Table of Contents

 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 31, 2017

 

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM S-8

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

BIOVERATIV INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

81-3461310

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

225 Second Avenue, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

BIOVERATIV INC. 2017 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS EQUITY PLAN

(Full title of the plan)

 

ANDREA DIFABIO, ESQ.

Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

Bioverativ Inc.

225 Second Avenue

Waltham, Massachusetts 02451

(888) 862 - 0575

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer

 

Accelerated filer

 

Non-accelerated filer   x

 

Smaller reporting company

o

 

o

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

o

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposed Maximum

 

Proposed Maximum

 

 

 

Title of Securities to be
Registered

 

Amount to be
Registered(1)

 

Offering Price Per
Share(2)

 

Aggregate Offering
Price(2)

 

Amount of
Registration Fee

 

Common Stock, $.001 par value per share

 

2,250,000 shares

 

$

44.15

 

$

99,326,250.00

 

$

11,511.91

 

(1)          In accordance with Rule 416(a) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this registration statement also covers any additional securities, including an indeterminate number of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, (“Common Stock”) of Bioverativ Inc., that may from time to time be offered or issued as a result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction under the Bioverativ Inc. 2017 Non-Employee Directors Equity Plan.

 

(2)          Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(h) of the Securities Act, and based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock trading on a “when issued” basis as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on January 26, 2017.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference

Item 4. Description of Securities

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed

Item 8. Exhibits

Item 9. Undertakings

SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

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PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

 

The documents containing the information required by Part I of this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Bioverativ Inc. (“Bioverativ” or “Registrant”), Commission File Number 001-37859, will be sent or given to participants of the Bioverativ Inc. 2017 Non-Employee Directors Equity Plan (the “Plan”) as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).  In accordance with Rule 428 and the requirements of Part I of Form S-8, such documents are not required to be, and are not, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act.  These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

 

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

 

Bioverativ hereby incorporates the following documents filed with the Commission herein by reference:

 

(a)          Bioverativ’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-37859) initially filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) on August 11, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on September 26, 2016, Amendment No. 2 on October 21, 2016, Amendment No. 3 on November 29, 2016, and Amendment No. 4 on December 20, 2016 and as declared effective on December 22, 2016 (the “Form 10”).

 

(b)          Bioverativ’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-37859) filed with the Commission on January 11, 2017.

 

(c)           The description of Bioverativ’s common stock contained in the Information Statement filed with the Commission as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 10 dated December 20, 2016, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

All documents subsequently filed by Bioverativ with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and shall be deemed to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in this Registration Statement or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

 

Item 4. Description of Securities.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

 

Not applicable.

 

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Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Article XI of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will provide for the elimination of personal monetary liabilities of directors of Bioverativ for any breach of their fiduciary duties as directors to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL enables a corporation in its certificate of incorporation to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that the corporation shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for: (i) breaching his or her duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; (ii) failing to act in good faith, engaging in intentional misconduct or knowingly violating the law; (iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions under Section 174 of the DGCL; or (iv) obtaining an improper personal benefit.

 

Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and agents of the corporation against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with specified actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation - a “derivative action”), if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action, and the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. Indemnification provided pursuant to Section 145 of the DGCL is not exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled to under any bylaw, agreement, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote or otherwise.

 

The Registrant’s Amended and Restated Bylaws will provide that Bioverativ shall provide, to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, indemnification against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by its (or any predecessor) directors and officers or any persons who are or were serving at the request of Bioverativ (or any predecessor) as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, representative, partner or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by Bioverativ, or other enterprise (or any predecessor of any of such entities) and shall advance expenses to such persons, in respect of any action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative in nature, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was serving in such capacity or is a person of whom he or she is the legal representative (in the event of death or disability of such person).

 

In addition, Bioverativ will maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance which insures against certain liabilities that directors or officers of Bioverativ may incur in such capacities.

 

Bioverativ also has in place agreements with certain of its officers and directors which affirm Biogen’s obligation to indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by law and contain various procedural and other provisions which expand the protection afforded by Bioverativ’s Amended and Restated Bylaws.

 

The foregoing is only a general summary of certain aspects of Delaware law and the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws dealing with indemnification of directors and officers and does not purport to be complete. It is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed provisions of those sections of the DGCL referenced above and the Registrant’s forms of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws.

 

Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.

 

Not applicable.

 

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Item 8. Exhibits.

 

The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such exhibits are included as part of this Registration Statement and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9. Undertakings.

 

(a)          The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1)          To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 

(i)              To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

(ii)           To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of a prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

 

(iii)        To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;

 

provided, however , that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

 

(2)          That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3)          To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(b)          The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c)           Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions referred to in Item 6 hereof, or

 

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otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Waltham, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on January 31, 2017.

 

 

BIOVERATIV INC.

 

By:

/s/ John G. Cox

 

 

John G. Cox

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

We, the undersigned officers and directors of the Registrant, hereby severally constitute and appoint John G. Cox, John Greene and Andrea DiFabio and each of them acting singly, as our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to them, and each of them singly, to execute for us and in our names in the capacities as indicated below, any and all amendments or supplements to this Registration Statement (including post-effective amendments), to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission with any and all exhibits thereto and instruments or documents in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in connection therewith in our name and on our behalf in our capacities as indicated below to enable the Registrant to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all rules, regulations or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this Registration Statement, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys or agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.  This power of attorney may be signed in several counterparts.  Each of the undersigned has executed this power of attorney as of the date indicated.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Name

 

Capacity

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ John G. Cox

 

 

 

 

John G. Cox

 

Director and Chief Executive Officer

 

January 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ John Greene

 

 

 

 

John Greene

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

January 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Alexander J. Denner

 

 

 

 

Alexander J. Denner

 

Director

 

January 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Louis J. Paglia

 

 

 

 

Louis J. Paglia

 

Director

 

January 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Brian S. Posner

 

 

 

 

Brian S. Posner

 

Director

 

January 31, 2017

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

 

Description

 

 

 

4.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Bioverativ Inc.*

 

 

 

4.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Bioverativ Inc.*

 

 

 

5.1

 

Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.*

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm.*

 

 

 

23.2

 

Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).*

 

 

 

24.1

 

Powers of Attorney (contained in Part II hereof under Signatures and Power of Attorney).*

 

 

 

99.1

 

Bioverativ Inc. 2017 Non-Employee Directors Equity Plan.*

 


*      Filed herewith.

 

8


Exhibit 4.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
BIOVERATIV INC.

 

Pursuant to the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware

 

Bioverativ Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST: The original Certificate of Incorporation of Bioverativ Inc. was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on August 4, 2016.

 

SECOND: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL and has been duly approved by the written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL, and amends and restates the provisions of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation.

 

THIRD: The text of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation so adopted is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of this Corporation is Bioverativ Inc.

 

ARTICLE II

 

The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, New Castle County, 19808.  The name of its registered agent at that address is Corporation Service Company.

 

ARTICLE III

 

The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

(A)          Classes of Stock . This Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of capital stock of the Company to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares which the Corporation is authorized to issue is Eight Hundred Fifty Million (850,000,000) shares. Eight Hundred Million (800,000,000) shares shall be Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, and Fifty Million (50,000,000) shares shall be Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share.

 



 

(B)          Common Stock .

 

1.             Ranking .  The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of Common Stock are subject to and qualified by the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock of any series as may be designated by the board of directors upon any issuance of Preferred Stock of any series.

 

2.             Voting .  Each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote in person or by proxy for each share on all matters on which such stockholders are entitled to vote.  Except as expressly set forth in the applicable Certificate of Designations with respect to any such series of Preferred Stock or as otherwise is required by applicable law, the holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Certificate of Designations) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon.

 

3.             Dividend Rights .  The holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive ratably such dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property of the Corporation when, as and if declared thereon by the board of directors in its sole discretion from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor, subject to any preferential rights of any then outstanding Preferred Stock and any other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, as may be amended from time to time.

 

4.             Liquidation Rights . Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them and subject to any preferential rights of any then outstanding Preferred Stock.

 

5.             No Preemptive or Subscription Rights . No holder of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to preemptive or subscription rights.

 

6.             No Cumulative Voting . The holders of shares of Common Stock shall not have cumulative voting rights.

 

7.             Recapitalization .  Upon this Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation becoming effective at 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time, on January 31, 2017, the date of filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, pursuant to the DGCL (the “Effective Time”), the One Thousand (1,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be reclassified by subdividing and thereafter constitute 107,975,968 shares of Common Stock.

 



 

(C)          Preferred Stock .

 

The board of directors is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issuance of all or any shares of Preferred Stock in one or more classes or series, and to fix for each such class or series such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the board of directors providing for the issuance of such class or series, including, without limitation, the authority to provide that any such class or series may be (a) subject to redemption at such time or times and at such price or prices; (b) entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or non-cumulative) at such rates, on such conditions, and at such times, and payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes or any other series; (c) entitled to such rights upon the dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation; or (d) convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of stock, or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock, of the Corporation at such price or prices or at such rates of exchange and with such adjustments, all as may be stated in such resolution or resolutions.

 

ARTICLE V

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by law, the board of directors is expressly authorized and empowered, without the assent or vote of the stockholders of the Corporation, to amend, supplement or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation by the requisite affirmative vote of directors as set forth in the bylaws of the Corporation; provided , however , that the stockholders may change or repeal any bylaw adopted by the board of directors by the requisite affirmative vote of stockholders as set forth in the bylaws of the Corporation; and, provided further , that no amendment or supplement to the bylaws of the Corporation adopted by the board of directors shall vary or conflict with any amendment or supplement thus adopted by the stockholders.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of directors.  Subject to the rights of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, the number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed exclusively by, or in the manner provided in, the bylaws of the Corporation.  In addition to the powers and authority hereinbefore or by statute expressly conferred upon them, the board of directors is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the DGCL, this Certificate of Incorporation and any bylaws of the Corporation; provided , however , that no bylaws of the Corporation hereafter adopted shall invalidate any prior act of the board of directors which would have been valid if such bylaws had not been adopted.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide. Directors shall hold office for a term ending on the date of the next

 



 

annual meeting of stockholders following their election and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified, subject to their earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware, as the bylaws of the Corporation may provide. The books of the Corporation may be kept (subject to any provision contained in the statutes) outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors or in the bylaws of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE X

 

Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, and the ability of the stockholders to consent in writing to the taking of any action is hereby specifically denied.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability as a director (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the DGCL is amended after approval of this Article to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article XI shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation is also authorized to provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) such agents (and any other persons to which Delaware law permits the Corporation to provide indemnification) through bylaw provisions, agreements with such agents or other persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification and advancement otherwise permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, subject only to limits created by applicable Delaware law (statutory or non-statutory), with respect to actions for breach of duty to the Corporation, its stockholders and others. Any repeal or modification of any of the foregoing provisions of this

 



 

Article XII shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director, officer, agent or other person existing at the time of, or increase the liability of any director of the Corporation with respect to any acts or omissions of such director, officer or agent occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for: (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine; provided, however, that, in the event that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks subject matter jurisdiction over any such action or proceeding, the sole and exclusive forum for such action or proceeding shall be another state or federal court located within the State of Delaware, in each such case, unless the Court of Chancery (or such other state or federal court located within the State of Delaware, as applicable) has dismissed a prior action by the same plaintiff asserting the same claims because such court lacked personal jurisdiction over an indispensable party named as a defendant therein. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XIII. Failure to enforce the foregoing provisions would cause the Corporation irreparable harm and the Corporation shall be entitled to equitable relief, including injunction and specific performance, to enforce the forgoing provisions.

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned has executed this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as of this 31 st  day of January 2017.

 

 

BIOVERATIV INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John G. Cox

 

 

Name:

John G. Cox

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 


Exhibit 4.2

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

BYLAWS

 

OF

 

BIOVERATIV INC.

 

A Delaware Corporation

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

ARTICLE 1

Offices

1

 

 

 

1.1

Registered Office

1

1.2

Other Offices

1

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2

Meeting of Stockholders

1

 

 

 

2.1

Place of Meeting

1

2.2

Annual Meeting

1

2.3

Special Meetings Called by Directors or Officers

4

2.3A

Special Meetings Called by Stockholders

4

2.4

Notice of Meetings

6

2.5

List of Stockholders

7

2.6

Organization and Conduct of Business

7

2.7

Quorum

7

2.8

Adjournments

7

2.9

Voting Rights

8

2.10

Voting

8

2.11

Record Date for Stockholder Notice, Voting and Payment

8

2.12

Proxies

8

2.13

Inspectors of Election

9

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3

Directors

9

 

 

 

3.1

Number, Election, Tenure and Qualifications

9

3.1A

Proxy Access for Director Nominations

12

3.2

Enlargement and Vacancies

16

3.3

Resignation and Removal

17

3.4

Powers

17

3.5

Place of Meetings

17

3.6

Organizational Meetings

17

3.7

Regular Meetings

17

3.8

Special Meetings

17

3.9

Quorum, Action at Meeting, Adjournments

18

3.10

Action Without Meeting

18

3.11

Telephone Meetings

18

3.12

Committees

18

3.13

Fees and Compensation of Directors

19

3.14

Rights of Inspection

19

3.15

Lead Director

19

3.16

Conditional Resignation

19

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4

Officers

20

 

 

 

4.1

Officers Designated

20

4.2

Appointment

20

4.3

Tenure

20

4.4

Chairman and Vice Chairman

20

 

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4.5

The Chief Executive Officer

20

4.6

The President

21

4.7

The Vice President

21

4.8

The Secretary

21

4.9

The Assistant Secretary

21

4.10

The Chief Financial Officer

22

4.11

The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers

22

4.12

Other Officers

22

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5

Notices

22

 

 

 

5.1

Delivery

22

5.2

Waiver of Notice

23

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6

Indemnification and Insurance

23

 

 

 

6.1

Indemnification

23

6.2

Advance Payment

26

6.3

Non-Exclusivity and Survival of Rights; Amendments

27

6.4

Insurance

27

6.5

Severability

27

6.6

Definitions

27

6.7

Notices

29

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7

Capital Stock

29

 

 

 

7.1

Certificates for Shares

29

7.2

Signatures on Certificates

30

7.3

Transfer of Stock

30

7.4

Registered Stockholders

30

7.5

Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates

30

7.6

Transfer and Registry Agents

31

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8

General Provisions

31

 

 

 

8.1

Dividends

31

8.2

Dividend Reserve

31

8.3

Checks

31

8.4

Fiscal Year

31

8.5

Corporate Seal

31

8.6

Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments

32

8.7

Representation of Shares of Other Corporations

32

 

 

 

ARTICLE 9

Amendments

32

 

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AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

BYLAWS

 

OF

 

BIOVERATIV INC.

 

(Adopted as of August 4, 2016; as amended through January 31, 2017)

 

ARTICLE 1

 

Offices

 

1.1                                Registered Office

 

The registered office of the corporation shall be set forth in the certificate of incorporation of the corporation (as may be amended and restated from time to time, the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”).

 

1.2                                Other Offices

 

The corporation may also have offices at such other places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the corporation (the “ Board ”) may from time to time designate or the business of the corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE 2

 

Meeting of Stockholders

 

2.1                                Place of Meeting

 

Meetings of stockholders of the corporation (the “ Stockholders ”) may be held at such place, either within or without of the State of Delaware, as may be designated by or in the manner provided in these bylaws, or, if not so designated, as determined by the Board.  The Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of the Stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication in the manner authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”).

 

2.2                                Annual Meeting

 

Annual meetings of Stockholders shall be held each year at such place, date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting.  At each such annual meeting, the Stockholders shall elect directors to the Board to hold office until the next annual meeting of Stockholders after their election and until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity.  The Stockholders shall also transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

 

To be properly brought before the annual meeting, nominations of persons for election as directors must be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.1 or 3.1A .

 

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Subject to the last paragraph of this Section 2.2 , to be properly brought before the annual meeting, business other than nominations of persons for election to the Board must be (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, (b) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a Stockholder of record of the corporation at the time of giving of notice of meeting pursuant to Section 2.4 and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who otherwise complies with this Section 2.2 .  For any proposed business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a Stockholder pursuant to clause (c) above of this paragraph, the proposed business must constitute a proper matter for Stockholder action.  Any such Stockholder may propose business to be brought before a meeting only if such Stockholder has given timely notice to the Secretary of the corporation in proper written form of the Stockholder’s intent to propose such business.

 

To be timely, the Stockholder’s notice must be delivered by a nationally recognized courier service or mailed by first class United States mail, postage or delivery charges prepaid, or other method of delivery approved by the Board, and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation addressed to the attention of the Secretary of the corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days in advance of the first anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting of Stockholders; provided, however , that in respect of the corporation’s first annual meeting of Stockholders after its shares of common stock are first publicly traded (the “ First Public Annual Meeting ”), notice by the Stockholder must be received by the Secretary of the corporation not later than the close of business on the thirtieth (30 th ) day following the day on which notice of the date of the First Public Annual Meeting was mailed or public announcement of the date of the First Public Annual Meeting was first made, whichever first occurs; provided, further , that, other than in respect of the First Public Annual Meeting, in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting of Stockholders, notice by the Stockholder must be received by the Secretary of the corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120 th ) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the ninetieth (90 th ) day prior to such annual meeting and (y) the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. For the purposes of these bylaws, “ public announcement ” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of Stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

To be in proper form, a Stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter the Stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment), and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and record address of the Stockholder proposing such business and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (iii) the class, series and number of shares of capital stock of the corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by the Stockholder and such beneficial owner, (iv) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock

 

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appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of capital stock of the corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of capital stock of the corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the corporation or otherwise (a “ Derivative Instrument ”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such Stockholder and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of capital stock of the corporation, (v) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the proposal of business between or among such Stockholder and such beneficial owner, any of their respective affiliates or associates, and any others acting in concert with any of the foregoing, (vi) a description of any material interest of the Stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, in such business, (vii) a representation that the Stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business, (viii) a representation whether the Stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (a) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal and/or (b) otherwise to solicit proxies from Stockholders in support of such proposal and (ix) any other information that is required to be provided by the Stockholder pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder as amended from time to time (collectively, the “ 1934 Act ”) in such Stockholder’s capacity as a proponent of a Stockholder proposal.

 

A Stockholder providing notice of business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.2 shall be true and correct as of the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting and such update or supplement shall be delivered to, and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than five (5) business days after the later of (i) the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting and (ii) the date notice of such record date is first publicly disclosed.

 

Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, if the Chairman of the Board (or such other person presiding at the meeting in accordance with these bylaws) determines in good faith that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.2 (including whether the Stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such Stockholder’s proposal in compliance with such Stockholder’s representation as required by clause (viii) above of this Section 2.2 ), he or she may so declare to the meeting and any such business shall not be transacted.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.2 , unless otherwise required by applicable law, if the Stockholder (or a qualified representative of the Stockholder) does not appear at the meeting to present proposed business, such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such proposed business may have been received by the corporation.  For purposes of this provision, to be considered a qualified representative of the Stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such Stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such Stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such Stockholder to act for such Stockholder as proxy at the meeting of Stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of Stockholders.

 

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Compliance with this Section 2.2 and Sections 3.1 and 3.1A shall be the exclusive means for a Stockholder to make nominations for director or submit other business to the Stockholders at an annual meeting (other than matters brought properly under and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 or other applicable rules and regulations under the 1934 Act).

 

2.3          Special Meetings Called by Directors or Officers

 

Unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the Stockholders shall be called for any purpose or purposes by the Secretary at the request of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or by a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board.  Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.  Business transacted at any such special meeting shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.

 

2.3A       Special Meetings Called by Stockholders

 

(a)           Special meetings of the Stockholders (each a “ Stockholder Requested Special Meeting ”) shall also be called by the Secretary upon the written request of a Stockholder (or a group of Stockholders formed for the purpose of making such request) who or which has Net Long Beneficial Ownership (as defined below) of 25% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation (the “ Requisite Percent ”) as of the date of submission of the request, subject to Section 2.3A(b)  below.  Compliance by the requesting Stockholder or group of Stockholders with the requirements of this section and related provisions of these bylaws shall be determined in good faith by the Board, which determination shall be conclusive and binding on the corporation and the Stockholders.

 

Net Long Beneficial Ownership ” (and its correlative terms), when used to describe the nature of a Stockholder’s ownership of shares of common stock of the corporation, shall mean those shares of common stock of the corporation as to which the Stockholder in question possesses (a) the sole power to vote or direct the voting, (b) the sole economic incidents of ownership (including the sole right to profits and the sole risk of loss), and (c) the sole power to dispose of or direct the disposition. The number of shares calculated in accordance with clauses (a), (b) and (c) shall not include any shares (i) sold by such Stockholder in any transaction that has not been settled or closed, (ii) borrowed by such Stockholder for any purposes or purchased by such Stockholder pursuant to an agreement to resell or (iii) subject to any option, warrant, derivative or other agreement or understanding, whether any such arrangement is to be settled with shares of common stock of the corporation or with cash based on the notional amount of shares subject thereto, in any such case which has, or is intended to have, the purpose or effect of (A) reducing in any manner, to any extent or at any time in the future, such Stockholder’s rights to vote or direct the voting and full rights to dispose or direct the disposition of any of such shares or (B) offsetting to any degree gain or loss arising from the sole economic ownership of such shares by such Stockholder.

 

(b)           A request for a Stockholder Requested Special Meeting must be signed by Stockholders (or their duly authorized agents) having Net Long Beneficial Ownership of the Requisite Percent and be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation by a nationally recognized courier service or mailed by first class United States mail, postage or delivery charges prepaid, or other method of delivery approved by the Board.  Such request shall (i) set forth a statement of the specific purpose or purposes of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at such special meeting, (ii) bear the date of signature of each such Stockholder (or duly authorized

 

4



 

agent) signing the request, (iii) as to each Stockholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the request is signed) (A) set forth the name and address, as it appears in the corporation’s stock ledger, (B) set forth the class, if applicable, and the number of shares of common stock of the corporation as to which such Stockholder has Net Long Beneficial Ownership, (C) include evidence of the fact of such Stockholder’s beneficial ownership of such stock consistent with that which is required under Regulation 14A under the 1934 Act and (D) include a certification that the Stockholder satisfies the Net Long Beneficial Ownership requirement of these bylaws, and (iv) include an acknowledgment by each Stockholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the request is signed) and any duly authorized agent that any disposition of shares of common stock of the corporation as to which such Stockholder has Net Long Beneficial Ownership as of the date of delivery of the special meeting request and prior to the record date for the proposed meeting requested by such Stockholder shall constitute a revocation of such request with respect to such shares.  In addition, the Stockholder and any duly authorized agent shall promptly provide any other information reasonably requested by the corporation to allow it to satisfy its obligations under applicable law.  Any requesting Stockholder may revoke such Stockholder’s request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation.  If, following such revocation at any time before the date of the Stockholder Requested Special Meeting, the remaining Stockholders signing such request (or on whose behalf the request is signed) have Net Long Beneficial Ownership in the aggregate of less than the Requisite Percent, the Board, in its sole discretion, may cancel the Stockholder Requested Special Meeting or the Stockholder(s’) proposed business at the meeting.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting of Stockholders if (i) the Board has called or calls an annual or special meeting of Stockholders to be held not later than sixty (60) days after the date on which a valid request has been delivered to the Secretary (the “ Delivery Date ”) where the request contains the same item as any item on the agenda for such annual or special meeting; or (ii) the request (A) is received by the Secretary during the period commencing one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting (or, solely in respect of the First Public Annual Meeting, one hundred twenty (120) prior to the date of such meeting) and ending on the date of the next annual meeting, (B) contains an identical or substantially similar item (a “ Similar Item ”) to an item that was presented at any meeting of Stockholders held within thirty (30) days prior to the Delivery Date (and, for purposes of this clause (B) the election of directors shall be deemed a “Similar Item” with respect to all items of business involving the election or removal of directors), excluding, for purposes of determining what constitutes a Similar Item, ancillary items that are contained in the request solely to support the primary item(s) of such request, (C) relates to an item of business that is not a proper subject for action by the Stockholders under applicable law or (D) was made in a manner that involved a violation of applicable law.

 

(d)           Any Stockholder Requested Special Meeting shall be held at such date, time and place within or without the State of Delaware as may be fixed by the Board; provided , however , that the date of any Stockholder Requested Special Meeting shall be not more than sixty (60) days after the record date for such meeting (the “ Meeting Record Date ”).  If the Board fails to designate a date and time for the meeting within ten (10) days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at 9:00 a.m. local time on the sixtieth (60th) day after the Meeting Record Date (or, if that day shall not be a business day, then on the next preceding business day); provided further , that in the event that the Board fails to designate a place for a Stockholder Requested Special Meeting within ten (10) days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the corporation’s principal executive offices.  The Meeting Record Date shall be fixed in accordance with Section 2.11 of these bylaws and if the Board

 

5



 

fails to designate a Meeting Record Date within ten (10) days after the Delivery Date, then such Meeting Record Date shall be twenty (20) days after the Delivery Date.  In fixing a date and time for any Stockholder Requested Special Meeting, the Board may consider such factors as it deems relevant within the good faith exercise of business judgment, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for meeting and any plan of the Board to call an annual meeting or a special meeting.

 

(e)           Business transacted at any Stockholder Requested Special Meeting shall be limited to the purpose(s) stated in the request; provided , however , that nothing herein shall prohibit the corporation from submitting matters to a vote of the Stockholders at any Stockholder Requested Special Meeting.

 

A Stockholder providing notice of business proposed to be brought before a special meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.3A shall be true and correct as of the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to receive notice of the special meeting and such update or supplement shall be delivered to, and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than five (5) business days after the later of (i) the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to receive notice of the special meeting and (ii) the date notice of such record date is first publicly disclosed.

 

Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, if the Chairman of the Board (or such other person presiding at the meeting in accordance with these bylaws) determines in good faith that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.3A (including whether the Stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such Stockholder’s proposal in compliance with such Stockholder’s representation as required by clause (viii) above of Section 2.2 ), he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such business shall not be transacted.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.3A , unless otherwise required by applicable law, if the Stockholder (or a qualified representative of the Stockholder) does not appear at the meeting to present proposed business, such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such proposed business may have been received by the corporation.  For purposes of this provision, to be considered a qualified representative of the Stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such Stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such Stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such Stockholder to act for such Stockholder as proxy at the meeting of Stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of Stockholders.

 

2.4          Notice of Meetings

 

Except as otherwise provided by law, written notice of each meeting of Stockholders, annual or special, stating the place, if any, date and time of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which Stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which such special meeting is called, shall be given to each Stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting.

 

6



 

When a meeting is adjourned to another place, date or time, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the place, date and time thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however , that if the date of any adjourned meeting is more than thirty (30) days after the date for which the meeting was originally noticed, or if a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, written notice of the place, if any, date, time and means of remote communications, if any, of the adjourned meeting shall be given in conformity herewith.  At any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the original meeting.

 

2.5          List of Stockholders

 

The officer in charge of the stock ledger of the corporation or the transfer agent shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of Stockholders, a complete list of the Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each Stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each Stockholder.  Such list shall be open to the examination of any Stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the corporation.  If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any Stockholder who is present.  If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any Stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to gain access to such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

 

2.6          Organization and Conduct of Business

 

The Chairman of the Board or, in his or her absence, the Chief Executive Officer or President or, in their absence, such person as the Board may have designated or, in the absence of such a person, such person as may be chosen by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, shall call to order any meeting of the Stockholders and act as chairman of the meeting.  In the absence of the Secretary, the secretary of the meeting shall be such person as the chairman of the meeting appoints.

 

The chairman of any meeting of Stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of discussion as seems to him or her in order.

 

2.7          Quorum

 

Except where otherwise provided by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, the holders of a majority of the shares of capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented in proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Stockholders.

 

2.8          Adjournments

 

Any meeting of Stockholders may be adjourned from time to time to any other time and to any other place at which a meeting of Stockholders may be held under these bylaws, which time and place

 

7



 

shall be announced at the meeting, by either the Chairman of the Board or the holders of a majority of the shares of capital stock of the corporation present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote, whether or not a quorum is present, without notice other than announcement at the meeting.  At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting.  If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each Stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

2.9          Voting Rights

 

Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, each Stockholder represented at a meeting of the Stockholders shall be entitled to cast one vote for each share of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote thereat held by such Stockholder.  For purposes of these bylaws, “votes cast” do not include abstentions or shares as to which a stockholder gives no authority or discretion, including “broker non-votes.”

 

2.10        Voting

 

When a quorum is present at any meeting, other than with regard to the election of directors, a majority of the total number of votes of the corporation’s capital stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on such question shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of statute or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these bylaws a different vote is required in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. With respect to the election of directors, the voting standard shall be as set forth in Section 3.1 of these bylaws.

 

2.11        Record Date for Stockholder Notice, Voting and Payment

 

For purposes of determining the Stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any right in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of shares of capital stock of the corporation or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of any such meeting nor more than sixty (60) days before any other action to which the record date relates. A determination of Stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of Stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided , however , that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.  If the Board does not so fix a record date, then: (i) the record date for determining Stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of Stockholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; and (ii) the record date for determining Stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating to such purpose.

 

2.12        Proxies

 

Each Stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of Stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such Stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after

 

8



 

three (3) years from its date unless the proxy provides for a longer period.  Subject to the limitation set forth in the last clause of the first sentence of this Section 2.12 , a duly executed proxy that does not state that it is irrevocable shall continue in full force and effect unless (i) revoked by the person executing it, before the vote pursuant to that proxy, by a writing delivered to the corporation stating that the proxy is revoked or by a subsequent proxy executed by, or attendance at the meeting and voting in person by, the person executing the proxy, or (ii) written notice of the death or incapacity of the maker of that proxy is received by the corporation before the vote pursuant to that proxy is counted.

 

2.13        Inspectors of Election

 

The corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of Stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof.  The corporation may designate one or more persons to act as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act.  If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of Stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting.  Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

Directors

 

3.1          Number, Election, Tenure and Qualifications

 

The number of directors that constitute the entire Board shall be fixed from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board.

 

Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.2 below or at a special meeting of Stockholders held for the purpose of electing directors, directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of Stockholders and each director elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting of Stockholders and until such director’s successor is duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity.  Except in a contested election, the vote required for the election of a director by the Stockholders shall be a majority of the votes cast in favor of the nominee.  In a contested election, a director shall be elected by a plurality of the votes so cast in favor of the nominee.  A contested election shall be one in which there are more nominees than positions on the Board to be filled at the meeting as of the fifth (5th) day prior to the date on which the corporation files its definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Any subsequent amendment or supplement of the definitive proxy statement shall not affect the status of the election.

 

Subject to the last paragraph of this Section 3.1 , and subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of preferred stock of the corporation, if any, to nominate and elect a specified number of directors in certain circumstances, nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made (a) by or at the direction of the Board, (b) by any Stockholder (A) who was a Stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice of meeting pursuant to Section 2.4 and at the time of the meeting, (B) who is entitled to vote for the election of directors at the applicable meeting and (C) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.1 or (c) any person who meets the requirements of and complies with the procedures set forth in Section 3.1A .  Such nominations, other than those made by or

 

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at the direction of the Board or pursuant to Section 3.1A , shall be made pursuant to timely notice in proper written form to the Secretary.

 

To be timely, a Stockholder’s notice shall be delivered by a nationally recognized courier service or mailed by first class United States mail, postage or delivery charges prepaid, or other method of delivery approved by the Board, and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation addressed to the attention of the Secretary of the corporation in the case of an annual meeting not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days in advance of the first anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting of Stockholders; provided, however , that in respect of the First Public Annual Meeting, notice by the Stockholder must be received by the Secretary of the corporation not later than the close of business on the thirtieth (30 th ) day following the day on which notice of the date of the First Public Annual Meeting was mailed or public announcement of the date of the First Public Annual Meeting was first made, whichever first occurs; provided, further , that, other than in respect of the First Public Annual Meeting, in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting of Stockholders, notice by the Stockholder must be received by the Secretary of the corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120 th ) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the ninetieth (90 th ) day prior to such annual meeting and (y) the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a Stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

To be in proper form, a Stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth (a) as to each person whom the Stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (iii) the class, series and number of shares of capital stock of the corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by the person, (iv) a statement as to the person’s citizenship, (v) the completed and signed representation and agreement described below, (vi) any other information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act, and (vii) such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected, and (b) as to the Stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (i) the name and record address of the Stockholder and of such beneficial owner, if any, (ii) the class, series and number of shares of capital stock of the corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by the Stockholder and such beneficial owner, (iii) any Derivative Instrument directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such Stockholder and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of capital stock of the corporation, (iv) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination between or among such Stockholder and such beneficial owner, any of their respective affiliates or associates, and any others acting in concert with any of the foregoing, (v) a representation that the Stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination, and (vi) a representation whether the Stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, (a “ Stockholder’s Representation ”) intends or is part of a group which intends (A) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock required to elect the nominee and/or (B) otherwise to solicit proxies from Stockholders in support of such nomination. The corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other

 

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information as may reasonably be required by the corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as director of the corporation.

 

To be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the corporation, a person must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under this Section 3.1 ) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation a written representation and agreement that such person (i) is not and will not become a party to (A) any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “ Voting Commitment ”) that has not been disclosed to the corporation or (B) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (ii) is not, and has not agreed to, become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with any person or entity other than the corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed in such written representation and agreement and agrees to promptly disclose to the Board any such agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with any person or entity other than the corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that such person becomes a party to at any time after the delivery of such written representation and agreement, and (iii) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the corporation, and will comply with, applicable law and all applicable rules of the securities exchanges upon which the securities of the corporation are listed and publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the corporation.  At the request of the corporation, each nominee for election as a director of the corporation must submit to the Secretary all completed and signed questionnaires required of directors and officers. With respect to any nominee for election as a director of the corporation, such nominee shall agree to the conditional resignation policy as set forth in Section 3.16 of these bylaws.

 

Notwithstanding anything in the fourth paragraph of this Section 3.1 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board is increased effective at the annual meeting and there is no public announcement by the corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting of Stockholders, a Stockholder’s notice required by this Section 3.1 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the corporation.

 

Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of Stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the corporation’s notice of meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof or (ii) provided that the Board has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any Stockholder of the corporation who is a Stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice of meeting pursuant to Section 2.4 and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.1 .  In the event the corporation calls a special meeting of Stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such Stockholder

 

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entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the corporation’s notice of meeting, if the Stockholder’s notice required by the third paragraph of this Section 3.1 shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting.  In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a Stockholder’s notice as described above.  Nominations pursuant to Section 3.1A of these bylaws may not be made in connection with a special meeting of Stockholders.

 

A Stockholder providing notice of any nomination proposed to be made at an annual meeting or special meeting of Stockholders shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 3.1 shall be true and correct as of the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting or special meeting and such update or supplement shall be delivered to, and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than five (5) business days after the later of (i) the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting or special meeting and (ii) the date notice of such record date is first publicly disclosed.

 

In connection with any annual meeting of Stockholders (or, if and as applicable, any special meeting of the Stockholders), if the Chairman of the Board (or such other person presiding at such meeting in accordance with these bylaws) determines in good faith that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure (including whether the Stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such Stockholder’s nominee in compliance with such Stockholder’s Representation as required by this Section 3.1 ), he or she shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination may be disregarded by the Board.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.1 , unless otherwise required by applicable law, if the Stockholder (or a qualified representative of the Stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of Stockholders of the corporation to present a nomination, such nomination shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the corporation.  For purposes of this Section 3.1 , to be considered a qualified representative of the Stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such Stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such Stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such Stockholder to act for such Stockholder as proxy at the meeting of Stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of Stockholders.

 

Compliance with Section 2.2 and this Section 3.1 shall be the exclusive means for a Stockholder to make nominations for director or submit other business to the Stockholders at an annual meeting (other than matters brought properly under and in compliance with Section 3.1A or Rule 14a-8 or other applicable rules and regulations under the 1934 Act).

 

3.1A       Proxy Access for Director Nominations.

 

(a)         Proxy Access .  Whenever the Board solicits proxies with respect to the election of

 

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directors at an annual meeting of Stockholders, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.1A , the corporation shall include in its proxy statement for such annual meeting, in addition to any persons nominated for election by the Board, the name, together with the Required Information (defined below), of any person nominated for election (the “ Stockholder Nominee ”) to the Board by any Stockholder or group of Stockholders that satisfies the requirements of this Section 3.1A (such Stockholder or Stockholders, and any person on whose behalf they are acting, the “ Eligible Stockholder ”), and who expressly elects at the time of providing the notice required by this Section 3.1A (the “ Notice of Proxy Access Nomination ”) to have its nominee included in the corporation’s proxy materials (including the proxy card) pursuant to this Section 3.1A . For purposes of this Section 3.1A , the “ Required Information ” that the corporation will include in its proxy statement is the information provided to the Secretary of the corporation concerning each Stockholder Nominee and Eligible Stockholder that is required to be disclosed in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act, and if the Eligible Stockholder so elects, a written statement, not to exceed 500 words, in support of the Stockholder Nominee(s)’ candidacy (the “ Statement ”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3.1A , the corporation may omit from its proxy materials any information or Statement (or portion thereof) that it, in good faith, believes would violate any applicable law or regulation.

 

(b)                            Timeliness of Notice .  To be timely, the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination must be delivered to, and received by, the Secretary of the corporation no earlier than one hundred fifty (150) days and no later than one hundred twenty (120) days before the anniversary of the date that the corporation filed its proxy statement for the previous year’s annual meeting of Stockholders, or, solely in respect of the First Annual Meeting, not later than the close of business on the thirtieth (30 th ) day following the day on which notice of the date of the First Public Annual Meeting was mailed or public announcement of the date of the First Public Annual Meeting was first made, whichever first occurs; provided, however , that other than in respect of the First Public Annual Meeting, if the date of the annual meeting of Stockholders is called for more than thirty (30) days earlier or later than the anniversary date of the most recent annual meeting of Stockholders, then not later than the close of business on the earlier of (i) the tenth (10th) day after public announcement of the meeting date, or (ii) the sixtieth (60th) day prior to the date the corporation files its proxy statement in connection with the annual meeting of Stockholders. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting of Stockholders commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a Stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

(c)                             Maximum Number of Stockholder Nominees .

 

(i)                                      Maximum Number of Stockholder Nominees .  The maximum number of Stockholder Nominees nominated by all Eligible Stockholders that will be included in the corporation’s proxy materials with respect to an annual meeting of Stockholders shall not exceed 25% of the number of directors in office as of the last day on which a Notice of Proxy Access Nomination may be delivered pursuant to and in accordance with this Section 3.1A (the “ Final Proxy Access Nomination Date ”), or if such amount is not a whole number, the closest whole number below 25%, but not less than one. In the event that one or more vacancies for any reason occurs on the Board after the Final Proxy Access Nomination Date but before the date of the annual meeting and the Board resolves to reduce the size of the Board in connection therewith, the maximum number of Stockholder Nominees included in the corporation’s proxy materials shall be calculated based on the number of directors in office as so reduced.

 

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(ii)                                   Persons Considered in Calculation of Maximum Number of Stockholder

 

Nominees .  The following persons shall be considered Stockholder Nominees for purposes of determining when the maximum number of Stockholder Nominees provided for in this Section 3.1A has been reached: (1) any Stockholder Nominee whom the Board decides to nominate as a Board nominee, (2) with respect to any Stockholder meeting, any individual with respect to whom the Company receives notice pursuant to Section 3.1 of these bylaws that a Stockholder intends to nominate for election at such meeting, (3) any Stockholder Nominee who is subsequently withdrawn and (4) any director who had been a Stockholder Nominee at any of the preceding three annual meetings and whose reelection at the upcoming annual meeting is being recommended by the Board.

 

(iii)                                Ranking Stockholder Nominees .  Any Eligible Stockholder submitting more than one Stockholder Nominee for inclusion in the corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to this Section 3.1A shall rank such Stockholder Nominees based on the order that the Eligible Stockholder desires such Stockholder Nominees to be selected for inclusion in the corporation’s proxy statement. In the event that the number of Stockholder Nominees submitted by Eligible Stockholders pursuant to this Section 3.1A exceeds the maximum number of nominees provided for in this Section 3.1A , the highest ranking Stockholder Nominee who meets the requirements of this Section 3.1A from each Eligible Stockholder will be selected for inclusion in the corporation’s proxy materials until the maximum number is reached, whereby Eligible Stockholders disclosing the largest ownership of shares of common stock of the corporation in their respective Notice of Proxy Access Nomination submitted to the corporation receive priority based on the number of shares of common stock each Eligible Stockholder so disclosed as owned.  If the maximum number is not reached after the highest ranking Stockholder Nominee who meets the requirements of this Section 3.1A from each Eligible Stockholder has been selected, this process will continue as many times as necessary, following the same order each time, until the maximum number is reached.

 

(d)                            Ownership .  For purposes of this Section 3.1A , an Eligible Stockholder shall be deemed to “own” only those outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation as to which the Stockholder possesses Net Long Beneficial Ownership, as computed pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 2.3A(a)  of these bylaws.

 

(e)                             Required Ownership Percentage; Minimum Holding Period .  In order to make a nomination pursuant to this Section 3.1A , an Eligible Stockholder must have owned the Required Ownership Percentage (as defined below) of the corporation’s outstanding shares of common stock (the “ Required Shares ”) continuously for the Minimum Holding Period (as defined below) as of both the date the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination is received by the Secretary of the corporation in accordance with this Section 3.1A and the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting and must continue to own the Required Shares through the meeting date. For purposes of this Section 3.1A , the “ Required Ownership Percentage ” is 3% or more, and the “ Minimum Holding Period ” is three (3) years.

 

(f)                              Information to be Provided .

 

(i)                                      Information to be Provided by Eligible Stockholder . Within the time period specified in this Section 3.1A for delivering the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination, an Eligible Stockholder must provide the following information in writing to the Secretary:

 

(A)        one or more written statements from the record holder of the shares (and from each

 

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intermediary through which the shares are or have been held during the Minimum Holding Period) verifying that, as of a date within seven (7) calendar days prior to the date the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination is delivered to, and received by, the Secretary, the Eligible Stockholder owns, and has owned continuously for the Minimum Holding Period, the Required Shares, and the Eligible Stockholder’s agreement to provide, within five (5) business days after the record date for the annual meeting, written statements from the record holder and intermediaries verifying the Eligible Stockholder’s continuous ownership of the Required Shares through the record date;

 

(B)        a copy of the Schedule 14N that has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as required by Rule 14a-18 under the 1934 Act;

 

(C)        the information, representations and agreements that are the same as those that would be required to be set forth in a Stockholder’s notice of nomination pursuant to Section 3.1 of these bylaws;

 

(D)        the consent of each Stockholder Nominee to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected;

 

(E)         a representation that the Eligible Stockholder (1) presently intends to maintain qualifying ownership of the Required Shares through the date of the annual meeting, (2) has not engaged and will not engage in, and has not and will not be a “participant” in another person’s, “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 14a-1(l) under the 1934 Act in support of the election of any individual as a director at the annual meeting other than its Stockholder Nominee(s) or a nominee of the Board, and (3) agrees to comply with all applicable laws and regulations applicable to the use, if any, of soliciting material.

 

(F)          a representation as to the Eligible Stockholder’s intentions with respect to maintaining qualifying ownership of the Required Shares for at least one year following the annual meeting;

 

(G)        an undertaking that the Eligible Stockholder agrees to (1) assume all liability stemming from any legal or regulatory violation arising out of the Eligible Stockholder’s communications with the Stockholders of the corporation or out of the information that the Eligible Stockholder provided to the corporation and (2) indemnify and hold harmless the corporation and each of its directors, officers and employees individually against any liability, loss or damages in connection with any threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding, whether legal, administrative or investigative, against the corporation or any of its directors, officers or employees arising out of any nomination submitted by the Eligible Stockholder pursuant to this Section 3.1A .

 

(ii)                                   Information to be Provided by Stockholder Nominee .  Within the time period specified in this Section 3.1A for delivering the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination, each Stockholder Nominee must deliver to the Secretary of the corporation the representations, agreements and other information required by the sixth paragraph of Section 3.1 of these bylaws.

 

(g)                             Notice of Defect .  In the event that any information or communications provided by the Eligible Stockholder or the Stockholder Nominee to the corporation or its Stockholders ceases to be

 

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true and correct in all material respects or omits a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, each Eligible Stockholder or Stockholder Nominee, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the Secretary of any defect in such previously provided information and of the information that is required to correct any such defect.

 

(h)                            Exclusions .  The corporation shall not be required to include in its proxy materials for any meeting of Stockholders, pursuant to this Section 3.1A , a Stockholder Nominee (i) for which the Secretary of the corporation receives a notice that a Stockholder has nominated such Stockholder Nominee for election to the Board pursuant to the advance notice requirements for Stockholder Nominees for director set forth in Section 3.1 of these bylaws, (ii) whose election as a member of the Board would cause the corporation to be in violation of the rules and listing standards of the principal securities exchanges upon which the shares of common stock of the corporation is traded, or any applicable state or federal law, rule or regulation, (iii) who is an officer or director of a competitor, as defined in Section 8 of the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, (iv) who is a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses) or has been convicted in such a criminal proceeding within the past ten (10) years, (v) if such Stockholder Nominee or the applicable Eligible Stockholder shall have provided information to the corporation in respect to such nomination that was untrue in any material respect or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, as determined by the Board or any committee thereof, or (vi) the Eligible Stockholder or applicable Stockholder Nominee fails to comply with its obligations pursuant to this Section 3.1A in all material respects.

 

(i)                                Invalidity .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Board or the chairman of the meeting of Stockholders shall declare a nomination by an Eligible Stockholder to be invalid, and such nomination shall be disregarded notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the corporation, if (i) the Stockholder Nominee(s) and/or the applicable Eligible Stockholder shall have breached its or their obligations under this Section 3.1A , as determined by the Board or the chairman of the meeting or (ii) the Eligible Stockholder (or a qualified representative thereof) does not appear at the meeting of Stockholders to present any nomination pursuant to this Section 3.1A .

 

(j)                               Group Membership .  No person may be a member of more than one group of persons constituting an Eligible Stockholder under this Section 3.1A .

 

(k)                            Restrictions on Successive Nominations .  Any Stockholder Nominee who is included in the corporation’s proxy materials for a particular annual meeting of Stockholders but either (i) withdraws from or becomes ineligible or unavailable for election at the annual meeting, or (ii) does not receive at least 25% of the votes cast in favor of such Stockholder Nominee’s election, will be ineligible to be a Stockholder Nominee pursuant to this Section 3.1A for the next two annual meetings. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 3.1A(k)  shall not prevent any Stockholder from nominating any person to the Board pursuant to and in accordance with Section 3.1 of these bylaws.

 

3.2                                Enlargement and Vacancies

 

The number of members of the Board may be increased at any time as provided in Section 3.1 above.  Sole power to fill vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors shall be vested in the Board, and any directors so elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting of Stockholders after their election and until their successors are

 

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duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity; provided, however , that either the Board or the Stockholders may fill any vacancy resulting from Stockholder removal of a director.  If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute.  In the event of one or more vacancies in the Board, the remaining directors, except as otherwise provided by law or these bylaws, may exercise the powers of the full board until the vacancies are filled.

 

3.3                                Resignation and Removal

 

Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation at its principal place of business or to the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary.  Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt of such notice unless the notice specifies such resignation to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.  Any director or the entire Board may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, unless otherwise specified in the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

3.4                                Powers

 

The business of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the Stockholders.

 

3.5                                Place of Meetings

 

The Board may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware.

 

3.6                                Organizational Meetings

 

There shall be an organizational meeting of the Board each year for the purposes of organization, the appointment of officers and the transaction of other business.  Organizational meetings shall be held at such time and place as may be determined from time to time by the Board.

 

3.7                                Regular Meetings

 

Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and place as may be determined from time to time by the Board; provided , however , that any director who is absent when such a determination is made shall be given prompt notice of such determination.

 

3.8                                Special Meetings

 

Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the Lead Director (if any), the Chief Executive Officer or the President, or by the Secretary on the written request of two or more directors, or by one director in the event that there is only one director in office.  Notice of the time and place, if any, of special meetings shall be delivered personally or by telephone to each director, or sent by first-class mail or commercial delivery service, or by electronic mail or other electronic means, charges prepaid, to such director’s business or home address as they appear upon the records of the corporation.  In case such notice is mailed, at least two (2) days’ notice shall be provided to each director prior to the time of holding of the meeting.  In case such notice is delivered personally

 

 

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or by telephone or by commercial delivery service, or electronic mail or other electronic means, at least twenty-four (24) hours’ notice shall be provided to each director prior to the time of the holding of the meeting.  A notice or waiver of notice of a meeting of the Board need not specify the purposes of the meeting.

 

3.9                                Quorum, Action at Meeting, Adjournments

 

At all meetings of the Board, a majority of directors then in office, but in no event less than one-third (1/3) of the entire Board, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation.  For purposes of this Section 3.9 , the term “ entire Board ” shall mean the number of directors last fixed by directors in accordance with these bylaws.  If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board, a majority of the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

 

3.10                         Action Without Meeting

 

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writings or electronic transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board.

 

3.11                         Telephone Meetings

 

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, any member of the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board, as the case may be, by means of conference telephone or by any form of communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

3.12                         Committees

 

The Board may, by resolution, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation.  The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.  In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not the member or members present constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.  Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the Stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to Stockholders for approval or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any of these bylaws.  Any such committee shall have such name as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board.  Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and make such reports to the Board as the Board may request.  Except as the Board may otherwise determine, any committee may make rules for the conduct of its business,

 

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but unless otherwise provided by the directors or in such rules, its business shall be conducted as nearly as possible in the same manner as is provided in these bylaws for the conduct of its business by the Board.

 

3.13                         Fees and Compensation of Directors

 

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.  The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or a stated salary as director, or such other compensation as may be determined by the Board.  No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.  Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.

 

3.14                         Rights of Inspection

 

Any director shall have the right to examine the corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its Stockholders and its other books and records.

 

3.15                         Lead Director

 

The Board may designate a Lead Director from among its members from time to time, who shall be an independent director, with such duties and authority as determined by the Board.

 

3.16                         Conditional Resignation

 

The Board shall not nominate for election as director any candidate who has not agreed to tender, promptly following the annual meeting at which he or she is elected as director, an irrevocable resignation that will be effective upon (a) the failure to receive the required number of votes for reelection at the next annual meeting of Stockholders at which he or she faces reelection, and (b) acceptance of such resignation by the Board. In addition, the Board shall not fill a director vacancy or newly created directorship with any candidate who has not agreed to tender, promptly following his or her appointment to the Board, the same form of resignation.

 

If an incumbent director fails to receive the number of votes required for reelection, the Board (excluding the director in question) shall, within ninety (90) days after certification of the election results, decide whether to accept the director’s resignation, taking into account such factors as it deems relevant. Such factors may include, without limitation, the stated reason or reasons why Stockholders voted against such director’s reelection, the qualifications of the director (including, for example, whether the director is an “audit committee financial expert”), and whether accepting the resignation would cause the Company to fail to meet any applicable listing standards or would violate applicable state law. The Board shall promptly disclose its decision and, if applicable, the reasons for rejecting the resignation in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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ARTICLE 4

 

Officers

 

4.1                                Officers Designated

 

The officers of the corporation shall be chosen by the Board and shall include a Chief Executive Officer, a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer.  The Board may elect from among its members a Chairman of the Board and a Vice Chairman of the Board.  The Board may also choose a President, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more assistant Secretaries or assistant Treasurers and such other officers as the Board deems appropriate from time to time.  Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws otherwise provide.

 

4.2                                Appointment

 

The Board at its annual organizational meeting shall choose a Chief Executive Officer, a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer.  Other officers may be appointed by the Board at such meeting, at any other meeting, or by written consent, or in such other manner as is determined by the Board.

 

4.3                                Tenure

 

Each officer of the corporation shall hold office until such officer’s successor is appointed and qualified, unless a different term is specified in the vote choosing or appointing such officer, or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation, removal or incapacity.  Any officer may be removed with or without cause at any time by the Board.  Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation may be filled by the Board, at its sole discretion.  Any officer may resign by delivering such officer’s written resignation to the corporation at its principal place of business or to the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary.  Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.

 

4.4                                Chairman and Vice Chairman

 

The Chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at all meetings of the Board and of the Stockholders at which he or she shall be present.  The Chairman of the Board shall have and may exercise such powers as are, from time to time, assigned to him or her by the Board and as may be provided by law.  In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at all meetings of the Board and of the Stockholders at which he or she shall be present.  The Vice Chairman of the Board shall have and may exercise such powers as are, from time to time, assigned to him or her by the Board and as may be provided by law.

 

4.5                                The Chief Executive Officer

 

Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (who may also be designated by the title of “President” unless a separate President shall be appointed) shall preside at all meetings of the Stockholders and the Board in the absence of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board or if there be none, shall have general and active management of the business of the corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect.  He or she shall execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts

 

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requiring a seal, under the seal of the corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except to the extent that the other officers of the corporation may sign and execute documents when so authorized by these bylaws, the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

 

4.6                                The President

 

The President, if any, shall, in the event there be no Chief Executive Officer or in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer or in the event of his or her disability or refusal to act, perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer, and when so acting, shall have the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chief Executive Officer.  The President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may from time to time be prescribed for such person by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or these bylaws.

 

4.7                                The Vice President

 

The Vice President (or in the event there be more than one, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the directors, or in the absence of any designation, in the order of their appointment), shall, in the absence of the President or in the event of his or her disability or refusal to act, perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President.  The Vice President(s) shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may from time to time be prescribed for them by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or these bylaws.

 

4.8                                The Secretary

 

The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board and the Stockholders and record all votes and the proceedings of the meetings in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees of the Board, when required.  The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of Stockholders and special meetings of the Board, and shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or these bylaws.  The Secretary shall have custody of the seal of the corporation, and the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and, when so affixed, the seal may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary.  The Board may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the corporation and to attest the affixing thereof by his or her signature.  The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office or at the office of the corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the Board, a share register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of all Stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of certificates, if any, issued for the same and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.

 

4.9                                The Assistant Secretary

 

The Assistant Secretary, or if there be more than one, any Assistant Secretaries in the order designated by the Board (or in the absence of any designation, in the order of their appointment) shall assist the Secretary in the performance of his or her duties and, in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may from time to time be

 

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prescribed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or these bylaws.

 

4.10                         The Chief Financial Officer

 

The Chief Financial Officer (who may also be designated by the separate title of “Treasurer” unless a separate Treasurer is appointed) shall consider the adequacy of, and make recommendations concerning, the capital resources available to the corporation to meet it projected obligations and business plans; report periodically to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board on financial results and trends affecting the business; have custody of the corporate funds and deposit and pay out such funds from time to time in such manner as may be prescribed by, or in accordance with the direction of, the Board; and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or these bylaws.

 

4.11                         The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers

 

The Treasurer (if one is appointed) shall, (i) if a Chief Financial Officer is appointed, have such duties as may be specified by the Chief Financial Officer to assist the Chief Financial Officer in the performance of his or her duties, and (ii) otherwise perform such duties and have other powers as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or these bylaws.  It shall be the duty of any Assistant Treasurers to assist the Treasurer in the performance of his or her duties and to perform such other duties and have other powers as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or these bylaws.   If required by the Board, the Treasurer or the Assistant Treasurer shall give the corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board, including without limitation a bond for the faithful performance of the duties of the office of the Treasurer, or Assistant Treasurer, and for the restoration to the corporation of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in the Treasurer’s or Assistant Treasurer’s possession or under the Treasurer’s or Assistant Treasurer’s control and belonging to the corporation.

 

4.12                         Other Officers

 

Such other officers as the Board may choose shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board.  The Board may delegate to any other officer of the corporation the power to choose such other officers and to prescribe their respective duties and powers.

 

ARTICLE 5

 

Notices

 

5.1                                Delivery

 

Whenever, under the provisions of applicable law, or of the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, written notice is required to be given to any director or Stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but: (a) such notice may be given by mail, addressed to such director or Stockholder, at such person’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall

 

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be deposited in the United States mail or delivered to a nationally recognized courier service; and (b) unless written notice by mail is required by applicable law, such notice may also be given by commercial delivery service, electronic means or similar means addressed to such director or Stockholder at such person’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation, in which case such notice shall be deemed to be given when delivered into the control of the persons charged with effecting such transmission, the transmission charge to be paid by the corporation or the person sending such notice and not by the addressee.  Oral notice or other in-hand delivery, in person or by telephone, shall be deemed given at the time it is actually given.

 

5.2                                Waiver of Notice

 

Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of applicable law or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.  In addition to the foregoing, notice of a meeting need not be given to any director who signs a waiver of notice or a consent, or electronically transmits the same, to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof, whether before or after the meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to such director.  All such waivers, consents and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

 

ARTICLE 6

 

Indemnification and Insurance

 

6.1                                Indemnification

 

(a)                            Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in (as a witness or otherwise) any action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative in nature (hereinafter a “ proceeding ”), by reason of the fact that he or she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative (in the event of death or disability of such person) is or was a director or officer of the corporation (or any predecessor) or is or was serving at the request of the corporation (or any predecessor) as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, representative, partner or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the corporation, or other enterprise (or any predecessor of any of such entities), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action or inaction in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, representative, partner or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, representative, partner or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection with such proceeding; provided, however , that except as provided in Section 6.1(c)  below, the corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by

 

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the Board.  The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 6.1 shall be a contract right subject to the terms and conditions of this Article 6 .

 

(b)                            To obtain indemnification under this Section 6.1 , a claimant shall submit to the corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the claimant and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the claimant is entitled to indemnification; provided , however , that the failure of a claimant to so notify the corporation shall not relieve the corporation of any obligation which it may have to the claimant under this Section 6.1 or otherwise except to the extent that any delay in such notification actually and materially prejudices the corporation.  Upon written request by a claimant for indemnification pursuant to the preceding sentence, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to the claimant’s entitlement thereto shall be made as follows: (i) if requested by the claimant, by “Independent Counsel” (as hereinafter defined), or (ii) if no request is made by the claimant for a determination by Independent Counsel, (A) by the Board by a majority vote of the “Disinterested Directors” (as hereinafter defined), even though less than a quorum, or (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum, or (C) if there are no Disinterested Directors or the Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to the claimant, or (D) if a quorum of Disinterested Directors so directs, by the Stockholders.

 

In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel at the request of the claimant, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board unless there shall have occurred within two (2) years prior to the date of the commencement of the proceeding for which indemnification is claimed a “Change of Control” (as hereinafter defined), in which case Independent Counsel shall be selected by the claimant unless the claimant shall request that such selection be made by the Board.  In either event, the claimant or the corporation, as the case may be, shall give written notice to the other advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected.  The party so notified may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the corporation or to the claimant, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 6.6 , and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion.  If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit.  If, within thirty (30) days after submission by the claimant of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1(b) , no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the corporation or the claimant may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the corporation or the claimant to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Court or by such other person as the Court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel hereunder.  The corporation shall pay any and all fees and expenses of Independent Counsel reasonably incurred in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6.1(b) , and the corporation shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures of Section 6.1(b) , regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.  Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding pursuant to Section 6.1(c) , Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

 

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If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under this Section 6.1(b)  to determine whether the claimant is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within ninety (90) days after receipt by the corporation of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and the claimant shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by the claimant of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make the claimant’s statement(s) not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

 

If it is determined that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, the corporation shall pay the claimant within twenty (20) business days after such determination any then known amounts with respect to which it has been so determined that the claimant is entitled to indemnification hereunder and will pay any other amounts thereafter incurred for which Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification within twenty (20) business days of the corporation’s receipt of reasonably detailed invoices for such amounts.

 

(c)                             In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 6.1(b)  that the claimant is not entitled to indemnification, (ii) advancement of expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 6.2 or (iii) a claim for indemnification under Section 6.1 is not paid in full by the corporation within twenty (20) business days after a determination has been made that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to determine his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of expenses and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim.  If a Change of Control shall have occurred, in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 6.1(c) , the corporation shall have the burden of proving that the claimant is not entitled to indemnification.  It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the corporation) that the claimant has not met the standard of conduct that makes it permissible under the DGCL for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the corporation.  Neither the failure of the corporation (including the Board, Independent Counsel or Stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor the fact that the corporation (including the Board, Independent Counsel or Stockholders) has determined that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.  The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

(d)                            If a determination shall have been made pursuant to this Section 6.1 that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, the corporation shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 6.1(c)  above, absent (i) a misstatement by the claimant of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make the claimant’s statements not materially misleading in connection with a request for indemnification or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.  The corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 6.1(c)  above that the procedures and presumptions of this Article 6 are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in such proceeding that the corporation is bound by all the provisions of this Article 6 .

 

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(e)                             With respect to any proceeding for which indemnification is sought hereunder, so long as there shall not have occurred a Change of Control, the corporation, in its sole discretion, will be entitled to participate in such proceeding at its own expense and, except as provided below, to assume the defense of, and to settle, such proceeding.  After notice from the corporation to the claimant of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the corporation will not be liable to the claimant under this Article 6 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the claimant in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below.  The claimant shall have the right to employ its counsel in such proceeding but the fees and expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from the corporation of its assumption of the defense thereof shall be at the expense of the claimant unless (i) the employment of counsel by the claimant has been authorized by the corporation, (ii) the claimant shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the corporation and the claimant in the conduct of the defense of such proceeding or (iii) the corporation shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such proceeding, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the corporation.  The corporation shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any proceeding brought by or on behalf of the corporation or as to which the claimant shall have made the conclusion provided for in clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence.  The claimant shall not compromise or settle any claim or proceeding, release any claim, or make any admission of fact, law, liability or damages with respect to any losses for which indemnification is sought hereunder without the prior written consent of the corporation, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld (subject to the terms and conditions of this Article 6 , including any determination required by Section 6.1(b)  or by applicable law).  The corporation shall not be liable for any amount paid by the claimant in settlement of any proceeding or any claim therein, unless the corporation has consented to such settlement or unreasonably withholds consent to such settlement.

 

(f)                              If the claimant is a party to or involved in a proceeding with any other person(s) for whom the corporation is required to indemnify or advance expenses with respect to such proceeding, the corporation shall not be required to indemnify against or advance expenses for more than one law firm to represent collectively the claimant and such other person(s) in respect of the same matter unless the representation of the claimant and such other person(s) gives rise to an actual or potential conflict of interest.

 

6.2                                Advance Payment

 

The right to indemnification under this Article 6 shall include the right to be paid by the corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition, such advances to be paid by the corporation within twenty (20) business days after the receipt by the corporation of a statement or statements from the claimant requesting and reasonably evidencing such advance or advances from time to time; provided, however , that if the DGCL requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under Section 6.1 above or otherwise.

 

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6.3                                Non-Exclusivity and Survival of Rights; Amendments

 

The right to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Article 6 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these bylaws, agreement, vote of Stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise, both as to actions in such person’s official capacity and as to actions in another capacity while holding such office.  The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article 6 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.  Any repeal or modification of the provisions of this Article 6 shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect the rights or protections of any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation hereunder in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

 

6.4                                Insurance

 

The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, representative, partner or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the corporation, or other enterprise (or any predecessor of any of such entities) against any expense, liability or loss asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.

 

6.5                                Severability

 

If any word, clause, provision or provisions of this Article 6 shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article 6 (including, without limitation, each portion of any section or paragraph of this Article 6 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article 6 (including, without limitation, each such portion of any section or paragraph of this Article 6 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

6.6                                Definitions

 

For the purpose of this Article 6 :

 

Change of Control ” shall mean:

 

(1)                                  the acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the 1934 Act (a “ Person ”)), directly or indirectly, of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act) of 20% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation (the “ Outstanding Corporation Common Stock ”) or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of

 

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directors (the “ Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities ”); provided, however , that for purposes of this part (1), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the corporation or any acquisition from other Stockholders where (A) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Board and (B) such acquisition would not constitute a Change of Control under part (2) or part (4) of this definition, (ii) any acquisition by the corporation, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the corporation or any corporation controlled by the corporation, or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of part (4) of this definition; or

 

(2)                                  the acquisition by any Person, directly or indirectly, of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act) of 50% or more of either (i) the Outstanding Corporation Common Stock or (ii) the Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities; or

 

(3)                                  individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “ Incumbent Board ”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however , that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board (or such committee thereof that shall then have the authority to nominate persons for election as directors) shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies of consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or

 

(4)                                  consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation (a “ Business Combination ”), in each case, unless, immediately following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Corporation Common Stock and Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation that as a result of such transaction owns the corporation or all or substantially all of the corporation’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Corporation Common Stock and Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the corporation or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the

 

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execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or

 

(5)                                  approval by the Stockholders of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the corporation.

 

Disinterested Director ” shall mean a director of the corporation who is not and was not a party to the proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by the claimant.

 

Independent Counsel ” shall mean a law firm, a member of a law firm, or an independent practitioner, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent:  (i) the corporation or the claimant in any matter material to any such party, or (ii) any other party to the proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not shall include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the corporation or the claimant in an action to determine the claimant’s rights under this Article 6 .

 

6.7                                Notices

 

Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given to the corporation under this Article 6 shall be in writing and either delivered in person or sent by telecopy or other electronic transmission, overnight mail or courier service, or certified or registered mail, postage or charges prepaid, return copy requested, to the Secretary of the corporation and shall be effective only upon receipt by the Secretary.

 

ARTICLE 7

 

Capital Stock

 

7.1                                Certificates for Shares

 

The shares of capital stock of the corporation shall be represented by certificates or, where approved by the Board and permitted by law, shall be uncertificated.  Certificates representing shares of capital stock of the corporation shall be signed by, or in the name of the corporation by, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President and by the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the corporation.  Certificates or uncertificated shares may be issued for partly paid shares and in the case of certificated shares, upon the face or back of the certificates issued to represent any such partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor, and the amount paid thereon shall be specified.

 

If the corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of capital stock of the corporation or more than one series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof of the corporation and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, provided , however , that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that

 

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the corporation will furnish without charge to each Stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of capital stock of the corporation or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights.

 

Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required by the DGCL or a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each Stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of each class of capital stock of the corporation or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights.

 

7.2                                Signatures on Certificates

 

Any or all of the signatures on a certificate may be a facsimile.  In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

7.3                                Transfer of Stock

 

Shares of capital s tock of the corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by applicable law and in these bylaws.  Transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the corporation only by the person named in the certificate or by such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing and upon the surrender of the certificate therefor, properly endorsed for transfer and payment of all necessary transfer taxes; provided, however, that such surrender and endorsement or payment of taxes shall not be required in any case in which the officers of the corporation shall determine to waive such requirement.  Every certificate exchanged, returned or surrendered to the corporation shall be marked “cancelled,” with the date of cancellation, by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the corporation or the transfer agent thereof.  No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the corporation by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.

 

7.4                                Registered Stockholders

 

The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the applicable laws of Delaware.

 

7.5                                Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates

 

The corporation may direct that a new certificate or certificates or uncertificated shares be issued to replace any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed and on such terms and conditions as the corporation

 

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may require.  When authorizing the issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board may, in its sole discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require, to indemnify the corporation in such manner as it may require, and to give the corporation a bond or other adequate security in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

7.6                                Transfer and Registry Agents

 

The corporation may from time to time maintain one or more transfer offices or agencies and registry offices or agencies at such place or places as may be determined from time to time by the Board.

 

ARTICLE 8

 

General Provisions

 

8.1                                Dividends

 

Dividends upon the shares of capital stock of the corporation, subject to any restrictions contained in the DGCL or the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board at any regular or special meeting or by unanimous written consent.  Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.  The Board may fix any record date for purposes of determining the Stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend as set forth in Section 2.11 above.

 

8.2                                Dividend Reserve

 

Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board from time to time, in its sole discretion, deems proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board shall determine conducive to the interest of the corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

8.3                                Checks

 

Except as otherwise permitted in these bylaws, all checks or demands for money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board may from time to time designate.

 

8.4                                Fiscal Year

 

The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board.

 

8.5                                Corporate Seal

 

The Board may, by resolution, adopt a corporate seal.  The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal,

 

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Delaware.”  The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or otherwise reproduced.  The seal may be altered from time to time by the Board.

 

8.6                                Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments

 

The Board, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.  Unless so authorized or ratified by the Board or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

 

8.7                                Representation of Shares of Other Corporations

 

Each of the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer or the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the corporation is authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of the corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any corporation or corporations standing in the name of the corporation.  The authority herein granted to said officers to vote or represent on behalf of the corporation any and all shares held by the corporation in any other corporation or corporations may be exercised either by such officers in person or by any other person authorized so to do by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by said officers.

 

ARTICLE 9

 

Amendments

 

These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, or new bylaws may be adopted by the Stockholders or by the Board.  Any such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption must be approved by either the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereon or by the Board.

 

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Exhibit 5.1

 

January 31, 2017

 

Bioverativ Inc.

225 Second Avenue

Waltham, Massachusetts 02451

 

Re:                              Bioverativ Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-8

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special counsel to Biogen Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Biogen ”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “ Registration Statement ”) to be filed by Biogen’s subsidiary, Bioverativ Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), on the date hereof, relating to the registration of up to 2,250,000 shares (the “ Shares ”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), issuable pursuant to the Bioverativ Inc. 2017 Non-Employee Directors Equity Plan (the “ Plan ”).  This opinion is being furnished at the request of Biogen in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

 

In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:

 

(a)                                  the Registration Statement in the form to be filed with the Commission on the date hereof;

 



 

(b)                                  the Plan;

 

(c)                                   an executed copy of a certificate of the Secretary of the Company, dated the date hereof (the “ Secretary’s Certificate ”);

 

(d)                                  a copy of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of January 31, 2017, and certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate;

 

(e)                                   a copy of the Company’s Amended and Restated By-laws, as amended and restated and in effect as of the date hereof, certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate; and

 

(f)                                    a copy of certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company adopted on January 18, 2017 and certain resolutions of the stockholders of the Company adopted on January 31, 2017, each certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate.

 

We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated below.

 

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including endorsements, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. In making our examination of executed documents, we have assumed that the parties thereto, other than the Company, had the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and the execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and the validity and binding effect thereof on such parties. As to any facts relevant to the opinions stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials, including the facts and conclusions set forth in the Secretary’s Certificate.

 

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In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have also assumed that (i) an appropriate account statement evidencing Shares credited to a recipient’s account maintained with the Company’s transfer agent has been or will be issued by the Company’s transfer agent, (ii) the issuance of Shares will be properly recorded in the Company’s share registry and (iii) each award agreement under which options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, or other awards are granted pursuant to the Plan will be consistent with the Plan and will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto.

 

We do not express any opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”).

 

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and when the Shares are issued to the participants in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable award agreement for consideration in an amount at least equal to the par value of such Shares, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act.

 

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

 

 

MAB

 

 

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Exhibit 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Bioverativ Inc., of our report dated August 11, 2016 relating to the consolidated financial statements of the Hemophilia Business of Biogen Inc. which appears in Bioverativ Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form 10 which was filed on December 20, 2016.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

Boston, Massachusetts

January 31, 2017

 


Exhibit 99.1

 

BIOVERATIV INC.

 

2017 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS EQUITY PLAN

 

1.  Purpose; Establishment .

 

The Bioverativ Inc. 2017 Non-Employee Directors Equity Plan is intended to encourage ownership of shares of Common Stock by Non-Employee Directors of the Company and its Affiliates, and to provide an additional incentive to those directors to promote the success of the Company and its Affiliates. The Plan has been adopted and approved by the Board of Directors, and became effective on the Effective Date.

 

2.  Definitions.

 

As used in the Plan, the following definitions apply to the terms indicated below:

 

(a) “Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

 

(b) “Agreement” shall mean either the written or electronic agreement between the Company and a Participant or a written or electronic notice from the Company to a Participant evidencing an Award.

 

(c) “Award” shall mean any Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Dividend Equivalent Rights, Stock Appreciation Right or Other Award granted pursuant to the terms of the Plan.

 

(d) “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(e) “Board of Directors” or “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(f) “Certificate” shall mean either a physical paper stock certificate or electronic book entry or other electronic form of account entry evidencing the ownership of shares of Restricted Stock or shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise, vesting or settlement, as the case may be, of Awards other than Restricted Stock.

 

(g) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(h) “Committee” shall mean the committee appointed to administer the Plan pursuant to Section 3.

 

(i) “Company” shall mean Bioverativ Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(j) “Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.

 



 

(k) “Continuing Director” shall mean, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board who (a) was a member of the Board on the Effective Date or (b) becomes a member of the Board subsequent to the Effective Date and was appointed, nominated for election or elected to the Board with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of the Board at the time of such appointment, nomination or election, provided that a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest will not be considered a Continuing Director unless and until (i) such director has served on the Board for at least two years and (ii) the most recent reelection of such director has been approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors in office at the time of such approval.

 

(l) A “Corporate Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred upon the first of the following events:

 

(i)                                    an event in which any Person, is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, together with all Affiliates and associates (as such terms are used in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act) of such Person, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

 

(ii)                                 the consummation of the merger or consolidation of the Company with any other company, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50%  of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger; or

 

(iii)                              at any time the Continuing Directors do not constitute a majority of the Board (or, if applicable, the board of directors of a successor to the Company).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any case where the occurrence of a Corporate Change in Control could affect the vesting of or payment under an Award subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent required to comply with Section 409A of the Code, the term “Corporate Change in Control” shall mean an occurrence that both (i) satisfies the requirements set forth above in this definition and (ii) is a “change in control event” as that term is defined in the regulations under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(m) A “Corporate Transaction” shall be deemed to have occurred upon the first of the following events: (i) a consolidation, merger or similar transaction or series of related transactions, including a sale or other disposition of stock, in which the Company (or an Affiliate) is not the surviving corporation or which results in the acquisition of all or substantially all of the then outstanding Common Stock by a single person or entity or by a group of persons and/or entities acting in concert; (ii) a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; or (iii) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company. Where a Corporate Transaction involves a tender offer that is reasonably expected to be followed by a merger described in clause (i) as determined by the Committee, the Corporate Transaction shall be deemed to have occurred upon consummation of the tender offer.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any case where the occurrence of a Corporate Transaction could affect the vesting of or payment under an Award subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent required to comply with Section 409A of the Code, the term “Corporate Transaction” shall mean an occurrence that both (i) satisfies the requirements set forth above in this definition and (ii) is a “change in control event” as that term is defined in the regulations under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(n) A “Disability” shall exist for purposes of the Plan if a Participant is entitled to receive benefits under the applicable long-term disability program of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, or, if no such program is in effect with respect to such Participant, if the Participant has become totally and permanently disabled within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

(o) “Dividend Equivalent Rights” shall mean a right, granted in connection with an Award, to receive dividends (which may or may not be made subject to restrictions or forfeiture conditions, as determined by the Committee) upon the payment of a dividend with respect to the Common Stock underlying the Award, which dividends will be held in escrow until all restrictions or conditions to the vesting of the Common Stock underlying the Award have lapsed.  Any escrowed dividends may, in the Committee’s discretion, be reinvested or deemed reinvested in Common Stock as of the dividend payment date.

 

(p) “Effective Date” shall mean, subject to approval of the Board and stockholder of Bioverativ Inc., the date on which the distribution of Common Stock of Bioverativ Inc. to the stockholders of Biogen, Inc. is consummated.

 

(q) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

(r) “Fair Market Value” of the Common Stock shall be calculated as follows: (i) if the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange and sale prices are regularly reported for the Common Stock, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price for the Common Stock reported on the applicable composite tape or other comparable reporting system on the applicable date, or if the applicable date is not a trading day, on the most recent trading day immediately prior to the applicable date; or (ii) if closing selling prices are not regularly reported for the Common Stock as described in clause (i) above, but bid and asked prices for the Common Stock are regularly reported, then the Fair Market Value shall be the arithmetic mean between the closing or last bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on the applicable date or, if the applicable date is not a trading day, on the most recent trading day immediately prior to the applicable date; or (iii) if prices are not regularly reported for the Common Stock as described in clauses (i) or (ii) above, then the Fair Market Value shall be such value as the Committee in good faith determines.

 

(s) “For Cause” shall mean any act of: (i) fraud or intentional misrepresentation, or (ii) embezzlement, misappropriation or conversion of assets or opportunities of the Company or any Affiliate. The determination of the Committee as to the existence of circumstances warranting a termination For Cause shall be conclusive.

 

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(t) “Non-Employee Director” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.

 

(u) “Nonqualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is not an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision.

 

(v) “Option” shall mean an option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to Section 7.

 

(w) “Other Award” shall mean an Award granted pursuant to Section 10.

 

(x) “Participant” shall mean a Non-Employee Director to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(y) “Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include: (i) the Company or any of its Affiliates, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefits plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities or (iv) a corporation or other business entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

 

(z) “Plan” shall mean the Bioverativ Inc. 2017 Non-Employee Directors Equity Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

(aa) “Restricted Stock” shall mean a share of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms of Section 8 and which may not be in any manner transferred or disposed of (such restrictions being known as the “Transfer Restrictions”) prior to the applicable Vesting Date.

 

(bb) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a unit granted pursuant to Section 8 that represents the right to receive the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock, which is payable in cash or Common Stock, as specified in the applicable Agreement, and which may or may not be subject to forfeiture restrictions.

 

(cc) “Retirement” as to any Participant shall mean such person’s leaving the Board under the following circumstances: (i) as of the annual stockholders meeting that occurs in the year in which the Participant reaches age 75, or (ii) upon the completion of such person’s current term provided he or she has provided the Board with at least six months prior written notice of retirement, but not including a Participant’s termination For Cause, as determined by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant elected to the Board other than at an annual stockholders meeting shall not be eligible for Retirement pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 2(cc) until the completion of a term for which such Participant is elected to serve by the stockholders at an annual stockholders meeting.

 

(dd) “Rule 16b-3” shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time.

 

(ee) “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean the right to receive an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock (as determined on the date of exercise) over:

 

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(i) if the Stock Appreciation Right is not related to an Option, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Stock Appreciation Right was granted, or (ii) if the Stock Appreciation Right is related to an Option, the exercise price of the related Option, subject to such further terms and conditions as are provided under Section 9.

 

(ff) “Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c).

 

(gg) “Vesting Date” shall mean the date established by the Committee on which an Award shall vest.

 

3.  Administration of the Plan.

 

The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors, or by a committee of the Board which shall consist of two or more persons each of whom, unless otherwise determined by the Board, is (a) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and (b) an “independent director” as defined in Nasdaq Stock Market Rules. References in the Plan to the “Committee” shall mean the Board or any such committee. The Committee shall have the authority in its sole and absolute discretion, subject to and not inconsistent with the express provisions of the Plan, to administer the Plan and to exercise all the powers and authorities either specifically granted to it under the Plan or necessary or advisable in the administration of the Plan, including, without limitation: (1) the authority to grant Awards, (2) to determine the type and number of Awards to be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock to which an Award may relate and the terms, conditions and restrictions relating to any Award, (3) to determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled, cancelled, forfeited, exchanged, or surrendered, (4) to construe and interpret the Plan and any Award, (5) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, (6) to determine the terms and provisions of Agreements, and (7) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

 

The Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, without amendment to the Plan, waive or amend the operation of Plan provisions respecting exercise after termination of Board service and, except as otherwise provided herein, adjust any of the terms of any Award. The Committee may also (a) accelerate the date on which any Award granted under the Plan becomes exercisable or (b) accelerate the Vesting Date or waive or adjust any condition imposed hereunder with respect to the vesting or exercisability of an Award, provided that the Committee determines that such acceleration, waiver or other adjustment is necessary or desirable in light of extraordinary circumstances. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Award outstanding under the Plan may be repriced, regranted through cancellation or otherwise amended to reduce the exercise price applicable thereto (other than with respect to adjustments made in connection with a Transaction or other change in the Company’s capitalization) without the approval of the Company’s stockholders. In addition, no Award shall provide a “reload” feature pursuant to which the Participant would receive an automatic grant of additional Awards to replace the shares of Common Stock surrendered to exercise an Award, and no Option shall be exercisable prior to the applicable Vesting Date for shares of Common Stock subject to repurchase by the Company, upon a termination of Board service prior to such Vesting Date, for the exercise price paid by the Participant.

 

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4.  Stock Subject to the Plan.

 

(a)  Shares Available for Awards.   Subject to the provisions of Sections 4(b), 4(c) and 4(d) hereof, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be 2,250,000 shares. Such shares may be authorized but unissued Common Stock or authorized and issued Common Stock held in the Company’s treasury.  The grant of any Award other than an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right shall, for purposes of this Section 4(a), reduce the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan by one and one-half (1.5) shares of Common Stock for each such share actually subject to the Award. The grant of an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed, for purposes of this Section 4(a), as an Award of one share of Common Stock for each such share actually subject to the Award.

 

(b)  Adjustment for Change in Capitalization.   In the event that any dividend or other distribution is declared (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock, or other property), or there occurs any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or share exchange, or other similar corporate transaction or event, then, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion with respect to dividends or distributions of cash or other non-stock property, (1) the number and kind of shares of stock which may thereafter be issued in connection with Awards, (2) the number and kind of shares of stock or other property issued or issuable in connection with outstanding Awards, (3) the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any outstanding Awards, and (4) the limits on Awards under Section 6(b) shall be equitably adjusted as necessary to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants.

 

(c)  Adjustment for Change or Exchange of Shares for Other Consideration.   In the event that outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for any other class or series of capital stock or cash, securities or other property pursuant to a recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or share exchange, or other similar corporate transaction or event (“Transaction”), then, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, (1) each outstanding Option shall thereafter become exercisable for the number and/or kind of capital stock, and/or the amount of cash, securities or other property so distributed, into which the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option would have been changed or exchanged had the Option been exercised in full prior to such Transaction, provided that, if necessary, the provisions of the Option shall be appropriately adjusted so as to be applicable to any shares of capital stock, cash, securities or other property thereafter issuable or deliverable upon exercise of the Option, and (2) each outstanding Award that is not an Option and that is not automatically changed in connection with the Transaction shall represent the number and/or kind of capital stock, and/or the amount of cash, securities or other property so distributed, into which the shares of Common Stock covered by the outstanding Award would have been changed or exchanged had they been held by a stockholder of the Company.

 

(d)  Reuse of Shares.   Any shares subject to an Award that remain unissued upon the cancellation, surrender, exchange or termination of such Award for any reason whatsoever shall again become available for Awards in an amount determined in accordance with the share counting formulas set forth in Section 4(a), except that the exercise of a Stock Appreciation

 

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Right shall not be deemed to result in unissued shares, even if fewer shares are issued than the number of shares in which the Award was denominated.

 

5.  Eligibility.

 

The persons who shall be eligible to receive Awards pursuant to the Plan shall be limited to: (i) those individuals who are first elected as non-employee Board members after the Effective Date, whether by the Company’s stockholders or by the Board, and (ii) those individuals who continue to serve as non-employee Board members after such Effective Date, whether or not they commenced Board service prior to such Effective Date. In no event, however, shall any non-employee Board member be eligible to participate in the Plan unless such individual is an “independent director” as defined in Nasdaq Stock Market Rules. Each non-employee Board member eligible to participate in the Plan pursuant to the foregoing criteria shall be designated an eligible “Non-Employee Director” for purposes of the Plan.

 

6.  Awards Under the Plan; Agreement.

 

(a)  General.   The Committee may grant Options, shares of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights and Other Awards pursuant to Section 6(b), in such amounts and with such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine, subject to the provisions of the Plan, and may provide for Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to any Award. Each Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Agreement which shall contain such provisions as the Committee may in its sole discretion deem necessary or desirable, which are not in conflict with the terms of the Plan. By accepting an Award, a Participant thereby agrees that the Award shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan and the applicable Agreement.

 

(b)  Awards.   Awards shall be granted as specified below.

 

(i)  Initial Grant .  Each individual who is first elected as a Non-Employee Director, whether by the Company’s stockholders or by the Board, on or after the Effective Date, may be granted, on the date of such initial election, one or more Awards (defined as the “Initial Grant”), the amount and type of which shall be determined by the Committee consistent with the provisions of the Plan, provided that the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Initial Grant shall not exceed 100,000 shares in the aggregate (calculated as described in subsection (iv) below). Initial Grants shall vest ratably in equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.

 

(ii)  Annual Grant .  On the date of each annual stockholders meeting, commencing with the 2018 annual meeting, each individual who is at the time serving as a Non-Employee Director shall be granted one or more Awards (defined as the “Annual Grant”), the amount and type of which shall be determined by the Committee consistent with the provisions of the Plan, provided that the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Annual Grant shall not exceed 42,500 shares in the aggregate (calculated as described in subsection (iv) below). An individual elected as a Non-Employee Director other than at an annual meeting of stockholders shall receive, on the date of such election, a pro rata portion of the Annual Grant made at the preceding annual stockholders meeting based on the number of days from the date of election to

 

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the next annual meeting of stockholders, divided by 365. Annual Grants shall fully vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant or over such longer period and in such increments as the Committee may otherwise determine.

 

(iii)  Non-Executive Chairman Grants.   Upon election as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors on or after the Effective Date, a Non-Employee Director may be granted, on the date of such election, one or more Awards (defined as the “Supplemental Initial Grant”), the amount and type of which shall be determined by the Committee consistent with the provisions of the Plan, provided that the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such an individual’s Initial Grant and Supplemental Initial Grant shall not exceed 125,000 shares in the aggregate (calculated as described in subsection (iv) below). On the date of each annual stockholders meeting commencing with the 2018 annual meeting, any Non-Employee Director then serving as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be granted one or more Awards (defined as the “Supplemental Annual Grant”), the amount and type of which shall be determined by the Committee consistent with the provisions of the Plan, provided that the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such an individual’s Annual Grant and Supplemental Annual Grant shall not exceed 50,000 shares in the aggregate (calculated as described in subsection (iv) below). A Non-Employee Director elected as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board other than at an annual meeting of stockholders shall receive, on the date of such election, a pro rata portion of the Supplemental Annual Grant. Supplemental Initial Grants shall vest ratably in equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, and Supplemental Annual Grants shall fully vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

 

(iv)  Share Equivalents.   For purposes of applying the limits on the number of shares of Common Stock which may be subject to Awards made pursuant to Initial Grants, Supplemental Initial Grants, Annual Grants and Supplemental Annual Grants under this Section 6(b): (A) the grant of any Award other than an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right shall be treated as an Award of one and one-half (1.5) shares of Common Stock for each such share actually subject to the Award, and (B) the grant of an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right shall be treated as an Award of one share of Common Stock for each such share actually subject to the Award.

 

(c)  Limitation on Director Compensation.   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, including this Section 6(a) and (b), the maximum number of shares of Stock subject to Awards granted during a single fiscal year to any non-employee director, taken together with any cash fees paid to such non-employee director during the fiscal year, shall not exceed $1,000,000 in total value (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes (the “Total Value”)); provided, however, the Total Value may be increased by up to $300,000 for each non-employee director newly elected or appointed to the board for the fiscal year in which he or she is so newly elected or appointed; and by up to $500,000 for the non-employee director who is the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board.

 

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7.  Options.

 

(a)  Identification of Options.   Each Option shall be a Nonqualified Stock Option and shall state the number of shares of the Common Stock to which it pertains.

 

(b)  Exercise Price.   Each Agreement with respect to an Option shall set forth the amount (the “option exercise price”) payable by the Participant to the Company upon exercise of the Option. The option exercise price per share shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.

 

(c)  Term and Exercise of Options .

 

(i) Each Option shall become exercisable at the time or times determined by the Committee as set forth in the applicable Agreement, consistent with the provisions of the Plan. The expiration date of each Option shall be ten (10) years from the date of the grant thereof, or at such earlier time as the Committee shall expressly state in the applicable Agreement.

 

(ii) An Option shall be exercised by delivering notice as specified in the Agreement on the form of notice provided by the Company. The option exercise price shall be payable upon the exercise of the Option. It shall be payable in one of the following forms: (A) in United States dollars in cash or by check, (B) if permitted by the Committee, in shares of Common Stock that have been held by the Participant (or a permitted transferee of such person) for at least six months and having a Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise equal to the aggregate option exercise price, (C) at the discretion of the Committee, in accordance with a cashless exercise program established with a securities brokerage firm, or (D) at the discretion of the Committee, by any combination of (A), (B) and (C) above, or (E) by such other method as the Committee may, in its discretion, permit.

 

(iii) Certificates for shares of Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of or for the account of the Participant, or other person entitled to receive such shares, and delivered to the Participant or such other person as soon as practicable following the effective date on which the Option is exercised.

 

(iv) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, on the last day on which an Option is exercisable in accordance with the Plan and the terms of the Award, if the exercise price of the Option is less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on that day, the stock option will be deemed to have been exercised on a net share settlement basis at the close of business on that day. As promptly as practicable thereafter, the Company will deliver to the Participant the number of shares underlying the Option less the number of shares having a Fair Market Value on the date of the deemed exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price for the Option.

 

(d)  Effect of Termination of Board Service.

 

(i) Except as may otherwise be determined by the Committee (A) in the event that the Participant’s Board service shall terminate on account of the Retirement, death or Disability of the Participant, each Option granted to such Participant that is outstanding as of the date of such termination shall become fully vested and exercisable, and (B) in the event that the Participant’s Board service shall terminate for any reason other than Retirement, death or Disability, each

 

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Option that is not exercisable as of the date of such termination shall be cancelled at the time of such termination.

 

(ii) In the event that the Participant’s Board service shall terminate for any reason other than For Cause, each Option granted to such Participant, to the extent that it is or becomes exercisable at the time of such termination, shall remain exercisable by the Participant (or, in the event of the Participant’s death while such Option is still outstanding, by the Participant’s legal representatives, heirs or legatees) for the three-year period following such termination (or for such other period as may be provided by the Committee), but in no event following the expiration of its term.

 

(iii) In the event of the termination of the Participant’s Board service For Cause, each outstanding Option granted (including any portion of the Option that is then exercisable) to such Participant shall be cancelled as of the commencement of business on the date of such termination.

 

8.  Restricted Stock; Restricted Stock Units.

 

(a)  Price.   At the time of the grant of shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee shall determine the price, if any, to be paid by the Participant for each share of Restricted Stock subject to the Award.

 

(b)  Vesting Date.   Provided that all conditions to the vesting of a share of Restricted Stock imposed pursuant to Section 6(b) are satisfied, and except as provided in Section 8(g), upon the occurrence of the Vesting Date with respect to a share of Restricted Stock, such share shall vest and the Transfer Restrictions shall lapse. Provided that all conditions to the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit imposed pursuant to Section 6(b) are satisfied, and except as provided in Section 8(g), upon the occurrence of the Vesting Date with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit, such Restricted Stock Unit shall vest and become non-forfeitable; provided, however, that the payment with respect to such Restricted Stock Unit shall be made in a manner that complies with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(c)  Dividends.   Any dividends paid on shares of Restricted Stock will be held in escrow until all restrictions or conditions to the vesting of such shares have lapsed.  Any escrowed dividends may, in the Committee’s discretion, be reinvested or deemed reinvested in Common Stock as of the dividend payment date.

 

(d)  Issuance of Certificates.   Following the date of grant with respect to shares of Restricted Stock, or the settlement of a Restricted Stock Unit payable in Common Stock, the Company shall cause to be issued a Certificate, registered in the name of or for the account of the Participant to whom such shares were granted, evidencing such shares. In the case of an Award of Restricted Stock, each such Certificate shall bear the following legend or substantially similar restrictive account legend:  “The transferability of this Certificate and the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the restrictions, terms and conditions (including forfeiture provisions and restrictions against transfer) contained in or imposed pursuant to the Bioverativ Inc. 2017 Non-Employee Directors Equity Plan.”  Such legend shall not be removed until such shares vest pursuant to the terms hereof.  Each Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 8(d) in connection

 

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with a grant of Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or its designee prior to the applicable Vesting Date, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

 

(e)  Consequences of Vesting of Restricted Stock.   Upon the vesting of a share of Restricted Stock pursuant to the terms hereof, the Transfer Restrictions shall lapse with respect to such share. Following the date on which a share of Restricted Stock vests, the Company shall cause to be delivered to the Participant to whom such shares were granted (or a permitted transferee of such person), a Certificate evidencing such share, free of the legend set forth in Section 8(d).

 

(f)  Settlement of Restricted Stock Units.   The settlement of Restricted Stock Units may occur or commence when all vesting conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock Units have been satisfied, or it may be deferred in accordance with such terms and conditions as the Committee may specify, subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(g)  Effect of Termination of Board Service.   In the event that the Participant’s Board service shall terminate for any reason other than (i) Retirement, (ii) death or (iii) Disability, each unvested grant of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited at the time of such termination (except as may be otherwise determined by the Committee). In the event that the Participant’s Board service shall terminate on account of Retirement, death or Disability of the Participant, each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units that is outstanding as of the date of Retirement, death or Disability shall become fully vested.

 

9.  Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(a) A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted in connection with an Option, either at the time of grant or at any time thereafter during the term of the Option, or may be granted unrelated to an Option. At the time of grant of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Committee may impose such restrictions or conditions to the exercisability of the Stock Appreciation Right as it, in its absolute discretion, deems appropriate. The term of a Stock Appreciation Right granted without relationship to an Option shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant.

 

(b) A Stock Appreciation Right related to an Option shall require the holder, upon exercise, to surrender such Option with respect to the number of shares as to which such Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, in order to receive payment of any amount computed pursuant to Section 9(d). Such Option will, to the extent surrendered, then cease to be exercisable.

 

(c) Subject to Section 9(d)(i), and to such rules and restrictions as the Committee may impose, a Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Option will be exercisable at such time or times, and only to the extent that a related Option is exercisable, and will not be transferable except to the extent that such related Option may be transferable.

 

(d) Subject to Section 9(f), the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right related to an Option will entitle the holder to receive payment of an amount determined by multiplying:

 

(i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right over the exercise price of the related Option, by

 

(ii) the number of shares as to which such Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.

 

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(e) The maximum number of shares underlying a Stock Appreciation Right granted without relationship to an Option shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. A Stock Appreciation Right granted without relationship to an Option will entitle the holder to receive payment, subject to Section 9(f), of an amount determined by multiplying:

 

(i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right over the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Stock Appreciation Right was granted or such greater amount as may be set forth in the applicable Agreement, by

 

(ii) the number of shares as to which such Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.

 

(f) Notwithstanding subsections (d) and (e) above, the Committee may place a limitation on the amount payable upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right. Any such limitation must be determined as of the date of grant and noted in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

(g) Payment of the amount determined under subsections (d) and (e) above may be made solely in whole shares of Common Stock valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right or alternatively, in the sole discretion of the Committee, solely in cash or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock. If the Committee decides that payment of the amount determined under subsections (d) and (e) above may be made shares of Common Stock, and the amount payable results in a fractional share, payment for the fractional share will be made in cash. The payment with respect to any Stock Appreciation Right shall be made in a manner that complies with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(h) Other than with respect to an adjustment described in Section 4(b) or 4(c), in no event shall the exercise price with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right be reduced following the grant of such Stock Appreciation Right, nor shall the Stock Appreciation Right be cancelled in exchange for a replacement Stock Appreciation Right with a lower exercise price.

 

(i)  Effect of Termination of Board Service.

 

(i) In the event that the Participant’s Board service shall terminate on account of the Retirement of the Participant, each Stock Appreciation Right granted to such Participant that is outstanding as of the date of such termination shall become fully exercisable and shall remain exercisable for the three year period following such termination (or for such other period as may be provided by the Committee), but in no event following the expiration of its term.

 

(ii) In the event that the Participant’s Board service shall terminate on account of the death of the Participant, each Stock Appreciation Right granted to such Participant that is outstanding as of the date of death shall become fully exercisable and shall remain exercisable by the Participant’s legal representatives, heirs or legatees for the one year period following the date of death (or for such other period as may be provided by the Committee), but in no event following the expiration of its term.

 

(iii) In the event that the Participant’s Board service shall terminate on account of the Disability of the Participant, each Stock Appreciation Right granted to such Participant that is outstanding as of the date of such termination shall become fully vested and shall remain

 

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exercisable by the Participant (or such Participant’s legal representatives) for the one year period following such termination (or for such other period as may be provided by the Committee), but in no event following the expiration of its term.

 

(iv) In the event of the termination of a Participant’s Board service For Cause, each outstanding Stock Appreciation Right granted (including any portion of the Stock Appreciation Right that is then exercisable) to such Participant shall be cancelled at the commencement of business on the date of such termination.

 

(v) In the event that the Participant’s Board service shall terminate for any reason other than (A) Retirement, (B) death, (C) Disability or (D) For Cause, each Stock Appreciation Right granted to such Participant, to the extent that it is exercisable at the time of such termination, shall remain exercisable for the six month period following such termination (or for such other period as may be provided by the Committee), but in no event following the expiration of its term. Each Stock Appreciation Right that remains unexercisable as of the date of such a termination shall be cancelled at the time of such termination (except as may be otherwise determined by the Committee).

 

(vi) In the event of the Participant’s death within six months following the Participant’s termination of Board service other than For Cause, each Stock Appreciation Right granted to such Participant that is vested and outstanding as of the date of death shall remain exercisable by the Participant’s legal representatives, heirs or legatees for the one year period following the date of death (or for such other period as may be provided by the Committee), but in no event following the expiration of its term.

 

10.  Other Awards.

 

(a)  General.   Other Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock may be granted either alone or in addition to other Awards under the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 6(b), the Committee shall have sole and complete authority to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be granted pursuant to such Other Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Awards.

 

(b)  Payment of Non-Employee Directors’ Fees in Securities.   In addition to the Awards authorized under Section 6(b), and only to the extent permitted by the Committee, a Non-Employee Director may elect to receive his or her annual retainer payments and/or meeting fees from the Company in the form of Awards under the Plan by completing the procedures prescribed by the Committee. Such Awards shall be issued under the Plan. The terms and the number of Awards to be granted to Non-Employee Directors in lieu of annual retainers and/or meeting fees under this Section 10 shall be determined by the Committee.

 

11.  Effect of a Corporate Transaction.

 

(a)  Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.  In the event of a Corporate Transaction, the Committee shall, prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction, as to each outstanding Option and Stock Appreciation Right under the Plan, take one or more of the following actions: (i) make appropriate provisions for the Options and Stock Appreciation Rights to be assumed by the successor corporation or its parent or be replaced with a comparable option or stock

 

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appreciation right to purchase shares of the capital stock of the successor corporation or its parent; (ii) upon reasonable prior written notice to the Participants provide that all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights must be exercised prior to a specified date and, to the extent unexercised as of such specified date, such Options and Stock Appreciation Rights will terminate (all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights having been made fully exercisable as set forth below in this Section 11); or (iii) terminate all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for, in the case of Options, a cash payment equal to the excess of the then aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares subject to such Options over the aggregate exercise prices thereof, or in the case of Stock Appreciation Rights, the amount otherwise payable on exercise of such Stock Appreciation Rights pursuant to Section 9 (all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights having been made fully exercisable as set forth below in this Section 11). Without limiting the generality of Sections 4(b) and 4(c) hereof, each outstanding Option and Stock Appreciation Right under the Plan which is assumed in connection with a Corporate Transaction, or is otherwise to continue in effect, shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Corporate Transaction, to apply and pertain to the number and class of securities which would have been issued, in consummation of such Corporate Transaction, to an actual holder of the same number of shares of the Common Stock as are subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction. Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the option exercise price payable per share pursuant to the Option, provided the aggregate option exercise price payable for such securities pursuant to the Option shall remain the same, and the basis for calculating the amount payable on exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right pursuant to Section 9.

 

(b)  Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.   In the event of a Corporate Transaction, the Committee shall, prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction, as to each outstanding Award (other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right) under the Plan take one or more of the following actions: (i) make appropriate provisions for the Awards to be assumed by the successor corporation or its parent, or be replaced with a comparable award with respect to the successor corporation or its parent; (ii) provide that such Awards shall be fully vested and settled prior to such Corporate Transaction; or (iii) terminate all such Awards in exchange for a cash payment equal to the then aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock and cash payments subject to such Award (all Awards having been made fully vested as set forth below in this Section 11).

 

(c)  Involuntary Termination.   If at any time within two years of the effective date of a Corporate Transaction there is an Involuntary Termination with respect to a Participant’s continued service as a Non-Employee Director of the successor corporation or its parent, each then outstanding Award assumed or replaced under this Section 11 and held by such Participant (or a permitted transferee of such person) shall, upon the occurrence of such Involuntary Termination, automatically accelerate so that each such Award shall become fully vested or exercisable, as applicable, immediately prior to such Involuntary Termination. Upon the occurrence of an Involuntary Termination with respect to a Participant, any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right held by such Participant (and a permitted transferee of such person) shall be exercisable within one year of the Involuntary Termination or, if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right. An “Involuntary Termination” as to a Participant shall mean the termination of the Participant’s Board service other than (1) because of termination For Cause, (2) on account of the Participant’s voluntary resignation or (3) on account

 

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of the Participant’s choosing not to seek reelection; provided, however, that for purposes of the Plan, a termination of Board service, at the request of the Board, where such termination is in connection with a reduction of the number of members of the Board (and not in connection with a replacement of the terminating member) shall be treated as an Involuntary Termination.

 

(d)  Other Adjustments.   The class and number of securities available for issuance under the Plan on both an aggregate and per Participant or per grant basis shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to reflect the effect of the Corporate Transaction upon the Company’s capital structure.

 

(e)  Termination of Plan; Cash Out of Awards.   In the event the Company terminates the Plan or elects to cash out Awards in accordance with clauses (ii) or (iii) of paragraph (a) or clause (iii) of paragraph (b) of this Section 11, then the exercisability and vesting of each affected Award outstanding under the Plan shall be automatically accelerated so that each such Award shall, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, become fully vested and may be exercised prior to such Corporate Transaction for all or any portion of such Award. The Committee shall, in its discretion, determine the timing and mechanics required to implement the foregoing Plan provision.

 

(f)  Special Rule Regarding Determination of Termination for Cause.   Following the occurrence of a Corporate Transaction, the determination of whether circumstances warrant a termination For Cause shall be made in good faith by the Committee, provided that such determination shall not be presumed to be correct or given deference in any subsequent litigation, arbitration or other proceeding with respect to the existence of circumstances warranting a termination For Cause.

 

12.  Acceleration Upon Corporate Change in Control.

 

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, in the event of a Corporate Change in Control, the exercisability or vesting of each Award outstanding under the Plan shall be automatically accelerated so that each such Award shall, immediately prior to such Corporate Change in Control, become fully vested and/or exercisable for the full number of shares of the Common Stock purchasable or cash payable under an Award to the extent not previously exercised, and may be exercised for all or any portion of such shares or cash within the originally prescribed term of such Award and in the case of RSUs and other awards shall be immediately settled. The Committee shall, in its discretion, determine the timing and mechanics required to implement the foregoing Plan provision.

 

13.  Rights as a Stockholder.

 

No person shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock covered by or relating to any Award until the date of issuance of a Certificate with respect to such shares. Except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 4(b) or 4(c), no adjustment to any Award shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date occurs prior to the date of issuance of such Certificate.

 

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14.  No Right to Continued Board Service; No Right to Award.

 

Nothing contained in the Plan or any Agreement shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect to the continuation of service as a member of the Board or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or its stockholders to remove any individual from the Board at any time in accordance with the provisions of applicable law. No person shall have any claim or right to receive an Award hereunder. The Committee’s granting of an Award to a Participant at any time shall neither require the Committee to grant any other Award to such Participant or other person at any time or preclude the Committee from making subsequent grants to such Participant or any other person.

 

15.  Securities Matters.

 

(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to cause to be issued or delivered any Certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan unless and until the Company is advised by its counsel that the issuance and delivery of such Certificates is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authority and the requirements of any securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock are traded. The Committee may require, as a condition of the issuance and delivery of Certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms hereof, that the recipient of such shares make such agreements and representations, and that such Certificates bear such legends, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or desirable.

 

(b) The transfer of any shares of Common Stock hereunder shall be effective only at such time as counsel to the Company shall have determined that the issuance and delivery of such shares is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authority and the requirements of any securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock are traded. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, defer the effectiveness of any transfer of shares of Common Stock hereunder in order to allow the issuance of such shares to be made pursuant to registration or an exemption from registration or other methods for compliance available under federal or state securities laws. The Committee shall inform the Participant (or a permitted transferee of such person) in writing of its decision to defer the effectiveness of a transfer. During the period of such deferral in connection with the exercise of an Option, the Participant (or a permitted transferee of such person) may, by written notice, withdraw such exercise and obtain the refund of any amount paid with respect thereto, subject to compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

16.  Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code.

 

If any Participant shall, in connection with the acquisition of shares of Common Stock under the Plan, make the election permitted under Section 83(b) of the Code, such Participant shall notify the Company of such election within 10 days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service.

 

17.  Amendment or Termination of the Plan.

 

The Board of Directors may, at any time, suspend or terminate the Plan or revise or amend it in any respect whatsoever; provided, however, that stockholder approval shall be required for any such amendment if and to the extent the Board of Directors determines that such approval is

 

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appropriate or necessary for purposes of satisfying any applicable law or the requirements of any securities exchange upon which the securities of the Company trade. Nothing herein shall restrict the Committee’s ability to exercise its discretionary authority pursuant to Section 3, which discretion may be exercised without amendment to the Plan. No amendment or termination of the Plan may, without the consent of the affected Participant, reduce the Participant’s rights under any outstanding Award.

 

18.  Transferability.

 

The Committee may direct that any Certificate evidencing shares issued pursuant to the Plan shall bear a legend setting forth such restrictions on transferability as may apply to such shares. Awards granted under the Plan shall not be transferable by a Participant other than: (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, (ii) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, as defined by the Code or Title 1 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act or the rules thereunder or (iii) as otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion. The designation of a beneficiary of an Award by a Participant shall not be deemed a transfer prohibited by this Section 18. Except as provided pursuant to this Section 18, an Award shall be exercisable during a Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant (or by his or her legal representative) and shall not be assigned, pledged, or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, or other disposition of any Award contrary to the provisions of this Section 18, or the levy of any attachment or similar process upon an Award, shall be null and void. Upon the death of a Participant, outstanding Awards granted to such Participant may be exercised only by the designated beneficiary, executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate, or by a person who shall have acquired the right to such exercise by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (or by a permitted transferee of such person). No transfer of an Award by will or the laws of descent and distribution, or as otherwise permitted by this Section 18, shall be effective to bind the Company unless the Committee shall have been furnished with: (a) written notice thereof and with such evidence as the Committee may deem necessary to establish the validity of the transfer, and (b) an agreement by the transferee to comply with all the terms and conditions of the Award that are or would have been applicable to the Participant and to be bound by the acknowledgments made by the Participant in connection with the grant of the Award.

 

19.  Dissolution or Liquidation of the Company.

 

Immediately prior to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, other than in connection with transactions to which Section 11 is applicable, all Awards granted hereunder shall terminate and become null and void; provided, however, that if the rights hereunder of a Participant or one who acquired an Award by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or as otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 18, have not otherwise terminated and expired, the Participant or such person shall have the right immediately prior to such termination to exercise any Award granted hereunder to the extent that the right to exercise such Award has vested as of the date immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation. Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units that have not vested as of the date of such dissolution or liquidation shall be forfeited immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation.

 

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20.  Effective Date and Term of Plan.

 

The Plan shall be subject to the requisite approval of the stockholders of the Company. In the absence of such approval, any Awards shall be null and void. Unless the Plan is extended or earlier terminated by the Board of Directors, the right to grant Awards under the Plan shall terminate on the later of the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. Awards outstanding at Plan termination shall remain in effect according to their terms and the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

 

21.  Applicable Law.

 

The Plan shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to its principles of conflicts of law.

 

22.  Participant Rights.

 

No Participant shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment for Participants.

 

23.  Unfunded Status of Awards.

 

The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation purposes. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Agreement shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general, unsecured creditor of the Company.

 

24.  No Fractional Shares.

 

No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan. The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Awards, or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares, or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

25.  Beneficiary.

 

A Participant may file with the Committee a written designation of a beneficiary on such form as may be prescribed by the Committee and may, from time to time, amend or revoke such designation. If no designated beneficiary survives the Participant, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate shall be deemed to be the Participant’s beneficiary.

 

26.  Interpretation; Limitation on Liability; Special Rules.

 

(a) Awards under the Plan are intended either to be exempt from the rules of Section 409A of the Code or to satisfy those rules, and shall be construed accordingly. Granted Awards may be modified at any time, in the Committee’s discretion, so as to increase the likelihood of exemption from or compliance with the rules of Section 409A.  In the event that a Participant is prohibited from executing market trades by reason of the application of the federal securities laws or for any other reason determined by the Committee, the Committee may extend the

 

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exercise period of an Award to the extent permitted by Section 409A. To the extent required by Section 409A of the Code, references to a termination of Board service shall be construed to require a “separation from service” under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, neither the Company nor the Committee, nor any person acting on behalf of the Company or the Committee, will be liable to any Participant or to the estate or beneficiary of any Participant or to any other holder of a Stock Award by reason of any acceleration of income, or any additional tax (including any interest and penalties), by reason of the failure of an Award to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A or by reason of Section 4999 of the Code, or as otherwise asserted with respect to the Award.

 

(c)  Subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, to the extent the Committee deems it necessary, appropriate or desirable to comply with foreign law or practices, and to further the purpose of the Plan, the Committee may, without amending the Plan, establish special rules applicable to Awards granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or are employed outside the United States, or both, including rules that differ from those set forth in the Plan, and grant Awards (or amend existing Awards) in accordance with those rules.

 

27.  Severability.

 

If any provision of the Plan is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the other provisions of the Plan shall not be affected but shall be applied as if the invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included in the Plan.

 

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