup withholding, exempt Payees should indicate their exempt status on the enclosed IRS Form W-9 by furnishing their TIN, entering the appropriate “exempt payee code” box(es) on the form, and signing and dating the form. Each Payee is urged to consult his, her or its tax advisor for more information.

To prevent backup withholding, Payees that are not U.S. persons should (i) submit a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BENE (or other applicable IRS Form W-8), or other applicable form, to the Depositary, certifying under penalties of perjury to the Payee’s non-United States status or (ii) otherwise establish an exemption. IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BENE (or other applicable IRS Form W-8), or other applicable forms, may be obtained from the Depositary or from the IRS website at www.irs.gov. Each Payee that is not a U.S. person is urged to consult his, her or its tax advisor for more information.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Please consult your tax advisor for further guidance regarding the completion of IRS Form W-9 or the appropriate version of IRS Form W-8, as applicable, to claim exemption from backup withholding, including which version of IRS Form W-8 you should provide to the Depositary.

NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE IRS FORM W-9 OR THE APPROPRIATE IRS FORM W-8 MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF A PORTION OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE MERGER. U.S. PERSONS SHOULD REVIEW THE ENCLOSED “GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS” ON IRS FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.



Form W-9 (Rev. March 2024) Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service	Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification Go to *www.irs.gov/FormW9* for instructions and the latest information.	Give form to the requester. Do not send to the IRS.
Before you begin. For guidance related to the purpose of Form W-9, see Purpose of Form, below.

Print or type.

See Specific Instructions on
page 3.

1 Name of entity/individual. An entry is required. (For a sole proprietor or disregarded entity, enter the owner’s name on line 1, and enter the business/disregarded entity’s name on line 2.)

2 Business name/disregarded entity name, if different from above.

3a Check the appropriate box for federal tax classification of the entity/individual whose name is entered on line 1. Check only one of the following seven boxes.

4 Exemptions (codes apply only to certain entities, not individuals; see instructions on page 3):

☐ Individual/sole proprietor

☐ C corporation

☐

S corporation

☐

Partnership

☐

Trust/estate

Exempt payee code (if any)

☐ LLC. Enter the tax classification (C = C corporation, S = S corporation, P = Partnership) . . . .

Note: Check the “LLC” box above and, in the entry space, enter the appropriate code (C, S, or P) for the tax classification of the LLC, unless it is a disregarded entity. A disregarded entity should instead check the appropriate box for the tax classification of its owner.

☐ Other (see instructions)

Exemption from Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) reporting code (if any)

(Applies to accounts maintained outside the United States.)

3b If on line 3a you checked “Partnership” or “Trust/estate,” or checked “LLC” and entered “P” as its tax classification, and you are providing this form to a partnership, trust, or estate in which you have an ownership interest, check this box if you have any foreign partners, owners, or beneficiaries. See instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ☐

5 Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.). See instructions.

Requester’s name and address (optional)

6 City, state, and ZIP code

7 List account number(s) here (optional)


Part I		Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. The TIN provided must match the name given on line 1 to avoid backup withholding. For individuals, this is generally your social security number (SSN). However, for a resident alien, sole proprietor, or disregarded entity, see the instructions for Part I, later. For other entities, it is your employer identification number (EIN). If you do not have a number, see How to get a TIN, later.

Note: If the account is in more than one name, see the instructions for line 1. See also What Name and Number To Give the Requester for guidelines on whose number to enter.

Social security number

–

Employer Identification number

–


Part II		Certification

Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:

1. The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me); and

2. I am not subject to backup withholding because (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding; and

3. I am a U.S. citizen or other U.S. person (defined below); and

4. The FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that I am exempt from FATCA reporting is correct.

Certification instructions. You must cross out item 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return. For real estate transactions, item 2 does not apply. For mortgage interest paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, contributions to an individual retirement arrangement (IRA), and, generally, payments other than interest and dividends, you are not required to sign the certification, but you must provide your correct TIN. See the instructions for Part II, later.


Sign Here		Signature of U.S. person		Date

General Instructions

Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted.

Future developments. For the latest information about developments related to Form W-9 and its instructions, such as legislation enacted after they were published, go to www.irs.gov/FormW9.

What’s New

Line 3a has been modified to clarify how a disregarded entity completes this line. An LLC that is a disregarded entity should check the appropriate box for the tax classification of its owner. Otherwise, it should check the “LLC” box and enter its appropriate tax classification.


		Cat. No. 10231X		Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)


Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)		Page		2

New line 3b has been added to this form. A flow-through entity is required to complete this line to indicate that it has direct or indirect foreign partners, owners, or beneficiaries when it provides the Form W-9 to another flow-through entity in which it has an ownership interest. This change is intended to provide a flow-through entity with information regarding the status of its indirect foreign partners, owners, or beneficiaries, so that it can satisfy any applicable reporting requirements. For example, a partnership that has any indirect foreign partners may be required to complete Schedules K-2 and K-3. See the Partnership Instructions for Schedules K-2 and K-3 (Form 1065).

Purpose of Form

An individual or entity (Form W-9 requester) who is required to file an information return with the IRS is giving you this form because they must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN), which may be your social security number (SSN), individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), adoption taxpayer identification number (ATIN), or employer identification number (EIN), to report on an information return the amount paid to you, or other amount reportable on an information return. Examples of information returns include, but are not limited to, the following.

•

Form 1099-INT (interest earned or paid).

•

Form 1099-DIV (dividends, including those from stocks or mutual funds).

•

Form 1099-MISC (various types of income, prizes, awards, or gross proceeds).

•

Form 1099-NEC (nonemployee compensation).

•

Form 1099-B (stock or mutual fund sales and certain other transactions by brokers).

•

Form 1099-S (proceeds from real estate transactions).

•

Form 1099-K (merchant card and third-party network transactions).

•

Form 1098 (home mortgage interest), 1098-E (student loan interest), and 1098-T (tuition).

•

Form 1099-C (canceled debt).

•

Form 1099-A (acquisition or abandonment of secured property).

Use Form W-9 only if you are a U.S. person (including a resident alien), to provide your correct TIN.

Caution: If you don’t return Form W-9 to the requester with a TIN, you might be subject to backup withholding. See What is backup withholding, later.

By signing the filled-out form, you:

1. Certify that the TIN you are giving is correct (or you are waiting for a number to be issued);

2. Certify that you are not subject to backup withholding; or

3. Claim exemption from backup withholding if you are a U.S. exempt payee; and

4. Certify to your non-foreign status for purposes of withholding under chapter 3 or 4 of the Code (if applicable); and

5. Certify that FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that you are exempt from the FATCA reporting is correct. See What Is FATCA Reporting, later, for further information.

Note: If you are a U.S. person and a requester gives you a form other than Form W-9 to request your TIN, you must use the requester’s form if it is substantially similar to this Form W-9.

Definition of a U.S. person. For federal tax purposes, you are considered a U.S. person if you are:

•

An individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien;

•

A partnership, corporation, company, or association created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States;

•

An estate (other than a foreign estate); or

•

A domestic trust (as defined in Regulations section 301.7701-7).

Establishing U.S. status for purposes of chapter 3 and chapter 4 withholding. Payments made to foreign persons, including certain distributions, allocations of income, or transfers of sales proceeds, may be subject to withholding under chapter 3 or chapter 4 of the Code (sections 1441-1474). Under those rules, if a Form W-9 or other certification of non-foreign status has not been received, a withholding agent, transferee, or partnership (payor) generally applies presumption rules that may require the payor to withhold applicable tax from the recipient, owner, transferor, or partner (payee). See Pub. 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities.

The following persons must provide Form W-9 to the payor for purposes of establishing its non-foreign status.

•

In the case of a disregarded entity with a U.S. owner, the U.S. owner of the disregarded entity and not the disregarded entity.

•

In the case of a grantor trust with a U.S. grantor or other U.S. owner, generally, the U.S. grantor or other U.S. owner of the grantor trust and not the grantor trust.

•

In the case of a U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust), the U.S. trust and not the beneficiaries of the trust.

See Pub. 515 for more information on providing a Form W-9 or a certification of non-foreign status to avoid withholding.

Foreign person. If you are a foreign person or the U.S. branch of a foreign bank that has elected to be treated as a U.S. person (under Regulations section 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv) or other applicable section for chapter 3 or 4 purposes), do not use Form W-9. Instead, use the appropriate Form W-8 or Form 8233 (see Pub. 515). If you are a qualified foreign pension fund under Regulations section 1.897(l)-1(d), or a partnership that is wholly owned by

qualified foreign pension funds, that is treated as a non-foreign person for purposes of section 1445 withholding, do not use Form W-9. Instead, use Form W-8EXP (or other certification of non-foreign status).

Nonresident alien who becomes a resident alien. Generally, only a nonresident alien individual may use the terms of a tax treaty to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on certain types of income. However, most tax treaties contain a provision known as a saving clause. Exceptions specified in the saving clause may permit an exemption from tax to continue for certain types of income even after the payee has otherwise become a U.S. resident alien for tax purposes.

If you are a U.S. resident alien who is relying on an exception contained in the saving clause of a tax treaty to claim an exemption from U.S. tax on certain types of income, you must attach a statement to Form W-9 that specifies the following five items.

1. The treaty country. Generally, this must be the same treaty under which you claimed exemption from tax as a nonresident alien.

2. The treaty article addressing the income.

3. The article number (or location) in the tax treaty that contains the saving clause and its exceptions.

4. The type and amount of income that qualifies for the exemption from tax.

5. Sufficient facts to justify the exemption from tax under the terms of the treaty article.

Example. Article 20 of the U.S.-China income tax treaty allows an exemption from tax for scholarship income received by a Chinese student temporarily present in the United States. Under U.S. law, this student will become a resident alien for tax purposes if their stay in the United States exceeds 5 calendar years. However, paragraph 2 of the first Protocol to the U.S.-China treaty (dated April 30, 1984) allows the provisions of Article 20 to continue to apply even after the Chinese student becomes a resident alien of the United States. A Chinese student who qualifies for this exception (under paragraph 2 of the first Protocol) and is relying on this exception to claim an exemption from tax on their scholarship or fellowship income would attach to Form W-9 a statement that includes the information described above to support that exemption.

If you are a nonresident alien or a foreign entity, give the requester the appropriate completed Form W-8 or Form 8233.

Backup Withholding

What is backup withholding? Persons making certain payments to you must under certain conditions withhold and pay to the IRS 24% of such payments. This is called “backup withholding.” Payments that may be subject to backup withholding include, but are not limited to, interest, tax-exempt interest, dividends, broker and barter exchange transactions, rents, royalties, nonemployee pay, payments made in settlement of payment card and third-party network transactions, and certain payments from fishing boat operators. Real estate transactions are not subject to backup withholding.

You will not be subject to backup withholding on payments you receive if you give the requester your correct TIN, make the proper certifications, and report all your taxable interest and dividends on your tax return.

Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding if:

1. You do not furnish your TIN to the requester;

2. You do not certify your TIN when required (see the instructions for Part II for details);

3. The IRS tells the requester that you furnished an incorrect TIN;

4. The IRS tells you that you are subject to backup withholding because you did not report all your interest and dividends on your tax return (for reportable interest and dividends only); or

5. You do not certify to the requester that you are not subject to backup withholding, as described in item 4 under “By signing the filled-out form” above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only).

Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding. See Exempt payee code, later, and the separate Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9 for more information.

See also Establishing U.S. status for purposes of chapter 3 and chapter 4 withholding, earlier.

What Is FATCA Reporting?

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires a participating foreign financial institution to report all U.S. account holders that are specified U.S. persons. Certain payees are exempt from FATCA reporting. See Exemption from FATCA reporting code, later, and the Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9 for more information.

Updating Your Information

You must provide updated information to any person to whom you claimed to be an exempt payee if you are no longer an exempt payee and anticipate receiving reportable payments in the future from this person. For example, you may need to provide updated information if you are a C corporation that elects to be an S corporation, or if you are no longer tax exempt. In addition, you must furnish a new Form W-9 if the name or TIN changes for the account, for example, if the grantor of a grantor trust dies.

Penalties

Failure to furnish TIN. If you fail to furnish your correct TIN to a requester, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.


Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)		Page		3

Civil penalty for false information with respect to withholding. If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no backup withholding, you are subject to a $500 penalty.

Criminal penalty for falsifying information. Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.

Misuse of TINs. If the requester discloses or uses TINs in violation of federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

Specific Instructions

Line 1

You must enter one of the following on this line; do not leave this line blank. The name should match the name on your tax return.

If this Form W-9 is for a joint account (other than an account maintained by a foreign financial institution (FFI)), list first, and then circle, the name of the person or entity whose number you entered in Part I of Form W-9. If you are providing Form W-9 to an FFI to document a joint account, each holder of the account that is a U.S. person must provide a Form W-9.

• Individual. Generally, enter the name shown on your tax return. If you have changed your last name without informing the Social Security Administration (SSA) of the name change, enter your first name, the last name as shown on your social security card, and your new last name.

Note for ITIN applicant: Enter your individual name as it was entered on your Form W-7 application, line 1a. This should also be the same as the name you entered on the Form 1040 you filed with your application.

• Sole proprietor. Enter your individual name as shown on your Form 1040 on line 1. Enter your business, trade, or “doing business as” (DBA) name on line 2.

• Partnership, C corporation, S corporation, or LLC, other than a disregarded entity. Enter the entity’s name as shown on the entity’s tax return on line 1 and any business, trade, or DBA name on line 2.

• Other entities. Enter your name as shown on required U.S. federal tax documents on line 1. This name should match the name shown on the charter or other legal document creating the entity. Enter any business, trade, or DBA name on line 2.

• Disregarded entity. In general, a business entity that has a single owner, including an LLC, and is not a corporation, is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner (a disregarded entity). See Regulations section 301.7701-2(c)(2). A disregarded entity should check the appropriate box for the tax classification of its owner. Enter the owner’s name on line 1. The name of the owner entered on line 1 should never be a disregarded entity. The name on line 1 should be the name shown on the income tax return on which the income should be reported. For example, if a foreign LLC that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal tax purposes has a single owner that is a U.S. person, the U.S. owner’s name is required to be provided on line 1. If the direct owner of the entity is also a disregarded entity, enter the first owner that is not disregarded for federal tax purposes. Enter the disregarded entity’s name on line 2. If the owner of the disregarded entity is a foreign person, the owner must complete an appropriate Form W-8 instead of a Form W-9. This is the case even if the foreign person has a U.S. TIN.

Line 2

If you have a business name, trade name, DBA name, or disregarded entity name, enter it on line 2.

Line 3a

Check the appropriate box on line 3a for the U.S. federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on line 1. Check only one box on line 3a.



IF the entity/individual on line 1 is a(n) . . .		THEN check the box for . . .

• Corporation		Corporation.

• Individual or • Sole proprietorship		Individual/sole proprietor.

• LLC classified as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes or • LLC that has filed Form 8832 or 2553 electing to be taxed as a corporation		Limited liability company and enter the appropriate tax classification: P = Partnership, C = C corporation, or S = S corporation.

• Partnership		Partnership.

• Trust/estate		Trust/estate.

Line 3b

Check this box if you are a partnership (including an LLC classified as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes), trust, or estate that has any foreign partners, owners, or beneficiaries, and you are providing this form to a partnership, trust, or estate, in which you have an ownership interest. You must check the box on line 3b if you receive a Form W-8 (or documentary evidence) from any partner, owner, or beneficiary establishing foreign status or if you receive a Form W-9 from any partner, owner, or beneficiary that has checked the box on line 3b.

Note: A partnership that provides a Form W-9 and checks box 3b may be required to complete Schedules K-2 and K-3 (Form 1065). For more information, see the Partnership Instructions for Schedules K-2 and K-3 (Form 1065).

If you are required to complete line 3b but fail to do so, you may not receive the information necessary to file a correct information return with the IRS or furnish a correct payee statement to your partners or beneficiaries. See, for example, sections 6698, 6722, and 6724 for penalties that may apply.

Line 4 Exemptions

If you are exempt from backup withholding and/or FATCA reporting, enter in the appropriate space on line 4 any code(s) that may apply to you.

Exempt payee code.

• Generally, individuals (including sole proprietors) are not exempt from backup withholding.

• Except as provided below, corporations are exempt from backup withholding for certain payments, including interest and dividends.

• Corporations are not exempt from backup withholding for payments made in settlement of payment card or third-party network transactions.

• Corporations are not exempt from backup withholding with respect to attorneys’ fees or gross proceeds paid to attorneys, and corporations that provide medical or health care services are not exempt with respect to payments reportable on Form 1099-MISC.

The following codes identify payees that are exempt from backup withholding. Enter the appropriate code in the space on line 4.

1 — An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), any IRA, or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements of section 401(f)(2).

2 — The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.

3 — A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or territory, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities.

4 — A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities.

5 — A corporation.

6 — A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. commonwealth or territory.

7 — A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

8 — A real estate investment trust.

9 — An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

10 — A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).

11 — A financial institution as defined under section 581.

12 — A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian.

13 — A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947.

The following chart shows types of payments that may be exempt from backup withholding. The chart applies to the exempt payees listed above, 1 through 13.



IF the payment is for...		THEN the payment is exempt for…

• Interest and dividend payments		All exempt payees except for 7.

• Broker transactions		Exempt payees 1 through 4 and 6 through 11 and all C corporations. S corporations must not enter an exempt payee code because they are exempt only for sales of noncovered securities acquired prior to 2012.

• Barter exchange transactions and patronage dividends		Exempt payees 1 through 4.

• Payments over $600 required to be reported and direct sales over $5,000¹		Generally, exempt payees 1 through 5.²

• Payments made in settlement of payment card or third-party network transactions		Exempt payees 1 through 4.

¹	See Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Information, and its instructions.

However, the following payments made to a corporation and reportable on Form 1099-MISC are not exempt from backup withholding: medical and health care payments, attorneys’ fees, gross proceeds paid to an attorney reportable under section 6045(f), and payments for services paid by a federal executive agency.

Exemption from FATCA reporting code. The following codes identify payees that are exempt from reporting under FATCA. These codes apply to persons submitting this form for accounts maintained outside of the United States by certain foreign financial institutions. Therefore, if you are only submitting this form for an account you hold in the United States, you may leave this field blank. Consult with the person requesting this form if you are uncertain if the financial institution is subject to these requirements. A requester may indicate that a code is not required by providing you with a Form W-9 with “Not Applicable” (or any similar indication) entered on the line for a FATCA exemption code.

A — An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a) or any individual retirement plan as defined in section 7701(a)(37).

B — The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.


Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)		Page		4

C — A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or territory, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities.

D — A corporation the stock of which is regularly traded on one or more established securities markets, as described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i).

E — A corporation that is a member of the same expanded affiliated group as a corporation described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i).

F — A dealer in securities, commodities, or derivative financial instruments (including notional principal contracts, futures, forwards, and options) that is registered as such under the laws of the United States or any state.

G — A real estate investment trust.

H — A regulated investment company as defined in section 851 or an entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

I — A common trust fund as defined in section 584(a).

J — A bank as defined in section 581.

K — A broker.

L — A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947(a)(1).

M — A tax-exempt trust under a section 403(b) plan or section 457(g) plan.

Note: You may wish to consult with the financial institution requesting this form to determine whether the FATCA code and/or exempt payee code should be completed.

Line 5

Enter your address (number, street, and apartment or suite number). This is where the requester of this Form W-9 will mail your information returns. If this address differs from the one the requester already has on file, enter “NEW” at the top. If a new address is provided, there is still a chance the old address will be used until the payor changes your address in their records.

Line 6

Enter your city, state, and ZIP code.

Part I. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. If you are a resident alien and you do not have, and are not eligible to get, an SSN, your TIN is your IRS ITIN. Enter it in the entry space for the Social security number. If you do not have an ITIN, see How to get a TIN below.

If you are a sole proprietor and you have an EIN, you may enter either your SSN or EIN.

If you are a single-member LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner, enter the owner’s SSN (or EIN, if the owner has one). If the LLC is classified as a corporation or partnership, enter the entity’s EIN.

Note: See What Name and Number To Give the Requester, later, for further clarification of name and TIN combinations.

How to get a TIN. If you do not have a TIN, apply for one immediately. To apply for an SSN, get Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, from your local SSA office or get this form online at www.SSA.gov. You may also get this form by calling 800-772-1213. Use Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to apply for an ITIN, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can apply for an EIN online by accessing the IRS website at www.irs.gov/EIN. Go to www.irs.gov/Forms to view, download, or print Form W-7 and/or Form SS-4. Or, you can go to www.irs.gov/OrderForms to place an order and have Form W-7 and/or Form SS-4 mailed to you within 15 business days.

If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN, apply for a TIN and enter “Applied For” in the space for the TIN, sign and date the form, and give it to the requester. For interest and dividend payments, and certain payments made with respect to readily tradable instruments, you will generally have 60 days to get a TIN and give it to the requester before you are subject to backup withholding on payments. The 60-day rule does not apply to other types of payments. You will be subject to backup withholding on all such payments until you provide your TIN to the requester.

Note: Entering “Applied For” means that you have already applied for a TIN or that you intend to apply for one soon. See also Establishing U.S. status for purposes of chapter 3 and chapter 4 withholding, earlier, for when you may instead be subject to withholding under chapter 3 or 4 of the Code.

Caution: A disregarded U.S. entity that has a foreign owner must use the appropriate Form W-8.

Part II. Certification

To establish to the withholding agent that you are a U.S. person, or resident alien, sign Form W-9. You may be requested to sign by the withholding agent even if item 1, 4, or 5 below indicates otherwise.

For a joint account, only the person whose TIN is shown in Part I should sign (when required). In the case of a disregarded entity, the person identified on line 1 must sign. Exempt payees, see Exempt payee code, earlier.

Signature requirements. Complete the certification as indicated in items 1 through 5 below.

1. Interest, dividend, and barter exchange accounts opened before 1984 and broker accounts considered active during 1983. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.

2. Interest, dividend, broker, and barter exchange accounts opened after 1983 and broker accounts considered inactive during 1983. You must sign the certification or backup withholding will apply. If you are subject to backup withholding and you are merely providing your correct TIN to the requester, you must cross out item 2 in the certification before signing the form.

3. Real estate transactions. You must sign the certification. You may cross out item 2 of the certification.

4. Other payments. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification unless you have been notified that you have previously given an incorrect TIN. “Other payments” include payments made in the course of the requester’s trade or business for rents, royalties, goods (other than bills for merchandise), medical and health care services (including payments to corporations), payments to a nonemployee for services, payments made in settlement of payment card and third-party network transactions, payments to certain fishing boat crew members and fishermen, and gross proceeds paid to attorneys (including payments to corporations).

5. Mortgage interest paid by you, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, qualified tuition program payments (under section 529), ABLE accounts (under section 529A), IRA, Coverdell ESA, Archer MSA or HSA contributions or distributions, and pension distributions. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.

What Name and Number To Give the Requester


	For this type of account:	Give name and SSN of:
1.	Individual	The individual

2.	Two or more individuals (joint account) other than an account maintained by an FFI	The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account¹

3.	Two or more U.S. persons (joint account maintained by an FFI)	Each holder of the account

4.	Custodial account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act)	The minor²

5.	a. The usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also trustee)	The grantor-trustee¹

	b. So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under state law	The actual owner¹

6.	Sole proprietorship or disregarded entity owned by an individual	The owner³

7.	Grantor trust filing under Optional Filing Method 1 (see Regulations section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(A))**	The grantor*
For this type of account:		Give name and EIN of:
8.	Disregarded entity not owned by an individual	The owner

9.	A valid trust, estate, or pension trust	Legal entity⁴

10.	Corporation or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832 or Form 2553	The corporation

11.	Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax-exempt organization	The organization

12.	Partnership or multi-member LLC	The partnership

13.	A broker or registered nominee	The broker or nominee

14.	Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a public entity (such as a state or local government, school district, or prison) that receives agricultural program payments	The public entity

15.	Grantor trust filing Form 1041 or under the Optional Filing Method 2, requiring Form 1099 (see Regulations section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(B))**	The trust

¹	List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has an SSN, that person’s number must be furnished.

²	Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s SSN.

³	You must show your individual name on line 1, and enter your business or DBA name, if any, on line 2. You may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one), but the IRS encourages you to use your SSN.

⁴	List first and circle the name of the trust, estate, or pension trust. (Do not furnish the TIN of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.)

* Note: The grantor must also provide a Form W-9 to the trustee of the trust.

** For more information on optional filing methods for grantor trusts, see the Instructions for Form 1041.

Note: If no name is circled when more than one name is listed, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed.


Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)		Page		5

Secure Your Tax Records From Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information, such as your name, SSN, or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. An identity thief may use your SSN to get a job or may file a tax return using your SSN to receive a refund.

To reduce your risk:

•

Protect your SSN,

•

Ensure your employer is protecting your SSN, and

•

Be careful when choosing a tax return preparer.

If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter.

If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity, or a questionable credit report, contact the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at 800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039.

For more information, see Pub. 5027, Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers.

The Depositary for the Offer is:

If delivering by hand, express mail, courier or other expedited service:

If delivering by mail:

Equiniti Trust Company, LLC

55 Challenger Rd.

Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660

Attention: Equiniti Reorganization Department

Equiniti Trust Company, LLC

55 Challenger Rd.

Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660

Attention: Equiniti Reorganization Department

Email the following address ONLY if you are confirming a facsimile transmission

CONFIRM: Domenick.Apisa@equiniti.com

DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.

Any questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at its telephone numbers and address listed below. Requests for additional copies of the Offer to Purchase and this Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Information Agent at the telephone numbers and address listed below. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.

The Information Agent for the Offer is:

D.F. King & Co.

28 Liberty Street, 53^rd Floor

New York, NY 10005

Stockholders may call toll free:

(800) 628-8528

Banks and Brokers may call collect:

(212) 596-7578

August 12, 2025