PBAXU Phoenix Biotech Aquisition Corporation

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 5, 2024

 

PHOENIX BIOTECH ACQUISITION CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware		001-40877		87-1088814
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

2201 Broadway, Suite 705, Oakland, CA		94612
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

 

(215) 731-9450

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

☒

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

☐

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

☐

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

☐

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Units, each consisting of one share of Class A common stock and one-half of one redeemable warrant		PBAXU		NASDAQ Global Market
Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share		PBAX		NASDAQ Global Market
Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Class A common stock		PBAXW		NASDAQ Global Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Emerging growth company ☒

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Amendment to Business Combination Agreement

 

As previously disclosed, on June 4, 2023, Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), entered into a business combination agreement and plan of reorganization (as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”), with PBCE Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”) and CERo Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“CERo”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into CERo, with CERo surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Business Combination”).

 

On February 5, 2024, the parties entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement (the “Amendment”) to, among other things, (i) remove the minimum cash condition, (ii) modify the stock-price based milestones such that (a) the trading price condition for the First Level Earnout Target shall be reset from $12.50 to 125% of the Conversion Price of the Series A Preferred Stock (in each case, as defined below) upon the reset of such Conversion Price as described below and (b) the trading price condition for the Second Level Earnout Target shall be reset from $15.00 to 150% of the Conversion Price of the Series A Preferred Stock upon reset of such Conversion Price as described below, and (iii) increase the aggregate number of shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Class A Common Stock”) issuable to the stockholders of CERo in connection with the Business Combination from 4,651,704 shares to 5,000,000 shares. Such number of shares is in addition to up to 1,200,000 shares issuable upon satisfaction of certain earn-out conditions and 382,651 shares issuable upon exercise of rollover options or warrants.

 

Other than as expressly modified pursuant to the Amendment, the Business Combination Agreement, which was initially filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on June 5, 2023 remains in full force and effect. The foregoing description of the Amendment does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amendment, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 2.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

PIPE Financing

 

On February 5, 2024, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with an accredited investor (the “Investor”), pursuant to which the Company following the Business Combination (“New CERo”) has agreed to issue and sell, and the Investor agreed to purchase, on the date of the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing Date”), $2.0 million of Series A convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Series A Preferred Stock”), and warrants to purchase 125,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Warrants” and, together with the Series A Preferred Stock, the “PIPE Securities”), for aggregate cash proceeds to New CERo of $2.0 million. Such investment is referred to as the “PIPE Financing.”

 

 

Warrants

 

Exercise Price. The Warrants will initially be exercisable for cash at an exercise price equal to the greater of (x) $9.20 (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations and similar events) and (y) the closing price of the Common Stock on the trading day immediately prior to the Subscription Date (as defined in the Warrant). The exercise price is subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations and similar events, and, in the event of stock dividends and splits, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Warrant will also be adjusted so that the aggregate exercise price shall be the same immediately before and immediately after any such adjustment.

 

Exercise Period. The Warrants shall be exercisable beginning six months after the consummation of the issuance date (the “Initial Exercisability Date”) and expiring on the third anniversary of the Initial Exercisability Date. The Warrants require “buy-in” payments to be made by us for failure to deliver any shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise.

 

Cashless Exercise. If at the time of exercise of the Warrants, there is no effective registration statement registering the shares of the Company Common Stock underlying the Warrants, such warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis pursuant to their terms.

 

Purchase Rights; Participation Rights. If the Company issues options, convertible securities, warrants, shares, or similar securities to holders of the Company shares of the Company Common Stock, each Warrant holder has the right to acquire the same as if the holder had exercised its Warrant. The holders of the Warrants are entitled to receive any dividends paid or distributions made to the holders of the Company’s shares of Common Stock on an “as if converted” basis.

 

Fundamental Transactions. The Warrants prohibit the Company from entering into specified fundamental transactions unless the successor entity assumes all of the Company obligations under the Warrants under a written agreement before the transaction is completed. Upon specified corporate events, a Warrant holder will thereafter have the right to receive upon an exercise such shares, securities, cash, assets or any other property whatsoever which the holder would have been entitled to receive upon the happening of the applicable corporate event had the Warrant been exercised immediately prior to the applicable corporate event. When there is a transaction involving specified changes of control, a Warrant holder will have the right to force the Company to repurchase the holder’s Warrant for a purchase price in cash equal to the Black Scholes value, as calculated under the Warrants, of the then unexercised portion of the Warrant.

 

Certificate of Designations

 

The following description of the principal terms of the Series A Preferred Stock, which are set forth in a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designations”), in substantially the form attached as an exhibit to the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

General. Pursuant to the Certificate of Designations, the Company will authorize a number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock no less than the number initially issued shares of Series A Preferred Stock and each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall have a stated value of $1,000 per share. At the consummation of this offering, the Company will issue at least 2,000 shares of the Company Series A Preferred Stock. When issued, the Series A Preferred Stock will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Ranking. The Series A Preferred Stock, with respect to the payment of dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company, ranks senior to all capital stock of the Company unless the Required Holders (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) consent to the creation of other capital stock of the Company that is senior or equal in rank to the Series A Preferred Stock.

 

Dividends. The holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to dividends, on an as-if converted basis, equal to and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of Common Stock, when and if actually paid.

 

Purchase Rights. If at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any options, convertible securities, or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to all or substantially all of the record holders of any class of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then each holder of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which such holder could have acquired if such holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of all the Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder immediately prior to the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights; subject to certain limitations on beneficial ownership.

Conversion Rights

Conversion at Option of Holder. Each holder of Series A Preferred Stock may convert all, or any part, of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, at any time at such holder’s option, into shares of the Company Common Stock (which converted shares of Common Stock are referred to as “Conversion Shares” herein) at the fixed “Conversion Price” of $10.00, which is subject to proportional adjustment upon the occurrence of any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination and/or similar transactions.

Voluntary Adjustment Right. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq, the Company has the right, at any time, with the written consent of the Required Holders, to lower the fixed conversion price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the Company board of directors.

Alternate Conversion Upon a Triggering Event. Following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Triggering Event (as defined below), each holder may alternatively elect to convert the Series A Preferred Stock at the “Alternate Conversion Price” equal to the lesser of:

	•	the Conversion Price, and
	•	the greater of:
		o	the floor price of $1.00; and
		o	80% of the volume weighted average price of the Company Common Stock during the 5 consecutive trading days immediately prior to such conversion.

 

The Certificate of Designations contain standard and customary triggering events (each, a “Triggering Event”), including but not limited: (i) the suspension from trading or the failure to list the Company Common Stock within certain time periods; (ii) failure to declare or pay any dividend when due; (iii) the failure to timely file or make effective a registration statement on Form S-1 pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, (iv) the Company’s failure to cure a conversion failure of failure to deliver shares of the Company Common Stock under the Warrants, or notice of the Company’s intention not to comply with a request for conversion of any Series A Preferred Stock or a request for exercise of any Warrants, and (iv) bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company.

Other Adjustments. If 90 days or 180 days following the occurrence of the later of (x) the Stockholder Approval Date (as defined below) and (y) the earlier of (a) the effective date of the registration statement to be filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined below) and (b) the date that the Series A Preferred Stock is eligible to be resold without restriction under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Conversion Price then in effect is greater than the greater of $1.00 and the Market Price (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) then in effect (the “Adjustment Price”), the Conversion Price shall automatically lower to the Adjustment Price.

 

Limitations on Conversion. In no event shall the Series A Preferred Stock be convertible into a number of shares of Common Stock exceeding 19.99% of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the execution of the Securities Purchase Agreement, except that such limitation shall not apply in the event that New CERo obtains the approval of the issuance of such shares by its stockholders in accordance with the applicable stock exchange rules (the date of such approval, the “Stockholder Approval Date”).

 

Bankruptcy Triggering Event Redemption Right. Upon any bankruptcy Triggering Event, the Company shall immediately redeem in cash all amounts due under the Notes at 25% premium (or, if 18 months following the issuance date, 50% premium) to the greater of (x) the amount of shares of Series A Preferred Shares then outstanding and (y) the equity value of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding, unless the holder waives such right to receive such payment. The equity value of the Company common stock underlying the Series A Preferred Shares is calculated using the greatest closing sale price of the Company common stock on any trading day immediately preceding such bankruptcy Triggering Event and the date the Company makes the entire payment required.

 

 

Change of Control Exchange. Upon a change of control of the Company, each holder may require the Company to exchange the holder’s shares of Series A Preferred Stock for consideration equal to the change of Control Election Price (as defined in the Certificate of Designations), to be satisfied at the Company’s election in either (x) cash or (y) rights convertible into such securities or other assets to which such holder would have been entitled with respect to such shares of Common Stock had such shares of Common Stock been held by such holder upon consummation of such corporate event.

 

Company Optional Redemption. At any time the Company shall have the right to redeem in cash all, but not less than all, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding at a 20% redemption premium to the greater of (x) the amount of shares being redeemed, and (y) the equity value of the Company’s Common Stock underlying the Series A Preferred Stock. The equity value of the Company’s Common Stock underlying the Series A Preferred Stock is calculated using the greatest closing sale price of the Company’s Common Stock on any trading day immediately preceding the date New CERo notifies the holders of its election to redeem and the date the Company makes the entire payment required.

 

 Fundamental Transactions. The Certificate of Designations prohibit the Company from entering specified fundamental transactions (including, without limitation, mergers, business combinations and similar transactions) unless the Company (or the Company’s successor) assumes in writing all of the Company’s obligations under the of Common Stock, except as provided in thetransaction documents in the PIPE Financing.

 

Voting Rights. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall have no voting power and no right to vote on any matter at any time, either as a separate series or class or together with any other series or class of share of capital stock, and shall not be entitled to call a meeting of such holders for any purpose nor shall they be entitled to participate in any meeting of the holders of Common Stock, except as provided in the Certificate of Designations (or as otherwise required by applicable law).

Covenants. The Certificate of Designations contains a variety of obligations on the Company’s part not to engage in specified activities, which are typical for transactions of this type. In particular, the Company will not, and will cause the Company’s subsidiaries to not, redeem, repurchase or declare any dividend or distribution on any of its capital stock (other than as required under the Certificate of Designations). In addition, the Company will not issue any preferred stock or issue any other securities that would cause a breach or default under the of Designations or Warrants.

Reservation Requirements. So long as any Series A Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the Company shall at all times reserve at least 150% of the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the conversion of all Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding.

As set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement, the obligations of each party to consummate the PIPE Financing are conditioned upon, among other things, customary closing conditions and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement.

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

The PIPE Investors will also be granted certain customary registration rights in connection with the PIPE Financing with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the Series A Preferred Stock and Warrants, pursuant to a registration rights statement, in substantially the form attached as an exhibit to the Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), to be entered into at the closing of the PIPE Financing. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will agree to file a registration statement to register the shares of Common Stock underlying the Series A Preferred Stock and Warrants within 45 days after the closing of the Securities Purchase Agreement and to have such registration statement effective within 75 days of such closing (or the third business day after the Company is notified by the Securities and Exchange Commission that such registration statement will not be reviewed or subject to further review).

 

 

The Company has engaged BTIG, LLC, Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC, and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., as placement agents for the PIPE Financing. The Company has agreed to pay customary placement fees and reimburse certain expenses of the placement agents.

 

The foregoing description of the PIPE Financing does not purport to be complete description of the rights and obligations of the parties thereunder and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Securities Purchase Agreement, including the forms of Certificate of Designation, Warrant and Registration Rights Agreement, attached as exhibits thereto, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the 8-K.

 

Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

The information provided in Item 1.01 with respect to the issuances of the PIPE Securities pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement is incorporated herein by reference. All such PIPE Securities will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder, or under any state securities laws. The Company relied on this exemption from registration in entering into the Securities Purchase Agreement and New CERo will rely upon this exemption from registration in issuing such securities based in part on representations made by the Investor. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. Neither this Current Report on Form 8-K, nor the exhibits attached hereto, is an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

 

In addition, on February 5, 2024, CERo announced that it had been selected as a finalist for subsidized funding for a clinical trial of its lead product candidate, CER-1236, for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia from the Cancer Focus Fund at MD Anderson. The anticipated size range of the potential grant is between $4.0 million to $6.0 million, covering services and costs of clinical trials at MD Anderson. Neither PBAX nor CERo can assure you that CERo will be successful in obtaining all or any portion of the potential grant, as the approval of such grant is subject to certain conditions, approvals and other uncertainties.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.		Description
2.1		Amendment No. 1 to Business Combination Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2024, by and among Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp., PBCE Merger Sub, Inc. and CERo Therapeutics, Inc.
10.1		Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2024, by and among CERo Therapeutics, Inc. and the Investor.
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

 

Additional Information about the Business Combination and Where to Find It

 

In connection with the proposed business combination by and between the Company, CERo Therapeutics, Inc. (“CERo”) and PBCE Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”), the Company has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”), which includes a definitive proxy statement and a final prospectus relating to the shares of Company common stock to be issued in connection with the proposed business combination. This communication is not a substitute for the definitive proxy statement/final prospectus, the prospectus supplement or any other document that the Company has filed or will file with the SEC or send to its stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination. This document does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the proposed business combination and is not intended to form the basis for any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the proposed business combination.

 

BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, THE COMPANY’S STOCKHOLDERS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY THE COMPANY WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN IN THEIR ENTIRETY BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION AND THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION.

 

The definitive proxy statement/final prospectus was mailed to stockholders of the Company as of January 22, 2024. Additionally, the Company will file other relevant materials with the SEC in connection with the proposed business combination. Copies of the Registration Statement, the definitive proxy statement/final prospectus and all other relevant materials for the proposed business combination filed or that will be filed with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by the Company may be obtained free of charge from the Company at www.phoenixbiotechacquisitioncorp.com. The Company stockholders may also obtain copies of the definitive proxy statement/final prospectus without charge, by directing a request to the Company’s Secretary at Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp., 2201 Broadway, Suite 705, Oakland, CA 94612, Attention: Secretary.

 

 

No Offer or Solicitation

 

This communication is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the proposed business combination or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. The proposed business combination will be implemented solely pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement previously filed with the SEC, which contains the full terms and conditions of the proposed business combination. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Participants in Solicitation

 

This communication may be deemed solicitation material in respect of the proposed business combination. The Company and CERo and their respective directors and executive officers, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names and interests in the proposed business combination of the Company’s directors and officers in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Company’s initial public offering prospectus, which was filed with the SEC on October 8, 2021, and the Company’s subsequent annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. To the extent that holdings of the Company’s securities by insiders have changed from the amounts reported therein, any such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to the Company’s stockholders in connection with the business combination is included in the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and will be included in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed business combination when it becomes available. You may obtain free copies of these documents, when available, as described in the preceding paragraphs. 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this communication are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” “target” or other similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations including as they relate to the proposed business combination and related transactions, pricing and market opportunity, the satisfaction of closing conditions to the proposed business combination and related transactions, the level of redemptions by the Company’s public stockholders and the timing of the completion of the proposed business combination, including the anticipated closing date of the proposed business combination and the use of the cash proceeds therefrom. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication, and on the current expectations of CERo’s and the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and may differ from such assumptions, and such differences may be material. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of CERo and the Company.

 

 

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including (i) changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; (ii) the inability of the parties to successfully or timely consummate the proposed business combination, including the risk that any required regulatory approvals are not obtained, are delayed or are subject to unanticipated conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed business combination, or that the approval of the stockholders of the Company is not obtained; (iii) the ability to maintain the listing of the combined company’s securities on the stock exchange; (iv) the inability to complete any private placement financing, the amount of any private placement financing or the completion of any private placement financing with terms unfavorable to you; (v) the risk that the proposed business combination disrupts current plans and operations of the Company or CERo as a result of the announcement and consummation of the proposed business combination and related transactions; (vi) the risk that any of the conditions to closing of the business combination are not satisfied in the anticipated manner or on the anticipated timeline or are waived by any of the parties thereto; (vii) the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed business combination and related transactions; (viii) risks relating to the uncertainty of the costs related to the proposed business combination; (ix) risks related to the rollout of CERo’s business strategy and the timing of expected business milestones; (x) the effects of competition on CERo’s future business and the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth, establish and maintain relationships with customers and healthcare professionals and retain its management and key employees; (xi) risks related to domestic and international political and macroeconomic uncertainty, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Palestine conflict; (xii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company, CERo or any of their respective directors or officers, following the announcement of the proposed business combination; (xiii) the amount of redemption requests made by the Company’s public stockholders; (xiv) the ability of the Company to issue equity, if any, in connection with the proposed business combination or to otherwise obtain financing in the future; (xv) the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic and governmental responses on any of the foregoing risks; (xvi) risks related to biotechnology, industry and regulations; (xvii) changes in laws and regulations; and (xviii) those factors discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each of the quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023, in each case, under the heading “Risk Factors,” and other documents of the Company filed or to be filed with the SEC, including the proxy statement/prospectus. If any of these risks materialize or the Company’s or CERo’s assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither the Company nor CERo presently know or that the Company and CERo currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s and CERo’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. The Company, and CERo anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company’s and CERo’s assessments to change. However, while the Company and CERo may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, each of the Company and CERo specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, unless required by applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s and CERo’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: February 6, 2024	PHOENIX BIOTECH ACQUISITION CORP.
	By:	/s/ Chris Ehrlich
	Name:	Chris Ehrlich
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Exhibit 2.1

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO BUSINESS COMBINATION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

 

This FIRST AMENDMENT TO BUSINESS COMBINATION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (this “Amendment”) is made and entered into as of February [•], 2024 by and among Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“SPAC”), PBCE Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned direct subsidiary of SPAC (“Merger Sub”), and CERo Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of June 4, 2023 (the “Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the parties desire to, amongst other things, modify the terms set forth in Section 2.1(a)(ix)(i) of the Agreement which sets forth the First Level Earn-Out Target, which, if achieved during the Earn-Out Period, entitles the Earn-Out Participants to additional consideration;

 

WHEREAS, the parties desire to, amongst other things, modify the terms set forth in Section 2.1(a)(ix)(ii) of the Agreement which sets forth the Second Level Earn-Out Target, which, if achieved during the Earn-Out Period, entitles the Earn-Out Participants to additional consideration;

 

WHEREAS, the parties also desire to amend the definition of Equity Value per Share and related definitions to provide that the consideration payable to holders of Company Common Stock is not reduced by the amount of any Rollover Options or Rollover Warrants;

 

WHEREAS, the parties also desire to remove the condition set forth in Section 6.3(c) which requires that the SPAC have at least $30,000,000 in Available Closing Cash; and

 

WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 8.3 of the Agreement, the parties desire to amend the Agreement upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Amendment.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, SPAC, Merger Sub and the Company agree as follows:

 

1.

Amendments to Agreement.

 

a.

The definition of “Equity Value Per Share” set forth in Section 1.1 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

 

“Equity Value Per Share” means (a) the Equity Value, divided by (b) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, determined on an as-converted basis.

 

 

b.

The definition of “Fully Diluted Company Capitalization” set forth in Section 1.1 is hereby deleted in its entirety.

 

c.

A new definition of “New CERo Series A Conversion Price” shall be inserted into Section 1.1 in alphabetical order as follows:

 

“New CERo Series A Conversion Price” means the “Conversion Price” as defined in the Certificate of Designation for the New CERo Series A Preferred Stock.

 

d.

A new definition of “New CERo Series A Preferred Stock” shall be inserted into Section 1.1 in alphabetical order as follows:

 

“New CERo Series A Preferred Stock” means the new Series A Convertible Preferred Stock to be issued by the Surviving Corporation at the Closing.

 

e.

Section 2.1(a)(xi)(i) of the Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

 

(i) the VWAP of the shares of the Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds the lesser of (x) $12.50 or (y) 125% of the then applicable New CERo Series A Conversion Price, for any twenty (20) Trading Days within a period of thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days (the “First Level Earn-Out Target”), then as soon as possible and in any event within ten (10) Business Days following the achievement of the First Level Earn-Out Target, 500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock held in the Earn-Out Escrow Account shall be released to the Earn-Out Participants, in an amount of shares equal to each Earn-Out Participants’ Pro Rata Earn-Out Portion,

 

f.

Section 2.1(a)(xi)(ii) of the Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

 

(i) the VWAP of the shares of the Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds the lesser of (x) $15.00 or (y) 150% of the then applicable New CERo Series A Conversion Price, for any twenty (20) Trading Days within a period of thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days (the “Second Level Earn-Out Target”), then as soon as possible and in any event within ten (10) Business Days following the achievement of the Second Level Earn-Out Target, 500,000 shares of the Company Stockholders Earn-Out Consideration held in the Earn-Out Escrow Account shall be released to the Earn-Out Participants, in an amount of shares equal to each Earn-Out Participants’ Pro Rata Earn-Out Portion,

 

g.

Section 6.3(c) of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety.

 

 

2.

Miscellaneous

 

a.

No Further Amendment. The parties hereto agree that all other provisions of the Agreement shall, subject to the amendment set forth in Section 1 of this Amendment, continue unmodified, in full force and effect and constitute legal and binding obligations of the parties in accordance with their terms. This Amendment is limited precisely as written and shall not be deemed to be an amendment to any other term or condition of the Agreement or any of the documents referred to therein. This Amendment shall form an integral and inseparable part of the Agreement. From and after the date of this Amendment, each reference in the Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereof,” “hereunder” or words of like import, and all references to the Agreement in any and all agreements, instruments, documents, notes, certificates and other writings of every kind of nature (other than as otherwise expressly provided) will be deemed to mean the Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, whether or not this Amendment is expressly referenced.

 

b.

Other Terms. The provisions of Section 8 of the Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and shall apply to the terms and provisions of this Amendment and the parties hereto, mutatis mutandis.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this First Amendment to Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization has been executed on behalf of the parties as of the date first stated above.

 

	PHOENIX BIOTECH ACQUISITION CORP.
	By:
	Name:	Chris Ehrlich
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer
	PBCE MERGER SUB, INC.
	By:
	Name:	Chris Ehrlich
	Title:	President
	CERO THERAPEUTICS, INC.
	By:
	Name:	Dr. Daniel Corey
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of February 5, 2024, is by and among Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation with offices located at 2201 Broadway, Suite 705, Oakland, CA 94612 (the “Company”), CERo Therapeutics, Inc. a Delaware corporation with offices located at 201 Haskings Way, Suite 230, South San Francisco, CA 94080 (the “Target”, and together with the Company, the “BC Parties”), and each of the investors listed on the Schedule of Buyers attached hereto (individually, a “Buyer” and collectively, the “Buyers”).

 

RECITALS

 

A. On June 4, 2023, the Company entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement (as in effect as of the date hereof, the “Merger Agreement”), with the Target, and PBCE Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Merger Sub shall merge with and into the Target and, at the closing thereof (the “Business Combination Closing”, and such date, the “Business Combination Closing Date”), the Target, as the surviving entity, shall be a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Business Combination”). In connection with the Business Combination, the Company has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Business Combination Registration Statement”).

 

B. The Company, the Target and each Buyer is executing and delivering this Agreement in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D (“Regulation D”) as promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the 1933 Act.

 

C. The Company has authorized (i) a new series of convertible preferred stock of the Company designated as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, the terms of which are set forth in the certificate of designations of preferences and rights for such series of preferred stock (the “Certificate of Designations”) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (together with any convertible preferred shares issued in replacement thereof in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Series A Preferred Stock”), which Series A Preferred Stock shall be convertible into shares of Common Stock (such shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designations, including, without limitation, upon conversion or otherwise, collectively, the “Conversion Shares”), in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designations.

 

D. Each Buyer wishes to purchase, and the Company wishes to sell, upon the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement, (i) the aggregate number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Shares”) set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (3) on the Schedule of Buyers, and (ii) a warrant to initially acquire up to that aggregate number of additional shares of Common Stock set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (4) on the Schedule of Buyers, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Warrants”) (as exercised, collectively, the “Warrant Shares”).

 

 

E. On the Closing Date, the parties hereto shall execute and deliver a Registration Rights Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), under the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and applicable state securities laws.

 

F. The Preferred Shares, the Conversion Shares, the Warrants and the Warrant Shares are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each Buyer hereby agree as follows:

 

1.  PURCHASE AND SALE OF PREFERRED SHARES AND WARRANTS.

 

(a)  Purchase of Preferred Shares and Warrants. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions set forth in Sections 6 and 7 below, the Company shall issue and sell to each Buyer, and each Buyer severally, but not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company on the Closing Date (as defined below) (i) the aggregate number of Preferred Shares as is set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (3) on the Schedule of Buyers, and (ii) Warrants to initially acquire up to that aggregate number of Warrant Shares as is set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (4) on the Schedule of Buyers.

 

(b)  Closing. The closing (the “Closing”) of the purchase of the Preferred Shares and the Warrants by the Buyers shall occur at the offices of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, 3 World Trade Center, 175 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007. The date and time of the Closing (the “Closing Date”) shall be 10:00 a.m., New York time, on the first (1st) Business Day on which the conditions to the Closing set forth in Sections 6 and 7 below are satisfied or waived (or such other date as is mutually agreed to by the Company and each Buyer). As used herein “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee”  or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

 

(c)  Purchase Price. The aggregate purchase price for the Preferred Shares and the Warrants to be purchased by each Buyer (the “Purchase Price”) shall be the amount set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (5) on the Schedule of Buyers (to be payable in cash or, at the option of the Company, by cancellation of outstanding Indebtedness or securities of the Company or Target, as applicable, as set forth opposite in a footnote to column (5) on the Schedule of Buyers (the “Purchase Price Cancellation Notes”)).

 

 

(d)  Form of Payment. On the Closing Date, (i) each Buyer shall pay its respective Purchase Price (less, in the case of any Buyer, the amounts withheld pursuant to Section 4(g) and/or cancellation of such aggregate outstanding principal and accrued interest on such Purchase Price Cancellation Notes) to the Company for the Preferred Shares and the Warrants to be issued and sold to such Buyer at the Closing, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the Flow of Funds Letter (as defined below) and (ii) the Company shall deliver to each Buyer (A) the aggregate number of Preferred Shares as is set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (3) of the Schedule of Buyers, (B) a Warrant pursuant to which such Buyer shall have the right to initially acquire up to such aggregate number of Warrant Shares as is set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (4) of the Schedule of Buyers, in each case, duly executed on behalf of the Company and registered in the name of such Buyer or its designee.

 

2.  BUYER’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

 

Each Buyer, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to the Company with respect to only itself that, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date:

 

(a)  Organization; Authority. Such Buyer is an entity duly incorporated or organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization with all requisite power and authority, and has taken all requisite corporate or other action, to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (as defined below) to which it is a party and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder.

 

(b)  No Public Sale or Distribution. Such Buyer (i) is acquiring its Preferred Shares and Warrants, (ii) upon conversion of its Preferred Shares will acquire the Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion thereof, and (iii) upon exercise of its Warrants (other than pursuant to a Cashless Exercise (as defined in the Warrants)) will acquire the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise thereof, in each case, for its own account and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof in violation of applicable securities laws, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the 1933 Act; provided, however, by making the representations herein, such Buyer does not agree, or make any representation or warranty, to hold any of the Securities for any minimum or other specific term and reserves the right to dispose of the Securities at any time in accordance with or pursuant to a registration statement or an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act. Such Buyer does not presently have any agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any Person to distribute any of the Securities in violation of applicable securities laws. Such Buyer has no present intent to effect a “change of control” of the Company as such term is understood under the rules promulgated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act. For purposes of this Agreement, “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity and any Governmental Entity (as defined below) or any department or agency thereof.

 

 

(c)  Accredited Investor Status. Such Buyer is (a) either an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D or a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A(a) under the 1933 Act, (b) an “Institutional Account” as defined in FINRA Rule 4512(c) and (c) a sophisticated institutional investor, experienced in investing in private equity transactions and capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to all transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities, including such Buyer’s participation in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d)  Reliance on Exemptions. Such Buyer understands that the Securities are being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and such Buyer’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of such Buyer set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of such Buyer to acquire the Securities. Each Buyer further acknowledges and understands that the Securities and Warrant Shares may not be resold or otherwise transferred except in a transaction registered under the Securities Act or unless an exemption from such registration is available.

 

(e)  Information. Such Buyer and its advisors, if any, have been furnished with all materials relating to the business, finances and operations of the Company and materials relating to the offer and sale of the Securities that have been requested by such Buyer. Such Buyer and its advisors, if any, have had the opportunity to review the Transaction Documents (including all exhibits and schedules thereto) and the SEC Documents (as defined below) and have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Company. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by such Buyer or its advisors, if any, or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect such Buyer’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained herein. Such Buyer understands that its investment in the Securities involves a high degree of risk. Such Purchaser is able to bear the substantial risks associated with its purchase of the Securities, including but not limited to loss of its entire investment therein. Such Buyer has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to its acquisition of the Securities. Such Buyer has determined based on its own independent review and such professional advice as it deems appropriate that its purchase of the Securities and participation in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (i) are fully consistent with its financial needs, objectives and condition, (ii) comply and are fully consistent with all investment policies, guidelines and other restrictions applicable to it, (iii) have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action, (iv) do not and will not violate or constitute a default under its charter, by-laws or other constituent document or under any law, rule, regulation, agreement or other obligation by which it is bound and (v) are a fit, proper and suitable investment for such Buyer, notwithstanding the substantial risks inherent in investing in or holding the Securities.

 

(f)  No Governmental Review. Such Buyer understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Securities nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Securities.

 

 

(g)  Transfer or Resale. Such Buyer understands that except as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement and Section 4(h) hereof: (i) the Securities have not been and are not being registered under the 1933 Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred unless (A) subsequently registered thereunder, (B) such Buyer shall have delivered to the Company (if requested by the Company) an opinion of counsel, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company, to the effect that such Securities to be sold, assigned or transferred may be sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to an exemption from such registration, or (C) such Buyer provides the Company with reasonable assurance that such Securities can be sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A promulgated under the 1933 Act (or a successor rule thereto) (collectively, “Rule 144”); (ii) any sale of the Securities made in reliance on Rule 144 may be made only in accordance with the terms of Rule 144, and further, if Rule 144 is not applicable, any resale of the Securities under circumstances in which the seller (or the Person through whom the sale is made) may be deemed to be an underwriter (as that term is defined in the 1933 Act) may require compliance with some other exemption under the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder; and (iii) neither the Company nor any other Person is under any obligation to register the Securities under the 1933 Act or any state securities laws or to comply with the terms and conditions of any exemption thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Securities may be pledged in connection with a bona fide margin account or other loan or financing arrangement secured by the Securities and such pledge of Securities shall not be deemed to be a transfer, sale or assignment of the Securities hereunder, and no Buyer effecting a pledge of Securities shall be required to provide the Company with any notice thereof or otherwise make any delivery to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (as defined in Section 3(b)), including, without limitation, this Section 2(g).

 

(h)  Validity; Enforcement. This Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement have been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of such Buyer and shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Buyer enforceable against such Buyer in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and other similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies.

 

(i)  No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by such Buyer of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and the consummation by such Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not (i) result in a violation of the organizational documents of such Buyer, or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which such Buyer is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws) applicable to such Buyer, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for such conflicts, defaults, rights or violations which could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of such Buyer to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

(j)  Residency. Such Buyer is a resident of that jurisdiction specified below its address on the Schedule of Buyers.

 

 

(k)  No “Bad Actor” Disqualification. Such Buyer has not taken any of the actions set forth in, and is not subject to, the disqualification provisions of Rule 506(d)(1) of the 1933 Act. Neither such Buyer nor any of its Rule 506(d) Related Parties is a “bad actor” within the meaning of Rule 506(d) of the Securities Act. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Rule 506(d) Related Party” shall mean a person or entity covered by the “Bad Actor disqualification” provision of Rule 506(d) of the Securities Act.

 

(l)  Certain Trading Activities. Such Buyer is aware that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the 1934 Act may apply to sales of Securities and other activities with respect to the Securities by the Buyer. As of the earlier of (i) the Company has made a public announcement concerning this Agreement and the sale and issuance of the Securities or (ii) 9:00 am New York time on the first (1^st) Trading Day immediately after the date of the signing of this Agreement (the “Disclosure Deadline”), neither such Buyer nor any person acting on behalf of or pursuant to any understanding with such Buyer shall have, directly or indirectly, engaged in any purchases or sales of the Company’s securities (including all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act (“Short Sales”) involving the Company’s securities) since the time that such Buyer was first contacted by the Company, the Placement Agents or any other person regarding the purchases or sales contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Buyer that is a multi-managed investment bank or vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of such Buyer’s assets, this Section 3(l) shall apply only with respect to the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Securities covered by this Agreement. Each Buyer covenants that neither such Buyer nor any person acting on such Buyer’s behalf or pursuant to any understanding with such Buyer will engage in any purchases or sales of the Company’s securities (including any Short Sales involving the Company’s securities) prior to the time that all material nonpublic information disclosed to such Buyer is publicly disclosed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Buyer that is a multi-managed investment bank or vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of such Buyer’s assets, this representation shall only apply with respect to the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Securities covered by this Agreement.

 

(m)  No Reliance on Placement Agents. Such Buyer acknowledges and agrees that neither the Placement Agents (as defined below) nor any affiliate of the Placement Agents has provided such Buyer with any information or advice with respect to the Securities nor is such information or advice necessary or desired. Neither the Placement Agents nor any affiliate has made or makes any representation as to the Company or the quality of the Securities and the Placement Agents and any affiliate may have acquired non-public information with respect to the Company which such Buyer agrees need not be provided to it. In connection with the issuance of the Securities to such Buyer, neither the Placement Agents nor any of its affiliates has acted as a financial advisor or fiduciary to such Buyer.

 

 

3.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.

 

The Company represents and warrants to each of the Buyers that, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (other than the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3(f), 3(l), 3(o), 3(u) through 3(z) and 3(gg), which shall only be made as of the Closing Date):

 

(a)  Organization and Qualification. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries are entities duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are formed, and have the requisite power and authority to own their properties and to carry on their business as now being conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign entity to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which its ownership of property or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below). As used in this Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” means any material adverse effect on (i) the business, properties, assets, liabilities, operations (including results thereof), condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company or any Subsidiary (as defined below), taken as a whole, (ii) the transactions contemplated hereby or in any of the other Transaction Documents or any other agreements or instruments to be entered into in connection herewith or therewith or (iii) the authority or ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to perform any of their respective obligations under any of the Transaction Documents (as defined below). Other than the Persons (as defined below) set forth on Schedule 3(a), the Company has no Subsidiaries. “Subsidiaries” means any Person in which the Company, directly or indirectly, (I) owns any of the outstanding capital stock or holds any equity or similar interest of such Person or (II) controls or operates all or any part of the business, operations or administration of such Person, and each of the foregoing, is individually referred to herein as a “Subsidiary.”

 

(b)  Authorization; Enforcement; Validity. The Company has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and to issue the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. Each Subsidiary has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by the Company, and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Preferred Shares and the reservation for issuance and issuance of the Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares and the issuance of the Warrants and the reservation for issuance and issuance of the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants) have been duly authorized by the Company’s board of directors or other governing body, as applicable, and (other than the filing with the SEC of one or more Registration Statements (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) in accordance with the requirements of the Registration Rights Agreement, any amendments or supplements to the Business Combination Registration Statement, and a Form D and any other filings as may be required by any state securities agencies, the filing of the Certificate of Designations with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and the notice and/or application(s) to the Principal Market for the issuance and sale of the Securities and the listing of the Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares for trading thereon in the time and manner required thereby (collectively, the “Required Approvals”)) no further filing, consent or authorization is required by the Company, its Subsidiaries, their respective boards of directors or their stockholders or other governing body. This Agreement has been, and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party will be prior to the Closing, duly executed and delivered by the Company, and each constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies and except as rights to indemnification and to contribution may be limited by federal or state securities law. Prior to the Closing, the Certificate of Designations in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A will have been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and will be in full force and effect, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms and has not have been amended. “Transaction Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Preferred Shares, the Warrants, the Certificate of Designations, Lock-Up Agreements (as defined below), the Registration Rights Agreement, the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions (as defined below) and each of the other agreements and instruments entered into or delivered by any of the parties hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, as may be amended from time to time.

 

 

(c)  Issuance of Securities. The Preferred Shares and the Warrants are duly authorized and, upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents, shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights, mortgages, defects, claims, liens, pledges, charges, taxes, rights of first refusal, encumbrances, security interests and other encumbrances (collectively “Liens”) with respect to the issuance thereof. As of the Closing, the Company shall have reserved from its duly authorized capital stock not less than the sum of (i) 150% of the maximum number of Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares (assuming for purposes hereof that (x) the Preferred Shares are convertible at the Alternate Conversion Price (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) assuming an Alternate Conversion Date (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) as of the date hereof, and (y) any such conversion shall not take into account any limitations on the conversion of the Preferred Shares set forth in the Certificate of Designations), and (ii) the maximum number of Warrant Shares initially issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (without taking into account any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants set forth therein). Upon issuance or conversion in accordance with the Preferred Shares or exercise in accordance with the Warrants (as the case may be), the Conversion Shares and the Warrant Shares, respectively, when issued, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights or Liens with respect to the issue thereof, with the holders being entitled to all rights accorded to a holder of Common Stock. Subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Buyers in this Agreement, the offer and issuance by the Company of the Securities is exempt from registration under the 1933 Act.

 

(d)  No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Securities and the reservation for issuance of the Conversion Shares and the Warrant Shares) will not (i) result in a violation of the Certificate of Incorporation (as defined below) (including, without limitation, any certificate of designation contained therein), Bylaws (as defined below), certificate of formation, memorandum of association, articles of association, bylaws or other organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any capital stock or other securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) in any respect under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including, without limitation, foreign, federal and state securities laws and regulations and the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Global Market (the “Principal Market”) and including all applicable foreign, federal and state laws, rules and regulations) applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such as would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

(e)  Consents. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is required to obtain any consent from, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with (other than the Required Approvals) any Governmental Entity (as defined below) or any regulatory or self-regulatory agency or any other Person in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its respective obligations under or contemplated by the Transaction Documents, in each case, in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof. All consents, authorizations, orders, filings and registrations which the Company or any Subsidiary is required to obtain pursuant to the preceding sentence have been or will be obtained or effected on or prior to the Closing Date, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries are aware of any facts or circumstances which might prevent the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from obtaining or effecting any of the registration, application or filings contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Company is not in violation of the requirements of the Principal Market and has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances which could reasonably lead to delisting or suspension of the Common Stock in the foreseeable future. “Governmental Entity” means any nation, state, county, city, town, village, district, or other political jurisdiction of any nature, federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, or other government, governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental agency, branch, department, official, or entity and any court or other tribunal), multi-national organization or body; or body exercising, or entitled to exercise, any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory, or taxing authority or power of any nature or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, including any entity or enterprise owned or controlled by a government or a public international organization or any of the foregoing.

 

(f)  Acknowledgment Regarding Buyer’s Purchase of Securities. The Company acknowledges and agrees that each Buyer is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and that no Buyer (other than such Person as set forth on Schedule 3(f) attached hereto, each an “Insider Buyer”) is (i) an officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) to its knowledge, a “beneficial owner” of more than 10% of the shares of Common Stock (as defined for purposes of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”)). The Company further acknowledges that no Buyer is acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and any advice given by a Buyer or any of its representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby is merely incidental to such Buyer’s purchase of the Securities. The Company further represents to each Buyer that the Company’s and each Subsidiary’s decision to enter into the Transaction Documents to which it is a party has been based solely on the independent evaluation by the Company, each Subsidiary and their respective representatives.

 

 

(g)  No General Solicitation; Placement Agents’ Fees. Neither the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities. The Company shall be responsible for the payment of any placement agent’s fees, financial advisory fees, or brokers’ commissions (other than for Persons engaged by any Buyer or its investment advisor) relating to or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, placement agent fees payable to BTIG, LLC, Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC, and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. as placement agents (the “Placement Agents”) in connection with the sale of the Securities. The fees and expenses of the Placement Agent to be paid by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are as set forth on Schedule 3(g) attached hereto. The Company shall pay, and hold each Buyer harmless against, any liability, loss or expense (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees and out-of-pocket expenses) arising in connection with any such claim. The Company acknowledges that it has engaged the Placement Agents in connection with the sale of the Securities. Other than the Placement Agents, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged any placement agent or other agent in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities.

 

(h)  No Integrated Offering. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their affiliates, nor any Person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of the issuance of any of the Securities under the 1933 Act, whether through integration with prior offerings or otherwise, or caused this offering of the Securities to require approval of stockholders of the Company for purposes of the 1933 Act or under any applicable stockholder approval provisions, including, without limitation, under the rules and regulations of any exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated for quotation. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries, their affiliates nor any Person acting on their behalf will take any action or steps that would require registration of the issuance of any of the Securities under the 1933 Act (other than pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement) or cause the offering of any of the Securities to be integrated with other offerings of securities of the Company.

 

(i)  Dilutive Effect. The Company understands and acknowledges that the number of Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares will increase in certain circumstances. The Company further acknowledges that its obligation to issue the Conversion Shares pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Shares in accordance with this Agreement and the Certificate of Designations and the Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Warrants in accordance with this Agreement and the Warrants is, in each case, absolute and unconditional regardless of the dilutive effect that such issuance may have on the ownership interests of other stockholders of the Company.

 

 

(j)  Application of Takeover Protections; Rights Agreement. The Company and its board of directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, interested stockholder, business combination, poison pill (including, without limitation, any distribution under a rights agreement), stockholder rights plan or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws or other organizational documents or the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or otherwise which is or could become applicable to any Buyer as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Company’s issuance of the Securities and any Buyer’s ownership of the Securities. The Company and its board of directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any stockholder rights plan or similar arrangement relating to accumulations of beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock or a change in control of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(k)  SEC Documents; Financial Statements. During the two (2) years prior to the date hereof, the Company has timely filed all reports, schedules, forms, proxy statements, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act (all of the foregoing filed prior to the date hereof and all exhibits and appendices included therein and financial statements, notes and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein being hereinafter referred to as the “SEC Documents”). The Company has delivered or has made available to the Buyers or their respective representatives true, correct and complete copies of each of the SEC Documents requested by any such Buyer and not available on the EDGAR system. As of their respective dates, the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents, and none of the SEC Documents, at the time they were filed with the SEC, 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 the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of their respective dates, the financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto as in effect as of the time of filing. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), consistently applied, during the periods involved (except (i) as may be otherwise indicated in such financial statements or the notes thereto, or (ii) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements) and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments which will not be material, either individually or in the aggregate). The reserves, if any, established by the Company or the lack of reserves, if applicable, are reasonable based upon facts and circumstances known by the Company on the date hereof and there are no loss contingencies that are required to be accrued by the Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board which are not provided for by the Company in its financial statements or otherwise. No other information provided by or on behalf of the Company to any of the Buyers which is not included in the SEC Documents (including, without limitation, information referred to in Section 2(e) of this Agreement or in the disclosure schedules to this Agreement) contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, in the light of the circumstance under which they are or were made. The Company is not currently contemplating to amend or restate any of the financial statements (including, without limitation, any notes or any letter of the independent accountants of the Company with respect thereto) included in the SEC Documents (the “Financial Statements”), nor is the Company currently aware of facts or circumstances which would require the Company to amend or restate any of the Financial Statements, in each case, in order for any of the Financials Statements to be in compliance with GAAP and the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Company has not been informed by its independent accountants that they recommend that the Company amend or restate any of the Financial Statements or that there is any need for the Company to amend or restate any of the Financial Statements.

 

 

(l)  Absence of Certain Changes. Since the date of the Company’s most recent audited financial statements contained in the Business Combination Registration Statement, there has been no material adverse change and no material adverse development in the business, assets, liabilities, properties, operations (including results thereof), condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Since the date of the Company’s most recent audited financial statements contained in the Business Combination Registration Statement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has (i) declared or paid any dividends, (ii) sold any assets, individually or in the aggregate, outside of the ordinary course of business or (iii) made any capital expenditures, individually or in the aggregate, outside of the ordinary course of business. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any steps to seek protection pursuant to any law or statute relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, liquidation or winding up, nor does the Company or any Subsidiary have any knowledge or reason to believe that any of their respective creditors intend to initiate involuntary bankruptcy proceedings or any actual knowledge of any fact which would reasonably lead a creditor to do so. The Company and its Subsidiaries, individually and on a consolidated basis, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby to occur at the Closing, will not be Company Insolvent (as defined below). For purposes of this Section 3(l), “Company Insolvent” means, (i) with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, (A) the present fair saleable value of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets is less than the amount required to pay the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ total Indebtedness (as defined below), (B) the Company and its Subsidiaries are unable to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured or (C) the Company and its Subsidiaries intend to incur or believe that they will incur debts that would be beyond their ability to pay as such debts mature; and (ii) with respect to the Company and each Subsidiary, individually, (A) the present fair saleable value of the Company’s or such Subsidiary’s (as the case may be) assets is less than the amount required to pay its respective total Indebtedness, (B) the Company or such Subsidiary (as the case may be) is unable to pay its respective debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured or (C) the Company or such Subsidiary (as the case may be) intends to incur or believes that it will incur debts that would be beyond its respective ability to pay as such debts mature. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in any business or in any transaction, and is not about to engage in any business or in any transaction, for which the Company’s or such Subsidiary’s remaining assets constitute unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted.

 

(m)  No Undisclosed Events, Liabilities, Developments or Circumstances. To the Company’s knowledge, no event, liability, development or circumstance has occurred or exists, or is reasonably expected to exist or occur with respect to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, properties, liabilities, prospects, operations (including results thereof) or condition (financial or otherwise), that (i) would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws on a registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC relating to an issuance and sale by the Company of its Common Stock and which has not been publicly announced, (ii) could have a material adverse effect on any Buyer’s investment hereunder or (iii) could have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

(n)  Conduct of Business; Regulatory Permits. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of or in default under its organizational charter, certificate of formation, memorandum of association, articles of association, Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any judgment, decree or order or any statute, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will conduct its business in violation of any of the foregoing, except in all cases for possible violations which could not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company is not violation of any of the rules, regulations or requirements of the Principal Market and has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably lead to delisting or suspension of the Common Stock by the Principal Market in the foreseeable future. Since June 5, 2023, except as set forth on Schedule 3(n), (i) the Common Stock has been listed or designated for quotation on the Principal Market, (ii) trading in the Common Stock has not been suspended by the SEC or the Principal Market and (iii) the Company has received no communication, written or oral, from the SEC or the Principal Market regarding the suspension or delisting of the Common Stock from the Principal Market. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses, except where the failure to possess such certificates, authorizations or permits would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization or permit. There is no agreement, commitment, judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party which has or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or materially impairing any business practice of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any acquisition of property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the conduct of business by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as currently conducted other than such effects, individually or in the aggregate, which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(o)  Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company, the Company’s subsidiary or any director, officer, agent, employee, nor any other person acting for or on behalf of the foregoing (individually and collectively, a “Company Affiliate”) have violated the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption laws, nor has any Company Affiliate offered, paid, promised to pay, or authorized the payment of any money, or offered, given, promised to give, or authorized the giving of anything of value, to any officer, employee or any other person acting in an official capacity for any Governmental Entity to any political party or official thereof or to any candidate for political office (individually and collectively, a “Government Official”) or to any person under circumstances where such Company Affiliate knew or was aware of a high probability that all or a portion of such money or thing of value would be offered, given or promised, directly or indirectly, to any Government Official, for the purpose of:

 

(i)  (A) influencing any act or decision of such Government Official in his/her official capacity, (B) inducing such Government Official to do or omit to do any act in violation of his/her lawful duty, (C) securing any improper advantage, or (D) inducing such Government Official to influence or affect any act or decision of any Governmental Entity, or

 

 

(ii)  assisting the Company or its Subsidiaries in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

(p)  Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Company and each Subsidiary is in compliance with any and all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.

 

(q)  Transactions With Affiliates. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents or as set forth on Schedule 3(q), no current or former employee, partner, director, officer or stockholder (direct or indirect) of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or any associate, or, to the knowledge of the Company, any affiliate of any thereof, or any relative with a relationship no more remote than first cousin of any of the foregoing, is presently, or has ever been, (i) a party to any transaction with the Company or its Subsidiaries (including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services by, or rental of real or personal property from, or otherwise requiring payments to, any such director, officer or stockholder or such associate or affiliate or relative Subsidiaries (other than for ordinary course services as employees, officers or directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries)) or (ii) the direct or indirect owner of an interest in any corporation, firm, association or business organization which is a competitor, supplier or customer of the Company or its Subsidiaries (except for a passive investment (direct or indirect) in less than 5% of the common stock of a company whose securities are traded on or quoted through an Eligible Market (as defined in the Certificate of Designations)), nor does any such Person receive income from any source other than the Company or its Subsidiaries which relates to the business of the Company or its Subsidiaries or should properly accrue to the Company or its Subsidiaries. No employee, officer, stockholder or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or member of his or her immediate family is indebted to the Company or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, nor is the Company or any of its Subsidiaries indebted (or committed to make loans or extend or guarantee credit) to any of them, other than (i) for payment of salary for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of the Company, and (iii) for other standard employee benefits made generally available to all employees or executives (including stock option agreements outstanding under any stock option plan approved by the Board of Directors of the Company).

 

 

(r)  Equity Capitalization.

 

(i)  Definitions:

 

(A) “Common Stock” means (x) the Company’s shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and (y) any capital stock into which such common stock shall have been changed or any share capital resulting from a reclassification of such common stock.

 

(B) “Preferred Stock” means (x) the Company’s blank check preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share, the terms of which may be designated by the board of directors of the Company in a certificate of designations and (y) any capital stock into which such preferred stock shall have been changed or any share capital resulting from a reclassification of such preferred stock (other than a conversion of such preferred stock into Common Stock in accordance with the terms of such certificate of designations).

 

(ii)  Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock. As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (A) 70,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which, 6,234,582 are issued and outstanding and 9,192,500 shares are reserved for issuance pursuant to Convertible Securities (as defined below) (other than the Preferred Shares and the Warrants) exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, (B) 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, none of which are issued and outstanding. As of the Closing Date, the authorized capital stock of the Company will consist of (A) 1,000,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which, 11,234,582 will be issued and outstanding and 9,575,151 shares will be reserved for issuance pursuant to Convertible Securities (as defined below) (other than the Notes and the Warrants) exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, shares of Common Stock and (B) 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, 2,637 of which will be issued and outstanding. No shares of Common Stock are held in the treasury of the Company as of the date hereof and no shares of Common Stock will be held in the treasury of the Company as of the Closing Date. “Convertible Securities” means any capital stock or other security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is at any time and under any circumstances directly or indirectly convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for, or which otherwise entitles the holder thereof to acquire, any capital stock or other security of the Company (including, without limitation, Common Stock) or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(iii)  Valid Issuance; Available Shares; Affiliates. All of such outstanding shares are duly authorized and have been, or upon issuance will be, validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. Schedule 3(r)(iii) sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock that are (A) reserved for issuance pursuant to Convertible Securities (as defined below) (other than the Preferred Shares and the Warrants) and (B) that are, as of the date hereof, owned by Persons who are “affiliates” (as defined in Rule 405 of the 1933 Act and calculated based on the assumption that only officers, directors and holders of at least 10% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Stock are “affiliates” without conceding that any such Persons are “affiliates” for purposes of federal securities laws) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Other than the Insider Buyers and as disclosed in the SEC Documents, to the Company’s knowledge, no Person owns 10% or more of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (calculated based on the assumption that all Convertible Securities (as defined below), whether or not presently exercisable or convertible, have been fully exercised or converted (as the case may be) taking account of any limitations on exercise or conversion (including “blockers”) contained therein without conceding that such identified Person is a 10% stockholder for purposes of federal securities laws).

 

 

(iv)  Existing Securities; Obligations. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents: (A) none of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s shares, interests or capital stock is subject to preemptive rights or any other similar rights or Liens suffered or permitted by the Company or any Subsidiary; (B) there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any shares, interests or capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound to issue additional shares, interests or capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any shares, interests or capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (C) there are no agreements or arrangements under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to register the sale of any of their securities under the 1933 Act (except pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement); (D) there are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (E) there are no securities or instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the issuance of the Securities; and (F) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement.

 

(v)  Organizational Documents. The Company has furnished to the Buyers true, correct and complete copies of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and as in effect on the date hereof (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and the Company’s bylaws, as amended and as in effect on the date hereof (the “Bylaws”), and the terms of all Convertible Securities and the material rights of the holders thereof in respect thereto.

 

 

(s)  Indebtedness and Other Contracts. Except as set forth on Schedule 3(s), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, (i) has any outstanding debt securities, notes, credit agreements, credit facilities or other agreements, documents or instruments evidencing Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound, (ii) is a party to any contract, agreement or instrument, the violation of which, or default under which, by the other party(ies) to such contract, agreement or instrument could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) has any financing statements securing obligations in any amounts filed in connection with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (iv) is in violation of any term of, or in default under, any contract, agreement or instrument relating to any Indebtedness, except where such violations and defaults would not result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect, or (v) is a party to any contract, agreement or instrument relating to any Indebtedness, the performance of which, in the judgment of the Company’s officers, has or is expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have any liabilities or obligations required to be disclosed in the SEC Documents which are not so disclosed in the SEC Documents, other than those incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ respective businesses and which, individually or in the aggregate, do not or could not have a Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement: (x) “Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication (A) all indebtedness for borrowed money, (B) all obligations issued, undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (including, without limitation, “capital leases” in accordance with GAAP) (other than trade payables entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), (C) all reimbursement or payment obligations with respect to letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments, (D) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, including obligations so evidenced incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses, (E) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect to any property or assets acquired with the proceeds of such indebtedness (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property), (F) all monetary obligations under any leasing or similar arrangement which, in connection with GAAP, consistently applied for the periods covered thereby, is classified as a capital lease, (G) all indebtedness referred to in clauses (A) through (F) above secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or in any property or assets (including accounts and contract rights) owned by any Person, even though the Person which owns such assets or property has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness, and (H) all Contingent Obligations in respect of indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (A) through (G) above; and (y) “Contingent Obligation” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person with respect to any Indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation of another Person if the primary purpose or intent of the Person incurring such liability, or the primary effect thereof, is to provide assurance to the obligee of such liability that such liability will be paid or discharged, or that any agreements relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of such liability will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss with respect thereto.

  

(t)  Litigation. There is no action, suit, arbitration, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by the Principal Market, any court, public board, other Governmental Entity, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Common Stock or any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ officers or directors, whether of a civil or criminal nature or otherwise, in their capacities as such. No director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has willfully violated 18 U.S.C. §1519 or engaged in spoliation in reasonable anticipation of litigation. Without limitation of the foregoing, there has not been, and to the knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the SEC involving the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any current or former director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The SEC has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act. After reasonable inquiry of its employees, the Company is not aware of any fact which might result in or form the basis for any such action, suit, arbitration, investigation, inquiry or other proceeding. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award of any Governmental Entity.

 

 

(u)  Insurance. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as management of the Company believes to be prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and its Subsidiaries are engaged. Neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for, and neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will be unable to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(v)  Employee Relations. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or employs any member of a union. The Company and its Subsidiaries believe that their relations with their employees are good. No executive officer (as defined in Rule 501(f) promulgated under the 1933 Act) or other key employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has notified the Company or any such Subsidiary that such officer intends to leave the Company or any such Subsidiary or otherwise terminate such officer’s employment with the Company or any such Subsidiary. No current (or former) executive officer or other key employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is, or is now expected to be, in violation of any material term of any employment contract, confidentiality, disclosure or proprietary information agreement, non-competition agreement, or any other contract or agreement or any restrictive covenant, and the continued employment of each such executive officer or other key employee (as the case may be) does not subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any liability with respect to any of the foregoing matters. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations respecting labor, employment and employment practices and benefits, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where failure to be in compliance would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(w)  Title.

 

(i)  Real Property. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries holds good title to all real property, leases in real property, facilities or other interests in real property owned or held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the “Real Property”) owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (as applicable). The Real Property is free and clear of all Liens and is not subject to any rights of way, building use restrictions, exceptions, variances, reservations, or limitations of any nature except for (a) Liens for current taxes not yet due and (b) zoning laws and other land use restrictions that do not impair the present or anticipated use of the property subject thereto. Any Real Property held under lease by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(ii)  Fixtures and Equipment. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as applicable) has good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, the tangible personal property, equipment, improvements, fixtures, and other personal property and appurtenances that are used by the Company or its Subsidiary in connection with the conduct of its business (the “Fixtures and Equipment”). The Fixtures and Equipment are structurally sound, are in good operating condition and repair, are adequate for the uses to which they are being put, are not in need of maintenance or repairs except for ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs and are sufficient for the conduct of the Company’s and/or its Subsidiaries’ businesses (as applicable) in the manner as conducted prior to the Closing. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries owns all of its Fixtures and Equipment free and clear of all Liens except for (a) liens for current taxes not yet due and (b) zoning laws and other land use restrictions that do not impair the present or anticipated use of the property subject thereto.

 

 

(x)  Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries own or possess adequate rights or licenses to use all trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, original works of authorship, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, governmental authorizations, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights and all applications and registrations therefor (“Intellectual Property Rights”) necessary to conduct their respective businesses as now conducted and presently proposed to be conducted. None of the Company’s Intellectual Property Rights have expired or terminated or have been abandoned or are expected to expire or terminate or are expected to be abandoned, within three years from the date of this Agreement. The Company does not have any knowledge of any infringement by the Company or its Subsidiaries of Intellectual Property Rights of others. There is no claim, action or proceeding being made or brought, or to the knowledge of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, being threatened, against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries regarding its Intellectual Property Rights. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is aware of any facts or circumstances which might give rise to any of the foregoing infringements or claims, actions or proceedings. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their Intellectual Property Rights.

 

(y)  Environmental Laws. (i) The Company and its Subsidiaries (A) are in compliance with any and all Environmental Laws (as defined below), (B) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (C) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval where, in each of the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the failure to so comply could be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The term “Environmental Laws” means all federal, state, local or foreign laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), including, without limitation, laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) into the environment, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials, as well as all authorizations, codes, decrees, demands or demand letters, injunctions, judgments, licenses, notices or notice letters, orders, permits, plans or regulations issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder.

 

(ii)  No Hazardous Materials:

 

(A)  have been disposed of or otherwise released from any Real Property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in violation of any Environmental Laws; or

 

 

(B)  are present on, over, beneath, in or upon any Real Property or any portion thereof in quantities that would constitute a violation of any Environmental Laws. No prior use by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any Real Property has occurred that violates any Environmental Laws, which violation would have a material adverse effect on the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(iii)  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries knows of any other person who or entity which has stored, treated, recycled, disposed of or otherwise located on any Real Property any Hazardous Materials, including, without limitation, such substances as asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls.

 

(iv)  None of the Real Properties are on any federal or state “Superfund” list or Liability Information System (“CERCLIS”) list or any state environmental agency list of sites under consideration for CERCLIS, nor subject to any environmental related Liens.

 

(z)  Subsidiary Rights. The Company or one of its Subsidiaries has the unrestricted right to vote, and (subject to limitations imposed by applicable law) to receive dividends and distributions on, all capital securities of its Subsidiaries as owned by the Company or such Subsidiary.

 

(aa)  Tax Status. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries (i) has timely made or filed all foreign, federal and state income and all other tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has timely paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries know of no basis for any such claim. The Company is not operated in such a manner as to qualify as a passive foreign investment company, as defined in Section 1297 of the Code. The net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) for United States federal income tax purposes of the consolidated group of which the Company is the common parent, if any, shall not be adversely effected by the transactions contemplated hereby. The transactions contemplated hereby do not constitute an “ownership change” within the meaning of Section 382 of the Code, thereby preserving the Company’s ability to utilize such NOLs.

 

 

(bb)  Internal Accounting and Disclosure Controls. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries maintains internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the 1934 Act) that is effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset and liability accountability, (iii) access to assets or incurrence of liabilities is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets and liabilities is compared with the existing assets and liabilities at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any difference. The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the 1934 Act) that are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the 1934 Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, including, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the 1934 Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and its principal financial officer or officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice or correspondence from any accountant, Governmental Entity or other Person relating to any potential material weakness or significant deficiency in any part of the internal controls over financial reporting of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(cc)  Off Balance Sheet Arrangements. There is no transaction, arrangement, or other relationship between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and an unconsolidated or other off balance sheet entity that is required to be disclosed by the Company in its 1934 Act filings and is not so disclosed or that otherwise could be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(dd)  Investment Company Status. The Company is not, and upon consummation of the sale of the Securities will not be, an “investment company,” an affiliate of an “investment company,” a company controlled by an “investment company” or an “affiliated person” of, or “promoter” or “principal underwriter” for, an “investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(ee)  Acknowledgement Regarding Buyers’ Trading Activity. It is understood and acknowledged by the Company that (i) following the public disclosure of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, in accordance with the terms thereof, none of the Buyers have been asked by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to agree, nor has any Buyer agreed with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, to desist from effecting any transactions in or with respect to (including, without limitation, purchasing or selling, long and/or short) any securities of the Company, or “derivative” securities based on securities issued by the Company or to hold any of the Securities for any specified term; (ii) any Buyer, and counterparties in “derivative” transactions to which any such Buyer is a party, directly or indirectly, presently may have a “short” position in the Common Stock which was established prior to such Buyer’s knowledge of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents; (iii) each Buyer shall not be deemed to have any affiliation with or control over any arm’s length counterparty in any “derivative” transaction; and (iv) each Buyer may rely on the Company’s obligation to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon conversion, exercise or exchange, as applicable, of the Securities as and when required pursuant to the Transaction Documents for purposes of effecting trading in the Common Stock of the Company. The Company further understands and acknowledges that following the public disclosure of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents pursuant to the Press Release (as defined below) one or more Buyers may engage in hedging and/or trading activities (including, without limitation, the location and/or reservation of borrowable shares of Common Stock) at various times during the period that the Securities are outstanding, including, without limitation, during the periods that the value and/or number of the Warrant Shares or Conversion Shares, as applicable, deliverable with respect to the Securities are being determined and such hedging and/or trading activities (including, without limitation, the location and/or reservation of borrowable shares of Common Stock), if any, can reduce the value of the existing stockholders’ equity interest in the Company both at and after the time the hedging and/or trading activities are being conducted. The Company acknowledges that such aforementioned hedging and/or trading activities do not constitute a breach of this Agreement, the Certificate of Designations, the Warrants or any other Transaction Document or any of the documents executed in connection herewith or therewith.

 

 

(ff)  Manipulation of Price. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no Person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, (i) taken any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities (other than the Placement Agents), (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (iv) paid or agreed to pay any Person for research services with respect to any securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(gg)  U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is, or has ever been, and so long as any of the Securities are held by any of the Buyers, shall become, a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code, and the Company and each Subsidiary shall so certify upon any Buyer’s request.

 

(hh)  Registration Eligibility. The Company is eligible to register the Registrable Securities (defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) for resale by the Buyers using Form S-1 promulgated under the 1933 Act.

 

(ii)  Transfer Taxes. On the Closing Date, all stock transfer or other taxes (other than income or similar taxes) which are required to be paid in connection with the issuance, sale and transfer of the Securities to be sold to each Buyer hereunder will be, or will have been, fully paid or provided for by the Company, and all laws imposing such taxes will be or will have been complied with.

 

(jj)  Bank Holding Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”) and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities or twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total equity of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve.

 

(kk)  Illegal or Unauthorized Payments; Political Contributions. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge (after reasonable inquiry of its officers and directors), any of the officers, directors, employees, agents or other representatives of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any other business entity or enterprise with which the Company or any Subsidiary is or has been affiliated or associated, has, directly or indirectly, made or authorized any payment, contribution or gift of money, property, or services, whether or not in contravention of applicable law, (i) as a kickback or bribe to any Person or (ii) to any political organization, or the holder of or any aspirant to any elective or appointive public office except for personal political contributions not involving the direct or indirect use of funds of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

 

(ll)  Money Laundering. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with, and have not previously violated, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and all other applicable U.S. and non-U.S. anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the laws, regulations and Executive Orders and sanctions programs administered by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control, including, but not limited, to (i) Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 entitled, “Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism” (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)); and (ii) any regulations contained in 31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V.

 

(mm)  Management. During the past three year period, no current or former officer or director or, to the knowledge of the Company, no current ten percent (10%) or greater stockholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has been the subject of:

 

(i)  a petition under bankruptcy laws or any other insolvency or moratorium law or the appointment by a court of a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer for such Person, or any partnership in which such person was a general partner at or within two years before the filing of such petition or such appointment, or any corporation or business association of which such person was an executive officer at or within two years before the time of the filing of such petition or such appointment;

 

(ii)  a conviction in a criminal proceeding or a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations that do not relate to driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence);

 

(iii)  any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining any such person from, or otherwise limiting, the following activities:

 

(1)  Acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan association or insurance company, or engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with such activity;

 

(2)  Engaging in any particular type of business practice; or

 

 

(3)  Engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity or in connection with any violation of securities laws or commodities laws;

 

(iv)  any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting for more than sixty (60) days the right of any such person to engage in any activity described in the preceding sub paragraph, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;

 

(v)  a finding by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC or other authority to have violated any securities law, regulation or decree and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the SEC or any other authority has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated; or

 

(vi)  a finding by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any federal commodities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated.

 

(nn)  Stock Option Plans. Each stock option granted by the Company was granted (i) in accordance with the terms of the applicable stock option plan of the Company and (ii) with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date such stock option would be considered granted under GAAP and applicable law. No stock option granted under the Company’s stock option plan has been backdated. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no policy or practice of the Company to knowingly grant, stock options prior to, or otherwise knowingly coordinate the grant of stock options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or their financial results or prospects.

 

(oo)  No Disagreements with Accountants and Lawyers. There are no material disagreements of any kind presently existing, or reasonably anticipated by the Company to arise, between the Company and the accountants and lawyers formerly or presently employed by the Company and the Company is current with respect to any fees owed to its accountants and lawyers which could affect the Company’s ability to perform any of its obligations under any of the Transaction Documents. In addition, on or prior to the date hereof, the Company had discussions with its accountants about its financial statements previously filed with the SEC. Based on those discussions, the Company has no reason to believe that it will need to restate any such financial statements or any part thereof.

 

(pp)  No Disqualification Events. With respect to Securities to be offered and sold hereunder in reliance on Rule 506(b) under the 1933 Act (“Regulation D Securities”), none of the Company, any of its predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any director, executive officer, other officer of the Company participating in the offering contemplated hereby, any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting equity securities, calculated on the basis of voting power, nor any promoter (as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) connected with the Company in any capacity at the time of sale (each, an “Issuer Covered Person” and, together, “Issuer Covered Persons”) is subject to any of the “Bad Actor” disqualifications described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i) to (viii) under the 1933 Act (a “Disqualification Event”), except for a Disqualification Event covered by Rule 506(d)(2) or (d)(3). The Company has exercised reasonable care to determine whether any Issuer Covered Person is subject to a Disqualification Event. The Company has complied, to the extent applicable, with its disclosure obligations under Rule 506(e), and has furnished to the Buyers a copy of any disclosures provided thereunder.

 

 

(qq)  Other Covered Persons. The Company is not aware of any Person (other than the Placement Agents) that has been or will be paid (directly or indirectly) remuneration for solicitation of Buyers or potential purchasers in connection with the sale of any Regulation D Securities.

 

(rr)  No Additional Agreements. The Company does not have any agreement or understanding with any Buyer with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents other than as specified in the Transaction Documents.

 

(ss)  Public Utility Holding Act. None of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “holding company,” or an “affiliate” of a “holding company,” as such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding Act of 2005.

 

(tt)  Federal Power Act. None of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation as a “public utility” under the Federal Power Act, as amended.

 

(uu)  Cybersecurity. The Company and its Subsidiaries’ information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (collectively, “IT Systems”) are adequate for, and operate and perform in all material respects as required in connection with the operation of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted, free and clear of all material bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company’s business. The Company and its Subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable physical, technical and administrative controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and data, including “Personal Data,” used in connection with their businesses. “Personal Data” means (i) a natural person’s name, street address, telephone number, e-mail address, photograph, social security number or tax identification number, driver’s license number, passport number, credit card number, bank information, or customer or account number; (ii) any information which would qualify as “personally identifying information” under the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended; (iii) “personal data” as defined by the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) (EU 2016/679); (iv) any information which would qualify as “protected health information” under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (collectively, “HIPAA”); and (v) any other piece of information that allows the identification of such natural person, or his or her family, or permits the collection or analysis of any data related to an identified person’s health or sexual orientation. There have been no breaches, violations, outages or unauthorized uses of or accesses to same, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability or the duty to notify any other person or such, nor any incidents under internal review or investigations relating to the same except in each case, where such would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its Subsidiaries are presently in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Personal Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Personal Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification except in each case, where such would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

(vv)  Compliance with Data Privacy Laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries are, and at all prior times were, in compliance with all applicable state and federal data privacy and security laws and regulations, including without limitation HIPAA, and the Company and its Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable actions to prepare to comply with, and since May 25, 2018, have been and currently are in compliance with, the GDPR (EU 2016/679) (collectively, the “Privacy Laws”) except in each case, where such would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. To ensure compliance with the Privacy Laws, the Company and its Subsidiaries have in place, comply with, and take appropriate steps reasonably designed to ensure compliance in all material respects with their policies and procedures relating to data privacy and security and the collection, storage, use, disclosure, handling, and analysis of Personal Data (the “Policies”). The Company and its Subsidiaries have at all times made all disclosures to users or customers required by applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements, and none of such disclosures made or contained in any Policy have, to the knowledge of the Company, been inaccurate or in violation of any applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements in any material respect. The Company further certifies that neither it nor any Subsidiary: (i) has received notice of any actual or potential liability under or relating to, or actual or potential violation of, any of the Privacy Laws, and has no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any such notice; (ii) is currently conducting or paying for, in whole or in part, any investigation, remediation, or other corrective action pursuant to any Privacy Law; or (iii) is a party to any order, decree, or agreement that imposes any obligation or liability under any Privacy Law.

 

(ww)  Disclosure. The Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided any of the Buyers or their agents or counsel with any information that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to constitute material, non-public information concerning the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than the existence of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. The Company understands and confirms that each of the Buyers will rely on the foregoing representations in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. All disclosure provided to the Buyers regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries, their businesses and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the schedules to this Agreement, furnished by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. All of the written information furnished after the date hereof by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to each Buyer pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, taken as a whole, will be true and correct in all material respects as of the date on which such information is so provided and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each press release issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries during the twelve (12) months preceding the date of this Agreement did not at the time of release contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. No event or circumstance has occurred or information exists with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its or their business, properties, liabilities, prospects, operations (including results thereof) or conditions (financial or otherwise), which, under applicable law, rule or regulation, requires public disclosure at or before the date hereof or announcement by the Company but which has not been so publicly disclosed. All financial projections and forecasts that have been prepared by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and made available to you have been prepared in good faith based upon reasonable assumptions and represented, at the time each such financial projection or forecast was delivered to each Buyer, the Company’s best estimate of future financial performance (it being recognized that such financial projections or forecasts are not to be viewed as facts and that the actual results during the period or periods covered by any such financial projections or forecasts may differ from the projected or forecasted results). The Company acknowledges and agrees that no Buyer makes or has made any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in Section 2.

 

 

3A REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TARGET

 

The Target represents and warrants to each of the Buyers that, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date:

 

(a)  Organization and Qualification. Each of the Target and each of its Target Subsidiaries (as defined below) are entities duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are formed, and have the requisite power and authority to own their properties and to carry on their business as now being conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted. Each of the Target and each of its Target Subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign entity to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which its ownership of property or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Target Material Adverse Effect (as defined below). As used in this Agreement, “Target Material Adverse Effect” means any material adverse effect on (i) the business, properties, assets, liabilities, operations (including results thereof), condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Target or any Target Subsidiary, individually or taken as a whole, (ii) the transactions contemplated hereby or in any of the other Transaction Documents or any other agreements or instruments to be entered into in connection herewith or therewith or (iii) the authority or ability of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries to perform any of their respective obligations under any of the Transaction Documents (as defined below). Other than the Persons (as defined below) set forth on Schedule 3A(a), the Target has no Target Subsidiaries. “Target Subsidiaries” means any Person in which the Target, directly or indirectly, (I) owns any of the outstanding capital stock or holds any equity or similar interest of such Person or (II) controls or operates all or any part of the business, operations or administration of such Person, and each of the foregoing, is individually referred to herein as a “Target Subsidiary.” The Target Subsidiaries and the Subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the “BC Subsidiaries”, and together with the BC Parties, the “BC Entities”.

 

 

(b)  Authorization; Enforcement; Validity. The Target has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. Each Target Subsidiary has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by the Target and its Target Subsidiaries, and the consummation by the Target and its Target Subsidiaries of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by the Target’s board of directors, and no further filing, consent or authorization is required by the Target, its Target Subsidiaries, their respective boards of directors or their shareholders or other governing body. This Agreement has been, and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party will be prior to the Closing, duly executed and delivered by the Target, and each constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Target, enforceable against the Target in accordance with its respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies and except as rights to indemnification and to contribution may be limited by federal or state securities law. Prior to the Closing, the Transaction Documents to which each Target Subsidiary is a party will be duly executed and delivered by each such Target Subsidiary, and shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each such Target Subsidiary, enforceable against each such Target Subsidiary in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies and except as rights to indemnification and to contribution may be limited by federal or state securities law.

 

(c)  No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Target and its Target Subsidiaries and the consummation by the Target and its Target Subsidiaries of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not (i) result in a violation of the certificate of formation, memorandum of association, articles of association, bylaws or other organizational documents of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries, or any capital stock or other securities of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) in any respect under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries is a party (including, without limitation, the Merger Agreement), or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including, without limitation, foreign, federal and state securities laws and regulations) applicable to the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries is bound or affected.

 

 

(d)  Consents. Neither the Target nor any Target Subsidiary is required to obtain any consent from, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with any Governmental Entity or any regulatory or self-regulatory agency or any other Person in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its respective obligations under or contemplated by the Transaction Documents, in each case, in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof. All consents, authorizations, orders, filings and registrations which the Target or any Target Subsidiary is required to obtain pursuant to the preceding sentence have been or will be obtained or effected on or prior to the Closing Date, and neither the Target nor any of its Target Subsidiaries are aware of any facts or circumstances which might prevent the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries from obtaining or effecting any of the registration, application or filings contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

 

(e)  No General Solicitation; Placement Agents’ Fees. Neither the Target, nor any of its Target Subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities. The Target shall be responsible for the payment of any placement agent’s fees, financial advisory fees, or brokers’ commissions (other than for Persons engaged by any Buyer or its investment advisor) relating to or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, placement agent fees payable to the Placement Agents in connection with the sale of the Securities. The fees and expenses of the Placement Agents to be paid by the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries are as set forth on Schedule 3A(e) attached hereto. The Target shall pay, and hold each Buyer harmless against, any liability, loss or expense (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees and out-of-pocket expenses) arising in connection with any such claim. The Target acknowledges that it has engaged the Placement Agents in connection with the sale of the Securities. Other than the Placement Agents, neither the Target nor any of its Target Subsidiaries has engaged any placement agent or other agent in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities.

 

(f)  No Integrated Offering. None of the Target, its Target Subsidiaries or any of their affiliates, nor any Person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of any of the Securities under the 1933 Act, whether through integration with prior offerings or otherwise, or cause this offering of the Securities to require approval of shareholders of the Target for purposes of the 1933 Act or under any applicable shareholder approval provisions, including, without limitation, under the rules and regulations of any exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the securities of the Target are listed or designated for quotation. None of the Target, its Target Subsidiaries, their affiliates nor any Person acting on their behalf will take any action or steps that would require registration of any of the Securities under the 1933 Act or cause the offering of any of the Securities to be integrated with other offerings of securities of the Target.

 

 

(g)  Material Liabilities; Financial Information; Forecasts. Except as set forth on Schedule 3A(g)(i), the Target has no liabilities or obligations, absolute or contingent (individually or in the aggregate), except obligations under contracts made in the ordinary course of business that as of the date of this Agreement would not be required to be reflected in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied for the periods covered thereby. The historical financial information of the Target delivered to the Buyers on or prior to the date hereof, and attached hereto as Schedule 3A(g)(ii) (collectively, the “Target Financial Statements”), fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Target and its Target Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, at the respective dates thereof, subject to adjustments which are not expected to have a Target Material Adverse Effect on the Target and its Target Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The forecasts and projections previously delivered to the Buyers by the Target and attached hereto as Schedule 3A(g)(iii) have been prepared in good faith and on the basis of assumptions that are fair and reasonable in light of current and reasonably foreseeable circumstances. No other information provided by or on behalf of the Target to any of the Buyers contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, in the light of the circumstance under which they are or were made. Other than the conversion from GAAP to GAAP and the adjustments related thereto, the Target is not currently contemplating to amend or restate any of the Target Financial Statements, nor is the Target currently aware of facts or circumstances which would require the Target to amend or restate any of the Target Financial Statements, in each case, in order for any of the Financials Statements to be in compliance with GAAP. The Target has not been informed by its independent accountants that they recommend that the Target amend or restate any of the Target Financial Statements or that there is any need for the Target to amend or restate any of the Target Financial Statements.

 

(h)  Absence of Certain Changes. Since the date of the last audited Target Financial Statements, there has been no Target Material Adverse Effect on the Target and its Target Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Specifically, except as set forth on Schedule 3A(h)(l), the date of the last audited Target Financial Statements, neither the Target nor its Target Subsidiaries have:

 

(i)  declared, set aside or paid any dividend or other distribution with respect to any shares of capital stock of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect redemption, purchase or other acquisition of any such shares;

 

(ii)  sold, assigned, pledged, encumbered, transferred or other disposed of any tangible asset of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries (other than sales or the licensing of its products to customers in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), or sold, assigned, pledged, encumbered, transferred or other disposed of any Target Intellectual Property (other than licensing of products of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and on a non-exclusive basis);

 

(iii)  entered into any licensing or other agreement with regard to the acquisition or disposition of any Target Intellectual Property other than licenses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or any amendment or consent with respect to any licensing agreement filed or required to be filed with respect to any Governmental Entity;

 

(iv)  capital expenditures, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $100,000;

 

(v)  any obligation or liability (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, and whether due or to become due) incurred by the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries, in excess of $100,000 individually, other than obligations under customer contracts, current obligations and liabilities, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;

 

 

(vi)  any Lien on any property of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries except for Liens in existence on the date of this Agreement that are described on Schedules 3A(h)(vi).

 

(vii)  any payment, discharge, satisfaction or settlement of any suit, action, claim, arbitration, proceeding or obligation of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries, except in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;

 

(viii)  any split, combination or reclassification of any equity securities;

 

(ix)  any material loss, destruction or damage to any property of the Target or any Target Subsidiary, whether or not insured;

 

(x)  any acceleration or prepayment of any Indebtedness (as defined below) for borrowed money or the refunding of any such Indebtedness;

 

(xi)  any labor trouble involving the Target or any Target Subsidiary or any material change in their personnel or the terms and conditions of employment;

 

(xii)  any waiver of any valuable right, whether by contract or otherwise;

 

(xiii)  except as disclosed in Schedule 3A(h)(xiii), any loan or extension of credit to any officer or employee of the Target;

 

(xiv)  any change in the independent public accountants of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries or any material change in the accounting methods or accounting practices followed by the Target or its Target Subsidiaries, as applicable, or any material change in depreciation or amortization policies or rates;

 

(xv)  any resignation or termination of any officer, key employee or group of employees of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries;

 

(xvi)  any change in any compensation arrangement or agreement with any employee, officer, director or shareholder that would result in the aggregate compensation to such Person in such year to exceed $200,000;

 

(xvii)  any material increase in the compensation of employees of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries (including any increase pursuant to any written bonus, pension, profit sharing or other benefit or compensation plan, policy or arrangement or commitment), or any increase in any such compensation or bonus payable to any officer, shareholder, director, consultant or agent of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries having an annual salary or remuneration in excess of $200,000, except as may be provided in projections contained in Schedule 3A(h)(xvii);

 

(xviii)  any revaluation of any of their respective assets, including, without limitation, writing down the value of capitalized inventory or writing off notes or accounts receivable or any sale of assets other than in the ordinary course of business; or

 

 

(xix)  any acquisition or disposition of any material assets (or any contract or arrangement therefor), or any other material transaction by the Target or any Target Subsidiary otherwise than for fair value in the ordinary course of business.

 

(xx)  written-down the value of any asset of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries or written-off as uncollectible of any accounts or notes receivable or any portion thereof except in the ordinary course of business and in a magnitude consistent with historical practice;

 

(xxi)  cancelled any debts or claims or any material amendment, termination or waiver of any rights of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries; or

 

(xxii)  any agreement, whether in writing or otherwise, to take any of the actions specified in the foregoing items (i) through (xxi).

 

Neither the Target nor any of its Target Subsidiaries has taken any steps to seek protection pursuant to any law or statute relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, liquidation or winding up, nor does the Target or any Target Subsidiary have any knowledge or reason to believe that any of their respective creditors intend to initiate involuntary bankruptcy proceedings or any actual knowledge of any fact which would reasonably lead a creditor to do so. The Target and its Target Subsidiaries, individually and on a consolidated basis, are not as of the date hereof, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby to occur at the Closing, will not be Target Insolvent (as defined below). For purposes of this Section 3(A)(h), “Target Insolvent” means, (i) with respect to the Target and its Target Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, (A) the present fair saleable value of the Target’s and its Target Subsidiaries’ assets is less than the amount required to pay the Target’s and its Target Subsidiaries’ total Indebtedness (as defined below), (B) the Target and its Target Subsidiaries are unable to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured or (C) the Target and its Target Subsidiaries intend to incur or believe that they will incur debts that would be beyond their ability to pay as such debts mature; and (ii) with respect to the Target and each Target Subsidiary, individually, (A) the present fair saleable value of the Target’s or such Target Subsidiary’s (as the case may be) assets is less than the amount required to pay its respective total Indebtedness, (B) the Target or such Target Subsidiary (as the case may be) is unable to pay its respective debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured or (C) the Target or such Target Subsidiary (as the case may be) intends to incur or believes that it will incur debts that would be beyond its respective ability to pay as such debts mature. Neither the Target nor any of its Target Subsidiaries has engaged in any business or in any transaction, and is not about to engage in any business or in any transaction, for which the Target’s or such Target Subsidiary’s remaining assets constitute unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted.

 

(i)  No Undisclosed Events, Liabilities, Developments or Circumstances. No event, liability, development or circumstance has occurred or exists, or is reasonably expected to exist or occur with respect to the Target, any of its Target Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, properties, liabilities, prospects, operations (including results thereof) or condition (financial or otherwise), that (i) could have a material adverse effect on any Buyer’s investment hereunder or (ii) could have a Target Material Adverse Effect. The reserves, if any, established by the Target or the lack of reserves, if applicable, are reasonable based upon facts and circumstances known by the Target on the date hereof and there are no loss contingencies that are required to be accrued by the Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board which are not provided for by the Target in its financial statements or otherwise.

 

 

(j)  Conduct of Business; Regulatory Permits. Neither the Target nor any of its Target Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of or in default under its organizational documents, any certificate of designation, preferences or rights of any other outstanding series of preferred stock of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries or Bylaws or their organizational charter, certificate of formation, memorandum of association, articles of association or certificate of incorporation or bylaws or other organizational documents, respectively. Neither the Target nor any of its Target Subsidiaries is in violation of any judgment, decree or order or any statute, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries, and neither the Target nor any of its Target Subsidiaries will conduct its business in violation of any of the foregoing, except in all cases for possible violations which could not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Target Material Adverse Effect. The Target and each of its Target Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses, except where the failure to possess such certificates, authorizations or permits would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Target Material Adverse Effect, and neither the Target nor any such Target Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization or permit. There is no agreement, commitment, judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries or to which the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries is a party which has or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or materially impairing any business practice of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries, any acquisition of property by the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries or the conduct of business by the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries as currently conducted other than such effects, individually or in the aggregate, which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Target Material Adverse Effect on the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries.

 

(k)  Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Target, the Target’s subsidiary or any director, officer, agent, employee, nor any other person acting for or on behalf of the foregoing (individually and collectively, a “Target Affiliate”) have violated the FCPA or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption laws, nor has any Company Affiliate offered, paid, promised to pay, or authorized the payment of any money, or offered, given, promised to give, or authorized the giving of anything of value, to any officer, employee or any other person acting in an official capacity for any Governmental Entity to any political party or Government Official or to any person under circumstances where such Company Affiliate knew or was aware of a high probability that all or a portion of such money or thing of value would be offered, given or promised, directly or indirectly, to any Government Official, for the purpose of:

 

(i)  (A) influencing any act or decision of such Government Official in his/her official capacity, (B) inducing such Government Official to do or omit to do any act in violation of his/her lawful duty, (C) securing any improper advantage, or (D) inducing such Government Official to influence or affect any act or decision of any Governmental Entity, or

 

 

(ii)  assisting the Target or its Target Subsidiaries in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, the Target or its Target Subsidiaries.

 

(l)  Transactions With Affiliates. No current or former employee, partner, director, officer or shareholder (direct or indirect) of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries, or any associate, or, to the knowledge of the Target, any affiliate of any thereof, or any relative with a relationship no more remote than first cousin of any of the foregoing, is presently (i) a party to any transaction with the Target or its Target Subsidiaries (including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services by, or rental of real or personal property from, or otherwise requiring payments to, any such director, officer or shareholder or such associate or affiliate or relative Target Subsidiaries (other than for ordinary course services as employees, officers or directors of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries)) or (ii) the direct or indirect owner of an interest in any corporation, firm, association or business organization which is a competitor, supplier or customer of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries (except for a passive investment (direct or indirect) in less than 5% of the common stock of a company whose securities are traded on or quoted through an Eligible Market), nor does any such Person receive income from any source other than the Target or its Target Subsidiaries which relates to the business of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries or should properly accrue to the Target or its Target Subsidiaries. No employee, officer, shareholder or director of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries or member of his or her immediate family is indebted to the Target or its Target Subsidiaries, as the case may be, nor is the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries indebted (or committed to make loans or extend or guarantee credit) to any of them, other than (i) for payment of salary for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of the Target, and (iii) for other standard employee benefits made generally available to all employees or executives (including stock option agreements outstanding under any stock option plan approved by the Board of Directors of the Target).

 

(m)  Indebtedness and Other Contracts. Neither the Target nor any of its Target Subsidiaries, (i) except as disclosed on Schedule 3A(m), has any outstanding debt securities, notes, credit agreements, credit facilities or other agreements, documents or instruments evidencing Indebtedness of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries or by which the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries is or may become bound, (ii) is a party to any contract, agreement or instrument, the violation of which, or default under which, by the other party(ies) to such contract, agreement or instrument could reasonably be expected to result in a Target Material Adverse Effect, (iii) has any financing statements securing obligations in any amounts filed in connection with the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries; (iv) is in violation of any term of, or in default under, any contract, agreement or instrument relating to any Indebtedness, except where such violations and defaults would not result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Target Material Adverse Effect, or (v) is a party to any contract, agreement or instrument relating to any Indebtedness, the performance of which, in the judgment of the Target’s officers, has or is expected to have a Target Material Adverse Effect.

 

(n)  Litigation. There is no action, suit, arbitration, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, other Governmental Entity, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the Target, threatened against or affecting the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries, or any of the Target’s or its Target Subsidiaries’ officers or directors, whether of a civil or criminal nature or otherwise, in their capacities as such, except as set forth in Schedule 3A(n). No director, officer or employee of the Target or any of its subsidiaries has willfully violated 18 U.S.C. §1519 or engaged in spoliation in reasonable anticipation of litigation. After reasonable inquiry of its employees, the Target is not aware of any fact which might result in or form the basis for any such action, suit, arbitration, investigation, inquiry or other proceeding. Neither the Target nor any of its Target Subsidiaries is subject to any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award of any Governmental Entity.

 

 

(o)  Insurance. The Target and each of its Target Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as management of the Target believes to be prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Target and its Target Subsidiaries are engaged. Neither the Target nor any such Target Subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for, and neither the Target nor any such Target Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will be unable to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a Target Material Adverse Effect.

 

(p)  Employee Matters; Benefit Plans.

 

(i)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3A(p)(i), the employment of each officer and employee of the Target is terminable at the will of the Target. The Target and its Target Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with all applicable laws relating to wages, hours, equal opportunity, collective bargaining, workers’ compensation insurance and the payment of social security and other taxes. The Target is not aware that any officer, key employee or group of employees intends to terminate his, her or their employment with the Target or its Target Subsidiaries, as the case may be, nor does the Target have a present intention, or know of a present intention of its Target Subsidiaries, to terminate the employment of any officer, key employee or group of employees. There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Target, threatened employment discrimination charges or complaints against or involving the Target or its Target Subsidiaries before any federal, state, or local board, department, commission or agency, or unfair labor practice charges or complaints, disputes or grievances affecting the Target or its Target Subsidiaries.

 

(ii)  Since the Target’s inception, neither the Target nor its Target Subsidiaries has experienced any labor disputes, union organization attempts or work stoppage due to labor disagreements. There are no unfair labor practice charges or complaints against the Target or its Target Subsidiaries pending, or to the knowledge of the Target, threatened before the National Labor Relations Board or any comparable state agency or authority. There are no written or oral contracts, commitments, agreements, understandings or other arrangements with any labor organization, nor work rules or practices agreed to with any labor organization or employee association, applicable to employees of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries, nor is the Target or its Target Subsidiaries a party to, or bound by, any collective bargaining or similar agreement; there is not, and since the Target’s inception there has not been, any representation of the employees of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries by any labor organization and, to the knowledge of the Target, there are no union organizing activities among the employees of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries, and to the knowledge of the Target, no question concerning representation has been raised or is threatened respecting the employees of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries.

 

 

(iii)  Schedule 3A(p)(iii) contains a true, correct and complete list of each pension, retirement, savings, deferred compensation and profit-sharing plan and each stock option, stock appreciation, stock purchase, performance share, bonus or other incentive plan, severance plan, health, group insurance or other welfare plan, or other similar plan (whether written or otherwise) and any “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), under which the Target has any current or future obligation or liability (including any potential, contingent or secondary liability under Title IV of ERISA) or under which any employee or former employee (or beneficiary of any employee or former employee) of the Target has or may have any current or future right to benefits (the term “plan” shall include any contract, agreement (including an employment or independent contractor agreement), policy or understanding, each such plan being hereinafter referred to in this Agreement individually as a “Benefit Plan”). The Target has delivered to each Buyer true, correct and complete copies of (i) each material Benefit Plan, including any amendments thereto, (ii) the summary plan description, if any, for each Benefit Plan, including any summaries of material modifications made since the most recent summary plan description, (iii) the latest annual report which has been filed with the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) for each Benefit Plan required to file an annual report, if any, and (iv) the most recent IRS determination letter for each Benefit Plan that is a pension plan (as defined in ERISA) intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code. Each Benefit Plan intended to be tax qualified under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code is and has been determined by the IRS to be tax qualified under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code and, since such determination, no amendment to or failure to amend any such Benefit Plan and no other event or circumstance has occurred that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect its tax qualified status.

 

(iv)  There are no actions, claims, audits, lawsuits or arbitrations pending, or, to the knowledge of the Target, threatened, with respect to any Benefit Plan or the assets of any Benefit Plan. Except as set forth in Schedule 3A(p)(iv), each Benefit Plan has been administered in all material respects in accordance with its terms and with all applicable Legal Requirements (as defined below) (including, without limitation, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and ERISA). “Legal Requirement” means any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, international, multinational, or other administrative order, constitution, law, ordinance, principle of common law, regulation, statute, or treaty.

 

(v)  Except as set forth in Schedule 3A(p)(v), the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not (1) entitle any employee or independent contractor of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries to severance pay or termination benefits, (2) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due to any current or former employee or independent contractor of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries, (3) obligate the Target or any of its affiliates to pay or otherwise be liable for any compensation, vacation days, pension contribution or other benefits to any current or former employee, consultant, agent or independent contractor of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries for periods before the applicable Closing Date, (4) require assets to be set aside or other forms of security to be provided with respect to any liability under a Benefit Plan, or (5) result in any “parachute payment” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) under any Benefit Plan.

 

 

(vi)  No Benefit Plan is subject to the provisions of Section 412 of the Code or Part 3 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA. No Benefit Plan is subject to Title IV of ERISA and no Benefit Plan is a “multiemployer plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA). Since inception, neither the Target, its Target Subsidiaries, nor any business or entity treated as a single employer with the Target or its Target Subsidiaries for purposes of Title IV of ERISA contributed to or was obliged to contribute to a pension plan that was at any time subject to Title IV of ERISA.

 

(vii)  No Benefit Plan has provided, been required to provide, provides or is required to provide, at any time in the past, present, or future, health, medical, dental, accident, disability, death or survivor benefits to or in respect of any Person beyond one year following termination of employment, except to the extent required under any state insurance law or under Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and under Section 4980B of the Code. No Benefit Plan covers any individual that is not an employee or advisor of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries, other than spouses and dependents of employees under health and child care policies listed in Schedule 3(u)(vii), true and complete copies of which have been made available to each Buyer.

 

(viii)  Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to employment agreements with the Target disclosed to the Buyers, each officer of the Target is currently devoting all of such officer’s business time to the conduct of the business of the Target. Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to employment agreements with the Target disclosed to the Buyers, the Target is not aware of any officer or key employee of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries planning to work less than full time at the Target or its Target Subsidiaries in the future.

 

(q)  Assets; Title.

 

(i)  Each of the Target and its Target Subsidiaries has good and valid title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, as applicable, all of its properties and assets, free and clear of all Liens except (i) any Lien for taxes not yet due or delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, (ii) any statutory Lien arising in the ordinary course of business by operation of law with respect to a liability that is not yet due or delinquent, (iii) any Lien created by operation of law, such as materialmen’s liens, mechanics’ liens and other similar liens, arising in the ordinary course of business with respect to a liability that is not yet due or delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and (iv) such as have been disposed of in the ordinary course of business. All tangible personal property owned by the Target and its Target Subsidiaries has been maintained in good operating condition and repair, except (x) for ordinary wear and tear, and (y) where such failure would not have a Target Material Adverse Effect. All assets leased by the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries are in the condition required by the terms of the lease applicable thereto during the term of such lease and upon the expiration thereof. The Target and its Target Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property, if any, and good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them which is material to the business of the Target and its Target Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such Liens set forth in Schedule 3A(q)(i).

 

 

(ii)  Schedule 3A(q)(ii) sets forth a complete list of all real property and interests in real property leased by the Target as of the date hereof (the “Target Real Property”). The Target has good and valid leasehold interest in all real property and interests in real property shown on Schedule 3A(q)(ii) to be leased by it free and clear of all Liens except where such Liens would not have a Target Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 3A(q)(ii), there exists no default, or any event which upon notice or the passage of time, or both, would give rise to any default, in the performance of the Target or by any lessor under any such lease, nor, to the knowledge of the Target, is the landlord of any such lease in default except where any such default would not have a Target Material Adverse Effect.

 

(r)  Intellectual Property.

 

(i)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3A(r)(i), the Target and its Target Subsidiaries own all right, title and interest in and to, or have a valid and enforceable license to use all the Target Intellectual Property used by them in connection with the their respective businesses, which represents all intellectual property rights necessary to the conduct of the their business as now conducted. The Target and its Target Subsidiaries are in compliance with all contractual obligations relating to the protection of such of the Target Intellectual Property as they use pursuant to license or other agreement. The conduct of the business of the Target and its Target Subsidiaries, to the knowledge of the Target, as currently conducted, or as reasonably be expected to be conducted, does not, and is not reasonably expected to, conflict with or infringe any proprietary right or Target Intellectual Property of any third party, including, without limitation, the transmission, reproduction, use, display or modification of any content or material (including framing, and linking web site content) on a web site, bulletin board or other like medium hosted by or on behalf of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries, except for such infringements and conflicts which would not reasonably be expected to have a Target Material Adverse Effect. There is no claim, suit, action or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Target, threatened against the Target or any Target Subsidiary: (i) alleging any such conflict or infringement with any third party’s proprietary rights; or (ii) challenging the Target’s or any Target Subsidiary’s ownership or use of, or the validity or enforceability of any Target Intellectual Property.

 

(ii)  Schedule 3A(r)(ii) sets forth a complete and current list of registered trademarks or copyrights, issued patents, applications therefor, or other forms of Target Intellectual Property registration anywhere in the world that is owned by the Target or a Target Subsidiary (“Listed Target Intellectual Property”) and the owner of record, date of application or issuance and relevant jurisdiction as to each. All Listed Target Intellectual Property is owned by the Target or a Target Subsidiary, free and clear of security interests, liens, encumbrances or claims of any nature. All Listed Target Intellectual Property is valid, subsisting, unexpired, in proper form and enforceable and all renewal fees and other maintenance fees that have fallen due on or prior to the effective date of this Agreement have been paid. No Listed Target Intellectual Property is the subject of any proceeding before any governmental, registration or other authority in any jurisdiction, including any office action or other form of preliminary or final refusal of registration, except as noted on Schedule 3A(r)(ii). The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not alter or impair any Target Intellectual Property that is owned or licensed by the Target or a Target Subsidiary.

 

 

(iii)  Schedule 3A(r)(iii) sets forth a complete list of all agreements relating to Target Intellectual Property to which the Target or a Target Subsidiary is a party, subject or bound (the “Target Intellectual Property Contracts”) (other than agreements involving (A) the license of the Target of standard, generally commercially available “off-the-shelf” third party products that are not and will not to any extent be part of any product, service or intellectual property offering of the Target or (B) non-disclosure or non-use of information). Each Target Intellectual Property Contract: (i) is valid and binding on the Target or a Target Subsidiary, as the case may be, and, to the Target’s knowledge, the counterparties thereto, and is in full force and effect and (ii) upon consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall continue in full force and effect without penalty or other adverse consequence.

 

(iv)  The Target and its Target Subsidiaries are not under any obligation to pay royalties or other payments in connection with any agreement, nor restricted from assigning their rights respecting Target Intellectual Property nor will the Target or any Target Subsidiary otherwise be, as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance of the Target’s obligations under this Agreement, in breach of any agreement relating to the Target Intellectual Property.

 

(v)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3A(r)(v), no present or former employee, officer or director of the Target or any Target Subsidiary, or agent or outside contractor of the Target or any Target Subsidiary, holds any right, title or interest, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or to any Target Intellectual Property that is owned or licensed by the Target or any Target Subsidiary.

 

(vi)  To the Target’s knowledge: (i) none of the Listed Target Intellectual Property has been used, disclosed or appropriated to the detriment of the Target or any Target Subsidiary for the benefit of any Person other than the Target; and (ii) no employee, independent contractor or agent of the Target or any Target Subsidiary has misappropriated any trade secrets or other confidential information of any other Person in the course of the performance of his or her duties as an employee, independent contractor or agent of the Target or any Target Subsidiary.

 

(vii)  Any programs, modifications, enhancements or other inventions, improvements, discoveries, methods or works of authorship (“Target Works”) that were created by employees of the Target or any Target Subsidiary were made in the regular course of such employees’ employment or service relationships with the Target or its Target Subsidiary using the Target’s or the Target Subsidiary’s facilities and resources and, as such, constitute either works made for hire or all rights and title to and in such Target Works have been fully assigned to the Target or a Target Subsidiary. Each such employee who has created Target Works or any employee who in the regular course of his employment may create Target Works and all consultants have signed an assignment or similar agreement with the Target or the Target Subsidiary confirming the Target’s or the Target Subsidiary’s ownership or, in the alternate, transferring and assigning to the Target or the Target Subsidiary all right, title and interest in and to such programs, modifications, enhancements or other inventions including copyright and other intellectual property rights therein.

 

 

(viii)  For the purpose of this Agreement, “Target Intellectual Property” shall mean all of the following: (A) trademarks and service marks, trade dress, product configurations, trade names and other indications of origin, applications or registrations in any jurisdiction pertaining to the foregoing and all goodwill associated therewith; (B) inventions, discoveries, improvements, ideas, know-how, formula methodology, processes, technology, software (including password unprotected interpretive code or source code, object code, development documentation, programming tools, drawings, specifications and data) and applications and patents in any jurisdiction pertaining to the foregoing, including re-issues, continuations, divisions, continuations-in-part, renewals or extensions; (C) trade secrets, including confidential information and the right in any jurisdiction to limit the use or disclosure thereof; (D) copyrights in writings, designs software, mask works or other works, applications or registrations in any jurisdiction for the foregoing and all moral rights related thereto; (E) database rights; (F) internet websites, domain names and applications and registrations pertaining thereto and all intellectual property used in connection with or contained in all versions of the Target’s Web sites; (G) rights under all agreements relating to the foregoing; (H) books and records pertaining to the foregoing; and (I) claims or causes of action arising out of or related to past, present or future infringement or misappropriation of the foregoing.

 

(s)  Environmental Laws.

 

(i)  The Target and its Target Subsidiaries (A) are in compliance with any and all Environmental Laws, (B) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (C) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval where, in each of the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the failure to so comply could be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Target Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ii)  No Hazardous Materials:

 

(1)  have been disposed of or otherwise released from any Real Property of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries in violation of any Environmental Laws; or

 

(2)  are present on, over, beneath, in or upon Target Real Property or any portion thereof in quantities that would constitute a violation of any Environmental Laws. No prior use by the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries of any Target Real Property has occurred that violates any Environmental Laws, which violation would have a material adverse effect on the business of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries.

 

 

(iii)  Neither the Target nor any of its Target Subsidiaries knows of any other person who or entity which has stored, treated, recycled, disposed of or otherwise located on any Target Real Property any Hazardous Materials, including, without limitation, such substances as asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls.

 

(iv)  None of the Real Properties are on any federal or state “Superfund” list or CERCLIS list or any state environmental agency list of sites under consideration for CERCLIS, nor subject to any environmental related Liens.

 

(t)  Target Subsidiary Rights. The Target or one of its Target Subsidiaries has the unrestricted right to vote, and (subject to limitations imposed by applicable law) to receive dividends and distributions on, all capital securities of its Target Subsidiaries as owned by the Target or such Target Subsidiary.

 

(u)  Tax Status.

 

(i)  Each of the Target and, except as set forth in Schedule 3A(u)(i), the Target Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed in a timely manner (within any applicable extension periods) and in the appropriate jurisdictions all material returns, reports, information statements and other documentation (including any additional or supporting materials) filed or maintained, or required to be filed or maintained, in connection with the calculation, determination, assessment or collection of any and all federal, state, local, foreign and other taxes, levies, fees, imposts, duties, governmental fees and charges of whatever kind (including any interest, penalties or additions to the tax imposed in connection therewith or with respect thereto), including, without limitation, taxes imposed on, or measured by, income, franchise, profits, gross income or gross receipts, and also ad valorem, value added, sales, use, service, real or personal property, capital stock, stock transfer, license, payroll, withholding, employment, social security, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, utility, severance, production, excise, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, transfer and gains taxes and customs duties (each a “Target Tax”) and shall include amended returns required as a result of examination adjustments made by the IRS or other Governmental Entity responsible for the imposition of any Target Tax (collectively, the “Target Returns”) and such Target Returns are true, correct and complete in all material respects.

 

 

(ii)  Each of the Target and the Target Subsidiaries has paid all material Target Taxes and other assessments due from and payable by the Target and the Target Subsidiaries on or prior to the date hereof on a timely basis except as to those set forth in Schedule 3A(u)(ii). The charges, accruals, and reserves for Target Taxes with respect to the Target and the Target Subsidiaries are adequate to cover Target Tax liabilities of the Target and the Target Subsidiaries accruing throughout the date thereof. Except as set forth in Schedule 3A(u)(ii), each of the Target and the Target Subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with all applicable Legal Requirements relating to the payment and withholding of Target Taxes (including withholding and reporting requirements under Sections 1441 through 1464, 3401 through 3406, and 6041 and 6049 of the Code and similar provisions under any other applicable Legal Requirements) and, within the time and in the manner prescribed by law, has withheld from wages, fees and other payments and paid over to the proper governmental or regulatory authorities all amounts required. Except as set forth in Schedule 3A(u)(ii), neither the Target nor any of the Target Subsidiaries has received notice of assessment or proposed assessment of any Target Taxes claimed to be owed by it or any other Person on its behalf. Except as set forth in Schedule 3A(u)(ii), no Target Returns filed by or on behalf of the Target or any of the Target Subsidiaries with respect to Target Taxes are currently being audited or examined. Except as set forth in Schedule 3A(u)(ii), neither the Target nor any of the Target Subsidiaries has received notice of any such audit or examination. Except as set forth in Schedule 3A(u)(ii), no issue has been raised by any taxing authority with respect to the Target or any of the Target Subsidiaries in any audit or examination which, by application of similar principles, could reasonably be expected to result in a proposed material adjustment to the liability for Target Taxes for any period not so examined.

 

(iii)  Except as set forth in Schedule 3A(u)(iii), no known Liens have been filed and no claims are being asserted by or against the Target or any of the Target Subsidiaries with respect to any Target Taxes (other than Liens for Target Taxes not yet due and payable). Neither the Target nor any of the Target Subsidiaries has elected pursuant to the Code to be treated as an S corporation or any comparable provision of local, state or foreign law, or has made any other elections pursuant to the Code (other than elections that relate solely to entity classification, methods of accounting, depreciation, or amortization) that would have a material effect on the business, properties, prospects, or financial condition of the Target and the Target Subsidiaries, individually or in the aggregate.

 

(iv)  No claim has ever been made, or, to the knowledge of the Target, is threatened or pending, by any authority in a jurisdiction where the Target or any of the Target Subsidiaries, respectively, does not file Target Returns that the Target or any of the Target Subsidiaries is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction, and neither the Target nor any of the Target Subsidiaries has received any notice or request for information from any such authority. Neither the Target nor any of the Target Subsidiaries has been a member of an affiliated group (as defined in Section 1504(a) of the Code) or filed or been included in a combined, consolidated or unitary income tax return other than the affiliated group of which the Target is currently the common parent. Neither the Target nor any of the Target Subsidiaries is required to include in income any adjustment pursuant to Section 481(a) of the Code by reason of a voluntary change in accounting methods initiated by the Target or any of the Target Subsidiaries, and no Governmental Entity has proposed an adjustment or change in accounting method. All transactions or methods of accounting that could give rise to a substantial understatement of federal income tax as described in Section 6662(d)(2)(B)(i) of the Code have been adequately disclosed on the Target’s and the Target Subsidiaries’ federal income tax returns in accordance with Section 6662(d)(2)(B) of the Code. Neither the Target nor any of the Target Subsidiaries is a party to any Target Tax sharing or Target Tax indemnity agreement or any other agreement of a similar nature that remains in effect. Neither the Target nor any of the Target Subsidiaries has consented to any waiver of the statute of limitations for the assessment of any Target Taxes or has requested any extension of time for the payment of any Target Taxes. Neither the Target nor any of the Target Subsidiaries has ever held a material beneficial interest in any other Person, other than those listed in Schedule 3A(u)(iv). Neither the Target nor any of the Target Subsidiaries is obligated to make, nor as a result of any event connected with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will become obligated to make, any payment that would not be deductible under Section 280G of the Code.

 

 

(v)  Internal Accounting and Disclosure Controls. The Target and each of its Target Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements that accurately reflect the current status of the business of the Target and its Target Subsidiaries and to maintain asset and liability accountability, (iii) access to assets or incurrence of liabilities is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets and liabilities is compared with the existing assets and liabilities at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any difference. Neither the Target nor any of its Target Subsidiaries has received any notice or correspondence from any accountant, Governmental Entity or other Person relating to any potential material weakness or significant deficiency in any part of the internal controls over financial reporting of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries.

 

(w)  Off Balance Sheet Arrangements. There is no transaction, arrangement, or other relationship between the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries and an unconsolidated or other off balance sheet entity that is required to be disclosed by the Target in its Target Financial Statements and is not so disclosed or that otherwise could be reasonably likely to have a Target Material Adverse Effect.

 

(x)  Illegal or Unauthorized Payments; Political Contributions. Neither the Target nor any of its Target Subsidiaries nor, to the best of the Target’s knowledge (after reasonable inquiry of its officers and directors), any of the officers, directors, employees, agents or other representatives of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries or any other business entity or enterprise with which the Target or any Target Subsidiary is or has been affiliated or associated, has, directly or indirectly, made or authorized any payment, contribution or gift of money, property, or services, whether or not in contravention of applicable law, (i) as a kickback or bribe to any Person or (ii) to any political organization, or the holder of or any aspirant to any elective or appointive public office except for personal political contributions not involving the direct or indirect use of funds of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries.

 

(y)  Money Laundering. The Target and its Target Subsidiaries are in compliance with, and have not previously violated, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and all other applicable U.S. and non-U.S. anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the laws, regulations and Executive Orders and sanctions programs administered by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control, including, but not limited, to (i) Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 entitled, “Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism” (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)); and (ii) any regulations contained in 31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V.

 

 

(z)  Books and Records. The books of account, ledgers, order books, records and documents of the Target and its Target Subsidiaries accurately and completely reflect all information relating to the respective businesses of the Target and its Target Subsidiaries, the nature, acquisition, maintenance, location and collection of each of their respective assets, and the nature of all transactions giving rise to material obligations or accounts receivable of the Target or its Target Subsidiaries, as the case may be, except where the failure to so reflect such information would not have a Target Material Adverse Effect. The minute books of the Target and its Target Subsidiaries contain accurate records of all meetings and accurately reflect all other actions taken by the shareholders, boards of directors and all committees of the boards of directors, and other governing Persons of the Target and its Target Subsidiaries, respectively.

 

(aa)  Management. Except as set forth in Schedule 3A(aa) hereto, during the past five year period, no current or former officer or director or, to the knowledge of the Target, no current ten percent (10%) or greater shareholder of the Target or any of its Target Subsidiaries has been the subject of:

 

(i)  a petition under bankruptcy laws or any other insolvency or moratorium law or the appointment by a court of a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer for such Person, or any partnership in which such person was a general partner at or within two years before the filing of such petition or such appointment, or any corporation or business association of which such person was an executive officer at or within two years before the time of the filing of such petition or such appointment;

 

(ii)  a conviction in a criminal proceeding or a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations that do not relate to driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence);

 

(iii)  any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining any such person from, or otherwise limiting, the following activities:

 

(1)  Acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan association or insurance company, or engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with such activity;

 

(2)  Engaging in any particular type of business practice; or

 

(3)  Engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity or in connection with any violation of securities laws or commodities laws;

 

 

(iv)  any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting for more than sixty (60) days the right of any such person to engage in any activity described in the preceding sub paragraph, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;

 

(v)  a finding by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC or other authority to have violated any securities law, regulation or decree and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the SEC or any other authority has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated; or

 

(vi)  a finding by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any federal commodities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated.

 

(bb)  No Disagreements with Accountants and Lawyers. There are no material disagreements of any kind presently existing, or reasonably anticipated by the Target to arise, between the Target and the accountants and lawyers formerly or presently employed by the Target and the Target is current with respect to any fees owed to its accountants and lawyers which could affect the Target’s ability to perform any of its obligations under any of the Transaction Documents. In addition, on or prior to the date hereof, the Target had discussions with its accountants about its financial statements. Based on those discussions, the Target has no reason to believe that it will need to restate any such financial statements or any part thereof.

 

(i)  The Target possesses all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted, including without limitation all such certificates, authorizations and permits required by the United States Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) or any other federal, state or foreign agencies or bodies engaged in the regulation of pharmaceuticals or biohazardous materials, except where the failure to so possess such certificates, authorizations and permits, individually or in the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Target has not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization or permit which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ii)  The Target has not received any written notices or statements from the FDA, the European Medicines Agency (the “EMEA”) or any other governmental agency, and otherwise has no knowledge or reason to believe, that (i) any drug candidate of the Target (each a “Potential Product”) may or will be rejected or determined to be non-approvable; (ii) a delay in time for review and/or approval of a marketing authorization application or marketing approval application in any jurisdiction for any Potential Product is or may be required, requested or being implemented; (iii) one or more clinical studies for any Potential Product shall or may be requested or required in addition to the clinical studies submitted to the FDA prior to the date hereof as a precondition to or condition of issuance or maintenance of a marketing approval for any Potential Product; (iv) any license, approval, permit or authorization to conduct any clinical trial of or market any product or Potential Product of the Target has been, will be or may be suspended, revoked, modified or limited, except in the cases of clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) where such rejections, determinations, delays, requests, suspensions, revocations, modifications or limitations might not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

(iii)  To the Target’s knowledge, the preclinical and clinical testing, application for marketing approval of, manufacture, distribution, promotion and sale of the products and Potential Products of the Target is in compliance, in all material respects, with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to such activities, including without limitation applicable good laboratory practices, good clinical practices and good manufacturing practices, except for such non-compliance as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The Target is not aware of any studies, tests or trial the results of which reasonably call into question the results of the tests and trials conducted by or on behalf of the Target. The Target has not received notice of adverse finding, warning letter or clinical hold notice from the FDA or any non-U.S. counterpart of any of the foregoing, or any untitled letter or other correspondence or notice from the FDA or any other governmental authority or agency or any institutional or ethical review board alleging or asserting noncompliance with any law, rule or regulation applicable in any jurisdiction, except notices, letters, and correspondences and non-U.S. counterparts thereof alleging or asserting such noncompliance as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The Target has not, either voluntarily or involuntarily, initiated, conducted or issued, or caused to be initiated, conducted or issued, any recall, field correction, market withdrawal or replacement, safety alert, warning, “dear doctor” letter, investigator notice, or other notice or action relating to an alleged or potential lack of safety or efficacy of any product or Potential Product of the Target, any alleged product defect of any product or Potential Product of the Target, or any violation of any material applicable law, rule, regulation or any clinical trial or marketing license, approval, permit or authorization for any product or potential product of the Target, and the Target is not aware of any facts or information that would cause it to initiate any such notice or action and has no knowledge or reason to believe that the FDA, the EMEA or any other governmental agency or authority or any institutional or ethical review board or other non-governmental authority intends to impose, require, request or suggest such notice or action.

 

(cc)  Cybersecurity. The Target and its Target Subsidiaries’ IT Systems are adequate for, and operate and perform in all material respects as required in connection with the operation of the business of the Target and its Target Subsidiaries as currently conducted, free and clear of all material bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Target’s business. The Target and its Target Subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable physical, technical and administrative controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and data, including “Personal Data,” used in connection with their businesses. There have been no breaches, violations, outages or unauthorized uses of or accesses to same, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability or the duty to notify any other person or such, nor any incidents under internal review or investigations relating to the same except in each case, where such would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Target and its Target Subsidiaries are presently in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Personal Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Personal Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification except in each case, where such would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

(dd)  Compliance with Data Privacy Laws. The Target and its Target Subsidiaries are, and at all prior times were, in compliance with all applicable state and federal Privacy Laws except in each case, where such would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. To ensure compliance with the Privacy Laws, the Target and its Target Subsidiaries have in place, comply with, and take appropriate steps reasonably designed to ensure compliance in all material respects with their Policies. The Target and its Target Subsidiaries have at all times made all disclosures to users or customers required by applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements, and none of such disclosures made or contained in any Policy have, to the knowledge of the Target, been inaccurate or in violation of any applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements in any material respect. The Target further certifies that neither it nor any Target Subsidiary: (i) has received notice of any actual or potential liability under or relating to, or actual or potential violation of, any of the Privacy Laws, and has no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any such notice; (ii) is currently conducting or paying for, in whole or in part, any investigation, remediation, or other corrective action pursuant to any Privacy Law; or (iii) is a party to any order, decree, or agreement that imposes any obligation or liability under any Privacy Law.

 

(ee)  Potential Products; FDA; EMEA.

 

(i)  The Target possesses all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted, including without limitation all such certificates, authorizations and permits required by the United States Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) or any other federal, state or foreign agencies or bodies engaged in the regulation of pharmaceuticals or biohazardous materials, except where the failure to so possess such certificates, authorizations and permits, individually or in the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Target has not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization or permit which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ii)  The Target has not received any written notices or statements from the FDA, the European Medicines Agency (the “EMEA”) or any other governmental agency, and otherwise has no knowledge or reason to believe, that (i) any drug candidate of the Target (each a “Potential Product”) may or will be rejected or determined to be non-approvable; (ii) a delay in time for review and/or approval of a marketing authorization application or marketing approval application in any jurisdiction for any Potential Product is or may be required, requested or being implemented; (iii) one or more clinical studies for any Potential Product shall or may be requested or required in addition to the clinical studies submitted to the FDA prior to the date hereof as a precondition to or condition of issuance or maintenance of a marketing approval for any Potential Product; (iv) any license, approval, permit or authorization to conduct any clinical trial of or market any product or Potential Product of the Target has been, will be or may be suspended, revoked, modified or limited, except in the cases of clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) where such rejections, determinations, delays, requests, suspensions, revocations, modifications or limitations might not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

(iii)  To the Target’s knowledge, the preclinical and clinical testing, application for marketing approval of, manufacture, distribution, promotion and sale of the products and Potential Products of the Target is in compliance, in all material respects, with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to such activities, including without limitation applicable good laboratory practices, good clinical practices and good manufacturing practices, except for such non-compliance as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The Target is not aware of any studies, tests or trial the results of which reasonably call into question the results of the tests and trials conducted by or on behalf of the Target. The Target has not received notice of adverse finding, warning letter or clinical hold notice from the FDA or any non-U.S. counterpart of any of the foregoing, or any untitled letter or other correspondence or notice from the FDA or any other governmental authority or agency or any institutional or ethical review board alleging or asserting noncompliance with any law, rule or regulation applicable in any jurisdiction, except notices, letters, and correspondences and non-U.S. counterparts thereof alleging or asserting such noncompliance as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The Target has not, either voluntarily or involuntarily, initiated, conducted or issued, or caused to be initiated, conducted or issued, any recall, field correction, market withdrawal or replacement, safety alert, warning, “dear doctor” letter, investigator notice, or other notice or action relating to an alleged or potential lack of safety or efficacy of any product or Potential Product of the Target, any alleged product defect of any product or Potential Product of the Target, or any violation of any material applicable law, rule, regulation or any clinical trial or marketing license, approval, permit or authorization for any product or potential product of the Target, and the Target is not aware of any facts or information that would cause it to initiate any such notice or action and has no knowledge or reason to believe that the FDA, the EMEA or any other governmental agency or authority or any institutional or ethical review board or other non-governmental authority intends to impose, require, request or suggest such notice or action.

 

(ff)  Disclosure. No statement made by the Target in this Agreement, any other Transaction Document or the exhibits and schedules attached hereto or in any certificate or schedule furnished or to be furnished by or on behalf of the Target to the Investors or any of their representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading. The due diligence materials previously provided by or on behalf of the Target to each Buyer (if any) (the “Due Diligence Materials”), have been prepared in a good faith effort by the Target to describe the Target’s present and proposed products, and projected growth of the Target and do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except that with respect to assumptions, projections and expressions of opinion or predictions contained in the Due Diligence Materials, the Target represents only that such assumptions, projections, expressions of opinion and predictions were made in good faith and that the Target believes there is a reasonable basis therefor. The Target acknowledges and agrees that no Buyer makes or has made any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in Section 2.

 

 

4.  COVENANTS.

 

(a)  Best Efforts. Each Buyer shall use its best efforts to timely satisfy each of the covenants hereunder and conditions to be satisfied by it as provided in Section 6 of this Agreement. Each BC Party shall use its best efforts to timely satisfy each of the covenants hereunder and conditions to be satisfied by it as provided in Section 7 of this Agreement.

 

(b)  Form D and Blue Sky. The Company shall file a Form D with respect to the Securities as required under Regulation D and to provide a copy thereof to each Buyer promptly after such filing. The Company shall, on or before the Closing Date, take such action as the Company shall reasonably determine is necessary in order to obtain an exemption for, or to, qualify the Securities for sale to the Buyers at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the United States (or to obtain an exemption from such qualification), and shall provide evidence of any such action so taken to the Buyers on or prior to the Closing Date. Without limiting any other obligation of the Company under this Agreement, the Company shall timely make all filings and reports relating to the offer and sale of the Securities required under all applicable securities laws (including, without limitation, all applicable federal securities laws and all applicable “Blue Sky” laws), and each BC Party shall comply with all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws, statutes, rules, regulations and the like relating to the offering and sale of the Securities to the Buyers.

 

(c)  Reporting Status. Until the date on which the Buyers shall have sold all of the Registrable Securities (the “Reporting Period”), the Company shall timely file all reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to the 1934 Act, and the Company shall not terminate its status as an issuer required to file reports under the 1934 Act even if the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder would no longer require or otherwise permit such termination; provided, however, that the requirements of this sentence shall not apply following a Going Private Transaction (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) as long as and the Company has complied with the requirements of such Going Private Transactions in the Certificate of Designations and Warrant. From the time Form S-3 is available to the Company for the registration of the Registrable Securities, the Company shall take all actions necessary to maintain its eligibility to register the Registrable Securities for resale by the Buyers on Form S-3.

 

(d)  Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the proceeds from the sale of the Securities for general corporate purposes, but not, directly or indirectly, for (i) except as set forth on Schedule 4(d), the satisfaction of any indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) the redemption or repurchase of any securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iii) the settlement of any outstanding litigation.

 

 

(e)  Financial Information. The Company agrees to send the following to each Investor (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) during the Reporting Period (i) unless the following are filed with the SEC through EDGAR and are available to the public through the EDGAR system, within one (1) Business Day after the filing thereof with the SEC, a copy of its Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, any interim reports or any consolidated balance sheets, income statements, stockholders’ equity statements and/or cash flow statements for any period other than annual, any Current Reports on Form 8-K and any registration statements (other than on Form S-8) or amendments filed pursuant to the 1933 Act, (ii) unless the following are either filed with the SEC through EDGAR or are otherwise widely disseminated via a recognized news release service (such as PR Newswire), on the same day as the release thereof, e-mail copies of all press releases issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) unless the following are filed with the SEC through EDGAR, copies of any notices and other information made available or given to the stockholders of the Company generally, contemporaneously with the making available or giving thereof to the stockholders.

 

(f)  Listing. The Company shall promptly secure the listing or designation for quotation (as the case may be) of all of the Registrable Securities upon each national securities exchange and automated quotation system, if any, upon which the Common Stock is then listed or designated for quotation (as the case may be) (subject to official notice of issuance) and shall maintain such listing or designation for quotation (as the case may be) of all Registrable Securities from time to time issuable under the terms of the Transaction Documents on such national securities exchange or automated quotation system. The Company shall maintain the Common Stock’s listing or authorization for quotation (as the case may be) on the The New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Global Select Market (each, an “Eligible Market”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action which could be reasonably expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the Common Stock on an Eligible Market. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligations under this Section 4(f).

 

(g)  Fees. The Company shall reimburse the lead Buyer a non-accountable amount of $[ ] for all costs and expenses incurred by it or its affiliates in connection with the structuring, documentation, negotiation and closing of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (including, without limitation, as applicable, all reasonable legal fees of outside counsel and disbursements of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, counsel to the lead Buyer, any other reasonable fees and expenses in connection with the structuring, documentation, negotiation and closing of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and due diligence and regulatory filings in connection therewith) (the “Transaction Expenses”), which shall be withheld by the lead Buyer from its Purchase Price at the Closing. The Company shall be responsible for the payment of any placement agent’s fees, financial advisory fees, transfer agent fees, DTC (as defined below) fees or broker’s commissions (other than for Persons engaged by any Buyer) relating to or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, any fees or commissions payable to the Placement Agents, who are the Company’s only co-placement agents in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement). The Company shall pay, and hold each Buyer harmless against, any liability, loss or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses) arising in connection with any claim relating to any such payment. Except as otherwise set forth in the Transaction Documents, each party to this Agreement shall bear its own expenses in connection with the sale of the Securities to the Buyers.

 

 

(h)  Pledge of Securities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company acknowledges and agrees that the Securities may be pledged by an Investor in connection with a bona fide margin agreement or other loan or financing arrangement that is secured by the Securities. The pledge of Securities shall not be deemed to be a transfer, sale or assignment of the Securities hereunder, and no Investor effecting a pledge of Securities shall be required to provide the Company with any notice thereof or otherwise make any delivery to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, including, without limitation, Section 2(g) hereof; provided that an Investor and its pledgee shall be required to comply with the provisions of Section 2(g) hereof in order to effect a sale, transfer or assignment of Securities to such pledgee. The Company hereby agrees to execute and deliver such documentation as a pledgee of the Securities may reasonably request in connection with a pledge of the Securities to such pledgee by a Buyer.

 

(i)  Disclosure of Transactions and Other Material Information.

 

(i)  Disclosure of Transaction. The Company shall, on or before the Disclosure Deadline, issue a press release (the “Press Release”) reasonably acceptable to the Buyers disclosing all the material terms of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. On or before the Disclosure Deadline, the Company shall file a Current Report on Form 8-K describing all the material terms of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents in the form required by the 1934 Act and attaching all the material Transaction Documents (including, without limitation, this Agreement (and all schedules to this Agreement), the form of the Warrants, the form of Certificate of Designations, the form of Lock-Up Agreements, and the form of the Registration Rights Agreement) (including all attachments, the “8-K Filing”). From and after the filing of the 8-K Filing, the Company shall have disclosed all material, non-public information (if any) provided to any of the Buyers by any BC Entity or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. In addition, effective upon the filing of the 8-K Filing, each BC Party acknowledges and agrees that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement, whether written or oral, between any BC Entity or any of their respective officers, directors, affiliates, employees or agents, on the one hand, and any of the Buyers or any of their affiliates, on the other hand, shall terminate.

 

 

(ii)  Limitations on Disclosure. No BC Party shall, and the BC Parties shall cause each BC Entity and each of its and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents not to, provide any Buyer with any material, non-public information regarding any BC Entity from and after the date hereof without the express prior written consent of such Buyer (which may be granted or withheld in such Buyer’s sole discretion). In the event of a breach of any of the foregoing covenants, including, without limitation, Section 4(o) of this Agreement, or any of the covenants or agreements contained in any other Transaction Document, by any BC Entity, or any of its or their respective officers, directors, employees and agents (as determined in the reasonable good faith judgment of such Buyer), in addition to any other remedy provided herein or in the Transaction Documents, such Buyer shall have the right to make a public disclosure, in the form of a press release, public advertisement or otherwise, of such breach or such material, non-public information, as applicable, without the prior approval by any BC Entity, or any of its or their respective officers, directors, employees or agents. No Buyer shall have any liability to any BC Entity, or any of its or their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, stockholders or agents, for any such disclosure. To the extent that any BC Entity delivers any material, non-public information to a Buyer without such Buyer’s consent, each BC Party hereby covenants and agrees that such Buyer shall not have any duty of confidentiality with respect to, or a duty not to trade on the basis of, such material, non-public information. Subject to the foregoing, neither the BC Entities nor any Buyer shall issue any press releases or any other public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, the Company shall be entitled, without the prior approval of any Buyer, to make the Press Release and any press release or other public disclosure with respect to such transactions (i) in substantial conformity with the 8-K Filing and contemporaneously therewith and (ii) as is required by applicable law and regulations (provided that in the case of clause (i) each Buyer shall be consulted by the Company in connection with any such press release or other public disclosure prior to its release). Without the prior written consent of the applicable Buyer (which may be granted or withheld in such Buyer’s sole discretion), except as otherwise required by law, the Company shall not (and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and affiliates to not) disclose the name of such Buyer in any filing, announcement, release or otherwise. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary and without implication that the contrary would otherwise be true, each BC Party expressly acknowledges and agrees that no Buyer shall have (unless expressly agreed to by a particular Buyer after the date hereof in a written definitive and binding agreement executed by the applicable BC Party and such particular Buyer (it being understood and agreed that no Buyer may bind any other Buyer with respect thereto)), any duty of confidentiality with respect to, or a duty not to trade on the basis of, any material, non-public information regarding any BC Entity.

 

(j)  Additional Registration Statements. Until the Applicable Date (as defined below) and at any time thereafter while any Registration Statement is not effective or the prospectus contained therein is not available for use or any Current Public Information Failure (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) exists, the Company shall not file a registration statement or an offering statement under the 1933 Act relating to securities that are not the Registrable Securities (other than a Business Combination Registration Statement, a registration statement on Form S-8 or such supplements or amendments to registration statements that are outstanding and have been declared effective by the SEC as of the date hereof (solely to the extent necessary to keep such registration statements effective and available and not with respect to any Subsequent Placement)). “Applicable Date” means the earlier of (x) the first date on which the Registration Statement covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities required to be covered thereby pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement is declared effective by the SEC (the “Registration Statement Effective Date”) (and each prospectus contained therein is available for use on such date) or (y) the first date on which all of the Registrable Securities are eligible to be resold by the Buyers pursuant to Rule 144 (or, if a Current Public Information Failure has occurred and is continuing, such later date after which the Company has cured such Current Public Information Failure).

 

 

(k)  Additional Issuance of Securities. So long as any Buyer beneficially owns any Securities, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Required Holders, issue any Preferred Shares (other than to the Buyers as contemplated hereby), the Company shall not issue any other securities that would cause a breach or default under the Certificate of Designations or the Warrants. The Company agrees that for the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the date immediately following the 90^th Trading Day after the Applicable Date (provided that such period shall be extended by the number of calendar days during such period and any extension thereof contemplated by this proviso on which any Registration Statement is not effective or any prospectus contained therein is not available for use or any Current Public Information Failure exists) (the “Restricted Period”), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall directly or indirectly issue, offer, sell, grant any option or right to purchase, or otherwise dispose of (or announce any issuance, offer, sale, grant of any option or right to purchase or other disposition of) any equity security or any equity-linked or related security (including, without limitation, any “equity security” (as that term is defined under Rule 405 promulgated under the 1933 Act), any Convertible Securities (as defined below), any debt, any preferred stock or any purchase rights) (any such issuance, offer, sale, grant, disposition or announcement (whether occurring during the Restricted Period or at any time thereafter) is referred to as a “Subsequent Placement”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4(k) shall not apply in respect of the issuance of (i) shares of Common Stock or standard options to purchase Common Stock to directors, officers or employees of the Company in their capacity as such pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan (as defined below), provided that (1) all such issuances (taking into account the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such options) after the date hereof pursuant to this clause (i) do not, in the aggregate, exceed more than 5% of the Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the date hereof and (2) the exercise price of any such options is not lowered, none of such options are amended to increase the number of shares issuable thereunder and none of the terms or conditions of any such options are otherwise materially changed in any manner that adversely affects any of the Buyers; (ii) shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion or exercise of Convertible Securities (other than standard options to purchase Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (i) above) issued prior to the date hereof, provided that the conversion, exercise or other method of issuance (as the case may be) of any such Convertible Security is made solely pursuant to the conversion, exercise or other method of issuance (as the case may be) provisions of such Convertible Security that were in effect on the date immediately prior to the date of this Agreement, the conversion, exercise or issuance price of any such Convertible Securities (other than standard options to purchase Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (i) above) is not lowered, none of such Convertible Securities (other than standard options to purchase Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (i) above) are amended to increase the number of shares issuable thereunder and none of the terms or conditions of any such Convertible Securities (other than standard options to purchase Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (i) above) are otherwise materially changed in any manner that adversely affects any of the Buyers; (iii) the Conversion Shares, (iv) the Warrant Shares, (v) shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Permitted Equity Line, (vi) the securities to be issued in the Business Combination in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, as in effect as of the date hereof (each of the foregoing in clauses (i) through (vi), collectively the “Excluded Securities”), and (vii) additional shares of Preferred Stock with gross cash proceeds not in excess of $20 million (the “Permitted Additional Preferred Shares”) and with terms and conditions no more favorable to such purchasers than as forth in the Transaction Documents. “Approved Stock Plan” means any employee benefit plan which has been approved by the board of directors of the Company prior to or subsequent to the date hereof pursuant to which shares of Common Stock and standard options to purchase Common Stock may be issued to any employee, officer or director for services provided to the Company in their capacity as such.

 

 

(l)  Reservation of Shares. So long as any of the Preferred Shares or Warrants remain outstanding, the Company shall take all action necessary to at all times have authorized, and reserved for the purpose of issuance, no less than the sum of (i) 150% of the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of all the Preferred Shares then outstanding (assuming for purposes hereof that (x) the Preferred Shares are convertible at the Alternate Conversion Price assuming an Alternate Conversion Date as of such applicable date of determination, and (y) any such conversion shall not take into account any limitations on the conversion of the Preferred Shares set forth in the Certificate of Designations), and (ii) the maximum number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of all the Warrants then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants set forth therein) (collectively, the “Required Reserve Amount”); provided that at no time shall the number of shares of Common Stock reserved pursuant to this Section 4(l) be reduced other than proportionally in connection with any conversion, exercise and/or redemption, as applicable of Preferred Shares and Warrants. If at any time the number of shares of Common Stock authorized and reserved for issuance is not sufficient to meet the Required Reserve Amount, the Company will promptly take all corporate action necessary to authorize and reserve a sufficient number of shares, including, without limitation, calling a special meeting of stockholders to authorize additional shares to meet the Company’s obligations pursuant to the Transaction Documents, in the case of an insufficient number of authorized shares, obtain stockholder approval of an increase in such authorized number of shares, and voting the management shares of the Company in favor of an increase in the authorized shares of the Company to ensure that the number of authorized shares is sufficient to meet the Required Reserve Amount.

 

(m)  Conduct of Business. The business of the BC Entities shall not be conducted in violation of any law, ordinance or regulation of any Governmental Entity, except where such violations would not reasonably be expected to result, either individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(n)  Other Preferred Shares; Variable Securities. So long as any Preferred Shares remain outstanding, each of the BC Entities shall be prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any Subsequent Placement involving a Variable Rate Transaction (other than a Permitted Equity Line (as defined below)). “Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which any BC Entity (i) issues or sells any Convertible Securities either (A) at a conversion, exercise or exchange rate or other price that is based upon and/or varies with the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of Common Stock at any time after the initial issuance of such Convertible Securities, or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such Convertible Securities or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of one or more BC Entities or the market for the Common Stock, other than pursuant to a customary “weighted average” anti-dilution provision or (ii) enters into any agreement (including, without limitation, an equity line of credit or an “at-the-market” offering) whereby one or more BC Entities may sell securities at a future determined price (other than standard and customary “preemptive” or “participation” rights). Each Buyer shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against any BC Entity to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages. “Permitted Equity Line” means the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, by and between the Company and Keystone Capital Partners, LLC (or an affiliate thereof) (“Keystone”), substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto (the “Common Stock Purchase Agreement”) and, following the termination or expiration of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement as a result of (i) the sale of shares of the maximum number of shares of Common Stock permitted to be sold thereunder, (ii) the expiration of the three-year term thereof or (iii) to the extent such termination is expressly permitted by the terms of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, an equity line of credit or an “at-the-market” offering in replacement thereof.

 

 

(o)  Participation Right. At any time on or prior to the second (2^nd) anniversary of the Closing Date, no BC Entity shall, directly or indirectly, effect any Subsequent Placement unless the Company shall have first complied with this Section 4(o). The Company acknowledges and agrees that the right set forth in this Section 4(o) is a right granted by the Company, separately, to the Lead Buyer (as defined below) and any Buyer that purchases at least 2,000 Preferred Shares (each such Buyer, a “Major Buyer”).

 

(i)  At least five (5) Trading Days prior to any proposed or intended Subsequent Placement, the Company shall deliver to each Major Buyer a written notice (each such notice, a “Pre-Notice”), which Pre-Notice shall not contain any information (including, without limitation, material, non-public information) other than: (A) if the proposed Offer Notice (as defined below) constitutes or contains material, non-public information, a statement asking whether the Investor is willing to accept material non-public information or (B) if the proposed Offer Notice does not constitute or contain material, non-public information, (x) a statement that the Company proposes or intends to effect a Subsequent Placement, (y) a statement that the statement in clause (x) above does not constitute material, non-public information and (z) a statement informing such Major Buyer that it is entitled to receive an Offer Notice (as defined below) with respect to such Subsequent Placement upon its written request. Upon the written request of a Major Buyer within three (3) Trading Days after the Company’s delivery to such Major Buyer of such Pre-Notice, and only upon a written request by such Major Buyer, the Company shall promptly, but no later than one (1) Trading Day after such request, deliver to such Major Buyer an irrevocable written notice (the “Offer Notice”) of any proposed or intended issuance or sale or exchange (the “Offer”) of the securities being offered (the “Offered Securities”) in a Subsequent Placement, which Offer Notice shall (A) identify and describe the Offered Securities, (B) describe the price and other terms upon which they are to be issued, sold or exchanged, and the number or amount of the Offered Securities to be issued, sold or exchanged, (C) identify the Persons (if known) to which or with which the Offered Securities are to be offered, issued, sold or exchanged and (D) offer to issue and sell to or exchange with such Major Buyer in accordance with the terms of the Offer such Buyer’s pro rata portion of 100% of the Offered Securities, provided that the number of Offered Securities which such Major Buyer shall have the right to subscribe for under this Section 4(o) shall be (x) based on such Major Buyer’s pro rata portion of the aggregate number of the Preferred Shares purchased hereunder by all Buyers (the “Basic Amount”), and (y) with respect to each Major Buyer that elects to purchase its Basic Amount, any additional portion of the Offered Securities attributable to the Basic Amounts of other Major Buyers as such Major Buyer shall indicate it will purchase or acquire should the other Major Buyers subscribe for less than their Basic Amounts (the “Undersubscription Amount”), which process shall be repeated until each Major Buyer shall have an opportunity to subscribe for any remaining Undersubscription Amount.

 

 

(ii)  To accept an Offer, in whole or in part, such Major Buyer must deliver a written notice to the Company prior to the end of the fifth (5^th) Business Day after such Major Buyer’s receipt of the Offer Notice (the “Offer Period”), setting forth the portion of such Major Buyer’s Basic Amount that such Major Buyer elects to purchase and, if such Major Buyer shall elect to purchase all of its Basic Amount, the Undersubscription Amount, if any, that such Major Buyer elects to purchase (in either case, the “Notice of Acceptance”). If the Basic Amounts subscribed for by all Major Buyers are less than the total of all of the Basic Amounts, then each Major Buyer who has set forth an Undersubscription Amount in its Notice of Acceptance shall be entitled to purchase, in addition to the Basic Amounts subscribed for, the Undersubscription Amount it has subscribed for; provided, however, if the Undersubscription Amounts subscribed for exceed the difference between the total of all the Basic Amounts and the Basic Amounts subscribed for (the “Available Undersubscription Amount”), each Major Buyer who has subscribed for any Undersubscription Amount shall be entitled to purchase only that portion of the Available Undersubscription Amount as the Basic Amount of such Major Buyer bears to the total Basic Amounts of all Major Buyers that have subscribed for Undersubscription Amounts, subject to rounding by the Company to the extent it deems reasonably necessary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company desires to modify or amend the terms and conditions of the Offer prior to the expiration of the Offer Period, the Company may deliver to each Major Buyer a new Offer Notice and the Offer Period shall expire on the fifth (5^th) Business Day after such Major Buyer’s receipt of such new Offer Notice.

 

(iii)  The Company shall have five (5) Business Days from the expiration of the Offer Period above (A) to offer, issue, sell or exchange all or any part of such Offered Securities as to which a Notice of Acceptance has not been given by a Major Buyer (the “Refused Securities”) pursuant to a definitive agreement(s) (the “Subsequent Placement Agreement”), but only to the offerees described in the Offer Notice (if so described therein) and only upon terms and conditions (including, without limitation, unit prices and interest rates) that are not more favorable to the acquiring Person or Persons or less favorable to the Company than those set forth in the Offer Notice and (B) to publicly announce (x) the execution of such Subsequent Placement Agreement, and (y) either (I) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such Subsequent Placement Agreement or (II) the termination of such Subsequent Placement Agreement, which shall be filed with the SEC on a Current Report on Form 8-K with such Subsequent Placement Agreement and any documents contemplated therein filed as exhibits thereto.

 

(iv)  In the event the Company shall propose to sell less than all the Refused Securities (any such sale to be in the manner and on the terms specified in Section 4(o)(iii) above), then each Major Buyer may, at its sole option and in its sole discretion, withdraw its Notice of Acceptance or reduce the number or amount of the Offered Securities specified in its Notice of Acceptance to an amount that shall be not less than the number or amount of the Offered Securities that such Major Buyer elected to purchase pursuant to Section 4(o)(ii) above multiplied by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which shall be the number or amount of Offered Securities the Company actually proposes to issue, sell or exchange (including Offered Securities to be issued or sold to Major Buyers pursuant to this Section 4(o) prior to such reduction) and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the original amount of the Offered Securities. In the event that any Major Buyer so elects to reduce the number or amount of Offered Securities specified in its Notice of Acceptance, the Company may not issue, sell or exchange more than the reduced number or amount of the Offered Securities unless and until such securities have again been offered to the Major Buyers in accordance with Section 4(o)(i) above.

 

 

(v)  Upon the closing of the issuance, sale or exchange of all or less than all of the Refused Securities, such Major Buyer shall acquire from the Company, and the Company shall issue to such Major Buyer, the number or amount of Offered Securities specified in its Notice of Acceptance, as reduced pursuant to Section 4(o)(iv) above if such Major Buyer has so elected, upon the terms and conditions specified in the Offer. The purchase by such Major Buyer of any Offered Securities is subject in all cases to the preparation, execution and delivery by the Company and such Major Buyer of a separate purchase agreement relating to such Offered Securities reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to such Major Buyer and its counsel.

 

(vi)  Any Offered Securities not acquired by a Major Buyer or other Persons in accordance with this Section 4(o) may not be issued, sold or exchanged until they are again offered to such Major Buyer under the procedures specified in this Agreement.

 

(vii)  The Company and each Major Buyer agree that if any Major Buyer elects to participate in the Offer, (x) neither the Subsequent Placement Agreement with respect to such Offer nor any other transaction documents related thereto (collectively, the “Subsequent Placement Documents”) shall include any term or provision whereby such Major Buyer shall be required to agree to any restrictions on trading as to any securities of the Company or be required to consent to any amendment to or termination of, or grant any waiver, release or the like under or in connection with, any agreement previously entered into with the Company or any instrument received from the Company, and (y) any registration rights set forth in such Subsequent Placement Documents shall be similar in all material respects to the registration rights contained in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

(viii)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4(o) and unless otherwise agreed to by such Major Buyer, the Company shall either confirm in writing to such Major Buyer that the transaction with respect to the Subsequent Placement has been abandoned or shall publicly disclose its intention to issue the Offered Securities, in either case, in such a manner such that such Major Buyer will not be in possession of any material, non-public information, by the fifth (5^th) Business Day following delivery of the Offer Notice. If by such fifth (5^th) Business Day, no public disclosure regarding a transaction with respect to the Offered Securities has been made, and no notice regarding the abandonment of such transaction has been received by such Major Buyer, such transaction shall be deemed to have been abandoned and such Major Buyer shall not be in possession of any material, non-public information with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Should the Company decide to pursue such transaction with respect to the Offered Securities, the Company shall provide such Major Buyer with another Offer Notice and such Major Buyer will again have the right of participation set forth in this Section 4(o). The Company shall not be permitted to deliver more than one such Offer Notice to such Major Buyer in any sixty (60) day period, except as expressly contemplated by the last sentence of Section 4(o)(ii).

 

 

(ix)  The restrictions contained in this Section 4(o) shall not apply in connection with the issuance of any Excluded Securities. The Company shall not circumvent the provisions of this Section 4(o) by providing terms or conditions to one Major Buyer that are not provided to all.

 

(p)  Dilutive Issuances. For so long as any Preferred Shares or Warrants remain outstanding, the Company shall not, in any manner, enter into or affect any Dilutive Issuance (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) if the effect of such Dilutive Issuance is to cause the Company to be required to issue upon conversion of any Preferred Shares or exercise of any Warrant any shares of Common Stock in excess of that number of shares of Common Stock which the Company may issue upon conversion of the Preferred Shares and exercise of the Warrants without breaching the Company’s obligations under the rules or regulations of the Principal Market.

 

(q)  Passive Foreign Investment Company. The Company shall conduct its business, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to conduct their respective businesses, in such a manner as will ensure that the Company will not be deemed to constitute a passive foreign investment company within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code.

 

(r)  Restriction on Redemption and Cash Dividends. So long as any Preferred Shares are outstanding, the Company shall not, directly or indirectly, redeem, or declare or pay any cash dividend or distribution on, any securities of the Company without the prior express written consent of the Buyers (other than as required by the Certificate of Designations).

 

(s)  Corporate Existence. So long as any Buyer beneficially owns any Preferred Shares or Warrants, the Company shall not be party to any Fundamental Transaction (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) unless the Company is in compliance with the applicable provisions governing Fundamental Transactions set forth in the Certificate of Designations and the Warrants.

 

(t)  Stock Splits. Until the Preferred Shares and all preferred shares issued pursuant to the Certificate of Designations are no longer outstanding, the Company shall not effect any stock combination, reverse stock split or other similar transaction (or make any public announcement or disclosure with respect to any of the foregoing) without the prior written consent of the Required Holders (as defined below); provided, however, that the Company may effect one (1) stock combination, reverse stock split or other similar transaction as necessary to comply with the requirements of the Principal Market without the prior written consent of the Required Holders.

 

 

(u)  Conversion and Exercise Procedures. Each of the form of Exercise Notice (as defined in the Warrants) included in the Warrants and the form of Conversion Notice (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) included in the Certificate of Designations set forth the totality of the procedures required of the Buyers in order to exercise the Warrants or convert the Preferred Shares. Except as provided in Section 5(d), no additional legal opinion, other information or instructions shall be required of the Buyers to exercise their Warrants or convert their Preferred Shares. The Company shall honor exercises of the Warrants and conversions of the Preferred Shares and shall deliver the Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares in accordance with the terms, conditions and time periods set forth in the Certificate of Designations and Warrants. Without limiting the preceding sentences, no ink-original Conversion Notice or Exercise Notice shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Conversion Notice or Exercise Notice form be required in order to convert the Preferred Shares or exercise the Warrants.

 

(v)  Regulation M. The Company will not take any action prohibited by Regulation M under the 1934 Act, in connection with the distribution of the Securities contemplated hereby.

 

(w)  General Solicitation. None of the Company, any of its affiliates (as defined in Rule 501(b) under the 1933 Act) or any person acting on behalf of the Company or such affiliate will solicit any offer to buy or offer or sell the Securities by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Regulation D, including: (i) any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine or similar medium or broadcast over television or radio; and (ii) any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising.

 

(x)  Integration. None of the Company, any of its affiliates (as defined in Rule 501(b) under the 1933 Act), or any person acting on behalf of the Company or such affiliate will sell, offer for sale, or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in the 1933 Act) which will be integrated with the sale of the Securities in a manner which would require the registration of the Securities under the 1933 Act or require stockholder approval under the rules and regulations of the Principal Market and the Company will take all action that is appropriate or necessary to assure that its offerings of other securities will not be integrated for purposes of the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations of the Principal Market, with the issuance of Securities contemplated hereby.

 

(y)  Notice of Disqualification Events. The Company will notify the Buyers in writing, prior to the Closing Date of (i) any Disqualification Event relating to any Issuer Covered Person and (ii) any event that would, with the passage of time, become a Disqualification Event relating to any Issuer Covered Person.

 

 

(z)  Stockholder Approval. The Company shall either (x) if the Company shall have obtained the prior written consent of the requisite stockholders (the “Stockholder Consent”) to obtain the Stockholder Approval (as defined below), inform the stockholders of the Company of the receipt of the Stockholder Consent by preparing and filing with the SEC, as promptly as practicable after the date hereof, but prior to the sixtieth (60^th) calendar day after the Closing Date (or, if such filing is delayed by a court or regulatory agency, in no event later than ninety (90) calendar days after the Closing), an information statement with respect thereto or (y) provide each stockholder entitled to vote at a special meeting of stockholders of the Company (the “Stockholder Meeting”), which shall be promptly called and held not later than the ninetieth (90^th) calendar day after the Closing Date (the “Stockholder Meeting Deadline”), a proxy statement, in each case, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Buyers and Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, at the expense of the Company, with the Company obligated to reimburse the expenses of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP incurred in connection therewith in an amount not exceed $5,000. The proxy statement, if any, shall solicit each of the Company’s stockholder’s affirmative vote at the Stockholder Meeting for approval of resolutions (“Stockholder Resolutions”) providing for the approval of the issuance of all of the Securities in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Principal Market (without regard to any limitations on conversion or exercise set forth in the Preferred Shares or Warrants, respectively)(such affirmative approval being referred to herein as the “Stockholder Approval”, and the date such Stockholder Approval is obtained, the “Stockholder Approval Date”), and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to solicit its stockholders’ approval of such resolutions and to cause the Board of Directors of the Company to recommend to the stockholders that they approve such resolutions. The Company shall be obligated to seek to obtain the Stockholder Approval by the Stockholder Meeting Deadline. If, despite the Company’s reasonable best efforts the Stockholder Approval is not obtained on or prior to the Stockholder Meeting Deadline, the Company shall cause an additional Stockholder Meeting to be held on or prior to the one hundred and sixtieth (160^th) calendar day after the Closing Date. If, despite the Company’s reasonable best efforts the Stockholder Approval is not obtained after such subsequent stockholder meetings, the Company shall cause an additional Stockholder Meeting to be held semi-annually thereafter until such Stockholder Approval is obtained. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such Stockholder Meeting Deadline falls on a day that is not a Trading Day, then the Stockholder Meeting Deadline shall be the next succeeding Trading Day.

 

(aa) No Waiver of Lock-Up Agreement. Neither Company, nor the Target, shall amend, waive, modify or fail to use best efforts to enforce any provision of the Lock-Up Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, no Buyer shall be a third party beneficiary of any Lock-Up Agreement.

 

(bb)  Business Combination Agreement Covenants. Until the Closing Date, the Company hereby covenants to each Buyer such covenants set forth in the Merger Agreement as if such covenants were incorporated by reference into this Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

 

(cc)  Closing Documents. On or prior to fourteen (14) calendar days after the Closing Date, the Company agrees to deliver, or cause to be delivered, to each Buyer and Kelley Drye & Warren LLP a complete closing set of the executed Transaction Documents, Securities and any other document required to be delivered to any party pursuant to Section 7 hereof or otherwise.

 

5.  REGISTER; TRANSFER AGENT INSTRUCTIONS; LEGEND.

 

(a)  Register. The Company shall maintain at its principal executive offices (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice to each holder of Securities), a register for the Preferred Shares and the Warrants in which the Company shall record the name and address of the Person in whose name the Preferred Shares and the Warrants have been issued (including the name and address of each transferee), the aggregate number of Preferred Shares held by such Person, the number of Conversion Shares issuable pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Shares and the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants held by such Person. The Company shall keep the register open and available at all times during business hours for inspection of any Buyer or its legal representatives.

 

 

(b)  Transfer Agent Instructions. The Company shall issue irrevocable instructions to its transfer agent and any subsequent transfer agent (as applicable, the “Transfer Agent”) in a form acceptable to each of the Buyers (the “Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions”) to issue certificates or credit shares registered in the name of each Buyer or its respective nominee(s), for the Conversion Shares and the Warrant Shares in such amounts as specified from time to time by each Buyer to the Company upon conversion of the Preferred Shares or the exercise of the Warrants (as the case may be), which, if the Buyer complies with the applicable requirements of the Certificate of Designation or Warrants or this Agreement with respect to the delivery of certain certificates and information with respect to the contemporaneous sale of the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include a medallion guarantee or a legal opinion), including the Resale Eligibility Conditions, shall be credited to the applicable balance accounts at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). The Company represents and warrants that no instruction other than the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions referred to in this Section 5(b), and stop transfer instructions to give effect to Section 2(g) hereof, will be given by the Company to its transfer agent with respect to the Securities, and that the Securities shall otherwise be freely transferable on the books and records of the Company, as applicable, to the extent provided in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. If a Buyer effects a sale, assignment or transfer of the Securities in accordance with Section 2(g), the Company shall permit the transfer and shall promptly instruct its transfer agent to issue one or more certificates or credit shares to the applicable balance accounts at DTC in such name and in such denominations as specified by such Buyer to effect such sale, transfer or assignment. In the event that such sale, assignment or transfer involves Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement or in compliance with Rule 144, the transfer agent shall issue such shares to such Buyer, assignee or transferee (as the case may be) without any restrictive legend in accordance with Section 5(d) below. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to a Buyer. Accordingly, the Company acknowledges that the remedy at law for a breach of its obligations under this Section 5(b) will be inadequate and agrees, in the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Company of the provisions of this Section 5(b), that a Buyer shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to an order and/or injunction restraining any breach and requiring immediate issuance and transfer, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required. The Company shall cause its counsel to issue the legal opinion referred to in the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions to the Company’s transfer agent on the Effective Date of a Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) registering Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement. Any fees (with respect to the transfer agent, counsel to the Company or otherwise) associated with the issuance of such opinion or the removal of any legends on any of the Securities shall be borne by the Company. The “Resale Eligibility Conditions” shall refer to the following conditions: such Securities (i) (A) may then be sold by the holder of the Securities pursuant to an available and effective registration statement and (B) the holder provides such documentation or other information evidencing the sale of the Securities as the Company, the Transfer Agent or legal counsel to the Company shall reasonably request (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include a medallion guarantee or a legal opinion) or (ii) may be sold by the holder pursuant to Rule 144 of the 1933 Act, as applicable.

 

 

(c)  Legends. Each Buyer understands that the Securities have been issued (or will be issued in the case of the Conversion Shares and the Warrant Shares) pursuant to an exemption from registration or qualification under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, and except as set forth below, the Securities shall bear any legend as required by the “blue sky” laws of any state and a restrictive legend in substantially the following form (and a stop-transfer order may be placed against transfer of such stock certificates):

 

[NEITHER THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THESE SECURITIES ARE [CONVERTIBLE] [EXERCISABLE] HAVE BEEN][THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN] REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (B) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE HOLDER (IF REQUESTED BY THE COMPANY), IN A FORM REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR (II) UNLESS SOLD OR ELIGIBLE TO BE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OR RULE 144A UNDER SAID ACT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THE SECURITIES.

 

(d) Removal of Legends. Certificates evidencing Securities shall not be required to contain the legend set forth in Section 5(c) above or any other legend (i) while a registration statement (including a Registration Statement) covering the resale of such Securities is effective under the 1933 Act to the extent such Buyer provides such documentation or other information evidencing the sale of the Securities as the Company, the Transfer Agent or legal counsel to the Company shall reasonably request (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include a medallion guarantee or a legal opinion), (ii) following any sale of such Securities pursuant to Rule 144 (assuming the transferor is not an affiliate of the Company), (iii) if such Securities are eligible to be sold, assigned or transferred under Rule 144 (provided that a Buyer provides the Company with reasonable assurances that such Securities are eligible for sale, assignment or transfer under Rule 144 which shall not include an opinion of Buyer’s counsel), (iv) in connection with a sale, assignment or other transfer (other than under Rule 144), provided that such Buyer provides the Company with an opinion of counsel to such Buyer, in a generally acceptable form, to the effect that such sale, assignment or transfer of the Securities may be made without registration under the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act or (v) if such legend is not required under applicable requirements of the 1933 Act (including, without limitation, controlling judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the SEC). If a legend is not required pursuant to the foregoing, the Company shall no later than two (2) Trading Days (or such earlier date as required pursuant to the 1934 Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation for the settlement of a trade initiated on the date such Buyer delivers such legended certificate representing such Securities to the Company) following the delivery by a Buyer to the Company or the transfer agent (with notice to the Company) of a legended certificate representing such Securities (endorsed or with stock powers attached, signatures guaranteed, and otherwise in form necessary to affect the reissuance and/or transfer, if applicable), together with any other deliveries from such Buyer as may be required above in this Section 5(d), as directed by such Buyer, either: (A) provided that the Company’s transfer agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program (“FAST”) and the Resale Eligibility Conditions are satisfied and such Securities are Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, credit the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which such Buyer shall be entitled to such Buyer’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system or (B) if the Company’s transfer agent is not participating in FAST or the Resale Eligibility Conditions are not satisfied, issue and deliver (via reputable overnight courier) to such Buyer, a certificate representing such Securities, registered in the name of such Buyer or its designee (the date by which such credit is so required to be made to the balance account of such Buyer’s or such Buyer’s designee with DTC or such certificate is required to be delivered to such Buyer pursuant to the foregoing is referred to herein as the “Required Delivery Date”, and the date such shares of Common Stock are actually delivered without restrictive legend to such Buyer or such Buyer’s designee with DTC, as applicable, the “Share Delivery Date”). The Company shall be responsible for any transfer agent fees or DTC fees with respect to any issuance of Securities or the removal of any legends with respect to any Securities in accordance herewith.

 

 

(e)  Failure to Timely Deliver; Buy-In. If the Company fails, for any reason or for no reason, to issue and deliver (or cause to be delivered) to a Buyer (or its designee) by the Required Delivery Date, either (I) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST or the Resale Eligibility Conditions are not satisfied, a certificate for the number of Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares (as the case may be) to which such Buyer is entitled and register such Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares (as the case may be) on the Company’s share register or, if the Transfer Agent is participating in FAST and the Resale Eligibility Conditions are satisfied, to credit the balance account of such Buyer or such Buyer’s designee with DTC for such number of Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares (as the case may be) submitted for legend removal by such Buyer pursuant to Section 5(d) above or (II) if the Registration Statement covering the resale of the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares (as the case may be) submitted for legend removal by such Buyer pursuant to Section 5(d) above (the “Unavailable Shares”) is not available for the resale of such Unavailable Shares and the Company fails to promptly, but in no event later than as required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (x) so notify such Buyer and (y) deliver the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, as applicable, electronically without any restrictive legend by crediting such aggregate number of Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares (as the case may be) submitted for legend removal by such Buyer pursuant to Section 5(d) above to such Buyer’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian system (the event described in the immediately foregoing clause (II) is hereinafter referred as a “Notice Failure” and together with the event described in clause (I) above, a “Delivery Failure”), and if on or after such Trading Day such Buyer acquires (in an open market transaction, stock loan or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Buyer of shares of Common Stock submitted for legend removal by such Buyer pursuant to Section 5(d) above that such Buyer is entitled to receive from the Company (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall, within two (2) Trading Days after such Buyer’s request and in such Buyer’s discretion, either (i) pay cash to such Buyer in an amount equal to such Buyer’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, stock loans and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so acquired (including, without limitation, by any other Person in respect, or on behalf, of the Holder) (the “Buy-In Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to so deliver such certificate or credit such Buyer’s balance account shall terminate and such shares shall be cancelled, or (ii) promptly honor its obligation to so deliver to such Buyer a certificate or certificates or credit the balance account of such Buyer or such Buyer’s designee with DTC representing such number of shares of Common Stock that would have been so delivered if the Company timely complied with its obligations hereunder and pay cash to such Buyer in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (A) such number of shares of Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares (as the case may be) that the Company was required to deliver to such Buyer by the Required Delivery Date multiplied by (B) the lowest Closing Sale Price (as defined in the Warrants) of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the delivery by such Buyer to the Company of the applicable Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares (as the case may be) and ending on the date of such delivery and payment under this clause (ii). In addition to the foregoing, if the Holder is a Major Buyer, and on or prior to the Required Delivery Date either (I) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST or the Resale Eligibility Conditions are not satisfied, the Company shall fail to issue and deliver a certificate to a Major Buyer and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company’s share register or, if the Transfer Agent is participating in FAST and the Resale Eligibility Conditions are satisfied, the Transfer Agent shall fail to credit the balance account of such Major Buyer or such Major Buyer’s designee with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Major Buyer submitted for legend removal by such Major Buyer pursuant to Section 5(d) or (II) a Notice Failure occurs, then, in addition to all other remedies available to such Buyer, the Company shall pay in cash to such Buyer on each day after the Share Delivery Date and during such Delivery Failure an amount equal to 1% of the product of (A) the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock not issued to such Major Buyer on or prior to the Required Delivery Date and to which such Major Buyer is entitled, multiplied by (B) any trading price of the Common Stock selected by such Major Buyer in writing as in effect at any time during the period beginning on the delivery by such Major Buyer to the Company of the applicable Conversion Notice or Warrant Notice (as the case may be) and ending on the applicable Share Delivery Date. Nothing shall limit such Buyer’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity, including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver certificates representing shares of Common Stock (or to electronically deliver such shares of Common Stock) as required pursuant to the terms hereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to any given Notice Failure and/or Delivery Failure, this Section 5(e) shall not apply to the applicable Buyer the extent the Company has already paid such amounts in full to such Buyer with respect to such Notice Failure and/or Delivery Failure, as applicable, pursuant to the analogous sections of the Certificate of Designations or Warrant, as applicable, with respect to the Preferred Shares or Warrants, as applicable, then held by such Buyer.

 

 

(f)  FAST Compliance. While any Warrants remain outstanding, the Company shall maintain a transfer agent that participates in FAST.

 

6.  CONDITIONS TO THE COMPANY’S OBLIGATION TO SELL.

 

(a)  The obligation of the Company hereunder to issue and sell the Preferred Shares and the related Warrants to each Buyer at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, provided that these conditions are for the Company’s sole benefit and may be waived by the Company at any time in its sole discretion by providing each Buyer with prior written notice thereof:

 

(i) Such Buyer shall have executed each of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and delivered the same to the Company.

 

(ii)  Such Buyer and each other Buyer shall have delivered to the Company the Purchase Price (less, in the case of any Buyer, the amounts withheld pursuant to Section 4(g) and/or cancellation of such aggregate outstanding principal and accrued interest on such Purchase Price Cancellation Notes) for the Preferred Shares and the related Warrants being purchased by such Buyer at the Closing by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the Flow of Funds Letter.

 

(iii)  The representations and warranties of such Buyer shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as though originally made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct as of such specific date), and such Buyer shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by such Buyer at or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(iv) Buyers with an aggregate Purchase Price of at least $2 million shall have executed this Agreement (and/or a joinder to this Agreement, duly authorized by a written agreement of the Company and the Required Holders).

 

7.  CONDITIONS TO EACH BUYER’S OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE.

 

(a)  The obligation of each Buyer hereunder to purchase its Preferred Shares and its related Warrants at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, provided that these conditions are for each Buyer’s sole benefit and may be waived by such Buyer at any time in its sole discretion by providing the Company with prior written notice thereof:

 

(i) The Company shall have duly executed and delivered to such Buyer each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the Company shall have duly executed and delivered to such Buyer (A) such aggregate number of Preferred Shares as set forth across from such Buyer’s name in column (3) of the Schedule of Buyers, and (B) Warrants initially exercisable for such aggregate number of Warrant Shares as is set forth across from such Buyer’s name in column (4) of the Schedule of Buyers, in each case, as being purchased by such Buyer at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(ii)  Such Buyer shall have received the opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP, the Company’s counsel, dated as of the Closing Date, in the form reasonably acceptable to such Buyer.

 

 

(iii)  The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a copy of the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions, in the form reasonably acceptable to such Buyer, which instructions shall have been delivered to and acknowledged in writing by the Company’s transfer agent.

 

(iv)  The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certificate evidencing the formation and good standing of the Company in its jurisdiction of formation issued by the Secretary of State (or comparable office) of such jurisdiction of formation as of a date within ten (10) days of the Closing Date.

 

(v)  The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certificate evidencing the Target’s qualification as a foreign corporation and good standing issued by the Secretary of State (or comparable office) of each jurisdiction in which the Company conducts business and is required to so qualify, as of a date within ten (10) days of the Closing Date.

 

(vi)  The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Certificate of Designations as certified by the Delaware Secretary of State within ten (10) days of the Closing Date.

 

(vii)  The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certificate, in the form acceptable to such Buyer, executed by the Secretary of the Company and dated as of the Closing Date, as to (i) the resolutions consistent with Section 3(b) as adopted by the Company’s board of directors in a form reasonably acceptable to such Buyer, (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and (iii) the Bylaws of the Company, each as in effect at the Closing.

 

(viii)  Each and every representation and warranty of the Company shall be true and correct as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as though originally made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct as of such specific date) and the Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to the Closing Date. Such Buyer shall have received a certificate, duly executed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, to the foregoing effect and as to such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Buyer in the form acceptable to such Buyer.

 

(ix)  The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a letter from the Company’s transfer agent certifying the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Closing Date immediately prior to the Closing.

 

(x)  The Common Stock (A) shall be designated for quotation or listed (as applicable) on the Principal Market and (B) shall not have been suspended, as of the Closing Date, by the SEC or the Principal Market from trading on the Principal Market nor shall suspension by the SEC or the Principal Market have been threatened, as of the Closing Date, either (I) in writing by the SEC or the Principal Market or (II) by falling below the minimum maintenance requirements of the Principal Market.

 

 

(xi)  The Company shall have obtained all governmental, regulatory or third party consents and approvals, if any, necessary for the sale of the Securities, including without limitation, those required by the Principal Market, if any.

 

(xii)  No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction that prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

 

(xiii)  Since the date of execution of this Agreement, no event or series of events shall have occurred that reasonably would have or result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” for the purpose of this clause (xii), will not include any change or effect that results from (A) changes in law or interpretations thereof, or regulatory policy or interpretation, by any Governmental Entity so long as such change does not have a disproportionate effect on the Company, (B) changes in applicable accounting rules or principles, including changes in GAAP, so long as such change does not have a disproportionate effect on the Company, (C) changes in general economic conditions, and events or conditions generally affecting the industries in which the Company operates, so long as such change does not have a disproportionate effect on the Company, or (D) national or international hostilities, acts of terror or acts of war.

 

(xiv)  The Company shall have obtained approval of the Principal Market to list or designate for quotation (as the case may be) the Conversion Shares and the Warrant Shares.

 

(xv)  All of the covenants, agreements and conditions required to be performed, satisfied or complied with in order for the Business Combination Closing to occur shall have been performed, satisfied and complied with (or waived) prior to the Closing Date.

 

(xvi)  The Company shall have duly executed and delivered to each Buyer the Common Stock Purchase Agreement.

 

(xvii)  The Target and the SPAC shall have delivered to such Buyer, investor rights and lock-up agreements, in the form of Exhibit E hereof (each, a “Lock-Up Agreement”), duly executed and delivered by such stockholders of the Target and/or the Company, as applicable, as listed on Schedule 7(aa) attached hereto (the “Lock-Up Stockholders”), pursuant to which the Lock-Up Stockholders shall have agreed not to directly, or indirectly, sell any securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any securities issued pursuant to the Business Combination Registration Statement), until the six (6) month anniversary of the Effective Date (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) of the initial Registration Statement required to be filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

(xviii)  Each and every representation and warranty of the Target in any Transaction Document shall be true and correct as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as though originally made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct as of such specific date) and the Target shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Target at or prior to the Closing Date. Such Buyer shall have received a certificate, duly executed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Target, dated as of the Closing Date, to the foregoing effect and as to such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Buyer in the form acceptable to such Buyer (the “Target Officer’s Certificate”).

 

 

(xix)  Such Buyer shall have received a letter on the letterhead of the Company, duly executed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, setting forth the wire amounts of each Buyer and the wire transfer instructions of the Company (the “Flow of Funds Letter”).

 

(xx)  Buyers with an aggregate Purchase Price of at least $2 million shall have executed this Agreement (and/or a joinder to this Agreement, duly authorized by a written agreement of the Company and the Required Holders).

 

 

(xxi) The Company and its Subsidiaries shall have delivered to such Buyer such other documents, instruments or certificates relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as such Buyer or its counsel may reasonably request.

 

8.  TERMINATION.

 

In the event that the Closing shall not have occurred with respect to a Buyer on or prior to April 8, 2024, then such Buyer shall have the right to terminate its obligations under this Agreement with respect to itself at any time on or after the close of business on such date without liability of such Buyer to any other party; provided, however, (i) the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8 shall not be available to such Buyer if the failure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to have been consummated by such date is the result of such Buyer’s breach of this Agreement and (ii) the abandonment of the sale and purchase of the Preferred Shares and the Warrants shall be applicable only to such Buyer providing such written notice, provided further that no such termination shall affect any obligation of the Company under this Agreement to reimburse such Buyer for the expenses described in Section 4(g) above. Nothing contained in this Section 8 shall be deemed to release any party from any liability for any breach by such party of the terms and provisions of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or to impair the right of any party to compel specific performance by any other party of its obligations under this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents.

 

 

9.  MISCELLANEOUS.

 

(a)  Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Trial. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Each of the BC Parties hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or under any of the other Transaction Documents or with any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed or operate to preclude any Buyer from bringing suit or taking other legal action against any BC Party in any other jurisdiction to collect on any BC Party’s obligations to such Buyer or to enforce a judgment or other court ruling in favor of such Buyer. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

 

(b)  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by an e-mail which contains a portable document format (.pdf) file of an executed signature page, such signature page shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such signature page were an original thereof.

 

(c)  Headings; Gender. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Agreement instead of just the provision in which they are found.

 

 

(d)  Severability; Maximum Payment Amounts. If any provision of this Agreement is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Agreement so long as this Agreement as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (and without implication that the following is required or applicable), it is the intention of the parties that in no event shall amounts and value paid by the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries (as the case may be), or payable to or received by any of the Buyers, under the Transaction Documents (including without limitation, any amounts that would be characterized as “interest” under applicable law) exceed amounts permitted under any applicable law. Accordingly, if any obligation to pay, payment made to any Buyer, or collection by any Buyer pursuant the Transaction Documents is finally judicially determined to be contrary to any such applicable law, such obligation to pay, payment or collection shall be deemed to have been made by mutual mistake of such Buyer, the Company and its Subsidiaries and such amount shall be deemed to have been adjusted with retroactive effect to the maximum amount or rate of interest, as the case may be, as would not be so prohibited by the applicable law. Such adjustment shall be effected, to the extent necessary, by reducing or refunding, at the option of such Buyer, the amount of interest or any other amounts which would constitute unlawful amounts required to be paid or actually paid to such Buyer under the Transaction Documents. For greater certainty, to the extent that any interest, charges, fees, expenses or other amounts required to be paid to or received by such Buyer under any of the Transaction Documents or related thereto are held to be within the meaning of “interest” or another applicable term to otherwise be violative of applicable law, such amounts shall be pro-rated over the period of time to which they relate.

 

 

(e)  Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the schedules and exhibits attached hereto and thereto and the instruments referenced herein and therein supersede all other prior oral or written agreements between the Buyers, any BC Entity, any of their affiliates and Persons acting on their behalf, including, without limitation, any transactions by any Buyer with respect to Common Stock or the Securities, and the other matters contained herein and therein, and this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents, the schedules and exhibits attached hereto and thereto and the instruments referenced herein and therein contain the entire understanding of the parties solely with respect to the matters covered herein and therein; provided, however, nothing contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall (or shall be deemed to) (i) have any effect on any agreements any Buyer has entered into with, or any instruments any Buyer has received from, any BC Entity prior to the date hereof with respect to any prior investment made by such Buyer in any BC Entity or (ii) waive, alter, modify or amend in any respect any obligations of any BC Entity, or any rights of or benefits to any Buyer or any other Person, in any agreement entered into prior to the date hereof between or among any BC Entity and any Buyer, or any instruments any Buyer received from any BC Entity prior to the date hereof, and all such agreements and instruments shall continue in full force and effect. Except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither any BC Party nor any Buyer makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. For clarification purposes, the Recitals are part of this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by the BC Parties and the Required Holders (as defined below), and any amendment to any provision of this Agreement made in conformity with the provisions of this Section 9(e) shall be binding on all Buyers and holders of Securities, as applicable; provided that no such amendment shall be effective to the extent that it (A) applies to less than all of the holders of the Securities then outstanding or (B) imposes any obligation or liability on any Buyer without such Buyer’s prior written consent (which may be granted or withheld in such Buyer’s sole discretion). No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party, provided that the Required Holders may waive any provision of this Agreement, and any waiver of any provision of this Agreement made in conformity with the provisions of this Section 9(e) shall be binding on all Buyers and holders of Securities, as applicable, provided that no such waiver shall be effective to the extent that it (1) applies to less than all of the holders of the Securities then outstanding (unless a party gives a waiver as to itself only) or (2) imposes any obligation or liability on any Buyer without such Buyer’s prior written consent (which may be granted or withheld in such Buyer’s sole discretion). No consideration (other than reimbursement of legal fees) shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of any of the Transaction Documents unless the same consideration also is offered to all of the parties to the Transaction Documents, all holders of the Preferred Shares or all holders of the Warrants (as the case may be). From the date hereof and while any Preferred Shares or Warrants are outstanding, no BC Entity shall be permitted to receive any consideration from a Buyer or a holder of Preferred Shares or Warrants that is not otherwise contemplated by the Transaction Documents in order to, directly or indirectly, induce any BC Entity (i) to treat such Buyer or holder of Preferred Shares or Warrants in a manner that is more favorable than to other similarly situated Buyers or holders of Preferred Shares or Warrants, as applicable, or (ii) to treat any Buyer(s) or holder(s) of Preferred Shares or Warrants in a manner that is less favorable than the Buyer or holder of Preferred Shares or Warrants that is paying such consideration; provided, however, that the determination of whether a Buyer has been treated more or less favorably than another Buyer shall disregard any securities of the Company purchased or sold by any Buyer. No BC Entity has, directly or indirectly, made any agreements with any Buyers relating to the terms or conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents except as set forth in the Transaction Documents. Without limiting the foregoing, each BC Party confirms that, except as set forth in this Agreement, no Buyer has made any commitment or promise or has any other obligation to provide any financing to any BC Entity or otherwise. As a material inducement for each Buyer to enter into this Agreement, each BC Party expressly acknowledges and agrees that (x) no due diligence or other investigation or inquiry conducted by a Buyer, any of its advisors or any of its representatives shall affect such Buyer’s right to rely on, or shall modify or qualify in any manner or be an exception to any of, such BC Party’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document and (y) unless a provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document is expressly preceded by the phrase “except as disclosed in the SEC Documents,” nothing contained in any of the SEC Documents shall affect such Buyer’s right to rely on, or shall modify or qualify in any manner or be an exception to any of, such BC Party’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. “Required Holders” means (I) prior to the Closing Date, Keystone Capital Partners, LLC (the “Lead Buyer”) and (II) on or after the Closing Date, the Lead Buyer, as long as it holds any Preferred Shares or Warrants, or, thereafter, holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities as of such time (excluding any Registrable Securities held by any BC Entity as of such time) (excluding any Registrable Securities held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of such time) issued or issuable hereunder or pursuant to the Certificate of Designations and/or the Warrants (or the Buyers, with respect to any waiver or amendment of Section 4(o)).

 

 

(f)  Notices. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by electronic mail (provided that such sent email is kept on file (whether electronically or otherwise) by the sending party and the sending party does not receive an automatically generated message from the recipient’s email server that such e-mail could not be delivered to such recipient); or (iii) one (1) Business Day after deposit with an overnight courier service with next day delivery specified, in each case, properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The mailing addresses and e-mail addresses for such communications shall be:

 

If to the Company:

 

Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.
2201 Broadway, Suite 705

Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone:
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
E-Mail:

 

With a copy (for informational purposes only) to:

Goodwin Procter LLP
The New York Times Building

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018
Telephone:
Attention: Jeffrey A. Letalien, Esq.
E-Mail:

 

If to the Target:

 

CERo Therapeutics, Inc.
201 Haskins Way, Suite 230

South San Francisco, CA 94080
Telephone:
Attention: Daniel Corey
E-Mail:

 

With a copy (for informational purposes only) to:

Cooley LLP

1700 7^th Avenue, Suite 1900

Seattle, WA 98101
Telephone:
Attention: Alan Hambelton, Esq.
E-Mail:

 

 

If to the Transfer Agent:

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street 30^th Floor
Telephone:
Attention: Luis Ortiz
E-Mail:

 

If to a Buyer, to its mailing address and e-mail address set forth on the Schedule of Buyers, with copies to such Buyer’s representatives as set forth on the Schedule of Buyers,

 

with a copy (for informational purposes only) to:

 

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
3 World Trade Center
175 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
Telephone:
Attention: Michael A. Adelstein, Esq.
E-mail:

 

or to such other mailing address and/or e-mail address and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change, provided that Kelley Drye & Warren LLP shall only be provided copies of notices sent to the lead Buyer. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender’s e-mail containing the time, date and recipient’s e-mail or (C) provided by an overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by e-mail or receipt from an overnight courier service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.

 

(g)  Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns, including any purchasers of any of the Preferred Shares and Warrants. No BC Party shall assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Required Holders, including, without limitation, by way of a Fundamental Transaction (as defined in the Warrants) (unless the Company is in compliance with the applicable provisions governing Fundamental Transactions set forth in the Warrants) or a Fundamental Transaction (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) (unless the Company is in compliance with the applicable provisions governing Fundamental Transactions set forth in the Certificate of Designations). A Buyer may assign some or all of its rights hereunder in connection with any transfer of any of its Securities without the consent of any BC Party, in which event such assignee shall be deemed to be a Buyer hereunder with respect to such assigned rights.

 

 

(h)  No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person, other than the Indemnitees referred to in Section 9(k).

 

(i)  Survival. The representations, warranties, agreements and covenants shall survive the Closing. Each Buyer shall be responsible only for its own representations, warranties, agreements and covenants hereunder.

 

(j)  Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(k)  Indemnification. In consideration of each Buyer’s execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and acquiring the Securities thereunder and in addition to all of each BC Party’s other obligations under the Transaction Documents, each BC Party, severally, shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless each Buyer and each holder of any Securities and all of their stockholders, partners, members, officers, directors, employees and direct or indirect investors and any of the foregoing Persons’ agents or other representatives (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the “Indemnitees”) from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements (the “Indemnified Liabilities”), incurred by any Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (i) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by any BC Entity in any of the Transaction Documents, (ii) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of any BC Entity contained in any of the Transaction Documents or (iii) any cause of action, suit, proceeding or claim brought or made against such Indemnitee by a third party (including for these purposes a derivative action brought on behalf of any BC Entity) or which otherwise involves such Indemnitee that arises out of or results from (A) the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents, (B) any transaction financed or to be financed in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of the issuance of the Securities, (C) any disclosure properly made by such Buyer pursuant to Section 4(i), or (D) the status of such Buyer or holder of the Securities either as an investor in any BC Entity pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or as a party to this Agreement (including, without limitation, as a party in interest or otherwise in any action or proceeding for injunctive or other equitable relief). To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by a BC Entity may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law. Except as otherwise set forth herein, the mechanics and procedures with respect to the rights and obligations under this Section 9(k) shall be the same as those set forth in Section 6 of the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

 

(l)  Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party. No specific representation or warranty shall limit the generality or applicability of a more general representation or warranty. Each and every reference to share prices, shares of Common Stock and any other numbers in this Agreement that relate to the Common Stock shall be automatically adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions that occur with respect to the Common Stock after the date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall constitute a representation or warranty against, or a prohibition of, any actions with respect to the borrowing of, arrangement to borrow, identification of the availability of, and/or securing of, securities of the Company in order for such Buyer (or its broker or other financial representative) to effect Short Sales or similar transactions in the future.

 

(m)  Remedies. Each Buyer and in the event of assignment by Buyer of its rights and obligations hereunder, each holder of Securities, shall have all rights and remedies set forth in the Transaction Documents and all rights and remedies which such holders have been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such holders have under any law. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. Furthermore, each BC Party recognizes that in the event that it or any BC Entity fails to perform, observe, or discharge any or all of its or such BC Entity’s (as the case may be) obligations under the Transaction Documents, any remedy at law would inadequate relief to the Buyers. Each BC Party therefore agrees that the Buyers shall be entitled to specific performance and/or temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive or other equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages and without posting a bond or other security. The remedies provided in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief).

 

(n)  Withdrawal Right. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in (and without limiting any similar provisions of) the Transaction Documents, whenever any Buyer exercises a right, election, demand or option under a Transaction Document and any BC Entity does not timely perform its related obligations within the periods therein provided, then such Buyer may rescind or withdraw, in its sole discretion from time to time upon written notice to such applicable BC Entity, any relevant notice, demand or election in whole or in part without prejudice to its future actions and rights.

 

(o)  Payment Set Aside; Currency. To the extent that a BC Entity makes a payment or payments to any Buyer hereunder or pursuant to any of the other Transaction Documents or any of the Buyers enforce or exercise their rights hereunder or thereunder, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or exercise or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are required to be refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to such BC Entity, a trustee, receiver or any other Person under any law (including, without limitation, any bankruptcy law, foreign, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause of action), then to the extent of any such restoration the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, all dollar amounts referred to in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are in United States Dollars (“U.S. Dollars”), and all amounts owing under this Agreement and all other Transaction Documents shall be paid in U.S. Dollars. All amounts denominated in other currencies (if any) shall be converted into the U.S. Dollar equivalent amount in accordance with the Exchange Rate on the date of calculation. “Exchange Rate” means, in relation to any amount of currency to be converted into U.S. Dollars pursuant to this Agreement, the U.S. Dollar exchange rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the relevant date of calculation.

 

 

(p)  Judgment Currency.

 

(i)  If for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against any BC Entity in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document in any court in any jurisdiction it becomes necessary to convert into any other currency (such other currency being hereinafter in this Section 9(p) referred to as the “Judgment Currency”) an amount due in US Dollars under this Agreement, the conversion shall be made at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Trading Day immediately preceding:

 

(1)  the date actual payment of the amount due, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of New York or in the courts of any other jurisdiction that will give effect to such conversion being made on such date: or

 

(2)  the date on which the foreign court determines, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of any other jurisdiction (the date as of which such conversion is made pursuant to this Section 9(p)(i)(2) being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Conversion Date”).

 

(ii)  If in the case of any proceeding in the court of any jurisdiction referred to in Section 9(p)(i)(2) above, there is a change in the Exchange Rate prevailing between the Judgment Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the applicable party shall pay such adjusted amount as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of US Dollars which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial order at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Judgment Conversion Date.

 

(iii)  Any amount due from any BC Entity under this provision shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other amounts due under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

 

(q)  Independent Nature of Buyers’ Obligations and Rights. The obligations of each Buyer under the Transaction Documents are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Buyer, and no Buyer shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Buyer under any Transaction Document. Nothing contained herein or in any other Transaction Document, and no action taken by any Buyer pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Buyers as, and each BC Party acknowledges that the Buyers do not so constitute, a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of group or entity, or create a presumption that the Buyers are in any way acting in concert or as a group or entity, and no BC Entity shall assert any such claim with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or any matters, and each BC Party acknowledges that the Buyers are not acting in concert or as a group, and no BC Entity shall assert any such claim, with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The decision of each Buyer to purchase Securities pursuant to the Transaction Documents has been made by such Buyer independently of any other Buyer. Each Buyer acknowledges that no other Buyer has acted as agent for such Buyer in connection with such Buyer making its investment hereunder and that no other Buyer will be acting as agent of such Buyer in connection with monitoring such Buyer’s investment in the Securities or enforcing its rights under the Transaction Documents. Each BC Party and each Buyer confirms that each Buyer has independently participated with the BC Entities in the negotiation of the transaction contemplated hereby with the advice of its own counsel and advisors. Each Buyer shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including, without limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement or out of any other Transaction Documents, and it shall not be necessary for any other Buyer to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose. The use of a single agreement to effectuate the purchase and sale of the Securities contemplated hereby was solely in the control of the BC Parties, not the action or decision of any Buyer, and was done solely for the convenience of the BC Entities and not because it was required or requested to do so by any Buyer. It is expressly understood and agreed that each provision contained in this Agreement and in each other Transaction Document is between applicable BC Entities and a Buyer, solely, and not between the Company, its Subsidiaries and the Buyers collectively and not between and among the Buyers.

 

[signature pages follow]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer, the Target and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

  

	COMPANY:
	PHOENIX BIOTECH ACQUISITION CORP.
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer, the Target and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

	TARGET:
	CERO THERAPEUTICS, INC.
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer, the Target and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

	BUYER:
	KEYSTONE CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
	By:
		Name: Frederic Zaino
		Title: CIO

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer, the Target and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

	BUYER:
	[OTHER BUYERS]
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

 

Exhibit A

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS
OF RIGHTS AND PREFERENCES OF
SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
OF
CERO THERAPEUTICS, INC. (F/K/A PHOENIX BIOTECH ACQUISITION CORP.)

 

I, _________, hereby certify that I am the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of CERo Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.) (the “Company”), a corporation organized and existing under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), and further do hereby certify:

 

That pursuant to the authority expressly conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) by the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and Section 151(g) of the DGCL, the Board on __________, 2024 adopted the following resolution determining it desirable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders for the Company to create a series of [     ] ([     ]) shares of preferred stock designated as “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock”, none of which shares have been issued, to be issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement (as defined in below), in accordance with the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement:

 

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board, in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, a series of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company be and hereby is created pursuant to this certificate of designations (this “Certificate of Designations”), and that the designation and number of shares established pursuant hereto and the voting and other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights of the shares of such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof are as follows:

 

TERMS OF SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

 

1.  Designation and Number of Shares. There shall hereby be created and established a series of preferred stock of the Company designated as “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock”). The authorized number of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Shares”) shall be [ ] ([ ]) shares. Each Preferred Share shall have a par value of $0.0001 per share. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 32 below.

 

2.  Ranking. Except to the extent that the Required Holders (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) expressly consent to the creation of Parity Stock (as defined below) or Senior Preferred Stock (as defined below) in accordance with Section 16, all shares of capital stock of the Company shall be junior in rank to all Preferred Shares with respect to the preferences as to dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company (such junior stock is referred to herein collectively as “Junior Stock”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Preferred Shares will, with respect to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding-up and dissolution, rank (A) junior to the Senior Preferred Stock, (B) on parity with the Parity Stock and (C) senior to the Junior Stock. The rights of all such shares of capital stock of the Company shall be subject to the rights, powers, preferences and privileges of the Preferred Shares. Without limiting any other provision of this Certificate of Designations, without the prior express consent of the Required Holders, voting separately as a single class, the Company shall not hereafter authorize or issue any additional or other shares of capital stock that is (i) of senior rank to the Preferred Shares in respect of the preferences as to dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company (collectively, the “Senior Preferred Stock”) (ii) of pari passu rank to the Preferred Shares in respect of the preferences as to dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company (other than the Permitted Additional Preferred Shares (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement)) (collectively, the “Parity Stock”) or (iii) any Junior Stock having a maturity date or any other date requiring redemption or repayment of such shares of Junior Stock that is prior to the first anniversary of the Initial Issuance Date. In the event of the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation, the Preferred Shares shall maintain their relative rights, powers, designations, privileges and preferences provided for herein and no such merger or consolidation shall result inconsistent therewith.

 

 

3.  Dividends. In addition to Section 7, Section 8 and/or Section 15 below, as applicable, subject to the senior rights of the Senior Preferred Stock, and pari passu with the holders of shares of Parity Stock, from and after the first date of issuance of any Preferred Shares (the “Initial Issuance Date”), each holder of a Preferred Share (each, a “Holder” and collectively, the “Holders”) shall be entitled to receive dividends (“Dividends”) when and as declared by the Board, from time to time, in its sole discretion, which Dividends shall be paid by the Company out of funds legally available therefor, payable, subject to the conditions and other terms hereof, in cash, in securities of the Company or any other entity, or using assets as determined by the Board on the Stated Value of such Preferred Share.

 

4.  Conversion. At any time after the Initial Issuance Date, each Preferred Share shall be convertible into validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock (the “Conversion Shares”), on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 4.

 

(a)  Holder’s Conversion Right. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(d), at any time or times on or after the Initial Issuance Date, each Holder shall be entitled to convert any portion of the outstanding Preferred Shares held by such Holder into validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Conversion Shares in accordance with Section 4(c) at the Conversion Rate (as defined below). The Company shall not issue any fraction of a share of Common Stock upon any conversion. If the issuance would result in the issuance of a fraction of a share of Common Stock, the Company shall round such fraction of a share of Common Stock up to the nearest whole share. The Company shall pay any and all transfer, stamp, issuance and similar taxes, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Company’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”)) that may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of Common Stock upon conversion of any Preferred Shares.

 

(b)  Conversion Rate. Except as otherwise provided herein, the number of Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of any Preferred Share pursuant to this Section 4 shall be determined by dividing (x) the Conversion Amount of such Preferred Share by (y) the Conversion Price (the “Conversion Rate”).

 

 

For purposes of this Certificate of Designations, the term “Conversion Amount” means, with respect to each Preferred Share, as of the applicable date of determination, the sum of (1) the Stated Value thereof plus (2) any Additional Amount thereon as of such date of determination plus (3) any other amounts owed to such Holder pursuant to this Certificate of Designations or any other Transaction Document.

 

For purposes of this Certificate of Designations, the term “Conversion Price” means, with respect to each Preferred Share, as of any Conversion Date or other date of determination, $10.00, subject to adjustment as provided herein.

 

(c)  Mechanics of Conversion. The conversion of each Preferred Share shall be conducted in the following manner:

 

(i)  Optional Conversion. To convert one or more Preferred Shares into Conversion Shares on any date (a “Conversion Date”), a Holder shall deliver (whether via electronic mail or otherwise), for receipt on or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York time, on such date, a copy of an executed notice of conversion of the Preferred Share(s) subject to such conversion in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I (the “Conversion Notice”) to the Company. If required by Section 4(c)(ii), within two (2) Trading Days following a conversion of any such Preferred Shares as aforesaid, such Holder shall surrender to a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for delivery to the Company the original certificates, if any, representing the Preferred Shares (the “Preferred Share Certificates”) so converted as aforesaid (or an indemnification undertaking with respect to the Preferred Shares in the case of its loss, theft or destruction as contemplated by Section 18(b)). On or before the first (1^st) Trading Day following the date of receipt of a Conversion Notice, the Company shall transmit by electronic mail an acknowledgment of confirmation and representation as to whether such shares of Common Stock may then be resold pursuant to Rule 144 or an effective and available registration statement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit II, of receipt of such Conversion Notice to such Holder and the Transfer Agent, which confirmation shall constitute an instruction to the Transfer Agent to process such Conversion Notice in accordance with the terms set forth herein. On or before the first (1^st) Trading Day following each date on which the Company has received a Conversion Notice (or such earlier date as required pursuant to the 1934 Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation for the settlement of a trade initiated on the applicable Conversion Date of such Conversion Shares issuable pursuant to such Conversion Notice) (the “Share Delivery Deadline”), the Company shall (1) provided that the Transfer Agent is participating in the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program (“FAST”) and such shares of Common Stock (i) (A) may then be sold by the applicable Holder pursuant to an available and effective registration statement and (B) such Holder provides such documentation or other information evidencing the sale of the share of Common Stock as the Company, the Transfer Agent or legal counsel to the Company shall reasonably request (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include the requirements of a medallion guarantee or a legal opinion) or (ii) may be sold by such Holder pursuant to Rule 144 of the 1933 Act, as applicable (the “Resale Eligibility Conditions”), credit such aggregate number of Conversion Shares to which such Holder shall be entitled pursuant to such conversion to such Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system, or (2) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST or the Resale Eligibility Conditions are not satisfied, upon the request of such Holder, issue and deliver (via reputable overnight courier) to the address as specified in such Conversion Notice, a certificate, registered in the name of such Holder or its designee, for the number of Conversion Shares to which such Holder shall be entitled. If the number of Preferred Shares represented by the Preferred Share Certificate(s) submitted for conversion pursuant to Section 4(c)(ii) is greater than the number of Preferred Shares being converted, then the Company shall, as soon as practicable and in no event later than two (2) Trading Days after receipt of the Preferred Share Certificate(s) and at its own expense, issue and mail to such Holder (or its designee) by overnight courier service a new Preferred Share Certificate or a new Book-Entry (in either case, in accordance with Section 18(d)) representing the number of Preferred Shares not converted. The Person or Persons entitled to receive the Conversion Shares issuable upon a conversion of Preferred Shares shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Conversion Shares on the Conversion Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Holder delivers a Conversion Notice to the Company prior to the date of issuance of Preferred Shares to such Holder, whereby such Holder elects to convert such Preferred Shares pursuant to such Conversion Notice, the Share Delivery Deadline with respect to any such Conversion Notice shall be the later of (x) the date of issuance of such Preferred Shares and (y) the first (1st) Trading Day after the date of such Conversion Notice. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Designations or the Registration Rights Agreement, after the effective date of a Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) and prior to a Holder’s receipt of the notice of a Grace Period (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), the Company shall cause the Transfer Agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to such Holder (or its designee) in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) with respect to which such Holder has entered into a contract for sale, and delivered a copy of the prospectus included as part of the particular Registration Statement to the extent applicable, and for which such Holder has not yet settled.

 

 

(ii)  Company’s Failure to Timely Convert. If the Company shall fail, for any reason or for no reason, on or prior to the applicable Share Delivery Deadline, either (I) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST or the Resale Eligibility Conditions are not satisfied, to issue and deliver to such Holder (or its designee) a certificate for the number of Conversion Shares to which such Holder is entitled and register such Conversion Shares on the Company’s share register or, if the Transfer Agent is participating in FAST and the Resale Eligibility Conditions are satisfied, to credit such Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC for such number of Conversion Shares to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion of any Conversion Amount (as the case may be) or (II) if the Registration Statement covering the resale of the Conversion Shares that are the subject of the Conversion Notice (the “Unavailable Conversion Shares”) is not available for the resale of such Unavailable Conversion Shares and the Company fails to promptly, but in no event later than as required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (x) notify such Holder and (y) deliver the shares of Common Stock electronically without any restrictive legend by crediting such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled pursuant to such conversion to such Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian system (the event described in the immediately foregoing clause (II) is hereinafter referred as a “Notice Failure” and together with the event described in clause (I) above, a “Conversion Failure”), and if on or after such Share Delivery Deadline such Holder acquires (in an open market transaction, stock loan or otherwise) shares of Common Stock corresponding to all or any portion of the number of Conversion Shares issuable upon such conversion that such Holder is entitled to receive from the Company and has not received from the Company in connection with such Conversion Failure or Notice Failure, as applicable (a “Buy-In”), then, in addition to all other remedies available to such Holder, the Company shall, within two (2) Business Days after receipt of such Holder’s request and in such Holder’s discretion, either: (I) pay cash to such Holder in an amount equal to such Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, stock loan costs and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so acquired (including, without limitation, by any other Person in respect, or on behalf, of such Holder) (the “Buy-In Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to so issue and deliver such certificate (and to issue such Conversion Shares) or credit to the balance account of such Holder or such Holder’s designee, as applicable, with DTC for the number of Conversion Shares to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be) (and to issue such Conversion Shares) shall terminate, or (II) promptly honor its obligation to so issue and deliver to such Holder a certificate or certificates representing such Conversion Shares or credit the balance account of such Holder or such Holder’s designee, as applicable, with DTC for the number of Conversion Shares to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be) and pay cash to such Holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (x) such number of shares of Common Stock multiplied by (y) the lowest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the applicable Conversion Notice and ending on the date of such issuance and payment under this clause (II) (each, a “Buy-In Payment Amount”). In addition to the foregoing, if on or prior to the Share Delivery Deadline either (A) the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST or the Resale Eligibility Conditions are not satisfied, the Company shall fail to issue and deliver to such Holder (or its designee) a certificate and register such Conversion Shares on the Company’s share register or, if the Transfer Agent is participating in the FAST and the Resale Eligibility Conditions are satisfied , the Transfer Agent shall fail to credit the balance account of such Holder or such Holder’s designee, as applicable, with DTC for the number of Conversion Shares to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion hereunder or pursuant to the Company’s obligation pursuant to clause (ii) below or (B) a Notice Failure occurs, and such Holder is a Major Buyer (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), then, in addition to all other remedies available to such Holder, (X) the Company shall pay in cash to such Holder on each day after the Share Delivery Deadline that the issuance of such Conversion Shares is not timely effected an amount equal to 1% of the product of (A) the sum of the number of Conversion Shares not issued to such Holder on or prior to the Share Delivery Deadline and to which such Holder is entitled, multiplied by (B) any trading price of the Common Stock selected by such Holder in writing as in effect at any time during the period beginning on the applicable Conversion Date and ending on the applicable Share Delivery Deadline and (Y) such Holder, upon written notice to the Company, may void its Conversion Notice with respect to, and retain or have returned, as the case may be, all, or any portion, of such Preferred Shares that has not been converted pursuant to such Conversion Notice; provided that the voiding of a Conversion Notice shall not affect the Company’s obligations to make any payments which have accrued prior to the date of such notice pursuant to this Section 4(c)(ii) or otherwise. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity, including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver certificates representing Conversion Shares (or to electronically deliver such Conversion Shares) upon the conversion of the Preferred Shares as required pursuant to the terms hereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to any given Notice Failure and/or Conversion Failure, as applicable, this Section 4(c)(ii) shall not apply to a Holder to the extent the Company has already paid such amounts in full to such Holder with respect to such Notice Failure and/or Conversion Failure, as applicable, pursuant to the analogous sections of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

 

(iii)  Registration; Book-Entry. At the time of issuance of any Preferred Shares hereunder, the applicable Holder may, by written request (including by electronic-mail) to the Company, elect to receive such Preferred Shares in the form of one or more Preferred Share Certificates or in Book-Entry form. The Company (or the Transfer Agent, as custodian for the Preferred Shares) shall maintain a register (the “Register”) for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Holders of each Preferred Share and the Stated Value of the Preferred Shares and whether the Preferred Shares are held by such Holder in Preferred Share Certificates or in Book-Entry form (the “Registered Preferred Shares”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The Company and each Holder of the Preferred Shares shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as the owner of a Preferred Share for all purposes (including, without limitation, the right to receive payments and Dividends hereunder) notwithstanding notice to the contrary. A Registered Preferred Share may be assigned, transferred or sold only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register. Upon its receipt of a written request to assign, transfer or sell one or more Registered Preferred Shares by such Holder thereof, the Company shall record the information contained therein in the Register and issue one or more new Registered Preferred Shares in the same aggregate Stated Value as the Stated Value of the surrendered Registered Preferred Shares to the designated assignee or transferee pursuant to Section 18, provided that if the Company does not so record an assignment, transfer or sale (as the case may be) of such Registered Preferred Shares within two (2) Business Days of such a request, then the Register shall be automatically deemed updated to reflect such assignment, transfer or sale (as the case may be). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 4, following conversion of any Preferred Shares in accordance with the terms hereof, the applicable Holder shall not be required to physically surrender such Preferred Shares held in the form of a Preferred Share Certificate to the Company unless (A) the full or remaining number of Preferred Shares represented by the applicable Preferred Share Certificate are being converted (in which event such certificate(s) shall be delivered to the Company as contemplated by this Section 4(c)(ii)) or (B) such Holder has provided the Company with prior written notice (which notice may be included in a Conversion Notice) requesting reissuance of Preferred Shares upon physical surrender of the applicable Preferred Share Certificate. Each Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the Stated Value and Dividends converted and/or paid (as the case may be) and the dates of such conversions and/or payments (as the case may be) or shall use such other method, reasonably satisfactory to such Holder and the Company, so as not to require physical surrender of a Preferred Share Certificate upon conversion. If the Company does not update the Register to record such Stated Value and Dividends converted and/or paid (as the case may be) and the dates of such conversions and/or payments (as the case may be) within two (2) Business Days of such occurrence, then the Register shall be automatically deemed updated to reflect such occurrence. In the event of any dispute or discrepancy, the records of the Company establishing the number of Preferred Shares to which the record holder is entitled shall be controlling and determinative in the absence of manifest error. A Holder and any transferee or assignee, by acceptance of a certificate, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following conversion of any Preferred Shares, the number of Preferred Shares represented by such certificate may be less than the number of Preferred Shares stated on the face thereof. Each Preferred Share Certificate shall bear the following legend:

 

ANY TRANSFEREE OR ASSIGNEE OF THIS CERTIFICATE SHOULD CAREFULLY REVIEW THE TERMS OF THE CORPORATION’S CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS RELATING TO THE SHARES OF SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE, INCLUDING SECTION 4(c)(ii) THEREOF. THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE LESS THAN THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK STATED ON THE FACE HEREOF PURSUANT TO SECTION 4(c)(ii) OF THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS RELATING TO THE SHARES OF SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE.

 

 

(iv) Pro Rata Conversion; Disputes. In the event that the Company receives a Conversion Notice from more than one Holder for the same Conversion Date and the Company can convert some, but not all, of such Preferred Shares submitted for conversion, the Company shall convert from each Holder electing to have Preferred Shares converted on such date a pro rata amount of such Holder’s Preferred Shares submitted for conversion on such date based on the number of Preferred Shares submitted for conversion on such date by such Holder relative to the aggregate number of Preferred Shares submitted for conversion on such date. In the event of a dispute as to the number of Conversion Shares issuable to a Holder in connection with a conversion of Preferred Shares, the Company shall issue to such Holder the number of Conversion Shares not in dispute and resolve such dispute in accordance with Section 23. If a Conversion Notice delivered to the Company would result in a breach of Section 4(d) below, and the applicable Holder does not elect in writing to withdraw, in whole, such Conversion Notice, the Company shall hold such Conversion Notice in abeyance until such time as such Conversion Notice may be satisfied without violating Section 4(d) below (with such calculations thereunder made as of the date such Conversion Notice was initially delivered to the Company).

 

(d)  Limitation on Beneficial Ownership.

 

(i) Beneficial Ownership. The Company shall not effect the conversion of any of the Preferred Shares held by a Holder, and such Holder shall not have the right to convert any of the Preferred Shares held by such Holder pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Certificate of Designations and any such conversion shall be null and void and treated as if never made, to the extent that after giving effect to such conversion, such Holder together with the other Attribution Parties collectively would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (the “Maximum Percentage”) of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder and the other Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock held by such Holder and all other Attribution Parties plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (A) conversion of the remaining, nonconverted Preferred Shares beneficially owned by such Holder or any of the other Attribution Parties and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any convertible notes, convertible preferred stock or warrants, including the Preferred Shares and the Warrants) beneficially owned by such Holder or any other Attribution Party subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained in this Section 4(d). For purposes of this Section 4(d), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. For the avoidance of doubt, the calculation of the Maximum Percentage shall take into account the concurrent exercise and/or conversion, as applicable, of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company beneficially owned by the Holder and/or any other Attribution Party, as applicable. For purposes of determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock a Holder may acquire upon the conversion of such Preferred Shares without exceeding the Maximum Percentage, such Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (x) the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K or other public filing with the SEC, as the case may be, (y) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (z) any other written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent, if any, setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (the “Reported Outstanding Share Number”). If the Company receives a Conversion Notice from a Holder at a time when the actual number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is less than the Reported Outstanding Share Number, the Company shall notify such Holder in writing of the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding and, to the extent that such Conversion Notice would otherwise cause such Holder’s beneficial ownership, as determined pursuant to this Section 4(d), to exceed the Maximum Percentage, such Holder must notify the Company of a reduced number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to such Conversion Notice. For any reason at any time, upon the written or oral request of any Holder, the Company shall within one (1) Business Day confirm orally and in writing or by electronic mail to such Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including such Preferred Shares, by such Holder and any other Attribution Party since the date as of which the Reported Outstanding Share Number was reported. In the event that the issuance of shares of Common Stock to a Holder upon conversion of such Preferred Shares results in such Holder and the other Attribution Parties being deemed to beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than the Maximum Percentage of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (as determined under Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act), the number of shares so issued by which such Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties’ aggregate beneficial ownership exceeds the Maximum Percentage (the “Excess Shares”) shall be deemed null and void and shall be cancelled ab initio, and such Holder shall not have the power to vote or to transfer the Excess Shares. Upon delivery of a written notice to the Company, any Holder may from time to time increase (with such increase not effective until the sixty-first (61^st) day after delivery of such notice) or decrease the Maximum Percentage of such Holder to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% as specified in such notice; provided that (i) any such increase in the Maximum Percentage will not be effective until the sixty-first (61^st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company and (ii) any such increase or decrease will apply only to such Holder and the other Attribution Parties and not to any other Holder that is not an Attribution Party of such Holder. For purposes of clarity, the shares of Common Stock issuable to a Holder pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Designations in excess of the Maximum Percentage shall not be deemed to be beneficially owned by such Holder for any purpose including for purposes of Section 13(d) or Rule 16a-1(a)(1) of the 1934 Act. No prior inability to convert such Preferred Shares pursuant to this paragraph shall have any effect on the applicability of the provisions of this paragraph with respect to any subsequent determination of convertibility. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 4(d) to the extent necessary to correct this paragraph (or any portion of this paragraph) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended beneficial ownership limitation contained in this Section 4(d) or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitation contained in this paragraph may not be waived and shall apply to a successor holder of such Preferred Shares.

 

 

(ii) Principal Market Regulation. The Company shall not issue any shares of Common Stock upon conversion of any Preferred Shares or otherwise pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Designations if the issuance of such shares of Common Stock would exceed the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which the Company may issue upon exercise or conversion (as the case may be) of the Preferred Shares without breaching the Company’s obligations under the rules and regulations the listing rules of the Principal Market (the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued without violating such rules and regulations, the “Exchange Cap”), except that such limitation shall not apply in the event that the Company (A) obtains the approval of its stockholders as required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Principal Market for issuances of shares of Common Stock in excess of such amount (the “Stockholder Approval Date”) or (B) obtains a written opinion from outside counsel to the Company that such approval is not required, which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders. Until such approval or such written opinion is obtained, no Holder shall be issued in the aggregate, upon conversion or exercise (as the case may be) of any Preferred Shares, shares of Common Stock in an amount greater than the product of (i) the Exchange Cap as of the Initial Issuance Date multiplied by (ii) the quotient of (1) the aggregate number of Preferred Shares issued to such Holder on the Initial Issuance Date divided by (2) the aggregate number of shares of Preferred Shares and Parity Stock outstanding as of the Initial Issuance Date (with respect to each Holder, the “Exchange Cap Allocation”). In the event that any Holder shall sell or otherwise transfer any of such Holder’s Preferred Shares, the transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of such Holder’s Exchange Cap Allocation with respect to such portion of such Preferred Shares so transferred, and the restrictions of the prior sentence shall apply to such transferee with respect to the portion of the Exchange Cap Allocation so allocated to such transferee. Upon conversion in full of a Holder’s Preferred Shares, the difference (if any) between such Holder’s Exchange Cap Allocation and the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued to such Holder upon such Holder’s conversion in full of such Preferred Shares shall be allocated, to the respective Exchange Cap Allocations of the remaining holders of Preferred Shares and Parity Stock on a pro rata basis in proportion to the shares of Common Stock underlying the shares of preferred stock of the Company then held by each such holder of Preferred Shares and/or Parity Stock, as applicable.

 

 

(e)  Right of Alternate Conversion Upon a Triggering Event.

 

(i) General. Subject to Section 4(d), at any time after the earlier of a Holder’s receipt of a Triggering Event Notice (as defined below) and such Holder becoming aware of a Triggering Event (such earlier date, the “Alternate Conversion Right Commencement Date”) and ending (such ending date, the “Alternate Conversion Right Expiration Date”, and each such period, an “Alternate Conversion Right Period”) on the twentieth (20^th) Trading Day after the later of (x) the date such Triggering Event is cured and (y) such Holder’s receipt of a Triggering Event Notice that includes (I) a reasonable description of the applicable Triggering Event, (II) a certification as to whether, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, such Triggering Event is capable of being cured and, if applicable, a reasonable description of any existing plans of the Company to cure such Triggering Event and (III) a certification as to the date the Triggering Event occurred and, if cured on or prior to the date of such Triggering Event Notice, the applicable Alternate Conversion Right Expiration Date, such Holder may, at such Holder’s option, by delivery of a Conversion Notice to the Company (the date of any such Conversion Notice, each an “Alternate Conversion Date”), convert all, or any number of Preferred Shares held by such Holder into shares of Common Stock at the Alternate Conversion Price (each, an “Alternate Conversion”).

 

(ii) Mechanics of Alternate Conversion. On any Alternate Conversion Date, a Holder may voluntarily convert any number of Preferred Shares held by such Holder pursuant to Section 4(c) (with “Alternate Conversion Price” replacing “Conversion Price” for all purposes hereunder with respect to such Alternate Conversion and with “the applicable Required Premium multiplied by the Conversion Amount” replacing “Conversion Amount” in clause (x) of the definition of Conversion Rate in Section 4(b) above with respect to such Alternate Conversion) by designating in the Conversion Notice delivered pursuant to this Section 4(e) of this Certificate of Designations that such Holder is electing to use the Alternate Conversion Price for such conversion; provided that in the event of the Conversion Floor Price Condition, on the applicable Alternate Conversion Date the Stated Value of the remaining Preferred Shares of such Holder shall automatically increase, pro rata, by the applicable Alternate Conversion Floor Amount or, at the Company’s option, the Company shall deliver the applicable Alternate Conversion Floor Amount to such applicable Holder on the applicable Alternate Conversion Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4(e), but subject to Section 4(d), until the Company delivers to such Holder the shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled pursuant to the applicable Alternate Conversion of such Holder’s Preferred Shares, such Preferred Shares may be converted by such Holder into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 4(c) without regard to this Section 4(e). In the event of an Alternate Conversion pursuant to this Section 4(e) of all, or any portion, of any Preferred Shares of a Holder, such Holder’s damages would be uncertain and difficult to estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates and the uncertainty of the availability of a suitable substitute investment opportunity for such Holder. Accordingly, any redemption premium due under this Section 4(e), together the Alternate Conversion Price used in such Alternate Conversion, as applicable, is intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, a reasonable estimate of, such Holder’s actual loss of its investment opportunity and not as a penalty.

 

 

5.  Triggering Events.

 

(a)  General. Each of the following events shall constitute a “Triggering Event” and each of the events in clauses 5(a)(x), 5(a)(xi), and 5(a)(xii), shall constitute a “Bankruptcy Triggering Event”:

 

(i) the failure of the applicable Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) to be filed with the SEC on or prior to the date that is ten (10) days after the applicable Filing Deadline (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) or the failure of the applicable Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the date that is ten (10) days after the applicable Effectiveness Deadline (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement);

 

(ii) while the applicable Registration Statement is required to be maintained effective pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, the effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement lapses for any reason (including, without limitation, the issuance of a stop order) or such Registration Statement (or the prospectus contained therein) is unavailable to any holder of Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) for sale of all of such holder’s Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, and such lapse or unavailability continues for a period of seven (7) consecutive days or for more than an aggregate of fifteen (15) days in any 365-day period (excluding days during an Allowable Grace Period (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement));

 

(iii)  the suspension from trading or the failure of the Common Stock to be trading or listed (as applicable) on an Eligible Market for a period of five (5) consecutive Trading Days or the delisting, removal or withdrawal, as applicable, of registration of the Common Stock under the 1934 Act with respect to a going-private transaction;

 

(iv)  the Company’s (A) failure to cure a Conversion Failure or a Delivery Failure (as defined in the Warrants) by delivery of the required number of shares of Common Stock within five (5) Trading Days after the applicable Conversion Date or exercise date (as the case may be) or (B) notice, written or oral, to any holder of Preferred Shares or Warrants, including, without limitation, by way of public announcement or through any of its agents, at any time, of its intention not to comply, as required, with a request for exercise of any Warrants for Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of the Warrants or a request for conversion of any Preferred Shares into shares of Common Stock that is requested in accordance with the provisions of this Certificate of Designations, other than pursuant to Section 4(d) hereof;

 

 

(v)  except to the extent the Company is in compliance with Section 11(b) below, at any time following the tenth (10th) consecutive day that a Holder’s Authorized Share Allocation (as defined in Section 11(a) below) is less than the sum of (A) the Required Reserve Amount as of such date of determination and (B) the number of shares of Common Stock that such Holder would then be entitled to receive upon exercise in full of such Holder’s Warrants (without regard to any limitations on exercise set forth in the Warrants);

 

(vi) subject to the provisions of Section 170 of the DGCL, the Board fails to declare any Dividend to be capitalized or paid in accordance with Section 3;

 

(vii)  the Company’s failure to pay to any Holder any Dividend when required to be paid hereunder (whether or not declared by the Board) or any other amount when and as due under this Certificate of Designations (including, without limitation, the Company’s failure to pay any redemption payments or amounts hereunder), the Securities Purchase Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any other agreement, document, certificate or other instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (in each case, whether or not permitted pursuant to the DGCL), except, in the case of a failure to pay Dividends when and as due, in each such case only if such failure remains uncured for a period of at least five (5) Trading Days;

 

(viii)  the Company fails to remove any restrictive legend on any certificate or any shares of Common Stock issued to the applicable Holder upon conversion or exercise (as the case may be) of any Securities (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) acquired by such Holder under the Securities Purchase Agreement (including this Certificate of Designations) as and when required by such Securities or the Securities Purchase Agreement, unless otherwise then prohibited by applicable federal securities laws, and any such failure remains uncured for at least five (5) Trading Days;

 

(ix)  the occurrence of any default under, redemption of or acceleration prior to maturity of at least an aggregate of $1,000,000 of Indebtedness (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than with respect to any Preferred Shares;

 

(x)  bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or liquidation proceedings or other proceedings for the relief of debtors shall be instituted by or against the Company or any Subsidiary and, if instituted against the Company or any Subsidiary by a third party, shall not be dismissed within thirty (30) days of their initiation;

 

 

(xi)  the commencement by the Company or any Subsidiary of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree, order, judgment or other similar document in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal, state or foreign law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the execution of a composition of debts, or the occurrence of any other similar federal, state or foreign proceeding, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, the taking of corporate action by the Company or any Subsidiary in furtherance of any such action or the taking of any action by any Person to commence a Uniform Commercial Code foreclosure sale or any other similar action under federal, state or foreign law;

 

(xii)  the entry by a court of (i) a decree, order, judgment or other similar document in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary of a voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (ii) a decree, order, judgment or other similar document adjudging the Company or any Subsidiary as bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary under any applicable federal, state or foreign law or (iii) a decree, order, judgment or other similar document appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree, order, judgment or other similar document or any such other decree, order, judgment or other similar document unstayed and in effect for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days;

 

(xiii)  a final judgment or judgments for the payment of money aggregating in excess of $500,000 are rendered against the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries and which judgments are not, within thirty (30) days after the entry thereof, bonded, discharged, settled or stayed pending appeal, or are not discharged within thirty (30) days after the expiration of such stay; provided, however, any judgment which is covered by insurance or an indemnity from a credit worthy party shall not be included in calculating the $500,000 amount set forth above so long as the Company provides each Holder a written statement from such insurer or indemnity provider (which written statement shall be reasonably satisfactory to each Holder) to the effect that such judgment is covered by insurance or an indemnity and the Company or such Subsidiary (as the case may be) will receive the proceeds of such insurance or indemnity within thirty (30) days of the issuance of such judgment;

 

 

(xiv)  the Company and/or any Subsidiary, individually or in the aggregate, either (i) fails to pay, when due, or within any applicable grace period, any payment with respect to any Indebtedness in excess of $1,000,000 due to any third party (other than payments contested by the Company and/or such Subsidiary (as the case may be) in good faith by proper proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside for the payment thereof in accordance with GAAP) or is otherwise in breach or violation of any agreement for monies owed or owing in an amount in excess of $1,000,000, which breach or violation permits the other party thereto to declare a default or otherwise accelerate amounts due thereunder, or (ii) suffer to exist any other circumstance or event that would, with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice, result in a default or event of default under any agreement binding the Company or any Subsidiary, which default or event of default would or is likely to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, operations (including results thereof), liabilities, properties, condition (including financial condition) or prospects of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, individually or in the aggregate;

 

(xv)  other than as specifically set forth in another clause of this Section 5(a), the Company or any Subsidiary breaches any representation or warranty in any material respect (other than representations or warranties subject to material adverse effect or materiality, which may not be breached in any respect) or any covenant or other term or condition of any Transaction Document, except, in the case of a breach of a covenant or other term or condition that is curable, only if such breach remains uncured for a period of five (5) consecutive Trading Days;

 

(xvi)  a false or inaccurate certification (including a false or inaccurate deemed certification) by the Company as to whether any Triggering Event has occurred;

 

(xvii)  any Preferred Shares remain outstanding on or after [  ]¹;

 

(xviii)  any breach or failure in any respect by the Company or any Subsidiary to comply with any provision of Section 13 of this Certificate of Designations;

 

(xix)  any Change of Control occurs without the prior written consent of the Required Holders (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed;

 

1

Insert 18 month anniversary of Closing Date

 

 

(xx)  any Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) occurs; or

 

(xxi)  any provision of any Transaction Document shall at any time for any reason (other than pursuant to the express terms thereof) cease to be valid and binding on or enforceable against the parties thereto, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested, directly or indirectly, by the Company or any Subsidiary, or a proceeding shall be commenced by the Company or any Subsidiary or any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over any of them, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall deny in writing that it has any liability or obligation purported to be created under one or more Transaction Documents.

 

(b)  Notice of a Triggering Event. Upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event with respect to the Preferred Shares, the Company shall within two (2) Business Days deliver written notice thereof via electronic mail and overnight courier (with next day delivery specified) (a “Triggering Event Notice”) to each Holder.

 

(c)  Mandatory Redemption upon Bankruptcy Triggering Event. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, and notwithstanding any conversion that is then required or in process, upon any Bankruptcy Triggering Event, the Company shall immediately redeem, in cash, each of the Preferred Shares then outstanding at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount to be redeemed multiplied by (B) the Required Premium and (ii) the product of (X) the Conversion Rate (calculated using the lowest Alternate Conversion Price during the period commencing on the 20th Trading Day immediately preceding such public announcement and ending on the date the Company makes the entire redemption payment pursuant to this Section 5(c)) with respect to the Conversion Amount in effect immediately following the date of initial public announcement (or public filing of bankruptcy documents, as applicable) of such Bankruptcy Triggering Event multiplied by (Y) the product of (1) the Required Premium multiplied by (2) the greatest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date immediately preceding such Bankruptcy Triggering Event and ending on the date the Company makes the entire payment required to be made under this Section 5(c), without the requirement for any notice or demand or other action by any Holder or any other person or entity, provided that a Holder may, in its sole discretion, waive such right to receive payment upon a Bankruptcy Triggering Event, in whole or in part, and any such waiver shall not affect any other rights of such Holder or any other Holder hereunder, including any other rights in respect of such Bankruptcy Triggering Event or any right to conversion (or Alternate Conversion), as applicable.

 

6.  Rights Upon Fundamental Transactions.

 

(a)  Assumption. The Company shall not enter into or be party to a Fundamental Transaction unless the Successor Entity assumes in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Certificate of Designations and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(a) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders, including agreements to deliver to each holder of Preferred Shares in exchange for such Preferred Shares a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Certificate of Designations, including, without limitation, having a stated value and dividend rate equal to the stated value and dividend rate of the Preferred Shares held by the Holders and having similar ranking to the Preferred Shares, and reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders. Upon the occurrence of any Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Certificate of Designations and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Certificate of Designations and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein and therein. In addition to the foregoing, upon consummation of a Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall deliver to each Holder confirmation that there shall be issued upon conversion or redemption of the Preferred Shares at any time after the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, in lieu of the shares of Common Stock (or other securities, cash, assets or other property (except such items still issuable under Sections 7 and 15, which shall continue to be receivable thereafter)) issuable upon the conversion or redemption of the Preferred Shares prior to such Fundamental Transaction, such shares of the publicly traded common stock (or their equivalent) of the Successor Entity (including its Parent Entity) which each Holder would have been entitled to receive upon the happening of such Fundamental Transaction had all the Preferred Shares held by each Holder been converted immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitations on the conversion of the Preferred Shares contained in this Certificate of Designations), as adjusted in accordance with the provisions of this Certificate of Designations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such Holder may elect, at its sole option, by delivery of written notice to the Company to waive this Section 6(a) to permit the Fundamental Transaction without the assumption of the Preferred Shares. The provisions of this Section 6 shall apply similarly and equally to successive Fundamental Transactions and shall be applied without regard to any limitations on the conversion or redemption of the Preferred Shares.

 

 

(b)  Notice of a Change of Control; Change of Control Election Notice. No sooner than the earlier of (x) twenty (20) Trading Days prior to the consummation of a Change of Control or (y) the public announcement of the entry into an agreement with respect to a Change of Control, nor later than ten (10) Trading Days prior to the consummation of a Change of Control (the “Change of Control Date”), the Company shall deliver written notice thereof via electronic mail and overnight courier to each Holder (a “Change of Control Notice”). At any time during the period beginning after a Holder’s receipt of a Change of Control Notice or such Holder becoming aware of a Change of Control if a Change of Control Notice is not delivered to such Holder in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence (as applicable) and ending on twenty (20) Trading Days after the later of (A) the date of consummation of such Change of Control or (B) the date of receipt of such Change of Control Notice or (C) the date of the announcement of such Change of Control, such Holder may require, by delivering written notice thereof (“Change of Control Election Notice”) to the Company (which Change of Control Election Notice shall indicate the number of Preferred Shares subject to such election), to have the Company exchange such Holder’s Preferred Shares designated in such Change of Control Election Notice for consideration equal to the Change of Control Election Price (as defined below), to be satisfied at the Company’s election (such election to pay in cash or by delivery of the Rights (as defined below), a “Consideration Election”), in either (I) rights (with a beneficial ownership limitation in the form of Section 4(d) hereof, mutatis mutandis) (collectively, the “Rights”), convertible in whole, or in part, at any time, without the requirement to pay any additional consideration, at the option of the Required Holders, into such Corporate Event Consideration (as defined below) applicable to such Change of Control equal in value to the Change of Control Election Price (as determined with the fair market value of the aggregate number of Successor Shares (as defined below) issuable upon conversion of the Rights to be determined in increments of 10% (or such greater percentage as the applicable Holder may notify the Company from time to time) of the portion of the Change of Control Election Price attributable to such Successor Shares (the “Successor Share Value Increment”), with the aggregate number of Successor Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights with respect to the first Successor Share Value Increment determined based on 70% of the VWAP of the Successor Shares on the date the Rights are issued and on each of the nine (9) subsequent Trading Days, in each case, the aggregate number of additional Successor Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights shall be determined based upon a Successor Share Value Increment at 70% of the VWAP of the Successor Shares in effect for such corresponding Trading Day (such ten (10) Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the date the Rights are issued, the “Rights Measuring Period”)), or (II) in cash; provided, that the Company shall not consummate a Change of Control if the Corporate Event Consideration includes capital stock or other equity interest (the “Successor Shares”) either in an entity that is not listed on an Eligible Market or an entity in which the daily share volume for the applicable Successor Shares for each of the twenty (20) Trading Days prior to the date of consummation of such Change of Control is less than the aggregate number of Successor Shares issuable to all Holders upon conversion in full of the applicable Rights (without regard to any limitations on conversion therein, assuming the exercise in full of the Rights on the date of issuance of the Rights and assuming the VWAP of the Successor Shares for each Trading Day in the Rights Measuring Period is the VWAP on the Trading Day ended immediately prior to the time of consummation of the Change of Control). The Company shall give each Holder written notice of each Consideration Election at least twenty (20) Trading Days prior to the time of consummation of such Change of Control. Payment of such amounts or delivery of the Rights, as applicable, shall be made by the Company (or at the Company’s direction) to each Holder on the later of (x) the second (2nd) Trading Day after the date of such request and (y) the date of consummation of such Change of Control (or, with respect to any Right, if applicable, such later time that holders of shares of Common Stock are initially entitled to receive Corporate Event Consideration with respect to the shares of Common Stock of such holder). Any Corporate Event Consideration included in the Rights, if any, pursuant to this Section 6(b) is pari passu with the Corporate Event Consideration to be paid to holders of shares of Common Stock and the Company shall not permit a payment of any Corporate Event Consideration to the holders of shares of Common Stock without on or prior to such time delivering the Right to the Holders in accordance herewith. Cash payments, if any, required by this Section 6(b) shall have priority to payments to all other stockholders of the Company in connection with such Change of Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6(b), but subject to Section 4(d), until the applicable Change of Control Election Price is paid in full to the applicable Holder in cash or Corporate Event Consideration in accordance herewith, the Preferred Shares submitted by such Holder for exchange or payment, as applicable, under this Section 6(b) may be converted, in whole or in part, by such Holder into Common Stock pursuant to Section 4 or in the event the Conversion Date is after the consummation of such Change of Control, stock or equity interests of the Successor Entity substantially equivalent to the Company’s shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 6(a). In the event of the Company’s repayment or exchange, as applicable, of any of the Preferred Shares under this Section 6(b), such Holder’s damages would be uncertain and difficult to estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates and the uncertainty of the availability of a suitable substitute investment opportunity for a Holder. Accordingly, any Required Premium due under this Section 6(b) is intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, a reasonable estimate of such Holder’s actual loss of its investment opportunity and not as a penalty. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in connection with any redemption hereunder at a time a Holder is entitled to receive a cash payment under any of the other Transaction Documents, at the option of such Holder delivered in writing to the Company, the applicable redemption price hereunder shall be increased by the amount of such cash payment owed to such Holder under such other Transaction Document and, upon payment in full or conversion in accordance herewith, shall satisfy the Company’s payment obligation under such other Transaction Document.

 

 

7.  Rights Upon Issuance of Purchase Rights and Other Corporate Events.

 

(a)  Purchase Rights. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 8 and Section 15 below, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to all or substantially all of the record holders of any class of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then each Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which such Holder could have acquired if such Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of all the Preferred Shares (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of the Preferred Shares and assuming for such purpose that all the Preferred Shares were converted at the Alternate Conversion Price as of the applicable record date) held by such Holder immediately prior to the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights; provided, however, to the extent that such Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in such Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then such Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent of the Maximum Percentage (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right (and beneficial ownership) to such extent of any such excess) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance (and, if such Purchase Right has an expiration date, maturity date or other similar provision, such term shall be extended by such number of days held in abeyance, if applicable) for the benefit of such Holder until such time or times, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in such Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times such Holder shall be granted such right (and any Purchase Right granted, issued or sold on such initial Purchase Right or on any subsequent Purchase Right held similarly in abeyance (and, if such Purchase Right has an expiration date, maturity date or other similar provision, such term shall be extended by such number of days held in abeyance, if applicable)) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation.

 

(b)  Other Corporate Events. In addition to and not in substitution for any other rights hereunder, prior to the consummation of any Fundamental Transaction pursuant to which holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive securities or other assets with respect to or in exchange for shares of Common Stock (a “Corporate Event”), the Company shall make appropriate provision to ensure that each Holder will thereafter have the right, at such Holder’s option, to receive upon a conversion of all the Preferred Shares held by such Holder (i) such securities or other assets (the “Corporate Event Consideration”) to which such Holder would have been entitled with respect to such shares of Common Stock had such shares of Common Stock been held by such Holder upon the consummation of such Corporate Event (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of the Preferred Shares set forth in this Certificate of Designations) or (ii) in lieu of the shares of Common Stock otherwise receivable upon such conversion, such securities or other assets received by the holders of shares of Common Stock in connection with the consummation of such Corporate Event in such amounts as such Holder would have been entitled to receive had the Preferred Shares held by such Holder initially been issued with conversion rights for the form of such consideration (as opposed to shares of Common Stock) at a conversion rate for such consideration commensurate with the Conversion Rate of an Alternate Conversion. Provision made pursuant the preceding sentence shall be in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders. The provisions of this Section 7 shall apply similarly and equally to successive Corporate Events and shall be applied without regard to any limitations on the conversion or redemption of the Preferred Shares set forth in this Certificate of Designations.

 

 

8.  Rights Upon Issuance of Other Securities.

 

(a)  Adjustment of Conversion Price upon Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock. Without limiting any provision of Section 7 or Section 15, if the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately reduced. Without limiting any provision of Section 7 or Section 15, if the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date combines (by any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such combination will be proportionately increased. Any adjustment pursuant to this Section 8(a) shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such subdivision or combination. If any event requiring an adjustment under this Section 8(a) occurs during the period that a Conversion Price is calculated hereunder, then the calculation of such Conversion Price shall be adjusted appropriately to reflect such event.

 

(b)  Holder’s Right of Adjusted Conversion Price. In addition to and not in limitation of the other provisions of this Section 8(b), if the Company in any manner issues or sells or enters into any agreement to issue or sell, any Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities (other than a Permitted Equity Line (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement)) (any such securities, “Variable Price Securities”) after the Subscription Date that are issuable pursuant to such agreement or convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Common Stock at a price which varies or may vary with the market price of the shares of Common Stock, including by way of one or more reset(s) to a fixed price, but exclusive of such formulations reflecting share splits, share combinations, and share dividends (each of the formulations for such variable price being herein referred to as, the “Variable Price”), the Company shall provide written notice thereof via electronic mail and overnight courier to each Holder on the date of such agreement and/or the issuance of such shares of Common Stock, Convertible Securities or Options, as applicable. From and after the date the Company enters into such agreement or issues any such Variable Price Securities, each Holder shall have the right, but not the obligation, in its sole discretion to substitute the Variable Price for the Conversion Price upon conversion of the Preferred Shares by designating in the Conversion Notice delivered upon any conversion of Preferred Shares that solely for purposes of such conversion such Holder is relying on the Variable Price rather than the Conversion Price then in effect. A Holder’s election to rely on a Variable Price for a particular conversion of Preferred Shares shall not obligate such Holder to rely on a Variable Price for any future conversions of Preferred Shares.

 

 

(c)  Calculations. All calculations under this Section 8 shall be made by rounding to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100^th of a share, as applicable. The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any given time shall not include shares owned or held by or for the account of the Company, and the disposition of any such shares shall be considered an issue or sale of Common Stock.

 

(d)  Voluntary Adjustment by Company. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Principal Market, the Company may at any time any Preferred Shares remain outstanding, with the prior written consent of the Required Holder, reduce the then current Conversion Price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the Board.

 

(e)  Adjustments. If on any of the ninetieth (90^th) and one hundred and eightieth (180^th), as applicable, calendar day after the Applicable Date (each, an “Adjustment Date”), the Conversion Price then in effect is greater than the greater of (A) $1.00 (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations and similar events), and (B) the Market Price then in effect (the “Adjustment Price”), on the Adjustment Date the Conversion Price shall automatically lower to the Adjustment Price.

 

(f)  Exchange Right. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Company or any of its Subsidiaries consummates any Subsequent Placement (other than with respect to Excluded Securities (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement)), and a Holder elects in writing to the Company to participate in such Subsequent Placement, each such Holder may, at the option of such Holder as elected in writing to the Company, exchange all, or any part, of the Preferred Shares of such Holder into the securities in such Subsequent Placement (with the aggregate amount of such securities to be issued in such exchange equal to such aggregate amount of such securities with a purchase price valued at 120% of the Conversion Amount of the Preferred Shares delivered by such Holder in exchange therefor).

 

9.  Redemption at the Company’s Election. At any time, the Company shall have the right to redeem all, but not less than all, of the Preferred Shares then outstanding (the “Company Optional Redemption Amount”) on the Company Optional Redemption Date (each as defined below) (a “Company Optional Redemption”). The Preferred Shares subject to redemption pursuant to this Section 9 shall be redeemed by the Company in cash at a price (the “Company Optional Redemption Price”) equal to 120% of the greater of (i) the Conversion Amount being redeemed as of the Company Optional Redemption Date and (ii) the product of (1) the Conversion Rate with respect to the Conversion Amount being redeemed as of the Company Optional Redemption Date multiplied by (2) the greatest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date immediately preceding such Company Optional Redemption Notice Date and ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date the Company makes the entire payment required to be made under this Section 9. The Company may exercise its right to require redemption under this Section 9 by delivering a written notice thereof by electronic mail and overnight courier to all, but not less than all, of the Holders (the “Company Optional Redemption Notice” and the date all of the Holders received such notice is referred to as the “Company Optional Redemption Notice Date”). Such Company Optional Redemption Notice shall be irrevocable; provided that the Company Optional Redemption Notice may be conditioned upon the consummation of a refinancing transaction or a Going Private Transaction. The Company Optional Redemption Notice shall (x) state the date on which the Company Optional Redemption shall occur (the “Company Optional Redemption Date”) which date shall not be less than ten (10) Trading Days nor more than twenty (20) Trading Days following the Company Optional Redemption Notice Date, and (y) state the aggregate Conversion Amount of the Preferred Shares which is being redeemed in such Company Optional Redemption from such Holder and all of the other Holders of the Preferred Shares pursuant to this Section 9 on the Company Optional Redemption Date. The Company shall deliver the applicable Company Optional Redemption Price to each Holder in cash on the applicable Company Optional Redemption Date. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, at any time prior to the date the Company Optional Redemption Price is paid, in full, the Company Optional Redemption Amount may be converted, in whole or in part, by any Holder into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 4. All Conversion Amounts converted by a Holder after the Company Optional Redemption Notice Date shall reduce the Company Optional Redemption Amount of the Preferred Shares of such Holder required to be redeemed on the Company Optional Redemption Date. In the event of the Company’s redemption of any of the Preferred Shares under this Section 9, a Holder’s damages would be uncertain and difficult to estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates and the uncertainty of the availability of a suitable substitute investment opportunity for such Holder. Accordingly, any redemption premium due under this Section 9 is intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, a reasonable estimate of such Holder’s actual loss of its investment opportunity and not as a penalty. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall have no right to effect a Company Optional Redemption if any Triggering Event has occurred and continuing, but any Triggering Event shall have no effect upon any Holder’s right to convert Preferred Shares in its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to a Going Private Transaction, the Company may effect a Company Optional Redemption under this Section 9, but with “Change of Control Election Price” replacing “Company Optional Redemption Price” for all purposes in this Section 9 in connection therewith.

 

 

10.  Noncircumvention. The Company hereby covenants and agrees that the Company will not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, scheme of arrangement, dissolution, issue or sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Certificate of Designations, and will at all times in good faith carry out all the provisions of this Certificate of Designations and take all action as may be required to protect the rights of the Holders hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other provision of this Certificate of Designations or the other Transaction Documents, the Company (a) shall not increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon the conversion of any Preferred Shares above the Conversion Price then in effect, (b) shall take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of Preferred Shares and (c) shall, so long as any Preferred Shares are outstanding, take all action necessary to reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Preferred Shares, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the conversion of the Preferred Shares then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on conversion contained herein). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if after the sixty (60) calendar day anniversary of the Initial Issuance Date, each Holder is not permitted to convert such Holder’s Preferred Shares in full for any reason (other than pursuant to restrictions set forth in Section 4(d) hereof), the Company shall use its best efforts to promptly remedy such failure, including, without limitation, obtaining such consents or approvals as necessary to effect such conversion into shares of Common Stock.

 

11.  Authorized Shares.

 

(a)  Reservation. So long as any Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the Company shall at all times reserve at least 150% of the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the conversion, including without limitation, Alternate Conversions, of all of the Preferred Shares then outstanding at the Alternate Conversion Price then in effect (without regard to any limitations on conversions) (the “Required Reserve Amount”). The Required Reserve Amount (including, without limitation, each increase in the number of shares so reserved) shall be allocated pro rata among the Holders based on the number of the Preferred Shares held by each Holder on the Initial Issuance Date or increase in the number of reserved shares, as the case may be (the “Authorized Share Allocation”). In the event that a Holder shall sell or otherwise transfer any of such Holder’s Preferred Shares, each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of such Holder’s Authorized Share Allocation. Any shares of Common Stock reserved and allocated to any Person which ceases to hold any Preferred Shares shall be allocated to the remaining Holders of Preferred Shares, pro rata based on the number of the Preferred Shares then held by the Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Holder may allocate its Authorized Share Allocation to any other of the securities of the Company held by such Holder (or any of its designees) by delivery of a written notice to the Company.

 

 

(b)  Insufficient Authorized Shares. If, notwithstanding Section 11 (a) and not in limitation thereof, at any time while any of the Preferred Shares remain outstanding the Company does not have a sufficient number of authorized and unreserved shares of Common Stock to satisfy its obligation to reserve for issuance upon conversion of the Preferred Shares at least a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Required Reserve Amount (an “Authorized Share Failure”), then the Company shall immediately take all action necessary to increase the Company’s authorized shares of Common Stock to an amount sufficient to allow the Company to reserve the Required Reserve Amount for the Preferred Shares then outstanding (or deemed outstanding pursuant to Section 11(a) above). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, as soon as practicable after the date of the occurrence of an Authorized Share Failure, but in no event later than sixty (60) days after the occurrence of such Authorized Share Failure, the Company shall hold a meeting of its stockholders for the approval of an increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. In connection with such meeting, the Company shall provide each stockholder with a proxy statement and shall use its best efforts to solicit its stockholders’ approval of such increase in authorized shares of Common Stock and to cause its board of directors to recommend to the stockholders that they approve such proposal (or, if a majority of the voting power then in effect of the capital stock of the Company consents to such increase, in lieu of such proxy statement, deliver to the stockholders of the Company an information statement that has been filed with (and either approved by or not subject to comments from) the SEC with respect thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any such time of an Authorized Share Failure, the Company is able to obtain the written consent of a majority of the shares of its issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock to approve the increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, the Company may satisfy this obligation by obtaining such consent and submitting for filing with the SEC an Information Statement on Schedule 14C. In the event that the Company is prohibited from issuing shares of Common Stock to a Holder upon any conversion due to the failure by the Company to have sufficient shares of Common Stock available out of the authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock (such unavailable number of shares of Common Stock, the “Authorized Failure Shares”), in lieu of delivering such Authorized Failure Shares to such Holder, the Company shall pay cash in exchange for the redemption of such portion of the Conversion Amount of the Preferred Shares convertible into such Authorized Failure Shares at a price equal to the sum of (i) the product of (x) such number of Authorized Failure Shares and (y) the greatest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date such Holder delivers the applicable Conversion Notice with respect to such Authorized Failure Shares to the Company and ending on the date of such issuance and payment under this Section 11(b); and (ii) to the extent such Holder purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Holder of Authorized Failure Shares, any brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any, of such Holder incurred in connection therewith. Nothing contained in Section 11(a) or this Section 11(b) shall limit any obligations of the Company under any provision of the Securities Purchase Agreement or Registration Rights Agreement.

 

 

12.  Voting Rights. The holders of the Preferred Shares shall have no voting power and no right to vote on any matter at any time, either as a separate series or class or together with any other series or class of share of capital stock, and shall not be entitled to call a meeting of such holders for any purpose nor shall they be entitled to participate in any meeting of the holders of Common Stock, except as provided in this Section 12 and Section 15 or as otherwise required by the DGCL. To the extent that under the DGCL the vote of the holders of the Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class or series, as applicable, is required to authorize a given action of the Company, the affirmative vote or consent of the Required Holders of the Preferred Shares, voting together in the aggregate and not in separate series unless required under the DGCL, represented at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is presented or by written consent of the Required Holders (except as otherwise may be required under the DGCL), voting together in the aggregate and not in separate series unless required under the DGCL, shall constitute the approval of such action by both the class or the series, as applicable. Holders of the Preferred Shares shall be entitled to written notice of all stockholder meetings or written consents (and copies of proxy materials and other information sent to stockholders) with respect to which they would be entitled to vote, which notice would be provided pursuant to the Company’s bylaws (the “Bylaws”) and the DGCL.

 

13.  Covenants.

 

(a)  Restriction on Redemption and Cash Dividends. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, redeem, repurchase or declare or pay any cash dividend or distribution on any of its capital stock (other than as required by this Certificate of Designations).

 

(b)  Restriction on Transfer of Assets. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, spin-off, split-off, close, convey or otherwise dispose of any assets or rights of the Company or any Subsidiary owned or hereafter acquired whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, other than (i) sales, leases, licenses, assignments, transfers, conveyances and other dispositions (“Dispositions”) of such assets or rights by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business consistent with its past practice, (ii) sales of inventory and product in the ordinary course of business or (iii) any Disposition of such assets or rights by the Company (excluding any Disposition with respect to a Fundamental Transaction), in an arms-length reasonable transaction, with aggregate gross cash proceeds of greater than $5 million payable within 12 months after the date of such Disposition.

 

(c)  Change in Nature of Business. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by or publicly contemplated to be conducted by the Company and each of its Subsidiaries on the Subscription Date or any business substantially related or incidental thereto. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, modify its or their corporate structure or purpose.

 

 

(d)  Preservation of Existence, Etc. The Company shall maintain and preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve, its existence, rights and privileges, and become or remain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to become or remain, duly qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of the properties owned or leased by it or in which the transaction of its business makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to become or remain duly qualified or in good standing could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e)  Maintenance of Properties, Etc. The Company shall maintain and preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve, all of its material properties which are necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to materially comply, at all times with the provisions of all leases to which it is a party as lessee or under which it occupies property, so as to prevent any loss or forfeiture thereof or thereunder.

 

(f)  Maintenance of Intellectual Property. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, take all action necessary or advisable to maintain all of the Intellectual Property Rights of the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries that are necessary or material to the conduct of its business in full force and effect.

 

(g)  Maintenance of Insurance. The Company shall maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance with responsible and reputable insurance companies or associations (including, without limitation, comprehensive general liability, hazard, rent and business interruption insurance) with respect to its properties (including all real properties leased or owned by it) and business, in such amounts and covering such risks as is required by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto or as is carried generally in accordance with sound business practice by companies in similar businesses similarly situated.

 

(h)  Transactions with Affiliates. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into, renew, extend or be a party to, any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease, transfer or exchange of property or assets of any kind or the rendering of services of any kind) with any affiliate, except transactions in the ordinary course of business in a manner and to an extent consistent with past practice and necessary or desirable for the prudent operation of its business, for fair consideration and on terms no less favorable to it or its Subsidiaries than would be obtainable in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an affiliate thereof.

 

(i)  Restricted Issuances. The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Required Holders, (i) issue any Preferred Shares (other than as contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement and this Certificate of Designations), or (ii) issue any other securities that would cause a breach or default under this Certificate of Designations or the Warrants.

 

 

(j)  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. To the extent that it may lawfully do so, the Company (A) agrees that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law (wherever or whenever enacted or in force) that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Certificate of Designations; and (B) expressly waives all benefits or advantages of any such law and agrees that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power granted to the Holders by this Certificate of Designations, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

(k)  Taxes. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall pay when due all material taxes, fees or other charges of any nature whatsoever (together with any related interest or penalties) now or hereafter imposed or assessed against the Company and its Subsidiaries or their respective assets or upon their ownership, possession, use, operation or disposition thereof or upon their rents, receipts or earnings arising therefrom (except where the failure to pay would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries). The Company and its Subsidiaries shall file on or before the due date therefor all personal property tax returns (except where the failure to file would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and its Subsidiaries may contest, in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, taxes for which they maintain adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP.

 

(l)  PCAOB Registered Auditor. At all times any Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the Company shall have engaged an independent auditor to audit its financial statements that is registered with (and in compliance with the rules and regulations of) the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

 

(m) Independent Investigation. At the request of the Required Holders either (x) at any time when a Triggering Event has occurred and is continuing, (y) upon the occurrence of an event that with the passage of time or giving of notice would constitute a Triggering Event or (z) at any time such Required Holders reasonably believe a Triggering Event may have occurred or be continuing, the Company shall hire an independent, reputable investment bank selected by the Company and approved by such Holder (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) to investigate as to whether any breach of this Certificate of Designations has occurred (the “Independent Investigator”). If the Independent Investigator determines that such breach of this Certificate of Designations has occurred, the Independent Investigator shall notify the Company of such breach and the Company shall deliver written notice to each Holder of such breach. In connection with such investigation, the Independent Investigator may, during normal business hours, inspect all contracts, books, records, personnel, offices and other facilities and properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries and, to the extent available to the Company after the Company uses reasonable efforts to obtain them, the records of its legal advisors and accountants and any books of account, records, reports and other papers not contractually required of the Company to be confidential or secret, or subject to attorney-client or other evidentiary privilege, and the Independent Investigator may make such copies and inspections thereof as the Independent Investigator may reasonably request. The Company shall furnish the Independent Investigator with such financial and operating data and other information with respect to the business and properties of the Company as the Independent Investigator may reasonably request. The Company shall permit the Independent Investigator to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company with, and to make proposals and furnish advice with respect thereto to, the Company’s officers, directors, key employees and independent public accountants or any of them (and by this provision the Company authorizes said accountants to discuss with such Independent Investigator the finances and affairs of the Company and any Subsidiaries), all at such reasonable times, upon reasonable notice, and as often as may be reasonably requested.

 

 

14.  Liquidation, Dissolution, Winding-Up. In the event of a Liquidation Event, the Holders shall be entitled to receive in cash out of the assets of the Company, whether from capital or from earnings available for distribution to its stockholders (the “Liquidation Funds”), before any amount shall be paid to the holders of any of shares of Junior Stock, but pari passu with any Parity Stock then outstanding, an amount per Preferred Share equal to the sum of (i) the Black Scholes Value (as defined in the Warrants) with respect to the outstanding portion of all Warrants held by such Holder (without regard to any limitations on the exercise thereof) as of the date of such event and (ii) the greater of (A) 125% of the Conversion Amount of such Preferred Share on the date of such payment and (B) the amount per share such Holder would receive if such Holder converted such Preferred Share into Common Stock immediately prior to the date of such payment, provided that if the Liquidation Funds are insufficient to pay the full amount due to the Holders and holders of shares of Parity Stock, then each Holder and each holder of Parity Stock shall receive a percentage of the Liquidation Funds equal to the full amount of Liquidation Funds payable to such Holder and such holder of Parity Stock as a liquidation preference, in accordance with their respective certificate of designations (or equivalent), as a percentage of the full amount of Liquidation Funds payable to all holders of Preferred Shares and all holders of shares of Parity Stock. To the extent necessary, the Company shall cause such actions to be taken by each of its Subsidiaries so as to enable, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the proceeds of a Liquidation Event to be distributed to the Holders in accordance with this Section 14. All the preferential amounts to be paid to the Holders under this Section 14 shall be paid or set apart for payment before the payment or setting apart for payment of any amount for, or the distribution of any Liquidation Funds of the Company to the holders of shares of Junior Stock in connection with a Liquidation Event as to which this Section 14 applies. Upon payment in full of the Black-Scholes Value (as defined in the Warrants) of such Warrants pursuant to this Section 14, such Warrants shall be deemed repurchased by the Company and no longer exercisable.

 

15.  Distribution of Assets. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 7 and Section 8, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distributions of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to any or all holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (the “Distributions”), then each Holder, as holders of Preferred Shares, will be entitled to such Distributions as if such Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of the Preferred Shares (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of the Preferred Shares and assuming for such purpose that the Preferred Share was converted at the Alternate Conversion Price as of the applicable record date) immediately prior to the date on which a record is taken for such Distribution or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of Common Stock are to be determined for such Distributions (provided, however, that to the extent that such Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in such Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then such Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent of the Maximum Percentage (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution (and beneficial ownership) to such extent of any such excess) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of such Holder until such time or times as its right thereto would not result in such Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times, if any, such Holder shall be granted such Distribution (and any Distributions declared or made on such initial Distribution or on any subsequent Distribution held similarly in abeyance) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation).

 

 

16.  Vote to Change the Terms of or Issue Preferred Shares. In addition to any other rights provided by law, except where the vote or written consent of the holders of a greater number of shares is required by law or by another provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, without first obtaining the affirmative vote at a meeting duly called for such purpose or the written consent without a meeting of the Required Holders, voting together as a single class, the Company shall not: (a) amend or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to, its Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws, or file any certificate of designations or articles of amendment of any series of shares of preferred stock, if such action would adversely alter or change in any respect the preferences, rights, privileges or powers, or restrictions provided for the benefit of the Preferred Shares hereunder, regardless of whether any such action shall be by means of amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or by merger, consolidation or otherwise; (b) increase or decrease (other than by conversion) the authorized number of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock; (c) without limiting any provision of Section 2, create or authorize (by reclassification or otherwise) any new class or series of Senior Preferred Stock or Parity Stock; (d) purchase, repurchase or redeem any shares of Junior Stock (other than pursuant to the terms of the Company’s equity incentive plans and options and other equity awards granted under such plans (that have in good faith been approved by the Board)); (e) without limiting any provision of Section 2, pay dividends or make any other distribution on any shares of any Junior Stock; (f) issue any Preferred Shares other than as contemplated hereby or pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement; or (g) without limiting any provision of Section 10, whether or not prohibited by the terms of the Preferred Shares, circumvent a right of the Preferred Shares hereunder.

 

17.  Transfer of Preferred Shares. A Holder may offer, sell or transfer some or all of its Preferred Shares without the consent of the Company subject only to the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

18.  Reissuance of Preferred Share Certificates and Book Entries.

 

(a)  Transfer. If any Preferred Shares are to be transferred, the applicable Holder shall surrender the applicable Preferred Share Certificate to the Company (or, if the Preferred Shares are held in Book-Entry form, a written instruction letter to the Company), whereupon the Company will forthwith issue and deliver upon the order of such Holder a new Preferred Share Certificate (in accordance with Section 18(d)) (or evidence of the transfer of such Book-Entry), registered as such Holder may request, representing the outstanding number of Preferred Shares being transferred by such Holder and, if less than the entire outstanding number of Preferred Shares is being transferred, a new Preferred Share Certificate (in accordance with Section 18(d)) to such Holder representing the outstanding number of Preferred Shares not being transferred (or evidence of such remaining Preferred Shares in a Book-Entry for such Holder). Such Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of the Preferred Share Certificate or evidence of Book-Entry issuance, as applicable, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of Section 4(c)(i) following conversion or redemption of any of the Preferred Shares, the outstanding number of Preferred Shares represented by the Preferred Shares may be less than the number of Preferred Shares stated on the face of the Preferred Shares.

 

 

(b)  Lost, Stolen or Mutilated Preferred Share Certificate. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Preferred Share Certificate (as to which a written certification and the indemnification contemplated below shall suffice as such evidence), and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of any indemnification undertaking by the applicable Holder to the Company in customary and reasonable form and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of such Preferred Share Certificate, the Company shall execute and deliver to such Holder a new Preferred Share Certificate (in accordance with Section 18(d)) representing the applicable outstanding number of Preferred Shares.

 

(c)  Preferred Share Certificate and Book-Entries Exchangeable for Different Denominations and Forms. Each Preferred Share Certificate is exchangeable, upon the surrender hereof by the applicable Holder at the principal office of the Company, for a new Preferred Share Certificate or Preferred Share Certificate(s) or new Book-Entry (in accordance with Section 18(d)) representing, in the aggregate, the outstanding number of the Preferred Shares in the original Preferred Share Certificate, and each such new Preferred Share Certificate and/or new Book-Entry, as applicable, will represent such portion of such outstanding number of Preferred Shares from the original Preferred Share Certificate as is designated in writing by such Holder at the time of such surrender. Each Book-Entry may be exchanged into one or more new Preferred Share Certificates or split by the applicable Holder by delivery of a written notice to the Company into two or more new Book-Entries (in accordance with Section 18(d)) representing, in the aggregate, the outstanding number of the Preferred Shares in the original Book-Entry, and each such new Book-Entry and/or new Preferred Share Certificate, as applicable, will represent such portion of such outstanding number of Preferred Shares from the original Book-Entry as is designated in writing by such Holder at the time of such surrender.

 

(d)  Issuance of New Preferred Share Certificate or Book-Entry. Whenever the Company is required to issue a new Preferred Share Certificate or a new Book-Entry pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Designations, such new Preferred Share Certificate or new Book-Entry (i) shall represent, as indicated on the face of such Preferred Share Certificate or in such Book-Entry, as applicable, the number of Preferred Shares remaining outstanding (or in the case of a new Preferred Share Certificate or new Book-Entry being issued pursuant to Section 18(a) or Section 18(c), the number of Preferred Shares designated by such Holder) which, when added to the number of Preferred Shares represented by the other new Preferred Share Certificates or other new Book-Entry, as applicable, issued in connection with such issuance, does not exceed the number of Preferred Shares remaining outstanding under the original Preferred Share Certificate or original Book-Entry, as applicable, immediately prior to such issuance of new Preferred Share Certificate or new Book-Entry, as applicable, and (ii) shall have an issuance date, as indicated on the face of such new Preferred Share Certificate or in such new Book-Entry, as applicable, which is the same as the issuance date of the original Preferred Share Certificate or in such original Book-Entry, as applicable.

 

 

19.  Remedies, Characterizations, Other Obligations, Breaches and Injunctive Relief. The remedies provided in this Certificate of Designations shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Certificate of Designations and any of the other Transaction Documents, at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), and nothing herein shall limit any Holder’s right to pursue actual and consequential damages for any failure by the Company to comply with the terms of this Certificate of Designations. No failure on the part of a Holder to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise by such Holder of any right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. In addition, the exercise of any right or remedy of a Holder at law or equity or under this Certificate of Designations or any of the documents shall not be deemed to be an election of such Holder’s rights or remedies under such documents or at law or equity. The Company covenants to each Holder that there shall be no characterization concerning this instrument other than as expressly provided herein. Amounts set forth or provided for herein with respect to payments, conversion and the like (and the computation thereof) shall be the amounts to be received by a Holder and shall not, except as expressly provided herein, be subject to any other obligation of the Company (or the performance thereof). No failure on the part of a Holder to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise by such Holder of any right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. In addition, the exercise of any right or remedy of any Holder at law or equity or under Preferred Shares or any of the documents shall not be deemed to be an election of such Holder’s rights or remedies under such documents or at law or equity. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Holders and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate. The Company therefore agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, each Holder shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to specific performance and/or temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive or other equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages and without posting a bond or other security. The Company shall provide all information and documentation to a Holder that is requested by such Holder to enable such Holder to confirm the Company’s compliance with the terms and conditions of this Certificate of Designations.

 

20.  Payment of Collection, Enforcement and Other Costs. If (a) any Preferred Shares are placed in the hands of an attorney for collection or enforcement or is collected or enforced through any legal proceeding or a Holder otherwise takes action to collect amounts due under this Certificate of Designations with respect to the Preferred Shares or to enforce the provisions of this Certificate of Designations or (b) there occurs any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership of the Company or other proceedings affecting Company creditors’ rights and involving a claim under this Certificate of Designations, then the Company shall pay the costs reasonably incurred by such Holder for such collection, enforcement or action or in connection with such bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership or other proceeding, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements. The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that no amounts due under this Certificate of Designations with respect to any Preferred Shares shall be affected, or limited, by the fact that the purchase price paid for each Preferred Share was less than the original Stated Value thereof.

 

 

21.  Construction; Headings. This Certificate of Designations shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and the Holders and shall not be construed against any such Person as the drafter hereof. The headings of this Certificate of Designations are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Certificate of Designations. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Certificate of Designations instead of just the provision in which they are found. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, all section references are to sections of this Certificate of Designations. Terms used in this Certificate of Designations and not otherwise defined herein, but defined in the other Transaction Documents, shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms on the Initial Issuance Date in such other Transaction Documents unless otherwise consented to in writing by the Required Holders.

 

22.  Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver. No failure or delay on the part of a Holder in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party. This Certificate of Designations shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and all Holders and shall not be construed against any Person as the drafter hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 22 shall permit any waiver of any provision of Section 4(d).

 

23.  Dispute Resolution.

 

(a)  Submission to Dispute Resolution.

 

(i)  In the case of a dispute relating to a Closing Bid Price, a Closing Sale Price, a Conversion Price, an Alternate Conversion Price, a VWAP or a fair market value or the arithmetic calculation of a Conversion Rate, or the applicable redemption price (as the case may be) (including, without limitation, a dispute relating to the determination of any of the foregoing), the Company or the applicable Holder (as the case may be) shall submit the dispute to the other party via electronic mail (A) if by the Company, within two (2) Business Days after the occurrence of the circumstances giving rise to such dispute or (B) if by such Holder, at any time. If such Holder and the Company are unable to promptly resolve such dispute relating to such Closing Bid Price, such Closing Sale Price, such Conversion Price, such Alternate Conversion Price, such VWAP or such fair market value, or the arithmetic calculation of such Conversion Rate or such applicable redemption price (as the case may be), at any time after the second (2^nd) Business Day following such initial notice by the Company or such Holder (as the case may be) of such dispute to the Company or such Holder (as the case may be), then such Holder may, with the consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), select an independent, reputable investment bank to resolve such dispute.

 

 

(ii) Such Holder and the Company shall each deliver to such investment bank (A) a copy of the initial dispute submission so delivered in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 23 and (B) written documentation supporting its position with respect to such dispute, in each case, no later than 5:00 p.m. (New York time) by the fifth (5^th) Business Day immediately following the date on which such Holder selected such investment bank (the “Dispute Submission Deadline”) (the documents referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (A) and (B) are collectively referred to herein as the “Required Dispute Documentation”) (it being understood and agreed that if either such Holder or the Company fails to so deliver all of the Required Dispute Documentation by the Dispute Submission Deadline, then the party who fails to so submit all of the Required Dispute Documentation shall no longer be entitled to (and hereby waives its right to) deliver or submit any written documentation or other support to such investment bank with respect to such dispute and such investment bank shall resolve such dispute based solely on the Required Dispute Documentation that was delivered to such investment bank prior to the Dispute Submission Deadline). Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by both the Company and such Holder or otherwise requested by such investment bank, neither the Company nor such Holder shall be entitled to deliver or submit any written documentation or other support to such investment bank in connection with such dispute (other than the Required Dispute Documentation).

 

(iii) The Company and such Holder shall cause such investment bank to determine the resolution of such dispute and notify the Company and such Holder of such resolution no later than ten (10) Business Days immediately following the Dispute Submission Deadline. The fees and expenses of such investment bank shall be borne by the party in whose favor the investment bank decides such dispute or, in the event that the investment bank determines that the applicable calculation is in between the amounts submitted by the Company and such Holder, then half of such fees and expenses shall be borne by the Company and half of such fees and expenses shall be borne by the Holder, and such investment bank’s resolution of such dispute shall be final and binding upon all parties absent manifest error.

 

 

(b)  Miscellaneous. The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that (i) this Section 23 constitutes an agreement to arbitrate between the Company and each Holder (and constitutes an arbitration agreement) under the rules then in effect under Delaware Rapid Arbitration Act, as amended, (ii) the terms of this Certificate of Designations and each other applicable Transaction Document shall serve as the basis for the selected investment bank’s resolution of the applicable dispute, such investment bank shall be entitled (and is hereby expressly authorized) to make all findings, determinations and the like that such investment bank determines are required to be made by such investment bank in connection with its resolution of such dispute and in resolving such dispute such investment bank shall apply such findings, determinations and the like to the terms of this Certificate of Designations and any other applicable Transaction Documents, (iii) the applicable Holder (and only such Holder with respect to disputes solely relating to such Holder), in its sole discretion, shall have the right to submit any dispute described in this Section 23 to any state or federal court sitting in Wilmington Delaware, in lieu of utilizing the procedures set forth in this Section 23 and (iv) nothing in this Section 23 shall limit such Holder from obtaining any injunctive relief or other equitable remedies (including, without limitation, with respect to any matters described in this Section 23).

 

24.  Notices; Currency; Payments.

 

(a)  Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Certificate of Designations must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered on the earliest of: (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by electronic mail (provided that such sent email is kept on file (whether electronically or otherwise) by the sending party and the sending party does not receive an automatically generated message from the recipient’s email server that such e-mail could not be delivered to such recipient); or (iii) one (1) Business Day after deposit with an overnight courier service with next day delivery specified, in each case, properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The mailing address and e-mail address for any such communications to the Company shall be: CERo Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.), [ADDRESS] Attention: [CONTACT], e-mail address: [EMAIL], or such other mailing address and/or e-mail address as the Company has specified by written notice given to each of the Holders in accordance with this Section 24(a) not later than five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change. The mailing address and e-mail address for any such communications to any Holder shall be as set forth on such Holder’s respective signature page to the Securities Purchase Agreement, or such other mailing address and/or e-mail address as such Holder has specified by written notice given to the Company in accordance with this Section 24(a) not later than five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender’s e-mail containing the time, date and recipient’s e-mail or (C) provided by an overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by e-mail or receipt from an overnight courier service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.

 

(b)  The Company shall provide each Holder with prompt written notice of all actions taken pursuant to this Certificate of Designations, including in reasonable detail a description of such action and the reason therefore. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall give written notice to each Holder (i) immediately upon any adjustment of the Conversion Price, setting forth in reasonable detail, and certifying, the calculation of such adjustment and (ii) at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date on which the Company closes its books or takes a record (A) with respect to any dividend or distribution upon the Common Stock, or (B) for determining rights to vote with respect to any Fundamental Transaction, dissolution or liquidation, provided in each case that such information shall be made known to the public prior to or in conjunction with such notice being provided to such Holder.

 

 

(c)  Currency. All dollar amounts referred to in this Certificate of Designations are in United States Dollars (“U.S. Dollars”), and all amounts owing under this Certificate of Designations shall be paid in U.S. Dollars. All amounts denominated in other currencies (if any) shall be converted into the U.S. Dollar equivalent amount in accordance with the Exchange Rate on the date of calculation. “Exchange Rate” means, in relation to any amount of currency to be converted into U.S. Dollars pursuant to this Certificate of Designations, the U.S. Dollar exchange rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the relevant date of calculation (it being understood and agreed that where an amount is calculated with reference to, or over, a period of time, the date of calculation shall be the final date of such period of time).

 

(d)  Payments. Whenever any payment of cash is to be made by the Company to any Person pursuant to this Certificate of Designations, unless otherwise expressly set forth herein, such payment shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America by wire transfer of immediately available funds pursuant to wire transfer instructions that Holder shall provide to the Company in writing from time to time. Whenever any amount expressed to be due by the terms of this Certificate of Designations is due on any day which is not a Business Day, the same shall instead be due on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day.

 

25.  Waiver of Notice. To the extent permitted by law, the Company hereby irrevocably waives demand, notice, presentment, protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Certificate of Designations and the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

26.  Governing Law. This Certificate of Designations shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Certificate of Designations shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware. Except as otherwise required by Section 23 above, the Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in Wilmington, Delaware, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein (i) shall be deemed or operate to preclude any Holder from bringing suit or taking other legal action against the Company in any other jurisdiction to collect on the Company’s obligations to such Holder, to realize on any collateral or any other security for such obligations, or to enforce a judgment or other court ruling in favor of such Holder or (ii) shall limit, or shall be deemed or construed to limit, any provision of Section 23 above. THE COMPANY AND EACH HOLDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

 

27.  Judgment Currency.

 

(a)  If for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against the Company in any court in any jurisdiction it becomes necessary to convert into any other currency (such other currency being hereinafter in this Section 27 referred to as the “Judgment Currency”) an amount due in U.S. Dollars under this Certificate of Designations, the conversion shall be made at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Trading Day immediately preceding:

 

(i) the date actual payment of the amount due, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of New York or in the courts of any other jurisdiction that will give effect to such conversion being made on such date: or

 

(ii) the date on which the foreign court determines, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of any other jurisdiction (the date as of which such conversion is made pursuant to this Section 27(a)(ii) being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Conversion Date”).

 

(b)  If in the case of any proceeding in the court of any jurisdiction referred to in Section 27(a)(ii) above, there is a change in the Exchange Rate prevailing between the Judgment Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the applicable party shall pay such adjusted amount as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of US dollars which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial order at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Judgment Conversion Date.

 

(c)  Any amount due from the Company under this provision shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other amounts due under or in respect of this Certificate of Designations.

 

 

28.  TAXES.

 

(a)  All payments made by the Company hereunder or under any other Transaction Document shall be made in accordance with the terms of the respective Transaction Document and shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, withholding, deduction or other defense. Without limiting the foregoing, all such payments shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding (i) taxes imposed on the net income of a Holder by the jurisdiction in which such Holder is organized or where it has its principal lending office, (ii) with respect to any payments made by the Company hereunder, taxes (including, but not limited to, backup withholding) to the extent such taxes are imposed due to the failure of the applicable recipient of such payment to provide the Company with whichever (if any) is applicable of valid and properly completed and executed IRS Forms W-9, W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI, and/or W-8IMY, when requested in writing by the Company, and (iii) with respect to any payments made by the Company, taxes to the extent such taxes are imposed due to the failure of the applicable recipient of such payment to comply with FATCA (all such nonexcluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings and liabilities, collectively or individually, “Taxes”). If the Company shall be required to deduct or to withhold any Taxes from or in respect of any amount payable hereunder or under any other Transaction Document:

 

(i) the amount so payable shall be increased to the extent necessary so that after making all required deductions and withholdings (including Taxes on amounts payable to a Holder pursuant to this sentence) such Holder receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made,

 

(ii) the Company shall make such deduction or withholding,

 

(iii) the Company shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, and

 

(iv) as promptly as possible thereafter, the Company shall send such Holder an official receipt (or, if an official receipt is not available, such other documentation as shall be satisfactory to such Holder, as the case may be) showing payment. In addition, the Company agrees to pay any present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies that arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery, registration or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Preferred Shares or any other Transaction Document (collectively, “Other Taxes”).

 

(b)  The Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold each Holder and each of their affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors (each, an “Indemnified Party”) each Indemnified Party harmless from and against Taxes or Other Taxes (including, without limitation, any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 28) paid by any Indemnified Party as a result of any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery, registration or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Preferred Shares or any other Transaction Document, and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses for nonpayment, late payment or otherwise) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. This indemnification shall be paid within thirty (30) days from the date on which such Holder makes written demand therefor, which demand shall identify the nature and amount of such Taxes or Other Taxes.

 

 

(c)  If the Company fails to perform any of its obligations under this Section 28, the Company shall indemnify such Holder for any taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable as a result of any such failure. The obligations of the Company under this Section 28 shall survive the repayment and/or conversion, as applicable, in full of the Preferred Shares and all other amounts payable with respect thereto.

 

(d)  If any Indemnified Party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 28 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 28), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 28 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including taxes) of such Indemnified Party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such Indemnified Party, shall repay to such Indemnified Party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (d) (plus any penalties, interest, or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such Indemnified Party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (d), in no event will the Indemnified Party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (d) the payment of which would place the Indemnified Party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the Indemnified Party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph (d) shall not be construed to require any Indemnified Party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

 

29.  Severability. If any provision of this Certificate of Designations is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Certificate of Designations so long as this Certificate of Designations as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s).

 

 

30.  Maximum Payments. Without limitation Section 9(d) of the Securities Purchase Agreement, nothing contained herein shall be deemed to establish or require the payment of a rate of interest or other charges in excess of the maximum permitted by applicable law. In the event that the rate of interest required to be paid or other charges hereunder exceed the maximum permitted by such law, any payments in excess of such maximum shall be credited against amounts owed by the Company to the applicable Holder and thus refunded to the Company.

 

31.  Stockholder Matters; Amendment.

 

(a)  Stockholder Matters. Any stockholder action, approval or consent required, desired or otherwise sought by the Company pursuant to the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation, this Certificate of Designations or otherwise with respect to the issuance of Preferred Shares may be effected by written consent of the Company’s stockholders or at a duly called meeting of the Company’s stockholders, all in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the DGCL. This provision is intended to comply with the applicable sections of the DGCL permitting stockholder action, approval and consent affected by written consent in lieu of a meeting.

 

(b)  Amendment. Except for Section 4(d), which may not be amended or waived hereunder, this Certificate of Designations or any provision hereof may be amended by obtaining the affirmative vote at a meeting duly called for such purpose, or written consent without a meeting in accordance with the DGCL, of the Required Holders, voting separate as a single class, and with such other stockholder approval, if any, as may then be required pursuant to the DGCL and the Certificate of Incorporation. Except (a) to the extent otherwise expressly provided in this Certificate of Designations or the Certificate of Incorporation with respect to voting or approval rights of a particular class or series of capital stock or (b) to the extent otherwise provided pursuant to the DGCL, the holders of each outstanding class or series of shares of the Company shall not be entitled to vote as a separate voting group on any amendment to the terms of this Certificate of Designations with respect to which such class or series would otherwise be entitled under the DGCL to vote as a separate voting group.

 

32.  Certain Defined Terms. For purposes of this Certificate of Designations, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)  “1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

(b) “1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

(c) “Additional Amount” means, as of the applicable date of determination, with respect to each Preferred Share, all declared and unpaid Dividends on such Preferred Share.

 

(d)  “Affiliate” or “Affiliated” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, it being understood for purposes of this definition that “control” of a Person means the power directly or indirectly either to vote 10% or more of the stock having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person or direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise.

 

 

(e)  “Alternate Conversion Price” means, with respect to any Alternate Conversion that price which shall be the lowest of (i) the applicable Conversion Price as in effect on the applicable Conversion Date of the applicable Alternate Conversion, and (ii) the greater of (x) the Floor Price and (y) 80% of the lowest VWAP of the Common Stock during the five (5) consecutive Trading Day period ending and including the Trading Day immediately preceding the delivery or deemed delivery of the applicable Conversion Notice (such period, the “Alternate Conversion Measuring Period”). All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or similar transaction that proportionately decreases or increases the Common Stock during such Alternate Conversion Measuring Period.

 

(f)  “Alternate Conversion Floor Amount” means an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the higher of (I) the highest price that the Common Stock trades at on the Trading Day immediately preceding the relevant Alternate Conversion Date and (II) the applicable Alternate Conversion Price and (B) the difference obtained by subtracting (I) the number of shares of Common Stock delivered (or to be delivered) to such Holder on the applicable Share Delivery Deadline with respect to such Alternate Conversion from (II) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the applicable Conversion Amount that such Holder has elected to be the subject of the applicable Alternate Conversion, by (y) the applicable Alternate Conversion Price without giving effect to clause (x) of such definition.

 

(g)  “Applicable Date” means the later of (x) the Stockholder Approval Date and (y) the earlier to occur of (A) the effective date of a registration statement registering the resale by the Holders of the Required Registration Amount (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares then outstanding and (B) the date the Preferred Shares are eligible to be resold by the Holders (assuming such Holders are not then affiliates of the Company) without restriction under Rule 144 of the 1933 Act (in each case, without regard to any limitations on exercise herein).

 

(h)  “Attribution Parties” means, collectively, the following Persons and entities: (i) any investment vehicle, including, any funds, feeder funds or managed accounts, currently, or from time to time after the Initial Issuance Date, directly or indirectly managed or advised by a Holder’s investment manager or any of its Affiliates or principals, (ii) any direct or indirect Affiliates of such Holder or any of the foregoing, (iii) any Person acting or who could be deemed to be acting as a Group together with such Holder or any of the foregoing and (iv) any other Persons whose beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock would or could be aggregated with such Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties for purposes of Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. For clarity, the purpose of the foregoing is to subject collectively such Holder and all other Attribution Parties to the Maximum Percentage.

 

 

(i)  “Bloomberg” means Bloomberg, L.P.

 

(j)  “Book-Entry” means each entry on the Register evidencing one or more Preferred Shares held by a Holder in lieu of a Preferred Share Certificate issuable hereunder.

 

(k)  “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee”  or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any Governmental Authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

 

(l)  “Change of Control” means any Fundamental Transaction other than (i) any merger of the Company or any of its, direct or indirect, wholly-owned Subsidiaries with or into any of the foregoing Persons, (ii) any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of the shares of Common Stock in which holders of the Company’s voting power immediately prior to such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification continue after such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification to hold publicly traded securities and, directly or indirectly, are, in all material respects, the holders of the voting power of the surviving entity (or entities with the authority or voting power to elect the members of the board of directors (or their equivalent if other than a corporation) of such entity or entities) after such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification, or (iii) pursuant to a migratory merger effected solely for the purpose of changing the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(m)  “Change of Control Election Price” means, with respect to any given Change of Control, such price equal to the greatest of (i) the product of (A) the Required Premium multiplied by (B) the Conversion Amount of the Preferred Shares subject to the applicable election, as applicable, (ii) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount of the Preferred Shares being redeemed or exchanged, as applicable, multiplied by (B) the quotient determined by dividing (I) the greatest Closing Sale Price of the shares of Common Stock during the period beginning on the date immediately preceding the earlier to occur of (1) the consummation of the applicable Change of Control and (2) the public announcement of such Change of Control and ending on the date such Holder delivers the Change of Control Election Notice by (II) the Alternate Conversion Price then in effect, and (iii) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount of the Preferred Shares being redeemed multiplied by (B) the quotient of (I) the aggregate cash consideration and the aggregate cash value of any non-cash consideration per share of Common Stock to be paid to such holders of the shares of Common Stock upon consummation of such Change of Control (any such non-cash consideration constituting publicly-traded securities shall be valued at the highest of the Closing Sale Price of such securities as of the Trading Day immediately prior to the consummation of such Change of Control, the Closing Sale Price of such securities on the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of such proposed Change of Control and the Closing Sale Price of such securities on the Trading Day immediately prior to the public announcement of such proposed Change of Control) divided by (II) the Conversion Price then in effect.

 

 

(n)  “Closing Bid Price” and “Closing Sale Price” means, for any security as of any date, the last closing bid price and last closing trade price, respectively, for such security on the Principal Market, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market begins to operate on an extended hours basis and does not designate the closing bid price or the closing trade price (as the case may be) then the last bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security prior to 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg, or if the foregoing do not apply, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, is reported for such security by Bloomberg, the average of the bid prices, or the ask prices, respectively, of any market makers for such security as reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices). If the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price (as the case may be) of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Required Holders. If the Company and the Required Holders are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 23. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions during such period.

 

(o)  “Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement, which date is the date the Company initially issued the Preferred Shares and the Warrants pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

(p)  “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(q)  “Common Stock” means (i) the Company’s shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and (ii) any capital stock into which such common stock shall have been changed or any share capital resulting from a reclassification of such common stock.

 

(r)  “Contingent Obligation” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person with respect to any Indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation of another Person if the primary purpose or intent of the Person incurring such liability, or the primary effect thereof, is to provide assurance to the obligee of such liability that such liability will be paid or discharged, or that any agreements relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of such liability will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss with respect thereto.

 

 

(s)  “Conversion Floor Price Condition” means that the relevant Alternate Conversion Price is being determined based on clause (x) of such definitions.

 

(t)  “Convertible Securities” means any stock or other security (other than Options) that is at any time and under any circumstances, directly or indirectly, convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for, or which otherwise entitles the holder thereof to acquire, any shares of Common Stock.

 

(u)  “Eligible Market” means The New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

(v)  “FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Certificate of Designation (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.

 

(w)  “Floor Price” means $[  ]² (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations and similar events), or, subject to the rules and regulations of the Principal Market, such lower price as the Company and the Required Holders may agree, from time to time.

 

(x)  “Fundamental Transaction” means (A) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, (i) consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) another Subject Entity, or (ii) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its “significant subsidiaries” (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) to one or more Subject Entities, or (iii) make, or allow one or more Subject Entities to make, or allow the Company to be subject to or have its Common Stock be subject to or party to one or more Subject Entities making, a purchase, tender or exchange offer that is accepted by the holders of at least either (x) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entities making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer, become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iv) consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with one or more Subject Entities whereby all such Subject Entities, individually or in the aggregate, acquire, either (x) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all the Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such stock purchase agreement or other business combination were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that the Subject Entities become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (v) reorganize, recapitalize or reclassify its Common Stock, (B) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, allow any Subject Entity individually or the Subject Entities in the aggregate to be or become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, whether through acquisition, purchase, assignment, conveyance, tender, tender offer, exchange, reduction in outstanding shares of Common Stock, merger, consolidation, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, scheme of arrangement, reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification or otherwise in any manner whatsoever, of either (x) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding Common Stock not held by all such Subject Entities as of the date of this Certificate of Designations calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all such Subject Entities were not outstanding, or (z) a percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company sufficient to allow such Subject Entities to effect a statutory short form merger or other transaction requiring other stockholders of the Company to surrender their shares of Common Stock without approval of the stockholders of the Company or (C) directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, the issuance of or the entering into any other instrument or transaction structured in a manner to circumvent, or that circumvents, the intent of this definition in which case this definition shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this definition to the extent necessary to correct this definition or any portion of this definition which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended treatment of such instrument or transaction.

 

² Insert 20% of the Nasdaq Minimum Price as of the Subscription Date, but not less than $1.00

 

 

(y)  “GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

 

(z)  “Going Private Transaction” means any Change of Control (i) pursuant to which, the Company (and the Successor Entity, if applicable) ceases to have any securities registered under the 1934 Act or (ii) that results in the purchase and/or cancellation of all of the Common Stock of the Company solely for cash (and not in whole, or in part, for any other securities of any Person).

 

(aa)  “Group” means a “group” as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act and as defined in Rule 13d-5 thereunder.

 

(bb)  “Governmental Authority” means any federal, foreign, state, county, municipal, provincial, or local governmental authority, court, judicial body, arbitration tribunal, government or self-regulatory organization, commission, tribunal or organization, or any regulatory, administrative, or other agency, or any political or other subdivision, department, commission, board, bureau, branch, division, ministry, or instrumentality of any of the foregoing.

 

(cc)  “Indebtedness” means of any Person means, without duplication (A) all indebtedness for borrowed money, (B) all obligations issued, undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services, including, without limitation, “capital leases” in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied for the periods covered thereby (other than trade payables entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), (C) all reimbursement or payment obligations with respect to letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments, (D) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, including obligations so evidenced incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses, (E) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect to any property or assets acquired with the proceeds of such indebtedness (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property), (F) all monetary obligations under any leasing or similar arrangement which, in connection with United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied for the periods covered thereby, is classified as a capital lease, (G) all indebtedness referred to in clauses (A) through (F) above secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever in or upon any property or assets (including accounts and contract rights) with respect to any asset or property owned by any Person, even though the Person which owns such assets or property has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness, and (H) all Contingent Obligations in respect of indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (A) through (G) above.

 

(dd)  “Intellectual Property Rights” means, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, all of their rights or licenses to use all trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, original works of authorship, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, governmental authorizations, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights and all applications and registrations therefor.

 

(ee)  “Liquidation Event” means, whether in a single transaction or series of transactions, the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or such Subsidiaries the assets of which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

 

(ff)  “Market Price” means, with respect to any Adjustment Date, the Closing Bid Price of the Common Stock as of the Trading Day ended immediately prior to such applicable Adjustment Date.

 

(gg)  “Material Adverse Effect” means any material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, liabilities, operations, results of operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, if any, individually or taken as a whole, or on the transactions contemplated hereby or on the other Transaction Documents (as defined below), or by the agreements and instruments to be entered into in connection therewith or on the authority or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents.

 

(hh)  “Options” means any rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities.

 

(ii)  “Parent Entity” of a Person means an entity that, directly or indirectly, controls the applicable Person and whose common stock or equivalent equity security is quoted or listed on an Eligible Market, or, if there is more than one such Person or Parent Entity, the Person or Parent Entity with the largest public market capitalization as of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction.

 

(jj)  “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity or a government or any department or agency thereof.

 

(kk)  “Principal Market” means, as of any time of determination, the principal trading market, if any, in which the shares of Common Stock then trade.

 

(ll)  “Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain registration rights agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Company and the initial holders of the Preferred Shares relating to, among other things, the registration of the resale of the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares or otherwise pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Designations and exercise of the Warrants, as may be amended from time to time.

 

(mm)  “Required Premium” means as applicable (i) 150% with respect to an Alternate Conversion pursuant to clause 5(a)(xvii) above or (ii) otherwise, 125%.

 

(nn)  “SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or the successor thereto.

 

(oo)  “Securities” shall have the meaning as set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

(pp)  “Securities Purchase Agreement” means that certain securities purchase agreement by and among the Company and the initial holders of Preferred Shares, dated as of the Subscription Date, as may be amended from time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

 

(qq)  “Stated Value” shall mean $1,000 per share, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations, reorganizations, reclassifications, combinations, subdivisions or other similar events occurring after the Initial Issuance Date with respect to the Preferred Shares.

 

(rr)  “Subscription Date” means [                ].

 

(ss) “Subsequent Placement” means any direct, or indirect, issuance, offer, sale, grant of any option or right to purchase, or otherwise disposal of (or announcement of any issuance, offer, sale, grant of any option or right to purchase or other disposition of) any equity security or any equity-linked or related security (including, without limitation, any “equity security” (as that term is defined under Rule 405 promulgated under the 1933 Act), any Convertible Securities, any debt, any preferred stock or any purchase rights) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(tt)  “Stock Combination Event” means the occurrence at any time and from time to time on or after the Subscription Date of any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination recapitalization or other similar transaction involving the Common Stock.

 

(uu)  “Subject Entity” means any Person, Persons or Group or any Affiliate or associate of any such Person, Persons or Group.

 

(vv)  “Subsidiary” shall have the meaning set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

(ww)  “Successor Entity” means the Person (or, if so elected by the Required Holders, the Parent Entity) formed by, resulting from or surviving any Fundamental Transaction or the Person (or, if so elected by the Required Holders, the Parent Entity) with which such Fundamental Transaction shall have been entered into.

 

(xx)  “Trading Day” means, as applicable, (x) with respect to all price or trading volume determinations relating to the Common Stock, any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded, provided that “Trading Day” shall not include any day on which the Common Stock is scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the Common Stock is suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time) unless such day is otherwise designated as a Trading Day in writing by the applicable Holder or (y) with respect to all determinations other than price determinations relating to the Common Stock, any day on which The New York Stock Exchange (or any successor thereto) is open for trading of securities.

 

 

(yy)  “Transaction Documents” means the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, this Certificate of Designations, the Warrants and each of the other agreements and instruments entered into or delivered by the Company or any of the Holders in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement, all as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

(zz)  “VWAP” means, for any security as of any date, the dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the Principal Market (or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for such security, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which such security is then traded), during the period beginning at 9:30 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “VAP” function (set to 09:30 start time and 16:00 end time) or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security during the period beginning at 9:30 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for such security by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest closing bid price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for such security as reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices). If the VWAP cannot be calculated for such security on such date on any of the foregoing bases, the VWAP of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Required Holders. If the Company and the Required Holders are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 23. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction during such period.

 

(aaa)  “Warrants” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Securities Purchase Agreement, and shall include all warrants issued in exchange therefor or replacement thereof.

 

(bbb)  “Warrant Shares” means, collectively, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.

 

33.  Disclosure. Upon receipt or delivery by the Company of any notice in accordance with the terms of this Certificate of Designations, unless the Company has in good faith determined that the matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company shall on or prior to 9:00 am, New York city time on the Business Day immediately following such notice delivery date, publicly disclose such material, non-public information on a Current Report on Form 8-K or otherwise. In the event that the Company believes that a notice contains material, non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company so shall indicate to the applicable Holder explicitly in writing in such notice (or promptly (but no later than the next Business Day) following receipt of notice from such Holder, as applicable), and in the absence of any such written indication in such notice (or notification from the Company promptly (but no later than the next Business Day) following receipt of notice from such Holder), such Holder shall be entitled to presume that information contained in the notice does not constitute material, non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Nothing contained in this Section 33 shall limit any obligations of the Company, or any rights of any Holder, under Section 4(i) of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

34.  Absence of Trading and Disclosure Restrictions. The Company acknowledges and agrees that no Holder is a fiduciary or agent of the Company and that each Holder shall have no obligation to (a) maintain the confidentiality of any information provided by the Company or (b) refrain from trading any securities while in possession of such information in the absence of a written non-disclosure agreement signed by an officer of such Holder that explicitly provides for such confidentiality and trading restrictions. In the absence of such an executed, written non-disclosure agreement, the Company acknowledges that each Holder may freely trade in any securities issued by the Company, may possess and use any information provided by the Company in connection with such trading activity, and may disclose any such information to any third party.

 

[The remainder of the page is intentionally left blank]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Designations of the Certificate of Incorporation of CERo Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.) to be signed by its Chief Executive Officer on this ___ day of ____, 202_.

 

	CERO THERAPEUTICS, INC. (F/K/A PHOENIX BIOTECH ACQUISITION CORP.)
	By:
		Name:
		Title:	Chief Executive Officer

 

 

EXHIBIT I

 

CERO THERAPEUTICS, INC. (F/K/A PHOENIX BIOTECH ACQUISITION CORP.)

 

CONVERSION NOTICE

 

Reference is made to the Certificate of Designations of the Certificate of Incorporation of CERo Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) establishing the terms, preferences and rights of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value (the “Preferred Shares”) of the Company (the “Certificate of Designations”). In accordance with and pursuant to the Certificate of Designations, the undersigned hereby elects to convert the number of Preferred Shares indicated below into shares of common stock, $0.001 value per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company, as of the date specified below.

 

Date of Conversion:
Aggregate number of Preferred Shares to be converted:
Aggregate Stated Value of such Preferred Shares to be converted:
Aggregate accrued and unpaid Dividends with respect to such Preferred Shares to be converted:
AGGREGATE CONVERSION AMOUNT TO BE CONVERTED:
Please confirm the following information:
Conversion Price:
Number of shares of Common Stock to be issued:

 

☐ If this Conversion Notice is being delivered with respect to an Alternate Conversion, check here if Holder is electing to use the following Alternate Conversion Price:____________

 

Please issue the Common Stock into which the applicable Preferred Shares are being converted to Holder, or for its benefit, as follows:

 

☐ Check here if requesting delivery as a certificate to the following name and to the following address:

 

Issue to:

 

☐ Check here if requesting delivery by Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian as follows:

 

DTC Participant:
DTC Number:
Account Number:

 

Date: _____________ __,           

 

Name of Registered Holder
By:
	Name:
	Title:
	Tax ID:
	E-mail Address:

 

 

EXHIBIT II

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

The Company hereby acknowledges this Conversion Notice, (b) certifies that the above indicated number of shares of Common Stock [are][are not] eligible to be resold by the applicable Holder either (i) pursuant to Rule 144 (subject to such Holder’s execution and delivery to the Company of a customary 144 representation letter) or (ii) an effective and available registration statement and (c) hereby directs _________________ to issue the above indicated number of shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Transfer Agent Instructions dated _____________, 20__ from the Company and acknowledged and agreed to by ________________________.

 

	CERO THERAPEUTICS, INC. (F/K/A PHOENIX BIOTECH ACQUISITION CORP.)
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

 

Exhibit B

 

[FORM OF WARRANT]

 

NEITHER THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THESE SECURITIES ARE EXERCISABLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (B) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE HOLDER (IF REQUESTED BY THE COMPANY), IN A FORM REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR (II) UNLESS SOLD OR ELIGIBLE TO BE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OR RULE 144A UNDER SAID ACT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THE SECURITIES. THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT MAY BE LESS THAN THE AMOUNTS SET FORTH ON THE FACE HEREOF PURSUANT TO SECTION 1(a) OF THIS WARRANT.

 

CERo Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.)

 

Warrant To Purchase Common Stock

 

Warrant No.:

 

Date of Issuance: [   ], 20__ (“Issuance Date”)

 

CERo Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby certifies that, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, [BUYER], the registered holder hereof or its permitted assigns (the “Holder”), is entitled, subject to the terms set forth below, to purchase from the Company, at the Exercise Price (as defined below) then in effect, upon exercise of this Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (including any Warrants to Purchase Common Stock issued in exchange, transfer or replacement hereof, the “Warrant”), at any time or times on or after the six month and one day anniversary of the Issuance Date (the “Initial Exercisability Date”), but not after 11:59 p.m., New York time, on the Expiration Date (as defined below), _________________¹ (subject to adjustment as provided herein) fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock (as defined below) (the “Warrant Shares”, and such number of Warrant Shares, the “Warrant Number”). Except as otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms in this Warrant shall have the meanings set forth in Section 19. This Warrant is one of the Warrants to Purchase Common Stock (the “SPA Warrants”) issued pursuant to Section 1 of that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of [            ], 2024 (the “Subscription Date”), by and among the Company and the investors (the “Buyers”) referred to therein, as amended from time to time (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”).

 

1	50% Warrant coverage

 

 

1. EXERCISE OF WARRANT.

 

(a) Mechanics of Exercise. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof (including, without limitation, the limitations set forth in Section 1(f)), this Warrant may be exercised by the Holder on any day on or after the Initial Exercisability Date (an “Exercise Date”), in whole or in part, by delivery (whether via facsimile or otherwise) of a written notice, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Exercise Notice”), of the Holder’s election to exercise this Warrant. Within one (1) Trading Day following an exercise of this Warrant as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver payment to the Company of an amount equal to the Exercise Price in effect on the date of such exercise multiplied by the number of Warrant Shares as to which this Warrant was so exercised (the “Aggregate Exercise Price”) in cash or via wire transfer of immediately available funds if the Holder did not notify the Company in such Exercise Notice that such exercise was made pursuant to a Cashless Exercise (as defined in Section 1(d)). The Holder shall not be required to deliver the original of this Warrant in order to effect an exercise hereunder. Execution and delivery of an Exercise Notice with respect to less than all of the Warrant Shares shall have the same effect as cancellation of the original of this Warrant and issuance of a new Warrant evidencing the right to purchase the remaining number of Warrant Shares. Execution and delivery of an Exercise Notice for all of the then-remaining Warrant Shares shall have the same effect as cancellation of the original of this Warrant after delivery of the Warrant Shares in accordance with the terms hereof. On or before the first (1^st) Trading Day following the date on which the Company has received an Exercise Notice, the Company shall transmit by facsimile or electronic mail an acknowledgment of confirmation of receipt of such Exercise Notice, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, to the Holder and the Company’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”), which confirmation shall constitute an instruction to the Transfer Agent to process such Exercise Notice in accordance with the terms herein. On or before the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date on which the Company has received such Exercise Notice (or such earlier date as required pursuant to the 1934 Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation for the settlement of a trade of such Warrant Shares initiated on the applicable Exercise Date), the Company shall (X) provided that the Transfer Agent is participating in The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program (“FAST”) and such shares of Common Stock (i) (A) may then be sold by the Holder pursuant to an available and effective registration statement and (B) the Holder provides such documentation or other information evidencing the sale of the shares of Common Stock as the Company, the Transfer Agent or legal counsel to the Company shall reasonably request (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include the requirement of a medallion guarantee or a legal opinion) or (ii) may be sold by the Holder pursuant to Rule 144 of the 1933 Act, as applicable (the “Resale Eligibility Conditions”), upon the request of the Holder, credit such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system, or (Y) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in the FAST or the Resale Eligibility Conditions are not satisfied, upon the request of the Holder, issue and deliver (via reputable overnight courier) to the address as specified in the Exercise Notice, a certificate, registered in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled pursuant to such exercise. Upon delivery of an Exercise Notice, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date such Warrant Shares are credited to the Holder’s DTC account or the date of delivery of the certificates evidencing such Warrant Shares (as the case may be). If this Warrant is submitted in connection with any exercise pursuant to this Section 1(a) and the number of Warrant Shares represented by this Warrant submitted for exercise is greater than the number of Warrant Shares being acquired upon an exercise and upon surrender of this Warrant to the Company by the Holder, then, at the request of the Holder, the Company shall as soon as practicable and in no event later than two (2) Business Days after any exercise and at its own expense, issue and deliver to the Holder (or its designee) a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)) representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares purchasable immediately prior to such exercise under this Warrant, less the number of Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant is exercised. No fractional shares of Common Stock are to be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant, but rather the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number. The Company shall pay any and all transfer, stamp, issuance and similar taxes, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) that may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of Warrant Shares upon exercise of this Warrant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except in the case where an exercise of this Warrant is validly made pursuant to a Cashless Exercise, the Company’s failure to deliver Warrant Shares to the Holder on or prior to the later of (i) two (2) Trading Days after receipt of the applicable Exercise Notice (or such earlier date as required pursuant to the 1934 Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation for the settlement of a trade of such Warrant Shares initiated on the applicable Exercise Date) and (ii) one (1) Trading Day after the Company’s receipt of the Aggregate Exercise Price (or valid notice of a Cashless Exercise) (such later date, the “Share Delivery Date”) shall not be deemed to be a breach of this Warrant. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Warrant or the Registration Rights Agreement, after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) and prior to the Holder’s receipt of the notice of a Grace Period (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), the Company shall cause the Transfer Agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to the Holder (or its designee) in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) with respect to which the Holder has entered into a contract for sale, and delivered a copy of the prospectus included as part of the particular Registration Statement to the extent applicable, and for which the Holder has not yet settled. From the Issuance Date through and including the Expiration Date, the Company shall maintain a transfer agent that participates in FAST.

 

(b) Exercise Price. For purposes of this Warrant, “Exercise Price” means $[______]², subject to adjustment as provided herein.

 

2	Insert greater of (x) $9.20 (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations and similar events) and (y) Nasdaq Minimum Price as of the Trading Day ended immediately prior to the Subscription Date

 

 

(c) Company’s Failure to Timely Deliver Securities. If the Company shall fail, for any reason or for no reason, on or prior to the Share Delivery Date, either (I) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST or the Resale Eligibility Conditions are not satisfied, to issue and deliver to the Holder (or its designee) a certificate for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled and register such Warrant Shares on the Company’s share register or, if the Transfer Agent is participating in FAST and the Resale Eligibility Conditions are satisfied, to credit the balance account of the Holder or the Holder’s designee with DTC for such number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s exercise of this Warrant (as the case may be) or (II) if a Registration Statement covering the resale of the Warrant Shares that are the subject of the Exercise Notice (the “Unavailable Warrant Shares”) is not available for the resale of such Unavailable Warrant Shares and the Company fails to promptly, but in no event later than as required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (x) so notify the Holder and (y) deliver the Warrant Shares electronically without any restrictive legend by crediting such aggregate number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian system (the event described in the immediately foregoing clause (II) is hereinafter referred as a “Notice Failure” and together with the event described in clause (I) above, a “Delivery Failure”) , and if on or after such Share Delivery Date the Holder acquires (in an open market transaction, stock loan or otherwise) shares of Common Stock corresponding to all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise that the Holder is entitled to receive from the Company and has not received from the Company in connection with such Delivery Failure or Notice Failure, as applicable (a “Buy-In”), then, in addition to all other remedies available to the Holder, the Company shall, within two (2) Business Days after the Holder’s request and in the Holder’s discretion, either (i) pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, stock loan costs and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so acquired (including, without limitation, by any other Person in respect, or on behalf, of the Holder) (the “Buy-In Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to so issue and deliver such certificate (and to issue such shares of Common Stock) or credit the balance account of such Holder or such Holder’s designee, as applicable, with DTC for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s exercise hereunder (as the case may be) (and to issue such Warrant Shares) shall terminate, or (ii) promptly honor its obligation to so issue and deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing such Warrant Shares or credit the balance account of such Holder or such Holder’s designee, as applicable, with DTC for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s exercise hereunder (as the case may be) and pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (A) such number of Warrant Shares multiplied by (B) the lowest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the applicable Exercise Notice and ending on the date of such issuance and payment under this clause (ii) (the “Buy-In Payment Amount”). In addition to the foregoing, if the Holder is a Major Buyer (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), and on or prior to the Share Delivery Date either (I) the Transfer Agent is not participating in the FAST or the Resale Eligibility Conditions are not satisfied, the Company shall fail to issue and deliver to the Holder (or its designee) a certificate and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company’s share register or, if the Transfer Agent is participating in the FAST and the Resale Eligibility Conditions are satisfied, the Transfer Agent shall fail to credit the balance account of the Holder or the Holder’s designee with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s exercise hereunder or pursuant to the Company’s obligation pursuant to clause (ii) below or (II) a Notice Failure occurs, then, in addition to all other remedies available to the Holder, (X) the Company shall pay in cash to the Holder on each day after the Share Delivery Date and during such Delivery Failure an amount equal to 1% of the product of (A) the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock not issued to the Holder on or prior to the Share Delivery Date and to which the Holder is entitled, multiplied by (B) any trading price of the Common Stock selected by the Holder in writing as in effect at any time during the period beginning on the applicable Exercise Date and ending on the applicable Share Delivery Date, and (Y) the Holder, upon written notice to the Company, may void its Exercise Notice with respect to, and retain or have returned, as the case may be, any portion of this Warrant that has not been exercised pursuant to such Exercise Notice; provided that the voiding of an Exercise Notice shall not affect the Company’s obligations to make any payments which have accrued prior to the date of such notice pursuant to this Section 1(c) or otherwise. Nothing shall limit the Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity, including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver certificates representing shares of Common Stock (or to electronically deliver such shares of Common Stock) upon the exercise of this Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof. While this Warrant is outstanding, the Company shall cause its transfer agent to participate in FAST. In addition to the foregoing rights, (i) if the Company fails to deliver the applicable number of Warrant Shares upon an exercise pursuant to Section 1 by the applicable Share Delivery Date, then the Holder shall have the right to rescind such exercise in whole or in part and retain and/or have the Company return, as the case may be, any portion of this Warrant that has not been exercised pursuant to such Exercise Notice; provided that the rescission of an exercise shall not affect the Company’s obligation to make any payments that have accrued prior to the date of such notice pursuant to this Section 1(c) or otherwise, and (ii) if a registration statement covering the issuance or resale of the Warrant Shares that are subject to an Exercise Notice is not available for the issuance or resale, as applicable, of such Warrant Shares and the Holder has submitted an Exercise Notice prior to receiving notice of the non-availability of such registration statement and the Company has not already delivered the Warrant Shares underlying such Exercise Notice electronically without any restrictive legend by crediting such aggregate number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit / Withdrawal At Custodian system, the Holder shall have the option, by delivery of notice to the Company, to (x) rescind such Exercise Notice in whole or in part and retain or have returned, as the case may be, any portion of this Warrant that has not been exercised pursuant to such Exercise Notice; provided that the rescission of an Exercise Notice shall not affect the Company’s obligation to make any payments that have accrued prior to the date of such notice pursuant to this Section 1(c) or otherwise, and/or (y) switch some or all of such Exercise Notice from a cash exercise to a Cashless Exercise.

 

 

(d) Cashless Exercise. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary (other than Section 1(f) below), if at the time of exercise hereof a Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) is not effective (or the prospectus contained therein is not available for use) for the resale by the Holder of all of the Warrant Shares, then the Holder may, in its sole discretion, exercise this Warrant in whole or in part and, in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to the Company upon such exercise in payment of the Aggregate Exercise Price, elect instead to receive upon such exercise the “Net Number” of Warrant Shares determined according to the following formula (a “Cashless Exercise”):

 

	Net Number = (A x B) - (A x C)
	B

 

For purposes of the foregoing formula:

 

A= the total number of shares with respect to which this Warrant is then being exercised.

 

B = as elected by the Holder: (i) the VWAP of the shares of Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Exercise Notice if such Exercise Notice is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 1(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 1(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b)(64) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Exercise Notice or (z) the Bid Price of the shares of Common Stock as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Exercise Notice if such Exercise Notice is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter pursuant to Section 1(a) hereof, or (iii) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Exercise Notice if the date of such Exercise Notice is a Trading Day and such Exercise Notice is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 1(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day.

 

C = the Exercise Price then in effect for the applicable Warrant Shares at the time of such exercise.

 

If the Warrant Shares are issued in a Cashless Exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the 1933 Act, the Warrant Shares take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. For purposes of Rule 144(d) promulgated under the 1933 Act, as in effect on the Subscription Date, it is intended that the Warrant Shares issued in a Cashless Exercise shall be deemed to have been acquired by the Holder, and the holding period for the Warrant Shares shall be deemed to have commenced, on the date this Warrant was originally issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

(e) Disputes. In the case of a dispute as to the determination of the Exercise Price or the arithmetic calculation of the number of Warrant Shares to be issued pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company shall promptly issue to the Holder the number of Warrant Shares that are not disputed and resolve such dispute in accordance with Section 15.

 

 

(f) Limitations on Exercises. The Company shall not effect the exercise of any portion of this Warrant, and the Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Warrant and any such exercise shall be null and void and treated as if never made, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, the Holder together with the other Attribution Parties collectively would beneficially own in excess of [4.99][9.99]% (the “Maximum Percentage”) of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and the other Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock held by the Holder and all other Attribution Parties plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (A) exercise of the remaining, unexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of the other Attribution Parties and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any convertible notes or convertible preferred stock or warrants, including the Series A Preferred Shares and the other SPA Warrants) beneficially owned by the Holder or any other Attribution Party subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained in this Section 1(f). For purposes of this Section 1(f), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. For purposes of determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock the Holder may acquire upon the exercise of this Warrant without exceeding the Maximum Percentage, the Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (x) the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K or other public filing with the SEC, as the case may be, (y) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (z) any other written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent, if any, setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (the “Reported Outstanding Share Number”). If the Company receives an Exercise Notice from the Holder at a time when the actual number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is less than the Reported Outstanding Share Number, the Company shall (i) notify the Holder in writing of the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding and, to the extent that such Exercise Notice would otherwise cause the Holder’s beneficial ownership, as determined pursuant to this Section 1(f), to exceed the Maximum Percentage, the Holder must notify the Company of a reduced number of Warrant Shares to be acquired pursuant to such Exercise Notice (the number of shares by which such purchase is reduced, the “Reduction Shares”) and (ii) as soon as reasonably practicable, the Company shall return to the Holder any exercise price paid by the Holder for the Reduction Shares. For any reason at any time, upon the written or oral request of the Holder, the Company shall within one (1) Business Day confirm orally and in writing or by electronic mail to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder and any other Attribution Party since the date as of which the Reported Outstanding Share Number was reported. In the event that the issuance of shares of Common Stock to the Holder upon exercise of this Warrant results in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties being deemed to beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than the Maximum Percentage of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (as determined under Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act), the number of shares so issued by which the Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties’ aggregate beneficial ownership exceeds the Maximum Percentage (the “Excess Shares”) shall be deemed null and void and shall be cancelled ab initio, and the Holder shall not have the power to vote or to transfer the Excess Shares. As soon as reasonably practicable after the issuance of the Excess Shares has been deemed null and void, the Company shall return to the Holder the exercise price paid by the Holder for the Excess Shares. Upon delivery of a written notice to the Company, the Holder may from time to time increase (with such increase not effective until the sixty-first (61^st) day after delivery of such notice) or decrease the Maximum Percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% as specified in such notice; provided that (i) any such increase in the Maximum Percentage will not be effective until the sixty-first (61^st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company and (ii) any such increase or decrease will apply only to the Holder and the other Attribution Parties and not to any other holder of SPA Warrants that is not an Attribution Party of the Holder. For purposes of clarity, the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of this Warrant in excess of the Maximum Percentage shall not be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Holder for any purpose including for purposes of Section 13(d) or Rule 16a-1(a)(1) of the 1934 Act. No prior inability to exercise this Warrant pursuant to this paragraph shall have any effect on the applicability of the provisions of this paragraph with respect to any subsequent determination of exercisability. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 1(f) to the extent necessary to correct this paragraph or any portion of this paragraph which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended beneficial ownership limitation contained in this Section 1(f) or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitation contained in this paragraph may not be waived and shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

 

 

(g) Reservation of Shares.

 

(i) Required Reserve Amount. So long as this Warrant remains outstanding, the Company shall at all times keep reserved for issuance under this Warrant a number of shares of Common Stock at least equal to 100% of the maximum number of shares of Common Stock as shall be necessary to satisfy the Company’s obligation to issue shares of Common Stock under the SPA Warrants then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on exercise) (the “Required Reserve Amount”); provided that at no time shall the number of shares of Common Stock reserved pursuant to this Section 1(g)(i) be reduced other than proportionally in connection with any exercise or redemption of SPA Warrants or such other event covered by Section 2(a) below. The Required Reserve Amount (including, without limitation, each increase in the number of shares so reserved) shall be allocated pro rata among the holders of the SPA Warrants based on number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of SPA Warrants held by each holder on the Closing Date (without regard to any limitations on exercise) or increase in the number of reserved shares, as the case may be (the “Authorized Share Allocation”). In the event that a holder shall sell or otherwise transfer any of such holder’s SPA Warrants, each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of such holder’s Authorized Share Allocation. Any shares of Common Stock reserved and allocated to any Person which ceases to hold any SPA Warrants shall be allocated to the remaining holders of SPA Warrants, pro rata based on the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the SPA Warrants then held by such holders (without regard to any limitations on exercise).

 

(ii) Insufficient Authorized Shares. If, notwithstanding Section 1(g)(i) above, and not in limitation thereof, at any time while any of the SPA Warrants remain outstanding, the Company does not have a sufficient number of authorized and unreserved shares of Common Stock to satisfy its obligation to reserve the Required Reserve Amount (an “Authorized Share Failure”), then the Company shall immediately take all action necessary to increase the Company’s authorized shares of Common Stock to an amount sufficient to allow the Company to reserve the Required Reserve Amount for all the SPA Warrants then outstanding. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, as soon as practicable after the date of the occurrence of an Authorized Share Failure, but in no event later than sixty (60) days after the occurrence of such Authorized Share Failure, the Company shall hold a meeting of its stockholders for the approval of an increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. In connection with such meeting, the Company shall provide each stockholder with a proxy statement and shall use its best efforts to solicit its stockholders’ approval of such increase in authorized shares of Common Stock and to cause its board of directors to recommend to the stockholders that they approve such proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any such time of an Authorized Share Failure, the Company is able to obtain the written consent of a majority of the shares of its issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock to approve the increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, the Company may satisfy this obligation by obtaining such consent and submitting for filing with the SEC an Information Statement on Schedule 14C. In the event that the Company is prohibited from issuing shares of Common Stock upon an exercise of this Warrant due to the failure by the Company to have sufficient shares of Common Stock available out of the authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock (such unavailable number of shares of Common Stock, the “Authorization Failure Shares”), in lieu of delivering such Authorization Failure Shares to the Holder, the Company shall pay cash in exchange for the cancellation of such portion of this Warrant exercisable into such Authorization Failure Shares at a price equal to the sum of (i) the product of (x) such number of Authorization Failure Shares and (y) the greatest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date the Holder delivers the applicable Exercise Notice with respect to such Authorization Failure Shares to the Company and ending on the date of such issuance and payment under this Section 1(g); and (ii) to the extent the Holder purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of Authorization Failure Shares, any Buy-In Payment Amount, brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any, of the Holder incurred in connection therewith. Nothing contained in this Section 1(g) shall limit any obligations of the Company under any provision of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

2. ADJUSTMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE AND NUMBER OF WARRANT SHARES. The Exercise Price and number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant are subject to adjustment from time to time as set forth in this Section 2.

 

(a) Stock Dividends and Splits. Without limiting any provision of Section 3 or Section 4, if the Company, at any time on or after the Subscription Date, (i) pays a stock dividend on one or more classes of its then outstanding shares of Common Stock or otherwise makes a distribution on any class of capital stock that is payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise) one or more classes of its then outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares or (iii) combines (by combination, reverse stock split or otherwise) one or more classes of its then outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event. Any adjustment made pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution, and any adjustment pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such subdivision or combination. If any event requiring an adjustment under this paragraph occurs during the period that an Exercise Price is calculated hereunder, then the calculation of such Exercise Price shall be adjusted appropriately to reflect such event.

 

(b) Number of Warrant Shares. Simultaneously with any adjustment to the Exercise Price pursuant to this Section 2(a), the number of Warrant Shares that may be purchased upon exercise of this Warrant shall be increased or decreased proportionately, so that after such adjustment the aggregate Exercise Price payable hereunder for the adjusted number of Warrant Shares shall be the same as the aggregate Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment (without regard to any limitations on exercise contained herein).

 

(c) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 2 shall be made by rounding to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100^th of a share, as applicable. The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any given time shall not include shares owned or held by or for the account of the Company, and the disposition of any such shares shall be considered an issuance or sale of Common Stock.

 

(d) Voluntary Adjustment By Company. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Principal Market and Section 2(e) below, the Company may at any time during the term of this Warrant, with the prior written consent of the Required Holders (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), reduce the then current Exercise Price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the board of directors of the Company.

 

 

(e) Adjustment. If as of the Issuance Date (or, if later, the Stockholder Approval Date (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), as applicable) (the “Adjustment Date”), the Exercise Price then in effect is greater than the lesser of (i) the closing price of the Common Stock on the Principal Market on the Trading Day immediately prior to the Adjustment Date and (ii) the quotient of (x) the sum of each closing price of the Common Stock on the Principal Market during the five (5) Trading Day period ending, and including the Trading Day immediately prior to the Adjustment Date, divided by (y) five (5) (the “Adjustment Price”), on the Adjustment Date the Exercise Price shall automatically lower to the Adjustment Price.

 

(f) Floor Price. No adjustment pursuant to Section 2(d) or 2(e) shall cause the Exercise Price to be less than $[____]³ (as adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or similar transaction occurring after the date of the Securities Purchase Agreement) (the “Floor Price”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 2(f) shall apply after Stockholder Approval (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) is obtained.

 

3. RIGHTS UPON DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 2 above or Section 4 below, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property, options, evidence of indebtedness or any other assets by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations or restrictions on exercise of this Warrant, including without limitation, the Maximum Percentage) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution in excess of the Maximum Percentage (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution (and beneficial ownership) to the extent of any such excess) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time or times, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times the Holder shall be granted such Distribution (and any Distributions declared or made on such initial Distribution or on any subsequent Distribution held similarly in abeyance) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation).

 

3	Insert Nasdaq Minimum Price as of the Trading Day ended immediately prior to the Subscription Date, but not less than $1.00.

 

 

4. PURCHASE RIGHTS; FUNDAMENTAL TRANSACTIONS.

 

(a) Purchase Rights. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Sections 2 or 3 above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations or restrictions on exercise of this Warrant, including without limitation, the Maximum Percentage) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right in excess of the Maximum Percentage (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right (and beneficial ownership) to the extent of any such excess) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time or times, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times the Holder shall be granted such right (and any Purchase Right granted, issued or sold on such initial Purchase Right or on any subsequent Purchase Right held similarly in abeyance) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation).

 

(b) Fundamental Transactions. The Company shall not enter into or be party to a Fundamental Transaction unless the Successor Entity assumes in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4(b) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder, including agreements to deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant, including, without limitation, which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such adjustments to the number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction). Upon the consummation of each Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein. Upon consummation of each Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall deliver to the Holder confirmation that there shall be issued upon exercise of this Warrant at any time after the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, in lieu of the shares of Common Stock (or other securities, cash, assets or other property (except such items still issuable under Sections 3 and 4(a) above, which shall continue to be receivable thereafter)) issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant prior to the applicable Fundamental Transaction, such shares of publicly traded common stock (or its equivalent) of the Successor Entity (including its Parent Entity) which the Holder would have been entitled to receive upon the happening of the applicable Fundamental Transaction had this Warrant been exercised immediately prior to the applicable Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant), as adjusted in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and without limiting Section 1(f) hereof, the Holder may elect, at its sole option, by delivery of written notice to the Company to waive this Section 4(b) to permit the Fundamental Transaction without the assumption of this Warrant. In addition to and not in substitution for any other rights hereunder, prior to the consummation of each Fundamental Transaction pursuant to which holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive securities or other assets with respect to or in exchange for shares of Common Stock (a “Corporate Event”), the Company shall make appropriate provision to insure that the Holder will thereafter have the right to receive upon an exercise of this Warrant at any time after the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction but prior to the Expiration Date, in lieu of the shares of the Common Stock (or other securities, cash, assets or other property (except such items still issuable under Sections 3 and 4(a) above, which shall continue to be receivable thereafter)) issuable upon the exercise of the Warrant prior to such Fundamental Transaction, such shares of stock, securities, cash, assets or any other property whatsoever (including warrants or other purchase or subscription rights) (the “Corporate Event Consideration”) which the Holder would have been entitled to receive upon the happening of the applicable Fundamental Transaction had this Warrant been exercised immediately prior to the applicable Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant). Provision made pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder.

 

 

(c)  Fundamental Transaction Consideration Right. Notwithstanding the foregoing and the provisions of Section 4(b) above, at the request of the Holder delivered at any time commencing on the earliest to occur of (A) the public disclosure of any Fundamental Transaction, (B) the consummation of any Fundamental Transaction and (C) the Holder first becoming aware of any Fundamental Transaction through the date that is ninety (90) days after the public disclosure of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction by the Company pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC, the Company or the Successor Entity (as the case may be) shall exchange this Warrant for consideration equal to the Black Scholes Value of such portion of this Warrant subject to exchange (collectively, the “Aggregate Black Scholes Value”) in the form of, at the Company’s election (such election to pay in cash or by delivery of the Rights (as defined below), a “Consideration Election”), either (I) rights (with a beneficial ownership limitation in the form of Section 1(f) hereof, mutatis mutandis) (collectively, the “Rights”), convertible in whole, or in part, at any time, without the requirement to pay any additional consideration, at the option of the Holder, into such Corporate Event Consideration applicable to such Fundamental Transaction equal in value to the Aggregate Black Scholes Value (as determined with the fair market value of the aggregate number of Successor Shares (as defined below) issuable upon conversion of the Rights to be determined in increments of 10% (or such greater percentage as the Holder may notify the Company from time to time) of the portion of the Aggregate Black Scholes Value attributable to such Successor Shares (the “Successor Share Value Increment”), with the aggregate number of Successor Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights with respect to the first Successor Share Value Increment determined based on 70% of the Closing Bid Price of the Successor Shares on the date the Rights are issued and on each of the nine (9) subsequent Trading Days, in each case, the aggregate number of additional Successor Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights shall be determined based upon a Successor Share Value Increment at 70% of the Closing Bid Price of the Successor Shares in effect for such corresponding Trading Day (such ten (10) Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the date the Rights are issued, the “Rights Measuring Period”)), or (II) in cash; provided, that the Company shall not consummate a Fundamental Transaction if the Corporate Event Consideration includes capital stock or other equity interest (the “Successor Shares”) either in an entity that is not listed on an Eligible Market or an entity in which the daily share volume for the applicable Successor Shares for each of the twenty (20) Trading Days prior to the date of consummation of such Fundamental Transaction is less than the aggregate number of Successor Shares issuable to the Holder upon conversion in full of the applicable Rights (without regard to any limitations on conversion therein, assuming the exercise in full of the Rights on the date of issuance of the Rights and assuming the Closing Bid Price of the Successor Shares for each Trading Day in the Rights Measuring Period is the Closing Bid Price on the Trading Day ended immediately prior to the time of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction). The Company shall give the Holder written notice of each Consideration Election at least twenty (20) Trading Days prior to the time of consummation of such Fundamental Transaction. Payment of such amounts or delivery of the Rights, as applicable, shall be made by the Company (or at the Company’s direction) to the Holder on the later of (x) the second (2^nd) Trading Day after the date of such request and (y) the date of consummation of such Fundamental Transaction. (or, with respect to any Right, if applicable, such later time that holders of shares of Common Stock are initially entitled to receive Corporate Event Consideration with respect to the shares of Common Stock of such holder). Any Corporate Event Consideration included in the Right, if any, pursuant to this Section 4(c) is pari passu with the Corporate Event Consideration to be paid to holders of shares of Common Stock and the Company shall not permit a payment of any Corporate Event Consideration to the holders of shares of Common Stock without on or prior to such time delivering the Right to the Holder hereunder.

 

(d)  Company Optional Going Private Redemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing and the provisions of Section 4(b) above, the Company shall have the right, with prior written notice delivered to the Holder, not more than twenty (20) Trading Days and not less than ten (10) Trading Days prior to the time of consummation of a Going Private Transaction, to redeem all, but not less than all, of this Warrant at a price in cash equal to the Company Black Scholes Value for this Warrant. Payment of such amounts shall be made by the Company (or at the Company’s direction) to the Holder on the date of consummation of such Going Private Transaction (the “Redemption Date”). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, at any time prior to the later of (x) the time such Company Black Sholes Value has been paid in full to the Holder in cash and (y) the Redemption Date, this Warrant may be exercised, in whole or in part, by the Holder into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 1 and the Company Black Scholes Value to be paid on the Redemption Date shall be adjusted accordingly. For the avoidance of doubt, (A) if both the Company and the Holder elects to effect a redemption pursuant to this Section 4 the redemption pursuant to Section 4(c) shall govern such Going Private Transaction and (B) the Company may only elect to effect a redemption pursuant to this Section 4(d) if the Company Black Scholes Value is to be paid in cash.

 

(e)  Application. The provisions of this Section 4 shall apply similarly and equally to successive Fundamental Transactions and Corporate Events and shall be applied as if this Warrant (and any such subsequent warrants) were fully exercisable and without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant (provided that the Holder shall continue to be entitled to the benefit of the Maximum Percentage, applied however with respect to shares of capital stock registered under the 1934 Act and thereafter receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (or any such other warrant)).

 

5. NONCIRCUMVENTION. The Company hereby covenants and agrees that the Company will not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), Bylaws (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, scheme of arrangement, dissolution, issuance or sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, and will at all times in good faith carry out all the provisions of this Warrant and take all action as may be required to protect the rights of the Holder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company (a) shall not increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant above the Exercise Price then in effect, and (b) shall take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if after the sixty (60) calendar day anniversary of the Issuance Date, the Holder is not permitted to exercise this Warrant in full for any reason (other than pursuant to restrictions set forth in Section 1(f) hereof), the Company shall use its best efforts to promptly remedy such failure, including, without limitation, obtaining such consents or approvals as necessary to permit such exercise into shares of Common Stock.

 

 

6. WARRANT HOLDER NOT DEEMED A STOCKHOLDER. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Holder, solely in its capacity as a holder of this Warrant, shall not be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed the holder of share capital of the Company for any purpose, nor shall anything contained in this Warrant be construed to confer upon the Holder, solely in its capacity as the Holder of this Warrant, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote, give or withhold consent to any corporate action (whether any reorganization, issue of stock, reclassification of stock, consolidation, merger, conveyance or otherwise), receive notice of meetings, receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, prior to the issuance to the Holder of the Warrant Shares which it is then entitled to receive upon the due exercise of this Warrant. In addition, nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as imposing any liabilities on the Holder to purchase any securities (upon exercise of this Warrant or otherwise) or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liabilities are asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company. Notwithstanding this Section 6, the Company shall provide the Holder with copies of the same notices and other information given to the stockholders of the Company generally, contemporaneously with the giving thereof to the stockholders.

 

7.  REISSUANCE OF WARRANTS.

 

(a)  Transfer of Warrant. If this Warrant is to be transferred, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company, whereupon the Company will forthwith issue and deliver upon the order of the Holder a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)), registered as the Holder may request, representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares being transferred by the Holder and, if less than the total number of Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant is being transferred, a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)) to the Holder representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares not being transferred.

 

(b)  Lost, Stolen or Mutilated Warrant. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant (as to which a written certification and the indemnification contemplated below shall suffice as such evidence), and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of any indemnification undertaking by the Holder to the Company in customary and reasonable form and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Holder a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)) representing the right to purchase the Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant.

 

(c)  Exchangeable for Multiple Warrants. This Warrant is exchangeable, upon the surrender hereof by the Holder at the principal office of the Company, for a new Warrant or Warrants (in accordance with Section 7(d)) representing in the aggregate the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant, and each such new Warrant will represent the right to purchase such portion of such Warrant Shares as is designated by the Holder at the time of such surrender; provided, however, no warrants for fractional shares of Common Stock shall be given.

 

 

(d)  Issuance of New Warrants. Whenever the Company is required to issue a new Warrant pursuant to the terms of this Warrant, such new Warrant (i) shall be of like tenor with this Warrant, (ii) shall represent, as indicated on the face of such new Warrant, the right to purchase the Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant (or in the case of a new Warrant being issued pursuant to Section 7(a) or Section 7(c), the Warrant Shares designated by the Holder which, when added to the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the other new Warrants issued in connection with such issuance, does not exceed the number of Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant), (iii) shall have an issuance date, as indicated on the face of such new Warrant which is the same as the Issuance Date, and (iv) shall have the same rights and conditions as this Warrant.

 

8. NOTICES. Whenever notice is required to be given under this Warrant, unless otherwise provided herein, such notice shall be given in accordance with Section 9(f) of the Securities Purchase Agreement. The Company shall provide the Holder with prompt written notice of all actions taken pursuant to this Warrant (other than the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise in accordance with the terms hereof), including in reasonable detail a description of such action and the reason therefor. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will give written notice to the Holder (i) promptly upon each adjustment of the Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Shares, setting forth in reasonable detail, and certifying, the calculation of such adjustment(s), (ii) at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date on which the Company closes its books or takes a record (A) with respect to any dividend or distribution upon the shares of Common Stock or (B) for determining rights to vote with respect to any Fundamental Transaction, dissolution or liquidation, provided in each case that such information shall be made known to the public prior to or in conjunction with such notice being provided to the Holder, and (iii) at least ten (10) Trading Days prior to the consummation of any Fundamental Transaction. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the SEC (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries provides material non-public information to the Holder that is not simultaneously filed in a Current Report on Form 8-K and the Holder has not agreed to receive such material non-public information, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that the Holder shall not have any duty of confidentiality to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates or agents with respect to, or a duty to any of the foregoing not to trade on the basis of, such material non-public information. It is expressly understood and agreed that the time of execution specified by the Holder in each Exercise Notice shall be definitive and may not be disputed or challenged by the Company.

 

9. DISCLOSURE. Upon delivery by the Company to the Holder (or receipt by the Company from the Holder) of any notice in accordance with the terms of this Warrant, unless the Company has in good faith determined that the matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company shall on or prior to 9:00 am, New York city time on the Business Day immediately following such notice delivery date, publicly disclose such material, non-public information on a Current Report on Form 8-K or otherwise. In the event that the Company believes that a notice contains material, non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company so shall indicate to the Holder explicitly in writing in such notice (or immediately upon receipt of notice from the Holder, as applicable), and in the absence of any such written indication in such notice (or notification from the Company immediately upon receipt of notice from the Holder), the Holder shall be entitled to presume that information contained in the notice does not constitute material, non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Nothing contained in this Section 9 shall limit any obligations of the Company, or any rights of the Holder, under Section 4(i) of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

 

10. ABSENCE OF TRADING AND DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Holder is not a fiduciary or agent of the Company and that the Holder shall have no obligation to (a) maintain the confidentiality of any information provided by the Company or (b) refrain from trading any securities while in possession of such information in the absence of a written non-disclosure agreement signed by an officer of the Holder that explicitly provides for such confidentiality and trading restrictions. In the absence of such an executed, written non-disclosure agreement, the Company acknowledges that the Holder may freely trade in any securities issued by the Company, may possess and use any information provided by the Company in connection with such trading activity, and may disclose any such information to any third party.

 

11. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER. Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Warrant (other than Section 1(f)) may be amended and the Company may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed by it, only if the Company has obtained the written consent of the Holder. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party.

 

12. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Warrant is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Warrant so long as this Warrant as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s).

 

 

13. GOVERNING LAW. This Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Warrant shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any provision 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. The Company hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to the Company at the address set forth in Section 9(f) of the Securities Purchase Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. The Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in Wilmington, Delaware, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed or operate to preclude the Holder from bringing suit or taking other legal action against the Company in any other jurisdiction to collect on the Company’s obligations to the Holder, to realize on any collateral or any other security for such obligations, or to enforce a judgment or other court ruling in favor of the Holder. THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS WARRANT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

14. CONSTRUCTION; HEADINGS. This Warrant shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and the Holder and shall not be construed against any Person as the drafter hereof. The headings of this Warrant are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Warrant. Terms used in this Warrant but defined in the other Transaction Documents shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms on the Closing Date (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) in such other Transaction Documents unless otherwise consented to in writing by the Holder.

 

15. DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

 

(a) Submission to Dispute Resolution.

 

(i) In the case of a dispute relating to the Exercise Price, the Closing Sale Price, the Bid Price, Black Scholes Value or fair market value or the arithmetic calculation of the number of Warrant Shares (as the case may be) (including, without limitation, a dispute relating to the determination of any of the foregoing), the Company or the Holder (as the case may be) shall submit the dispute to the other party via facsimile (A) if by the Company, within two (2) Business Days after the occurrence of the circumstances giving rise to such dispute or (B) if by the Holder, at any time after the Holder learned of the circumstances giving rise to such dispute. If the Holder and the Company are unable to promptly resolve such dispute relating to such Exercise Price, such Closing Sale Price, such Bid Price, Black Scholes Value or such fair market value or such arithmetic calculation of the number of Warrant Shares (as the case may be), at any time after the second (2^nd) Business Day following such initial notice by the Company or the Holder (as the case may be) of such dispute to the Company or the Holder (as the case may be), then the Holder may, with the consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably or untimely withheld, conditioned or delayed), select an independent, reputable investment bank to resolve such dispute.

 

 

(ii) The Holder and the Company shall each deliver to such investment bank (A) a copy of the initial dispute submission so delivered in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 15 and (B) written documentation supporting its position with respect to such dispute, in each case, no later than 5:00 p.m. (New York time) by the fifth (5^th) Business Day immediately following the date on which the Holder selected such investment bank (the “Dispute Submission Deadline”) (the documents referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (A) and (B) are collectively referred to herein as the “Required Dispute Documentation”) (it being understood and agreed that if either the Holder or the Company fails to so deliver all of the Required Dispute Documentation by the Dispute Submission Deadline, then the party who fails to so submit all of the Required Dispute Documentation shall no longer be entitled to (and hereby waives its right to) deliver or submit any written documentation or other support to such investment bank with respect to such dispute and such investment bank shall resolve such dispute based solely on the Required Dispute Documentation that was delivered to such investment bank prior to the Dispute Submission Deadline). Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by both the Company and the Holder or otherwise requested by such investment bank, neither the Company nor the Holder shall be entitled to deliver or submit any written documentation or other support to such investment bank in connection with such dispute (other than the Required Dispute Documentation).

 

(iii) The Company and the Holder shall cause such investment bank to determine the resolution of such dispute and notify the Company and the Holder of such resolution no later than ten (10) Business Days immediately following the Dispute Submission Deadline. The fees and expenses of such investment bank shall be borne by the party in whose favor the investment bank decides such dispute or, in the event that the investment bank determines that the applicable calculation is in between the amounts submitted by the Company and such Holder, then half of such fees and expenses shall be borne by the Company and half of such fees and expenses shall be borne by the Holder, and such investment bank’s resolution of such dispute shall be final and binding upon all parties absent manifest error.

 

(b) Miscellaneous. The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that (i) this Section 15 constitutes an agreement to arbitrate between the Company and the Holder (and constitutes an arbitration agreement) under the rules then in effect under Delaware Rapid Arbitration Act, as amended, (ii) the terms of this Warrant and each other applicable Transaction Document shall serve as the basis for the selected investment bank’s resolution of the applicable dispute, such investment bank shall be entitled (and is hereby expressly authorized) to make all findings, determinations and the like that such investment bank determines are required to be made by such investment bank in connection with its resolution of such dispute and in resolving such dispute such investment bank shall apply such findings, determinations and the like to the terms of this Warrant and any other applicable Transaction Documents, (iii) each party shall have the right to submit any dispute described in this Section 15 to any state or federal court sitting in Wilmington, Delaware in lieu of utilizing the procedures set forth in this Section 15 and (iv) nothing in this Section 15 shall limit the Holder from obtaining any injunctive relief or other equitable remedies (including, without limitation, with respect to any matters described in this Section 15).

 

 

16. REMEDIES, CHARACTERIZATION, OTHER OBLIGATIONS, BREACHES AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. The remedies provided in this Warrant shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents, at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), and nothing herein shall limit the right of the Holder to pursue actual and consequential damages for any failure by the Company to comply with the terms of this Warrant. Each party agrees that there shall be no characterization concerning this instrument other than as expressly provided herein. Amounts set forth or provided for herein with respect to payments, exercises and the like (and the computation thereof) shall be the amounts to be received by the Holder and shall not, except as expressly provided herein, be subject to any other obligation of the Company (or the performance thereof). The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Holder and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate. The Company therefore agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, the holder of this Warrant shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to specific performance and/or temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive or other equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages and without posting a bond or other security. The Company shall provide all information and documentation to the Holder that is reasonably requested by the Holder to enable the Holder to confirm the Company’s compliance with the terms and conditions of this Warrant (including, without limitation, compliance with Section 2 hereof). The issuance of shares and certificates for shares as contemplated hereby upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be made without charge to the Holder or such shares for any issuance tax or other costs in respect thereof, provided that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any certificate in a name other than the Holder or its agent on its behalf.

 

17. PAYMENT OF COLLECTION, ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER COSTS. If (a) this Warrant is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection or enforcement or is collected or enforced through any legal proceeding or the Holder otherwise takes action to collect amounts due under this Warrant or to enforce the provisions of this Warrant or (b) there occurs any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership of the company or other proceedings affecting company creditors’ rights and involving a claim under this Warrant, then the Company shall pay the costs incurred by the Holder for such collection, enforcement or action or in connection with such bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership or other proceeding, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements.

 

18. TRANSFER. This Warrant may be offered for sale, sold, transferred or assigned without the consent of the Company, except as may otherwise be required by Section [2(g)] of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

19. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Warrant, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a) “1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

 

(b) “1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

(c) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, it being understood for purposes of this definition that “control” of a Person means the power directly or indirectly either to vote 10% or more of the stock having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person or direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise.

 

(d) “Attribution Parties” means, collectively, the following Persons and entities: (i) any investment vehicle, including, any funds, feeder funds or managed accounts, currently, or from time to time after the Issuance Date, directly or indirectly managed or advised by the Holder’s investment manager or any of its Affiliates or principals, (ii) any direct or indirect Affiliates of the Holder or any of the foregoing, (iii) any Person acting or who could be deemed to be acting as a Group together with the Holder or any of the foregoing and (iv) any other Persons whose beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock would or could be aggregated with the Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties for purposes of Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. For clarity, the purpose of the foregoing is to subject collectively the Holder and all other Attribution Parties to the Maximum Percentage.

 

(e) “Bid Price” means, for any security as of the particular time of determination, the bid price for such security on the Principal Market as reported by Bloomberg as of such time of determination, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the bid price of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg as of such time of determination, or if the foregoing does not apply, the bid price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security as reported by Bloomberg as of such time of determination, or, if no bid price is reported for such security by Bloomberg as of such time of determination, the average of the bid prices of any market makers for such security as reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices) as of such time of determination. If the Bid Price cannot be calculated for a security as of the particular time of determination on any of the foregoing bases, the Bid Price of such security as of such time of determination shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder. If the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 15. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or other similar transaction during such period.

 

(f) “Black Scholes Value” means the value of the unexercised portion of this Warrant remaining on the date of the Holder’s request pursuant to Section 4(c), which value is calculated using the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg utilizing (i) an underlying price per share equal to the greater of (1) the highest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock during the period beginning on the Trading Day immediately preceding the announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction (or the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, if earlier) and ending on the Trading Day of the Holder’s request pursuant to Section 4(c) and (2) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash in the applicable Fundamental Transaction (if any) plus the value of the non-cash consideration being offered in the applicable Fundamental Transaction (if any), (ii) a strike price equal to the Exercise Price in effect on the date of the Holder’s request pursuant to Section 4(c), (iii) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the greater of (1) the remaining term of this Warrant as of the date of the Holder’s request pursuant to Section 4(c) and (2) the remaining term of this Warrant as of the date of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction or as of the date of the Holder’s request pursuant to Section 4(c) if such request is prior to the date of the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, (iv) a zero cost of borrow and (v) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 30 day volatility obtained from the “HVT” function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the earliest to occur of (A) the public disclosure of the applicable Fundamental Transaction and (B) the date of the Holder’s request pursuant to Section 4(c).

 

 

(g) “Bloomberg” means Bloomberg, L.P.

 

(h) “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee”  or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

 

(i) “Certificate of Designations” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

(j) “Change of Control” means any Fundamental Transaction other than (i) any merger of the Company or any of its, direct or indirect, wholly-owned Subsidiaries with or into any of the foregoing Persons, (ii) any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of the shares of Common Stock in which holders of the Company’s voting power immediately prior to such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification continue after such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification to hold publicly traded securities and, directly or indirectly, are, in all material respects, the holders of the voting power of the surviving entity (or entities with the authority or voting power to elect the members of the board of directors (or their equivalent if other than a corporation) of such entity or entities) after such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification, or (iii) pursuant to a migratory merger effected solely for the purpose of changing the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(k) “Closing Bid Price” and “Closing Sale Price” means, for any security as of any date, the last closing bid price and last closing trade price, respectively, for such security on the Principal Market, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market begins to operate on an extended hours basis and does not designate the closing bid price or the closing trade price (as the case may be) then the last bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security prior to 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg, or If the foregoing do not apply, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, is reported for such security by Bloomberg, the average of the bid prices, or the ask prices, respectively, of any market makers for such security as reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices). If the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price (as the case may be) of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder. If the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 15. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or other similar transaction during such period.

 

 

(l) “Common Stock” means (i) the Company’s shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and (ii) any capital stock into which such common stock shall have been changed or any share capital resulting from a reclassification of such common stock.

 

(m) “Company Black Scholes Value” means the value of the unexercised portion of this Warrant remaining on the applicable Redemption Date, which value is calculated using the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg utilizing (i) an underlying price per share equal to the greater of (1) the highest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock during the period beginning on the Trading Day immediately preceding the announcement of the applicable Change of Control (or the consummation of the applicable Change of Control, if earlier) and ending on such Redemption Date and (2) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash in the applicable Change of Control (if any) plus the value of the non-cash consideration being offered in the applicable Change of Control (if any), (ii) a strike price equal to the Exercise Price in effect on the Redemption Date, (iii) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the greater of (1) the remaining term of this Warrant as of the Redemption Date and (2) the remaining term of this Warrant as of the Redemption Date, (iv) a zero cost of borrow and (v) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 30 day volatility obtained from the “HVT” function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the earliest to occur of (A) the public disclosure of the applicable Change of Control, (B) the consummation of the applicable Change of Control and (C) the date on which the Holder first became aware of the applicable Change of Control.

 

(n) “Convertible Securities” means any stock or other security (other than Options) that is at any time and under any circumstances, directly or indirectly, convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for, or which otherwise entitles the holder thereof to acquire, any shares of Common Stock.

 

(o) “Eligible Market” means The New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market or the Principal Market.

 

(p) “Expiration Date” means the date that is the third (3rd) anniversary of the Initial Exercisability Date or, if such date falls on a day other than a Trading Day or on which trading does not take place on the Principal Market (a “Holiday”), the next date that is not a Holiday.

 

 

(q) “Fundamental Transaction” means (A) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, (i) consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) another Subject Entity, or (ii) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its “significant subsidiaries” (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) to one or more Subject Entities, or (iii) make, or allow one or more Subject Entities to make, or allow the Company to be subject to or have its Common Stock be subject to or party to one or more Subject Entities making, a purchase, tender or exchange offer that is accepted by the holders of at least either (x) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entities making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer, become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iv) consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with one or more Subject Entities whereby all such Subject Entities, individually or in the aggregate, acquire, either (x) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all the Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such stock purchase agreement or other business combination were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that the Subject Entities become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (v) reorganize, recapitalize or reclassify its Common Stock, (B) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, allow any Subject Entity individually or the Subject Entities in the aggregate to be or become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, whether through acquisition, purchase, assignment, conveyance, tender, tender offer, exchange, reduction in outstanding shares of Common Stock, merger, consolidation, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, scheme of arrangement, reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification or otherwise in any manner whatsoever, of either (x) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding Common Stock not held by all such Subject Entities as of the date of this Warrant calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all such Subject Entities were not outstanding, or (z) a percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company sufficient to allow such Subject Entities to effect a statutory short form merger or other transaction requiring other shareholders of the Company to surrender their shares of Common Stock without approval of the shareholders of the Company or (C) directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, the issuance of or the entering into any other instrument or transaction structured in a manner to circumvent, or that circumvents, the intent of this definition in which case this definition shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this definition to the extent necessary to correct this definition or any portion of this definition which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended treatment of such instrument or transaction.

 

(r) “Going Private Transaction” means any Change of Control (i) pursuant to which, the Company (and the Successor Entity, if applicable) ceases to have any securities registered under the 1934 Act or (ii) that results in the purchase and/or cancellation of all of the Common Stock of the Company solely for cash (and not in whole, or in part, for any other securities of any Person).

 

 

(s) “Group” means a “group” as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act and as defined in Rule 13d-5 thereunder.

 

(t) “Options” means any rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities.

 

(u) “Parent Entity” of a Person means an entity that, directly or indirectly, controls the applicable Person and whose common stock or equivalent equity security is quoted or listed on an Eligible Market, or, if there is more than one such Person or Parent Entity, the Person or Parent Entity with the largest public market capitalization as of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction.

 

(v) “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity or a government or any department or agency thereof.

 

(w) “Principal Market” means the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

(x) “Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain registration rights agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Company and the initial holders of the Series A Preferred Shares relating to, among other things, the registration of the resale of the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares or otherwise pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designations and exercise of the SPA Warrants, as may be amended from time to time.

 

(y) “SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or the successor thereto.

 

(z) “Series A Preferred Shares” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Securities Purchase Agreement, and shall include all shares of preferred stock issued in exchange therefor or replacement thereof.

 

(aa) “Subject Entity” means any Person, Persons or Group or any Affiliate or associate of any such Person, Persons or Group.

 

(bb) “Successor Entity” means the Person (or, if so elected by the Holder, the Parent Entity) formed by, resulting from or surviving any Fundamental Transaction or the Person (or, if so elected by the Holder, the Parent Entity) with which such Fundamental Transaction shall have been entered into.

 

 

(cc) “Trading Day” means, as applicable, (x) with respect to all price or trading volume determinations relating to the Common Stock, any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded, provided that “Trading Day” shall not include any day on which the Common Stock is scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the Common Stock is suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time) unless such day is otherwise designated as a Trading Day in writing by the Holder or (y) with respect to all determinations other than price or trading volume determinations relating to the Common Stock, any day on which The New York Stock Exchange (or any successor thereto) is open for trading of securities.

 

(dd) “VWAP” means, for any security as of any date, the dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the Principal Market (or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for such security, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which such security is then traded), during the period beginning at 9:30 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “VAP” function (set to 09:30 start time and 16:00 end time) or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security during the period beginning at 9:30 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for such security by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest closing bid price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for such security as reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices). If the VWAP cannot be calculated for such security on such date on any of the foregoing bases, the VWAP of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder. If the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 15. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction during such period.

 

[signature page follows]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to Purchase Common Stock to be duly executed as of the Issuance Date set out above.

 

	CERo Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.)
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

EXERCISE NOTICE

 

TO BE EXECUTED BY THE REGISTERED HOLDER TO EXERCISE THIS
WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

 

CERO THERAPEUTICS, INC. (F/K/A PHOENIX BIOTECH ACQUISITION CORP.)

 

The undersigned holder hereby elects to exercise the Warrant to Purchase Common Stock No. _______ (the “Warrant”) of CERo Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.) , a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) as specified below. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Warrant.

 

1. Form of Exercise Price. The Holder intends that payment of the Aggregate Exercise Price shall be made as:

 

☐

a “Cash Exercise” with respect to _________________ Warrant Shares; and/or

 

☐

a “Cashless Exercise” with respect to _______________ Warrant Shares.

 

In the event that the Holder has elected a Cashless Exercise with respect to some or all of the Warrant Shares to be issued pursuant hereto, the Holder hereby represents and warrants that (i) this Exercise Notice was executed by the Holder at __________ [a.m.][p.m.] on the date set forth below and (ii) if applicable, the Bid Price as of such time of execution of this Exercise Notice was $________.

 

2. Payment of Exercise Price. In the event that the Holder has elected a Cash Exercise with respect to some or all of the Warrant Shares to be issued pursuant hereto, the Holder shall pay the Aggregate Exercise Price in the sum of $___________________ to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.

 

3. Delivery of Warrant Shares. The Company shall deliver to Holder, or its designee or agent as specified below, __________ shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Warrant. Delivery shall be made to Holder, or for its benefit, as follows:

 

☐ Check here if requesting delivery as a certificate to the following name and to the following address:

 

Issue to:

 

☐ Check here if requesting delivery by Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian as follows:

 

DTC Participant:
DTC Number:
Account Number:

 

Date: _____________ __, ________
Name of Registered Holder

 

By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

	Tax ID:________________________________
	Facsimile:______________________________
	E-mail Address:_________________________

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

The Company hereby acknowledges this Exercise Notice and hereby directs ______________ to issue the above indicated number of shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Transfer Agent Instructions dated _________, 202_, from the Company and acknowledged and agreed to by _______________.

 

	CERo Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.)
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

 

Exhibit C

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [___], 2024, is by and among CERo Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.), a Delaware corporation with offices located at 201 Haskings Way, Suite 230, South San Francisco, CA 94080 (the “Company”), and the undersigned buyers (each, a “Buyer,” and collectively, the “Buyers”).

 

RECITALS

 

A. In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement by and among the parties hereto, dated as of ______, 2024 (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”), the Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Securities Purchase Agreement, to issue and sell to each Buyer (i) the Series A Preferred Shares (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) which will be convertible into Conversion Shares (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designations (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), (ii) the Series B Preferred Shares (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) and (iii) the Warrants (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) which will be exercisable to purchase Warrant Shares (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) in accordance with the terms of the Warrants.

 

B. To induce the Buyers to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the “1933 Act”), and applicable state securities laws.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each of the Buyers hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions.

 

Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a) “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee”  or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

 

 

(b) “Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

(c) “Effective Date” means the date that the applicable Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.

 

(d) “Effectiveness Deadline” means (i) with respect to the initial Registration Statement required to be filed pursuant to Section 2(a), the earlier of the (A) seventy-fifth (75^th) calendar day after the Closing Date and (B) third (3^rd) Business Day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that such Registration Statement will not be reviewed or will not be subject to further review and (ii) with respect to any additional Registration Statements that may be required to be filed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the earlier of the (A) sixtieth (60^th) calendar day following the date on which the Company was required to file such additional Registration Statement and (B) third (3^rd) Business Day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that such Registration Statement will not be reviewed or will not be subject to further review.

 

(e) “Filing Deadline” means (i) with respect to the initial Registration Statement required to be filed pursuant to Section 2(a), the forty-fifth (45^th) calendar day after the Closing Date and (ii) with respect to any additional Registration Statements that may be required to be filed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the date on which the Company was required to file such additional Registration Statement pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

(f) “Investor” means a Buyer or any transferee or assignee of any Registrable Securities, Series A Preferred Shares or Warrants, as applicable, to whom a Buyer assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9 and any transferee or assignee thereof to whom a transferee or assignee of any Registrable Securities, Series A Preferred Shares or Warrants, as applicable, assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9.

 

(g) “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or any department or agency thereof.

 

(h) “register,” “registered,” and “registration” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration Statements in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 and the declaration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the SEC.

 

(i) “Registrable Securities” means (i) the Conversion Shares, (ii) the Warrant Shares and (iii) any capital stock of the Company issued or issuable with respect to the Conversion Shares, the Warrant Shares, the Series A Preferred Shares or the Warrants, including, without limitation, (1) as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise and (2) shares of capital stock of the Company into which the shares of Common Stock (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) are converted or exchanged and shares of capital stock of a Successor Entity (as defined in the Warrants) into which the shares of Common Stock are converted or exchanged, in each case, without regard to any limitations on conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares or exercise of the Warrants.

 

 

(j) “Registration Statement” means a registration statement or registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering Registrable Securities.

 

(k) “Resale Eligibility Conditions” means the following conditions: such shares of Common Stock (i) (A) may then be sold by the holder of Registrable Securities pursuant to an available and effective registration statement and (B) the Holder provides such documentation or other information evidencing the sale of the Registrable Securities as the Company, the transfer agent to the Company or legal counsel to the Company shall reasonably request or (ii) may be sold by the holder of Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144 of the 1933 Act, as applicable.

 

(l) “Required Holders” shall have the meaning as set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

(m) “Required Registration Amount” means, as of any time of determination, the sum of (i) 200% of the maximum number of Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares (assuming for purposes hereof that (x) the Series A Preferred Shares are convertible at the Alternate Conversion Price (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) assuming an Alternate Conversion Date (as defined in the Certificate of Desginations) as of such date of determination, and (y) any such conversion shall not take into account any limitations on the conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares set forth in the Certificate of Designations) and (ii) the maximum number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (without taking into account any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants set forth therein), all subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(d) and/or Section 2(f).

 

(n) “Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC under the 1933 Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any other similar or successor rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the Investors to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration.

 

(o) “Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated by the SEC under the 1933 Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any other similar or successor rule or regulation of the SEC providing for offering securities on a continuous or delayed basis.

 

(p) “SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

 

2. Registration.

 

(a) Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare and, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Filing Deadline, file with the SEC an initial Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities, provided that such initial Registration Statement shall register for resale at least the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Required Registration Amount as of the date such Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC; provided further that if Form S-3 is unavailable for such a registration, the Company shall use such other form as is required by Section 2(c). Such initial Registration Statement, and each other Registration Statement required to be filed pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, shall include the information set forth in (except if otherwise directed by the Required Holders) the “Selling Stockholders” and “Plan of Distribution” sections in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Company shall use its best efforts to have such initial Registration Statement, and each other Registration Statement required to be filed pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the applicable Effectiveness Deadline for such Registration Statement.

 

 

(b) Legal Counsel. Subject to Section 5 hereof, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, counsel solely to the lead investor (“Legal Counsel”) shall review and oversee any registration, solely on behalf of the lead investor, pursuant to this Section 2.

 

(c) Ineligibility to Use Form S-3. In the event that Form S-3 is not available for the registration of the resale of Registrable Securities hereunder, the Company shall (i) register the resale of the Registrable Securities on Form S-1 or another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders and (ii) undertake to register the resale of the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 as soon as such form is available, provided that the Company shall maintain the effectiveness of all Registration Statements then in effect until such time as a Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of all the Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the SEC and the prospectus contained therein is available for use.

 

(d) Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. In the event the number of shares available under any Registration Statement is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities required to be covered by such Registration Statement or an Investor’s allocated portion of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(h), the Company shall amend such Registration Statement (if permissible), or file with the SEC a new Registration Statement (on the short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover at least the Required Registration Amount as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the filing of such amendment or new Registration Statement, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than fifteen (15) days (or twenty (20) Trading Days with respect to financial statement comments) after the necessity therefor arises (but taking account of any Staff position with respect to the date on which the Staff will permit such amendment to the Registration Statement and/or such new Registration Statement (as the case may be) to be filed with the SEC). The Company shall use its best efforts to cause such amendment to such Registration Statement and/or such new Registration Statement (as the case may be) to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof with the SEC, but in no event later than the applicable Effectiveness Deadline for such Registration Statement. For purposes of the foregoing provision, the number of shares available under a Registration Statement shall be deemed “insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities” if at any time the number of shares of Common Stock available for resale under the applicable Registration Statement is less than the product determined by multiplying (i) the Required Registration Amount as of such time by (ii) 0.90. The calculation set forth in the foregoing sentence shall be made without regard to any limitations on conversion, amortization and/or redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares or exercise of the Warrants (and such calculation shall assume (A) that the Series A Preferred Shares are then convertible in full into shares of Common Stock at the then prevailing Conversion Rate (as defined in the Certificate of Designations), (B) the initial outstanding principal amount of the Series A Preferred Shares remains outstanding through the scheduled Maturity Date (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) and no redemptions of the Series A Preferred Shares occur prior to the scheduled Maturity Date and (C) the Warrants are then exercisable in full into shares of Common Stock at the then prevailing Exercise Price (as defined in the Warrants)).

 

 

(e) Effect of Failure to File and Obtain and Maintain Effectiveness of any Registration Statement. If (i) a Registration Statement covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities required to be covered thereby (disregarding any reduction pursuant to Section 2(f)) and required to be filed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement is (A) not filed with the SEC on or before the Filing Deadline for such Registration Statement (a “Filing Failure”) (it being understood that if the Company files a Registration Statement without affording each Investor and Legal Counsel the opportunity to review and comment on the same as required by Section 3(c) hereof, the Company shall be deemed to not have satisfied this clause (i)(A) and such event shall be deemed to be a Filing Failure) or (B) not declared effective by the SEC on or before the Effectiveness Deadline for such Registration Statement (an “Effectiveness Failure”) (it being understood that if on the first (1^st) Business Day immediately following the Effective Date for such Registration Statement the Company shall not have filed a “final” prospectus for such Registration Statement with the SEC under Rule 424(b) in accordance with Section 3(b) (whether or not such a prospectus is technically required by such rule), the Company shall be deemed to not have satisfied this clause (i)(B) and such event shall be deemed to be an Effectiveness Failure), (ii) other than during an Allowable Grace Period (as defined below), on any day after the Effective Date of a Registration Statement sales of all of the Registrable Securities required to be included on such Registration Statement (disregarding any reduction pursuant to Section 2(f)) cannot be made pursuant to such Registration Statement (including, without limitation, because of a failure to keep such Registration Statement effective, a failure to disclose such information as is necessary for sales to be made pursuant to such Registration Statement, a suspension or delisting of (or a failure to timely list) the shares of Common Stock on the Principal Market (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) or any other limitations imposed by the Principal Market, or a failure to register a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock or by reason of a stop order) or the prospectus contained therein is not available for use for any reason (a “Maintenance Failure”), or (iii) if a Registration Statement is not effective for any reason or the prospectus contained therein is not available for use for any reason, and either (x) the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the requirements of Rule 144(c)(1), including, without limitation, the failure to satisfy the current public information requirement under Rule 144(c) or (y) the Company has ever been an issuer described in Rule 144(i)(1)(i) or becomes such an issuer in the future, and the Company shall fail to satisfy any condition set forth in Rule 144(i)(2) (a “Current Public Information Failure”) as a result of which any of the Investors are unable to sell Registrable Securities without restriction under Rule 144 (including, without limitation, volume restrictions), then, as partial relief for the damages to any holder by reason of any such delay in, or reduction of, its ability to sell the underlying shares of Common Stock (which remedy shall not be exclusive of any other remedies available at law or in equity, including, without limitation, specific performance), the Company shall pay to each holder of Registrable Securities relating to such Registration Statement an amount in cash equal to one percent (1%) of such Investor’s Purchase Price (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) (1) on the date of such Filing Failure, Effectiveness Failure, Maintenance Failure or Current Public Information Failure, as applicable, and (2) on every thirty (30) day anniversary of (I) a Filing Failure until such Filing Failure is cured; (II) an Effectiveness Failure until such Effectiveness Failure is cured; (III) a Maintenance Failure until such Maintenance Failure is cured; and (IV) a Current Public Information Failure until the earlier of (i) the date such Current Public Information Failure is cured and (ii) such time that such public information is no longer required pursuant to Rule 144 (in each case, pro rated for periods totaling less than thirty (30) days); provided that the total amount of any Registration Delay Payments (as defined below) shall not exceed 10% of such Investor’s Purchase Price. The payments to which a holder of Registrable Securities shall be entitled pursuant to this Section 2(e) are referred to herein as “Registration Delay Payments.” Following the initial Registration Delay Payment for any particular event or failure (which shall be paid on the date of such event or failure, as set forth above), without limiting the foregoing, if an event or failure giving rise to the Registration Delay Payments is cured prior to any thirty (30) day anniversary of such event or failure, then such Registration Delay Payment shall be made on the third (3^rd) Business Day after such cure. In the event the Company fails to make Registration Delay Payments in a timely manner in accordance with the foregoing, such Registration Delay Payments shall bear interest at the rate of one percent (1%) per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Registration Delay Payments shall be owed to an Investor (other than with respect to a Maintenance Failure resulting from a suspension or delisting of (or a failure to timely list) the shares of Common Stock on the Principal Market) with respect to any period during which all of such Investor’s Registrable Securities may be sold by such Investor without restriction under Rule 144 (including, without limitation, volume restrictions) and without the need for current public information required by Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2), if applicable).

 

 

(f) Offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, but subject to the payment of the Registration Delay Payments pursuant to Section 2(e), in the event the staff of the SEC (the “Staff”) or the SEC seeks to characterize any offering pursuant to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement as constituting an offering of securities by, or on behalf of, the Company, or in any other manner, such that the Staff or the SEC do not permit such Registration Statement to become effective and used for resales in a manner that does not constitute such an offering and that permits the continuous resale at the market by the Investors participating therein (or as otherwise may be acceptable to each Investor) without being named therein as an “underwriter,” then the Company shall reduce the number of shares to be included in such Registration Statement by all Investors until such time as the Staff and the SEC shall so permit such Registration Statement to become effective as aforesaid. In making such reduction, the Company shall reduce the number of shares to be included by all Investors on a pro rata basis (based upon the number of Registrable Securities otherwise required to be included for each Investor) unless the inclusion of shares by a particular Investor or a particular set of Investors are resulting in the Staff or the SEC’s “by or on behalf of the Company” offering position, in which event the shares held by such Investor or set of Investors shall be the only shares subject to reduction (and if by a set of Investors on a pro rata basis by such Investors or on such other basis as would result in the exclusion of the least number of shares by all such Investors); provided, that, with respect to such pro rata portion allocated to any Investor, such Investor may elect the allocation of such pro rata portion among the Registrable Securities of such Investor. In addition, in the event that the Staff or the SEC requires any Investor seeking to sell securities under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement to be specifically identified as an “underwriter” in order to permit such Registration Statement to become effective, and such Investor does not consent to being so named as an underwriter in such Registration Statement, then, in each such case, the Company shall reduce the total number of Registrable Securities to be registered on behalf of such Investor, until such time as the Staff or the SEC does not require such identification or until such Investor accepts such identification and the manner thereof. Any reduction pursuant to this paragraph will first reduce all Registrable Securities other than those issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement.  In the event of any reduction in Registrable Securities pursuant to this paragraph, an affected Investor shall have the right to require, upon delivery of a written request to the Company signed by such Investor, the Company to file a registration statement within twenty (20) days of such request (subject to any restrictions imposed by Rule 415 or required by the Staff or the SEC) for resale by such Investor in a manner reasonably acceptable to such Investor, and the Company shall following such request cause to be and keep effective such registration statement in the same manner as otherwise contemplated in this Agreement for registration statements hereunder, in each case until such time as: (i) all Registrable Securities held by such Investor have been registered and sold pursuant to an effective Registration Statement in a manner acceptable to such Investor or (ii) all Registrable Securities may be resold by such Investor without restriction (including, without limitation, volume limitations) pursuant to Rule 144 (taking account of any Staff position with respect to “affiliate” status) and without the need for current public information required by Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2), if applicable) or (iii) such Investor agrees to be named as an underwriter in any such Registration Statement in a manner acceptable to such Investor as to all Registrable Securities held by such Investor and that have not theretofore been included in a Registration Statement under this Agreement (it being understood that the special demand right under this sentence may be exercised by an Investor multiple times and with respect to limited amounts of Registrable Securities in order to permit the resale thereof by such Investor as contemplated above).

 

 

(g) Piggyback Registrations. Without limiting any obligation of the Company hereunder or under the Securities Purchase Agreement, if there is not an effective Registration Statement covering all of the Registrable Securities or the prospectus contained therein is not available for use and the Company shall determine to prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement or offering statement relating to an offering for its own account or the account of others under the 1933 Act of any of its equity securities (other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8 (each as promulgated under the 1933 Act) or their then equivalents relating to equity securities to be issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business or equity securities issuable in connection with the Company’s stock option or other employee benefit plans), then the Company shall deliver to each Investor a written notice of such determination and, if within fifteen (15) days after the date of the delivery of such notice, any such Investor shall so request in writing, the Company shall include in such registration statement or offering statement all or any part of such Registrable Securities such Investor requests to be registered; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to register any Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 2(g) that are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144 without restriction (including, without limitation, volume restrictions) and without the need for current public information required by Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2), if applicable) or that are the subject of a then-effective Registration Statement.

 

(h) Allocation of Registrable Securities. The initial number of Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement and any increase in the number of Registrable Securities included therein shall be allocated pro rata among the Investors based on the number of Registrable Securities held by each Investor at the time such Registration Statement covering such initial number of Registrable Securities or increase thereof is declared effective by the SEC. In the event that an Investor sells or otherwise transfers any of such Investor’s Registrable Securities, each transferee or assignee (as the case may be) that becomes an Investor shall be allocated a pro rata portion of the then-remaining number of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement for such transferor or assignee (as the case may be). Any shares of Common Stock included in a Registration Statement and which remain allocated to any Person which ceases to hold any Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement shall be allocated to the remaining Investors, pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities then held by such Investors which are covered by such Registration Statement.

 

 

(i) No Inclusion of Other Securities. The Company shall in no event include any securities other than such securities described on Schedule 3(i) attached hereto (the “Additional Shares”) and Registrable Securities on any Registration Statement filed in accordance herewith without the prior written consent of the Required Holders; provided, that if the SEC shall require the Company (or a reduction is otherwise necessary to prevent one or more Investors being named as an underwriter therein) to reduce the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock registered on any Registration Statement that includes both Registrable Securities and Additional Shares, all of the Additional Shares shall be excluded before any of the aggregate number of Registrable Securities to be registered on such Registration Statement shall be reduced. Until the Applicable Date (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), the Company shall not enter into any agreement providing any registration rights to any of its security holders, except as otherwise permitted under the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

3. Related Obligations.

 

The Company shall use its best efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, and, pursuant thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:

 

(a) The Company shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement with respect to all the Registrable Securities (but in no event later than the applicable Filing Deadline) and use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing (but in no event later than the Effectiveness Deadline). Subject to Allowable Grace Periods, the Company shall keep each Registration Statement effective (and the prospectus contained therein available for use) pursuant to Rule 415 for resales by the Investors on a delayed or continuous basis at then-prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices) at all times until the earlier of (i) the date as of which all of the Investors may sell all of the Registrable Securities required to be covered by such Registration Statement (disregarding any reduction pursuant to Section 2(f)) without restriction pursuant to Rule 144 (including, without limitation, volume restrictions) and without the need for current public information required by Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2), if applicable) or (ii) the date on which the Investors shall have sold all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement (the “Registration Period”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall ensure that, when filed and at all times while effective, each Registration Statement (including, without limitation, all amendments and supplements thereto) and the prospectus (including, without limitation, all amendments and supplements thereto) used in connection with such Registration Statement (1) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of prospectuses, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made) not misleading and (2) will disclose (whether directly or through incorporation by reference to other SEC filings to the extent permitted) all material information regarding the Company and its securities. The Company shall submit to the SEC, within two (2) Business Days after the later of the date that (i) the Company learns that no review of a particular Registration Statement will be made by the Staff or that the Staff has no further comments on a particular Registration Statement (as the case may be) and (ii) the consent of Legal Counsel is obtained pursuant to Section 3(c) (which consent shall be immediately sought), a request for acceleration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement to a time and date not later than forty-eight (48) hours after the submission of such request. The Company shall respond in writing to comments made by the SEC in respect of a Registration Statement as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fifteen (15) days (or twenty (20) Trading Days with respect to financial statement comments) after the receipt of comments by or notice from the SEC that an amendment is required in order for a Registration Statement to be declared effective.

 

 

(b) Subject to Section 3(r) of this Agreement, the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) and supplements to each Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with each such Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep each such Registration Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period for such Registration Statement, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company required to be covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement; provided, however, by 8:30 a.m. (New York time) on the first (1^st) Business Day immediately following each Effective Date, the Company shall file with the SEC in accordance with Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act the final prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement (whether or not such a prospectus is technically required by such rule). In the case of amendments and supplements to any Registration Statement which are required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation, pursuant to this Section 3(b)) by reason of the Company filing a report on Form 8-K, Form 10-Q or Form 10-K or any analogous report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), the Company shall, if permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, have incorporated such report by reference into such Registration Statement, if applicable, or shall file such amendments or supplements with the SEC promptly following the date on which the 1934 Act report is filed which created the requirement for the Company to amend or supplement such Registration Statement.

 

(c) The Company shall (A) permit Legal Counsel and legal counsel for each other Investor to review and comment upon (i) each Registration Statement at least five (5) Business Days prior to its filing with the SEC and (ii) all amendments and supplements to each Registration Statement (including, without limitation, the prospectus contained therein) (except for Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any similar or successor reports) within a reasonable number of days prior to their filing with the SEC, and (B) not file any Registration Statement or amendment or supplement thereto in a form to which Legal Counsel or any legal counsel for any other Investor reasonably objects. The Company shall not submit a request for acceleration of the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto or to any prospectus contained therein without the prior consent of Legal Counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The Company shall promptly furnish to Legal Counsel and legal counsel for each other Investor, without charge, (i) copies of any correspondence from the SEC or the Staff to the Company or its representatives relating to each Registration Statement, provided that such correspondence shall not contain any material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), (ii) after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, one (1) copy of each Registration Statement and any amendment(s) and supplement(s) thereto, including, without limitation, financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by an Investor, and all exhibits and (iii) upon the effectiveness of each Registration Statement, one (1) copy of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with Legal Counsel and legal counsel for each other Investor in performing the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Section 3.

 

 

(d) If requested by an Investor, the Company shall promptly furnish to such Investor whose Registrable Securities are included in any Registration Statement, without charge, (i) after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, at least one (1) copy of each Registration Statement and any amendment(s) and supplement(s) thereto, including, without limitation, financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by an Investor, all exhibits and each preliminary prospectus, (ii) upon the effectiveness of each Registration Statement, ten (10) copies of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as such Investor may reasonably request from time to time) and (iii) such other documents, including, without limitation, copies of any preliminary or final prospectus, as such Investor may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Investor.

 

(e) The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) register and qualify, unless an exemption from registration and qualification applies, the resale by Investors of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of all applicable jurisdictions in the United States, (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(e), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify Legal Counsel, legal counsel for each other Investor and each Investor who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.

 

(f) The Company shall notify Legal Counsel, legal counsel for each other Investor and each Investor in writing of the happening of any event, as promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event, as a result of which the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, may include an untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided that in no event shall such notice contain any material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), and, subject to Section 3(r), promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement and such prospectus contained therein to correct such untrue statement or omission and, if requested by such Investor or Legal Counsel, deliver ten (10) copies of such supplement or amendment to Legal Counsel, legal counsel for each other Investor and each Investor (or such other number of copies as Legal Counsel, legal counsel for each other Investor or such Investor may reasonably request). The Company shall also promptly notify Legal Counsel, legal counsel for each other Investor and each Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to Legal Counsel, legal counsel for each other Investor and each Investor by e-mail on the same day of such effectiveness and by overnight mail), and when the Company receives written notice from the SEC that a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment will be reviewed by the SEC, (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related prospectus or related information, (iii) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate; and (iv) of the receipt of any request by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority for any additional information relating to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto or any related prospectus. The Company shall respond as promptly as practicable to any comments received from the SEC with respect to each Registration Statement or any amendment thereto (it being understood and agreed that the Company’s response to any such comments shall be delivered to the SEC no later than fifteen (15) Business Days (or twenty (20) Trading Days with respect to financial statement comments)after the receipt thereof).

 

 

(g) The Company shall (i) use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of each Registration Statement or the use of any prospectus contained therein, or the suspension of the qualification, or the loss of an exemption from qualification, of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible moment and (ii) notify Legal Counsel, legal counsel for each other Investor and each Investor who holds Registrable Securities of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.

 

(h) If any Investor may be required under applicable securities law to be described in any Registration Statement as an underwriter and such Investor consents to so being named an underwriter, at the request of any Investor, the Company shall furnish to such Investor, on the date of the effectiveness of such Registration Statement and thereafter from time to time on such dates as an Investor may reasonably request (i) a letter, dated such date, from the Company’s independent certified public accountants in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the Investors, and (ii) an opinion, dated as of such date, of counsel representing the Company for purposes of such Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is customarily given in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the Investors.

 

(i) If any Investor may be required under applicable securities law to be described in any Registration Statement as an underwriter and such Investor consents to so being named an underwriter, upon the written request of such Investor, the Company shall make available for inspection by (i) such Investor, (ii) legal counsel for such Investor and (iii) one (1) firm of accountants or other agents retained by such Investor (collectively, the “Inspectors”), all pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the “Records”), as shall be reasonably deemed necessary by each Inspector, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information which any Inspector may reasonably request; provided, however, each Inspector shall agree in writing to hold in strict confidence and not to make any disclosure (except to such Investor) or use of any Record or other information which the Company’s board of directors determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the Inspectors are so notified, unless (1) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement or is otherwise required under the 1933 Act, (2) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena or order from a court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (3) the information in such Records has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement). Such Investor agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records deemed confidential. Nothing herein (or in any other confidentiality agreement between the Company and such Investor, if any) shall be deemed to limit any Investor’s ability to sell Registrable Securities in a manner which is otherwise consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

 

 

(j) The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement or is otherwise required to be disclosed in such Registration Statement pursuant to the 1933 Act, (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning an Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to such Investor and allow such Investor, at such Investor’s expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.

 

(k) Without limiting any obligation of the Company under the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company shall use its best efforts either to (i) cause all of the Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange, (ii) secure designation and quotation of all of the Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement on an Eligible Market (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), or (iii) if, despite the Company’s best efforts to satisfy the preceding clauses (i) or (ii) the Company is unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding clauses (i) or (ii), without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to use its best efforts to arrange for at least two market makers to register with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) as such with respect to such Registrable Securities. In addition, the Company shall cooperate with each Investor and any broker or dealer through which any such Investor proposes to sell its Registrable Securities in effecting a filing with FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110 as requested by such Investor. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligations under this Section 3(k).

 

(l) The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold Registrable Securities being offered and, to the extent applicable, facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legend, if the Investor has satisfied the Resale Eligibility Conditions) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such certificates to be in such denominations or amounts (as the case may be) as the Investors may reasonably request from time to time and registered in such names as the Investors may request.

 

 

(m) If requested by an Investor, the Company shall as soon as practicable after receipt of notice from such Investor and subject to Section 3(r) hereof, (i) incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as an Investor reasonably requests to be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being offered or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement or prospectus contained therein if reasonably requested by an Investor holding any Registrable Securities.

 

(n) The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

 

(o) The Company shall make generally available to its security holders as soon as practical, but not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with, and in the manner provided by, the provisions of Rule 158 under the 1933 Act) covering a twelve-month period beginning not later than the first day of the Company’s fiscal quarter next following the applicable Effective Date of each Registration Statement.

 

(p) The Company shall otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any registration hereunder.

 

(q) Within one (1) Business Day after a Registration Statement which covers Registrable Securities is declared effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investors whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration Statement) confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

 

(r) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein (but subject to the last sentence of this Section 3(r)), at any time after the Effective Date of a particular Registration Statement, the Company may delay the disclosure of material, non-public information concerning the Company or any of its Subsidiaries the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good faith opinion of the board of directors of the Company, in the best interest of the Company and, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, otherwise required (a “Grace Period”), provided that the Company shall promptly notify the Investors in writing of the (i) existence of material, non-public information giving rise to a Grace Period (provided that in each such notice the Company shall not disclose the content of such material, non-public information to any of the Investors) and the date on which such Grace Period will begin and (ii) date on which such Grace Period ends, provided further that (I) no Grace Period shall exceed ten (10) consecutive days and during any three hundred sixty five (365) day period all such Grace Periods shall not exceed an aggregate of sixty (60) days (II) the first day of any Grace Period must be at least five (5) Trading Days after the last day of any prior Grace Period and (III) no Grace Period may exist during the forty (40) Trading Day period immediately following the Effective Date of such Registration Statement (provided that such forty (40) Trading Day period shall be extended by the number of Trading Days during such period and any extension thereof contemplated by this proviso during which such Registration Statement is not effective or the prospectus contained therein is not available for use) (each, an “Allowable Grace Period”). For purposes of determining the length of a Grace Period above, such Grace Period shall begin on and include the date the Investors receive the notice referred to in clause (i) above and shall end on and include the later of the date the Investors receive the notice referred to in clause (ii) above and the date referred to in such notice. The provisions of Section 3(g) hereof shall not be applicable during the period of any Allowable Grace Period. Upon expiration of each Grace Period, the Company shall again be bound by the first sentence of Section 3(f) with respect to the information giving rise thereto unless such material, non-public information is no longer applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3(r), the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to a transferee of an Investor in accordance with the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which such Investor has entered into a contract for sale, and delivered a copy of the prospectus included as part of the particular Registration Statement to the extent applicable, prior to such Investor’s receipt of the notice of a Grace Period and for which the Investor has not yet settled.

 

(s) The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by each Investors of its Registrable Securities pursuant to each Registration Statement.

 

(t) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary or affiliate thereof shall identify any Investor as an underwriter in any public disclosure or filing with the SEC, the Principal Market or any Eligible Market and any Buyer being deemed an underwriter by the SEC shall not relieve the Company of any obligations it has under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit the Company from including the disclosure found in the “Plan of Distribution” section attached hereto as Exhibit B in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if after the required reduction of the number of shares of Common Stock to be included in a Registration Statement to comply with Rule 415 of the 1933 Act, the SEC still insists that a Buyer be named as an “underwriter” in such Registration Statement and such Buyer refuses to be named as an “underwriter” in such Registration Statement, no Registration Delay Payments shall accrue hereunder with respect to such Buyer.

 

 

(u) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered, as of the date hereof, nor shall the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities, that would have the effect of impairing the rights granted to the Buyers in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

 

4. Obligations of the Investors.

 

(a) At least five (5) Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of each Registration Statement, the Company shall notify each Investor in writing of the information the Company requires from each such Investor with respect to such Registration Statement. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of a particular Investor that such Investor shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it, as shall be reasonably required to effect and maintain the effectiveness of the registration of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request.

 

(b) Each Investor, by such Investor’s acceptance of the Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of each Registration Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing of such Investor’s election to exclude all of such Investor’s Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement.

 

(c) Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g) or the first sentence of 3(f), such Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until such Investor’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3(g) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) or receipt of notice that no supplement or amendment is required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4(c), the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to a transferee of an Investor in accordance with the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which such Investor has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor’s receipt of a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) and for which such Investor has not yet settled.

 

5. Expenses of Registration.

 

All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, FINRA filing fees (if any) and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company shall be paid by the Company. The Company shall reimburse Legal Counsel for its fees and disbursements in connection with registration, filing or qualification pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement which amount shall be limited to $10,000 for each such registration, filing or qualification.

 

 

6. Indemnification.

 

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Investor and each of its directors, officers, shareholders, members, partners, employees, agents, advisors, representatives (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding the lack of such title or any other title) and each Person, if any, who controls such Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act and each of the directors, officers, shareholders, members, partners, employees, agents, advisors, representatives (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding the lack of such title or any other title) of such controlling Persons (each, an “Indemnified Person”), against any losses, obligations, claims, damages, liabilities, contingencies, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs (including, without limitation, court costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of defense and investigation), amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several, (collectively, “Claims”) incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an Indemnified Person is or may be a party thereto (“Indemnified Damages”), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered (“Blue Sky Filing”), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date of such Registration Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement or (iv) any violation of this Agreement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) being, collectively, “Violations”). Subject to Section 6(c), the Company shall reimburse the Indemnified Persons, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified Person arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Person for such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation of such Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d); and (ii) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of any of the Registrable Securities by any of the Investors pursuant to Section 9.

 

 

(b) In connection with any Registration Statement in which an Investor is participating, such Investor agrees to severally and not jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each, an “Indemnified Party”), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case, to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and, subject to Section 6(c) and the below provisos in this Section 6(b), such Investor will reimburse an Indemnified Party any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, provided further that such Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of the applicable sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of any of the Registrable Securities by any of the Investors pursuant to Section 9.

 

(c) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party (as the case may be) under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including, without limitation, any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party (as the case may be) shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party (as the case may be); provided, however, an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party (as the case may be) shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses of such counsel to be paid by the indemnifying party if: (i) the indemnifying party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses; (ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed promptly to assume the defense of such Claim and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party (as the case may be) in any such Claim; or (iii) the named parties to any such Claim (including, without limitation, any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party (as the case may be) and the indemnifying party, and such Indemnified Person or such Indemnified Party (as the case may be) shall have been advised by counsel that a conflict of interest is likely to exist if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Person or such Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party (in which case, if such Indemnified Person or such Indemnified Party (as the case may be) notifies the indemnifying party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, then the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party, provided further that in the case of clause (iii) above the indemnifying party shall not be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one (1) separate legal counsel for such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party (as the case may be). The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person (as the case may be) shall reasonably cooperate with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or Claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person (as the case may be) which relates to such action or Claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person (as the case may be) reasonably apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written consent; provided, however, the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person (as the case may be), consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person (as the case may be) of a release from all liability in respect to such Claim or litigation, and such settlement shall not include any admission as to fault on the part of the Indemnified Party. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person (as the case may be) with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party (as the case may be) under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is materially and adversely prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.

 

 

(d) The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.

 

(e) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.

 

7. Contribution.

 

To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however: (i) no contribution shall be made under circumstances where the maker would not have been liable for indemnification under the fault standards set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement, (ii) no Person involved in the sale of Registrable Securities which Person is guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) in connection with such sale shall be entitled to contribution from any Person involved in such sale of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (iii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the amount of net proceeds received by such seller from the applicable sale of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Investor shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds actually received by such Investor from the applicable sale of the Registrable Securities subject to the Claim exceeds the amount of any damages that such Investor has otherwise been required to pay, or would otherwise be required to pay under Section 6(b), by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

 

 

8. Reports Under the 1934 Act.

 

With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144, the Company agrees to:

 

(a) make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;

 

(b) file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood and agreed that nothing herein shall limit any obligations of the Company under the Securities Purchase Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and

 

(c) furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company, if true, that it has complied with the reporting, submission and posting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company with the SEC if such reports are not publicly available via EDGAR, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investors to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.

 

9. Assignment of Registration Rights.

 

All or any portion of the rights under this Agreement shall be automatically assignable by each Investor to any transferee or assignee (as the case may be) of all or any portion of such Investor’s Registrable Securities, Series A Preferred Shares or Warrants if: (i) such Investor agrees in writing with such transferee or assignee (as the case may be) to assign all or any portion of such rights, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment (as the case may be); (ii) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment (as the case may be), furnished with written notice of (a) the name and address of such transferee or assignee (as the case may be), and (b) the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned (as the case may be); (iii) immediately following such transfer or assignment (as the case may be) the further disposition of such securities by such transferee or assignee (as the case may be) is restricted under the 1933 Act or applicable state securities laws if so required; (iv) at or before the time the Company receives the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence such transferee or assignee (as the case may be) agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the provisions contained herein; (v) such transfer or assignment (as the case may be) shall have been made in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Series A Preferred Shares and the Warrants (as the case may be); and (vi) such transfer or assignment (as the case may be) shall have been conducted in accordance with all applicable federal and state securities laws.

 

 

10. Amendment of Registration Rights.

 

Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and the Required Holders; provided that any such amendment or waiver that complies with the foregoing, but that disproportionately, materially and adversely affects the rights and obligations of any Investor relative to the comparable rights and obligations of the other Investors shall require the prior written consent of such adversely affected Investor. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10 shall be binding upon each Investor and the Company, provided that no such amendment shall be effective to the extent that it (1) applies to less than all of the holders of Registrable Securities or (2) imposes any obligation or liability on any Investor without such Investor’s prior written consent (which may be granted or withheld in such Investor’s sole discretion). No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party. No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of this Agreement unless the same consideration (other than the reimbursement of legal fees) also is offered to all of the parties to this Agreement.

 

11. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Solely for purposes of this Agreement, a Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person owns, or is deemed to own, of record such Registrable Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or more Persons with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from such record owner of such Registrable Securities.

 

 

(b) Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by electronic mail (provided that such sent email is kept on file (whether electronically or otherwise) by the sending party and the sending party does not receive an automatically generated message from the recipient’s email server that such e-mail could not be delivered to such recipient); or (iii) one (1) Business Day after deposit with an overnight courier service with next day delivery specified, in each case, properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The mailing addresses and e-mail addresses for such communications shall be:

 

If to the Company:

 

CERo Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.).
________________________
________________________
Telephone: (___) ___-____
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
Email:

 

With a copy (for informational purposes only) to:

 

________________________
________________________
________________________
Telephone: (___) ___-____
Attention: _____________
Email:

 

If to the Transfer Agent:

 

______________________
______________________
______________________
Telephone: (___) ___-____
Attention: _____________
Email:

 

If to Legal Counsel:

 

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
3 World Trade Center
175 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
Telephone: (212) 808-7540
Attention: Michael A. Adelstein, Esq.
E-mail: madelstein@kelleydrye.com

 

 

If to a Buyer, to its mailing address and/or email address set forth on the Schedule of Buyers attached to the Securities Purchase Agreement, with copies to such Buyer’s representatives as set forth on the Schedule of Buyers, or to such other mailing address and/or email address and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change, provided that Kelley Drye & Warren LLP shall only be provided notices sent to the lead investor. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender’s e-mail containing the time, date and recipient’s e-mail or (C) provided by a courier or overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by e-mail or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.

 

(c) Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof. The Company and each Investor acknowledge and 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 each party hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement by any other party hereto and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof (without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required), this being in addition to any other remedy to which any party may be entitled by law or equity.

 

(d) All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in Wilmington, Delaware, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

(e) If any provision of this Agreement is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Agreement so long as this Agreement as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s).

 

 

(f) This Agreement, the other Transaction Documents, the schedules and exhibits attached hereto and thereto and the instruments referenced herein and therein constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto and thereto solely with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This Agreement, the other Transaction Documents, the schedules and exhibits attached hereto and thereto and the instruments referenced herein and therein supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto solely with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof; provided, however, nothing contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall (or shall be deemed to) (i) have any effect on any agreements any Investor has entered into with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the date hereof with respect to any prior investment made by such Investor in the Company, (ii) waive, alter, modify or amend in any respect any obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any rights of or benefits to any Investor or any other Person in any agreement entered into prior to the date hereof between or among the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries and any Investor and all such agreements shall continue in full force and effect or (iii) limit any obligations of any party under any of the other Transaction Documents.

 

(g) Subject to compliance with Section 9 (if applicable), this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto. This Agreement is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any Person, other than the parties hereto, their respective permitted successors and assigns and the Persons referred to in Sections 6 and 7 hereof.

 

(h) The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Agreement instead of just the provision in which they are found.

 

(i) This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by an email which contains a portable document format (.pdf) file of an executed signature page, such signature page shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such signature page were an original thereof.

 

(j) Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

 

(k) The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 10, terms used in this Agreement but defined in the other Transaction Documents shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms on the Closing Date in such other Transaction Documents unless otherwise consented to in writing by each Investor.

 

(l) All consents and other determinations required to be made by the Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, by the Required Holders, determined as if all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares then held by the Investors have been converted for Registrable Securities without regard to any limitations on redemption, amortization and/or conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares and the outstanding Warrants then held by Investors have been exercised for Registrable Securities without regard to any limitations on exercise of the Warrants.

 

(m) This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.

 

(n) The obligations of each Investor under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Investor, and no Investor shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Investor under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. Nothing contained herein or in any other Transaction Document, and no action taken by any Investor pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Investors as, and the Company acknowledges that the Investors do not so constitute, a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of group or entity, or create a presumption that the Investors are in any way acting in concert or as a group or entity with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or any matters, and the Company acknowledges that the Investors are not acting in concert or as a group, and the Company shall not assert any such claim, with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the other the Transaction Documents. Each Investor shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including, without limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement or out of any other Transaction Documents, and it shall not be necessary for any other Investor to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose. The use of a single agreement with respect to the obligations of the Company contained herein was solely in the control of the Company, not the action or decision of any Investor, and was done solely for the convenience of the Company and not because it was required or requested to do so by any Investor. It is expressly understood and agreed that each provision contained in this Agreement and in each other Transaction Document is between the Company and an Investor, solely, and not between the Company and the Investors collectively and not between and among Investors.

 

[signature page follows]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

	COMPANY:
	CERO THERAPEUTICS, INC. (F/K/A PHOENIX BIOTECH ACQUISITION CORP.)
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

	BUYERS:
	[LEAD INVESTOR]
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

	[OTHER BUYERS]
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

______________________
______________________
______________________
Attention: _____________

 

Re: CERo Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

[We are][I am] counsel to CERo Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) entered into by and among the Company and the buyers named therein (collectively, the “Holders”) pursuant to which the Company issued to the Holders series A convertible preferred stock (the “Series A Preferred Shares”) convertible into the Company’s shares of common stock, $[ ] par value per share (the “Common Stock”), series B non-convertible preferred stock (the “Series B Preferred Shares”) and warrants exercisable for shares of Common Stock (the “Warrants”). Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company also has entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Holders (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to register the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), including the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares and exercise of the Warrants, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). In connection with the Company’s obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, on ____________ ___, 20__, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form [S-1][S-3] (File No. 333-_____________) (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) relating to the Registrable Securities which names each of the Holders as a selling stockholder thereunder.

 

In connection with the foregoing, [we][I] advise you that [a member of the SEC’s staff has advised [us][me] by telephone that [the SEC has entered an order declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ENTER TIME OF EFFECTIVENESS] on [ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS]] [an order declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ENTER TIME OF EFFECTIVENESS] on [ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS]] has been posted on the web site of the SEC at www.sec.gov] and [we][I] have no knowledge, after a review of information posted on the website of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov/litigation/stoporders.shtml, that any stop order suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

 

This letter is being furnished by us solely for your benefit in your capacity as transfer agent and registrar of the Common Stock in connection with the registration for resale of the securities covered by the Registration Statement, and neither it nor the opinions it contains may be relied on for any other purpose or by anyone else.

 

			Very truly yours,
			[ISSUER’S COUNSEL]
			By:
CC:	[LEAD INVESTOR]
	[OTHER BUYERS]

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

 

The shares of common stock being offered by the selling stockholders are those issuable to the selling stockholders upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares and exercise of the warrants. For additional information regarding the issuance of the Series A Preferred Shares and the warrants, see “Private Placement of Preferred Shares and Warrants” above. We are registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the selling stockholders to offer the shares for resale from time to time. [Except for the ownership of the Series A Preferred Shares and the warrants issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the selling stockholders have not had any material relationship with us within the past three years.]

 

The table below lists the selling stockholders and other information regarding the beneficial ownership (as determined under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder) of the shares of common stock held by each of the selling stockholders. The second column lists the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by the selling stockholders, based on their respective ownership of shares of common stock, Series A Preferred Shares and warrants, as of ________, 20__, assuming conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares and exercise of the warrants held by each such selling stockholder on that date but taking account of any limitations on conversion and exercise set forth therein.

 

The third column lists the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus by the selling stockholders and does not take in account any limitations on (i) conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares set forth therein or (ii) exercise of the warrants set forth therein.

 

In accordance with the terms of a registration rights agreement with the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and the warrants, this prospectus generally covers the resale of the sum of (i) 200% of the maximum number of shares of common stock issued or issuable pursuant to Certificate of Designations, and (ii) the maximum number of shares of common stock issued or issuable upon exercise of the warrants, in each case, determined as if the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and warrants were converted or exercised (as the case may be) in full (without regard to any limitations on conversion or exercise contained therein solely for the purpose of such calculation) at an alternate conversion price or exercise price (as the case may be) calculated as of the trading day immediately preceding the date this registration statement was initially filed with the SEC. Because the alternate conversion price and conversion price of the Series A Preferred Shares and the exercise price of the warrants may be adjusted, the number of shares that will actually be issued may be more or less than the number of shares being offered by this prospectus. The fourth column assumes the sale of all of the shares offered by the selling stockholders pursuant to this prospectus.

 

Under the terms of the Series A Preferred Shares and the warrants, certain selling stockholders may not convert the Series A Preferred Shares or exercise the warrants to the extent (but only to the extent) such selling stockholder or any of its affiliates would beneficially own a number of shares of our common stock which would exceed 4.99% of the outstanding shares of the Company. The number of shares in the second column reflects these limitations. The selling stockholders may sell all, some or none of their shares in this offering. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

Name of Selling Stockholder

Number of Shares of Common Stock Owned Prior to Offering

Maximum Number of Shares of Common Stock to be Sold Pursuant to this Prospectus

Number of Shares of Common Stock of Owned After Offering

[LEAD INVESTOR] (1)

[OTHER BUYERS]

 

(1)	[            ]

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We are registering the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares and exercise of the warrants to permit the resale of these shares of common stock by the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and warrants from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of the shares of common stock, although we will receive the exercise price of any Warrants not exercised by the selling stockholders on a cashless exercise basis. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to our obligation to register the shares of common stock.

 

The selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the shares of common stock held by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the shares of common stock are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling stockholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. The shares of common stock may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions, pursuant to one or more of the following methods:

 

●

on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;

 

●

in the over-the-counter market;

 

●

in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market;

 

●

through the writing or settlement of options, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise;

 

●

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

●

block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

●

purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

●

an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

 

●

privately negotiated transactions;

 

●

short sales made after the date the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC;

 

●

broker-dealers may agree with a selling security holder to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;

 

 

●

a combination of any such methods of sale; and

 

●

any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

 

The selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, if available, rather than under this prospectus. In addition, the selling stockholders may transfer the shares of common stock by other means not described in this prospectus. If the selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling shares of common stock to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders or commissions from purchasers of the shares of common stock for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal (which discounts, concessions or commissions as to particular underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved). In connection with sales of the shares of common stock or otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the shares of common stock in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock short and deliver shares of common stock covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling stockholders may also loan or pledge shares of common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares.

 

The selling stockholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the Series A Preferred Shares, warrants or shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the shares of common stock in other circumstances in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

 

To the extent required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the selling stockholders and any broker-dealer participating in the distribution of the shares of common stock may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a particular offering of the shares of common stock is made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed, which will set forth the aggregate amount of shares of common stock being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling stockholders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to broker-dealers.

 

Under the securities laws of some states, the shares of common stock may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the shares of common stock may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.

 

 

There can be no assurance that any selling stockholder will sell any or all of the shares of common stock registered pursuant to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

The selling stockholders and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, to the extent applicable, Regulation M of the Exchange Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares of common stock by the selling stockholders and any other participating person. To the extent applicable, Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the shares of common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of common stock. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares of common stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of common stock.

 

We will pay all expenses of the registration of the shares of common stock pursuant to the registration rights agreement, estimated to be $[     ] in total, including, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws; provided, however, a selling stockholder will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any. We will indemnify the selling stockholders against liabilities, including some liabilities under the Securities Act in accordance with the registration rights agreements or the selling stockholders will be entitled to contribution. We may be indemnified by the selling stockholders against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act that may arise from any written information furnished to us by the selling stockholder specifically for use in this prospectus, in accordance with the related registration rights agreements or we may be entitled to contribution.

 

Once sold under the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, the shares of common stock will be freely tradable in the hands of persons other than our affiliates.

 

 

Exhibit D

 

 

 

 

 

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of [    ], 2024

 

by and among

 

PHOENIX BIOTECH ACQUISITION CORP.,

 

and

 

KEYSTONE CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

			Page
Article I PURCHASE AND SALE OF COMMON STOCK			1
	Section 1.1.	Purchase and Sale of Stock	1
	Section 1.2.	Closing Date; Settlement Dates	2
	Section 1.3.	Initial Public Announcements and Required Filings	2
Article II PURCHASE TERMS			3
	Section 2.1.	Fixed Purchases	3
	Section 2.2.	VWAP Purchases	4
	Section 2.3.	Additional VWAP Purchases	4
	Section 2.4.	Compliance with Rules of Trading Market.	5
	Section 2.5.	Beneficial Ownership Limitation	5
	Section 2.6.	Commitment Shares	5
Article III REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE INVESTOR			7
	Section 3.1.	Organization and Standing of the Investor	7
	Section 3.2.	Authorization and Power	7
	Section 3.3.	No Conflicts	7
	Section 3.4.	Investment Purpose	8
	Section 3.5.	Accredited Investor Status	8
	Section 3.6.	Reliance on Exemptions	8
	Section 3.7.	Information	8
	Section 3.8.	No Governmental Review	9
	Section 3.9.	No General Solicitation	9
	Section 3.10.	Not an Affiliate	9
	Section 3.11.	No Prior Short Sales	9
	Section 3.12.	Statutory Underwriter Status	9
Article IV REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY			10
	Section 4.1.	Organization, Good Standing and Power	10
	Section 4.2.	Authorization, Enforcement	10
	Section 4.3.	Capitalization	11
	Section 4.4.	Issuance of Securities	11
	Section 4.5.	No Conflicts	12
	Section 4.6.	Commission Documents, Financial Statements; Disclosure Controls and Procedures; Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting; Accountants	12
	Section 4.7.	Subsidiaries	14
	Section 4.8.	No Material Adverse Effect or Material Adverse Change, No Undisclosed Liabilities	14
	Section 4.9.	No Undisclosed Events or Circumstances	14
	Section 4.10.	Indebtedness	15
	Section 4.11.	Title to Assets	15
	Section 4.12.	Actions Pending	15
	Section 4.13.	Compliance With Laws	15

 

 

	Section 4.14.	Certain Fees	16
	Section 4.15.	Operation of Business	16
	Section 4.16.	Environmental Compliance	16
	Section 4.17.	Material Agreements	16
	Section 4.18.	Transactions With Affiliates	17
	Section 4.19.	Intellectual Property Rights	17
	Section 4.20.	Use of Proceeds	17
	Section 4.21.	Investment Company Act Status	17
	Section 4.22.	Benefit Plans; Labor Matters	18
	Section 4.23.	Taxes	18
	Section 4.24.	Insurance	18
	Section 4.25.	Dilutive Effect	19
	Section 4.26.	Manipulation of Price	19
	Section 4.27.	Securities Act	19
	Section 4.28.	Listing and Maintenance Requirements; DTC Eligibility	19
	Section 4.29.	Application of Takeover Protections	20
	Section 4.30.	Foreign Corrupt Practices	20
	Section 4.31.	Money Laundering Laws	20
	Section 4.32.	OFAC	20
	Section 4.33.	Information Technology; Compliance with Data Privacy Laws	21
	Section 4.34.	No Disqualification Events	21
	Section 4.35.	ERISA	21
	Section 4.36.	No Other Similar Agreement	22
	Section 4.37.	Acknowledgement Regarding Investor’s Acquisition of Securities	22
Article V ADDITIONAL COVENANTS			22
	Section 5.1.	Securities Compliance	22
	Section 5.2.	Reservation of Common Stock	22
	Section 5.3.	Registration and Listing	23
	Section 5.4.	Compliance with Laws.	23
	Section 5.5.	Keeping of Records and Books of Account; Due Diligence.	24
	Section 5.6.	No Frustration; Prohibition of Certain Issuances Before Settlement of Purchases; No Similar Transactions.	24
	Section 5.7.	Corporate Existence	26
	Section 5.8.	Fundamental Transaction	27
	Section 5.9.	Selling Restrictions.	27
	Section 5.10.	Effective Registration Statement	28
	Section 5.11.	Blue Sky	28
	Section 5.12.	Non-Public Information	28
	Section 5.13.	Broker/Dealer	29
	Section 5.14.	Disclosure Schedules.	29
	Section 5.15.	Delivery of Bring Down Opinions and Compliance Certificates Upon Occurrence of Certain Events	30

 

 

Article VI CONDITIONS TO CLOSING AND CONDITIONS TO THE SALE AND PURCHASE OF THE SHARES			31
	Section 6.1.	Conditions Precedent to Closing	31
	Section 6.2.	Conditions Precedent to Commencement	32
	Section 6.3.	Conditions Precedent to Purchases by Investor	35
Article VII TERMINATION			38
	Section 7.1.	Automatic Termination; Termination by Consent	38
	Section 7.2.	Other Termination	38
	Section 7.3.	Effect of Termination	39
Article VIII INDEMNIFICATION			39
	Section 8.1.	Indemnification of Investor	39
	Section 8.2.	Indemnification Procedures	40
Article IX MISCELLANEOUS			41
	Section 9.1.	Certain Fees and Expenses; Commitment Shares; Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions.	41
	Section 9.2.	Specific Enforcement, Consent to Jurisdiction, Waiver of Jury Trial.	43
	Section 9.3.	Entire Agreement	43
	Section 9.4.	Notices	44
	Section 9.5.	Waivers	45
	Section 9.6.	Amendments	45
	Section 9.7.	Headings	45
	Section 9.8.	Construction	45
	Section 9.9.	Binding Effect	45
	Section 9.10.	No Third Party Beneficiaries	45
	Section 9.11.	Governing Law	46
	Section 9.12.	Survival	46
	Section 9.13.	Counterparts	46
	Section 9.14.	Publicity	46
	Section 9.15.	Severability	46
	Section 9.16.	Further Assurances	46

 

ANNEX 2.1 TO THE COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT FORM OF FIXED PURCHASE NOTICE	C-3
ANNEX 2.2 TO THE COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT FORM OF VWAP PURCHASE NOTICE	C-4
ANNEX 2.2B TO THE COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT FORM OF VWAP PURCHASE CONFIRMATION	C-5
ANNEX 2.3 TO THE COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT FORM OF ADDITIONAL VWAP PURCHASE NOTICE	C-6

 

 

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of [ ], 2024 (this “Agreement”), by and among Keystone Capital Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Investor”), and Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

 

RECiTALS

 

WHEREAS, the parties desire that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth herein, the Company may issue and sell to the Investor, from time to time as provided herein, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company, up to the greater of (a) $25,000,000 and (b) 19.99% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the date of this Agreement (to the extent applicable under Section 2.4 hereof), unless (i) stockholder approval is obtained to issue more than such 19.99% or (ii) the price of applicable sales of Common Stock to the Investor under this Agreement equals or exceeds the lower of (A) the official Closing Sale Price on the NGM immediately preceding the delivery of the applicable Fixed Purchase Notice, VWAP Purchase Notice, or Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, to the Investor and (B) the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock on the NGM for the five business days immediately preceding the delivery of such Fixed Purchase Notice, VWAP Purchase Notice or Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, as applicable (in each case plus an incremental amount to take into account the Commitment Shares), such that the sales of such Common Stock to the Investor would not count toward the 19.99% because they are “at market” under applicable NGM rules;

 

WHEREAS, in consideration for the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company shall cause its Transfer Agent to issue to the Investor the Commitment Shares in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto are concurrently entering into a Registration Rights Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company shall provide Investor with certain registration rights related to the shares issued under this Agreement, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

Article I
PURCHASE AND SALE OF COMMON STOCK

 

Section 1.1. Purchase and Sale of Stock. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, during the Investment Period, the Company, in its sole discretion, shall have the right, but not the obligation, to issue and sell to the Investor, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company, up to the greater of (a) $25,000,000 and (b) 19.99% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the date of this Agreement, including the Commitment Shares, unless (i) stockholder approval is obtained to issue more than such 19.99% or (ii) the price of applicable sales of Common Stock to the Investor under this Agreement equals or exceeds the lower of (A) the official Closing Sale Price on the NGM immediately preceding the delivery of the applicable Fixed Purchase Notice, VWAP Purchase Notice, or Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, to the Investor and (B) the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock on the NGM for the five business days immediately preceding the delivery of such Fixed Purchase notice, VWAP Purchase Notice, or Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, as applicable (in each case plus an incremental amount to take into account the Commitment Shares), such that the sales of such Common Stock to the Investor would not count toward the 19.99% because they are “at market” under applicable NGM rules (the “Total Purchase Commitment”), to the extent applicable under Section 2.4, by the delivery to the Investor of Fixed Purchase Notices, VWAP Purchase Notices, or Additional VWAP Purchase Notices, as provided in Article II.

 

 

Section 1.2. Closing Date; Settlement Dates. This Agreement shall become effective and binding (the “Closing”) upon (a) the delivery by the Company to its Transfer Agent of irrevocable instructions to issue the Initial Commitment Shares to the Investor or its designees as provided in Sections 6.1 and 9.1(ii), (b) the delivery of counterpart signature pages of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement executed by each of the parties hereto and thereto, and (c) the delivery of all other documents, instruments and writings required to be delivered at the Closing, in each case as provided in Section 6.1, to the offices of Pryor Cashman LLP, 7 Times Square, New York, NY 10036, at 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Closing Date, or such other time and place as the parties hereto shall agree. In consideration of, and in express reliance upon, the representations, warranties and covenants contained in, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions of, this Agreement, during the Investment Period the Company, at its sole option and discretion, may issue and sell to the Investor, and, if the Company elects to so issue and sell, the Investor shall purchase from the Company, the Shares in respect of each Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase and Additional VWAP Purchase (each, a “Settlement”). The payment for the Shares in respect of each Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase and Additional VWAP Purchase shall occur (i) on the third (3^rd) Trading Day following delivery of the Shares by the Company, and (ii) in accordance with Article II hereof; provided, that all of the conditions precedent in Article VI shall have been fulfilled at the applicable times set forth in Article VI.

 

Section 1.3. Initial Public Announcements and Required Filings. The Company shall, within the time period required under the Exchange Act, file with the Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K describing the material terms of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, including, without limitation, the issuance of the Commitment Shares to the Investor, and attaching as exhibits thereto copies of each of this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and, if applicable, any press release issued by the Company disclosing the execution of this Agreement by the Company (including all exhibits thereto, the “Current Report”). The Company shall provide the Investor a reasonable opportunity to comment on a draft of the Current Report prior to filing the Current Report with the Commission and shall give due consideration to all such comments. From and after the filing of the Current Report with the Commission, the Company shall have publicly disclosed all material, nonpublic information delivered to the Investor (or the Investor’s representatives or agents) by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives (if any) in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Investor covenants that until such time as the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are publicly disclosed by the Company as described in this Section 1.3, the Investor shall maintain the confidentiality of all disclosures made to it in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (including the existence and terms of the transactions), except that the Investor may disclose the terms of such transactions to its financial, accounting, legal and other advisors (provided that the Investor directs such Persons to maintain the confidentiality of such information). The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the applicable Filing Deadline, file with the Commission the Registration Statement covering only the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the Securities Act and the Registration Rights Agreement. At or before 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date of the Initial Prospectus Supplement and any New Registration Statement (or any post-effective amendment thereto), the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act the final Prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Registration Statement (or post-effective amendment thereto).

 

 

Article II
PURCHASE TERMS

 

Subject to the satisfaction or (to the extent permitted by applicable law) waiver of the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the parties agree (unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by the parties in writing) as follows:

 

Section 2.1. Fixed Purchases. Upon the initial satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in set forth in Section 6.2, (the “Commencement” and the date of initial satisfaction of all of such conditions, the “Commencement Date”) and from time to time thereafter, subject to the satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in Section 6.3, and on any business day selected by the Company where the Closing Sale Price on the applicable national market, or quotation service, is equal to or greater than $1.00, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to direct the Investor, by its delivery to the Investor of a Fixed Purchase Notice, to purchase a Fixed Purchase Share Amount, not to exceed the applicable Fixed Purchase Maximum Amount (calculated as of the applicable Fixed Purchase Date), at the applicable Fixed Purchase Price therefor on the applicable Fixed Purchase Date in accordance with this Agreement (each such purchase a “Fixed Purchase”); provided, however, that the Investor’s committed obligation under any single Fixed Purchase shall not exceed the lower of 10,000 shares of Common Stock or $100,000 (provided that all shares of Common Stock in respect of all prior Fixed Purchases, VWAP Purchases and Additional VWAP Purchases shall have been delivered to the Investor). If the Company delivers any Fixed Purchase Notice directing the Investor to purchase a Fixed Purchase Share Amount in excess of the applicable Fixed Purchase Maximum Amount (calculated as of the applicable Fixed Purchase Date), such Fixed Purchase Notice shall be void ab initio to the extent of the amount by which the Fixed Purchase Share Amount set forth in such Fixed Purchase Notice exceeds such applicable Fixed Purchase Maximum Amount, and the Investor shall have no obligation to purchase such excess Shares in respect of such Fixed Purchase Notice; provided, however, that the Investor shall remain obligated to purchase the applicable Fixed Purchase Maximum Amount in such Fixed Purchase. The Company may deliver a Fixed Purchase Notice, in the Form attached hereto as Annex 2.1, to the Investor as often as every Trading Day, so long as (i) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on such Trading Day is not less than $1.00 and (ii) all Shares subject to all prior Fixed Purchase Notices, VWAP Purchase Notices and Additional VWAP Purchase Notices (as applicable) have theretofore been received by the Investor. Since delivery of a Fixed Purchase Notice is made by the Company after market close on the applicable Fixed Purchase Date, the Fixed Purchase Price is determined and fixed at the time the Company delivers the Fixed Purchase to the Investor. At or prior to 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately following the Fixed Purchase Date for each Fixed Purchase, the Investor shall provide to the Company a written confirmation of such Fixed Purchase setting forth the applicable Fixed Purchase Share Amount and Fixed Purchase Price for such Fixed Purchase (each, a “Fixed Purchase Confirmation”).

 

 

Section 2.2. VWAP Purchases. Upon the initial satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in set forth in Section 6.2, on the Commencement Date and from time to time thereafter, and on any business day selected by the Company where the Closing Sale Price on the applicable national market, or quotation service is equal to or greater than $1.00, subject to the satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in Section 6.3, in addition to purchases of Shares as described in Section 2.1, the Company shall also have the right, but not the obligation, to direct the Investor, by its delivery to the Investor of a VWAP Purchase Notice, to purchase the applicable VWAP Purchase Share Amount, not to exceed the applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount, at the applicable VWAP Purchase Price therefor on the applicable VWAP Purchase Date in accordance with this Agreement (each such purchase, a “VWAP Purchase”); provided, however, that the Investor’s aggregate committed obligation under a VWAP Purchase and all Additional VWAP Purchases shall not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate for such VWAP Purchase and all such Additional VWAP Purchases on such VWAP Purchase Date, collectively. The Company may deliver a VWAP Purchase Notice, in the Form attached hereto as Annex 2.2, to the Investor only (i) on a Trading Day on which the Company also properly submitted a Fixed Purchase Notice providing for a Fixed Purchase of an amount of Shares not less than the applicable Fixed Purchase Maximum Amount (calculated as of the applicable Fixed Purchase Date) and (ii) if all Shares subject to all prior Fixed Purchase Notices, VWAP Purchase Notices, and Additional VWAP Purchase Notices (as applicable) have theretofore been received by the Investor. The Investor is obligated to accept each VWAP Purchase Notice prepared and delivered by the Company in accordance with the terms of and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions contained in this Agreement. If the Company delivers any VWAP Purchase Notice directing the Investor to purchase a VWAP Purchase Share Amount in excess of the applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount that the Company is then permitted to include in such VWAP Purchase Notice, such VWAP Purchase Notice shall be void ab initio to the extent of the amount by which the VWAP Purchase Share Amount set forth in such VWAP Purchase Notice exceeds such applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount, and the Investor shall have no obligation to purchase such excess Shares in respect of such VWAP Purchase Notice; provided, however, that the Investor shall remain obligated to purchase the applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount in such VWAP Purchase. At or prior to 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately following the VWAP Purchase Date for each VWAP Purchase, the Investor shall provide to the Company a written confirmation of such VWAP Purchase setting forth the applicable VWAP Purchase Share Amount and VWAP Purchase Price for such VWAP Purchase (each, a “VWAP Purchase Confirmation”).

 

Section 2.3. Additional VWAP Purchases. Upon the initial satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in set forth in Section 6.3 on the Commencement Date and from time to time thereafter, subject to the satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in Section 6.3, in addition to purchases of Shares as described in Section 2.1 and Section 2.2, the Company shall also have the right, but not the obligation, to direct the Investor, by its delivery to the Investor of an Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, to purchase the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount, not to exceed the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount, at the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Price therefor on the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date in accordance with this Agreement (each such purchase, an “Additional VWAP Purchase”); provided, however, that the Investor’s aggregate committed obligation under a VWAP Purchase and all Additional VWAP Purchases on the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date, which Additional VWAP Purchase Date shall be the same Trading Day as the applicable VWAP Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase, shall not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate for such VWAP Purchase and all such Additional VWAP Purchases, collectively. The Company may deliver an Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, in the Form attached hereto as Annex 2.3 to the Investor only (i) on a Trading Day that is also the VWAP Purchase Date for a VWAP Purchase with respect to which the Company properly submitted to the Investor a VWAP Purchase Notice in accordance with this Agreement on the applicable Fixed Purchase Date for a VWAP Purchase of an amount of Shares not less than the applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount (calculated as of the applicable VWAP Purchase Date) and (ii) if all Shares subject to all prior Fixed Purchase Notices, VWAP Purchase Notices, and Additional VWAP Purchase Notices, including, without limitation, all prior VWAP Purchases and Additional VWAP Purchases effected on the same Trading Day as the Additional VWAP Purchase Date on which the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase is to be effected, as applicable, have theretofore been received by the Investor. The Investor is obligated to accept each Additional VWAP Purchase Notice prepared and delivered by the Company in accordance with the terms of and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions contained in this Agreement. If the Company delivers any Additional VWAP Purchase Notice directing the Investor to purchase an Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount in excess of the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount that the Company is then permitted to include in such Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, such Additional VWAP Purchase Notice shall be void ab initio to the extent of the amount by which the Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount set forth in such Additional VWAP Purchase Notice exceeds such applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount, and the Investor shall have no obligation to purchase such excess Shares in respect of such Additional VWAP Purchase Notice; provided, however, that the Investor shall remain obligated to purchase the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount in such Additional VWAP Purchase. At or prior to 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately following the Additional VWAP Purchase Date for each Additional VWAP Purchase, the Investor shall provide to the Company a written confirmation of such Additional VWAP Purchase setting forth the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount and Additional VWAP Purchase Price for such Additional VWAP Purchase (each, an “Additional VWAP Purchase Confirmation” and, each of a Fixed Purchase Confirmation, a VWAP Purchase Confirmation and an Additional VWAP Purchase Confirmation, a “Confirmation”).

 

 

Section 2.4. Compliance with Rules of Trading Market.

 

(a) Share Issuance Restriction. The Company shall not issue or sell any shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement, and the Investor shall not purchase or acquire any shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement, to the extent that after giving effect thereto, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that would be issued pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Commitment Shares, would exceed [ ] (representing 19.99% of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement), which number of shares shall be reduced, on a share-for-share basis, by the number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any transaction or series of transactions that may be aggregated with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under applicable rules of the Trading Market (such maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable by the Company under this Agreement, the “Aggregate Limit”).

 

(b) General. The Company shall not issue or sell any shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement if such issuance or sale would reasonably be expected to result in (A) a violation of the Securities Act or (B) a breach of the rules of the Trading Market. The provisions of this Section 2.4 shall be implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2.4 only if necessary to ensure compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules of the Trading Market.

 

Section 2.5. Beneficial Ownership Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not issue or sell, and the Investor shall not purchase or acquire, any shares of Common Stock under this Agreement which, when aggregated with all other shares of Common Stock then beneficially owned by the Investor and its Affiliates (as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-3 promulgated thereunder), would result in the beneficial ownership by the Investor of more than 4.99% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). Upon the written or oral request of the Investor, the Company shall promptly (but not later than the next business day on which the Transfer Agent is open for business) confirm orally or in writing to the Investor the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the most recent date for which the Transfer Agent has such information. The Investor and the Company shall each cooperate in good faith in the determinations required under this Section 2.5 and the application of this Section 2.5. The Investor’s written certification to the Company of the applicability of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the resulting effect thereof hereunder at any time, shall be conclusive with respect to the applicability thereof and such result absent manifest error. The provisions of this Section 2.5 shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2.5 to the extent necessary to properly give effect to the limitations contained in this Section 2.5.

 

Section 2.6. Commitment Shares. In consideration for the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement on the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver irrevocable instructions to its Transfer Agent to issue to the Investor or its designee(s) the Initial Commitment Shares, in the form of a certificate or book-entry statement, in the name of the Investor or its designee (in which case such designee name shall have been provided to the Company prior to the Closing Date) not later than 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Closing Date, and prior to the delivery of the initial Fixed Purchase Notice. The Commitment Shares, including the Back End Commitment Shares, shall be included in the Registration Statement. Additionally, in further consideration for the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company shall deliver (i) on the ninetieth (90th) calendar day following the Commencement Date, irrevocable instructions to its Transfer Agent to issue to the Investor or its designee(s) the First Back End Commitment Shares, (ii) on the one hundred and eightieth (180th) calendar day following the Commencement Date, irrevocable instructions to its Transfer Agent to issue to the Investor or its designee(s) the Second Back End Commitment Shares, as applicable, in the form of a certificate or book-entry statement, in the name of the Investor or its designee (in which case such designee name shall have been provided to the Company prior to the Closing Date) not later than 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on their respective due date. For the avoidance of doubt, all of the Commitment Shares, including the Back End Commitment Shares, shall be fully earned as of the Closing Date, regardless of whether any Fixed Purchases or VWAP Purchases are effected hereunder and regardless of any subsequent termination of this Agreement.

 

 

Section 2.7 Share Delivery. On the Commencement Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to its Transfer Agent (and thereafter, shall deliver or cause to be delivered to any subsequent transfer agent of the Company), irrevocable instructions executed by the Company and acknowledged in writing by the Company’s Transfer Agent (the “Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions”) directing the Transfer Agent to issue in the Investor’s name in a DRS account or accounts at the Transfer Agent all Shares purchased by Investor, if and when, and in the manner in which, such Shares are purchased in accordance with this Agreement. Upon issuance pursuant to this Agreement, such Shares purchased by Investor in accordance with this Agreement shall constitute “restricted securities” as such term is defined in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act and the certificate or book-entry statement representing such Shares shall bear the restrictive legend under the Securities Act set forth in Section 9.1(iii). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Investor has resold the Securities in a manner described under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Registration Statement and otherwise in compliance with Section 3.13 of this Agreement prior to the delivery by the Investor to the Company of the applicable Confirmation, the Investor shall concurrently with the delivery by the Investor to the Company of such Confirmation (i) send a confirmation to the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of such Securities that have been so resold and the date of such resales (such confirmation, the “Transfer Agent Confirmation”) and (ii) deliver to the Transfer Agent the items set forth in clause (b) of the definition of DWAC Shares with respect to such resold Shares (collectively, the “Transfer Agent Deliverables”). With respect to Securities resold by the Investor as described in the preceding sentence and as to which the Investor has timely delivered the Transfer Agent Deliverables with respect to such resold Securities, such Securities shall be delivered and credited by the Transfer Agent using the Fast Automated Securities Transfer (FAST) Program maintained by DTC (or any similar program hereafter adopted by DTC performing substantially the same function) to the account with DTC of the Investor’s designated Broker-Dealer as specified in the Transfer Agent Deliverables with respect to such resold Securities at the time such Securities would otherwise have been required to be delivered to the Investor in accordance with this Agreement, which Securities (x) shall only be used by the Investor’s Broker-Dealer to deliver such Securities to DTC for the purpose of settling the Investor’s share delivery obligations with respect to the sale of such Shares or Commitment Shares (as applicable), which may include delivery to other accounts of such Broker-Dealer and inclusion in the number of Securities delivered by that Broker-Dealer in “net settling” that Broker-Dealer’s trading of shares of the Company’s Common Stock, including its positions with the Broker-Dealers of the respective persons who purchase such Securities from the Investor, and (y) shall remain “restricted securities” as such term is defined in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act until so delivered. The Company and the Investor acknowledge that, if and when the Investor has (i) resold Commitment Shares or Shares in a manner described under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Registration Statement and otherwise in compliance with Section 3.13 of this Agreement and (ii) timely delivered the Transfer Agent Deliverables with respect to such resold Commitment Shares or Shares (as applicable), the Transfer Agent shall cause such resold Commitment Shares or Shares (as applicable) to be subsequently credited using the Fast Automated Securities Transfer (FAST) Program maintained by DTC (or any similar program hereafter adopted by DTC performing substantially the same function) to the account with DTC of the Investor’s designated Broker-Dealer as specified in the Transfer Agent Deliverables with respect to such resold Commitment Shares or Shares (as applicable), which Commitment Shares or Shares (as applicable) (x) shall only be used by the Investor’s Broker-Dealer to deliver such resold Commitment Shares or Shares (as applicable) to DTC for the purpose of settling the Investor’s share delivery obligations with respect to the sale of such Shares or Commitment Shares (as applicable), which may include delivery to other accounts of such Broker-Dealer and inclusion in the number of Securities delivered by that Broker-Dealer in “net settling” that Broker-Dealer’s trading of shares of the Company’s Common Stock, including its positions with the Broker-Dealers of the respective persons who purchase such Commitment Shares or Shares (as applicable) from the Investor, and (y) shall remain “restricted securities” as such term is defined in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act until so delivered. The Company and the Investor acknowledge that such resold Commitment Shares or Shares (as applicable) credited to the account with DTC of the Investor’s designated Broker-Dealer shall be eligible for transfer to the third-party purchasers of such Commitment Shares or Shares or their respective Broker-Dealers as DWAC Shares.

 

 

Article III
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE INVESTOR

 

The Investor hereby makes the following representations, warranties and covenants to the Company:

 

Section 3.1. Organization and Standing of the Investor. The Investor is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 3.2. Authorization and Power. The Investor has the requisite limited liability company power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and to purchase or acquire the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof. The execution, delivery and performance by the Investor of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action, and no further consent or authorization of the Investor, its Board of Directors or its members is required. Each of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Investor and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Investor enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation, conservatorship, receivership, or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditor’s rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general application (including any limitation of equitable remedies).

 

Section 3.3. No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Investor of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and the consummation by the Investor of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and shall not (i) result in a violation of such Investor’s certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or other applicable organizational instruments, (ii) conflict with, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) under, or give rise to any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any material agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, indenture, note, bond, license, lease agreement, instrument or obligation to which the Investor is a party or is bound, (iii) create or impose any lien, charge or encumbrance on any property of the Investor under any agreement or any commitment to which the Investor is party or under which the Investor is bound or under which any of its properties or assets are bound, or (iv) result in a violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, rule, or regulation, or any order, judgment or decree of any court or governmental agency applicable to the Investor or by which any of its properties or assets are bound or affected, except, in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), for such conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, acceleration, cancellations and violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, prohibit or otherwise interfere with, in any material respect, the ability of the Investor to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. The Investor is not required under any applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, rule or regulation to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement or to purchase or acquire the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof; provided, however, that for purposes of the representation made in this sentence, the Investor is assuming and relying upon the accuracy of the relevant representations and warranties and the compliance with the relevant covenants and agreements of the Company in the Transaction Documents to which it is a party.

 

 

Section 3.4. Investment Purpose. The Investor is acquiring the Securities for its own account, for investment purposes and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof, except pursuant to sales registered under or exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act; provided, however, that by making the representations herein, the Investor does not agree, or make any representation or warranty, to hold any of the Securities for any minimum or other specific term and reserves the right to dispose of the Securities at any time in accordance with, or pursuant to, a registration statement filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or an applicable exemption under the Securities Act. The Investor does not presently have any agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any Person to sell or distribute any of the Securities.

 

Section 3.5. Accredited Investor Status. The Investor is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D.

 

Section 3.6. Reliance on Exemptions. The Investor understands that the Securities are being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of U.S. federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Investor’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Investor set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Investor to acquire the Securities.

 

Section 3.7. Information. All materials relating to the business, financial condition, management and operations of the Company and materials relating to the offer and sale of the Securities which have been requested by the Investor have been furnished or otherwise made available to the Investor or its advisors, including, without limitation, the Commission Documents. The Investor understands that its investment in the Securities involves a high degree of risk. The Investor is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Securities and has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of a proposed investment in the Securities. The Investor and its advisors have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of the Company concerning the financial condition and business of the Company and other matters relating to an investment in the Securities. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by the Investor or its advisors, if any, or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect the Investor’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or in any other Transaction Document to which the Company is a party or the Investor’s right to rely on any other document or instrument executed and/or delivered in connection with this Agreement or the consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, the opinions of the Company’s counsel delivered pursuant to Section 6.2(xv)). The Investor has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to its acquisition of the Securities. The Investor understands that it (and not the Company) shall be responsible for its own tax liabilities that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

 

Section 3.8. No Governmental Review. The Investor understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Securities nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Securities.

 

Section 3.9. No General Solicitation. The Investor is not purchasing or acquiring the Securities as a result of any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities.

 

Section 3.10. Not an Affiliate. The Investor is not an officer, director or an Affiliate of the Company. As of the date of this Agreement, the Investor does not beneficially own any shares of Common Stock or securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock, and during the Restricted Period, Investor will not acquire beneficial ownership of any shares of the Company’s capital stock (including shares of Common Stock or securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock) other than pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or be deemed to prohibit the Investor from purchasing, in an open market transaction or otherwise, shares of Common Stock necessary to make delivery by the Investor in satisfaction of a sale by the Investor of Shares that the Investor anticipated receiving from the Company in connection with the settlement of a Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase or Additional VWAP Purchase, as applicable, if the Company or the Transfer Agent shall have failed for any reason to electronically transfer all of the Shares subject to such Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase or Additional VWAP Purchase, as applicable, to the Investor at or prior to the applicable time required by and otherwise in compliance with Section 2.4 of this Agreement.

 

Section 3.11. No Prior Short Sales. At no time prior to the date of this Agreement has any of the Investor, its agents, representatives or Affiliates engaged in or effected, in any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, any (i) “short sale” (as such term is defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act) of the Common Stock or (ii) hedging transaction, which establishes a net short position with respect to the Common Stock.

 

Section 3.12. Statutory Underwriter Status. The Investor acknowledges that it will be disclosed as an “underwriter” and a “selling stockholder” in the Initial Prospectus Supplement and any New Registration Statement and in any Prospectus contained therein to the extent required by applicable law.

 

 

Section 3.13. Resale of Securities. The Investor represents, warrants and covenants that it will resell the Securities only pursuant to the Registration Statement in which the resale of such Securities is registered under the Securities Act, in a manner described under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in such Registration Statement, or in a manner in compliance with all applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations.

 

Article IV
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

 

Except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to the Investor (which is hereby incorporated by reference in, and constitutes an integral part of, this Agreement) (the “Disclosure Schedule”), the Company hereby makes the following representations, warranties and covenants to the Investor:

 

Section 4.1. Organization, Good Standing and Power. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation nor default of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and no proceeding has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification.

 

Section 4.2. Authorization, Enforcement. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has the requisite corporate or other power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Company, to issue the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. Except for approvals of the Company’s Board of Directors or a committee thereof as may be required in connection with any issuance and sale of Shares to the Investor hereunder (which approvals shall be obtained prior to the delivery of any Fixed Purchase Notice, any VWAP Purchase Notice and any Additional VWAP Purchase Notice), the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action (as applicable) on the part of the Company, and no further consent or authorization of the Company or its Board of Directors or its stockholders, or any other Person is required in order for the Company to execute, deliver and perform its respective obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party. Each of the Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation, conservatorship, receivership or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditor’s rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general application (including any limitation of equitable remedies).

 

 

Section 4.3. Capitalization. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, and, except as otherwise set forth in the Commission Documents, all outstanding shares of capital stock or membership interests of the Subsidiaries are owned by the Company either directly or through wholly owned Subsidiaries and are free and clear of any perfected security interest or any other security interests, claims, liens or encumbrances. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents and this Agreement, there are no agreements or arrangements under which the Company is obligated to register the sale of any securities under the Securities Act. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, no shares of capital stock of the Company are entitled to preemptive rights and there are no outstanding debt securities and no contracts, commitments, understandings, or arrangements by which the Company is or may become bound to issue additional shares of the capital stock of the Company or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for, any shares of capital stock of the Company other than those issued or granted in the ordinary course of business pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive and/or compensatory plans or arrangements. Except for customary transfer restrictions contained in agreements entered into by the Company to sell restricted securities or as set forth in the Commission Documents, the Company is not a party to, and it has no Knowledge of, any agreement restricting the voting or transfer of any shares of the capital stock of the Company. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, there are no securities or instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents or the consummation of the transactions described herein or therein. The Company has made available via EDGAR true and correct copies of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation as in effect on the Commencement Date (the “Charter”), and the Company’s Bylaws as in effect on the Commencement Date (the “Bylaws”).

 

Section 4.4. Issuance of Securities. The Commitment Shares have been, and the Shares to be issued under this Agreement have been, or with respect to Shares to be purchased by the Investor pursuant to a particular Fixed Purchase Notice, a particular VWAP Purchase Notice or a particular Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, will be, prior to the delivery to the Investor hereunder of such Fixed Purchase Notice, VWAP Purchase Notice, Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, respectively, duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. The Commitment Shares, when issued to the Investor in accordance with this Agreement, and the Shares, when issued and sold against payment therefor in accordance with this Agreement, shall be validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all liens, charges, taxes, security interests, encumbrances, rights of first refusal, preemptive or similar rights and other encumbrances with respect to the issue thereof, and the Investor shall be entitled to all rights accorded to a holder of Common Stock. As of the date of this Agreement, [ ] shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and reserved by the Company for issuance and sale by the Company to the Investor as Shares under this Agreement, and [ ] shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and reserved by the Company for issuance by the Company to the Investor as Commitment Shares under this Agreement, collectively representing a number of shares equal to 19.99% of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement.

 

 

Section 4.5. No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and shall not (i) result in a violation of any provision of the Company’s Charter or Bylaws, (ii) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) under, or give rise to any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any material agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, indenture, note, bond, license, lease agreement, instrument or obligation to which the Company or of the Company’s Subsidiaries is a party or is bound, (iii) create or impose a lien, charge or encumbrance on any property or assets of the Company or of the Company’s Subsidiaries under any agreement or any commitment to which the Company or of the Company’s Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or of the Company’s Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of their respective properties or assets is subject, or (iv) result in a violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Company or of the Company’s Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Company or of the Company’s Subsidiaries are bound or affected (including federal and state securities laws and regulations and the rules and regulations of the Trading Market), except, in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), for such conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, acceleration, cancellations, liens, charges, encumbrances and violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement and as required under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, the Company is not required under any federal, state, local or foreign law, rule or regulation to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency (including, without limitation, the Trading Market) in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its respective obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, or to issue the Securities to the Investor in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof (other than such consents, authorizations, orders, filings or registrations as have been obtained or made prior to the Closing Date); provided, however, that, for purposes of the representation made in this sentence, the Company is assuming and relying upon the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Investor in this Agreement and the compliance by it with its covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Section 4.6. Commission Documents, Financial Statements; Disclosure Controls and Procedures; Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting; Accountants.

 

(a) The Company has timely filed (giving effect to permissible extensions in accordance with Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act) all Commission Documents for the twelve months preceding the date of this Agreement required to be filed by it (the “Filed Commission Documents”). The Company has delivered or made available to the Investor via EDGAR or otherwise true and complete copies of the Filed Commission Documents prior to the Closing Date. As of its filing date, each Commission Document complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and other federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations applicable to it, and, as of its filing date (or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the Closing Date, on the date of such amended or superseded filing). Each Registration Statement, on the date it is filed with the Commission, on the date it is declared effective by the Commission, on each Fixed Purchase Date, each VWAP Purchase Date and each Additional VWAP Purchase Date, shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act (including, without limitation, Rule 415 under the Securities Act) and shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, except that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions from such Registration Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Investor furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use therein. The Prospectus and each Prospectus Supplement required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement after the Closing Date, when taken together, on its date, on each Fixed Purchase Date, each VWAP Purchase Date and each Additional VWAP Purchase Date, shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act (including, without limitation, Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act) and shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit 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, except that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Investor furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use therein. Each Commission Document (other than the Initial Prospectus Supplement or any New Registration Statement, or the Prospectus included therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto) to be filed with or furnished to the Commission after the Closing Date and filed as part of or incorporated by reference in the Initial Prospectus Supplement or any New Registration Statement, or the Prospectus included therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement (including, without limitation, the Current Report), when such document is filed with or furnished to the Commission and, if applicable, when such document becomes effective, as the case may be, shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and other federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations applicable to it. There are no outstanding or unresolved comments or undertakings in such comment letters received by the Company from the Commission. The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. To the Company’s Knowledge, the Commission has not commenced any enforcement proceedings against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

 

(b)  The financial statements and schedules of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries to be filed as part of or incorporated by reference in the Initial Prospectus Supplement or any New Registration Statement, or the Prospectus included therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto, present fairly in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods indicated, comply as to form with the applicable accounting requirements of Regulation S-X, and have been prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein). The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Commission Documents, the Initial Prospectus Supplement or any New Registration Statement fairly present the information called for in all material respects and have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto. The statistical and market-related data included or incorporated by reference in the Commission Documents, the Initial Prospectus Supplement or any New Registration Statement are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes, after reasonable inquiry, to be reliable and accurate and, to the extent required, the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such source.

 

(c) The Company and the Subsidiaries have established and maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act). Except as disclosed in Commission Documents, such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries is made known to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer by others within those entities, and such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to perform the functions for which they were established. The Company and the Subsidiaries have established and maintain internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act). Except as disclosed in Commission Documents, such internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (E) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language in the Commission Documents fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and are prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto. The Company’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company have been advised of: (i) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data; and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a role in the Company’s internal controls. Since the date of the most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures, except as disclosed in Commission Documents, there have been (A) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (B) no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies.

 

(d) The Company is in compliance with all provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, which are applicable to it as of the date hereof.

 

(e) The Company’s accountants are set forth in the Commission Documents and, to the Knowledge of the Company, such accountants are an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Securities Act.

 

 

Section 4.7. Subsidiaries. The Filed Commission Documents set forth each subsidiary (each, a “Subsidiary,” and collectively, the “Subsidiaries”), of the Company as of the Commencement Date, other than those that may be omitted pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K, showing its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, and the Company does not have any other Subsidiaries as of the Commencement Date. No Subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such Subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company, except as described or incorporate by reference in, or contemplated by, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, or as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.8. No Material Adverse Effect or Material Adverse Change, No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as otherwise disclosed in any Commission Document, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year: (i) the Company has not experienced or suffered any Material Adverse Effect, and, to the Company’s Knowledge, there exists no current state of facts, condition or event which would have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) there has not occurred any material adverse change, or any development that would reasonably be expected to result in a prospective material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company from that set forth in the Commission Documents, including, without limitation, as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19, or as a result of any measures intended to contain the outbreak of COVID-19 imposed by any federal, state, local or foreign government or government agency in any country or region in which the Company, or any of its agents, consultants, advisors or vendors, has assets or properties or conducts business, including, without limitation, any limitations, curtailments, suspensions or closures of businesses, business offices or establishments, schools, properties and other public areas due to quarantines, curfews, travel restrictions, workplace controls, “stay-at-home” orders, social distancing requirements or guidelines or other public gathering restrictions or limitations; (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, nor entered into any material transaction; (iv) the Company has not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its capital stock other than ordinary and customary dividends; and (v) there has not been any material change in the capital stock, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company.

 

Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities, obligations, claims or losses (whether liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) that would be required to be disclosed on a balance sheet of the Company or any Subsidiary (including the notes thereto) in conformity with GAAP and are not disclosed in the Commission Documents, other than those incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries respective businesses since January 22, 2024 and which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.9. No Undisclosed Events or Circumstances. No event, liability, development or circumstance has occurred or exists, or is reasonably expected to exist or occur with respect to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, properties, liabilities, prospects, operations (including results thereof) or condition (financial or otherwise), that (i) would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, which has not been disclosed or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, or (ii) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

Section 4.10. Indebtedness. The Filed Commission Documents set forth, as of January 22, 2024, all outstanding secured and unsecured Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary, or for which the Company or any Subsidiary has commitments through such date. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Indebtedness” shall mean (a) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $100,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (b) all guaranties, endorsements, indemnities and other contingent obligations in respect of Indebtedness of others in excess of $100,000, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (c) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $100,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP. There is no existing or continuing default or event of default in respect of any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Company has not taken any steps, and does not currently expect to take any steps, to seek protection pursuant to Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar federal or state bankruptcy law or law for the relief of debtors, nor does the Company have any Knowledge that its creditors intend to initiate involuntary bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or liquidation proceedings or other proceedings for relief under Title 11 of the United States Code or any other federal or state bankruptcy law or any law for the relief of debtors. The Company is financially solvent and is generally able to pay its debts as they become due.

 

Section 4.11. Title to Assets. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them which is material to the business of the Company, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company and its Subsidiaries are held by it under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere in any material respect with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case except as described or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus

 

Section 4.12. Actions Pending. Except as disclosed in Commission Documents, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers or directors in their capacities as such, which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.13. Compliance With Laws. During the 12-month period immediately preceding the date hereof, except as described in the Filed Commission Documents, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is and at all times has been in material compliance with all applicable U.S. and foreign statutes, rules, or regulations applicable to Company and its Subsidiaries (“Applicable Laws”), except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

Section 4.14. Certain Fees. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14, no brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company or of the Subsidiaries to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Investor shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees of a type contemplated in this Section 4.14 incurred by the Company or of the Subsidiaries that may be due or payable in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

 

Section 4.15. Operation of Business. The Company and the Subsidiaries possess or have obtained, all licenses, certificates, consents, orders, approvals, permits and other authorizations issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign governmental entity that are necessary for the ownership or lease of their respective properties or the conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted, as described or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (the “Permits”), except where the failure to possess, obtain or make the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received written notice of any proceeding relating to revocation or modification of any such Permit or has any reason to believe that such Permit will not be renewed in the ordinary course, except where the failure to obtain any such renewal would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. This Section 4.15 does not relate to environmental matters, such items being the subject of Section 4.16.

 

Section 4.16. Environmental Compliance. Other than as set forth on Schedule 4.16, to the Knowledge of the Company, the Company and its Subsidiaries are not in violation of any statute, any rule, regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), owns or operates any real property contaminated with any substance that is subject to any Environmental Laws, is liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to any Environmental Laws, or subject to any claim relating to any Environmental Laws, which violation, contamination, liability or claim would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company is not aware of any pending investigation which might lead to such a claim. Other than as set forth or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there is no judgment, decree, injunction, rule, writ or order of any governmental entity under any Environmental Laws outstanding against the Company and its Subsidiaries which would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.17. Material Agreements. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company is a party to any written or oral contract, instrument, agreement commitment, obligation, plan or arrangement (collectively, “Material Agreements”). Each of the Material Agreements described in the Commission Documents conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained or incorporated by reference therein. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have performed in all material respects all the obligations then required to be performed by them under the Material Agreements, have received no notice of default or an event of default by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries thereunder and are not aware of any basis for the assertion thereof, and neither the Company or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other contracting party thereto are in default under any Material Agreement now in effect, the result of which would have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, each of the Material Agreements is in full force and effect, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms against the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each other contracting party thereto, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation, conservatorship, receivership or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditor’s rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general application.

 

 

Section 4.18. Transactions With Affiliates. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, none of the Company’s, officers or directors, or to the Company’s Knowledge, none of the Company’s stockholders or any family member or Affiliate of any of the foregoing, has either directly or indirectly an interest in, or is a party to, any transaction that would be required to be disclosed as a related party transaction pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Section 4.19. Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries own or possess adequate rights or licenses to use all material trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, governmental authorizations, trade secrets and rights necessary to conduct their respective businesses as now conducted, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company’s material trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, government authorizations, trade secrets or other intellectual property rights have expired or terminated, or, by the terms and conditions thereof, will expire or terminate within two years from the date of this Agreement, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has no Knowledge of any infringement by the Company or the Subsidiaries of any material trademark, trade name rights, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, service names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade secret or other similar rights of others, or of any such development of similar or identical trade secrets or technical information by others, and there is no claim, action or proceeding being made or brought against, or to the Company’s Knowledge, being threatened against, the Company or the Subsidiaries regarding trademark, trade name, patents, patent rights, invention, copyright, license, service names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade secret or other infringement, which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.20. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the Company to the Investor shall be used by the Company in the manner as will be set forth in the Prospectus included in any Registration Statement (and any post-effective amendment thereto) and any Prospectus Supplement thereto filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Section 4.21. Investment Company Act Status. The Company is not required to be registered as, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Shares will not be required to be registered as, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

 

Section 4.22. Benefit Plans; Labor Matters. Each benefit and compensation plan, agreement, policy and arrangement that is maintained, administered or contributed to by the Company for current or former employees or directors of, or independent contractors with respect to, the Company has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, and the Company has complied in all material respects with all applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations in regard to such plans, agreements, policies and arrangements. Each stock option granted under any equity incentive plan of the Company (each, a “Stock Plan”) was granted with a per share exercise price no less than the market price per common share on the grant date of such option in accordance with the rules of the Trading Market, and no such grant involved any “back-dating,” “forward-dating” or similar practice with respect to the effective date of such grant; each such option (i) was granted in compliance in all material respects with Applicable Laws and with the applicable Stock Plan(s), (ii) was duly approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, and (iii) has been properly accounted for in the Company’s financial statements and disclosed, to the extent required, in the Company’s filings or submissions with the Commission, and the Trading Market. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of or has received written notice of any violation with respect to any federal or state law, regulation or rule relating to discrimination in the hiring, termination, promotion, employment or pay of employees, nor any applicable federal or state wages and hours law, nor any state law, regulation or rule precluding the denial of credit due to the neighborhood in which a property is situated, the violation of any of which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no existing or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened labor disputes with the employees of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.23. Taxes. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has filed on a timely basis (including in accordance with any applicable extensions) all material necessary federal, state, local and foreign income and franchise tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof or have properly requested extensions thereof, and have paid all taxes shown as due thereon, and if due and payable, any related or similar assessment, fine or penalty levied against the Company or of the Subsidiaries. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, no material tax deficiency has been asserted against any such entity, and the Company has no Knowledge of any tax deficiency that is likely to be asserted against any such entity that, individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely to any such entity, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All material tax liabilities are adequately provided for on the respective books of the Company and the Subsidiaries.

 

Section 4.24. Insurance. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as management of the Company believes to be prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and its Subsidiaries are engaged, including, but not limited to, insurance covering real and personal property owned or leased by the Company and the Subsidiaries against theft, damage, destruction, environmental liabilities, acts of vandalism, terrorism, earthquakes, flood and all other risks customarily insured against, all of which insurance is in full force and effect. Neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for and neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

Section 4.25. Dilutive Effect. The Company is aware and acknowledges that issuance of the Securities could cause dilution to existing stockholders and could significantly increase the outstanding number of shares of Common Stock. The Company further acknowledges that its obligation to issue the Commitment Shares and to issue the Shares pursuant to the terms of a Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase or Additional VWAP Purchase in accordance with this Agreement is, in each case, unconditional regardless of the dilutive effect that such issuance may have on the ownership interests of other stockholders of the Company.

 

Section 4.26. Manipulation of Price. The Company has not, and to its Knowledge no Person acting on its behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or, paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or Affiliates will during the term of this Agreement, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no Person acting on their behalf will during the term of this Agreement, take any of the actions referred to in the immediately preceding sentence.

 

Section 4.27. Securities Act. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has complied and shall comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws in connection with the offer, issuance and sale of the Securities hereunder, including, without limitation, the applicable requirements of the Securities Act. Each Registration Statement, upon filing with the Commission and at the time it is declared effective by the Commission, shall satisfy all of the requirements of the Securities Act to register the resale of the Registrable Securities included therein by the Investor in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement on a delayed or continuous basis under Rule 415 under the Securities Act at then-prevailing market prices, and not fixed prices.

 

Section 4.28. Listing and Maintenance Requirements; DTC Eligibility. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its Knowledge is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Act nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is currently contemplating terminating such registration. Except as disclosed in the Filed Commission Documents, the Company has not, in the twelve (12) months preceding the date hereof, received any written notice from any Person to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of the Trading Market. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, the Company is in compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements of the Trading Market. The Common Stock is eligible for participation in the DTC book entry system and has shares on deposit at DTC for transfer electronically to third parties via DTC through its DWAC delivery system. The Company has not received notice from DTC to the effect that a suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by DTC with respect to the Common Stock is being imposed or is contemplated.

 

 

Section 4.29. Application of Takeover Protections. The Company and its Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Company’s Charter or the laws of the State of Delaware that is or could become applicable to the Investor as a result of the Investor and the Company fulfilling their respective obligations or exercising their respective rights under the Transaction Documents (as applicable), including, without limitation, as a result of the Company’s issuance of the Securities and the Investor’s ownership of the Securities.

 

Section 4.30. Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company or Subsidiary, nor to the Knowledge of the Company, any agent or other Person acting on behalf of the Company, has (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company (or made by any Person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) which is in violation of law, or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the “FCPA”).

 

Section 4.31. Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”); and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

Section 4.32. OFAC. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) is currently subject to any sanctions administered by the U.S. government, including the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, or the United Kingdom (including sanctions administered or controlled by Her Majesty’s Treasury) (collectively, “Sanctions” and such persons, “Sanctioned Persons”) or other relevant sanctions authority, and (ii) will use the proceeds of this offering, directly or indirectly, to fund or facilitate the activities of any Sanctioned Persons or entity or any country, region or territory that is, at the time of such funding or facilitation, subject to Sanctions or any person or entity located in a country, region or territory subject to Sanctions (including any administered or enforced by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, or the United Kingdom (including sanctions administered or controlled by Her Majesty’s Treasury). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, is a Person that is, or is 50% or more owned or otherwise controlled by a Person that is: (i) the subject of any Sanctions; or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country, region or territory that is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions that broadly prohibit dealings with that country, region or territory (including at the time of this agreement, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and Crimea) (collectively, “Sanctioned Countries” and each, a “Sanctioned Country”). The Company and its Subsidiaries have not engaged in any dealings or transactions with or for the benefit of Sanctioned Persons, or with or in a Sanctioned Country, in the preceding 3 years, nor does the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have any plans to deal or transact with Sanctioned Persons, or with or in Sanctioned Countries.

 

 

Section 4.33. Information Technology; Compliance with Data Privacy Laws. To the best of the Company’s Knowledge and as previously disclosed under Commission Documents, (i) there have been no material breaches or violations of (or unauthorized access to) the Company, or the Subsidiaries’ information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications and databases (collectively, the “IT Systems”) or any personal, personally identifiable, sensitive, confidential or regulated data (collectively, “Personal Data”) processed or stored by or on behalf of the Company or the Subsidiaries, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability or the duty to notify any regulator, nor are there any pending internal investigations of the Company or the Subsidiaries relating to the same and (ii) the Company and the Subsidiaries are presently in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws, statutes and regulations and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Personal Data.

 

Section 4.34. No Disqualification Events. None of the Company, any of their predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any director, general partner executive officer, other officer of the Company participating in the offering contemplated hereby, any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting equity securities, calculated on the basis of voting power, nor any promoter (as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) connected with the Company in any capacity at the time of sale (each, an “Issuer Covered Person”) is subject to any of the “Bad Actor” disqualifications described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i) to (viii) under the Securities Act (a “Disqualification Event”), except for a Disqualification Event covered by Rule 506(d)(2) or (d)(3) under the Securities Act. The Company have exercised reasonable care to determine whether any Issuer Covered Person is subject to a Disqualification Event.

 

Section 4.35. ERISA. Except for the Company’s 401(k) plan for participation by the Company’s employees or as set forth or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company is not a party to an “employee benefit plan,” as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), which: (i) is subject to Title IV of ERISA and (ii) is or was at any time maintained, administered or contributed to by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates (as defined hereafter). These plans are referred to collectively herein as the “Employee Plans.” An “ERISA Affiliate” of any person or entity means any other person or entity which, together with that Person or entity, could be treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code. Each Employee Plan has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and the requirements of Applicable Law. Except as set forth or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there is no liability in respect of post-retirement health and medical benefits for retired employees of the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates, other than medical benefits required to be continued under Applicable Law. No “prohibited transaction” (as defined in either Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) has occurred with respect to any Employee Plan; and each Employee Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified, and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which could cause the loss of such qualification.

 

 

Section 4.36. No Other Similar Agreement. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, other than the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the Company is not a party to any agreement that is (or that contains any term, obligation or restriction that is) in effect on the date hereof with any Person, other than the Investor, relating to any “at the market offering,” “equity line of credit” or any other similar continuous offering in which the Company may offer, issue or sell Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at a future determined price.

 

Section 4.37. Acknowledgement Regarding Investor’s Acquisition of Securities. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Investor is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s-length purchaser with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Company further acknowledges that the Investor is not acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and any advice given by the Investor or any of its representatives or agents in connection therewith is merely incidental to the Investor’s acquisition of the Securities. The Company further represents to the Investor that the Company’s decision to enter into the Transaction Documents to which it is a party has been based solely on the independent evaluation of the transactions contemplated thereby by the Company, respectively, and their respective representatives. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Investor has not made and does not make any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents other than those specifically set forth in Article IV.

 

Article V
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

 

The Company covenants with the Investor, and the Investor covenants with the Company, as follows, which covenants of one party are for the benefit of the other party during the Investment Period (and with respect to the Company for the period following the termination of this Agreement specified in Section 8.3 pursuant to and in accordance with Section 8.3):

 

Section 5.1. Securities Compliance. The Company shall notify the Commission and the Trading Market, if and as applicable, in accordance with their respective rules and regulations, of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and shall take all necessary action, undertake all proceedings and obtain all registrations, permits, consents and approvals for the legal and valid issuance of the Securities to the Investor in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents, as applicable.

 

Section 5.2. Reservation of Common Stock. The Company has available and the Company shall reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive and other similar rights of stockholders, [     ] shares of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to enable the Company to timely effect the issuance, sale and delivery of all Shares pursuant to this Agreement. As of the date of this Agreement the Company has reserved, and as of the Commencement Date shall have continued to reserve, out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, [     ] shares of Common Stock solely for the purpose of effecting Fixed Purchases, VWAP Purchases and Additional VWAP Purchases under this Agreement, and [     ] shares of Common Stock solely for the purpose of issuing the Commitment Shares not payable at the Closing. The number of shares of Common Stock so reserved for the purpose of effecting Fixed Purchases, VWAP Purchases and Additional VWAP Purchases under this Agreement may be increased from time to time by the Company from and after the Commencement Date, and such number of reserved shares may be reduced from and after the Commencement Date only by the number of Shares actually issued, sold and delivered to the Investor pursuant to any Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase and Additional VWAP Purchase effected from and after the Commencement Date pursuant to this Agreement.

 

 

Section 5.3. Registration and Listing. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Common Stock to continue to be registered as a class of securities under Sections 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and to comply with its reporting and filing obligations under the Exchange Act, and shall not take any action or file any document (whether or not permitted by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) to terminate or suspend such registration or to terminate or suspend its reporting and filing obligations under the Exchange Act or Securities Act, except as permitted herein. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to continue the listing and trading of its Common Stock and the listing of the Securities purchased by the Investor hereunder on the Trading Market and to comply with the Company’s reporting, filing and other obligations under the rules and regulations of the Trading Market. The Company shall not take any action which could be reasonably expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the Common Stock on the Trading Market. If the Company receives any final and non-appealable notice that the listing or quotation of the Common Stock on the Trading Market shall be terminated on a date certain, the Company shall promptly (and in any case within 24 hours) notify the Investor of such fact in writing and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Common Stock to be listed or quoted on another Eligible Market.

 

Section 5.4. Compliance with Laws.

 

(i) During the Investment Period, (a) the Company shall comply, and the Company shall cause each Subsidiary to comply, with all laws, rules, regulations and orders applicable to the business and operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries, except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and (b) the Company shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including Regulation M thereunder, applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws, and applicable listing rules of the Trading Market or Eligible Market, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, prohibit or otherwise interfere with the ability of the Company to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect or for Investor to conduct resales of Securities under the Registration Statement in any material respect. Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Company, or any of the Subsidiaries, nor to the Knowledge of the Company, any of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees or any other Persons acting on their behalf shall, in connection with the operation of the respective businesses of the Company and the Subsidiaries, (1) use any corporate funds for unlawful contributions, payments, gifts or entertainment or to make any unlawful expenditures relating to political activity to government officials, candidates or members of political parties or organizations, (2) pay, accept or receive any unlawful contributions, payments, expenditures or gifts, or (3) violate or operate in noncompliance with any export restrictions, anti-boycott regulations, embargo regulations or other applicable domestic or foreign laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the FCPA and the Money Laundering Laws.

 

(ii) The Investor shall comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders applicable to the performance by it of its obligations under this Agreement and its investment in the Securities, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, prohibit or otherwise interfere with the ability of the Investor to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect. Without limiting the foregoing, the Investor shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including Regulation M thereunder, and all applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws.

 

 

Section 5.5. Keeping of Records and Books of Account; Due Diligence.

 

(i) The Investor and the Company shall each maintain records showing the remaining the remaining Total Purchase Commitment, the remaining Aggregate Limit and the dates and Fixed Purchase Share Amount, VWAP Purchase Share Amount and Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount for each Fixed Purchase, each VWAP Purchase and each Additional VWAP Purchase, respectively.

 

(ii) The Investor shall have the right, from time to time as the Investor may reasonably deem appropriate, and upon reasonable advance notice to the Company, to perform reasonable due diligence on the Company during normal business hours; provided, however, that after the Closing Date, the Investor’s continued due diligence of the Company shall not be a condition precedent to, or otherwise impair, delay or modify in any respect, the Company’s right to deliver to the Investor any Fixed Purchase Notice, any VWAP Purchase Notice and any Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, or the Investor’s obligation to purchase the Shares subject thereto, pursuant to this Agreement. The Company and its officers and employees shall provide information on a reasonably timely basis and otherwise reasonably cooperate with the Investor in connection with any reasonable request by the Investor related to the Investor’s due diligence of the Company. 

 

Section 5.6. No Frustration; Prohibition of Certain Issuances Before Settlement of Purchases; No Similar Transactions.

 

(i) No Frustration. The Company shall not enter into, announce or recommend to the Company’s stockholders any agreement, plan, arrangement or transaction in or of which the terms thereof would restrict, materially delay, conflict with or impair the ability or right of the Company to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, including, without limitation, the obligation of the Company to deliver (i) the Commitment Shares, not including the Back End Commitment Shares, to the Investor not later than 4:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Trading Day immediately following the Closing Date in accordance with Section 9.1(ii) of this Agreement, (ii) the Shares to the Investor in respect of a Fixed Purchase not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately following the applicable Fixed Purchase Date for such Fixed Purchase in accordance with Section 2.1 of this Agreement, (iii) the Shares to the Investor in respect of a VWAP Purchase not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately following the applicable VWAP Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase in accordance with Section 2.2 of this Agreement, (iv) Shares to the Investor in respect of an Additional VWAP Purchase not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately following the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date for such Additional VWAP Purchase in accordance with Section 2.3 of this Agreement and (v) the Back End Commitment Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 5.6(i) shall in any way limit the Company’s right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 7.2 (subject in all cases to Section 7.3).

 

 

(ii) No Dilutive Issuances During Reference Periods. Neither the Company nor or any Subsidiary shall issue, sell or grant any right, option or warrant to purchase, or issue, sell or grant any right to reprice (or reset the purchase price therefor), or otherwise dispose of for cash (or enter into any agreement, plan or arrangement contemplating any of the foregoing, or seek to utilize any existing agreement, plan or arrangement to effect any of the foregoing), or announce any offer, issuance, sale or grant of any option or warrant to purchase or other disposition for cash (or any agreement, plan or arrangement therefor), at any time during the following periods: (i) with respect to each Fixed Purchase for which the Company has delivered to the Investor a Fixed Purchase Notice, the period beginning on the third (3^rd) Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable Fixed Purchase Date for such Fixed Purchase and ending on the third (3^rd) Trading Day next following the Trading Day on which the Investor has delivered to the Company the applicable total purchase price for all of the Shares to be purchased by the Investor in such Fixed Purchase pursuant to Section 2.1, and (ii) with respect to each VWAP Purchase and Additional VWAP Purchase under this Agreement for which the Company has delivered to the Investor a VWAP Purchase Notice and (if applicable) an Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, respectively, the period beginning on the third (3^rd) Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable VWAP Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase (and, with respect to each Additional VWAP Purchase effected on the same Trading Day as such VWAP Purchase Date, the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date, if any, for such Additional VWAP Purchase) and ending on the third (3^rd) Trading Day next following the Trading Day on which the Investor has delivered to the Company the applicable total purchase price for all of the Shares to be purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase, and the applicable total purchase price of all of the Shares to be purchased by the Investor in such Additional VWAP Purchase(s), as applicable, pursuant to Section 2.2 and Section 2.3 (each such period referred to in clause (i) and (ii) above, a “Reference Period”), any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, at an effective price per share of Common Stock less than the applicable Fixed Purchase Price, VWAP Purchase Price or Additional VWAP Purchase Price (as applicable) per Share (such price, the “Reference Price”) to be sold to the Investor in the applicable Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase and Additional VWAP Purchase (as applicable) to which such Reference Period relates (each such issuance, a “Dilutive Issuance”), other than an Exempt Issuance (it being understood and agreed that if the holder of the Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share of Common Stock that is less than the applicable Reference Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the applicable Reference Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance at such effective price) and the applicable Fixed Purchase Price, VWAP Purchase Price or Additional VWAP Purchase Price (as applicable) shall be reduced to equal the Reference Price. If the Company enters into a Variable Rate Transaction, the Company shall be deemed to have issued Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at the lowest possible conversion or exercise price at which such securities may be converted or exercised. The Investor shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief against the Company and the Subsidiaries to preclude any such Dilutive Issuance that does not constitute an Exempt Issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.

 

(iii) Clearing Date. If the lowest trade price for the Common Stock on the Clearing Date is lower than that at the time any Shares pursuant to a Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase, or Additional VWAP Purchase are actually issued, then the price per share at which such Shares are issued shall be adjusted such that the price per share at which such Shares are issued shall be calculated from the closing trade price on the Clearing Date, and the Company shall issue additional Shares to Investor to reflect such adjusted price per Share. For purposes of this Agreement, “Clearing Date” shall be on the date on which any Shares pursuant to a Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase, or Additional VWAP Purchase are deposited into Investor’s brokerage account and Investor’s broker has confirmed with Investor that the Investor may execute trades of such Shares.

 

 

(iv) No Other Similar Transactions. From and after the date of this Agreement until the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7 (the “Similar Transaction Restricted Period”), none of the Company or any Subsidiary shall issue, sell or grant any, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or enter into any agreement, plan or arrangement contemplating any of the foregoing, or seek to utilize any existing agreement, plan or arrangement to effect any of the foregoing), or announce any offer, issuance, sale or grant or other disposition or issuance of (or any agreement, plan or arrangement therefor) any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) in any “equity line of credit,” “at the market offering” or other similar continuous offering in which the Company may offer, issue or sell Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or any combination of units thereof) at a future determined price, other than (a) Securities issued to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement and any of the other Transaction Documents or pursuant to any other agreement entered into by the Company and the Investor at any time after the date of this Agreement, and (b) any securities of the Company issued upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents held by the Investor at any time (such similar transaction other than those referred to clauses (a) and (b) hereof, a “Similar Transaction”). From and after the date immediately following the last day of the Similar Transaction Restricted Period, the Company and/or any Subsidiary shall be permitted to enter into an agreement, plan or arrangement to effect a Similar Transaction (and may publicly announce the same), and the Company and/or any Subsidiary shall be permitted to take all such actions necessary or as contemplated thereby in order to satisfy any conditions required thereunder to be satisfied by the Company and/or any Subsidiary in order to commence issuances and sales of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) thereunder, including, without limitation, preparing and filing with the Commission one or more registration statements to register under the Securities Act the offer, issuance and sale by the Company of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) thereunder, or to register the resale by any Person or Persons of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) that may be issued or sold by the Company and/or any Subsidiary to such Person or Persons thereunder; provided, however, that none of the Company or Subsidiary may issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) to or through any Person or Persons thereunder prior to the date of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7. The Investor shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief against the Company and the Subsidiaries to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.

 

Section 5.7. Corporate Existence. The Company shall take all steps necessary to preserve and continue the corporate existence of the Company; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 5.8, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the Company from engaging in any Fundamental Transaction with another Person. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 5.7 shall in any way limit the Company’s right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 7.2 (subject in all cases to Section 7.3).

 

 

Section 5.8. Fundamental Transaction. If a Fixed Purchase Notice, a VWAP Purchase Notice or an Additional VWAP Purchase Notice has been delivered by the Company to the Investor under Article II and the applicable Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase and Additional VWAP Purchase, respectively, has or have not yet been fully settled in accordance with this Agreement (including, without limitation, the delivery by the Investor to the Company of the applicable total purchase price for all of the Shares to be purchased by the Investor in such Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase and Additional VWAP Purchase, respectively, as contemplated by Article II), the Company shall not effect any Fundamental Transaction until the expiration of three (3) Trading Days following the Trading Day on which the Investor has delivered to the Company the applicable total purchase price for all of the Shares to be purchased by the Investor in such Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase and Additional VWAP Purchase, respectively.

 

Section 5.9. Selling Restrictions.

 

(i) Except as expressly set forth below, the Investor covenants that from and after the Closing Date through and including the Trading Day next following the expiration or termination of this Agreement (the “Restricted Period”), neither the Investor nor any of its Affiliates nor any entity managed or controlled by the Investor (collectively, the “Restricted Persons” and each of the foregoing is referred to herein as a “Restricted Person”) shall, directly or indirectly, (x) engage in any Short Sales involving the Company’s securities or (y) grant any option to purchase, or acquire any right to dispose of or otherwise dispose for value of, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any shares of Common Stock, or enter into any swap, hedge or other similar agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic risk of ownership of the Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is expressly understood and agreed that nothing contained herein shall (without implication that the contrary would otherwise be true) prohibit any Restricted Person during the Restricted Period from: (1) selling “long” (as defined under Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO) the Securities; or (2) selling a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Shares that such Restricted Person is or may be obligated to purchase under a pending Fixed Purchase Notice, a pending VWAP Purchase Notice or a pending Additional VWAP Purchase Notice but has not yet taken possession of so long as such Restricted Person (or the Broker-Dealer, as applicable) delivers the Shares purchased pursuant to such Fixed Purchase Notice, such VWAP Purchase Notice or such Additional VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable) to the purchaser thereof or the applicable Broker-Dealer upon such Restricted Person’s receipt of such shares of Common Stock from the Company pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(ii) In addition to the foregoing, in connection with any sale of Securities (including any sale permitted by paragraph (i) above), the Investor shall comply in all respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders, including, without limitation, the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

 

 

Section 5.10. Effective Registration Statement. During the Investment Period, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the continuous effectiveness of the Initial Prospectus Supplement and each New Registration Statement filed with the Commission under the Securities Act for the applicable Registration Period pursuant to and in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Section 5.11. Blue Sky. The Company shall take such action, if any, as is necessary by the Company in order to obtain an exemption for or to qualify the Securities for sale by the Company to the Investor pursuant to the Transaction Documents, and at the request of the Investor, the subsequent resale of Registrable Securities by the Investor, in each case, under applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws and shall provide evidence of any such action so taken to the Investor from time to time following the Closing Date; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 5.11, (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction.

 

Section 5.12. Non-Public Information. None of the Company or of the Subsidiaries, nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents shall disclose any material non-public information about the Company or the Subsidiaries to the Investor, unless a simultaneous public announcement thereof is made by the Company in the manner contemplated by Regulation FD. In the event of a breach of the foregoing covenant by the Company or of the Subsidiaries, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees and agents (as determined in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Investor), (i) the Investor shall promptly provide written notice of such breach to the Company and (ii) after such notice has been provided to the Company and, provided that the Company shall have failed to publicly disclose such material, non-public information within 24 hours following demand therefor by the Investor, in addition to any other remedy provided herein or in the other Transaction Documents, the Investor shall have the right to make a public disclosure, in the form of a press release, public advertisement or otherwise, of such material, non-public information without the prior approval by the Company, any of the Subsidiaries, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents. The Investor shall not have any liability to the Company, any of the Subsidiaries, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders or agents, for any such disclosure.

 

 

Section 5.13. Broker/Dealer. The Investor shall use one or more broker-dealers to effectuate all sales, if any, of the Shares that it may purchase or otherwise acquire from the Company pursuant to the Transaction Documents, as applicable, which (or whom) shall be unaffiliated with the Investor and not then currently engaged or used by the Company, and a DTC participant (collectively, the “Broker-Dealer”). The Investor shall, from time to time, provide the Company and the Transfer Agent with all information regarding the Broker-Dealer reasonably requested by the Company. The Investor shall be solely responsible for all fees and commissions of the Broker-Dealer, which shall not exceed customary brokerage fees and commissions and shall be responsible for designating only a DTC participant eligible to receive DWAC Shares.

 

Section 5.14. Disclosure Schedules.

 

(i) The Company may, from time to time, update the Disclosure Schedules as may be required to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 6.2(i) and Section 6.3 (to the extent such condition set forth in Section 6.3 relates to the condition in Section 6.2(i) as of a specific Notice Delivery Time). For purposes of this Section 5.14, any disclosure made in a schedule to the Compliance Certificate shall be deemed to be an update of the Disclosure Schedule. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no update to the Disclosure Schedule pursuant to this Section 5.14 shall cure any breach of a representation or warranty of the Company contained in this Agreement and made prior to the update and shall not affect any of the Investor’s rights or remedies with respect thereto.

 

(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Disclosure Schedule or in this Agreement, the information and disclosure contained in any Schedule of the Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to be disclosed and incorporated by reference in any other Schedule of the Disclosure Schedule as though fully set forth in such Schedule for which applicability of such information and disclosure is reasonably apparent. The fact that any item of information is disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule shall not be construed to mean that such information is required to be disclosed by this Agreement. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, such information and the thresholds (whether based on quantity, qualitative characterization, dollar amounts or otherwise) set forth herein shall not be used as a basis for interpreting the terms “material” or “Material Adverse Effect” or other similar terms in this Agreement.

 

 

Section 5.15. Delivery of Bring Down Opinions and Compliance Certificates Upon Occurrence of Certain Events. Within three (3) Trading Days immediately following the (i) filing of (A) a post-effective amendment to the Initial Prospectus Supplement required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, (B) a New Registration Statement required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Registration Rights Agreement, or (C) a post-effective amendment to a New Registration Statement required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Registration Rights Agreement, in each case with respect to a fiscal year ending after the Commencement Date, to register the resale of Securities by the Investor under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, and (ii) the date the Company files with the Commission (A) a Prospectus Supplement to the Prospectus contained in the Initial Prospectus Supplement or any New Registration Statement under the Securities Act, (B) an annual report on Form 10-K under the Exchange Act with respect to a fiscal year ending after the Commencement Date, (C) an amendment on Form 10-K/A to an annual report on Form 10-K under the Exchange Act with respect to a fiscal year ending after the Commencement Date, which contains amended material financial information (or a restatement of material financial information) or an amendment to other material information contained in a previously filed Form 10-K, and (D) a Commission Document under the Exchange Act (other than those referred to in clauses (ii)(A) and (ii)(B) of this Section 5.15), which contains amended material financial information (or a restatement of material financial information) or an amendment to other material information contained or incorporated by reference in the Initial Prospectus Supplement, any New Registration Statement, or the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement contained in the Initial Prospectus Supplement or any New Registration Statement (it being hereby acknowledged and agreed that the filing by the Company with the Commission of a quarterly report on Form 10-Q that includes only updated financial information as of the end of the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter shall not, in and of itself, constitute an “amendment” or “restatement” for purposes of clause (ii) of this Section 5.15), in each case of this clause (ii) if the Company is not also then required under the Securities Act to file a post-effective amendment to the Initial Prospectus Supplement, any New Registration Statement or a post-effective amendment to any New Registration Statement, in each case with respect to a fiscal year ending after the Commencement Date, to register the resale of Securities by the Investor under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, and in any case of this clause (ii), not more than once per calendar quarter, the Company shall (I) deliver to the Investor a Compliance Certificate, dated such date, and (II) cause to be furnished to the Investor an opinion “bring down” from outside counsel to the Company substantially in the form mutually agreed to by the Company and the Investor prior to the date of this Agreement, modified, as necessary, to relate to such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment, or the Prospectus contained therein as then amended or supplemented by such Prospectus Supplement, as applicable (each such opinion, a “Bring Down Opinion”).

 

Section 5.16. DTC Chill. If the Common Stock is chilled for deposit at DTC, becomes chilled, or receives a Stop Sign or other trading restrictions at any point while this Agreement remains outstanding, an additional 10% discount will be attributed to the price per Share at which each Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase and Additional VWAP Purchase is made and the Investor shall be entitled to deduct from such payment for the Shares an amount equal to $1,500 for each Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase and Additional VWAP Purchase to cover costs associated with the deposit of chilled or otherwise trade restricted stocks for each issuance.

 

 

Article VI
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING AND CONDITIONS TO THE SALE AND
PURCHASE OF THE SHARES

 

Section 6.1. Conditions Precedent to Closing. The Closing is subject to the satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in this Section 6.1 on the Closing Date.

 

(i) Accuracy of the Investor’s Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Investor contained in this Agreement (a) that are not qualified by “materiality” shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such other date and (b) that are qualified by “materiality” shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such other date.

 

(ii) Accuracy of the Company’s Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement (a) that are not qualified by “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such other date and (b) that are qualified by “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such other date.

 

(iii) Issuance of Commitment Shares. On the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver irrevocable instructions to the Transfer Agent to issue to the Investor, not later than 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Closing Date, a certificate or book-entry statement representing the Initial Commitment Shares in the name of the Investor or its designee (in which case such designee name shall have been provided to the Company prior to the Closing Date), in consideration for the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement. Such certificate or book-entry statement shall be delivered to the Investor by overnight courier at its address set forth in Section 9.4 hereof. On the ninetieth (90) calendar day following the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver irrevocable instructions to the Transfer Agent to issue to the Investor, not later than 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such date, a certificate or book-entry statement representing the First Back End Commitment Shares in the name of the Investor or its designee (in which case such designee name shall have been provided to the Company prior to the Closing Date). On the one hundred and eightieth (180) calendar day following the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver irrevocable instructions to the Transfer Agent to issue to the Investor, not later than 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such date, a certificate or book-entry statement representing the Second Back End Commitment Shares in the name of the Investor or its designee (in which case such designee name shall have been provided to the Company prior to the Closing Date). For the avoidance of doubt, all of the Commitment Shares shall be fully earned as of the Closing Date regardless of whether any Fixed Purchases, VWAP Purchases or Additional VWAP Purchases are made hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement.

 

(iv) Closing Deliverables. At the Closing, counterpart signature pages of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement executed by each of the parties hereto shall be delivered as provided in Section 1.2. Simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, the Investor’s counsel shall have received (a) the closing certificate from the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit B hereto, and (b) a copy of the irrevocable instructions to the Transfer Agent regarding the issuance to the Investor or its designee of the certificate(s) or book-entry statement(s) representing the Commitment Shares, not including the Back End Commitment Shares, pursuant to and in accordance with Section 9.1(ii) hereof.

 

 

Section 6.2. Conditions Precedent to Commencement. The right of the Company to commence delivering Fixed Purchase Notices, VWAP Purchase Notices and Additional VWAP Purchase Notices under this Agreement, and the obligation of the Investor to accept Fixed Purchase Notices, VWAP Purchase Notices and Additional VWAP Purchase Notices delivered to the Investor by the Company under this Agreement, are subject to the initial satisfaction, at the time of Commencement, of each of the conditions set forth in this Section 6.2.

 

(i) Accuracy of the Company’s Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement (a) that are not qualified by “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall have been true and correct in all material respects when made and shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Commencement Date with the same force and effect as if made on such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such other date and (b) that are qualified by “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall have been true and correct when made and shall be true and correct as of the Commencement Date with the same force and effect as if made on such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such other date.

 

(ii) Performance of the Company. The Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to the Commencement. The Company shall deliver to the Investor on the Commencement Date the compliance certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Compliance Certificate”).

 

(iii) No Material Notices. None of the following events shall have occurred and be continuing: (a) receipt of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for any additional information relating to the Initial Prospectus Supplement, or the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto, or for any amendment of or supplement to the Initial Prospectus Supplement, the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto; (b) the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Prospectus Supplement or prohibiting or suspending the use of the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto, or of the suspension of qualification or exemption from qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or contemplated initiation of any proceeding for such purpose; or (c) the occurrence of any event or the existence of any condition or state of facts, which makes any statement of a material fact made in the Initial Prospectus Supplement, the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto untrue or which requires the making of any additions to or changes to the statements then made in the Initial Prospectus Supplement, the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto in order to state a material fact required by the Securities Act to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements then made therein (in the case of the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or which requires an amendment to the Initial Prospectus Supplement or a supplement to the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto to comply with the Securities Act or any other law. The Company shall not have any Knowledge of any event that would reasonably be expected to have the effect of causing the suspension of the effectiveness of the Initial Prospectus Supplement or the prohibition or suspension of the use of the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto in connection with the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor.

 

 

(iv) Other Commission Filings. The Current Report shall have been filed with the Commission as required pursuant to Section 1.3. The final Prospectus included in any post-effective amendment to the Initial Prospectus Supplement, and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 1.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable Fixed Purchase Date and the applicable VWAP Purchase Date and Additional VWAP Purchase Date (as applicable), shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Section 1.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement. The final Prospectus included in any New Registration Statement and in any post-effective amendment thereto, and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 1.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable Fixed Purchase Date and the applicable VWAP Purchase Date and Additional VWAP Purchase Date (as applicable), shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Section 1.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement. All reports, schedules, registrations, forms, statements, information and other documents required to have been filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, including all material required to have been filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable Fixed Purchase Date and the applicable VWAP Purchase Date and Additional VWAP Purchase Date (as applicable), shall have been filed with the Commission and, if any Registrable Securities are covered by a Registration Statement on Form S-3, such filings shall have been made within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing under the Exchange Act.

 

(v) No Suspension of Trading in or Notice of Delisting of Common Stock. Trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission, the Trading Market or the FINRA (except for any suspension of trading of limited duration agreed to by the Company, which suspension shall be terminated prior to the Commencement Date), the Company shall not have received any final and non-appealable notice that the listing or quotation of the Common Stock on the Trading Market shall be terminated on a date certain (unless, prior to such date certain, the Common Stock is listed or quoted on any other Eligible Market), nor shall there have been imposed any suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by DTC with respect to the Common Stock that is continuing, the Company shall not have received any notice from DTC to the effect that a suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by DTC with respect to the Common Stock is being imposed or is contemplated (unless, prior to such suspension or restriction, DTC shall have notified the Company in writing that DTC has determined not to impose any such suspension or restriction).

 

(vi) Compliance with Laws. The Company shall have complied in all material respects with all applicable federal, state and local governmental laws, rules, regulations and ordinances in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the Company shall have obtained all permits and qualifications required by any applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws for the offer and sale of the Securities by the Company to the Investor and the subsequent resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor (or shall have the availability of exemptions therefrom).

 

 

(vii) No Injunction. No statute, regulation, order, decree, writ, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated, threatened or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction which prohibits the consummation of, or which would materially modify or delay any of the transactions contemplated by, the Transaction Documents.

 

(viii) No Proceedings or Litigation. No action, suit or proceeding before any arbitrator or any court or governmental authority shall have been commenced, and no inquiry or investigation by any governmental authority shall have been commenced, against the Company or any Subsidiary, or any of the officers, directors or Affiliates of the Company or any Subsidiary, seeking to restrain, prevent or change the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, or seeking material damages in connection with such transactions.

 

(ix) Listing of Securities. All of the Securities that have been and may be issued pursuant to this Agreement shall have been approved for listing or quotation on the Trading Market as of the Commencement Date, subject only to notice of issuance.

 

(x) No Material Adverse Effect. No condition, occurrence, state of facts or event constituting a Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(xi) No Bankruptcy Proceedings. No Person shall have commenced a proceeding against the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law. The Company shall not have, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, (a) commenced a voluntary case, (b) consented to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (c) consented to the appointment of a Custodian of the Company for all or substantially all of the Company’s property, or (d) made a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors. A court of competent jurisdiction shall not have entered an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (I) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (II) appoints a Custodian of the Company for all or substantially all of the Company’s property, or (III) orders the liquidation of the Company or of the Subsidiaries.

 

(xii) Commitment Shares Issued. The Company shall have caused the Transfer Agent to credit the Investor or its designee the Initial Commitment Shares in the form of a certificate or book-entry statement, in the name of the Investor or its designee.

 

(xiii) Delivery of Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions and Notice of Effectiveness. The Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions shall have been executed by the Company and delivered to acknowledged in writing by the Transfer Agent, and the Notice of Effectiveness relating to the Initial Prospectus Supplement shall have been executed by the Company’s outside counsel and delivered to the Transfer Agent.

 

(xiv) Reservation of Shares. As of the Commencement Date, the Company shall have reserved out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, ____________ shares of Common Stock solely for the purpose of effecting Fixed Purchases, VWAP Purchases, and Additional VWAP Purchases, and Back End Commitment Shares under this Agreement.

 

(xv) Opinions of Company Counsel. On the Commencement Date, the Investor shall have received the opinion and negative assurances from outside counsel to the Company, dated the Commencement Date, in the forms mutually agreed to by the Company and the Investor prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

 

Section 6.3. Conditions Precedent to Purchases by Investor. The right of the Company to deliver Fixed Purchase Notices, VWAP Purchase Notices and Additional VWAP Purchase Notices under this Agreement after the Commencement Date, and the obligation of the Investor to accept Fixed Purchase Notices, VWAP Purchase Notices and Additional VWAP Purchase Notices under this Agreement after the Commencement Date, are subject to the satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in this Section 6.3: (i) with respect to each Fixed Purchase after the Commencement Date, at the time of delivery of the applicable Fixed Purchase Notice to the Investor on the applicable Fixed Purchase Date for such Fixed Purchase, (ii) with respect to each VWAP Purchase after the Commencement Date, (A) at the time of delivery of the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice to the Investor and (B) immediately prior to the applicable VWAP Purchase Commencement Time on the applicable VWAP Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase, and (iii) with respect to each Additional VWAP Purchase after the Commencement Date, (A) at the time of delivery of the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Notice to the Investor and (B) immediately prior to the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Commencement Time on the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date for such Additional VWAP Purchase (each such time referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) hereof, a “Notice Delivery Time”).

 

(i) Satisfaction of Certain Prior Conditions. Each of the conditions set forth in subsections (i), (ii), and (vii) through (xv) set forth in Section 6.2 shall be satisfied at the applicable Notice Delivery Time after the Commencement Date (with the terms “Commencement” and “Commencement Date” in the conditions set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) of Section 6.2 replaced with “applicable Notice Delivery Time”); provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to deliver the Compliance Certificate after the Commencement Date, except as provided in Section 5.1 and Section 6.2(ii).

 

(ii) Any Required New Registration Statement Effective. Any New Registration Statement covering the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities, included therein, and any post-effective amendment thereto, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable Fixed Purchase Date, the applicable VWAP Purchase Date and the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date (as applicable), in each case shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act by the Commission and shall remain effective for the applicable Registration Period, and the Investor shall be permitted to utilize the Prospectus therein, and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, to resell (a) all of the then-issued Commitment Shares (if any) included in such New Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto, (b) all of the Shares included in such New Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto, that have been issued and sold to the Investor hereunder pursuant to all Fixed Purchase Notices, all VWAP Purchase Notices and all Additional VWAP Purchase Notices (as applicable) delivered by the Company to the Investor prior to such applicable Fixed Purchase Date, such applicable VWAP Purchase Date, and such applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date, respectively, and (c) all of the Shares included in such New Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto, that are issuable pursuant to the applicable Fixed Purchase Notice, the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice, and the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable) delivered by the Company to the Investor with respect to a Fixed Purchase, a VWAP Purchase, and an Additional VWAP Purchase, respectively, to be effected hereunder on such applicable Fixed Purchase Date, such applicable VWAP Purchase Date, and such Additional VWAP Purchase Date, respectively.

 

 

(iii) Delivery of Subsequent Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions and Notice of Effectiveness. With respect to any post-effective amendment to the Initial Prospectus Supplement, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment to any New Registration Statement, in each case declared effective by the Commission after the Commencement Date, the Company shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to the Transfer Agent (a) irrevocable instructions in the form substantially similar to the Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions executed by the Company and acknowledged in writing by the Transfer Agent and (b) the Notice of Effectiveness, in each case modified as necessary to refer to such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment and the Registrable Securities included therein, to issue the Registrable Securities included therein as DWAC Shares in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

(iv) No Material Notices. None of the following events shall have occurred and be continuing: (a) receipt of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for any additional information relating to the Initial Prospectus Supplement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto, or for any amendment of or supplement to the Initial Prospectus Supplement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto; (b) the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Prospectus Supplement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or prohibiting or suspending the use of the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto, or of the suspension of qualification or exemption from qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or contemplated initiation of any proceeding for such purpose; or (c) the occurrence of any event or the existence of any condition or state of facts, which makes any statement of a material fact made in the Initial Prospectus Supplement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto untrue or which requires the making of any additions to or changes to the statements then made in the Initial Prospectus Supplement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto in order to state a material fact required by the Securities Act to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements then made therein (in the case of the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or which requires an amendment to the Initial Prospectus Supplement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto to comply with the Securities Act or any other law (other than the transactions contemplated by the applicable Fixed Purchase Notice, the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice, and the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable) delivered by the Company to the Investor with respect to a Fixed Purchase, a VWAP Purchase, and an Additional VWAP Purchase, respectively, to be effected hereunder on such applicable Fixed Purchase Date, such applicable VWAP Purchase Date, and such applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date, respectively, and the settlement thereof). The Company shall not have any Knowledge of any event that would reasonably be expected to have the effect of causing the suspension of the effectiveness of the Initial Prospectus Supplement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the prohibition or suspension of the use of the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto in connection with the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor.

 

 

(v) Other Commission Filings. The final Prospectus included in any post-effective amendment to the Initial Prospectus Supplement, and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 1.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable Fixed Purchase Date and the applicable VWAP Purchase Date and Additional VWAP Purchase Date (as applicable), shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Section 1.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement. The final Prospectus included in any New Registration Statement and in any post-effective amendment thereto, and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 1.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable Fixed Purchase Date and the applicable VWAP Purchase Date and Additional VWAP Purchase Date (as applicable), shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Section 1.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement. All reports, schedules, registrations, forms, statements, information and other documents required to have been filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, including all material required to have been filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable Fixed Purchase Date and the applicable VWAP Purchase Date and Additional VWAP Purchase Date (as applicable), shall have been filed with the Commission and, if any Registrable Securities are covered by a Registration Statement on Form S-3, such filings shall have been made within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing under the Exchange Act.

 

(vi) No Suspension of Trading in or Notice of Delisting of Common Stock. Trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission, the Trading Market or FINRA (except for any suspension of trading of limited duration agreed to by the Company, which suspension shall be terminated prior to the applicable Fixed Purchase Date, VWAP Purchase Date or Additional VWAP Purchase Date, as applicable), the Company shall not have received any final and non-appealable notice that the listing or quotation of the Common Stock on the Trading Market shall be terminated on a date certain (unless, prior to such date certain, the Common Stock is listed or quoted on any other Eligible Market), nor shall there have been imposed any suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by DTC with respect to the Common Stock that is continuing, the Company shall not have received any notice from DTC to the effect that a suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by DTC with respect to the Common Stock is being imposed or is contemplated (unless, prior to such suspension or restriction, DTC shall have notified the Company in writing that DTC has determined not to impose any such suspension or restriction).

 

(vii) Certain Limitations. The issuance and sale of the Shares issuable pursuant to the applicable Fixed Purchase Notice, applicable VWAP Purchase Notice, and applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable) shall not (a) exceed the applicable Fixed Purchase Maximum Amount, the applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount and the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount, respectively, or (b) cause the Aggregate Limit or the Beneficial Ownership Limitation to be exceeded. To the extent the issuance of any Commitment Shares would result in the Investor exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Company shall pay Investor, on the date such Commitment Shares are issuable, an amount in cash (in immediately available United States Dollars) equal to the product of the number of such Commitment Shares which cause Investor to exceed the Beneficial Ownership Limitation multiplied by the greater of (1) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the date preceding the date of this Agreement and (2) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the date preceding the date on which such Commitment Shares are due. In addition, if on a date Commitment Shares are issuable to an Investor, the Company has yet to obtain the approval of its shareholders of the transactions contemplated by that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated June 4, 2023, between the Company, CERo Therapeutics, Inc. and PBCE Merger Sub, Inc., or approval of its shareholders to issue more than 19.99% of the outstanding stock of the Company as of the date hereof in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, then the Investor shall have the option to either receive such Commitment Shares issuable to it, or an amount in cash (in immediately available United States Dollars) equal to the product of the number of such Commitment Shares then issuable to Investor, multiplied by the greater of (1) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the date preceding the date of this Agreement and (2) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the date preceding the date on which such Commitment Shares are due.

 

(viii) Shares Authorized and Delivered. All of the Shares issuable pursuant to the applicable Fixed Purchase Notice, the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice, and the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable) shall have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company. All Shares relating to all prior Fixed Purchase Notices, VWAP Purchase Notices, and Additional VWAP Purchase Notices required to have been received by the Investor under this Agreement prior to the applicable Notice Delivery Time for the applicable Fixed Purchase, applicable VWAP Purchase and applicable Additional VWAP Purchase (as applicable) shall have been delivered to the Investor in accordance with this Agreement.

 

 

(ix) Bring Down Opinions of Company Counsel. The Investor shall have received (a) all Bring Down Opinions from outside counsel to the Company for which the Company was obligated to instruct its outside counsel to deliver to the Investor prior to the applicable Notice Delivery Time for the applicable Fixed Purchase, applicable VWAP Purchase, and applicable Additional VWAP Purchase (as applicable) and (b) all Compliance Certificates from the Company that the Company was obligated to deliver to the Investor prior to the applicable Notice Delivery Time for the applicable Fixed Purchase, applicable VWAP Purchase and applicable Additional VWAP Purchase (as applicable), in each case in accordance with Section 5.15.

 

Article VII
TERMINATION

 

Section 7.1. Automatic Termination; Termination by Consent. Unless earlier terminated as provided hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate automatically, without any further action or notice by any Person, on the earliest to occur of (i) the expiration of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415(a)(5) of the Securities Act, (ii) the date on which the Investor shall have purchased the Aggregate Limit of Shares pursuant to this Agreement, (iii) the date on which the Common Stock shall have failed to be listed or quoted on the Trading Market or any Eligible Market, (iv) the thirtieth (30^th) Trading Day next following the date on which, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, the Company commences a voluntary case or any Person commences a proceeding against the Company, in each case that is not discharged or dismissed prior to such thirtieth (30^th) Trading Day, and (v) the date on which, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, a Custodian is appointed for the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or the Company makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors. Subject to Section 7.3, this Agreement may be terminated at any time by the mutual written consent of the parties, effective as of the date of such mutual written consent unless otherwise provided in such written consent.

 

Section 7.2. Other Termination. Subject to Section 7.3, the Company may terminate this Agreement after the Commencement Date effective upon one (1) Trading Day’s prior written notice to the Investor in accordance with Section 9.4; provided, however, that (i) the Company shall have issued all applicable Commitment Shares to the Investor and paid all fees and amounts to the Investor’s counsel required to be paid pursuant to Section 9.1 of this Agreement prior to such termination, and (ii) prior to issuing any press release, or making any public statement or announcement, with respect to such termination, the Company shall consult with the Investor and its counsel on the form and substance of such press release or other disclosure, which consent shall not be unreasonably delayed or withheld. Subject to Section 7.3, this Agreement may be terminated at any time by the mutual written consent of the parties, effective as of the date of such mutual written consent unless otherwise provided in such written consent. Subject to Section 7.3, the Investor shall have the right to terminate this Agreement effective upon ten (10) Trading Days’ prior written notice to the Company in accordance with Section 9.4, if: (a) any condition, occurrence, state of facts or event constituting a Material Adverse Effect has occurred and is continuing; (b) a Fundamental Transaction shall have occurred; (c) the Initial Prospectus Supplement and any New Registration Statement is not filed by the applicable Filing Deadline therefor or declared effective by the Commission by the applicable Effectiveness Deadline (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) therefor, or the Company is otherwise in breach or default in any material respect under any of the other provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, and, if such failure, breach or default is capable of being cured, such failure, breach or default is not cured within 10 Trading Days after notice of such failure, breach or default is delivered to the Company pursuant to Section 9.4; (d) while a Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto, is required to be maintained effective pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement and the Investor holds any Registrable Securities, the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto, lapses for any reason (including, without limitation, the issuance of a stop order by the Commission) or such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto otherwise becomes unavailable to the Investor for the resale of all of the Registrable Securities included therein in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, and such lapse or unavailability continues for a period of 20 consecutive Trading Days, other than due to acts of the Investor; (e) trading in the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, trading in the Common Stock on such Eligible Market) shall have been suspended and such suspension continues for a period of three (3) consecutive Trading Days; or (f) the Company is in material breach or default of this Agreement, and, if such breach or default is capable of being cured, such breach or default is not cured within 10 Trading Days after notice of such breach or default is delivered to the Company (as applicable) pursuant to Section 9.4. Unless notification thereof is required elsewhere in this Agreement (in which case such notification shall be provided in accordance with such other provision), the Company shall promptly (but in no event later than 24 hours) notify the Investor (and, if required under Applicable Law, including, without limitation, Regulation FD promulgated by the Commission, or under the applicable rules and regulations of the Trading Market (or if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, the rules and regulations of such Eligible Market), the Company shall publicly disclose such information in accordance with Regulation FD and the applicable rules and regulations of the Trading Market, or the applicable rules and regulations of such Eligible Market, as applicable) upon becoming aware of any of the events set forth in the immediately preceding sentence.

 

 

Section 7.3. Effect of Termination. In the event of termination by the Company or the Investor (other than by mutual termination) pursuant to Section 7.2, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other party as provided in Section 9.4 and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be terminated without further action by either party. If this Agreement is terminated as provided in Section 7.1 or Section 7.2, this Agreement shall become void and of no further force and effect, except that (i) the provisions of Article IV (Representations and Warranties of the Company), Article VIII (Indemnification), Article IX (Miscellaneous) and this Article VII (Termination) shall remain in full force and effect indefinitely notwithstanding such termination, and, (ii) so long as the Investor owns any Securities, the covenants and agreements of the Company contained in Article V (Covenants) shall remain in full force and notwithstanding such termination for a period of six (6) months following such termination. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no termination of this Agreement by any party shall (i) become effective prior to the first Trading Day immediately following the settlement date related to any pending Fixed Purchase Notice, any pending VWAP Purchase Notice, or any pending Additional VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable) that has not been fully settled in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement (it being hereby acknowledged and agreed that no termination of this Agreement shall limit, alter, modify, change or otherwise affect any of the parties’ respective rights or obligations under the Transaction Documents with respect to any pending Fixed Purchase, pending VWAP Purchase, and pending Additional VWAP Purchase (as applicable), and that the parties shall fully perform their respective obligations with respect to any such pending Fixed Purchase, any such pending VWAP Purchase, and any such pending Additional VWAP Purchase (as applicable) under the Transaction Documents, provided all of the conditions to the settlement thereof set forth in Article VI are timely satisfied), (ii) limit, alter, modify, change or otherwise affect the parties’ respective rights or obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, all of which shall survive any such termination, (iii) affect the Investor Expense Reimbursement paid to the Investor, all of which shall be non-refundable when paid as of the Closing Date pursuant to Section 9.1(i), regardless of whether any Fixed Purchases, VWAP Purchases, or Additional VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement, or (iv) affect any Commitment Shares previously issued or delivered, or any rights of any holder thereof, it being hereby acknowledged and agreed that all of the Commitment Shares shall be fully earned as of the Closing Date, regardless of whether any Fixed Purchases, VWAP Purchases or Additional VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement. Nothing in this Section 7.3 shall be deemed to release the Company or the Investor from any liability for any breach or default under this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, or to impair the respective rights of the Company and the Investor to compel specific performance by the other party of its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party.

 

Article VIII
INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 8.1. Indemnification of Investor. In consideration of the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and acquiring the Securities hereunder and in addition to all of the other respective obligations of the Company under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, subject to the provisions of this Section 8.1, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Investor, each of its directors, officers, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, agents and advisors (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding the lack of such title or any other title), each Person, if any, who controls the Investor (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act), and the respective directors, officers, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, agents and advisors (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding the lack of such title or any other title) of such controlling Persons (each, an “Investor Party”), from and against all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, contingencies, damages, costs and expenses (including all judgments, amounts paid in settlement, court costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of defense and investigation) (collectively, “Damages”) that any Investor Party may suffer or incur as a result of or relating to (a) any breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by the Company in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party or (b) any action, suit, claim or proceeding (including for these purposes a derivative action brought on behalf of the Company) instituted against such Investor Party arising out of or resulting from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of the Transaction Documents, other than claims for indemnification within the scope of Section 6 of the Registration Rights Agreement; provided, however, that (x) the foregoing indemnity shall not apply to any Damages to the extent, but only to the extent, that such Damages resulted directly and primarily from any acts or failures to act, undertaken or omitted to be taken by such Investor Party through its fraud, bad faith, gross negligence, or willful or reckless misconduct.

 

 

The Company shall reimburse any Investor Party promptly upon demand (with accompanying presentation of documentary evidence) for all legal and other costs and expenses reasonably incurred by such Investor Party in connection with (i) any action, suit, claim or proceeding, whether at law or in equity, to enforce compliance by the Company with any provision of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party or (ii) any other any action, suit, claim or proceeding, whether at law or in equity, with respect to which it is entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.1; provided that the Investor shall promptly reimburse the Company for all such legal and other costs and expenses to the extent a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any Investor Party was not entitled to such reimbursement.

 

An Investor Party’s right to indemnification or other remedies based upon the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Company set forth in the Transaction Documents to which it is a party shall not in any way be affected by any investigation or knowledge of such Investor Party. Such representations, warranties, covenants and agreements shall not be affected or deemed waived by reason of the fact that an Investor Party knew or should have known that any representation or warranty might be inaccurate or that the Company failed to comply with any agreement or covenant. Any investigation by such Investor Party shall be for its own protection only and shall not affect or impair any right or remedy hereunder.

 

To the extent that the foregoing joint and several undertakings by the Company set forth in this Section 8.1 may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Damages which is permissible under Applicable Law.

 

Section 8.2. Indemnification Procedures. Promptly after an Investor Party receives notice of a claim or the commencement of an action for which the Investor Party intends to seek indemnification under Section 8.1, the Investor Party will notify the Company in writing of the claim or commencement of the action, suit or proceeding; provided, however, that failure to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from liability under Section 8.1, except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced by the failure to give notice. The Company will be entitled to participate in the defense of any claim, action, suit or proceeding as to which indemnification is being sought, and if the Company acknowledges in writing the obligation to indemnify the Investor Party against whom the claim or action is brought, the Company may (but will not be required to) assume the defense against the claim, action, suit or proceeding with counsel satisfactory to it. After the Company notifies the Investor Party that the Company wishes to assume the defense of a claim, action, suit or proceeding, the Company will not be liable for any further legal or other expenses incurred by the Investor Party in connection with the defense against the claim, action, suit or proceeding except that if, in the opinion of counsel to the Investor Party, it would be inappropriate under the applicable rules of professional responsibility for the same counsel to represent both the Company and such Investor Party. In such event, the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one separate counsel for all such Investor Parties promptly as such fees and expenses are incurred. Each Investor Party, as a condition to receiving indemnification as provided in Section 8.1, will cooperate in all reasonable respects with the Company in the defense of any action or claim as to which indemnification is sought. The Company will not be liable for any settlement of any action effected without its prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. The Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Investor Party, effect any settlement of a pending or threatened action with respect to which an Investor Party is, or is informed that it may be, made a party and for which it would be entitled to indemnification, unless the settlement includes an unconditional release of the Investor Party from all liability and claims which are the subject matter of the pending or threatened action.

 

The remedies provided for in this Article VIII are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Investor Party at law or in equity.

 

 

Article IX
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.1. Certain Fees and Expenses; Commitment Shares; Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions.

 

(i) Certain Fees and Expenses. Each party shall bear its own fees and expenses related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that immediately following the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall pay, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Investor, an amount equal to $50,000 to be applied against the Investor’s reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including the legal fees and disbursements of the Investor’s legal counsel, incurred by the Investor in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by the Investor and its due diligence investigation of the Company (such amount, the “Investor Expense Reimbursement”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Investor Expense Reimbursement, shall be non-refundable when paid as of the Closing Date, regardless of whether any Fixed Purchases, VWAP Purchases or Additional VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement. The Company shall pay all U.S. federal, state and local stamp and other similar transfer and other taxes and duties levied in connection with issuance of the Securities pursuant hereto.

 

(ii) Commitment Shares. In consideration for the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement on the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver irrevocable instructions to the Transfer Agent to issue to the Investor, not later than 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day immediately following the Closing Date, one or more certificate(s) or book-entry statement(s) representing the Initial Commitment Shares, in the name of the Investor or its designee (in which case such designee name shall have been provided to the Company prior to the Closing Date). Such certificate or book-entry statement shall be delivered to the Investor by overnight courier at its address set forth in Section 9.4. On the ninetieth (90) calendar day following the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver irrevocable instructions to the Transfer Agent to issue to the Investor, not later than 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such date, a certificate or book-entry statement representing the First Back End Commitment Shares in the name of the Investor or its designee (in which case such designee name shall have been provided to the Company prior to the Closing Date). On the one hundred and eightieth (180) calendar day following the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver irrevocable instructions to the Transfer Agent to issue to the Investor, not later than 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such date, a certificate or book-entry statement representing the Second Back End Commitment Shares in the name of the Investor or its designee (in which case such designee name shall have been provided to the Company prior to the Closing Date). For the avoidance of doubt, all of the Commitment Shares shall be fully earned as of the Closing Date, and whether any Fixed Purchases, VWAP Purchases or Additional VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement. Upon issuance, the Commitment Shares shall constitute “restricted securities” as such term is defined in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act and, subject to the provisions of subsection (iv) of this Section 9.1, the certificate or book-entry statement representing the Initial Commitment Shares shall bear the restrictive legend set forth below in subsection (iii) of this Section 9.1. The Commitment Shares shall constitute Registrable Securities and shall be included in the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, and the Prospectus included therein and, if necessary to register the resale thereof by the Investor under the Securities Act, in any New Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, in each case in accordance with this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

 

(iii) Legends. The certificate(s) or book-entry statement(s) representing the Commitment Shares issued prior to the Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement and any other Securities issued pursuant to this Agreement, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall bear a restrictive legend in substantially the following form (and stop transfer instructions may be placed against transfer of any such Shares):

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTIONS. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ACT OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS (PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM).

 

(iv) Notice of Effectiveness. On the Commencement Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to its Transfer Agent the notice of effectiveness in the form attached as an exhibit to the Registration Rights Agreement (the “Notice of Effectiveness”) relating to the Initial Registration Statement executed by the Company’s outside counsel. With respect to any post-effective amendment to the Initial Registration Statement, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment to any New Registration Statement, in each case declared effective by the Commission after the Commencement Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to its Transfer Agent (and thereafter, shall deliver or cause to be delivered to any subsequent transfer agent of the Company) the Notice of Effectiveness, in each case modified as necessary to refer to such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment and the Registrable Securities included therein.

 

(v) Removal of Legends from Rule 144 Shares. Upon the written request by the Investor to the Company if, at the time of such request, the Investor (i) is not, and has not been during the preceding three months, an affiliate of the Company, (ii) has held the Commitment Shares or Shares subject to such request for at least one year as determined in accordance with Rule 144, (iii) all of the other requirements of Rule 144 for the resale of the Commitment Shares or Shares subject to such request are satisfied, and (iv) concurrently with such request, delivers to the Company, its counsel and the Transfer Agent a written certification that the requirements set forth in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) are accurate, the Company shall, no later than one (1) Trading Day following the delivery by the Investor to the Transfer Agent of one or more legended certificates or book-entry statements representing the Commitment Shares or Shares (as applicable) subject to such request, together with such other documentation from the Investor and its designated Broker-Dealer as the Transfer Agent deems necessary and appropriate, authorize the Transfer Agent to remove the Securities Act restrictive legend (and any stop transfer instructions placed against transfer thereof) contemplated by Section 9.1(iii) affixed to the Commitment Shares or Shares (as applicable) subject to such request. At the times the Company authorizes the removal of the Securities Act restrictive legends on the Commitment Shares or Shares (as applicable) subject to such request (and any stop transfer instructions placed against transfer thereof) pursuant to this Section 9.1(v), the Company shall, at its sole expense, use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause its legal counsel to issue to the Transfer Agent a legal opinion or direction letter authorizing the Transfer Agent to remove the Securities Act restrictive legends contemplated by Section 9.1(iii) on the Commitment Shares or Shares (as applicable) subject to such request (which legal opinion or direction letter may be delivered to the Transfer Agent in advance setting forth the conditions to the removal of such legends). The Company shall be responsible for the fees of its Transfer Agent and its legal counsel associated with any such legend removals.

 

 

Section 9.2. Specific Enforcement, Consent to Jurisdiction, Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

(i) The Company and the Investor acknowledge and 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 Company, on the one hand, and the Investor, on the other hand, shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement by the other party and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof (without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required), this being in addition to any other remedy to which either party may be entitled by law or equity.

 

(ii) Each of the Company and the Investor (a) hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court and other courts of the United States sitting in the State of New York for the purposes of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and (b) hereby waives, and agrees not to assert in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such court, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each of the Company and the Investor consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing in this Section 9.2 shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

(iii) EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE INVESTOR HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR DISPUTES RELATING HERETO. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE INVESTOR (A) CERTIFIES THAT 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 AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE ENTERED INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.2.

 

Section 9.3. Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, negotiations and understandings between the parties, both oral and written, with respect to such matters. There are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by either party relative to subject matter hereof not expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents. The Disclosure Schedule and all exhibits to this Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference in, and made a part of, this Agreement as if set forth in full herein.

 

 

Section 9.4. Notices. Any notice, demand, request, waiver or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be effective (a) upon hand delivery or electronic mail delivery at the address or number designated below (if delivered on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received), or the first business day following such delivery (if delivered other than on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received) or (b) on the second business day following the date of mailing by express courier service, fully prepaid, addressed to such address, or upon actual receipt of such mailing, whichever shall first occur. The address for such communications shall be:

 

If to the Company:

 

Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.

2201 Broadway, Suite 705

Oakland, California 94612

Attention: Brian Atwood, CEO

Email: batwood@versantventures.com

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Goodwin Procter LLP

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

Attention: Jeffrey A. Letalien

Email: jletalien@goodwinlaw.com

 

If to the Investor:

 

Keystone Capital Partners, LLC

139 Fulton Street, Suite 412

New York, NY 10038
Telephone Number: (646) 349-0916

Email: fz@keystone-cp.com

Attention: Fredric G. Zaino

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Pryor Cashman LLP

7 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

Attention: M. Ali Panjwani, Esq.

 

Either party hereto may from time to time change its address for notices by giving at least five (5) days’ advance written notice of such changed address to the other party hereto.

 

 

Section 9.5. Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be waived by the parties from and after the date that is one (1) Trading Day immediately preceding the filing of the Initial Prospectus Supplement with the Commission. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, no provision of this Agreement may be waived other than in a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought. No failure or delay in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercises thereof or of any other right, power or privilege.

 

Section 9.6. Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be amended by the parties from and after the date that is one (1) Trading Day immediately preceding the filing of the Initial Prospectus Supplement with the Commission. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, no provision of this Agreement may be amended other than by a written instrument signed by both parties hereto.

 

Section 9.7. Headings. The article, section and subsection headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Agreement instead of just the provision in which they are found.

 

Section 9.8. Construction. The parties agree that each of them and their respective counsel has reviewed and had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of the Transaction Documents. In addition, each and every reference to share prices and number of shares of Common Stock in any Transaction Document shall, in all cases, be subject to adjustment for any stock splits, stock combinations, stock dividends, recapitalizations, reorganizations and other similar transactions that occur on or after the date of this Agreement. Any reference in this Agreement to “Dollars” or “$” shall mean the lawful currency of the United States of America. Any references to “Section” or “Article” in this Agreement shall, unless otherwise expressly stated herein, refer to the applicable Section or Article of this Agreement.

 

Section 9.9. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors. Neither the Company nor the Investor may assign this Agreement or any of their respective rights or obligations hereunder to any Person.

 

Section 9.10. No Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as expressly provided in Article VIII, this Agreement is intended only for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.

 

 

Section 9.11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal procedural and substantive laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the choice of law provisions of such state that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 9.12. Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Company and the Investor contained in this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery hereof until the termination of this Agreement; provided, however, that (i) the provisions of Article IV (Representations and Warranties of the Company), Article VII (Termination), Article VIII (Indemnification) and this Article IX (Miscellaneous) shall remain in full force and effect indefinitely notwithstanding such termination, and, (ii) so long as the Investor owns any Securities, the covenants and agreements of the Company and the Investor contained in Article V (Covenants), shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination for a period of six (6) months following such termination.

 

Section 9.13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party; provided that a facsimile signature or signature delivered by e-mail in a “.pdf” format data file, including any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com, www.echosign.adobe.com, etc., shall be considered due execution and shall be binding upon the signatory thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature were an original signature.

 

Section 9.14. Publicity. The Company shall afford the Investor and its counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon, shall consult with the Investor and its counsel on the form and substance of, and shall give due consideration to all such comments from the Investor or its counsel on, any press release, Commission filing or any other public disclosure made by or on behalf of the Company relating to the Investor, its purchases hereunder or any aspect of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby, prior to the issuance, filing or public disclosure thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not be required to submit for review any such disclosure (i) contained in periodic reports filed with the Commission under the Exchange Act if it shall have previously provided the same disclosure to the Investor or its counsel for review in connection with a previous filing or (ii) any Prospectus Supplement if it contains disclosure that does not reference the Investor, its purchases hereunder or any aspect of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

Section 9.15. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and, in the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that any one or more of the provisions or part of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or part of a provision of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be reformed and construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision, or part of such provision, had never been contained herein, so that such provisions would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.

 

Section 9.16. Further Assurances. From and after the Closing Date, upon the request of the Investor or the Company, each of the Company and the Investor shall execute and deliver such instrument, documents and other writings as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to confirm and carry out and to effectuate fully the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officer as of the date first above written.

 

	THE COMPANY:
	PHOENIX BIOTECH ACQUISITION CORP.:
	By:
	Name:
	Title:
	THE INVESTOR:
	KEYSTONE CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC:
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

 

ANNEX I TO THE
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
DEFINITIONS

 

“Additional VWAP Purchase” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3.

 

“Additional VWAP Purchase Commencement Time” means, the latest of (A) the applicable VWAP Purchase Termination Time with respect to the corresponding VWAP Purchase on such Additional VWAP Purchase Date, (B) the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Termination Time with respect to the most recently completed prior Additional VWAP Purchase on such Additional VWAP Purchase Date, as applicable, and (C) the time at which all shares of Common Stock subject to all prior VWAP Purchases and Additional VWAP Purchases (as applicable), including, without limitation, those that have been effected on the same business day as the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase is to be effected, as applicable, have theretofore been received by the Investor.

 

“Additional VWAP Purchase Confirmation” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3 and shall be in the form attached hereto as Annex 2.3B

 

“Additional VWAP Purchase Date” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.3, the Trading Day (i) that is also the VWAP Purchase Date for the corresponding VWAP Purchase referred to in clause (i) of the second sentence of Section 2.3 and (ii) on which the Investor receives, prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on such Trading Day, a valid Additional VWAP Purchase Notice for such Additional VWAP Purchase in accordance with this Agreement.

 

“Additional VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.3, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the lesser of (i) 300% of the number of Shares directed by the Company to be purchased by the Investor pursuant to the corresponding Fixed Purchase Notice for the corresponding Fixed Purchase referred to in clause (i) of the second sentence of Section 2.3 and (ii) a number of Shares equal to (A) the Additional VWAP Purchase Share Percentage multiplied by (B) the trading volume of shares of Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, on such Eligible Market) during the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Period on the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date for such Additional VWAP Purchase.

 

“Additional VWAP Purchase Notice” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.3, an irrevocable written notice delivered by the Company to the Investor, prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date for such Additional VWAP Purchase, directing the Investor to purchase an Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount (such specified Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 2.3 as necessary to give effect to the Additional VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount), at the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Price therefor on the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date for such Additional VWAP Purchase in accordance with this Agreement.

 

 

“Additional VWAP Purchase Period” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.3, the period on the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date for such Additional VWAP Purchase beginning at the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Commencement Time and ending at the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Termination Time.

 

“Additional VWAP Purchase Price” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.3, the purchase price per Share to be purchased by the Investor in such Additional VWAP Purchase equal to ninety percent (90%) of the lower of (i) the VWAP for the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Period during the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date for such Additional VWAP Purchase, and (ii) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on such applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date for such Additional VWAP Purchase (to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction).

 

“Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.3, the number of Shares to be purchased by the Investor in such Additional VWAP Purchase as specified by the Company in the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, which number of Shares shall not exceed the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount.

 

“Additional VWAP Purchase Share Percentage” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.3, thirty percent (30%).

 

“Additional VWAP Purchase Share Volume Maximum” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.3, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (i) the number of Shares specified by the Company in the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Notice as the Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount to be purchased by the Investor in such Additional VWAP Purchase, divided by (ii) the Additional VWAP Purchase Share Percentage (to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction).

 

“Additional VWAP Purchase Termination Time” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.3, the earliest of (i) 24:00 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date, or such other time publicly announced by the Trading Market as the official close of trading on the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, by such Eligible Market as the official close of trading on such Eligible Market) on such applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date, (ii) such time, from and after the Additional VWAP Purchase Commencement Time for such Additional VWAP Purchase, that the trading volume of shares of Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, on such Eligible Market) has exceeded the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Share Volume Maximum and (iii) such time, from and after the Additional VWAP Purchase Commencement Time for such Additional VWAP Purchase, that any sale price of the Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, on such Eligible Market) has fallen below the applicable Floor Price for such applicable Additional VWAP Purchase.

 

 

“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 144. With respect to the Investor, without limitation, any Person owning, owned by, or under common ownership with the Investor, and any investment fund or managed account that is managed on a discretionary basis by the same investment manager as the Investor will be deemed to be an Affiliate.

 

“Aggregate Limit” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.4(a).

 

“Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

“Applicable Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.13.

 

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar U.S. federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

“Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.5.

 

“Bloomberg” means Bloomberg, L.P.

 

“Bring Down Opinion” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.15.

 

“Broker-Dealer” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

 

“Bylaws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.3.

 

“Charter” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.3.

 

“Clearing Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.6(iii).

 

“Charter” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.3.

 

“Closing” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.2

 

“Closing Date” means the date of this Agreement.

 

“Closing Sale Price” means, for the Common Stock as of any date, the greater of (i) the then current book value of the Common Stock, and (ii) the last closing trade price for the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, on such Eligible Market), as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Trading Market (or such Eligible Market, as applicable) begins to operate on an extended hours basis and does not designate the closing trade price for the Common Stock, then the last trade price for the Common Stock prior to 4:00 p.m., New York City time, as reported by Bloomberg. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions during such period.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

 

“Commencement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1

 

“Commencement Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1.

 

“Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.7.

 

“Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor entity.

 

“Commission Documents” shall mean (1) all reports, schedules, registrations, forms, statements, information and other documents filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, including all material filed with or furnished to the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and which hereafter shall be filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company, including, without limitation, the Current Report, (2) each Registration Statement, as the same may be amended from time to time, the Prospectus contained therein and each Prospectus Supplement thereto and (3) all information contained in such filings and all documents and disclosures that have been and heretofore shall be incorporated by reference therein.

 

“Commitment Shares” means (i) $[    ] worth of the Company’s Common Stock issuable upon execution of this Agreement, valued at the VWAP Purchase Price as of such date (the “Initial Commitment Shares”), (ii) $[ ] worth of the Company’s Common Stock issuable on the ninetieth (90) calendar day following the Closing Date, valued at the VWAP Purchase Price as of such date (the “First Back End Commitment Shares”) and (iii) $[ ] worth of the Company’s Common Stock issuable on the one hundred and eightieth (180) calendar day following the Closing Date, valued at the VWAP Purchase Price as of such date (the “Second Back End Commitment Shares,” and together with the First Back End Commitment Shares, the “Back End Commitment Shares”).

 

“Common Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.

 

“Company” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

“Compliance Certificate” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.2(ii).

 

“Confirmation” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3.

 

“Current Report” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.3.

 

“Custodian” shall mean any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

“Damages” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.1.

 

 

“Dilutive Issuance” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.6(ii).

 

“Disclosure Schedule” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article IV.

 

“Disqualification Event” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.34.

 

“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, a subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or any successor thereto.

 

“DWAC Shares” means the Commitment Shares or the Securities acquired or purchased by the Investor pursuant to this Agreement (a) that the Investor has resold in a manner described under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Registration Statement and otherwise in compliance with Section 3.13 of this Agreement before the delivery of the Transfer Agent Confirmation regarding the resale of such Commitment Shares or Shares (as applicable) in accordance with this Agreement, and (b) about which the Investor has (i) delivered to the Company, the Transfer Agent and legal counsel to the Company (A) the Transfer Agent Confirmation relating to such Commitment Shares or Securities (as applicable) and (B) a customary broker’s representation letter confirming, among other things, the resale of such Commitment Shares or Securities (as applicable) in the manner described in clause (a) of this definition of DWAC Shares (including confirmation of compliance with any relevant prospectus delivery requirements), and (ii) delivered to the Transfer Agent instructions for the delivery of such Commitment Shares or Securities (as applicable) to the account with DTC of the Investor’s designated Broker-Dealer as specified in the Transfer Agent Deliverables, which Commitment Shares or Securities (as applicable) will be in the hands of the persons who purchase such Commitment Shares or Securities (as applicable) from the Investor in the manner described in clause (a) of this definition of DWAC Shares, freely tradable and transferable without restriction on resale and without stop transfer instructions maintained against the transfer thereof.

 

“EDGAR” means the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System.

 

“Effective Date” means, with respect to the Initial Prospectus Supplement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) of the Registration Rights Agreement (or any post-effective amendment thereto) or any New Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Registration Rights Agreement (or any post-effective amendment thereto), as applicable, the date on which the Initial Prospectus Supplement (or any post-effective amendment thereto) or any New Registration Statement (or any post-effective amendment thereto) is declared effective by the Commission.

 

“Effectiveness Deadline” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

“Eligible Market” means The New York Stock Exchange American, Nasdaq Capital Market, The Nasdaq Global Market (“NGM”), or The Nasdaq Global Select Market (or any nationally recognized successor to any of the foregoing).

 

 

“Environmental Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.16 hereof.

 

“ERISA” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.35.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

“Exempt Issuance” means the issuance of (a) Common Stock, options or other equity incentive awards to employees, officers, directors or vendors of the Company pursuant to any equity incentive plan duly adopted for such purpose, by the Company’s Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of the Board of Directors established for such purpose, (b) (1) any Securities issued to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement, (2) any securities issued upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents held by the Investor at any time, or (3) any securities issued upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any Common Stock Equivalents issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement or pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated February [__], 2024 by and among the Company, the Investor and the other investors party thereto, provided that such securities referred to in this clause (3) have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities, (c) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions, divestitures, licenses, partnerships, collaborations or strategic transactions approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of directors established for such purpose, which acquisitions, divestitures, licenses, partnerships, collaborations or strategic transactions can have a Variable Rate Transaction component, provided that any such issuance shall only be to a Person (or to the equity holders of a Person) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities, or (d) Common Stock issued by the Company by any method deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, exclusively through a registered broker-dealer, as the Company’s sales agent, pursuant to one or more written agreements between the Company and such registered broker-dealer.

 

“FCPA” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.30.

 

“Filed Commission Document” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.6.

 

“Filing Deadline” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

 

“Fixed Purchase” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1.

 

 

“Fixed Purchase Date” means, with respect to a Fixed Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.1, the Trading Day on which the Investor receives, after 4:00 p.m., New York City time, but prior to 5:30 p.m., New York City time, on such Trading Day, a valid Fixed Purchase Notice for such Fixed Purchase in accordance with this Agreement.

 

“Fixed Purchase Maximum Amount” means, with respect to a Fixed Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.1, the lesser of 10,000 shares of Common Stock or $100,000.

 

“Fixed Purchase Notice” means, with respect to a Fixed Purchase pursuant to Section 2.1, an irrevocable written notice delivered by the Company to the Investor directing the Investor to purchase a Fixed Purchase Share Amount (such specified Fixed Purchase Share Amount subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 2.1 as necessary to give effect to the Fixed Purchase Maximum Amount), at the applicable Fixed Purchase Price therefor on the applicable Fixed Purchase Date for such Fixed Purchase in accordance with this Agreement.

 

“Fixed Purchase Price” means, with respect to a Fixed Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.1, the purchase price per Share to be purchased by the Investor in such Fixed Purchase equal to the lesser of 90% (i) of the daily volume weighted average price of the Company’s Common Stock on the NGM, as reported by Bloomberg Financial LP using the AQR function for the five (5) Trading Days immediately preceding the applicable Fixed Purchase Date for such Fixed Purchase and (ii) of the Closing Sale Price of a share of Common Stock on the applicable Fixed Purchase Date for such Fixed Purchase during the full Trading Day on the NGM on such applicable Purchase Date (in each case, to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction that occurs on or after the date of this Agreement).

 

“Fixed Purchase Share Amount” means, with respect to a Fixed Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.1, the number of Shares to be purchased by the Investor in such Fixed Purchase as specified by the Company in the applicable Fixed Purchase Notice, which number of Shares shall not exceed the applicable Fixed Purchase Maximum Amount (calculated as of the applicable Fixed Purchase Date).

 

“Floor Price” means a price equal to 85% of the Closing Price on the Trading Day the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Notice or VWAP Purchase Notice is delivered to Investor along with the Fixed Purchase Notice.

 

“Fundamental Transaction” means that (i) the Company shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, (1) consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) another Person, with the result that the holders of the Company’s capital stock immediately prior to such consolidation or merger together beneficially own less than 50% of the outstanding voting power of the surviving or resulting corporation, or (2) sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company to another Person, or (3) take action to facilitate a purchase, tender or exchange offer by another Person that is accepted by the holders of the Company’s Voting Stock representing more than 50% of the total voting power of the Company’s Voting Stock (excluding any Voting Stock held by the Person or Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the Persons making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer), or (4) consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person whereby such other Person acquires Voting Stock of the Company representing more than 50% of the total voting power of the Company’s Voting Stock (not including any Voting Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination), or (5) reorganize, recapitalize or reclassify its Common Stock, or (ii) any “person” or “group” (as these terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or shall become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of Voting Stock of the Company representing more than 50% of the total voting power of the Company’s Voting Stock.

 

 

“GAAP” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.6(b).

 

“Indebtedness” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.10.

 

“Initial Prospectus Supplement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

“Investment Period” means the period commencing on the Effective Date of the Initial Prospectus Supplement and expiring on the date this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article VII.

 

“Investor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

“Investor Expense Reimbursement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.1(i).

 

“Investor Party” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.1.

 

“Issuer Covered Person” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.34.

 

“IT Systems” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.33.

 

“Knowledge” means, with respect to the Company, the actual knowledge of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer Chief Medical Officer, and President, its Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and its General Counsel, in each case after reasonable inquiry of all officers, directors and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries under their direct supervision who would reasonably be expected to have knowledge or information with respect to the matter in question.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means any material adverse effect on (i) the enforceability of any Transaction Document, (ii) the results of operations, assets, business or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, other than any material adverse effect that resulted primarily from (A) any change in the United States or foreign economies or securities or financial markets in general, (B) any change that generally affects the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate, (C) any change arising in connection with earthquakes, hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or military actions or any escalation or material worsening of any such hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or military actions existing as of the date hereof, (D) any action taken by the Investor, its Affiliates or its or their successors and assigns with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, (E) the effect of any change in applicable laws or accounting rules, or (F) any change resulting from compliance with terms of this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, or (iii) the Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under any Transaction Document to which it is a party to be performed as of the date of determination.

 

 

“Material Agreements” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.17.

 

“Money Laundering Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.31.

 

“New Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

“Notice Delivery Time” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.3.

 

“Notice of Effectiveness” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.1(iv).

 

“OFAC” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.32.

 

“Permits” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.15.

 

“Person” means any person or entity, whether a natural person, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, business association, firm, joint venture, governmental agency or authority.

 

“Personal Data” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.33.

 

“Prospectus” means the prospectus in the form included in a Registration Statement, as supplemented from time to time by any Prospectus Supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference therein.

 

“Prospectus Supplement” means any prospectus supplement to the Prospectus filed with the Commission from time to time pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, including the documents incorporated by reference therein.

 

“Reference Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.6(ii).

 

“Reference Price” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.6(ii).

 

“Registrable Securities” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement, and shall include the Commitment Shares.

 

“Registration Rights Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereof.

 

 

“Regulation D” means Regulation D promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect.t

 

“Restricted Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.9(i).

 

“Restricted Person” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.9(i).

 

“Restricted Persons” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.9(i).

 

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect.

 

“Sanctioned Countries” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.32.

 

“Sanctioned Country” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.32.

 

“Sanctioned Persons” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.32.

 

“Sanctions” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.32.

 

“Securities” means, collectively, the Shares and the Commitment Shares.

 

“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

“Settlement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.2. “Shares” shall mean the shares of Common Stock that are and/or may be purchased by the Investor under this Agreement pursuant to one or more Fixed Purchase Notices, VWAP Purchase Notices or Additional VWAP Purchase Notices, but not including the Commitment Shares.

 

“Short Sales” shall mean “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act.

 

“Stock Plan” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.22.

 

 

“Subsidiary” and “Subsidiaries” shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in Section 4.7.

 

“Total Purchase Commitment” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.1.

 

“Trading Day” shall mean any day on which the Trading Market or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, such Eligible Market is open for trading, including any day on which the Trading Market (or such Eligible Market, as applicable) is open for trading for a period of time less than the customary time.

 

“Trading Market” means the NGM (or any nationally recognized successor thereto).

 

“Transaction Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement (as qualified by the Disclosure Schedule) and the exhibits hereto, the Registration Rights Agreement and each of the other agreements, documents, certificates and instruments entered into or furnished by the parties hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

“Transfer Agent” means Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, or such other Person who is then serving as the transfer agent for the Company in respect of the Common Stock.

 

“Transfer Agent Confirmation” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.7.

 

“Transfer Agent Deliverables” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.7.

 

“Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any equity or debt securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price, exchange rate or other price that is based upon and/or varies with the trading prices of or quotations for the Common Stock at any time after the initial issuance of such equity or debt securities, or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such equity or debt security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock (including, without limitation, any “full ratchet” or “weighted average” anti-dilution provisions, but not including any standard anti-dilution protection for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction), (ii) issues or sells any equity or debt securities, including without limitation, Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, either (A) at a price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock (other than standard anti-dilution protection for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction), or (B) that are subject to or contain any put, call, redemption, buy-back, price-reset or other similar provision or mechanism (including, without limitation, a “Black-Scholes” put or call right, other than in connection with a “fundamental transaction”) that provides for the issuance of additional equity securities of the Company or the payment of cash by the Company, or (iii) enters into any agreement with any Person other than the Investor or an Affiliate of the Investor, including, but not limited to, an “equity line of credit” or “at the market offering” or other continuous offering or similar offering of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, whereby the Company may sell Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at a future determined price.

 

 

“Voting Stock” means securities of any class or kind having the power to vote generally for the election of directors, managers or other voting members of the governing body of the Company or any successor thereto.

 

“VWAP” means, for the Common Stock for a specified period, the dollar volume-weighted average price for the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, on such Eligible Market), for such period, as reported by Bloomberg through its “AQR” function. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction during such period.

 

“VWAP Purchase” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.2.

 

“VWAP Purchase Commencement Time” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.2, 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the applicable VWAP Purchase Date, or such other time publicly announced by the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, by such Eligible Market) as the official open (or commencement) of trading on the Trading Market (or such Eligible Market, as applicable) on such applicable VWAP Purchase Date.

 

“VWAP Purchase Confirmation” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.2 and shall be in the form attached hereto as Annex 2.2B.

 

“VWAP Purchase Date” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.2, the Trading Day immediately following the applicable Fixed Purchase Date with respect to the corresponding Fixed Purchase referred to in clause (i) of the second sentence of Section 2.2, on which the Investor receives, concurrently with the receipt of the applicable Fixed Purchase Notice for such corresponding Fixed Purchase, after 4:00 p.m., New York City time, but prior to 5:30 p.m., New York City time, on such applicable Fixed Purchase Date, a valid VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase in accordance with this Agreement.

 

“VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.2, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the lesser of (i) 300% of the number of Shares directed by the Company to be purchased by the Investor pursuant to the corresponding Fixed Purchase Notice for the corresponding Fixed Purchase referred to in clause (i) of the second sentence of Section 2.2 and (ii) 30% of the trading volume in the Company’s Common Stock on the NGM during the applicable VWAP Purchase Period on the applicable VWAP Purchase Date.

 

“VWAP Purchase Notice” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.2, an irrevocable written notice delivered by the Company to the Investor (concurrently with the delivery of the applicable Fixed Purchase Notice by the Company to the Investor on the applicable Fixed Purchase Date with respect to the corresponding Fixed Purchase referred to in clause (i) of the second sentence of Section 2.2) directing the Investor to purchase a VWAP Purchase Share Amount (such specified VWAP Purchase Share Amount subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 3.2 as necessary to give effect to the VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount), at the applicable VWAP Purchase Price therefor on the applicable VWAP Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase in accordance with this Agreement.

 

 

“VWAP Purchase Period” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.2, the period on the applicable VWAP Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase beginning at the applicable VWAP Purchase Commencement Time and ending at the applicable VWAP Purchase Termination Time.

 

“VWAP Purchase Price” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.2, the purchase price per Share to be purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase equal to the lesser of ninety percent (90%) of (i) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the applicable VWAP Purchase Date and (ii) the VWAP during the applicable VWAP Purchase Period.

 

“VWAP Purchase Share Amount” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.2, the number of Shares to be purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase as specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice, which number of Shares shall not exceed the applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount.

 

“VWAP Purchase Share Percentage” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.2, thirty percent (30%).

 

“VWAP Purchase Share Volume Maximum” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.2, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (i) the number of Shares specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice as the VWAP Purchase Share Amount to be purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase, divided by (ii) the VWAP Purchase Share Percentage (to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction).

 

“VWAP Purchase Termination Time” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2.2, the earliest of (i) 24:00 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable VWAP Purchase Date, or such other time publicly announced by the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, by such Eligible Market) as the official close of trading on the Trading Market on such applicable VWAP Purchase Date, (ii) such time, from and after the VWAP Purchase Commencement Time for such VWAP Purchase, that the trading volume of shares of Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, on such Eligible Market) has exceeded the applicable VWAP Purchase Share Volume Maximum and (iii) such time, from and after the VWAP Purchase Commencement Time for such VWAP Purchase, that any sale price of the Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, on such Eligible Market) has fallen below the applicable Floor Price for such applicable VWAP Purchase.

 

 

ANNEX 2.1 TO THE

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT FORM OF FIXED PURCHASE NOTICE

 

To:
E-mail:

 

Reference is made to the Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of [_] 2024, (the “Purchase Agreement”) between Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Keystone Capital Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given such terms in the Purchase Agreement.

 

In accordance with and pursuant to Section 2.1 of the Purchase Agreement, the Company hereby issues this Fixed Purchase Notice to exercise a Fixed Purchase for the Fixed Purchase Share Amount indicated below.

 

	Fixed Purchase Share Amount (number of Shares):
	Fixed Purchase Exercise Date:
	Fixed Purchase Price (per Share):
	Total Aggregate Fixed Purchase Price:
	Fixed Purchase Share Delivery Date:
	Fixed Purchase Settlement Date:
	Dollar Amount of Common Stock
	Currently Available under the Aggregate Limit:

 

	Dated:			Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.
				By:
				Name:
				Title:
				Address:
				Email:

 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

KEYSTONE CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC

  

By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

 

ANNEX 2.2 TO THE

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT FORM OF VWAP PURCHASE NOTICE

 

To:
E-mail:

 

Reference is made to the Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of [__], 2024, (the “Purchase Agreement”) between Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Keystone Capital Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given such terms in the Purchase Agreement.

 

In accordance with and pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Purchase Agreement, the Company hereby issues this VWAP Purchase Notice to exercise a VWAP Purchase for the VWAP Purchase Share Amount indicated below.

 

	VWAP Purchase Share Amount (number of Shares):
	VWAP Purchase Exercise Date:
	VWAP Purchase Date:
	VWAP Purchase Share Delivery Date:
	VWAP Purchase Settlement Date:
	Dollar Amount of Common Stock Currently Available under the Aggregate Limit:

  

	Dated:			Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.
				By:
				Name:
				Title:
				Address: Email:

 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

KEYSTONE CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC

  

By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

 

ANNEX 2.2B TO THE

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT FORM OF VWAP PURCHASE CONFIRMATION

  

To:
E-mail:

 

Reference is made to the Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of [_], 2024, (the “Purchase Agreement”) between Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Keystone Capital Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given such terms in the Purchase Agreement.

 

In accordance with and pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Purchase Agreement, the Investor hereby issues this VWAP Purchase Confirmation for the VWAP Purchase Share Amount indicated below.

 

	VWAP Purchase Share Amount (number of Shares):
	VWAP Purchase Exercise Date:
	VWAP Purchase Date:
	VWAP Purchase Commencement Time:
	VWAP Purchase Termination Time:
	VWAP during the VWAP Purchase Period:
	Closing Sale Price on the VWAP Purchase
	Date:
	VWAP Purchase Price (per Share) (90% of lower of two line items immediately above):
	Total Aggregate VWAP Purchase Price:
	VWAP Purchase Share Delivery Date:
	VWAP Purchase Settlement Date:

 

	Dated:			KEYSTONE CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
				By:
				Name:
				Title:
				Address: Email:

 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.

  

By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

 

ANNEX 2.3 TO THE

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT FORM OF ADDITIONAL VWAP PURCHASE NOTICE

 

To:
E-mail:

 

Reference is made to the Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of [_], 2024 (the “Purchase Agreement”) between Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Keystone Capital Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given such terms in the Purchase Agreement.

 

In accordance with and pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Purchase Agreement, the Company hereby issues this Additional VWAP Purchase Notice to exercise an Additional VWAP Purchase for the Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount indicated below.

 

	Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount (number of Shares):
	Additional VWAP Purchase Date (indicate whether this is for the first, second, third, etc. Additional VWAP Purchase exercised by the Company on such Additional VWAP Purchase Date):
	Additional VWAP Purchase Share Delivery Date:
	Additional VWAP Purchase Settlement Date:
	Dollar Amount of Common Stock Currently Available under the Aggregate Limit:

  

	Dated:			Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.
				By:
				Name:
				Title:
				Address: Email:

 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

KEYSTONE CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC

  

By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

 

ANNEX 2.3B TO THE

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

FORM OF ADDITIONAL VWAP PURCHASE CONFIRMATION

 

To:
E-mail:

 

Reference is made to the Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of [ ], 2024, (the “Purchase Agreement”) between Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Keystone Capital Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given such terms in the Purchase Agreement.

 

In accordance with and pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Purchase Agreement, the Investor hereby issues this Additional VWAP Purchase Confirmation for the Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount indicated below.

 

	Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount (number of Shares):
	Additional VWAP Purchase Date (indicate whether this is for the first, second, third, etc. Additional VWAP Purchase exercised by the Company on such Additional VWAP Purchase Date):
	Additional VWAP Purchase Commencement Time:
	Additional VWAP Purchase Termination Time:
	VWAP during the Additional VWAP Purchase Period:
	Closing Sale Price on the Additional VWAP Purchase Date:
	Additional VWAP Purchase Price (per Share) (90% of lower of two line items immediately above):
	Total Aggregate Additional VWAP Purchase Price:
	Additional VWAP Purchase Share Delivery Date: Additional VWAP Purchase Settlement Date:

 

  

	Dated:			KEYSTONE CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
				By:
				Name:
				Title:
				Address: Email:

 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp.

  

By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

 

 

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