As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 21, 2021.

 

Registration No. 333- [__]

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   6770   86-2899992
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

3107 Warrington Road

Shaker Heights, OH 44120

(216) 633-6708
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

 

Marc F. Pelletier
Chief Executive Officer
3107 Warrington Road

Shaker Heights, OH 44120

(216) 633-6708
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

 

Copies to:

 

Ari Edelman, Esq.
Reed Smith LLP
599 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 521-5400

 

Jason T. Simon

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

1750 Tysons Blvd., Suite 1000

McLean, Virginia 22102

(703) 749-1386

 

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this offering.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

    Large accelerated filer   ¨   Accelerated filer   ¨
    Non-accelerated filer   x   Smaller reporting company   x
            Emerging growth company   x

 

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

 

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of Security Being Registered  

Amount Being

Registered

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering

Price per

Security(1)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering

Price(1)

 

Amount of

Registration

Fee

Units, each consisting of one share of common stock, $0.0001 par value, and one redeemable warrant(2)   8,625,000 Units   $ 10.00   $ 86,250,000   $ 7,995.38  
Shares of common stock included as part of the units(3)   8,625,000 Shares              (4) 
Redeemable warrants included as part of the units(3)   8,625,000 Warrants              (4) 
Total             $ 86,250,000   $ 7,995.38  

 

 

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
   
(2) Includes 1,125,000 units, consisting of 1,125,000 shares of common stock and 1,125,000 redeemable warrants, which may be issued upon exercise of a 45-day option granted to the underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any.
   
(3) Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, there are also being registered an indeterminable number of additional securities as may be issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
   
(4) No fee pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act.

  

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED  OCTOBER 21, 2021

 

$75,000,000

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

 

7,500,000 UNITS

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., which we refer to as “we,” “us” or “our company,” is a newly organized blank check company incorporated in Delaware and formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as our “initial business combination.” While we may pursue an initial business combination in any region or sector, we intend to focus our efforts on identifying high-growth healthcare businesses.

 

This is an initial public offering (“IPO”) of our securities. We are offering 7,500,000 units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit. Each unit consists of one share of common stock, par value $0.0001, and one warrant, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as “warrants” or the “public warrants.” Each warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described in the prospectus. We will not issue fractional shares. Each public warrant will become exercisable on the later of one year after the closing of this offering or the consummation of an initial business combination, and will expire five years after the completion of an initial business combination, or earlier upon redemption.

 

We have granted Chardan Capital Markets LLC, the representative of the underwriters (“Chardan”), a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,125,000 units (over and above the 7,500,000 units referred to above) solely to cover over-allotments, if any.

 

We will provide the holders of our outstanding shares of common stock that were sold as part of the units in this offering with the opportunity to redeem their shares of common stock upon the consummation of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account described below, including interest (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding shares of common stock that were sold as part of the units in this offering, which we refer to as our “public shares.”

 

We have 12 months to consummate our initial business combination (which is extendable to up to 18 months, as described herein). If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the above time period, we will distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, pro rata to our public stockholders, by way of the redemption of their shares and thereafter cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs, as further described herein. In such event, the warrants will expire and be worthless.

 

Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC (“Gardiner Healthcare”), our co-sponsor and an affiliate of certain of our directors and officers, has committed to purchase from us 2,775,000 warrants (or 2,985,938 warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), Chardan Gardiner LLC, our co-sponsor and an affiliate of Chardan (“Chardan Gardiner”), has committed to purchase from us 475,714 warrants (or 511,875 warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), and CCMAUS Pty Ltd., our co-sponsor, has committed to purchase from us 449,286 warrants (or 483,438 warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), in each case, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,700,000 (or $3,981,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. We refer to these warrants, collectively, as the “private warrants” throughout this prospectus. Each private warrant is exercisable for one share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. Of the $3,700,000 (or $3,981,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) we will receive from the sale of the private warrants, $2,350,000 (or $2,631,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be used for offering expenses and $1,350,000 will be used for working capital.

 

As of the date hereof, our initial stockholders hold an aggregate of 2,156,250 shares of our common stock. We refer to these shares held by our initial stockholders as “founder shares” or “insider shares.” The founder shares include an aggregate of up to 281,250 shares that are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or is exercised in part.

 

There is presently no public market for our units, common stock, or warrants. We intend to apply to have our units listed on Nasdaq, under the symbol “GDNRU” on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. We cannot guarantee that our securities will be approved for listing on Nasdaq. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading as described in this prospectus, the shares of common stock and warrants will be traded on Nasdaq under the symbols “GDNR” and “GDNRW”, respectively. We cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq after this offering.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” and “smaller reporting company” under applicable federal securities laws and we will therefore be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 27 of this prospectus for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (also referred to as the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

    Price to
Public
  Underwriting
Discount and
Commissions(1)
  Proceeds,
Before
Expenses, to
us
Per unit   $ 10.00   $ 0.25   $ 9.75
Total   $ 75,000,000   $ 1,875,000   $ 73,125,000

 

 

(1)       Includes $100,000 payable to B. Riley Securities, Inc. for acting as a qualified independent underwriter. See also “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)” for a description of compensation and other items of value payable to the underwriters.

 

Upon consummation of the offering, $10.00  per unit sold to the public in this offering (whether or not the over-allotment option has been exercised in full or part) will be deposited into a United States-based trust account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. Except as described in this prospectus, these funds will not be released to us until the earlier of the completion of our initial business combination and our redemption of the public shares upon our failure to consummate a business combination within the required period.

 

The underwriters are offering the units on a firm commitment basis. Chardan Capital Markets LLC, acting as the representative of the underwriters, expects to deliver the units to purchasers on or about [__], 2021.

 

Sole Book-Running Manager

 

Chardan

 

___________, 2021

 

 

 

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
SUMMARY   1
SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA   26
RISK FACTORS   27
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS   59
USE OF PROCEEDS   60
DIVIDEND POLICY   63
DILUTION   63
CAPITALIZATION   65
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS   66
PROPOSED BUSINESS   69
MANAGEMENT   91
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS   100
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS   102
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES   105
SECURITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE   111
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS   112
UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)   121
LEGAL MATTERS   126
EXPERTS   126
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION   126
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   F-1

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY

 

This summary only highlights the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. As this is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making an investment decision. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the information under “Risk Factors” and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before investing. Unless otherwise stated in this prospectus:

  

  · “CCMAUS” refers to CCMAUS Pty Ltd;

     

  · “certificate of incorporation” refers to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, to be in effect upon completion of this offering;

     

  · “Chardan” or “Chardan Capital Markets LLC” refers to Chardan Capital Markets LLC, the representative of the underwriters;

     

  · “Chardan Gardiner” refers to Chardan Gardiner LLC, an affiliate of Chardan;

 

  · “co-sponsors” refers to Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS;

     

  · “founder shares” or “insider shares” refers to the 2,156,250 shares of common stock held by our initial stockholders prior to this offering (including up to an aggregate of 281,250 shares of common stock subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or is exercised in part);

     

  · “Gardiner Healthcare” refers to Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of certain of our officers and directors;

     

  · “initial stockholders” refers to all of our stockholders immediately prior to the date of this prospectus, including the co-sponsors, officers, directors and director nominees, to the extent they hold such shares;

     

  · “private warrants” refers to the warrants issued to Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS in a private placement simultaneously with the closing of this offering;

     

  · “public stockholders” means the holders of shares of common stock which are being sold as part of the units in this public offering, or “public shares,” whether they are purchased in the public offering or in the aftermarket, including any of our initial stockholders to the extent that they purchase such public shares (except that our initial stockholders will not have conversion or tender rights with respect to any public shares they own);

     

  · “we,” “us” “our” or “our company” refers to Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.;

     

  · the information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option (unless otherwise indicated); and
     
  · the information presented in this prospectus assumes that the initial business combination has been consummated within 12 months from the closing of this offering.

 

Certain financial information contained in this prospectus has been rounded and, as a result, certain totals shown in this prospectus may not equal the arithmetic sum of the figures that should otherwise aggregate to those totals. You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.

 

  1  

 

 

General

 

We are a newly organized blank check company incorporated on March 25, 2021 as a Delaware corporation formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as our initial business combination. To date, our efforts have been limited to organizational activities as well as activities related to this offering. We have not identified any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target. We have generated no operating revenues to-date and we may not generate operating revenues for an extended period of time following consummation of our initial business combination.

 

While we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business, industry, sector or geographical location, we intend to focus on industries that complement our management team’s background, and to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify and acquire a business, focusing on the healthcare or healthcare related industries. In particular, we will target North American or European companies in the life sciences and medical technology sectors, with a specific focus on small and large molecule therapeutics, where our management team as a whole has extensive operational and investment experience. We may pursue a transaction in which our shareholders immediately prior to the completion of our initial business combination would collectively own a minority interest in the post-business combination company.

 

Our Active Co-Sponsors

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. will have three co-sponsors: Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS. Gardiner Healthcare and Chardan Gardiner will be our active co-sponsors.

 

Gardiner Healthcare is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gardiner Founder, LLC (f/k/a Gardiner Healthcare Acquisition Corp.), a newly formed life sciences investment company focused on early mid-stage clinical stage assets. Our founders have 120 years of combined experience in the life sciences. Marc F. Pelletier, PhD (Chief Executive Officer, co-founder) and Paul R. McGuirk, PhD (Chief Development Officer, co-founder) worked recently together on Aeromics, Inc. (“Aeromics”), and Frank C. Sciavolino, PhD (board member, co-founder) co-founded Thetis Pharmaceuticals (“Thetis”) with Greg Gardiner, our company’s namesake. Prior to launching Aeromics and Thetis, Paul R. McGuirk and Frank C. Sciavolino held senior positions at Pfizer, Executive Director and Vice President of R&D Operations, respectively, and were responsible for four marketed drugs at Pfizer, with over $25 billion in sales. Marc F. Pelletier also co-founded Iridia, Inc., a company that is developing DNA-based memory chips.

 

Chardan Gardiner is an affiliate of Chardan, an investment firm and a provider of investment banking services, primarily focused on private and public emerging companies in the healthcare industry. Since its inception, Chardan has executed more than 450 capital markets transactions, raising approximately $26 billion of capital in both public and private markets. Chardan is a leading special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”) underwriter, SPAC sponsor (or co-sponsor) and SPAC M&A advisor, providing a highly competitive position as SPACs have become more mainstream in the financial industry. Since 2004, Chardan has underwritten over 90 SPAC initial public offerings (“IPOs”). Chardan-advised SPACs have targeted a wide range of industries, including life sciences, healthcare services, and technology.  No SPAC that has either been co-sponsored by Chardan or for which Chardan has served as the lead underwriter has liquidated to-date. Since 2015, Chardan has met with a substantial number of private healthcare companies annually and has earned a reputation for partnering with innovative healthcare platforms to develop and deploy disruptive technologies.

 

We have not identified any business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target.

 

 

  2  

 

 

Our Board of Directors, Management, and Advisors

 

Marc F. Pelletier, PhD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is a scientist-entrepreneur with over thirty years of research and operational experience in the life sciences industry. Dr. Pelletier is a co-founder of Gardiner Founder, LLC and has been serving as its Managing Member since October 2020. Dr. Pelletier founded his first company, Aeromics, as a James Hudson Brown-Alexander B. Coxe Fellow at Yale School of Medicine. He led Aeromics’ drug discovery and development program from bench to clinic, developing a clinical-stage Aquaporin inhibitor to treat diseases of water imbalance, starting with brain swelling or cerebral edema. At Aeromics, Dr. Pelletier served as Chief Executive Officer from 2008-2019, Chief Financial Officer from 2008-2016 and as a Director from 2013-2019, overseeing strategic business and scientific operations. Dr. Pelletier also held the position of Chief Science Officer at Aeromics from 2008 through September 2020, when he launched Gardiner Founder, LLC. In 2015, he co-founded Iridia, Inc., a company developing DNA-based computer hard drive or molecular information storage technology. Dr. Pelletier served as a Director of Iridia from 2016-2019, and as secretary of Iridia from 2017-2019. Dr. Pelletier has extensive training in the life sciences sector, having completed three Post-Doctoral Fellowships at Yale University: one in the Department of Genetics, another in the Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry and a third in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology. He received his Ph.D. in Genetics and Cell Biology from McGill University and both a M.Sc. in Genetics and B.Sc. in Biology and Economics from Concordia University in Montreal. We believe Dr. Pelletier is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive scientific, strategic and operational experience.

 

David P. Jenkins, Chief Financial Officer, is a finance and business executive with over thirty-five years of experience in the technology, health and higher education sectors, and is currently serving as Chief Financial Officer of Gardiner Founder, LLC. Mr. Jenkins was an Audit Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) with over thirty-one years of experience (1983 to 1994, and 1997 to 2017) serving in the firm’s audit practice. Many of his audit clients were publicly traded technology and/or bioscience companies. Early in his career, he also served as controller to a small, advanced materials business. Since retiring from PwC, Mr. Jenkins has provided financial consulting to several different venture-backed health software or bioscience companies, assisting with business planning, capital raising and financial analysis. In his capacity as an independent financial consultant, Mr. Jenkins’ work includes serving as the Chief Financial Officer of PatientWisdom, Inc. from June 2018 until its sale to NRC Health in January 2021, the Vice President of Finance at Aeromics, Inc. from March 2019 to the present, and the Chief Financial Officer of Bioasis Technologies Inc. from May 2021 to the present. He received his B.A. in Accounting and Business Administration from Muhlenberg College. Mr. Jenkins was also a Certified Public Accountant for many years, but no longer maintains an active license.

 

Paul R. McGuirk, PhD, Executive Vice President, Director and Chief Development Officer, brings nearly 40 years of pharmaceutical industry leadership experience to our company. Prior to joining Gardiner, from March 2009 to November 2020, Dr. McGuirk served in numerous capacities at Aeromics Inc., including as Chief Technology Officer, Executive Vice President and Head of Medicinal Chemistry, Process Chemistry, and Clinical Development, and as a member of the Board of Directors. Dr. McGuirk was responsible for the discovery and development of the only documented clinical stage aquaporin-4 inhibitor for the treatment of brain edema, which is preparing for Phase II clinical trials in China. Prior to Aeromics, Dr. McGuirk was at Pfizer from 1982 to 2009. As a medicinal chemist and manager of Infectious Diseases Medicinal Chemistry at Pfizer Global Research and Development in Groton, CT, Dr. McGuirk was responsible for leading the discovery and development of the marketed drug danofloxacin/Advocin®, which is approved for treatment of bovine respiratory disease. Dr. McGuirk chaired the Allergy and Respiratory Early Clinical Management Team, addressing numerous development challenges while progressing the inhaled PDEIV inhibitor tofimilast into Phase 2 studies. As a director, Dr. McGuirk led the nearly 100-person interdisciplinary team that pioneered Pfizer’s Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion (ADME) & Toxicology program. As Group Director and Executive Director of Chemical Technologies, Dr. McGuirk co-led the large matrix multi-company team that helped build a successful three million compound HTS library. As Executive Director, Dr. McGuirk led the global review and evaluation of 310 clinical candidates, over a ten-year period, as a prerequisite to their entry into formal development. The candidate reviews spanned ten therapeutic areas and included several successful drugs such as Maraviroc®, Chantix®, and Zeljanz®. Dr. McGuirk is an expert on new molecular entity (“NME”) attributes needed for success in drug development. We believe Dr. McGuirk is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive strategic and operational experience.

 

Janelle R. Anderson, PhD, Director and Chief Business Officer, was most recently the Chief Strategy Officer at Century Therapeutics (2019-2021), where she drove the execution of deals and external partnerships that enabled Century’s scientific objectives and furthered its strategic goals. Prior to Century Therapeutics, Dr. Anderson was an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Versant Ventures (2017-2019), where she was instrumental in establishing Century Therapeutics’s funding and core technology. Prior to Versant Ventures, Dr. Anderson was Managing Partner at CTI Life Sciences Fund (2014-2017), where she led U.S. biotech transactions. Prior to CTI Life Science Fund, Dr. Anderson worked at Merck (2008-2014), as a Finance Director and later as Managing Director of the MRL Ventures Fund, Merck’s therapeutic-focused venture group. Prior to Merck, Dr. Anderson held roles at Boston Consulting Group (2002-2004) before taking on various operational and deal-making positions in medical venture capital, including serving as interim Chief Executive Officer of Access Scientific while at Carrot Capital (2005-2007) (now known as Embark Healthcare). Dr. Anderson earned her B.Sc. in Chemistry (Honors) from McGill University, and A.M. and Ph.D. from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University. We believe Dr. Anderson is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to her extensive strategic and operational experience.

 

Frank C. Sciavolino, PhD, Director, has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including a distinguished thirty-five year career at Pfizer Global Research & Development from 1968 to 2003. At Pfizer, Dr. Sciavolino held various management roles and responsibilities in drug discovery, development, registration and licensing, culminating in his role as Vice President of Research &Development Operations, in which he oversaw a team of more than one thousand scientists in the United States, Europe and Asia. He was responsible for two of Pfizer’s leading franchises, Zithromax and Celebrex. After leading the discovery chemistry team responsible for the initial macrolide antibiotic research, he served as principal investigator for the Phase I evaluation of eleven compounds in first-in-human (FIH) studies. This led to the identification and development of Zithromax, an antibiotic widely considered as one of the most important new drugs of the twentieth century, and one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. He also played a major role in the licensing of Celebrex, a COX-2 inhibitor that reached several billion in peak annual sales globally. From 2003 until 2007, Dr. Sciavolino was Vice President of Product Development and Regulatory Affairs at Indigene Pharmaceuticals, at which he later served as Executive Vice President of Global Design and Development from 2007-2010. Between 2010 and 2013, Dr. Sciavolino served as a Senior Management and Board Advisor at Max Zeller Söhne AG. In 2012, along with Drs. Gregory Gardiner, B. L. Mylari and Mr. Gary Mathias, Dr. Sciavolino co-founded Thetis Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company developing drugs for multiple diseases rooted in immune system deficits like cancers, respiratory conditions and gastro-intestinal disorders. As President and Chief Scientific Officer of Thetis, positions he has held since the founding of Thetis in 2012 to present, Dr. Sciavolino has pioneered the discovery and development of the HEALER platform, a technology that is enabling clinical evaluation of the extraordinarily potent Resolvins, an endogenous class of mediators that regulate both the innate and adaptive components of the immune system. Dr. Sciavolino has served on numerous editorial boards, including Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy and the Journal of Antibiotics. Dr. Sciavolino has more than forty-eight issued patents and has a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Michigan and B.S. in Pharmacy from St. John’s University. We believe Dr. Sciavolino is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive strategic and operational experience.

 

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James P. Linton, PhD, MBA, Director, has over thirty years of entrepreneur and executive experience in the biotechnology space, co-founding or serving as a co-founding management member of six companies and leading the operations, fund raising and business development efforts for several of these companies. Since September 2021, Dr. Linton has served as interim Chief Executive Officer of Resolute Bio, Inc., which focuses on developing novel human drug delivery and immunotolerance technology by coupling therapeutic peptides and proteins to circulating red blood cells. Among his previous start-ups, Dr. Linton co-founded (with Dr. Pelletier) Iridia Inc., a company developing DNA-based microchip data storage, where he served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer and chairman (2016-2017), and President and director (March 2016 through November 2019). During his tenure as Iridia’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Linton was responsible for raising more than $26 million, including investment capital from Western Digital Corporation. Also, in this role he oversaw all operations, financing efforts, financial management, intellectual property, human resources and investor relations. Currently, he serves as a director and Chief Executive Officer emeritus, collaborating with the Chief Executive Officer in fundraising, strategic planning and investor relations. In late 2020, Dr. Linton also co-founded New Frontier Bio, a biotechnology-driven health and wellness company, where he is a Director and serves as an Executive Consultant, supporting strategic planning and fundraising. Dr. Linton has successfully raised over $129 million in capital, negotiated over $298 million in deals, and has participated in a number of exits, including Protometrix Inc, Genicon Sciences, Axiom Biotechnologies and Owl Biomedical, Inc. Early in his career, Dr. Linton was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Merck Research Laboratories working on molecular cloning of genes responsible for FK-506-induced immunosuppression. He obtained his M.B.A. from the University of California at Davis and his Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from Emory University. We believe Dr. Linton is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive strategic and operational experience in early-stage biotechnology companies.

 

Thomas F. Ryan, Jr., Director, has approximately twenty years of business development, marketing and sales management experience in the life sciences sector. Mr. Ryan founded NavigatorBIO in October of 2017 and currently serves as its Chief Executive Officer. In that role, Mr. Ryan leads the operational and business development teams to help the company’s global clientele overcome challenges in brand recognition, market positioning, and business development. Prior to NavigatorBIO, Mr. Ryan served as the Director of Business Development at Eurofins Central Laboratory from November 2014 until October 2017. During his time at Eurofins, Mr. Ryan earned the “Business Development Representative of the Year” award in 2016 in recognition of his excellence in sales and participated on several steering committees. Prior to Eurofins, Mr. Ryan served as Strategic Account Manager for Lantheus Medical Imaging from May 2011 to May 2014. In that role, Mr. Ryan partnered with sales representatives to initiate, design and negotiate agreements with healthcare systems such as Yale New Haven Health, Columbia Presbyterian, Northwell Health and Mass General Brigham. For his efforts, Mr. Ryan earned the “Summit Award” in 2011 in recognition of his outstanding sales leadership and the “Lantheus Star Award” in 2013 in recognition of his exemplary commitment, contribution and leadership. Mr. Ryan began his career in the life sciences sector with Covidien, where his tenure ran from June 2003 through March 2011. Mr. Ryan was fortunate to have moved through various positions at Covidien that continuously increased his level of responsibility. He started as a Business Development Representative in the New York area, was eventually promoted to Sales Trainer and rounded out the last 3 years of his tenure as a Region Manager. Mr. Ryan led a sales team of several business development executives covering the Midwest market, and, in 2010, he earned Covidien’s “Sharp – Safety Manager of the Year” award. In addition to his strategy and business development background, Mr. Ryan has extensive experience with building teams and ensuring execution of sales plans. His career has focused on business and sales process optimization to ensure successful execution of corporate strategy in the most efficient manner possible. We believe Mr. Ryan is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive strategic and operational experience in the life sciences sector, including his knowledge of the North American biotechnology market.

 

Matthew Rossen, MBA, Director, has 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech arena, working across multiple therapeutic categories including Anti-Infectives, Alzheimer’s, Cardiovascular, Hematology, Solid Tumor, and Sleep Science. From April 2019 until May 2021, Mr. Rossen was Vice President of Marketing at QED Therapeutics, a subsidiary of BridgeBio. From August 2010 until April 2019, Mr. Rossen held various roles at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, eventually becoming Senior Director of New Product Planning. Prior thereto, from July 2001 to July 2010, Mr. Rossen worked at Pfizer Inc., where he spent 10 years in positions of increasing responsibility, ultimately becoming Senior Manager of Commercial Development for Dimebon, a neuroprotective drug. He holds a B.S. in Kinesiology and Applied Human Physiology from the University of Colorado and received his MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business. We believe Mr. Rossen is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his deep understanding of and appreciation for the investments needed to ensure development and commercial success in the biotechnology sector.

 

Mohendra Moodley, Board Advisor, is an investment professional with two decades of experience in financial services. He is a Director at Capricorn Commodities, a boutique investment and advisory business. Mohendra has extensive experience in trading, corporate finance, capital market arranging and funds management. He has been a key arranger and advisor to private and public companies on mid-market mergers and acquisitions and debt transactions centered in Australia, South Africa, the United States, Brazil, Indonesia, Chile and Hong Kong, in financial services, resources and technology. Mohendra has worked with a number of institutional investors across the world, including family offices, wealth managers, pension funds, credit funds, commercial banks, endowments, private equity groups, charities and multi strategy funds. Prior to Capricorn, Mohendra was a Director and Portfolio Manager at Taurus Funds Management, an Australian funds management firm. Prior to Taurus, Mohendra was at Macquarie Group in Australia in the Funds Management Division where he worked across various funds. Prior to joining Macquarie, Mohendra was a Partner at Craton Capital in South Africa, a specialist natural resources fund manager. Before Craton, Mohendra founded Knight Capital Management in August 2002 where he managed a South African hedge fund. Prior to Knight, Mohendra worked at UBS as a sell-side equity research analyst in South Africa, where he was a ranked analyst in various sectors including financial services, electronics and electrical. Mohendra holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and an Honors degree (cum laude) from the University of Natal.

 

Jack A. Reynolds, DVM, DACLAM, DACVP and FIATP, Board Advisor, is a founding Partner and Chairman Emeritus of the AnaBios Corporation and continues to serve as a director. He retired from Pfizer as Senior Vice President of R&D and Worldwide Head of Safety Sciences. Dr. Reynolds has over forty years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, and has contributed to numerous development programs and drug approvals. At Pfizer, he worked to elucidate, understand, manage and mitigate the inherent risks of medicines. Dr. Reynolds has done extensive work in building partnerships with regulatory agencies, and has served leadership roles in professional societies, industry executive groups and scientific organizations. He is the founder and former Advisory Board Chair of the Drug Safety Executive Council, which now includes a membership of almost 2,000 industry professionals and plays a cross-industry role in collaboratively evaluating, validating and qualifying new technologies for safety testing and decision making. He remains an active consultant to the pharmaceutical industry, and his firm, JAReynolds & Associates, provides scientific and drug development support to clients both large and small. He is also a premier expert consultant for NDA Partners, a life sciences management consulting and contract development organization focused on providing product development and regulatory services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries worldwide.  He is board certified in both Veterinary Pathology and Laboratory Animal Medicine and is a Fellow of the International Academy of Toxicological Pathologists. Dr. Reynolds, until recently, was an adjunct professor in the Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics at the School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a long-standing member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development.

 

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Anthony Caggiano, MD PhD, Board Advisor, has broad experience in the development of new medicines for neurological conditions. He is currently Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research and Development with NeuroTrauma Sciences. During his seventeen years at Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. the last three as Senior Vice President of Research and Development, Dr. Caggiano oversaw pre-clinical and clinical development programs in neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke and spinal cord injury. In addition, he directed a team responsible for all aspects of early development through a combination of internal research efforts and external research collaborations. He built relationships with thought leaders, developed clinical trial strategies and participated in licensing activities. After Acorda Therapeutics, Dr. Caggiano was Chief Medical Officer of Cognition Therapeutics, which is developing CT1812 for Alzheimer’s disease, and served as acting President and Chief Medical Officer of Constant Pharmaceuticals and Chief Medical Officer of Aeromics, Inc., clinical-stage companies, respectively, developing candidates for central nervous system indications.

 

Thomas Hoxie, LLD, Board Advisor, has approximately 35 years of experience in intellectual property law. Tom handles patent prosecution, licensing, litigation, and appeals. Tom has also served as an expert witness on patent and licensing matters in cases involving patent infringement, antitrust, licensing, and legal malpractice. In 2004, Tom entered private practice as Founding Partner of Hoxie & Tso LLP, which became Hoxie & Associates LLC in 2007. Hoxie & Associates handles patent matters in the area of chemistry, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. From 2003 to 2004, Tom was Vice President and Head of the US patent and Trademark Department for Novartis, a multi-national pharmaceutical company. From 1991 to 2004, Tom held a variety of positions at Novartis and its predecessor company, Sandoz, including Global Head of Intellectual Property Litigation for Novartis’s branded and generic pharmaceuticals and consumer businesses, Deputy Global Head of Pharmaceutical Patents, Head of Novartis’s Agricultural Biotechnology Patent Group in North Carolina, and pharmaceutical patent attorney at Sandoz in Basel, Switzerland. Prior to going in-house, Tom was a litigation attorney in private practice in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and was lead counsel on a number of jury and bench trials. Tom has given numerous seminars on patent law to patent attorneys in the United States and Europe, he was a tutor in European patent law for the Centre d’Etudes Internationales de la Propriété Industrielle (CEIPI), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France, and he is a co-author of Patents for Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotechnology”, 6th ed., 2016, Oxford University Press.

 

Mark Zhu, PhD, MBA, Board Advisor, is an investment professional with over ten years of investing experience in science-based companies. Since October 2016, Dr. Zhu has served as a director of Propel(x), a deep tech investment company, where he is responsible for deal sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio management. Since July 2017, Mark has also served as a Partner at Newton Fund, an affiliated fund managed by Propel(x). In the past five years, Dr. Zhu has invested in twenty-four deals, nine of which were in the healthcare sector. In addition to his roles at Propel(x) and Newton Fund, Dr. Zhu has served, since March 2019, as an Advisor at Lunewave, a radar sensor startup, and since August 2020, as an Advisor to AM Batteries, a battery manufacturing technology startup, which he also helped to launch. From October 2015 to September 2016, Dr. Zhu served as an Investment Director at Gibraltar Ventures (a subsidiary of Prudential Financial). Prior to his tenure at Gibraltar Ventures, Dr. Zhu held various investment roles at Connecticut Innovations (from July 2014 to October 2015) and DTE Energy Ventures (from 2008 to 2014). Dr. Zhu started his investment career as a cleantech investor and eventually became a generalist with a strong interest in science-based startups. Before Dr. Zhu’s investment career, he worked in technology development roles at United Technologies (from 2002 to 2008) and Praxair (from 1999 to 2002). Dr. Zhu received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of South Florida in 1996, Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana State University in 2000, and MBA from Carnegie Mellon University in 2007.

 

We believe our sponsor team, management team and Board of Directors have the skills and experience to identify, evaluate and consummate a business combination and is positioned to assist businesses we acquire. However, our team’s network of contacts, and its investing and operating experience, does not guarantee a successful initial business combination. We cannot guarantee that our current officers and directors will continue in their respective roles, or in any other role, after our initial business combination, and their expertise may only be of benefit to us until we complete our initial business combination. Past performance by our management team is not a guarantee of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate.

 

Industry Opportunity

 

Although we intend to target North American or European companies, our focus will be to acquire a business in the healthcare industry in the United States. We believe the healthcare industry, particularly the life sciences sector, represents an enormous and growing target market with a large number of potential target acquisition opportunities. More specifically, we intend to target companies in the biopharmaceutical sector. Since the beginning of 2020, over 85 SPACs focusing within the broader healthcare market have been formed, over 50 of which were this year, according to SPAC Analytics (as of October 11, 2021).

 

We believe that the momentum of research and development strategies of the biopharmaceutical sector is readily apparent, with global R&D expenditures totaling $186 billion in 2019, with more than $60 billion in estimated expenditures on U.S. health and medical R&D from federal, state and local governments and other industry sources. These figures encompass spending on all steps, from discovery through clinical development, and highlight the scope and scale of opportunity. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approval of new drugs increased approximately 40% comparing 2010 to 2014 numbers with those of 2015 to 2019, and the base case outlook in the next five years forecasts that net medicine spending in the United States will increase from $344 billion in 2018 to $420 billion in 2023. Therefore, we believe that the industry is in a powerful growth mode.

  

 

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 We believe that the current state of the life sciences IPO market will enhance our ability to locate attractive targets. Since 2016, approximately 235 biotechnology companies have gone public in the United States. In 2019, there were estimated to be approximately 9,500 biotechnology companies globally, only a fraction of which are publicly traded. As these companies mature, we believe they will need partners to complement, enhance, and extend their reach. We believe these privately held biotechnology companies represent an enormous investment opportunity, and recent trends in equity capital markets continue to demonstrate their desire to access public capital. Since 2015, over $200 billion has been raised in the public equity markets by biotechnology companies, of which over $30 billion has been raised through IPOs by approximately 275 biotechnology companies.

 

Since the advent of the completion of the human genome project in 2003, a mechanistic understanding of the molecular pathology of many diseases has been uncovered. New molecular drug targets and their biological function have been elucidated, enabling pharmaceutical development of ground-breaking therapeutics to treat and in some cases cure these diseases.

 

We believe that there are major benefits for privately held, pre-commercial stage biotechnology companies to become publicly traded, including greater access to capital, broader investor base, more liquid securities, and increased market awareness. As a result of our analysis, we are confident that an acquisition by a SPAC with a management team that is well known (and respected by biotechnology and life science infrastructure company founders, their investors, and management teams) will become a preferred route for a high-quality private healthcare company to access the public markets. Furthermore, we believe that market volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to make such an on-ramp to the public markets even more attractive to private companies, as it promises more certainty about deal completion, a more efficient path to the public markets, and a defined investor base.

 

We believe that there is continued tremendous investor demand for IPOs in the biotechnology sector and that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a renewed appreciation of the critical contributions the biotechnology sector makes to society, which in turn will continue to fuel investor demand.

 

We expect our primary focus will be on the healthcare industry in the United States. Overall, total U.S. national health expenditures currently exceed $3.8 trillion, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which also estimates that total healthcare spending will approach 20% of total U.S. gross domestic product in 2028. We believe investors are just now beginning to recognize that life sciences will be a major beneficiary of that growth. The momentum of discovery and propagation of science and technologies combined with the appeal of early-stage industry formation, we believe, creates dynamic investment opportunities and significant advantages to knowledgeable specialists. In addition to these industry-wide dynamics in healthcare, specifically within the biotechnology sector, the past decade has seen a shift in the research and development strategy of the “Big Pharma” companies to external innovation through licensing partnerships and strategic acquisitions, resulting in over 1,000 M&A transactions totaling more than $700 billion from 2015 to 2019. Furthermore, there has been a gradual increase in FDA approval of new drugs, from 160 approvals between 2010 and 2014 to 220 approvals between 2015 and 2019. The global biotechnology market is expecting to grow to over $105 billion in revenue in 2021, and total sales of prescription drugs worldwide were over $850 billion in 2019. We believe that these trends present a favorable opportunity for investors in pre-clinical to pre-commercial companies within the biotechnology sector.

 

The Current Life Sciences IPO Market

 

We believe that current dynamics in the life sciences IPO market may enhance our ability to locate an attractive target. Hundreds of biotechnology companies have gone public since 2016 in the United States. We also believe that the process for life sciences IPOs often produces offerings that are significantly oversubscribed, but where a majority of the offering is allocated to the top ten investors, some of whom may be existing investors in these companies or are industry specialists. As a result, we believe that there may be numerous investors who have not been able to receive meaningful, or any, allocations in recent life sciences and medical technology IPOs who may be interested in a potential target opportunity that we identify.

 

We believe that life sciences companies, at a certain stage in their development, will see material benefits from being publicly traded, including greater access to capital, more liquid securities and increased customer awareness. An acquisition by a special purpose acquisition company with a management team that is well-known to, and respected by, life sciences founders, their current third-party investors and their management teams, we believe, can provide a more transparent and efficient mechanism to bring a private healthcare company to the public markets. Of the almost 60 SPACs seeking acquisition within broader healthcare industries, about half are focused specifically on biotechnology. As of October 10, 2021, almost 30 biotechnology-focused SPACs have come to market, over 15 of which are seeking acquisitions, on track to exceed the amount in 2020.

 

 

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Despite the global pandemic, biotech companies in 2020 vigorously tapped into the public markets, topping the previous three years in numbers of IPOs and capital raised. We believe that the rising tide of overall healthcare investment, along with a steady pace of positive news, kept the IPO window wide open. The public’s newfound appreciation for the importance of rapidly developing desperately needed drugs and vaccines, we believe, added to the enthusiasm. According to a recent data from The Harris Poll, consumers’ impression of pharmaceutical companies has soared during the pandemic, with 40% now reporting they now have a more positive view of the industry than they did before the pandemic began. Previously, only 32% of Americans had a positive view of the industry pre-COVID-19, ranking it third from the bottom among 12 industry categories. The pandemic has opened the world’s eye to how vital biotech is to society. When equities started to rebound, following the March decline, the biotech sector was among the first to benefit. Through the first 2 quarters of 2021, over 55 biotech companies had completed an IPO, raising approximately $9 billion in capital.

 

An increasing number of the IPOs have been biotech companies that have yet to put a drug into the clinic. Not long ago taking a pre-clinical company public was unusual at best. We believe that the change in sentiment for these young companies reflects the increasing confidence in the science and the ability to translate early results to the patient. With the advent of technology advancements, we believe one can make a much better prediction whether an early-stage biotech company could survive the development gauntlet. We anticipate that the investment climate to remain positive for 2021 and onward. We believe that the appeal of medical science and innovation will remain strong well into 2022 and that the pipeline of new, high-quality companies and assets will continue to grow, with concerns surrounding the dramatic changes to healthcare laws and drug prices dissipating. Overall, this is supported by data collected for the first months of 2021, in which over $3 billion of SPAC capital focused on biotechnology has come to market. By implementing development strategies hard sought by large pharmaceuticals, such as rigorous portfolio management, Phase II entry criteria, and enhanced clinical trial design, we believe that real improvements in program survival can be realized. For example, Pfizer recently reported significantly increased success in Phase II translation to human efficacy—the most challenging stage of development. Over the 5-year period from 2015 to 2020, the Pfizer success rate has moved from 15% to 52%—the industry benchmark has reached 29%. Perhaps even more impressive, end-to-end success is 21% (versus the industry end-to-end success at 8%). We believe we are well positioned to implement these same strategies through the expertise and execution of our management team.

 

Our Business Strategy

 

We intend to identify high-growth healthcare acquisition targets by leveraging the expertise of our management team, co-sponsor team and Board of Directors. Our broader team maintains robust deal sourcing channels and industry-leading relationships across the healthcare landscape.

 

Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. Our Board of Directors will make the determination as to the fair market value of our initial business combination. If our Board of Directors is not able to determine independently the fair market value of our initial business combination, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it unlikely that our Board of Directors will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of our initial business combination, it may be unable to do so if it is less familiar or experienced with the business of a particular target or if there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of a target’s assets or prospects. We have also agreed not to enter into a definitive agreement regarding an initial business combination without the prior consent of our co-sponsors. In addition, pursuant to Nasdaq rules, any initial business combination must be approved by a majority of our independent directors.

 

 

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 We anticipate structuring our initial business combination either (i) in such a way so that the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses, or (ii) in such a way so that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or stockholders, or for other reasons. However, we will only complete an initial business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the “Investment Company Act”. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the initial business combination. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be taken into account for purposes of Nasdaq’s 80% fair market value test. If the initial business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% fair market value test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the transactions and we will treat the target businesses together as the initial business combination for purposes of a tender offer or for seeking stockholder approval, as applicable.

 

In addition to any potential business targets we may identify on our own, we anticipate that other targets will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment market participants, private equity funds and large business enterprises seeking to divest non-core assets or divisions.

 

In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass, as applicable and among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspection of facilities, and a review of financial and other information about the target and its industry.

 

We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our co-sponsors, officers or directors, nor are we prohibited from partnering, submitting joint bids, or entering into any similar transaction with our co-sponsors, or an affiliate of our co-sponsors, in the pursuit of an initial business combination. If we seek to complete an initial business combination with such a company or we partner with our co-sponsors, or any of their affiliates in our pursuit of an initial business combination, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm, and reasonably acceptable to Chardan, with respect to fair market value that the business combination is fair to our stockholders from a financial point of view.

 

As more fully discussed in “Management — Conflicts of Interest,” if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he or she has pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she may be required to present such business combination opportunity to such entity prior to presenting such business combination opportunity to us. Certain of our directors currently have relevant fiduciary duties or contractual obligations that may take priority over their duties to us. Our officers and directors are not prohibited from becoming either a director or officer of any other special purpose acquisition corporation with a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

 

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 We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.

 

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.

 

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of: (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the prior fiscal year’s second fiscal quarter; and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.00 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” shall have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.

 

Acquisition Criteria

 

While we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business, industry, sector or geographical location, we intend to focus on industries that complement our management team’s background, and to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify and acquire a business, focusing on the healthcare or healthcare related industries. In particular, we anticipate targeting North American or European companies in the life sciences and medical technology sectors, with a specific focus on small and large molecule therapeutics, where our management team as a whole has extensive operational and investment experience. We see a multitude of strong targets, both regionally emanating from the general Yale-New Haven ecosystem (including through clinical research and technology licensing carried out by Yale University, Yale New Haven Hospital, and other local medical centers) and nationally, that meet our acquisition criteria. Remarkably, we believe there has been tremendous growth in the biotechnology sector in the New Haven ecosystem with companies like Alexion, RallyBio, Arvinas, and Biohaven becoming a new breeding ground for biotech in the region. Our company would like to be a part of this growth. We envision ourselves being a catalyst for growth in the New Haven area through continued acquisitions consistent with the growth experienced in Cambridge, Boston and South San Francisco. Many very attractive targets fall within the so-called “gap” between Phase I and Phase II or even further back at pre-clinical. The “gap” exists as the risk of Phase II failure is high and the funding needed for the requisite studies is increasing, further compounding the risk equation. The opportunity is to identify these targets and assess the likelihood of success through the “gap”, a job that has been made more accessible by advancements in science and technology. We believe many technically sound programs are failing because of lack of funding and administrative reasons that would otherwise spawn marketed drugs in high, unmet need areas.

 

We believe our management team is well positioned to identify unique opportunities in our target sectors; to recognize requirements for clinical success; and to operate efficiently, in view of the fact that our management team has worked together for nearly a decade. Our selection process will leverage our relationships with leading researchers in their field and our own due diligence and risk management model. Given our profile and dedicated management team and advisors, we believe that a strong connection can be made with our target companies facilitating the acquisition process. We also believe that Chardan’s reputation, experience and track record of making investments in the healthcare space will make us a preferred partner for our potential targets.

 

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Consistent with our strategy, we have identified the following criteria to evaluate prospective target businesses. We intend to seek to acquire companies that we believe:

 

· Have a scientific or other competitive advantage and are differentiated in the markets in which they operate;

 

· Have the potential to be best in class and potentially but not necessarily first in class;

 

· Possess a platform technology with a growing pipeline of candidates;

 

· Possess multiple assets with the ability to create value, diversify risk, and are looking for multiple shots on goal;

 

· Are technologically applicable to multiple indications within the therapeutic area;

 

· Are Phase II ready with an approved clinical protocol close to major value inflection;

 

· Are in an area of high unmet medical need;

 

· Are innovative rather than a follow-on;

 

· Are not restricted to new molecular entity type and can be biologic (includes siRNA, RNA, peptide) or small molecule;

 

· Are ready to be public, with strong management, corporate governance and reporting policies in place;

 

· Will likely be well received by public investors and are expected to have good access to the public capital markets;

 

· Have significant embedded and/or under-exploited growth opportunities;

 

· Exhibit unrecognized value or other characteristics that we believe have been misevaluated by the market based on our rigorous analysis and scientific and business due diligence review; and

 

· Will offer attractive risk-adjusted equity returns for our shareholders.

 

We intend for our acquisition and diligence process to include:

 

· Scientific and clinical analysis, with assessment of clinical and regulatory success factors;

 

· Assessment of individual asset quality based on manufacturing, pharmacology, biomarker strategy, pharmacokinetics, and safety against industry standards;

 

· Review of market factors such as size, growth opportunity, competition, and development trends;

 

· Reimbursement review;

 

· Full review of proprietary technology content and intellectual property;

 

· Interviews with key opinion leaders, customers, competitors, and industry experts;

 

· Full financial evaluation, including analysis of historical results and modeling of various scenarios including product launch forecasting;

 

· Review and evaluation of operations, including R&D, manufacturing, sales, and distribution;

 

· Identification of key milestones that will drive liquidity, and assessment of the likelihood of various paths to liquidity;

 

· Preparation of a detailed financial forecast and potential cash-on-cash returns analysis using several scenarios of financial performance, structure and exit timing;

 

· Comparison of a company’s progress against tracked prior meetings and its competition; and

 

· Analysis of relevant and available data using advanced data science techniques (for example, claims analysis to identify potential patient population).

 

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We intend to focus our efforts on identifying a high-growth healthcare business that has the potential to be a $1 billion or more market capitalization company. The broad vision and on-the-ground expertise of our management team, we believe, should allow us to see opportunities and synergies even before the target company’s management or board may.

 

These criteria and guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target business does not meet the above criteria in our shareholder communications related to our initial business combination, which, as discussed in this prospectus, would be in the form of proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents that we would file with the SEC.

 

Initial Business Combination

 

We will have up to 12 months from the closing of this offering to consummate an initial business combination. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months, we may, by resolution of our Board of Directors if requested by our co-sponsors, extend the period of time we will have to consummate an initial business combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 18 months from the closing of this offering), provided that, pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on the date of this prospectus, in order for the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination to be extended, our co-sponsors or their affiliates or designees, upon five days’ advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $750,000, or $862,500 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case, or an aggregate of $1,500,000 (or $1,725,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full)), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. Our public stockholders will not be entitled to vote or redeem their shares in connection with any such extension. In the event that our co-sponsors elect to extend the time to complete a business combination and deposit the applicable amount of money into trust, the co-sponsors would receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that we are unable to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. In the event that we receive notice from our co-sponsors five days prior to the applicable deadline of their intent to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our co-sponsors and their affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. To the extent that some, but not all, of our co-sponsors’ affiliates or designees, decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination, such affiliates or designees may deposit the entire amount required. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within such time period, we will, as promptly as possible but not more than 10 business days thereafter, redeem 100% of our outstanding public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account, including a pro rata portion of any interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, and then seek to dissolve and liquidate. However, we may not be able to distribute such amounts as a result of claims of creditors which may take priority over the claims of our public stockholders. In the event of our dissolution and liquidation, the private warrants will expire and be worthless.

 

Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. Our Board of Directors will make the determination as to the fair market value of our initial business combination. If our Board of Directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination, we may obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking or accounting firm as to the fair market value of the target business. We have also agreed not to enter into a definitive agreement regarding an initial business combination without the prior consent of our co-sponsors. In addition, pursuant to Nasdaq rules, any initial business combination must be approved by a majority of our independent directors.

 

We anticipate structuring our initial business combination either (i) in such a way so that the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses, or (ii) in such a way so that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or stockholders, or for other reasons. However, we will only complete our initial business combination only if the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares will own or acquire 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the “Investment Company Act.” Even if the post-transaction company owns 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% test, provided that in the event that the business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the target businesses.

Private Placements

 

On March 25, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare purchased 2,156,250 founder shares from us for $25,000, or approximately $0.012 per share. On April 9, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare sold (i) 388,125 founder shares to Chardan Gardiner and (ii) 366,562 founder shares to CCMAUS, in each case for approximately $0.012 per share, resulting in Gardiner Healthcare holding a balance of 1,401,563 founder shares.

 

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On October 15, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 50,000 founder shares to our independent directors, Dr. Linton and Dr. Sciavolino, with each independent director receiving 25,000 founder shares. On October 15, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 25,000 founder shares to our independent director, Mr. Ryan. On October 15, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 25,000 founder shares to our independent director, Mr. Rossen.

 

Of the 100,000 founder shares granted to our independent directors, Gardiner Healthcare granted 65,000 founder shares, Chardan Gardiner granted 18,000 founder shares, and CCMAUS granted 17,000 founder shares, leaving Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS, respectively, with 1,336,563 founder shares, 370,125 founder shares, and 349,562 founder shares.

 

The founder shares include an aggregate of up to 281,250 shares that are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or is exercised in part, so that our initial stockholders will collectively own 20% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering (excluding the sale of the private warrants and assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase public units in this offering). None of our initial stockholders has indicated any intention to purchase public units in this offering.

 

The founder shares are identical to the public shares. However, our initial stockholders have agreed (A) to vote their founder shares and any public shares held by them in favor of any proposed business combination, (B) not to propose, or vote in favor of, prior to and unrelated to an initial business combination, an amendment to our certificate of incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of our redemption obligation to redeem all public shares if we cannot complete an initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) of the closing of this offering, unless we provide public stockholders an opportunity to redeem their public shares in conjunction with any such amendment, (C) not to convert any shares, including founder shares, into the right to receive cash from the trust account in connection with a stockholder vote to approve our proposed initial business combination or sell any shares to us in any tender offer in connection with our proposed initial business combination, and (D) that the founder shares shall not participate in any liquidating distribution upon winding up if a business combination is not consummated.

 

On the date of this prospectus, the founder shares will be placed into an escrow account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as escrow agent. 50% of these shares will not be transferred, assigned, sold or released from escrow until the earlier of (i) 6 months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or (ii) the date on which the closing price of our shares of common stock equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination, and the remaining 50% of the founder shares will not be transferred, assigned, sold or released from escrow until 6 months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property. During the escrow period, the holders of these shares will not be able to sell or transfer their securities except (1) to any persons (including their affiliates and stockholders) participating in the private placement of the private warrants, officers, directors, stockholders, employees and members of the co-sponsors and their affiliates, (2) amongst initial stockholders or to our officers, directors and employees, (3) if a holder is an entity, as a distribution to its, partners, stockholders or members upon its liquidation, (4) by bona fide gift to a member of the holder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a holder or a member of a holder’s immediate family, for estate planning purposes, (5) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (6) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (7) by certain pledges to secure obligations incurred in connection with purchases of our securities, (8) by private sales at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased or (9) for the cancellation of up to 281,250 shares of common stock subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised in full or is exercised in part or in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, in each case (except for clause 9 or with our prior consent) where the transferee agrees to the terms of the escrow agreement and the insider letter.

 

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 The private warrants and any shares of common stock issued upon conversion or exercise thereof are subject to transfer restrictions pursuant to lock-up provisions in a letter agreement with us to be entered into by the co-sponsors and our officers and directors. Those lock-up provisions provide that such securities are not transferable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination, except (a) to our officers or directors, any affiliates or family members of any of our officers or directors and any members or affiliates of the co-sponsors; (b) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of the individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization; (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (e) by private sales or transfers made in connection with the consummation of an initial business combination at prices no greater than the price at which the shares or warrants were originally purchased; (f) in the event of our liquidation prior to the completion of our initial business combination; or (g) by virtue of the laws of Delaware or the applicable limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of the co-sponsors, provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (e) or (g), these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement agreeing to be bound by these transfer restrictions and the other restrictions contained in the letter agreements and by the same agreements entered into by the co-sponsors, officers and directors, as the case may be, with respect to such securities (including provisions relating to voting, the trust account and liquidation distributions described elsewhere in this prospectus).

 

Gardiner Healthcare has committed to purchase from us 2,775,000 warrants (or 2,985,938 warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), Chardan Gardiner has committed to purchase from us 475,714 warrants (or 511,875 warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), and CCMAUS has committed to purchase from us 449,286 warrants (or up to 483,438 warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), in each case, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,700,000 (or $3,981,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. We refer to these warrants, collectively, as the “private warrants” throughout this prospectus.

 

Each private warrant is exercisable for one share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. Of the $3,700,000 (or $3,981,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) we will receive from the sale of the private warrants, $2,350,000 (or $2,631,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be used for offering expenses and $1,350,000 will be used for working capital.

 

The proceeds from the private placement of the private warrants will be added to the proceeds of this offering and placed in a trust account in the United States maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee. If we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein), the proceeds from the sale of the private warrants will be included in the liquidating distribution to the holders of our public shares.

 

The private warrants are identical to the warrants sold as part of the public units in this offering except that the private warrants will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees.

 

If public units or shares of common stock are purchased by any of our directors, officers or initial stockholders, they will be entitled to funds from the trust account to the same extent as any public stockholder upon our liquidation but will not have redemption rights related thereto.

 

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Corporate Information

 

Our executive offices are located at 3107 Warrington Road, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120, and our telephone number is (216) 633-6708.

 

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.

 

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.

 

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our shares of common stock that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter; and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.00 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” shall have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.

 

Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter, or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter.

 

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The Offering

 

In making your decision on whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the backgrounds of the members of our management team, but also the special risks we face as a blank check company and the fact that this offering is not being conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section below entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 27 of this prospectus.

  

Securities offered   7,500,000 units, at $10.00 per unit, each unit consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus.
     
Listing of our securities and proposed symbols   We anticipate the units and the shares of common stock and the warrants, once they begin separate trading, will be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “GDNRU”, “GDNR” and “GDNRW”, respectively.

 

    Each of the shares of common stock and warrants comprising the units may trade separately on the 90th day after the date of this prospectus (or, if such date is not a business day, the following business day) unless Chardan determines that an earlier date is acceptable (based upon, among other things, its assessment of the relative strengths of the securities markets and small capitalization companies in general, and the trading pattern of, and demand for, our securities in particular). In no event will Chardan allow separate trading of the shares of common stock and warrants until we file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC containing an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering.
     
    Once the shares of common stock and warrants commence separate trading, holders will have the option to continue to hold units or separate their units into shares of common stock and warrants. Holders will need to have their brokers contact our transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, in order to separate the units into separately trading shares of common stock and warrants.
     
   

We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC, including an audited balance sheet, promptly upon the consummation of this offering, which is anticipated to take place two business days from the date the units commence trading. The audited balance sheet will reflect our receipt of the proceeds from the exercise of the over-allotment option if the over-allotment option is exercised on the date of this prospectus. If the over-allotment option is exercised after the date of this prospectus, we will file an amendment to the Form 8-K or a new Form 8-K to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the over-allotment option. We will also include in the Form 8-K, or amendment thereto, or in a subsequent Form 8-K, information indicating if Chardan has allowed separate trading of the shares of common stock and warrants prior to the 90th day after the date of this prospectus.

 

In connection with the completion of our initial business combination, we may, at our discretion, mandatorily separate all issued and outstanding units into shares of common stock and warrants.

 

Shares of common stock:    
     
Number issued and outstanding before this offering   2,156,250 shares(1)
     
Number to be issued and outstanding after this offering  
9,375,000 shares(2)
     
Redeemable Warrants:    
     
Number issued and outstanding before this offering   0 warrants
     
Number to be issued and outstanding after this offering and sale of private warrants  

7,500,000 public warrants and 3,700,000 private warrants(3)

 

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Exercisability   Each redeemable whole public warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock, and each private warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock.
     
Exercise price  

$11.50 per whole share, subject to adjustment as described herein. If (x) we issue additional shares of common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of common stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by our Board of Directors and, in the case of any such issuance to our initial stockholders or their affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares or private warrants held by them, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “newly issued price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the completion of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume-weighted average trading price of our common stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which we complete our initial business combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.50 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the newly issued price and the $16.50 per share redemption trigger price described below under “— Redemption” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 165% of the higher of the Market Value and the newly issued price.

 

No public warrants will be exercisable for cash unless we have an effective and current registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such shares of common stock. It is our current intention to have an effective and current registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the public warrants and a current prospectus relating to such shares of common stock in effect promptly following consummation of an initial business combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the public warrants is not effective within 120 days following the consummation of our initial business combination, public warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the whole warrants for that number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the shares of common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the day prior to the date of exercise. For example, if a holder held 300 warrants to purchase 300 shares and the fair market value on the date prior to exercise was $15.00, that holder would receive 70 shares without the payment of any additional cash consideration.

 

 

 

(1)      This number includes an aggregate of up to 281,250 shares of common stock held by our initial stockholders that are subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not fully exercised by the underwriters.

(2)      Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 281,250 shares of common stock held by our initial stockholders have been forfeited. If the over-allotment option is exercised in full, there will be a total of 10,781,250 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

(3)      Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised. If the over-allotment option is exercised, there would be 8,625,000 public warrants outstanding and 3,981,250 private warrants outstanding.

 

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Exercise period   The warrants will become exercisable on the later of one year after the closing of this offering or the consummation of an initial business combination. The warrants will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the fifth anniversary of our completion of an initial business combination, or earlier upon redemption.

 

Redemption  

We may redeem the outstanding warrants (excluding the private warrants), in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per warrant:

 

•   at any time while the warrants are exercisable,

 

•   upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption,

 

•   if, and only if, the last sales price of our common stock equals or exceeds $16.50 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending three business days before we send the notice of redemption, and

 

•   if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the shares of common stock underlying such warrants at the time of redemption and for the entire 30-day trading period referred to above and continuing each day thereafter until the date of redemption.

 

If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption, each warrant holder can exercise his, her or its warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of our common stock may fall below the $16.50 trigger price, as well as the $11.50 warrant exercise price, after the redemption notice is issued.

 

The redemption criteria for our warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient differential between the then-prevailing share price and the warrant exercise price so that if the share price declines as a result of our redemption call, the redemption will not cause the share price to drop below the exercise price of the warrants.

 

If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the whole warrants for that number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the shares of common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. Whether we will exercise our option to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis” will depend on a variety of factors including the price of our shares of common stock at the time the warrants are called for redemption, our cash needs at such time and concerns regarding dilutive share issuances.

 

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Offering proceeds to be held in trust  

The rules of Nasdaq provide that at least 90% of the gross proceeds from this offering and the sales of the private warrants be deposited in a trust account. $75,000,000 of the net proceeds of this offering (or $86,250,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) or $10.00 per unit sold to the public in this offering, including a portion of the $3,700,000 we will receive from the sale of the private warrants (or $3,981,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be placed in a trust account maintained in the United States by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee pursuant to an agreement to be signed on the date of this prospectus. Of the $3,700,000 we will receive from the sale of the private warrants (or $3,981,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), $2,350,000 will be used for offering expenses and $1,350,000 will be used for working capital.

 

Except as set forth below, the proceeds in the trust account will not be released until the earlier of: (1) the completion of an initial business combination within the required time period and (2) our redemption of 100% of the outstanding public shares if we have not completed a business combination in the required time period. Therefore, unless and until our initial business combination is consummated, the proceeds held in the trust account will not be available for our use for any expenses related to this offering or expenses which we may incur related to the investigation and selection of a target business and the negotiation of an agreement to acquire a target business.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, there can be released to us, from time to time, any interest earned on the funds in the trust account that we may need to pay our tax obligations. With this exception, expenses incurred by us may be paid prior to a business combination only from the net proceeds of this offering not held in the trust account of approximately $1,350,000 provided, however, that in order to meet our working capital needs following the consummation of this offering if the funds not held in the trust account are insufficient, our initial stockholders, officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private warrants to purchase shares of common stock at a conversion price of $1.00 per private warrant. Such private warrants will be identical to the private warrants to be issued at the closing of this offering, except that the private warrants will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. Our stockholders have approved the issuance of the private warrants (and underlying securities) upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert them at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. If we do not complete a business combination, the loans will only be repaid with funds not held in the trust account, to the extent available.

 

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Limited payments to insiders  

Prior to the consummation of a business combination, there will be no fees, reimbursements or other cash payments paid to our initial stockholders, officers, directors or their affiliates prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is) other than:

 

•   repayment of loans of up to $300,000 made to us by Gardiner Healthcare;

 

•   payment of $10,000 per month to Gardiner Healthcare for office space and related services;

 

•   payment of $38,750 per month (in the aggregate) for consulting services (which amount may be increased following the closing of this offering), comprised of $13,500 per month payable to Marc F. Pelletier, $12,500 per month payable to Paul R. McGuirk, $5,000 per month payable to David P. Jenkins, $6,250 per month payable to Janelle R. Anderson, and $1,500 per month payable to Frank C. Sciavolino;

 

•   reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on our behalf, such as identifying and investigating possible business targets and business combinations;

 

•   payment to Chardan of its underwriting discount, Marketing Fee, fees for any financial advisory, placement agency or other similar investment banking services Chardan may provide to our company in the future, and reimbursement of Chardan for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it in connection with the performance of such services; and

 

•   repayment upon consummation of our initial business combination of any loans which may be made by our initial stockholders or their affiliates or our officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination.

 

There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us; provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account and the interest income earned on the amounts held in the trust account available to us, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination. Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements and payments made to any initial stockholder or member of our management team, or their respective affiliates, and any reimbursements and payments made to members of our audit committee will be reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.

 

Potential revisions to agreements with insiders   We could seek to amend certain agreements made by our management team disclosed in this prospectus without the approval of stockholders, although we have no intention to do so. For example, restrictions on our executives relating to the voting of securities owned by them, the agreement of our management team to remain with us until the closing of a business combination, the obligation of our management team to not propose certain changes to our organizational documents or the obligation of the management team and its affiliates to not receive any compensation in connection with a business combination could be modified without obtaining stockholder approval. Although stockholders would not be given the opportunity to redeem their shares in connection with such changes, in no event would we be able to modify the redemption or liquidation rights of our stockholders without permitting our stockholders the right to redeem their shares in connection with any such change. We will not agree to any such changes unless we believed that such changes were in the best interests of our stockholders (for example, if such a modification were necessary to complete a business combination).

 

 

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Stockholder approval of, tender offer or redemption in connection with, initial business combination  

In connection with any proposed initial business combination, we will either (1) seek stockholder approval of such initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which public stockholders may seek to convert their public shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable) or (2) provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to sell their public shares to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a stockholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case subject to the limitations described herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our initial stockholders have agreed, pursuant to written letter agreements with us, not to convert any public shares held by them into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account. If we determine to engage in a tender offer, such tender offer will be structured so that each public stockholder may tender any or all of his, her or its public shares rather than some pro rata portion of his, her or its shares. If enough stockholders tender their shares so that we are unable to satisfy any applicable closing condition set forth in the definitive agreement related to our initial business combination, or we are unable to maintain net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules), we will not consummate such initial business combination. The decision as to whether we will seek stockholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow stockholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction or whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek stockholder approval. If we provide stockholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to us by means of a tender offer, we will file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, we will consummate the business combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination.

 

In order for a public stockholder to have his, her or its shares redeemed for cash in connection with any proposed business combination, we may require that the public stockholder vote either in favor of or against a proposed business combination. If required to vote pursuant to the procedures specified in our proxy statement to stockholders relating to the business combination, and such public stockholder fails to vote in favor of or against the proposed business combination, whether that stockholder abstains from the vote or simply does not vote, that stockholder would not be able to have his, her or its shares of common stock redeemed to cash in connection with such business combination.

 

    We have determined not to consummate any business combination unless we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation in order to avoid being subject to Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. However, if we seek to consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital closing condition or requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the trust account upon consummation of such initial business combination, our net tangible asset threshold may limit our ability to consummate such initial business combination (as we may be required to have a lesser number of shares redeemed) and may force us to seek third party financing which may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all.

 

 

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    Our initial stockholders have agreed (A) to vote their founder shares and any public shares in favor of any proposed business combination, (B) not to propose, or vote in favor of, prior to and unrelated to an initial business combination, an amendment to our certificate of incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of our redemption obligation to redeem all public shares if we cannot complete an initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) unless we provide public stockholders an opportunity to redeem their public shares in conjunction with any such amendment, (C) not to convert any shares (including the founder shares) into the right to receive cash from the trust account in connection with a stockholder vote to approve our proposed initial business combination or sell any shares to us in a tender offer in connection with our proposed initial business combination, and (D) that the founder shares shall not participate in any liquidating distribution upon winding up if a business combination is not consummated. As a result, if we sought stockholder approval of a proposed transaction, we would need only (i) 2,812,501 of our public shares (or approximately 37.5% of our public shares) to be voted in favor of the transaction in order to have such transaction approved (assuming all issued and outstanding shares are voted, the over-allotment option is not exercised and the initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering or units or shares in the after-market); or (ii) 468,752 of our public shares (or approximately 6.3% of our public shares) to be voted in favor of the transaction in order to have such transaction approved (assuming only the minimum number of shares representing a quorum are voted, the over-allotment option is not exercised and the initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering or units or shares in the after-market). None of our initial stockholders or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase public units in this offering or any units or shares of common stock in the open market or in private transactions. However, if a significant number of stockholders vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against a proposed business combination, our initial stockholders, officers, directors or their affiliates could make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions in order to influence the vote. Our initial stockholders, officers, directors and their affiliates could purchase sufficient shares so that the initial business combination may be approved without the majority vote of public shares held by non-affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers, directors, initial stockholders and their affiliates will not make purchases of shares of common stock if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act, which are rules designed to stop potential manipulation of a company’s stock or purchasing shares when the buyer is in possession of material non-public information about the Company.

 

Conditions to completing our initial business combination  

We will have up to 12 months from the closing of this offering to consummate an initial business combination. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months, we may, by resolution of our Board of Directors if requested by our co-sponsors, extend the period of time we will have to consummate an initial business combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 18 months from the closing of this offering), subject to the co-sponsors depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on the date of this prospectus, in order for the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination to be extended, our co-sponsors or its affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $750,000, or $862,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, for each of the available three month extensions providing a total possible business combination period of 18 months at a total payment value of $1,500,000, or $1,725,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full. Any such payments would be made in the form of non-interest bearing loans, evidenced by an unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit, which will not be repaid in the event that we are unable to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. Our co-sponsors and its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. Our public stockholders will not be entitled to vote or redeem their shares in connection with any such extension. As a result, we may conduct such an extension even though a majority of our public stockholders do not support such an extension and will not be able to redeem their shares in connection therewith.

 

There is no limitation on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans in connection with our initial business combination. Our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination. If we are no longer listed on Nasdaq, we will not be required to satisfy the 80% test.

 

If our board is not able to independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses, we may obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking or accounting firm as to the fair market value of the target business. We have also agreed not to enter into a definitive agreement regarding an initial business combination without the prior consent of our co- sponsors. In addition, pursuant to Nasdaq rules, any initial business combination must be approved by a majority of our independent directors. We will complete our initial business combination only if the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares will own or acquire 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% test, provided that in the event that the business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the target businesses.

 

 

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Conversion rights  

In connection with any stockholder meeting called to approve a proposed initial business combination, each public stockholder will have the right, regardless of whether he, she or it is voting for or against such proposed business combination, to demand that we convert his, her or its public shares into a pro rata share of the trust account upon consummation of the business combination.

 

We may require public stockholders wishing to exercise conversion rights, whether they are a record holder or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender the certificates they are seeking to convert to our transfer agent or to deliver the shares they are seeking to convert to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, at any time at or prior to the vote on the business combination. There is a nominal cost associated with this tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $45, and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the converting holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders to deliver their shares prior to the vote on the business combination in order to exercise conversion rights. This is because a holder would need to deliver shares to exercise conversion rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated. However, in the event we require stockholders to deliver their shares prior to the vote on the proposed business combination and the proposed business combination is not consummated, this may result in an increased cost to stockholders. The conversion rights will include the requirement that a beneficial holder must identify itself in order to validly redeem its shares.

 

Under Delaware law, we are required to give a minimum of only ten days’ notice for each general meeting. As a result, if we require public stockholders who wish to convert their shares of common stock into the right to receive a pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account to comply with the foregoing delivery requirements, holders may not have sufficient time to receive the notice and deliver their shares for conversion. Accordingly, investors may not be able to exercise their conversion rights and may be forced to retain our securities when they otherwise would not want to.

 

If we require public stockholders who wish to convert their shares of common stock to comply with specific delivery requirements for conversion described above and such proposed business combination is not consummated, we will promptly return such certificates to the tendering public stockholders.

 

Release of funds in trust account
upon closing of our initial
business combination
  On the completion of our initial business combination, all amounts held in the trust account will be released to us. We will use these funds to pay amounts due to any public stockholders who exercise their conversion rights as described above under “— Conversion rights” to pay all or a portion of the consideration payable to the target or targets or owners of the target or targets of our initial business combination and to pay other expenses associated with our initial business combination, including the fee payable to Chardan pursuant to the Business Combination Marketing Agreement described under “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest) — Business Combination Marketing Agreement,” which fee we refer to throughout this prospectus as the “Marketing Fee.” If our initial business combination is paid for using stock or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the consideration in connection with our initial business combination, we may apply the balance of the cash released to us from the trust account for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of post-transaction businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.

 

 

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Liquidation if no business
combination
 

If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares (including any public units in this offering or any public units or shares that our initial stockholders or their affiliates purchased in this offering or later acquired in the open market or in private transactions), which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably practicable following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining holders of common stock and our Board of Directors, proceed to commence a voluntary liquidation and thereby a formal dissolution of the Company, subject (in the case of (ii) and (iii) above) to our obligations to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of applicable law.

 

In connection with our redemption of 100% of our outstanding public shares for a portion of the funds held in the trust account, each holder will receive a pro rata portion of the amount then in the trust account, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not necessary to pay our taxes payable on such funds. Holders of warrants will receive no proceeds in connection with the liquidation with respect to such warrants, which will expire worthless.

 

We may not have funds sufficient to pay or provide for all creditors’ claims. Although we will seek to have all third parties (including any vendors or other entities we engage after this offering) and any prospective target businesses enter into valid and enforceable agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. There is also no guarantee that the third parties would not challenge the enforceability of these waivers and bring claims against the trust account for monies owed them.

 

The holders of the founder shares and private warrants will not participate in any redemption distribution with respect to their founder shares and private warrants, but may have any public shares redeemed upon liquidation.

 

    If we are unable to conclude our initial business combination and we expend all of the net proceeds of this offering not deposited in the trust account, without taking into account any interest earned on the trust account, we expect that the initial per-share redemption price will be approximately $10.00. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to claims of our creditors that are in preference to the claims of our stockholders. Furthermore, our underwriters may seek recourse against the proceeds in the trust account relating to any future claims they may have against us. In addition, if we are forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. Therefore, the actual per-share redemption price may be less than the estimated $10.00. We will pay the costs of any subsequent liquidation from our remaining assets outside of the trust account. If such funds are insufficient, Gardiner Healthcare has agreed to pay the funds necessary to complete such liquidation and has agreed not to seek repayment for such expenses. We currently do not anticipate that such funds will be insufficient.

 

Conflicts of Interest  

Chardan Gardiner, an affiliate of Chardan, beneficially owns in excess of 10% of our issued and outstanding common stock. Because Chardan is an underwriter in this offering and its affiliate owns in excess of 10% of our issued and outstanding common stock, Chardan is deemed to have a “conflict of interest” under Rule 5121 (“Rule 5121”) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). Accordingly, this offering is being made in compliance with the requirements of Rule 5121, which requires, among other things, that a qualified independent underwriter participate in the preparation of, and exercise the usual standards of due diligence with respect to, the registration statement and this prospectus. B. Riley Securities, Inc. has agreed to act as a qualified independent underwriter for this offering and to undertake the legal responsibilities and liabilities of an underwriter under the Securities Act, specifically including those inherent in Section 11 thereof. B. Riley Securities, Inc. will receive $100,000 for serving as a qualified independent underwriter in connection with this offering. We have agreed to indemnify B. Riley Securities, Inc. against liabilities incurred in connection with acting as a qualified independent underwriter, including liabilities under the Securities Act. See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest).”

 

 

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RISKS

 

We are a newly formed company that has conducted no operations and has generated no revenues. Until we complete our initial business combination, we will have no operations and will generate no operating revenues. In making your decision on whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the background of our management team, but also the special risks we face as a blank check company, as well as the fact that this offering is not being conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act, and, therefore, you will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. For additional information concerning how Rule 419 blank check offerings differ from this offering, please see “Proposed Business — Comparison to Offerings of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.” You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 27 of this prospectus.

 

Summary of Risk Factors

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. The occurrence of one or more of the events or circumstances described in the section titled “Risk Factors,” alone or in combination with other events or circumstances, may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. Such risks include, but are not limited to:

 

We are a newly formed blank check company in the early stage with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm’s report contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a “going concern.”

 

Our search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the status of debt and equity markets.

 

Our public stockholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination, which means we may consummate our initial business combination even though a majority of our stockholders do not support such a combination.

 

Your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash.

 

Management’s flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate, along with our management’s financial interest in consummating our initial business combination, may lead management to enter into an acquisition agreement that is not in the best interest of our stockholders.

 

 

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Certain of our officers and directors are affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. Our officers and directors are not prohibited from becoming either a director or officer of any other special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

 

The ability of our public stockholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into a business combination with a target.

 

If we seek stockholder approval of our business combination, our co-sponsors, directors, officers and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares from stockholders, in which case they may influence a vote in favor of a proposed business combination that you do not support.

 

The ability of our public stockholders to exercise their redemption rights may not allow us to effectuate the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.

 

  The requirement that we complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating our initial business combination.

 

You will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. Therefore, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares, potentially at a loss.

 

Once initially listed on Nasdaq, our securities may not continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.

 

You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.

 

  If the net proceeds of this offering not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein), it could limit the amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and our ability to complete our initial business combination, and we will depend on loans from Gardiner Healthcare, its affiliates or members of our management team to fund our search and to complete our initial business combination.

 

  If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may be forced to wait up to 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) or longer before redemption from our trust account. In addition, our public stockholders may only receive a pro rata portion of the amount then in the trust account (which may be less than $10.00 per share) (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.

 

 

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SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following table summarizes the relevant financial data for our business and should be read with our financial statements, which are included in this prospectus. We have not had any significant operations to date, so only balance sheet data are presented.

 

    June 30,
2021
 
Balance Sheet Data:    Actual      As Adjusted  
Working capital (deficiency) (1)   ($ 119,737 )   $ 1,374,000  
Total assets (2)   $ 145,325     $ 76,374,000  
Total liabilities (3)   $ 121,325     $ 3,918,300  
Value of  common stock subject to possible redemption   $ -     $ 65,997,456  
Shareholders’ equity (4)   $ 24,000     $ 6,458,244  

 

(1) The “as adjusted” calculation includes $1,350,000 in cash held outside the trust account, plus $24,000 of actual shareholder’s equity, as of June 30, 2021.
(2) The “as adjusted” calculation includes $75,000,000 cash held in trust from the proceeds of this offering, plus $1,350,000 in cash held outside the trust account, plus $24,000 of actual shareholder’s equity as of June 30, 2021.
 
(3) The “as adjusted” calculation includes $3,918,300 for the warrant liability.
 
(4) Excludes 6,745,569 shares of  common stock purchased in the public market which are subject to redemption in connection with our initial business combination. The “as adjusted” calculation equals the “as adjusted” total assets, less the “as adjusted” total liabilities, less the value of  common stock that may be redeemed in connection with our initial business combination (approximately $10.00 per share).

 

If no business combination is completed within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering, the proceeds then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares. Our initial stockholders have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination within such time period. However, if our initial stockholders acquire public shares in, or subsequent to, this offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such public shares.

  

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the risks described below, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before making a decision to invest in our units. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

 

RISKS RELATING TO OUR SEARCH FOR, CONSUMMATION OF, OR INABILITY TO CONSUMMATE, A BUSINESS COMBINATION AND POST-BUSINESS COMBINATION RISKS

 

We are a newly formed blank check company in the early stage with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.

 

We are a newly formed blank check company with no operating results, and we will not commence operations until obtaining funding through this offering and consummating our initial business combination. Because we lack an operating history, you have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective of completing our initial business combination with one or more target businesses. We have no plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective target business concerning our initial business combination, and may be unable to complete our initial business combination. If we fail to complete our initial business combination, we will never generate any operating revenues.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm’s report contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a “going concern.”

 

As of June 30, 2021, we had $1,588 in cash and a working capital deficiency of $119,737. Further, we expect to incur significant costs in pursuit of our acquisition plans. Management’s plans to address this need for capital through this offering are discussed in the section of this prospectus titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Our plans to raise capital and to consummate our initial business combination may not be successful. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus do not include any adjustments that might result from our inability to consummate this offering or our inability to continue as a going concern.

 

Our co-sponsors have the right to extend the term we have to consummate our initial business combination to up to 18 months from the closing of this offering without providing our stockholders with a corresponding redemption right.

 

We will have until 12 months from the closing of this offering to consummate our initial business combination. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months, we may, by resolution of our Board of Directors if requested by our co-sponsors, extend the period of time we will have to consummate an initial business combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 18 months from the closing of this offering), subject to our co-sponsors depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on the date of this prospectus, in order for the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination to be extended, our co-sponsors or their affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $750,000, or $862,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, for each of the available three month extensions providing a total possible business combination period of 18 months at a total payment value of $1,500,000, or $1,725,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full. Any such payments would be made in the form of non-interest bearing loans, evidenced by an unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit, which will not be repaid in the event that we are unable to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. Our co-sponsors and their affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. Our public stockholders will not be entitled to vote or redeem their shares in connection with any such extension. As a result, we may conduct such an extension even though a majority of our public stockholders do not support such an extension and will not be able to redeem their shares in connection therewith. This feature is different than most other special purpose acquisition companies, in which any extension of the company’s period to consummate an initial business combination would require a vote of the company’s stockholders and such stockholders would have the right to redeem their public shares.

 

Our search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the status of debt and equity markets.

 

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, lowered equity market valuations, created significant volatility and disruption in financial markets, and increased unemployment levels, all of which may become heightened concerns upon a second wave of infection or future developments. In addition, the pandemic has resulted in temporary closures of many businesses and the institution of social distancing and sheltering in place requirements in many states and communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted, and a significant outbreak of other infectious diseases could result in, a widespread health crisis that has affected, or could adversely affect, the economies and financial markets worldwide, and the business of any potential target business with which we consummate a business combination could be materially and adversely affected.

 

Furthermore, we may be unable to complete a business combination if concerns relating to COVID-19 continue to restrict travel, limit the ability to have meetings with potential investors or the target business’s personnel, vendors and services providers are unavailable to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely manner. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our search for a business combination will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. If the disruptions posed by COVID-19 or other matters of global concern continue for an extensive period of time, our ability to consummate a business combination, or the operations of a target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected.

 

In addition, our ability to consummate a transaction may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing which may be impacted by COVID-19 and other events, including as a result of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity and third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to us or at all.

 

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We may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate, in which case our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our warrants will expire worthless.

 

Our co-sponsors, officers and directors have agreed that we must complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering. We may not be able to find a suitable target business and complete our initial business combination within such time period. Our ability to complete our initial business combination may be negatively impacted by general market conditions, volatility in the capital and debt markets and the other risks described herein. For example, the outbreak of COVID-19 continues to grow both in the United States and globally and, while the extent of the impact of the outbreak on us will depend on future developments, it could limit our ability to complete our initial business combination, including as a result of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity and third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to us or at all. Additionally, the continued outbreak of COVID-19 may negatively impact businesses we may seek to acquire. If we have not completed our initial business combination within such 12-month (or up to 18-month at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) period, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem 100% of the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law; and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our Board of Directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law, in which case our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our warrants will expire worthless. See “—If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share” and other risk factors herein.”

 

As the number of special purpose acquisition companies increases, there may be more competition to find an attractive target for an initial business combination. This could increase the costs associated with completing our initial business combination and may result in our inability to find a suitable target for our initial business combination.

 

In recent years, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have been formed has increased substantially. Many companies have entered into business combinations with special purpose acquisition companies, and there are still many special purpose acquisition companies seeking targets for their initial business combination, as well as many additional special purpose acquisition companies currently in registration. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available, and it may require more time, effort and resources to identify a suitable target for an initial business combination.

 

In addition, because there are more special purpose acquisition companies seeking to enter into an initial business combination with available targets, the competition for available targets with attractive fundamentals or business models may increase, which could cause target companies to demand improved financial terms. Attractive deals could also become scarcer for other reasons, such as economic or industry sector downturns, geopolitical tensions or increases in the cost of additional capital needed to close business combinations or operate targets post-business combination. This could increase the cost of, delay or otherwise complicate or frustrate our ability to find a suitable target for and/or complete our initial business combination.

 

Changes in the market for directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate and complete an initial business combination.

 

In recent months, the market for directors and officers liability insurance for special purpose acquisition companies has changed. Fewer insurance companies are offering quotes for directors and officers liability coverage, the premiums charged for such policies have generally increased and the terms of such policies have generally become less favorable. There can be no assurance that these trends will not continue.

 

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The increased cost and decreased availability of directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate an initial business combination. In order to obtain directors and officers liability insurance or modify its coverage as a result of becoming a public company, the post-business combination entity might need to incur greater expense, accept less favorable terms or both. However, any failure to obtain adequate directors and officers liability insurance could have an adverse impact on the post-business combination’s ability to attract and retain qualified officers and directors.

 

In addition, even after we were to complete an initial business combination, our directors and officers could still be subject to potential liability from claims arising from conduct alleged to have occurred prior to the initial business combination. As a result, in order to protect our directors and officers, the post-business combination entity may need to purchase additional insurance with respect to any such claims (“run-off insurance”). The need for run-off insurance would be an added expense for the post-business combination entity, and could interfere with or frustrate our ability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors.

 

We may issue our shares to investors in connection with our initial business combination at a price that is less than the prevailing market price of our shares at that time.

 

In connection with our initial business combination, we may issue shares to investors in private placement transactions (so-called PIPE transactions) at a price of $10.00 per share or which approximates the per-share amounts in our trust account at such time, which is generally approximately $10.00. The purpose of such issuances will be to enable us to provide sufficient liquidity to the post-business combination entity. The price of the shares we issue may therefore be less, and potentially significantly less, than the market price for our shares at such time.

 

We may engage the underwriter or its affiliates to provide additional services to us after this offering, which may include acting as financial advisor in connection with an initial business combination or as placement agent in connection with a related financing transaction. The underwriter is entitled to a business combination marketing fee that will be payable only on a completion of an initial business combination. These financial incentives may cause the underwriter to have potential conflicts of interest in rendering any such additional services to us after this offering, including, for example, in connection with the sourcing and consummation of an initial business combination.

 

We may engage the underwriter or its affiliates to provide additional services to us after this offering, including, for example, identifying potential targets, providing financial advisory services, acting as a placement agent in a private offering or arranging debt financing. We may pay the underwriter or its affiliates fair and reasonable fees or other compensation that would be determined at that time in an arm’s length negotiation; provided that no agreement will be entered into with the underwriter or its affiliates and no fees or other compensation for such services will be paid to the underwriter or its affiliates prior to the date that is 60 days from the date of this prospectus, unless such payment would not be deemed underwriting compensation in connection with this offering. The underwriter is also entitled to receive a business combination marketing fee that is conditioned on the completion of an initial business combination. The fact that the underwriter or its affiliates’ financial interests are tied to the consummation of a business combination transaction may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in providing any such additional services to us, including potential conflicts of interest in connection with the sourcing and consummation of an initial business combination.

 

The requirement that the target business or businesses that we acquire must collectively have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance of the funds in the trust account (excluding any taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination may limit the type and number of companies with which we may complete such a business combination.

 

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Pursuant to Nasdaq listing rules, the target business or businesses that we acquire must collectively have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance of the funds in the trust account (excluding any taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination. This restriction may limit the type and number of companies that we may complete a business combination with. If we are unable to locate a target business or businesses that satisfy this fair market value test, we may be forced to liquidate and you will only be entitled to receive your pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account, which may be less than $10.00 per share.

 

Our public stockholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination, which means we may consummate our initial business combination even though a majority of our public stockholders do not support such a combination.

 

If a stockholder vote is not required, we may conduct redemptions via a tender offer. Accordingly, we may consummate our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of our public shares do not approve the business combination.

 

Your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash.

 

At the time of your investment in us, you will not be provided with an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of one or more target businesses. Because our Board of Directors may consummate our initial business combination without seeking stockholder approval, public stockholders may not have the right or opportunity to vote on the business combination. Accordingly, your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to exercising your redemption rights within the period of time (which will be at least 20 business days) set forth in our tender offer documents mailed to our public stockholders in which we describe our business combination.

 

The ability of our public stockholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into our initial business combination with a target.

 

We may enter into a transaction agreement with a prospective target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. If too many public stockholders exercise their redemption rights, we may not be able to meet such closing condition, and, as a result, would not be able to proceed with the business combination. Furthermore, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. Consequently, if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001, or such greater amount necessary to satisfy a closing condition as described above, we would not proceed with such redemption and the related business combination and may instead search for an alternate business combination. Prospective targets would be aware of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into our initial business combination transaction with us.

 

The ability of a large number of our stockholders to exercise redemption rights may not allow us to consummate the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.

 

In connection with the consummation of our business combination, we may redeem up to that number of shares of common stock that would permit us to maintain net tangible assets of $5,000,001. If our business combination requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay the purchase price, the redemption threshold may be further limited. Alternatively, we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our business combination in case a larger percentage of stockholders exercises its redemption rights than we expect. If the acquisition involves the issuance of our shares as consideration, we may be required to issue a higher percentage of our shares to the target or its stockholders to make up for the failure to satisfy a minimum cash requirement. Raising additional funds to cover any shortfall may involve dilutive equity financing or incurring indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. This may limit our ability to effectuate the most attractive business combination available to us.

 

The requirement that we maintain a minimum net worth or retain a certain amount of cash could increase the probability that we cannot consummate our business combination and that you would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem your shares.

 

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If, pursuant to the terms of our proposed business combination, we are required to maintain a minimum net worth or retain a certain amount of cash in trust in order to consummate the business combination, regardless of whether we proceed with redemptions under the tender offer or proxy rules, the probability that we cannot consummate our business combination is increased. If we do not consummate our business combination, you would not receive your pro rata portion of the trust account until we liquidate. If you are in need of immediate liquidity, you could attempt to sell your shares in the open market; however, at such time our shares may trade at a discount to the pro rata amount in our trust account. In either situation, you may suffer a material loss on your investment or lose the benefit of funds expected in connection with a redemption until we liquidate or you are able to sell your shares in the open market.

 

The requirement that we complete our initial business combination within12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating our initial business combination.

 

Any potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning our initial business combination will be aware that we must consummate our initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering. Consequently, such target business may obtain leverage over us in negotiating our initial business combination, knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination with any target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the timeframe described above. In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence, and may enter into our initial business combination on terms that we would have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.

 

We may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate.

 

Our co-sponsors and our officers and directors have agreed that we must complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering. We may not be able to find a suitable target business and consummate our initial business combination within such time period. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter (subject to our certificate of incorporation and Delaware law), distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), pro rata to our public stockholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs, as further described herein. This redemption of public stockholders from the trust account shall be effected as required by our certificate of incorporation and Delaware law, prior to any voluntary winding up.

 

If we seek stockholder approval of our business combination, our co-sponsors, directors, officers and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares from stockholders, in which case they may influence a vote in favor of a proposed business combination that you do not support.

 

If we seek stockholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our co-sponsors, directors, officers or their affiliates may purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination. Such purchases will not be made if our co-sponsors, directors, officers or their affiliates are in possession of any material non-public information that has not been disclosed to the selling stockholder. Such a purchase would include a contractual acknowledgement that such stockholder, although still the record holder of our shares, is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that our co-sponsors, directors, officers or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public stockholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling stockholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. It is intended that, if Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act would apply to purchases by our initial stockholders, directors, officers or their affiliates, then such purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18, to the extent it applies, which provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases.

 

The purpose of such purchases would be to (1) increase the likelihood of obtaining stockholder approval of the business combination or (2) satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of the business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. This may result in the consummation of an initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible.

 

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Purchases of shares of common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions by our co-sponsors, directors, officers or their affiliates may make it difficult for us to maintain the listing of our shares on a national securities exchange following the consummation of an initial business combination.

 

If our co-sponsors, directors, officers or their affiliates purchase shares of common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, the public “float” of our shares of common stock and the number of beneficial holders of our securities would both be reduced, possibly making it difficult to maintain the listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange following consummation of the business combination.

 

You will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. To liquidate your investment, therefore, you may be forced to sell your public shares, potentially at a loss.

 

Our public stockholders are entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in the event of a redemption to public stockholders prior to any winding up in the event we do not consummate our initial business combination or our liquidation, if they redeem their shares in connection with an initial business combination that we consummate, or if we seek to amend our certificate of incorporation to affect the substance or timing of our redemption obligation to redeem all public shares if we cannot complete an initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) of the closing of this offering. In no other circumstances will a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to the funds in the trust account. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares, potentially at a loss.

 

You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.

 

Because the net proceeds of this offering are intended to be used to complete our initial business combination with a target business that has not been identified, we may be deemed to be a “blank check” company under the United States securities laws. However, because we will have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,000 upon the consummation of this offering and will file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including an audited balance sheet demonstrating this fact, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors in blank check companies, such as Rule 419. Accordingly, investors will not be afforded the benefits or protections of those rules. Among other things, this means our units will be immediately tradable, and we will have a longer period of time to complete our initial business combination than companies have that are subject to Rule 419. Moreover, offerings subject to Rule 419 would prohibit the release of any interest earned on funds held in the trust account to us. For a more detailed comparison of our offering to offerings that comply with Rule 419, please see “Proposed Business — Comparison to Offerings of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.”

 

If the net proceeds of this offering not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein), we may be unable to complete our initial business combination.

 

The funds available to us outside of the trust account may not be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein), assuming that our initial business combination is not consummated during that time. Of the funds available to us, we could use a portion of the funds available to us to pay fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business. We could also use a portion of the funds as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision (a provision in letters of intent designed to keep target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we are unable to fund such down payments or “no shop” provisions, our ability to close a contemplated transaction could be impaired. Furthermore, if we entered into a letter of intent where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business and were subsequently required to forfeit such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise), we might not have sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conduct due diligence with respect to, a target business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive a pro rata portion of the amount then in the trust account (which may be less than $10.00 per share) (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.

  

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Subsequent to our consummation of our initial business combination, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges.

 

Even if we conduct thorough due diligence on a target business with which we combine, this diligence may not surface all material issues that may be present inside a particular target business. Even with thorough due diligence, we may not be able to uncover all material issues, and there may be factors outside of the target business and outside of our control that may arise. As a result of these factors, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even if our due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause us to violate net worth or other covenants to which we may be subject as a result of assuming pre-existing debt held by a target business or by virtue of our obtaining post-combination debt financing.

 

If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption price received by stockholders may be less than $10.00.

 

Our placing of funds in the trust account may not protect those funds from third-party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers (excluding our independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public stockholders, such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements, they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third-party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third-party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third-party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third-party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third-party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. Upon redemption of our public shares, if we are unable to consummate an initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against us within the ten years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount received by public stockholders could be less than the $10.00 per public share initially held in the trust account, due to claims of such creditors. Pursuant to the letter agreement the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, Gardiner Healthcare has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a third-party (excluding our independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account if less than $10.00 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third-party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account nor will it apply to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third-party, Gardiner Healthcare will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. However, we have not asked Gardiner Healthcare to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether Gardiner Healthcare has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and we believe that Gardiner Healthcare’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we cannot assure you that Gardiner Healthcare would be able to satisfy those obligations. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties, including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.

 

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Our directors may decide not to enforce indemnification obligations against Gardiner Healthcare, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public stockholders.

 

In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below $10.00 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ overallotment option is exercised in full) and Gardiner Healthcare asserts that it is unable to satisfy its obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine on our behalf whether to take legal action against Gardiner Healthcare to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against Gardiner Healthcare to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. If our independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations on our behalf, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public stockholders may be reduced below $10.00 per share.

 

If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, a bankruptcy or insolvency court may seek to recover such proceeds, and the members of our Board of Directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to our creditors, thereby exposing the members of our Board of Directors and us to claims of punitive damages.

 

If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy or insolvency laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy or insolvency court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our stockholders. In addition, our Board of Directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or having acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and us to claims of punitive damages, by paying public stockholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors.

 

If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in such proceeding may have priority over the claims of our stockholders and the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.

 

If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.

 

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If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.

 

If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including restrictions on the nature of our investments and restrictions on the issuance of securities, each of which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. In addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including registration as an investment company, adoption of a specific form of corporate structure and reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations.

 

If we were deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act, compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expenses for which we have not allotted funds and may hinder our ability to consummate our initial business combination.

 

Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, investments and results of operations.

 

We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments and agencies, in particular, the Securities Exchange and Commission. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application also may change from time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination, our public stockholders may be forced to wait up to 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) or longer before redemption from our trust account.

 

If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter (subject to our certificate of incorporation and applicable law), distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), pro rata to our public stockholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs by way of a voluntary liquidation, as further described herein. Any redemption of public stockholders from the trust account shall be effected as required by our certificate of incorporation prior to our commencing any voluntary liquidation. Except as otherwise described herein, we have no obligation to return funds to investors prior to the date of any redemption required as a result of our failure to consummate our initial business combination within the period described above or our liquidation, unless we consummate our initial business combination prior thereto and only then in cases where investors have sought to redeem their shares of common stock. Only upon any such redemption of public shares as we are required to effect or any liquidation will public stockholders be entitled to distributions if we are unable to complete our initial business combination.

 

We are an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies and smaller reporting companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.

 

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. We will remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years. However, if our non-convertible debt issued within a three-year period or revenues exceeds $1.07 billion, or the market value of our shares of common stock that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million on the last day of the second fiscal quarter of any given fiscal year, we would cease to be an emerging growth company as of the following fiscal year. As an emerging growth company, we are not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and we are exempt from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

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Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a new accounting standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, will not adopt the new or revised standard until the time private companies are required to adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used. As such, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates. We cannot predict if investors will find our shares less attractive because we may rely on the provisions of the JOBS Act. If some investors find our shares less attractive as a result of, there may be a less active trading market for our shares and our share price may be more volatile.

 

Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter, or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter. To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.

 

We may face risks related to healthcare or related businesses.

 

Business combinations with healthcare or related businesses may involve special considerations and risks. If we complete our initial business combination with a healthcare or related business, we will be subject to the following risks, any of which could be detrimental to us and the business we acquire:

 

· the outcome of research and development activities, including, the ability to meet expected pre-clinical or clinical endpoints, commencement and/or completion dates for our pre-clinical or clinical trials, regulatory submission dates, and/or regulatory approval and/or launch dates, as well as the possibility of unfavorable pre-clinical and clinical trial results, including the possibility of unfavorable new pre-clinical or clinical data and further analyses of existing pre-clinical or clinical data;

 

· our ability to successfully address comments received from regulatory authorities, or obtain approval from regulators on a timely basis or at all; regulatory decisions impacting labeling, manufacturing processes, safety and/or other matters; the impact of recommendations by technical or advisory committees; and the timing of pricing approvals and product launches;

 

· claims and concerns that may arise regarding the safety or efficacy of products and product candidates, including claims and concerns that may arise from the outcome of post-approval clinical trials, which could impact marketing approval, product labeling, and/or availability or commercial potential;

 

· the success and impact of business development activities, including the ability to identify and execute on potential business development opportunities; the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of any such transactions; challenges integrating the businesses and operations; disruption to business and operations relationships; significant transaction costs; and unknown liabilities;

 

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· competition, including from new product entrants, branded products, generic products, private label products, biosimilars and product candidates that treat diseases and conditions similar to those treated by our drugs and drug candidates;

 

· the ability to successfully market both new and existing products, including biosimilars;

 

· difficulties or delays in manufacturing, sales or marketing; supply disruptions, shortages or stock-outs at our facilities; and legal or regulatory actions;

 

· the impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) on our business, operations and financial condition and results;

 

· the impact of the increased presence of counterfeit medicines in the pharmaceutical supply chain;

 

· the impact of product recalls, withdrawals and other unusual items;

 

· U.S. federal, state or foreign legislation or regulatory action and/or policy efforts affecting, among other things, pharmaceutical product pricing, intellectual property, reimbursement or access or restrictions on U.S. direct-to-consumer advertising; limitations on interactions with healthcare professionals and other industry stakeholders; as well as pricing pressures for our products as a result of highly competitive insurance markets; and

 

· our inability to protect our trade secrets, patents and other intellectual property.

 

Any of the foregoing could have an adverse impact on our operations following a business combination. If we acquire a target business in another industry, these risks will likely not affect us and we will be subject to other risks attendant with the specific industry in which we operate or target business which we acquire, none of which can be presently ascertained.

 

Because we have not selected any specific target businesses with which to pursue our initial business combination, you will be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’ operations.

 

We may pursue acquisition opportunities in any geographic region. While we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business industry or sector, we intend to focus our efforts on identifying high-growth healthcare businesses. Except for the limitations that a target business have a fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding any taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) and that we are not permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or similar company with nominal operations, we will have flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate. Because we have not yet identified or approached any specific target business with respect to our initial business combination, there is no basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition or prospects. To the extent we consummate our initial business combination, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations with which we combine. For example, if we combine with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of sales or earnings, we may be affected by the risks inherent in the business and operations of a financially unstable or a development stage entity. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors, or we may not have adequate time to complete due diligence with respect to the target business and its industry. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business. In addition, investors will be relying on the business judgment of our Board of Directors, which will have significant discretion in choosing the standard used to establish the fair market value of a particular target business. An investment in our units may not ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than a direct investment, if such opportunity were available, in an acquisition target.

 

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We may seek investment opportunities outside our management’s area of expertise and our management may not be able to adequately ascertain or assess all significant risks associated with the target company.

 

There is no limitation on the industry or business sector we may consider when contemplating our initial business combination. We may therefore be presented with a business combination candidate in an industry unfamiliar to our management team, but determine that such candidate offers an attractive investment opportunity for our company. In the event we elect to pursue an investment outside of our management’s expertise, our management’s experience may not be directly applicable to the target business or the evaluation of its operations.

 

Although we identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses, we may enter into our initial business combination with a target that does not meet such criteria and guidelines, and, as a result, the target business with which we enter into our initial business combination may not have attributes entirely consistent with our general criteria and guidelines.

 

Although we have identified specific criteria and guidelines for evaluating prospective target businesses, it is possible that a target business with which we enter into our initial business combination will not have all of these attributes. If we consummate our initial business combination with a target that does not meet some or all of these guidelines, such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a business that does meet all of our general criteria and guidelines. In addition, if we announce our initial business combination with a target that does not meet our general criteria and guidelines, a greater number of stockholders may exercise its redemption rights, which may make it difficult for us to meet any closing condition with a target business that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. In addition, if stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law or Nasdaq, or we decide to obtain stockholder approval for business or other legal reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain stockholder approval of our initial business combination if the target business does not meet our general criteria and guidelines. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share or even less (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.

 

We are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm in connection with a business combination, and consequently, an independent source may not confirm that the price we are paying for the business is fair to our public stockholders from a financial point of view.

 

Unless we consummate our initial business combination with an affiliated entity, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the price we are paying is fair to our public stockholders from a financial point of view. If no opinion is obtained, our stockholders will be relying on the judgment of our Board of Directors, who will determine fair market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community. Such standards used will be disclosed in our tender offer documents or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, related to our initial business combination.

 

Resources could be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not consummated.

 

We anticipate that the investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting, and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents, and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys and others. If we decide not to complete a specific initial business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, if we reach an agreement relating to a specific target business, we may fail to consummate our initial business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such event will result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share or even less (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.

 

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We may be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth of a target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share or even less (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and the warrants will expire worthless.

 

Although we believe that the net proceeds of this offering will be sufficient to allow us to consummate our initial business combination, because we have not yet identified any prospective target business we cannot ascertain the capital requirements for any particular transaction or our costs to operate or locate a transaction. If the net proceeds of this offering prove to be insufficient, either because of the size of our initial business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target business, the obligation to repurchase for cash a significant number of shares from stockholders who elect redemption in connection with our initial business combination or the terms of negotiated transactions to purchase shares in connection with our initial business combination, we may be required to seek additional financing or to abandon the proposed business combination. Financing may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. The current economic environment, including due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, has made it especially difficult for companies to obtain acquisition financing. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to consummate our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular initial business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share or even less (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and the warrants will expire worthless. In addition, even if we do not need additional financing to consummate our initial business combination, we may require such financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors or stockholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our initial business combination.

 

We may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of this offering, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business, which may have a limited number of products or services. This lack of diversification may negatively impact our operations and profitability.

 

The net proceeds from this offering together with the funds we will receive from the sale of the private warrants (excluding $1,350,000 of net proceeds that will not be held in the trust account) will provide us with approximately $72,375,000 (or approximately $83,231,250 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) after payment of the Marketing Fee of $2,625,000 (or $3,018,750 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) that we may use to complete our initial business combination.

 

We may effectuate our initial business combination with a single target business or multiple target businesses simultaneously. However, we may not be able to effectuate our initial business combination with more than one target business because of various factors, including the existence of complex accounting issues and the requirement that we prepare and file pro forma financial statements with the SEC that present operating results and the financial condition of several target businesses as if they had been operated on a combined basis. By consummating our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities, which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be solely dependent upon the performance of a single business, property or asset, or dependent upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products or services. This lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our initial business combination.

 

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We may attempt to simultaneously consummate business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability to consummate our initial business combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operations and profitability.

 

If we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses that are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the initial business combination. With multiple business combinations, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.

 

We may attempt to consummate our initial business combination with a private company about which little information is available.

 

In pursuing our acquisition strategy, we may seek to effectuate our initial business combination with a privately held company. By definition, very little public information exists about private companies, and we could be required to make our decision on whether to pursue a potential initial business combination on the basis of limited information, which may result in our initial business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.

 

We may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination.

 

We may structure our initial business combination to acquire less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business, but we will only consummate such business combination if we will become the majority stockholder of the target (or control the target through contractual arrangements in limited circumstances for regulatory compliance purposes) or are otherwise not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, or to the extent permitted by law we may acquire interests in a variable interest entity, in which we may have less than a majority of the voting rights in such entity, but in which we are the primary beneficiary. Even though we may own a majority interest in the target, our stockholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to such transaction could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to such transaction. In addition, other minority stockholders may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in a single person or group obtaining a larger share of the company’s stock than we initially acquired. Accordingly, this may make it more likely that we will not be able to maintain our control of the target business.

 

Because of our structure, other companies may have a competitive advantage and we may not be able to consummate an attractive business combination.

 

We expect to encounter intense competition from entities other than blank check companies having a business objective similar to ours, including venture capital funds, leveraged buyout funds and operating businesses competing for acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than we do, and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. Therefore, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses may be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, seeking stockholder approval of our initial business combination may delay the consummation of a transaction. Any of the foregoing may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating our initial business combination.

 

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Cyber incidents or attacks directed at us could result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss.

 

We depend on digital technologies, including information systems, infrastructure and cloud applications and services, including those of third parties with which we may deal. Sophisticated and deliberate attacks on, or security breaches in, our systems or infrastructure, or the systems or infrastructure of third parties or the cloud, could lead to corruption or misappropriation of our assets, proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data. As an early-stage company without significant investments in data security protection, we may not be sufficiently protected against such occurrences. We may not have sufficient resources to adequately protect against, or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to, cyber incidents. It is possible that any of these occurrences, or a combination of them, could have adverse consequences on our business and lead to financial loss.

 

Because we must furnish our stockholders with target business financial statements prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles or international financial reporting standards, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageous initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.

 

The federal proxy rules, which require that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on a business combination meeting certain financial significance tests include historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure in periodic reports. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, or international financial reporting standards, or IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board or the IASB, depending on the circumstances, and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB. We will include substantially the same financial statement disclosure in connection with any tender offer documents we use, whether or not they are required under the tender offer rules. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may consummate our initial business combination with because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.

 

Compliance obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 may make it more difficult for us to effectuate our initial business combination, require substantial financial and management resources, and increase the time and costs of completing an acquisition.

 

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2022. The fact that we are a blank check company makes compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act particularly burdensome on us because a target company with which we seek to complete our initial business combination may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of its internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.

 

RISKS RELATING TO OUR CO-SPONSORS AND MANAGEMENT TEAM

 

Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have, additional fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.

 

Following the completion of this offering and until we consummate our initial business combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses. Our directors and officers may now be, or in the future become, affiliated with entities that are engaged in a similar business.

 

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In addition, our directors and officers may become aware of business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other entities to which they owe certain fiduciary or contractual duties. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor and a potential target business may be presented to other entities prior to its presentation to us, subject to our directors’ and officers’ fiduciary duties under the DGCL. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.

 

Our co-sponsors and directors and officers are also not prohibited from sponsoring, investing or otherwise becoming involved with, any other blank check companies similar to ours, including in connection with their initial business combinations, or may pursue other business or investment ventures during the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination. Any such companies, businesses or ventures may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an initial business combination. However, we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.

 

For further discussion of our executive officers’ and directors’ business affiliations and the potential conflicts of interest that you should be aware of, please see “Management-Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers,” “Management-Conflicts of Interest” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Related Party Transactions.”

 

Members of our management team and Board of Directors have significant experience as founders, board members, officers or executives of other companies. As a result, certain of those persons have been, or may become, involved in proceedings, investigations and litigation relating to the business affairs of the companies with which they were, are, or may be in the future be, affiliated. These activities may have an adverse effect on us, which may impede our ability to consummate an initial business combination.

 

During the course of their careers, members of our management team and Board of Directors have had significant experience as founders, board members, officers or executives of other companies. As a result of their involvement and positions in these companies, certain of those persons, are now, or may in the future become, involved in litigation, investigations or other proceedings relating to the business affairs of such companies or transactions entered into by such companies. Any such litigation, investigations or other proceedings may divert the attention and resources of the members of both our management team and our Board of Directors away from identifying and selecting a target business or businesses for our initial business combination and may negatively affect our reputation, which may impede our ability to complete an initial business combination.

 

Since our officers and directors will be eligible to share in a portion of any appreciation in founder shares purchased at approximately $0.012 per share, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for our initial business combination.

 

The members of our management team own founder shares, either directly (in the case of our independent directors) or indirectly through their ownership interests in Gardiner Founder, LLC, which is the sole member of Gardiner Healthcare. Other than the $10,000 per month general and administrative services fee payable to Gardiner Healthcare, and the $38,750 per month aggregate consulting fees payable to Mr. Jenkins and Drs. Pelletier, McGuirk, Anderson and Sciavolino, our officers and directors will not receive any cash compensation from us prior to a business combination but through their investment in the co-sponsor, Gardiner Healthcare, will be eligible to share in a portion of any appreciation in founder shares and private placement units, provided that we successfully complete a business combination. We believe that this structure aligns the incentives of our officers and directors with the interests of our stockholders. However, investors should be aware that, as our officers and directors have paid approximately $0.012 per share for the interest in the founder shares, this structure also creates an incentive whereby our officers and directors could potentially make a substantial profit even if we complete a business combination with a target that ultimately declines in value and is not profitable for public investors.

 

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Management’s flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate, along with our management’s financial interest in consummating our initial business combination, may lead management to enter into an acquisition agreement that is not in the best interest of our stockholders.

 

Subject to the requirement that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses or assets having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding any taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination, we will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate. Investors will be relying on management’s ability to identify business combinations, evaluate their merits, conduct or monitor diligence and conduct negotiations. Management’s flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate, along with management’s financial interest in consummating our initial business combination, may lead management to enter into an acquisition agreement that is not in the best interest of our stockholders, which would be the case if the trading price of our shares of common stock after giving effect to such business combination was less than the per-share trust liquidation value that our stockholders would have received if we had dissolved without consummating our initial business combination.

 

Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be largely dependent upon the efforts of our officers, directors and key personnel, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination.

 

Our operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals and, in particular, our officers and directors. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our officers and directors, at least until we have consummated our initial business combination. In addition, our officers and directors are not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs, and, accordingly, will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or officers. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or officers could have a detrimental effect on us.

 

The role of such persons in the target business, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some of such persons may remain with the target business in senior management or advisory positions following our initial business combination, it is likely that some or all of the management of the target business will remain in place. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after our initial business combination, our assessment of these individuals may not prove to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a company regulated by the SEC, which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements.

  

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Our key personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business combination. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following our initial business combination and, as a result, may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.

 

Our key personnel may be able to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and, could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the consummation of the business combination. The personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business. However, we believe the ability of such individuals to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. There is no certainty, however, that any of our key personnel will remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination. Our key personnel may not remain in senior management or advisory positions with us. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with us will be made at the time of our initial business combination.

 

We may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may effectuate our initial business combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company.

 

When evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with a prospective target business, our ability to assess the target business’ management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources or information. Our assessment of the capabilities of the target’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect, and such management may lack the expected skills, qualifications or abilities. Should the target’s management not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to manage a public company, the operations and profitability of the post-combination business may be negatively impacted.

 

The officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon consummation of our initial business combination. The loss of an acquisition target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.

 

The role of an acquisition candidate’s key personnel upon the consummation of our initial business combination cannot be ascertained at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain associated with the acquisition candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that some members of the management team of an acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place.

 

Past performance by our management team or their respective affiliates may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in us.

 

Information regarding performance is presented for informational purposes only. Any past experience or performance of our management team and their respective affiliates is not a guarantee of either (i) our ability to successfully identify and execute a transaction or (ii) success with respect to any business combination that we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of our management team or their respective affiliates as indicative of the future performance of an investment in us or the returns we will, or are likely to, generate going forward. Our management has no experience in operating special purpose acquisition companies.

 

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Certain of our officers and directors are affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.

 

Following the completion of this offering and until we consummate our business combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses. Certain of our executive officers and directors are affiliated with entities that are engaged in a similar business.

 

Our officers and directors may become aware of business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other entities to which they owe certain fiduciary duties. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.

 

Any conflict of interest may not be resolved in our favor, and potential target businesses may be presented to another entity prior to their presentation to us.

 

Certain shares beneficially owned by our officers and directors will not participate in liquidation distributions and, therefore, our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate for our initial business combination.

 

Our officers and directors have waived their right to redeem any shares in connection with our initial business combination, or to receive distributions with respect to their founder shares upon our liquidation if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination. Accordingly, these securities will be worthless if we do not consummate our initial business combination. Any warrants they hold, like those held by the public, will also be worthless if we do not consummate an initial business combination. The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting a target business and completing a business combination. Consequently, our directors’ and officers’ discretion in identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our stockholders’ best interest.

 

We may engage in our initial business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliated with our executive officers, directors or existing holders, which may raise potential conflicts of interest.

 

We have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our directors, officers, security holders or affiliates from having a direct or indirect pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction to which we are a party or have an interest. In light of the involvement of our co-sponsors, officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one or more businesses affiliated with our co-sponsors, officers and directors. Our directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities. Our co-sponsors, officers and directors are not currently aware of any specific opportunities for us to consummate our initial business combination with any entities with which they are affiliated, and there have been no preliminary discussions concerning a business combination with any entity or entities. Although we will not be specifically focusing on, or targeting, any transaction with any affiliated entities, we would pursue such a transaction if we determined that such affiliated entity met our criteria for our initial business combination as set forth in “Proposed Business — Acquisition Criteria” and such transaction was approved by a majority of our disinterested directors and our co-sponsors. Despite our agreement to obtain an opinion in connection with such transaction from an independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we seek to acquire, regarding the fairness to our stockholders from a financial point of view of a business combination with one or more domestic or international businesses affiliated with our executive officers, directors or existing holders, potential conflicts of interest still may exist and, as a result, the terms of the business combination may not be as advantageous to our public stockholders as they would be absent any conflicts of interest. Our directors have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of our stockholders, whether or not a conflict of interest may exist.

 

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Because our co-sponsors will lose their entire initial investment in us if our initial business combination is not consummated and our officers and directors have significant financial interests in us, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular acquisition target is appropriate for our initial business combination.

 

On March 25, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare purchased 2,156,250 founder shares from us for $25,000, or approximately $0.012 per share. On April 9, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare sold (i) 388,125 founder shares to Chardan Gardiner and (ii) 366,562 founder shares to CCMAUS, in each case, for approximately $0.012 per share, resulting in Gardiner Healthcare holding a balance of 1,401,563 founder shares.

 

On October 15, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 50,000 founder shares to our independent directors, Dr. Linton and Dr. Sciavolino, with each independent director receiving 25,000 founder shares. On October 15, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 25,000 founder shares to our independent director, Mr. Ryan. On October 15, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 25,000 founder shares to our independent director, Mr. Rossen.

 

Of the 100,000 founder shares granted to our independent directors, Gardiner Healthcare granted 65,000 founder shares, Chardan Gardiner granted 18,000 founder shares, and CCMAUS granted 17,000 founder shares, leaving Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS, respectively, with 1,336,563 founder shares, 370,125 founder shares, and 349,562 founder shares.

 

The founder shares include an aggregate of up to 281,250 shares that are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or is exercised in part. The founder shares will be worthless if we do not consummate an initial business combination. In addition, Gardiner Healthcare has committed to purchase from us 2,775,000 private warrants (or 2,985,938 private warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), Chardan Gardiner has committed to purchase from us 475,714 private warrants (or 511,875 private warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), and CCMAUS has committed to purchase from us 449,286 private warrants (or 483,438 private warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), in each case, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,700,000 (or $4,843,750 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. The founder shares and private warrants will be worthless if we do not consummate an initial business combination.

 

RISKS RELATING TO OUR SECURITIES

 

The securities in which we invest the funds held in the trust account could bear a negative rate of interest, which could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by public shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share.

 

The net proceeds of this offering and certain proceeds from the sale of the private placement warrants, in the amount of $75,000,000, will be held in an interest-bearing trust account. The proceeds held in the trust account may only be invested only in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. While short-term U.S. treasury obligations currently yield a positive rate of interest, they have briefly yielded negative interest rates in recent years. Central banks in Europe and Japan pursued interest rates below zero in recent years, and the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve has not ruled out the possibility that it may in the future adopt similar policies in the United States. In the event of very low or negative yields, the amount of interest income (which we may use to pay our taxes, if any) would be reduced. In the event that we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders are entitled to receive their pro-rata share of the proceeds then held in the trust account, plus any interest income, net of taxes paid or payable (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses). If the balance of the trust account is reduced below $75,000,000 as a result of negative interest rates, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public stockholders may be reduced below $10.00 per share.

 

Since our co-sponsors paid only approximately $0.012 per share for the founder shares, certain of our officers and directors could potentially make a substantial profit even if we acquire a target business that subsequently declines in value.

 

In March 2021, we issued 2,156,250 founder shares to Gardiner Healthcare in exchange for a capital contribution of $25,000, or approximately $0.012 per share. Subsequently, on April 9, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare sold (i) 388,125 founder shares to Chardan Gardiner and (ii) 366,562 founder shares to CCMAUS, in each case, for approximately $0.012 per share. Certain of our officers and directors have a significant economic interest in certain of our co-sponsors. As a result, the low acquisition cost of the founder shares creates an economic incentive whereby our officers and directors could potentially make a substantial profit even if we complete a business combination with a target business that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public investors.

 

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The nominal purchase price paid by our co-sponsors for the founder shares may result in significant dilution to the implied value of your public shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination.

 

We are offering our units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit and the amount in our trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share, implying an initial value of $10.00 per public share. However, prior to this offering, our co-sponsors paid a nominal aggregate purchase price of $25,000 for the founder shares, or approximately $0.012 per share. As a result, the value of your public shares may be significantly diluted upon the consummation of our initial business combination, when the founder shares are converted into public shares. For example, the following table shows the dilutive effect of the founder shares on the implied value of the public shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination, assuming that our equity value at that time is $72,375,000, which is the amount we would have for our initial business combination in the trust account after payment of $2,625,000 to the underwriter pursuant to the Business Combination Marketing Agreement, assuming the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised, no interest is earned on the funds held in the trust account, and no public shares are redeemed in connection with our initial business combination, and without taking into account any other potential impacts on our valuation at such time, such as the trading price of our public shares, the business combination transaction costs, any equity issued or cash paid to the target’s sellers or other third parties, or the target’s business itself, including its assets, liabilities, management and prospects, as well as the value of our public and private warrants. At such valuation, each of our shares of common stock would have an implied value of $7.72 per share upon consummation of our initial business combination, which would be a 22.8% decrease as compared to the initial implied value per public share of $10.00.

       
Public shares     7,500,000
Founder shares     1,875,000
Total shares     9,375,000
Total funds in trust available for initial business combination (less business combination marketing fee)   $ 72,375,000
Initial implied value per public share   $ 10.00
Implied value per share upon consummation of initial business combination   $ 7.72

 

The value of the founder shares following completion of our initial business combination is likely to be substantially higher than the nominal price paid for them, even if the trading price of our common stock at such time is substantially less than $10.00 per share.

 

Upon the closing of this offering, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, our co-sponsors will have invested in us an aggregate of $3,725,000, comprised of the $25,000 purchase price for the founder shares and the $3,700,000 purchase price for the private placement warrants. Assuming a trading price of $10.00 per share upon consummation of our initial business combination, the 1,875,000 founder shares would have an aggregate implied value of $18,750,000. Even if the trading price of our common stock was as low as $1.99 per share, and the private placement warrants were worthless, the value of the founder shares would be equal to the co-sponsors’ initial investment in us. As a result, our co-sponsors are likely to be able to recoup their investment in us and make a substantial profit on that investment, even if our public shares have lost significant value. Accordingly, our management team, which owns interests in our co-sponsor, Gardiner Healthcare, may have an economic incentive that differs from that of the public shareholders to pursue and consummate an initial business combination rather than to liquidate and to return all of the cash in the trust to the public shareholders, even if that business combination were with a riskier or less-established target business. For the foregoing reasons, you should consider our management team's financial incentive to complete an initial business combination when evaluating whether to redeem your shares prior to or in connection with the initial business combination.

 

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Our private placement warrants are expected to be accounted for as a warrant liability and will be recorded at fair value upon issuance with any changes in fair value each period reported in earnings, which may have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities or may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination.

 

Following the consummation of this offering and the concurrent private placement of warrants, we will have 11,200,000 warrants outstanding (comprised of the 7,500,000 warrants included in the units and the 3,700,000 private placement warrants, assuming the underwriters’ option to purchase additional units is not exercised). We currently expect to account for the private placement warrants as a warrant liability, which means that we will record them at fair value upon issuance, with any changes in fair value reported in earnings. The impact of changes in fair value on earnings may have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities. In addition, potential targets may seek a business combination partner that does not have warrants that are accounted for as a warrant liability, which may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination with a target business.

 

Our warrant agreement will designate the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by holders of our warrants, which could limit the ability of warrant holders to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with our company. 

 

Our warrant agreement will provide that, subject to applicable law, (i) any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating in any way to the warrant agreement, including under the Securities Act, will be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and (ii) that we irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be the exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. We will waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, these provisions of the warrant agreement will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum. In addition, the warrant agreement provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any of our warrants shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in our warrant agreement. If any action, the subject matter of which is within the scope the forum provisions of the warrant agreement, is filed in a court other than a court of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, or a foreign action, in the name of any holder of our warrants, such holder shall be deemed to have consented to: (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of New York in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the forum provisions, or an enforcement action, and (y) having service of process made upon such warrant holder in any such enforcement action by service upon such warrant holder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such warrant holder.

 

The choice-of-forum provision may limit a warrant holder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with our company, which may discourage such lawsuits. Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision of our warrant agreement inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management and Board of Directors. We note that there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce this provision and that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for state and federal courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

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We are registering the offer and sale of the common stock underlying the public warrants under the Securities Act, however we cannot assure you that such registration will be in place when an investor desires to exercise warrants, thus precluding such investor from being able to exercise its warrants except on a cashless basis and potentially causing such warrants to expire worthless.

 

Under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the closing of our initial business combination, we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to file, and within 60 business days following our initial business combination to have declared effective, a registration statement covering the offer and sale of such shares and maintain a current prospectus relating to the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, until the expiration of the warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. We cannot assure you that we will be able to do so if, for example, any facts or events arise which represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement or prospectus, the financial statements contained or incorporated by reference therein are not current or correct or the SEC issues a stop order. If the offer and sale of the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not registered under the Securities Act, we will be required to permit holders to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis. However, no warrant will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, and we will not be obligated to issue any shares to holders seeking to exercise their warrants, unless the issuance of the shares upon such exercise is registered or qualified under the securities laws of the state of the exercising holder, or an exemption is available. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the offer and sale of the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective within a specified period following the consummation of our initial business combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, provided that such exemption is available. If that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis. Notwithstanding the above, if our common stock is, at the time of any exercise of a warrant, not listed on a national securities exchange such that the shares of common stock satisfy the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, require holders of public warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, and in the event we do not so elect, we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant, or issue securities or other compensation in exchange for the warrants in the event that we are unable to register or qualify the shares underlying the warrants under applicable state securities laws and no exemption is available. If the issuance of the shares upon exercise of the warrants is not so registered or qualified or exempt from registration or qualification, the holder of such warrant shall not be entitled to exercise such warrant and such warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In such event, holders who acquired their warrants as part of a purchase of units will have paid the full unit purchase price solely for the common stock included in the units. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may not exercise our redemption right if the issuance of shares upon exercise of the warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or we are unable to effect such registration or qualification. We will use our commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the offer and sale of such shares under the blue sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which the warrants were offered by us in this offering.

 

We may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete our initial business combination, which may adversely affect our financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our stockholders’ investment in us.

 

Although we have no commitments as of the date of this prospectus to issue any notes or other debt securities, or to otherwise incur outstanding debt, we may choose to incur substantial debt to complete our initial business combination. If we incur any indebtedness without a waiver from any lender of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account, the incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including:

 

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  default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after our initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;
     
  acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
     
  our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand;
     
  our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding;
     
  our inability to pay dividends on our shares of common stock;
     
  using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our shares of common stock if declared, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
     
  limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;
     
  increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and
     
  limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.

 

If we seek stockholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, and if you or a “group” of stockholders are deemed to hold in excess of 20% of our shares of common stock, you will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 20% of our shares of common stock.

 

If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our certificate of incorporation provides that a public stockholder, individually or together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 20% of the shares sold in this offering. Your inability to redeem more than an aggregate of 20% of the shares sold in this offering will reduce your influence over our ability to consummate our initial business combination and you could suffer a material loss on your investment in us if you sell such excess shares in open market transactions. As a result, you will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 20% and, in order to dispose of such shares, you would be required to sell your shares in open market transaction, potentially at a loss.

 

Holders of warrants will not participate in liquidating distributions if we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period.

 

If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period and we liquidate the funds held in the trust account, the warrants will expire and holders will not receive any of such proceeds with respect to the warrants. The foregoing may provide a financial incentive to public stockholders to vote in favor of any proposed initial business combination as each of their warrants would entitle the holder to receive or purchase additional shares of common stock, resulting in an increase in their overall economic stake in us. If a business combination is not approved, the warrants will expire and be worthless.

 

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Certain of our warrants are expected to be accounted for as a warrant liability and will be recorded at fair market value upon issuance with changes in fair market value each period reported in earnings,which may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock or may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination.

 

Following the consummation of the concurrent private placement of our units, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS will hold 3,700,000 private warrants (or 3,981,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full). We expect to account for these as a warrant liability and will record at fair market value upon issuance and any changes in fair market value each period reported in earnings as determined by the company based upon a valuation report obtained from its independent third party valuation firm. The impact of changes in fair market value on earnings may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. In addition, potential targets may seek a special purposes acquisition company that does not have warrants that are accounted for as a warrant liability, which may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination with a target business.

 

If we do not maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, public holders will only be able to exercise such warrants on a “cashless basis” which would result in a fewer number of shares being issued to the holder had such holder exercised the warrants for cash.

 

If we do not maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the public warrants at the time that holders wish to exercise such warrants, they will only be able to exercise them on a “cashless basis” provided that an exemption from registration is available. As a result, the number of shares of common stock that a holder will receive upon exercise of its public warrants will be fewer than it would have been had such holder exercised its warrant for cash. Further, if an exemption from registration is not available, holders would not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis and would only be able to exercise their warrants for cash if a current and effective prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is available. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed to use our best efforts to meet these conditions and to maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration of the warrants. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so. If we are unable to do so, the potential benefit of the holder’s investment in us may be reduced or the warrants may expire worthless. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the private warrants may be exercisable for unregistered shares of common stock for cash even if the prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not current and effective.

 

An investor will only be able to exercise a warrant for cash if the issuance of common stock upon such exercise has been registered or qualified or is deemed exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants.

 

No public warrants will be exercisable for cash, and we will not be obligated to issue shares of common stock unless the shares of common stock issuable upon such exercise has been registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants. At the time that the warrants become exercisable, we expect to continue to be listed on a national securities exchange, which would provide an exemption from registration in every state. However, we cannot assure you of this fact. If the common shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are not qualified or exempt from qualification in the jurisdictions in which the holders of the warrants reside, the warrants may be deprived of any value, the market for the warrants may be limited and they may expire worthless if they cannot be sold.

 

Our management’s ability to require holders of our warrants to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis will cause holders to receive fewer shares of common stock upon their exercise of the warrants than they would have received had they been able to exercise their warrants for cash.

 

If we call our public warrants for redemption after the redemption criteria described elsewhere in this prospectus have been satisfied, our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise his warrant (including any warrants held by our co-sponsors and/or their permitted transferees) to do so on a “cashless basis.” If our management chooses to require holders to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, the number of shares of common stock received by a holder upon exercise will be fewer than it would have been had such holder exercised his warrant for cash. This will have the effect of reducing the potential benefit of the holder’s investment in our company.

 

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We may amend the terms of the warrants in a way that may be adverse to holders with the approval by the holders of a majority of the then outstanding warrants.

 

Our warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision. The warrant agreement requires the approval by the holders of a majority of the then outstanding warrants (including the private warrants) in order to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders.

 

We have no obligation to net cash settle the warrants.

 

In no event will we have any obligation to net cash settle the warrants. Accordingly, the warrants may expire worthless.

 

A public stockholder who fails to vote either in favor of or against a proposed business combination may not be able to have his, her or its shares redeemed for cash.

 

In order for a public stockholder to have his, her or its shares redeemed for cash in connection with any proposed business combination, we may require that the public stockholder vote either in favor of or against a proposed business combination. If required to vote pursuant to the procedures specified in our proxy statement to stockholders relating to the business combination, and such public stockholder fails to vote in favor of or against the proposed business combination, whether that stockholder abstains from the vote or simply does not vote, that stockholder would not be able to have his, her or its shares of common stock redeemed for cash in connection with such business combination.

 

We will require public stockholders who wish to redeem their shares of common stock in connection with a proposed business combination or amendment to our certificate of incorporation to effect the substance or timing of their redemption obligation, if we fail to timely complete a business combination to comply with specific requirements for redemption that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their redemption rights prior to the deadline for exercising their rights.

 

We will require our public stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the expiration date set forth in the tender offer documents mailed to such holders, or in the event we distribute proxy materials, up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination or amendment to our certificate of incorporation to affect the substance or timing of our redemption obligation to redeem all public shares if we cannot complete an initial business combination, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option. In order to obtain a physical stock certificate, a stockholder’s broker and/or clearing broker, DTC and our transfer agent will need to act to facilitate this request. It is our understanding that stockholders should generally allot at least two weeks to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. However, because we do not have any control over this process or over the brokers or DTC, it may take significantly longer than two weeks to obtain a physical stock certificate. While we have been advised that it takes a short time to deliver shares through the DWAC System, this may not be the case. Under Delaware law, we are required to provide at least 10 days’ advance notice of any stockholder meeting, which would be the minimum amount of time a stockholder would have to determine whether to exercise redemption rights. Accordingly, if it takes longer than we anticipate for stockholders to deliver their shares, stockholders who wish to redeem may be unable to meet the deadline for exercising their redemption rights and thus may be unable to redeem their shares.

 

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Redeeming stockholders may be unable to sell their securities when they wish to in the event that the proposed business combination is not approved.

 

We will require public stockholders who wish to redeem their shares of common stock in connection with any proposed business combination to comply with the delivery requirements discussed above for redemption. If such proposed business combination is not consummated, we will promptly return such certificates to the tendering public stockholders. Accordingly, investors who attempted to redeem their shares in such a circumstance will be unable to sell their securities after the failed acquisition until we have returned their securities to them. The market price for our shares of common stock may decline during this time, and you may not be able to sell your securities when you wish, even while other stockholders that did not seek redemption may be able to sell their securities.

 

Our certificate of incorporation contains provisions that prohibit our engaging in business combinations with interested stockholders in certain circumstances.

 

We have opted out of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporate Law, or the DGCL. However, our certificate of incorporation contains similar provisions providing that we may not engage in certain “business combinations” with any “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless

 

  •    prior to such time, our Board of Directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
     
  •    upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding certain shares; or
     
  •    at or subsequent to that time, the business combination is approved by our Board of Directors and by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66⅔% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale or certain other transactions with the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with that person’s affiliates and associates, owns, or within the previous three years owned, 20% or more of our voting stock.

 

Under certain circumstances, this provision will make it more difficult for a person who would be an “interested stockholder” to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period. This provision may encourage companies interested in acquiring our company to negotiate in advance with our Board of Directors because the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if our Board of Directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. These provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our Board of Directors and may make it more difficult to accomplish transactions which stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that our co-sponsors, and their respective affiliates, any of their respective direct or indirect transferees of at least 20% of our outstanding common stock and any group as to which such persons are party to, do not constitute “interested stockholders” for purposes of this provision.

 

Our initial stockholders control a substantial interest in us and thus may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.

 

Upon closing of this offering, our initial stockholders, including our co-sponsors (and/or their designees) collectively will own 20% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering). Accordingly, they may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support, including amendments to our certificate of incorporation. If our initial stockholders, including our co-sponsors (and/or their designees) purchase any units in this offering or if our any of the foregoing persons purchases any additional shares of common stock in the aftermarket or in privately negotiated transactions, this would increase their control. Neither of our co-sponsors nor, to our knowledge, any of our officers or directors, has any current intention to purchase additional securities. Factors that would be considered in making such additional purchases would include consideration of the current trading price of our shares of common stock.

 

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The grant of registration rights to our initial stockholders may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination, and the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our shares of common stock.

 

Pursuant to an agreement to be entered into on the date of this prospectus, our initial stockholders, including our co-sponsors and their permitted transferees can demand that we register the founder shares and the private warrants and the underlying securities. We will bear the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our shares of common stock. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude. This is because the stockholder of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact on the market price of our shares of common stock that is expected when the securities owned by our initial stockholders, including our co-sponsors and their permitted transferees are registered.

 

Our initial stockholders paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.012 per founder share, and, accordingly, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of our shares of common stock.

 

The difference between the public offering price per share (allocating all of the unit purchase price to the shares of common stock included in a unit and none to the warrants included in a unit) and the pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering constitutes the dilution to you and the other investors in this offering. Our initial stockholders acquired the founder shares at a nominal price, significantly contributing to this dilution. Upon closing of this offering, you and the other public stockholders will incur an immediate and substantial dilution of approximately 81.0% or $8.10 per share (the difference between the pro forma net tangible book value per share of $1.90 and the initial offering price of $10.00 per share immediately upon the closing of this offering), or approximately 83.7% dilution or $8.37 per share (the difference between the pro forma net tangible book value per share of $1.63 and the initial offering price of $10.00 per share) if the over-allotment is fully exercised.

 

A provision of our warrant agreement may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination.

 

Unlike most blank check companies, if we issue additional shares of common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at a newly issued price of less than $9.20 per share of common stock, then the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted to be equal to 115% of higher of the Market Value and the newly issued price and the $16.50 per share redemption trigger price will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 165% of the higher of the Market Value and the newly issued price. This may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination with a target business.

 

The determination of the offering price of our units and the size of this offering are more arbitrary than the pricing of securities and size of an offering of an operating company in a particular industry.

 

Prior to this offering there has been no public market for any of our securities. The public offering price of the units and the terms of the warrants were negotiated between us and the underwriters. In determining the size of this offering, management held customary organizational meetings with representatives of the underwriters, both prior to our inception and thereafter, with respect to the state of capital markets, generally, and the amount the underwriters believed they reasonably could raise on our behalf. Factors considered in determining the size of this offering, prices and terms of the units, including the shares of common stock and warrants underlying the units, include:

 

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  •     the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies;
     
  •     prior offerings of those companies;
     
  •     our prospects for acquiring an operating business at attractive values;
     
  •    a review of debt to equity ratios in leveraged transactions;
     
  •    our capital structure;
     
  •    an assessment of our management and their experience in identifying operating companies;
     
  •    general conditions of the securities markets at the time of this offering including with respect to the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic; and
     
  •    other factors as were deemed relevant.

 

Although these factors were considered, the determination of our offering price is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities of an operating company in a particular industry since we have no historical operations or financial results.

 

There is currently no market for our securities and a market for our securities may not develop, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.

 

As of the date of this prospectus there is currently no market for our securities. Prospective stockholders therefore have no access to information about prior market history on which to base their investment decision. Following this offering, the price of our securities may vary significantly due to one or more potential business combinations and general market or economic conditions. Once listed on Nasdaq, an active trading market for our securities may never develop or, if developed, it may not be sustained. Additionally, if our securities become delisted from Nasdaq for any reason, and are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, an inter-dealer automated quotation system for equity securities not listed on a national exchange, the liquidity and price of our securities may be more limited than if we were listed on Nasdaq or another national exchange. You may be unable to sell your securities unless a market can be established and sustained.

 

Once initially listed on Nasdaq, our securities may not continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.

 

We anticipate that our securities will be initially listed on Nasdaq upon consummation of this offering. However, we cannot assure you of this or that our securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future. Additionally, in connection with our business combination, Nasdaq may require us to file a new initial listing application and meet its initial listing requirements as opposed to its more lenient continued listing requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time. If Nasdaq delists our securities from trading on its exchange, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:

 

  •     a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;
     
  •      a reduced liquidity with respect to our securities;
     
  •     a determination that our shares of common stock are a “penny stock,” which will require brokers trading in our shares of common stock to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our shares of common stock;
     
  •      a limited amount of news and analyst coverage for our company; and
     
  •     a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.

 

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Our certificate of incorporation designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with our company or our company’s directors, officers or other employees.

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent 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 any (1) derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our company, (2) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee or agent of our company to our company or our stockholders, or any claim for aiding and abetting any such alleged breach, (3) action asserting a claim against our company or any director or officer of our company arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws, or (4) action asserting a claim against us or any director or officer of our company governed by the internal affairs doctrine except for, as to each of (1) through (4) above, any claim (a) as to which the Court of Chancery determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (b) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, or (c) arising under the federal securities laws, including the Securities Act, as to which the Court of Chancery and the federal district court for the District of Delaware shall concurrently be the sole and exclusive forums. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the inclusion of such provision in our certificate of incorporation is not be deemed to be a waiver by our stockholders of our obligation to comply with federal securities laws, rules and regulations, and the provisions of this paragraph in our certificate of incorporation will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in our certificate of incorporation. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope the forum provisions is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “foreign action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to: (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the forum provisions (an “enforcement action”), and (y) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such enforcement action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such stockholder.

 

This choice-of-forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with our company or its directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits. Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision of our certificate of incorporation inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management and Board of Directors.

 

RISKS RELATING TO ACQUIRING AND OPERATING A BUSINESS OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES

 

We may effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States.

 

If we effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to any special considerations or risks associated with companies operating in the target business’ home jurisdiction, including any of the following:

 

  •   rules and regulations or currency redemption or corporate withholding taxes on individuals;
     
  •    laws governing the manner in which future business combinations may be effected;
     
  •   exchange listing and/or delisting requirements;
     
  •    tariffs and trade barriers;
     
  •   regulations related to customs and import/export matters;

 

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  •    longer payment cycles;
     
  •   tax issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States;
     
  •    currency fluctuations and exchange controls;
     
  •     rates of inflation;
     
  •     challenges in collecting accounts receivable;
     
  •     cultural and language differences;
     
  •     employment regulations;
     
  •    crime, strikes, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist attacks and wars; and
     
  •    deterioration of political relations with the United States. We may not be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, our operations might suffer.

 

There are costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations.

 

Managing a business, operations, personnel or assets in another country is challenging and costly. Any management that we may have (whether based abroad or in the United States) may be inexperienced in cross-border business practices and unaware of significant differences in accounting rules, legal regimes and labor practices. Even with a seasoned and experienced management team, the costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations, personnel and assets can be significant (and much higher than in a purely domestic business) and may negatively impact our financial and operational performance.

 

Social unrest, acts of terrorism, regime changes, changes in laws and regulations, political upheaval, or policy changes or enactments may occur in a country in which we may operate after we effect our initial business combination.

 

Political events in another country may significantly affect our business, assets or operations. Social unrest, acts of terrorism, regime changes, changes in laws and regulations, political upheaval, and policy changes or enactments could negatively impact our business in a particular country.

 

Many countries have difficult and unpredictable legal systems and underdeveloped laws and regulations that are unclear and subject to corruption and inexperience.

 

Our ability to seek and enforce legal protections, including with respect to intellectual property and other property rights, or to defend ourselves with regard to legal actions taken against us in a given country, may be difficult or impossible, which could adversely impact our operations, assets or financial condition.

 

Rules and regulations in many countries are often ambiguous or open to differing interpretation by responsible individuals and agencies at the municipal, state, regional and federal levels. The attitudes and actions of such individuals and agencies are often difficult to predict and inconsistent.

 

Delay with respect to the enforcement of particular rules and regulations, including those relating to customs, tax, environmental and labor, could cause serious disruption to operations abroad and negatively impact our results.

 

If relations between the United States and foreign governments deteriorate, it could cause potential target businesses or their goods and services to become less attractive.

 

The relationship between the United States and foreign governments could be subject to sudden fluctuation and periodic tension. For instance, the United States may announce its intention to impose quotas on certain imports or become involved in trade wars with other nations. Such import quotas or trade wars may adversely affect political relations between the two countries and result in retaliatory countermeasures by the foreign government in industries that may affect our ultimate target business. Changes in political conditions in foreign countries and changes in the state of U.S. relations with such countries are difficult to predict and could adversely affect our operations or cause potential target businesses or their goods and services to become less attractive. Because we are not limited to any specific industry, there is no basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible extent of any impact on our ultimate operations if relations are strained between the United States and a foreign country in which we acquire a target business or move our principal manufacturing or service operations.

 

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If our management following our initial business combination is unfamiliar with United States securities laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws.

 

Following our initial business combination, our management may resign from their positions as officers or directors of the company and the management of the target business at the time of the business combination will remain in place. Management of the target business may not be familiar with United States securities laws. If new management is unfamiliar with our laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws. This could be expensive and time-consuming, and could lead to various regulatory issues, which may adversely affect our operations.

 

Currency policies may cause a target business’ ability to succeed in the international markets to be diminished.

 

In the event we acquire a non-U.S. target all revenues and income would likely be received in a foreign currency and the dollar equivalent of our net assets and distributions, if any, could be adversely affected by reductions in the value of the local currency. The value of the currencies in our target regions fluctuate and are affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. Any change in the relative value of such currency against our reporting currency may affect the attractiveness of any target business or, following consummation of our initial business combination, our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, if a currency appreciates in value against the dollar prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, the cost of a target business as measured in dollars will increase, which may make it less likely that we are able to consummate such transaction.

 

Because foreign law could govern our material agreements, we may not be able to enforce our rights within such jurisdiction or elsewhere.

 

Foreign law could govern our material agreements. The target business may not be able to enforce any of its material agreements or remedies may not be available outside of such foreign jurisdiction’s legal system. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws and contracts in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The judiciaries in certain foreign countries may be relatively inexperienced in enforcing corporate and commercial law, leading to a higher than usual degree of uncertainty as to the outcome of any litigation, any such jurisdictions may not favor outsiders or could be corrupt. As a result, the inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business and business opportunities.

 

RISKS RELATING TO TAXATION

 

Our initial business combination and our structure thereafter may not be tax-efficient to our stockholders and warrant holders. As a result of our initial business combination, our tax obligations may be more complex, burdensome and uncertain.

 

Although we will attempt to structure our initial business combination in a tax-efficient manner, tax structuring considerations are complex, the relevant facts and law are uncertain and may change, and we may prioritize commercial and other considerations over tax considerations. For example, in connection with our initial business combination and subject to requisite stockholder approval, we may structure our business combination in a manner that requires stockholders and/or warrant holders to recognize gain or income for tax purposes. We do not intend to make any cash distributions to stockholders or warrant holders to pay taxes in connection with our business combination or thereafter. Accordingly, a stockholder or a warrant holder may need to satisfy any liability resulting from our initial business combination with cash from its own funds or by selling all or a portion of such holder’s shares or warrants. In addition, we may effect a business combination with a target company in another jurisdiction or reincorporate in a different jurisdiction (including, but not limited to, the jurisdiction in which the target company or business is located). As a result, stockholders and warrant holders may be subject to additional income, withholding or other taxes with respect to their ownership of us after our initial business combination.

 

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Furthermore, we may effect a business combination with a target company that has business operations outside of the United States, and, possibly, business operations in multiple jurisdictions. If we effect such a business combination, we could be subject to significant income, withholding and other tax obligations in a number of jurisdictions with respect to income, operations and subsidiaries related to those jurisdictions. Due to the complexity of tax obligations and filings in other jurisdictions, we may have a heightened risk related to audits or examinations by taxing authorities. This additional complexity and risk could have an adverse effect on our after-tax profitability and financial condition.

 

An investment in this offering may result in uncertain or adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.

 

An investment in this offering may result in uncertain U.S. federal income tax consequences. For instance, because there are no authorities that directly address instruments similar to the units we are issuing in this offering, the allocation an investor makes of the purchase price of a unit between the share of our common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of our common stock included in each unit could be challenged by the Internal Revenue Service or the courts. In addition, if we are determined to be a personal holding company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our taxable income would be subjected to an additional 20% federal income tax, which would reduce the net after-tax amount of interest income earned on the funds placed in our trust account. Furthermore, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise of warrants is unclear under current law, and the adjustment to the exercise price and/or redemption price of the warrants could give rise to dividend income to investors without a corresponding payment of cash. Finally, it is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to our shares of common stock suspend the running of a U.S. holder’s holding period for purposes of determining whether any gain or loss realized by such holder on the sale or exchange of common stock is long-term capital gain or loss and for determining whether any dividend we pay would be considered “qualified dividend income” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” below for a summary of the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our securities. Each prospective investor is urged to consult its own tax advisors with respect to these and other tax consequences when purchasing, holding or disposing of our securities.

  

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements contained in this prospectus, which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance, and any other statements of a future or forward-looking nature, constitute “forward-looking statements” for the purpose of the federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus may include, for example, statements about:

 

  •     our ability to complete our initial business combination, particularly in light of disruption that may result from limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic;
     
  •    our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination;
     
  •    our officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination, as a result of which they would then receive expense reimbursements;
     
  •    our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination;

 

  •    our pool of prospective target businesses;
     
  •    the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential investment opportunities;

 

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  •    the delisting of our securities from Nasdaq or an inability to have our securities listed on Nasdaq following a business combination;
     
  •    our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading;
     
  •   the lack of a market for our securities; or
     
  •    our financial performance following this offering.

 

The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Future developments affecting us may not be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 27. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We are offering 7,500,000 units at a price of $10.00 per unit. We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering, together with the funds we receive from the sale of the private warrants (all of which will be deposited into the trust account), will be used as set forth in the following table:

 

    Without
Over-Allotment Option
  Over-Allotment
Option
Exercised
Gross proceeds                
From offering   $ 75,000,000     $ 86,250,000  
From sale of private warrants     3,700,000       3,981,250  
Total gross proceeds   $ 78,700,000     $ 90,231,250  
                 
Offering expenses(1)                
Underwriting commissions   $ 1,875,000     $ 2,156,250  
Legal fees and expenses     250,000       250,000  
Nasdaq listing and filing fees     75,000       75,000  
Printing and filing expenses     35,000       35,000  
Accounting fees and expenses     40,000       40,000  
FINRA filing fee     13,438       13,438  
SEC registration fee     7,996       7,996  
Initial trustee’s fee     6,500       6,500  
Miscellaneous expenses     47,066       47,066  
Total offering expenses   $ 2,350,000     $ 2,631,250  
                 
Net proceeds                
Held in trust(2)   $ 75,000,000     $ 86,250,000  
Not held in trust(3)     1,350,000       1,350,000  
Total net proceeds   $ 76,350,000     $ 87.600,000  
                 
Use of net proceeds not held in the trust account(3)(4)                
Legal, accounting and other third party expenses attendant to the search for target businesses and to the due diligence investigation, structuring and negotiation of a business combination   $ 120,000       8.9 %
Due diligence of prospective target businesses by officers, directors and initial stockholders     70,000       5.2 %
Legal and accounting fees relating to SEC reporting obligations     60,000       4.4 %
Payment for administrative support services ($10,000 per month for up to 12 months     120,000       8.9 %
Director and officer liability insurance premiums(5)     650,000       48.2 %
Working capital to cover miscellaneous expenses, Nasdaq continued listing fees, general corporate purposes, liquidation obligations and reserves     330,000       24.4 %
Total   $ 1,350,000       100.0 %

  

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  (1)   A portion of the offering expenses, including the SEC registration fee, the FINRA filing fee, the non-refundable portion of Nasdaq listing fee and a portion of the legal and audit fees, have been paid from the funds we borrowed from Gardiner Healthcare. These funds will be repaid out of the proceeds of this offering available to us.
  (2)    The funds held in the trust account will be used to acquire a target business, to pay holders who wish to convert or sell their shares for a portion of the funds held in the trust account and potentially to pay our expenses relating thereto. Our expenses relating to the acquisition of a target business would either come from the funds held in the trust account or additional funds otherwise available to us outside of the trust account, including cash held by the target business. Any remaining funds will be disbursed to the combined company and be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business.
  (3)    The amount of proceeds not held in trust will remain constant at $1,350,000 even if the over-allotment is exercised.
  (4)   These are estimates only. Our actual expenditures for some or all of these items may differ from the estimates set forth herein. For example, we may incur greater legal and accounting expenses than our current estimates in connection with negotiating and structuring our initial business combination based upon the level of complexity of that business combination. We do not anticipate any change in our intended use of proceeds, other than fluctuations among the current categories of allocated expenses, which fluctuations, to the extent they exceed current estimates for any specific category of expenses, would be deducted from our excess working capital.
  (5) This amount represents the approximate amount of annual director and officer liability insurance premiums we anticipate paying following the completion of this offering and until we complete our initial business combination.

  

The payment to Gardiner Healthcare of a monthly fee of $10,000 is for general and administrative services including office space, utilities and secretarial support. However, pursuant to the terms of such agreement, we may delay payment of such monthly fee upon a determination by our audit committee that we lack sufficient funds held outside the trust to pay actual or anticipated expenses in connection with our initial business combination. Any such unpaid amount will accrue without interest and be due and payable no later than the date of the consummation of our initial business combination. This arrangement is being agreed to by Gardiner Healthcare for our benefit. This arrangement will terminate upon completion of our initial business combination or the distribution of the trust account to our public stockholders. Other than the $10,000 per month general and administrative services fee payable to Gardiner Healthcare, and the $38,750 per month aggregate consulting fees payable to Mr. Jenkins, Drs. Pelletier, McGuirk, Anderson and Sciavolino, no compensation of any kind (including finder’s fees, consulting fees or other similar compensation) will be paid to members of our management team or any of our or their respective affiliates, for services rendered to us prior to or in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, such individuals will receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations, as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. Since the role of present management after our initial business combination is uncertain, we have no ability to determine what remuneration, if any, will be paid to those persons after our initial business combination.

 

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A total of $10.00 per unit (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of the net proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private warrants described in this prospectus will be placed in a trust account in the United States maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee and will be invested only in U.S. government treasury bills, notes and bonds with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act and which invest solely in U.S. Treasuries. Except for all interest income that may be released to us to pay our tax obligations, as discussed below, none of the funds held in the trust account will be released from the trust account until the earlier of: (i) the consummation of our initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering and (ii) a redemption to public stockholders prior to any voluntary winding-up in the event we do not consummate our initial business combination within the applicable period.

 

The net proceeds held in the trust account may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which we ultimately complete our initial business combination. If our initial business combination is paid for using shares or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the purchase price in connection with our business combination, we may apply the cash released from the trust account that is not applied to the purchase price for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of acquired businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in consummating the initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.

 

We believe that amounts not held in trust will be sufficient to pay the costs and expenses to which such proceeds are allocated. This belief is based on the fact that while we may begin preliminary due diligence of a target business in connection with an indication of interest, we intend to undertake in-depth due diligence, depending on the circumstances of the relevant prospective acquisition, only after we have negotiated and signed a letter of intent or other preliminary agreement that addresses the terms of our initial business combination. However, if our estimate of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating our initial business combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, or the amount of interest available to use from the trust account is minimal as a result of the current interest rate environment, we may be required to raise additional capital, the amount, availability and cost of which is currently unascertainable. In this event, we could seek such additional capital through loans or additional investments from members of our management team, but such members of our management team are not under any obligation to advance funds to, or invest in, us.

 

On March 25, 2021, we issued an unsecured promissory note to Gardiner Healthcare, pursuant to which we may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $300,000. The promissory note is non-interest bearing and will be payable on the earlier to occur of (i) December 31, 2021 or (ii) the date on which we consummate an initial public offering of our securities. As of June 30, 2021, we have drawn $45,025 under the promissory note.

 

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our co-sponsors or an affiliate of our co-sponsors or our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we consummate our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private warrants to purchase shares of common stock at a conversion price of $1.00 per private warrant. Such private warrants will be identical to the private warrants to be issued at the closing of this offering, except that the private warrants will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees.

 

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In no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. Furthermore, the redemption threshold may be further limited by the terms and conditions of our initial business combination. In such case, we would not proceed with the redemption of our public shares or the business combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination.

 

A public stockholder will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earlier to occur of: (i) our consummation of our initial business combination, and then only in connection with those shares of common stock that such stockholder properly elected to redeem, subject to the limitations described herein, (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) following the closing of this offering, subject to applicable law, or (iii) if we seek to amend our certificate of incorporation to affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem all public shares if we cannot complete an initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) of the closing of this offering and such amendment is duly approved. In no other circumstances will a public stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.

 

Our initial stockholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any shares they own in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, including their founder shares and public shares that they have purchased during or after the offering, if any. In addition, our initial stockholders have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions with respect to its founder shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering. However, if our initial stockholders acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions with respect to such public shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period.

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have not paid any cash dividends on our shares of common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of our initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of our initial business combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to our initial business combination will be within the discretion of our Board of Directors at such time and subject to Delaware law. In addition, our Board of Directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any share dividends in the foreseeable future, except if we increase the size of the offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, in which case we will effect a share dividend immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain our initial stockholders’ ownership at 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock upon the consummation of this offering (assuming no purchase in this offering and not taking into account ownership of the private warrants). Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.

 

DILUTION

 

The difference between the public offering price per share, assuming no value is attributed to the warrants included in the units we are offering by this prospectus, and the pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering constitutes the dilution to investors in this offering. Such calculation does not reflect any dilution associated with the sale and exercise of warrants, including the private warrants. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our net tangible book value, which is our total tangible assets less total liabilities (including the value of shares of common stock which may be redeemed for cash), by the number of outstanding shares of common stock.

 

At June 30, 2021, our net tangible book value was $(119,737) or approximately $(0.06) per share. After giving effect to the sale of 7,500,000 shares of common stock included in the units we are offering by this prospectus and the proceeds received from the sale of the private warrants, the deduction of underwriting discounts and estimated expenses of this offering, our pro forma net tangible book value at June 30, 2021 would have been $5,000,010 or $1.90 per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $1.96 per share to the initial stockholders and an immediate dilution of 81.0% per share or $8.10 to new investors not exercising their conversion/tender rights. For purposes of presentation, our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering is $67,455,690 less than it otherwise would have been because, if we effect a business combination, the ability of public stockholders to exercise conversion rights or sell their shares to us in any tender offer may result in the conversion or tender of up to 6,745,569 shares sold in this offering.

 

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The following table illustrates the dilution to the new investors on a per-share basis, assuming no value is attributed to the redeemable warrants, including the private warrants:

 

Public offering price           $ 10.00  
Net tangible book value before this offering   $ (0.06)          
Increase attributable to new investors, private sales and capital contribution     1.96          
Pro forma net tangible book value after this offering             1.90  
Dilution to new investors           $ 8.10  
Percentage of dilution to new investors             81.0 %

  

For purposes of presentation, we have reduced our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional units) by $67,455,690 assuming holders of up to approximately 89.9% of our public shares may redeem their shares for a pro rata share of the aggregate amount in the trust account as set forth in our tender offer or proxy materials (initially anticipated to be the aggregate amount held in trust two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares).

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to our initial stockholders and the new investors:

 

    Shares Purchased     Total Consideration     Average
Price
 
    Number     Percentage     Amount     Percentage     Per Share  
Initial stockholders(1)     1,875,000       20.0 %   $ 25,000       0.03 %   $ 0.013  
New investors     7,500,000       80.0 %     75,000,000       99.97 %     10.00  
      9,375,000       100.00 %   $ 75,025,000       100.00 %        

 

(1)      Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 281,250 shares of common stock held by our initial stockholders have been forfeited as a result thereof.

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 (so that we do not then become subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). Accordingly, we have calculated pro forma net tangible book value in the table below assuming that holders of approximately 89.9% of our public shares may redeem their shares for a pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account at a per share redemption price equal to the amount in the trust account.

 

The pro forma net tangible book value after the offering is calculated as follows:

 
Numerator:(1)        
Net tangible book value before this offering   $ (119,737)  
Net proceeds from this offering and private placement of private warrants     76,350,000  
Offering costs accrued for and paid in advance, excluded from net tangible book value before this offering     143,737  
Less: Warrant liability(2)     (3,918,300)  
Less: Proceeds held in trust subject to conversion/tender     (67,455,690)  
    $ 5,000,010  
         
Denominator:        
Shares of common stock issued and outstanding prior to this offering(1)     1,875,000  
Shares of common stock to be sold in this offering     7,500,000  
Less: Shares subject to conversion/tender     (6,745,569)  
      2,629,431  

 

(1) Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 281,250 shares of common stock held by our initial stockholders have been forfeited as a result thereof.

 
  (2) We will account for the 3,700,000 private placement warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity. Such guidance provides that because the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment thereunder, each warrant must be recorded as a liability. Accordingly, we will classify each private warrant as a liability at its fair value. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date. With each such re-measurement, the warrant liability will be adjusted to fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in our statement of operations.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our capitalization at June 30, 2021 and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of our units and the private warrants and the application of the estimated net proceeds derived from the sale of such securities.

 

    June 30, 2021
    Actual   As Adjusted(1)
Promissory note – related party(2)   $ 45,025        
Warrant liability(3)           3,918,300  
Shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value, -0- and 6,745,569 shares are subject to possible conversion/tender, respectively(4)(5)(8)           65,997,456  
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding, actual and as adjusted            
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 2,156,250 and 1,875,000 shares issued and outstanding (excluding -0- and 7,500,000 shares subject to possible redemption), actual and as adjusted, respectively     215       188  
Additional paid-in capital(6)     24,785       6,677,356  
Accumulated deficit(7)     (1,000)       (219,300)  
Total stockholder’s equity     24,000       6,458,244  
Total capitalization   $ 69,025     $ 76,374,000  

 

  (1) Includes the $3,700,000 we will receive from the sale of the private warrants (assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised). Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 281,250 shares of common stock held by our initial stockholders have been forfeited as a result thereof

 

  (2) Our co-sponsor, Gardiner Healthcare, has agreed to loan us up to $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering.  The “as adjusted” information gives effect to the repayment of this note out of the proceeds from this offering, the sale of the private placement warrants.  As of June 30, 2021, we had $45,025 outstanding under the promissory note with our co-sponsor.

 

  (3) We will account for the 3,700,000 private placement warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity. Such guidance provides that because the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment thereunder, each warrant must be recorded as a liability. Accordingly, we will classify each warrant as a liability at its fair value. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date. With each such re-measurement, the warrant liability will be adjusted to fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in our statement of operations.

 

  (4) Common stock contains redemption rights that make them redeemable by our public shareholders. Accordingly, they are classified within temporary equity in accordance with the guidance provided in ASC 480-10-S99-3A.

 

  (5) Upon the completion of our initial business combination, we will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash at a price per share equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our income taxes, if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein whereby redemptions cannot cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 and any limitations (including, but not limited to, cash requirements) created by the terms of the proposed business combination. The “as adjusted” amount is presented net of proceeds allocated to the public warrants and net of allocated transaction costs related to this offering.

 

  (6) The “as adjusted” additional paid-in capital includes the fair value of the public warrants, as well as the transaction costs allocated to the warrants.

 

  (7) The “as adjusted” accumulated deficit includes the excess of fair value over the proceeds from the sale of private placement warrants plus the actual accumulated deficit of $1,000.

 

(8)

We have engaged Chardan as an advisor in connection with our business combination, to introduce us to potential investors that are interested in purchasing our securities in connection with the potential business combination, assist us in obtaining stockholder approval for the business combination and assist us with our press releases and public filings in connection with the business combination. We will pay Chardan the Marketing Fee for such services upon the consummation of our initial business combination in an amount equal to 3.5% of the gross proceeds of this offering, including any proceeds from the full or partial exercise of the over-allotment option (exclusive of any applicable finders’ fees which might become payable).

 

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

 

We were incorporated on March 25, 2021 as a Delaware corporation to serve as a vehicle to effect a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more target businesses. While we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business, industry, sector or geographical location, we intend to focus on industries that complement our management team’s background, and to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify and acquire a business, focusing on the healthcare or healthcare related industries. In particular, we will target North American or European companies in the life sciences and medical technology sectors, with a specific focus on small and large molecule therapeutics, where our management team as a whole has extensive operational and investment experience. We intend to utilize cash derived from the proceeds of this offering, our securities, debt or a combination of cash, securities and debt, in effecting a business combination. The issuance of additional shares in our business combination:

 

•        may significantly reduce the equity interest of our stockholders;

 

•        may subordinate the rights of holders of common stock if we issue preferred shares with rights senior to those afforded to our shares of common stock;

 

•        will likely cause a change in control if a substantial number of our shares of common stock are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and most likely will also result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and

 

•        may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our securities.

 

Similarly, if we issue debt securities, it could result in:

 

•        default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after a business combination are insufficient to pay our debt obligations;

 

•        acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we have made all principal and interest payments when due if the debt security contains covenants that required the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves and we breach any such covenant without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;

 

•        our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand; and

 

•        our inability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain additional financing while such security is outstanding.

 

As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, at June 30, 2021, we had $1,588 in cash and $143,737 in deferred offering costs. Further, we expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. Our plans to raise capital or to consummate our initial business combination may not be successful.

 

Results of Operations and Known Trends or Future Events

 

We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities since inception have been organizational activities and those necessary to prepare for this offering. Following this offering, we will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of our initial business combination. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents after this offering. There has been no significant change in our financial or trading position and no material adverse change has occurred since the date of our audited financial statements. After this offering, we expect to incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses. We expect our expenses to increase substantially after the closing of this offering.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, at June 30, 2021, we had $1,588 in cash and working capital deficit of $119,737. Further, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our financing and acquisition plans. Management’s plans to address this uncertainty through this offering are discussed above. Our plans to raise capital or to consummate our initial business combination may not be successful. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

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Our liquidity needs have been satisfied to date through receipt of $25,000 from the sale of the founder shares. We estimate that the net proceeds from (1) the sale of the units in this offering, after deducting offering expenses of approximately $2,350,000 (or $2,631,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) including underwriting fees and qualified independent underwriter fees of $1,875,000 (or $2,156,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) and (2) the sale of the private warrants for a purchase price of $3,700,000 will be $76,350,000 (or $87,600,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full). Of this amount, $75,000,000 (or $86,250,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), or “the net offering proceeds,” will be held in the trust account. The remaining $1,350,000 (whether or not the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will not be held in the trust account.

 

We intend to use substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering, including the funds held in the trust account, to acquire a target business or businesses and to pay our expenses relating thereto. To the extent that our share capital is used in whole or in part as consideration to effect our initial business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account as well as any other net proceeds not expended will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business. Such working capital funds could be used in a variety of ways including continuing or expanding the target business’ operations, for strategic acquisitions and for marketing, research and development of existing or new products. Such funds could also be used to repay any operating expenses or finders’ fees which we had incurred prior to the completion of our initial business combination if the funds available to us outside of the trust account were insufficient to cover such expenses.

 

Over the next 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) (assuming a business combination is not consummated prior thereto), we will be using the funds held outside of the trust account for identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, performing business due diligence on prospective target businesses, traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses, reviewing corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, selecting the target business to acquire and structuring, negotiating and consummating the business combination. Out of the funds available outside the trust account, we anticipate that we will incur approximately:

 

•        $120,000 of expenses for the search for target businesses and for the legal, accounting and other third-party expenses attendant to the due diligence investigations, structuring and negotiating of a business combination;

 

•        $70,000 of expenses for the due diligence and investigation of a target business by our officers, directors and initial stockholders;

 

•        $60,000 of expenses in legal and accounting fees relating to our SEC reporting obligations;

 

•        $120,000 for the payment of the administrative fee to Gardiner Healthcare of $10,000 per month for up to 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein);

 

•        $650,000 for director and officer liability insurance premiums; and

 

•        $330,000 for general working capital that will be used for miscellaneous expenses, including Nasdaq continued listing fees, general corporate purposes, liquidation obligations and reserves.

 

If our estimates of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating our initial business combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial business combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to consummate our initial business combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon consummation of our initial business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only consummate such financing simultaneously with the consummation of our initial business combination. Following our initial business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

In March 25, 2021, we issued an unsecured promissory note to Gardiner Healthcare, pursuant to which we may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $300,000. The promissory note is non-interest bearing and will be payable on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2021 or (ii) the date on which we consummate an initial public offering of our securities. As of June 30, 2021, we have drawn $45,025 under the promissory note.

 

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Gardiner Healthcare has committed to purchase from us 2,775,000 private warrants (or 2,985,938 private warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), Chardan Gardiner has committed to purchase from us 475,714 private warrants (or 511,875 private warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), and CCMAUS has committed to purchase from us 449,286 private warrants (or 483,438 private warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), in each case, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,700,000 (or $3,981,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Each private warrant is exercisable for one (1) share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. Of the $3,700,000 (or $3,981,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) we will receive from the sale of the private warrants, $2,350,000 (or $2,631,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be used for offering expenses and $1,350,000 will be used for working capital.

 

If needed to finance transaction costs in connection with searching for a target business or consummating an intended initial business combination, our initial stockholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts, but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Such loans would be evidenced by promissory notes. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private warrants to purchase shares of common stock at a conversion price of $1.00 per private warrant. Such private warrants will be identical to the private warrants to be issued at the closing of this offering, except that the private warrants will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. We believe the purchase price of these private warrants will approximate the fair value of such private warrants when issued. However, if it is determined, at the time of issuance, that the fair value of such private warrants exceeds the purchase price, we would record compensation expense for the excess of the fair value of the private warrants on the day of issuance over the purchase price in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718 — Compensation — Stock Compensation.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

We are not currently required to maintain an effective system of internal controls as defined by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We will be required to comply with the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not completed an assessment, nor have our auditors tested our systems, of internal controls. We expect to assess the internal controls of our target business or businesses prior to the completion of our initial business combination and, if necessary, to implement and test additional controls as we may determine are necessary in order to state that we maintain an effective system of internal controls. A target business may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding the adequacy of internal controls. Target businesses we may consider for our initial business combination may have internal controls that need improvement in areas such as:

 

•        staffing for financial, accounting and external reporting areas, including segregation of duties;

 

•        reconciliation of accounts;

 

•        proper recording of expenses and liabilities in the period to which they relate;

 

•        evidence of internal review and approval of accounting transactions;

 

•        documentation of processes, assumptions and conclusions underlying significant estimates; and

 

•        documentation of accounting policies and procedures.

 

Because it will take time, management involvement and perhaps outside resources to determine what internal control improvements are necessary for us to meet regulatory requirements and market expectations for our operation of a target business, we may incur significant expense in meeting our public reporting responsibilities, particularly in the areas of designing, enhancing, or remediating internal and disclosure controls. Doing so effectively may also take longer than we expect, thus increasing our exposure to financial fraud or erroneous financing reporting.

 

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Once our management’s report on internal controls is complete, we will retain our independent auditors to audit and render an opinion on such report when, or if, required by Section 404. The independent auditors may identify additional issues concerning a target business’s internal controls while performing their audit of internal control over financial reporting.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

The net proceeds of this offering, including amounts in the trust account, will be invested in United States government treasury bills, bonds or notes having a maturity of 185 days or less, or in money market funds meeting the applicable conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act and that invest solely in U.S. treasuries. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; Commitments and Contractual Obligations; Quarterly Results

 

As of June 30, 2021, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K and did not have any commitments or contractual obligations. No unaudited quarterly operating data is included in this prospectus as we have conducted no operations to date.

 

JOBS Act

 

On April 5, 2012, the JOBS Act was signed into law. The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We will qualify as an “emerging growth company” and under the JOBS Act will be allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly traded) companies. We are electing to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards, and, as a result, we may not comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. As such, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.

 

PROPOSED BUSINESS

General

 

We are a newly organized blank check company incorporated on March 25, 2021 as a Delaware corporation formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as our initial business combination. To date, our efforts have been limited to organizational activities as well as activities related to this offering. We have not identified any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target. We have generated no operating revenues to-date and we may not generate operating revenues for an extended period of time following consummation of our initial business combination.

 

While we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business, industry, sector or geographical location, we intend to focus on industries that complement our management team’s background, and to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify and acquire a business, focusing on the healthcare or healthcare related industries. In particular, we will target North American or European companies in the life sciences and medical technology sectors, with a specific focus on small and large molecule therapeutics, where our management as a whole has extensive operational and investment experience. We may pursue a transaction in which our shareholders immediately prior to the completion of our initial business combination would collectively own a minority interest in the post-business combination company.

 

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Our Active Co-Sponsors

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. will have three co-sponsors: Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS. Gardiner Healthcare and Chardan Gardiner will be our active co-sponsors.

 

Gardiner Healthcare is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gardiner Founder, LLC (f/k/a Gardiner Healthcare Acquisition Corp.), a newly formed life sciences investment company focused on early mid-stage clinical stage assets. Our founders have 120 years of combined experience in the life sciences. Marc F. Pelletier, PhD (Chief Executive Officer, co-founder) and Paul R. McGuirk, PhD (Chief Development Officer, co-founder) worked recently together on Aeromics, Inc. (“Aeromics”), and Frank C. Sciavolino, PhD (board member, co-founder) co-founded Thetis Pharmaceuticals (“Thetis”) with Greg Gardiner, our company’s namesake. Prior to launching Aeromics and Thetis, Paul R. McGuirk and Frank C. Sciavolino held senior positions at Pfizer, Executive Director and Vice President of R&D Operations, respectively, and were responsible for four marketed drugs at Pfizer, with over $25 billion in sales. Marc F. Pelletier also co-founded Iridia, Inc., a company that is developing DNA-based memory chips.

 

Chardan Gardiner is an affiliate of Chardan, an investment firm and a provider of investment banking services, primarily focused on private and public emerging companies in the healthcare industry. Since its inception, Chardan has executed more than 450 capital markets transactions, raising approximately $26 billion of capital in both public and private markets. Chardan is a leading special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”) underwriter, SPAC sponsor (or co-sponsor) and SPAC M&A advisor, providing a highly competitive position as SPACs have become more mainstream in the financial industry. Since 2004, Chardan has underwritten over 90 SPAC initial public offerings (“IPOs”). Chardan-advised SPACs have targeted a wide range of industries, including life sciences, healthcare services, and technology. No SPAC that has either been co-sponsored by Chardan or for which Chardan has served as the lead underwriter has liquidated to-date. Since 2015, Chardan has met with a substantial number of private healthcare companies annually and has earned a reputation for partnering with innovative healthcare platforms to develop and deploy disruptive technologies.

 

We have not identified any business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target.

 

Our Board of Directors, Management, and Advisors

 

Marc F. Pelletier, PhD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is a scientist-entrepreneur with over thirty years of research and operational experience in the life sciences industry. Dr. Pelletier is a co-founder of Gardiner Founder, LLC and has been serving as its Managing Member since October 2020. Dr. Pelletier founded his first company, Aeromics, as a James Hudson Brown-Alexander B. Coxe Fellow at Yale School of Medicine. He led Aeromics’ drug discovery and development program from bench to clinic, developing a clinical-stage Aquaporin inhibitor to treat diseases of water imbalance, starting with brain swelling or cerebral edema. At Aeromics, Dr. Pelletier served as Chief Executive Officer from 2008-2019, Chief Financial Officer from 2008-2016 and as a Director from 2013-2019, overseeing strategic business and scientific operations. Dr. Pelletier also held the position of Chief Science Officer at Aeromics from 2008 through September 2020, when he launched Gardiner Founder, LLC. In 2015, he co-founded Iridia, Inc., a company developing DNA-based computer hard drive or molecular information storage technology. Dr. Pelletier served as a Director of Iridia from 2016-2019, and as secretary of Iridia from 2017-2019. Dr. Pelletier has extensive training in the life sciences sector, having completed three Post-Doctoral Fellowships at Yale University: one in the Department of Genetics, another in the Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry and a third in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology. He received his Ph.D. in Genetics and Cell Biology from McGill University and both a M.Sc. in Genetics and B.Sc. in Biology and Economics from Concordia University in Montreal. We believe Dr. Pelletier is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive scientific, strategic and operational experience.

  

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David P. Jenkins, Chief Financial Officer, is a finance and business executive with over thirty-five years of experience in the technology, health and higher education sectors, and is currently serving as Chief Financial Officer of Gardiner Founder, LLC. Mr. Jenkins was an Audit Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) with over thirty-one years of experience (1983 to 1994, and 1997 to 2017) serving in the firm’s audit practice. Many of his audit clients were publicly traded technology and/or bioscience companies. Early in his career, he also served as controller to a small, advanced materials business. Since retiring from PwC, Mr. Jenkins has provided financial consulting to several different venture-backed health software or bioscience companies, assisting with business planning, capital raising and financial analysis. In his capacity as an independent financial consultant, Mr. Jenkins’ work includes serving as the Chief Financial Officer of PatientWisdom, Inc. from June 2018 until its sale to NRC Health in January 2021, the Vice President of Finance at Aeromics, Inc. from March 2019 to the present, and the Chief Financial Officer of Bioasis Technologies Inc. from May 2021 to the present. He received his B.A. in Accounting and Business Administration from Muhlenberg College. Mr. Jenkins was also a Certified Public Accountant for many years, but no longer maintains an active license.

 

Paul R. McGuirk, PhD, Executive Vice President, Director and Chief Development Officer, brings nearly 40 years of pharmaceutical industry leadership experience to our company. Prior to joining Gardiner, from March 2009 to November 2020, Dr. McGuirk served in numerous capacities at Aeromics Inc., including as Chief Technology Officer, Executive Vice President and Head of Medicinal Chemistry, Process Chemistry, and Clinical Development, and as a member of the Board of Directors. Dr. McGuirk was responsible for the discovery and development of the only documented clinical stage aquaporin-4 inhibitor for the treatment of brain edema, which is preparing for Phase II clinical trials in China. Prior to Aeromics, Dr. McGuirk was at Pfizer from 1982 to 2009. As a medicinal chemist and manager of Infectious Diseases Medicinal Chemistry at Pfizer Global Research and Development in Groton, CT, Dr. McGuirk was responsible for leading the discovery and development of the marketed drug danofloxacin/Advocin®, which is approved for treatment of bovine respiratory disease. Dr. McGuirk chaired the Allergy and Respiratory Early Clinical Management Team, addressing numerous development challenges while progressing the inhaled PDEIV inhibitor tofimilast into Phase 2 studies. As a Director, Dr. McGuirk led the nearly 100-person interdisciplinary team that pioneered Pfizer’s Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion (ADME) & Toxicology program. As Group Director and Executive Director of Chemical Technologies, Dr. McGuirk co-led the large matrix multi-company team that helped build a successful three million compound HTS library. As Executive Director, Dr. McGuirk led the global review and evaluation of 310 clinical candidates, over a ten-year period, as a prerequisite to their entry into formal development. The candidate reviews spanned ten therapeutic areas and included several successful drugs such as Maraviroc®, Chantix®, and Zeljanz®. Dr. McGuirk is an expert on new molecular entity (“NME”) attributes needed for success in drug development. We believe Dr. McGuirk is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive strategic and operational experience.

 

Janelle R. Anderson, PhD, Director and Chief Business Officer, was most recently the Chief StrategyOfficer at Century Therapeutics (2019-2021), where she drove the execution of deals and external partnerships that enabled Century’s scientific objectives and furthered its strategic goals. Prior to Century Therapeutics, Dr. Anderson was an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Versant Ventures (2017-2019), where she was instrumental in establishing Century Therapeutics’s funding and core technology. Prior to Versant Ventures, Dr. Anderson was Managing Partner at CTI Life Sciences Fund (2014-2017), where she led U.S. biotech transactions. Prior to CTI Life Science Fund, Dr. Anderson worked at Merck (2008-2014), as a Finance Director and later as Managing Director of the MRL Ventures Fund, Merck’s therapeutic-focused venture group. Prior to Merck, Dr. Anderson held roles at Boston Consulting Group (2002-2004) before taking on various operational and deal-making positions in medical venture capital, including serving as interim Chief Executive Officer of Access Scientific while at Carrot Capital (2005-2007) (now known as Embark Healthcare). Dr. Anderson earned her B.Sc. in Chemistry (Honors) from McGill University, and A.M. and Ph.D. from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University. We believe Dr. Anderson is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to her extensive strategic and operational experience.

 

Frank C. Sciavolino, PhD, Director, has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including a distinguished thirty-five year career at Pfizer Global Research & Development from 1968 to 2003. At Pfizer, Dr. Sciavolino held various management roles and responsibilities in drug discovery, development, registration and licensing, culminating in his role as Vice President of Research &Development Operations, in which he oversaw a team of more than one thousand scientists in the United States, Europe and Asia. He was responsible for two of Pfizer’s leading franchises, Zithromax and Celebrex. After leading the discovery chemistry team responsible for the initial macrolide antibiotic research, he served as principal investigator for the Phase I evaluation of eleven compounds in first-in-human (FIH) studies. This led to the identification and development of Zithromax, an antibiotic widely considered as one of the most important new drugs of the twentieth century, and one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. He also played a major role in the licensing of Celebrex, a COX-2 inhibitor that reached several billion in peak annual sales globally. From 2003 until 2007, Dr. Sciavolino was Vice President of Product Development and Regulatory Affairs at Indigene Pharmaceuticals, at which he later served as Executive Vice President of Global Design and Development from 2007-2010. Between 2010 and 2013, Dr. Sciavolino served as a Senior Management and Board Advisor at Max Zeller Söhne AG. In 2012, along with Drs. Gregory Gardiner, B. L. Mylari and Mr. Gary Mathias, Dr. Sciavolino co-founded Thetis Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company developing drugs for multiple diseases rooted in immune system deficits like cancers, respiratory conditions and gastro-intestinal disorders. As President and Chief Scientific Officer of Thetis, positions he has held since the founding of Thetis in 2012 to present, Dr. Sciavolino has pioneered the discovery and development of the HEALER platform, a technology that is enabling clinical evaluation of the extraordinarily potent Resolvins, an endogenous class of mediators that regulate both the innate and adaptive components of the immune system. Dr. Sciavolino has served on numerous editorial boards, including Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy and the Journal of Antibiotics. Dr. Sciavolino has more than forty-eight issued patents and has a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Michigan and B.S. in Pharmacy from St. John’s University. We believe Dr. Sciavolino is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive strategic and operational experience.

 

James P. Linton, PhD, MBA, Director, has over thirty years of entrepreneur and executive experience in the biotechnology space, co-founding or serving as a cofounding management member of six companies and leading the operations, fund raising and business development efforts for several of these companies.  Since September 2021, Dr. Linton has served as interim Chief Executive Officer of Resolute Bio, Inc., which focuses on developing novel human drug delivery and immunotolerance technology by coupling therapeutic peptides and proteins to circulating red blood cells. Among his previous start-ups, Dr. Linton co-founded (with Dr. Pelletier) Iridia Inc., a company developing DNA-based microchip data storage, where he served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer and chairman (2016-2017), and President and Director (March 2016 through November 2019). During his tenure as Iridia’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Linton was responsible for raising more than $26 million, including investment capital from Western Digital Corporation. Also, in this role he oversaw all operations, financing efforts, financial management, intellectual property, human resources and investor relations. Currently, he serves as a Director and Chief Executive Officer emeritus, collaborating with the Chief Executive Officer in fundraising, strategic planning and investor relations. In late 2020, Dr. Linton also co-founded New Frontier Bio, a biotechnology-driven health and wellness company, where he is a Director and serves as an Executive Consultant, supporting strategic planning and fundraising. Dr. Linton has successfully raised over $129 million in capital, negotiated over $298 million in deals, and has participated in a number of exits, including Protometrix Inc, Genicon Sciences, Axiom Biotechnologies and Owl Biomedical, Inc. Early in his career, Dr. Linton was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Merck Research Laboratories working on molecular cloning of genes responsible for FK-506-induced immunosuppression. He obtained his M.B.A. from the University of California at Davis and his Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from Emory University. We believe Dr. Linton is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive strategic and operational experience in early-stage biotechnology companies.

 

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Thomas F. Ryan, Jr., Director, has approximately twenty years of business development, marketing and sales management experience in the life sciences sector. Mr. Ryan founded NavigatorBIO in October of 2017 and currently serves as its Chief Executive Officer. In that role, Mr. Ryan leads the operational and business development teams to help the company’s global clientele overcome challenges in brand recognition, market positioning, and business development. Prior to NavigatorBIO, Mr. Ryan served as the Director of Business Development at Eurofins Central Laboratory from November 2014 until October 2017. During his time at Eurofins, Mr. Ryan earned the “Business Development Representative of the Year” award in 2016 in recognition of his excellence in sales and participated on several steering committees. Prior to Eurofins, Mr. Ryan served as Strategic Account Manager for Lantheus Medical Imaging from May 2011 to May 2014. In that role, Mr. Ryan partnered with sales representatives to initiate, design and negotiate agreements with healthcare systems such as Yale New Haven Health, Columbia Presbyterian, Northwell Health and Mass General Brigham. For his efforts, Mr. Ryan earned the “Summit Award” in 2011 in recognition of his outstanding sales leadership and the “Lantheus Star Award” in 2013 in recognition of his exemplary commitment, contribution and leadership. Mr. Ryan began his career in the life sciences sector with Covidien, where his tenure ran from June 2003 through March 2011. Mr. Ryan was fortunate to have moved through various positions at Covidien that continuously increased his level of responsibility. He started as a Business Development Representative in the New York area, was eventually promoted to Sales Trainer and rounded out the last 3 years of his tenure as a Region Manager. Mr. Ryan led a sales team of several business development executives covering the Midwest market, and, in 2010, he earned Covidien’s “Sharp – Safety Manager of the Year” award. In addition to his strategy and business development background, Mr. Ryan has extensive experience with building teams and ensuring execution of sales plans. His career has focused on business and sales process optimization to ensure successful execution of corporate strategy in the most efficient manner possible. We believe Mr. Ryan is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive strategic and operational experience in the life sciences sector, including his knowledge of the North American biotechnology market.

 

Matthew Rossen, MBA, Director, has 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech arena, working across multiple therapeutic categories including Anti-Infectives, Alzheimer’s, Cardiovascular, Hematology, Solid Tumor, and Sleep Science. From April 2019 until May 2021, Mr. Rossen was Vice President of Marketing at QED Therapeutics, a subsidiary of BridgeBio. From August 2010 until April 2019, Mr. Rossen held various roles at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, eventually becoming Senior Director of New Product Planning. Prior thereto, from July 2001 to July 2010, Mr. Rossen worked at Pfizer Inc., where he spent 10 years in positions of increasing responsibility, ultimately becoming Senior Manager of Commercial Development for Dimebon, a neuroprotective drug. He holds a B.S. in Kinesiology and Applied Human Physiology from the University of Colorado and received his MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business. We believe Mr. Rossen is well qualified to serve as a director due to his deep understanding of and appreciation for the investments needed to ensure development and commercial success in the biotechnology sector.

 

Mohendra Moodley, Board Advisor, is an investment professional with two decades of experience in financial services. He is a Director at Capricorn Commodities, a boutique investment and advisory business. Mohendra has extensive experience in trading, corporate finance, capital market arranging and funds management. He has been a key arranger and advisor to private and public companies on mid-market mergers and acquisitions and debt transactions centered in Australia, South Africa, the United States, Brazil, Indonesia, Chile and Hong Kong, in financial services, resources and technology. Mohendra has worked with a number of institutional investors across the world, including family offices, wealth managers, pension funds, credit funds, commercial banks, endowments, private equity groups, charities and multi strategy funds. Prior to Capricorn, Mohendra was a Director and Portfolio Manager at Taurus Funds Management, an Australian funds management firm. Prior to Taurus, Mohendra was at Macquarie Group in Australia in the Funds Management Division where he worked across various funds. Prior to joining Macquarie, Mohendra was a Partner at Craton Capital in South Africa, a specialist natural resources fund manager. Before Craton, Mohendra founded Knight Capital Management in August 2002 where he managed a South African hedge fund. Prior to Knight, Mohendra worked at UBS as a sell-side equity research analyst in South Africa, where he was a ranked analyst in various sectors including financial services, electronics and electrical. Mohendra holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and an Honors degree (cum laude) from the University of Natal.

  

Jack A. Reynolds, DVM, DACLAM, DACVP and FIATP, Board Advisor, is a founding Partner and Chairman Emeritus of the AnaBios Corporation and continues to serve as a Director. He retired from Pfizer as Senior Vice President of R&D and Worldwide Head of Safety Sciences. Dr. Reynolds has over forty years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, and has contributed to numerous development programs and drug approvals. At Pfizer, he worked to elucidate, understand, manage and mitigate the inherent risks of medicines. Dr. Reynolds has done extensive work in building partnerships with regulatory agencies, and has served leadership roles in professional societies, industry executive groups and scientific organizations. He is the founder and former Advisory Board Chair of the Drug Safety Executive Council, which now includes a membership of almost 2,000 industry professionals and plays a cross-industry role in collaboratively evaluating, validating and qualifying new technologies for safety testing and decision making. He remains an active consultant to the pharmaceutical industry, and his firm, JAReynolds & Associates, provides scientific and drug development support to clients both large and small. He is also a premier expert consultant for NDA Partners, a life sciences management consulting and contract development organization focused on providing product development and regulatory services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries worldwide.  He is board certified in both Veterinary Pathology and Laboratory Animal Medicine and is a Fellow of the International Academy of Toxicological Pathologists. Dr. Reynolds, until recently, was an adjunct professor in the Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics at the School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a long-standing member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development.

 

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Anthony Caggiano, MD PhD, Board Advisor, has broad experience in the development of new medicines for neurological conditions. He is currently Chief Medical Officer and Head Of Research and Development with NeuroTrauma Sciences. During his seventeen years at Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. the last three as Senior Vice President of Research and Development, Dr. Caggiano oversaw pre-clinical and clinical development programs in neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke and spinal cord injury. In addition, he directed a team responsible for all aspects of early development through a combination of internal research efforts and external research collaborations. He built relationships with thought leaders, developed clinical trial strategies and participated in licensing activities. After Acorda Therapeutics, Dr. Caggiano was Chief Medical Officer of Cognition Therapeutics, which is developing CT1812 for Alzheimer’s disease, and served as acting President and Chief Medical Officer of Constant Pharmaceuticals and Chief Medical Officer of Aeromics, Inc., clinical-stage companies, respectively, developing candidates for central nervous system indications.

 

Thomas Hoxie, LLD, Board Advisor, has approximately 35 years of experience in intellectual property law. Tom handles patent prosecution, licensing, litigation, and appeals. Tom has also served as an expert witness on patent and licensing matters in cases involving patent infringement, antitrust, licensing, and legal malpractice. In 2004, Tom entered private practice as founding Partner of Hoxie & Tso LLP, which became Hoxie & Associates LLC in 2007. Hoxie & Associates handles patent matters in the area of chemistry, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. From 2003 to 2004, Tom was Vice President and Head of the US patent and Trademark Department for Novartis, a multi-national pharmaceutical company. From 1991 to 2004, Tom held a variety of positions at Novartis and its predecessor company, Sandoz, including Global Head of Intellectual Property Litigation for Novartis’s branded and generic pharmaceuticals and consumer businesses, Deputy Global Head of Pharmaceutical Patents, Head of Novartis’s Agricultural Biotechnology Patent Group in North Carolina, and pharmaceutical patent attorney at Sandoz in Basel, Switzerland. Prior to going in-house, Tom was a litigation attorney in private practice in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and was lead counsel on a number of jury and bench trials. Tom has given numerous seminars on patent law to patent attorneys in the United States and Europe, he was a tutor in European patent law for the Centre d’Etudes Internationales de la Propriété Industrielle (CEIPI), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France, and he is a co-author of Patents for Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotechnology”, 6th ed., 2016, Oxford University Press.

 

Mark Zhu, PhD, MBA, Board Advisor, is an investment professional with over ten years of investing experience in science-based companies. Since October 2016, Dr. Zhu has served as a Director of Propel(x), a deep tech investment company, where he is responsible for deal sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio management. Since July 2017, Mark has also served as a Partner at Newton Fund, an affiliated fund managed by Propel(x). In the past five years, Dr. Zhu has invested in twenty-four deals, nine of which were in the healthcare sector. In addition to his roles at Propel(x) and Newton Fund, Dr. Zhu has served, since March 2019, as an Advisor at Lunewave, a radar sensor startup, and since August 2020, as an Advisor to AM Batteries, a battery manufacturing technology startup, which he also helped to launch. From October 2015 to September 2016, Dr. Zhu served as an Investment Director at Gibraltar Ventures (a subsidiary of Prudential Financial). Prior to his tenure at Gibraltar Ventures, Dr. Zhu held various investment roles at Connecticut Innovations (from July 2014 to October 2015) and DTE Energy Ventures (from 2008 to 2014). Dr. Zhu started his investment career as a cleantech investor and eventually became a generalist with a strong interest in science-based startups. Before Dr. Zhu’s investment career, he worked in technology development roles at United Technologies (from 2002 to 2008) and Praxair (from 1999 to 2002). Dr. Zhu received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of South Florida in 1996, Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana State University in 2000, and MBA from Carnegie Mellon University in 2007.

 

We believe our sponsor team, management team and Board of Directors have the skills and experience to identify, evaluate and consummate a business combination and is positioned to assist businesses we acquire. However, our team’s network of contacts, and its investing and operating experience, does not guarantee a successful initial business combination. We cannot guarantee that our current officers and directors will continue in their respective roles, or in any other role, after our initial business combination, and their expertise may only be of benefit to us until we complete our initial business combination. Past performance by our management team is not a guarantee of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate.

 

Industry Opportunity

 

Although we intend to target North American or European companies, our focus will be to acquire a business in the healthcare industry in the United States. We believe the healthcare industry, particularly the life sciences sector, represents an enormous and growing target market with a large number of potential target acquisition opportunities. More specifically, we intend to target companies in the biopharmaceutical sector. Since the beginning of 2020, over 85 SPACs focusing within the broader healthcare market have been formed, over 50 of which were this year, according to SPAC Analytics (as of October 11, 2021).

 

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We believe that the momentum of research and development strategies of the biopharmaceutical sector is readily apparent, with global R&D expenditures totaling $186 billion in 2019, with more than $60 billion in estimated expenditures on U.S. health and medical R&D from federal, state and local governments and other industry sources. These figures encompass spending on all steps, from discovery through clinical development, and highlight the scope and scale of opportunity. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approval of new drugs increased approximately 40% comparing 2010 to 2014 numbers with those of 2015 to 2019, and the base case outlook in the next five years forecasts that net medicine spending in the United States will increase from $344 billion in 2018 to $420 billion in 2023. Therefore, we believe that the industry is in a powerful growth mode.

 

We believe that the current state of the life sciences IPO market will enhance our ability to locate attractive targets. Since 2016, approximately 235 biotechnology companies have gone public in the United States. In 2019, there were estimated to be approximately 9,500 biotechnology companies globally, only a fraction of which are publicly traded. As these companies mature, we believe, they will need partners to complement, enhance, and extend their reach. We believe these privately held biotechnology companies represent an enormous investment opportunity, and recent trends in equity capital markets continue to demonstrate their desire to access public capital. Since 2015, over $200 billion has been raised in the public equity markets by biotechnology companies, of which over $30 billion has been raised through IPOs by approximately 275 biotechnology companies.

 

Since the advent of the completion of the human genome project in 2003, a mechanistic understanding of the molecular pathology of many diseases has been uncovered. New molecular drug targets and their biological function have been elucidated, enabling pharmaceutical development of ground-breaking therapeutics to treat and in some cases cure these diseases.

 

We believe that there are major benefits for privately held, pre-commercial stage biotechnology companies to become publicly traded, including greater access to capital, broader investor base, more liquid securities, and increased market awareness. As a result of our analysis, we are confident that an acquisition by a SPAC with a management team that is well known (and respected by biotechnology and life science infrastructure company founders, their investors, and management teams) will become a preferred route for a high-quality private healthcare company to access the public markets. Furthermore, we believe that market volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to make such an on-ramp to the public markets even more attractive to private companies, as it promises more certainty about deal completion, a more efficient path to the public markets, and a defined investor base.

 

We believe that there is continued tremendous investor demand for IPOs in the biotechnology sector and that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a renewed appreciation of the critical contributions the biotechnology sector makes to society, which in turn will continue to fuel investor demand.

 

We expect our primary focus will be on the healthcare industry in the United States. Overall, total U.S. national health expenditures currently exceed $3.8 trillion, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which also estimates that total healthcare spending will approach 20% of total U.S. gross domestic product in 2028. We believe investors are just now beginning to recognize that life sciences will be a major beneficiary of that growth. The momentum of discovery and propagation of science and technologies combined with the appeal of early-stage industry formation, we believe, creates dynamic investment opportunities and significant advantages to knowledgeable specialists. In addition to these industry-wide dynamics in healthcare, specifically within the biotechnology sector, the past decade has seen a shift in the research and development strategy of the “Big Pharma” companies to external innovation through licensing partnerships and strategic acquisitions, resulting in over 1,000 M&A transactions totaling more than $700 billion from 2015 to 2019. Furthermore, there has been a gradual increase in FDA approval of new drugs, from 160 approvals between 2010 and 2014 to 220 approvals between 2015 and 2019. The global biotechnology market is expecting to grow to over $105 billion in revenue in 2021, and total sales of prescription drugs worldwide were over $850 billion in 2019. We believe that these trends present a favorable opportunity for investors in pre-clinical to pre-commercial companies within the biotechnology sector.

 

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The Current Life Sciences IPO Market

 

We believe that current dynamics in the life sciences IPO market may enhance our ability to locate an attractive target. Hundreds of biotechnology companies have gone public since 2016 in the United States. We also believe that the process for life sciences IPOs often produces offerings that are significantly oversubscribed, but where a majority of the offering is allocated to the top ten investors, some of whom may be existing investors in these companies or are industry specialists. As a result, we believe that there may be numerous investors who have not been able to receive meaningful, or any, allocations in recent life sciences and medical technology IPOs who may be interested in a potential target opportunity that we identify.

 

We believe that life sciences companies, at a certain stage in their development, will see material benefits from being publicly traded, including greater access to capital, more liquid securities and increased customer awareness. An acquisition by a special purpose acquisition company with a management team that is well-known to, and respected by, life sciences founders, their current third-party investors and their management teams, we believe, can provide a more transparent and efficient mechanism to bring a private healthcare company to the public markets. Of the almost 60 SPACs seeking acquisition within broader healthcare industries, about half are focused specifically on biotechnology. As of October 10, 2021, almost 30 biotechnology-focused SPACs have come to market, over 15 of which are seeking acquisitions, on track to exceed the amount in 2020.

 

Despite the global pandemic, biotech companies in 2020 vigorously tapped into the public markets, topping the previous three years in numbers of IPOs and capital raised. We believe that the rising tide of overall healthcare investment, along with a steady pace of positive news, kept the IPO window wide open. The public’s newfound appreciation for the importance of rapidly developing desperately needed drugs and vaccines, we believe, added to the enthusiasm. According to a recent data from The Harris Poll, consumers’ impression of pharmaceutical companies has soared during the pandemic, with 40% now reporting they now have a more positive view of the industry than they did before the pandemic began. Previously, only 32% of Americans had a positive view of the industry pre-COVID-19, ranking it third from the bottom among 12 industry categories. The pandemic has opened the world’s eye to how vital biotech is to society. When equities started to rebound, following the March decline, the biotech sector was among the first to benefit. Through the first 2 quarters of 2021, over 55 biotech companies had completed an IPO, raising approximately $9 billion in capital.

 

An increasing number of the IPOs have been biotech companies that have yet to put a drug into the clinic. Not long ago, taking a pre-clinical company public was unusual at best. We believe that the change in sentiment for these young companies reflects the increasing confidence in the science and the ability to translate early results to the patient. With the advent of technology advancements, we believe one can make a much better prediction whether an early-stage biotech company could survive the development gauntlet. We anticipate that the investment climate will remain positive for 2021 and onward. We believe that the appeal of medical science and innovation will remain strong well into 2021 and that the pipeline of new, high-quality companies and assets will continue to grow, with concerns surrounding the dramatic changes to healthcare laws and drug prices dissipating. Overall, this is supported by data collected for the first months of 2021, in which over $3 billion of SPAC capital focused on biotechnology has come to market. By implementing development strategies hard sought by large pharmaceuticals, such as rigorous portfolio management, Phase II entry criteria, and enhanced clinical trial design, we believe that real improvements in program survival can be realized. For example, Pfizer recently reported significantly increased success in Phase II translation to human efficacy—the most challenging stage of development. Over the 5-year period from 2015 to 2020, the Pfizer success rate has moved from 15% to 52%—the industry benchmark has reached 29%. Perhaps even more impressive, end-to-end success is 21% (versus the industry end-to-end success at 8%). We believe we are well positioned to implement these same strategies through the expertise and execution of our management team.

 

Our Business Strategy

 

We intend to identify high-growth healthcare acquisition targets by leveraging the expertise of our management team, co-sponsor team and Board of Directors. Our broader team maintains robust deal sourcing channels and industry-leading relationships across the healthcare landscape.

 

Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. Our Board of Directors will make the determination as to the fair market value of our initial business combination. If our Board of Directors is not able to determine independently the fair market value of our initial business combination, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it unlikely that our Board of Directors will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of our initial business combination, it may be unable to do so if it is less familiar or experienced with the business of a particular target or if there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of a target’s assets or prospects. We have also agreed not to enter into a definitive agreement regarding an initial business combination without the prior consent of our co-sponsors. In addition, pursuant to Nasdaq rules, any initial business combination must be approved by a majority of our independent directors.

 

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We anticipate structuring our initial business combination either (i) in such a way so that the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses, or (ii) in such a way so that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or stockholders, or for other reasons. However, we will only complete an initial business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the “Investment Company Act”. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the initial business combination. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be taken into account for purposes of Nasdaq’s 80% fair market value test. If the initial business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% fair market value test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the transactions and we will treat the target businesses together as the initial business combination for purposes of a tender offer or for seeking stockholder approval, as applicable.

 

In addition to any potential business targets we may identify on our own, we anticipate that other targets will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment market participants, private equity funds and large business enterprises seeking to divest non-core assets or divisions.

 

In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass, as applicable and among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspection of facilities, and a review of financial and other information about the target and its industry.

 

We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our co-sponsors, officers or directors, nor are we prohibited from partnering, submitting joint bids, or entering into any similar transaction with our co-sponsors, or an affiliate of our co-sponsors, in the pursuit of an initial business combination. If we seek to complete an initial business combination with such a company or we partner with our co-sponsors, or any of their affiliates in our pursuit of an initial business combination, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm, and reasonably acceptable to Chardan, with respect to fair market value that the business combination is fair to our stockholders from a financial point of view.

 

As more fully discussed in “Management — Conflicts of Interest,” if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he or she has pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she may be required to present such business combination opportunity to such entity prior to presenting such business combination opportunity to us. Certain of our directors currently have relevant fiduciary duties or contractual obligations that may take priority over their duties to us. Our officers and directors are not prohibited from becoming either a director or officer of any other special purpose acquisition corporation with a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

 

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We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.

 

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.

 

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of: (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the prior fiscal year’s second fiscal quarter; and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.00 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” shall have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.

 

Acquisition Criteria

 

While we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business, industry, sector or geographical location, we intend to focus on industries that complement our management team’s background, and to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify and acquire a business, focusing on the healthcare or healthcare related industries. In particular, we anticipate targeting North American or European companies in the life sciences and medical technology sectors, with a specific focus on small and large molecule therapeutics, where our management as a whole has extensive operational and investment experience. We see a multitude of strong targets, both regionally emanating from the general Yale-New Haven ecosystem (including through clinical research and technology licensing carried out by Yale University, Yale New Haven Hospital, and other local medical centers) and nationally, that meet our acquisition criteria. Remarkably, we believe there has been tremendous growth in the biotechnology sector in the New Haven ecosystem with companies like Alexion, RallyBio, Arvinas, and Biohaven becoming a new breeding ground for biotech in the region. Our company would like to be a part of this growth. We envisions ourselves being a catalyst for growth in the New Haven area through continued acquisitions consistent with the growth experienced in Cambridge, Boston and South San Francisco. Many very attractive targets fall within the so-called “gap” between Phase I and Phase II or even further back at pre-clinical. The “gap” exists as the risk of Phase II failure is high and the funding needed for the requisite studies is increasing, further compounding the risk equation. The opportunity is to identify these targets and assess the likelihood of success through the “gap,” a job that has been made more accessible by advancements in science and technology. We believe many technically sound programs are failing because of lack of funding and administrative reasons that would otherwise spawn marketed drugs in high, unmet need areas.

 

We believe our management team is well positioned to identify unique opportunities in our target sectors; to recognize requirements for clinical success; and to operate efficiently, in view of the fact that our management team that worked together for nearly a decade. Our selection process will leverage our relationships with leading researchers in their field and our own due diligence and risk management model. Given our profile and dedicated management team and advisors, we believe that a strong connection can be made with our target companies facilitating the acquisition process. We also believe that Chardan’s reputation, experience and track record of making investments in the healthcare space will make us a preferred partner for our potential targets.

 

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Consistent with our strategy, we have identified the following criteria to evaluate prospective target businesses. We intend to seek to acquire companies that we believe:

 

· Have a scientific or other competitive advantage and are differentiated in the markets in which they operate;

 

· Have the potential to be best in class and potentially but not necessarily first in class;

 

· Possess a platform technology with a growing pipeline of candidates;

 

· Possess multiple assets with the ability create value, diversify risk, and are looking for multiple shots on goal;

 

· Are technologically applicable to multiple indications within the therapeutic area;

 

· Are Phase II ready with an approved clinical protocol close to major value inflection;

 

· Are in an area of high, unmet medical need;

 

· Are innovative rather than a follow-on;

 

· Are not restricted to new molecular entity type and can be biologic (includes siRNA, RNA, peptide) or small molecule;

 

· Are ready to be public, with strong management, corporate governance and reporting policies in place;

 

· Will likely be well received by public investors and are expected to have good access to the public capital markets;

 

· Have significant embedded and/or under-exploited growth opportunities;

 

· Exhibit unrecognized value or other characteristics that we believe have been misevaluated by the market based on our rigorous analysis and scientific and business due diligence review; and

 

· Will offer attractive risk-adjusted equity returns for our shareholders.

 

We intend for our acquisition and diligence process to include:

 

· Scientific and clinical analysis, with assessment of clinical and regulatory success factors;

 

· Assessment of individual asset quality based on manufacturing, pharmacology, biomarker strategy, pharmacokinetics, and safety against industry standards;

 

· Review of market factors such as size, growth opportunity, competition, and development trends;

 

· Reimbursement review;


· Full review of proprietary technology content and intellectual property;


· Interviews with key opinion leaders, customers, competitors, and industry experts;


· Full financial evaluation, including analysis of historical results and modeling of various scenarios including product launch forecasting;


· Review and evaluation of operations, including R&D, manufacturing, sales, and distribution;


· Identification of key milestones that will drive liquidity and assessment of the likelihood of various paths to liquidity;


· Preparation of a detailed financial forecast and potential cash-on-cash returns analysis using several scenarios of financial performance, structure, and exit timing;


· Comparison of a company’s progress against tracked prior meetings and its competition; and


· Analysis of relevant and available data using advanced data science techniques (for example, claims analysis to identify potential patient population).

 

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We intend to focus our efforts on identifying a high-growth healthcare business that has the potential to be a $1 billion or more market capitalization company. The broad vision and on-the-ground expertise of our management team, we believe, should allow us to see opportunities and synergies even before the target company’s management or board may.

 

These criteria and guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target business does not meet the above criteria in our shareholder communications related to our initial business combination, which, as discussed in this prospectus, would be in the form of proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents that we would file with the SEC.

 

Effecting a Business Combination

 

General

 

We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations for an indefinite period of time following this offering. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement of the private warrants, our shares, new debt, or a combination of these, as the consideration to be paid in our initial business combination. We may seek to consummate our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth (such as a company that has begun operations but is not yet at the stage of commercial manufacturing and sales), which would subject us to the numerous risks inherent in such companies and businesses, although we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations.

 

If our initial business combination is paid for using shares or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the purchase price in connection with our business combination or used for redemptions of purchases of our common stock, we may apply the cash released to us from the trust account that is not applied to the purchase price for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of acquired businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in consummating our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.

 

We have not identified any acquisition targets. From the period prior to our formation through the date of this prospectus, there have been no communications, evaluations or discussions between any of our officers, directors or our co-sponsors and any of their contacts or relationships regarding a potential initial business combination. Additionally, we have not engaged or retained any agent or other representative to identify or locate any suitable acquisition candidate. Subject to the requirement that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses or assets having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding any taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination, we have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses. Accordingly, there is no current basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the target business with which we may ultimately complete our initial business combination. Although our management will assess the risks inherent in a particular target business with which we may combine, this assessment may not result in our identifying all risks that a target business may encounter. Furthermore, some of those risks may be outside of our control, meaning that we can do nothing to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business.

 

We may seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, and we may effectuate our initial business combination using the proceeds of such offering rather than using the amounts held in the trust account. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would consummate such financing only simultaneously with the consummation of our business combination. In the case of an initial business combination funded with assets other than the trust account assets, our tender offer documents or proxy materials disclosing the business combination would disclose the terms of the financing and, only if required by law or Nasdaq, we would seek stockholder approval of such financing. There are no prohibitions on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans in connection with our initial business combination. At this time, we are not a party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising any additional funds through the sale of securities or otherwise.

 

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Sources of Target Businesses

 

We anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers, venture capital funds, private equity groups, leveraged buyout funds, management buyout funds and other members of the financial community. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls or mailings. These sources also may introduce us to target businesses in which they think we may be interested on an unsolicited basis, since many of these sources will have read this prospectus and know what types of businesses we are targeting. Our officers and directors, as well as their affiliates, also may bring to our attention target business candidates that they become aware of through their business contacts as a result of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending trade shows or conventions. In addition, we expect to receive a number of proprietary deal flow opportunities that would not otherwise necessarily be available to us as a result of the business relationships of our officers and directors. While we do not presently anticipate engaging the services of professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions on any formal basis, we may engage these firms or other individuals in the future, in which event we may pay a finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction. We will engage a finder only to the extent our management determines that the use of a finder may bring opportunities to us that may not otherwise be available to us or if finders approach us on an unsolicited basis with a potential transaction that our management determines is in our best interest to pursue. Payment of finder’s fees is customarily tied to completion of a transaction, in which case any such fee may be paid out of the funds held in the trust account. Although some of our officers and directors may enter into employment or consulting agreements with the acquired business following our initial business combination, the presence or absence of any such arrangements will not be used as a criterion in our selection process of an acquisition candidate.

 

We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our co-sponsors, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with such a company, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we seek to acquire that such an initial business combination is fair to our public stockholders from a financial point of view.

 

Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of a Business Combination

 

Subject to the requirement that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses or assets having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding any taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses. In any case, we will only consummate an initial business combination in which we become the majority shareholder of the target (or control the target through contractual arrangements in limited circumstances for regulatory compliance purposes as discussed below) or are otherwise not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, or to the extent permitted by law we may acquire interests in a variable interest entity, in which we may have less than a majority of the voting rights in such entity, but in which we are the primary beneficiary. There is no basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any target business with which we may ultimately complete our initial business combination. To the extent we effect our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth (such as a company that has begun operations but is not yet at the stage of commercial manufacturing and sales), we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.

 

In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct a thorough due diligence review that will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspection of facilities, as well as a review of financial and other information made available to us.

 

The time required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination, and the costs associated with this process, are not currently ascertainable with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which a business combination is not ultimately completed will result in our incurring losses and will reduce the funds we can use to complete another business combination. We will not pay any finders or consulting fees to members of our management team, or any of their respective affiliates, for services rendered to or in connection with our initial business combination.

 

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Fair Market Value of Target Business or Businesses

 

The target business or businesses or assets with which we effect our initial business combination must have a collective fair market value equal to at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding any taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination. If we acquire less than 100% of one or more target businesses in our initial business combination, the aggregate fair market value of the portion or portions we acquire must equal at least 80% of the value of the trust account at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination. However, we will always acquire at least a controlling interest in a target business. The fair market value of a portion of a target business or assets will likely be calculated by multiplying the fair market value of the entire business by the percentage of the target we acquire. We may seek to consummate our initial business combination with an initial target business or businesses with a collective fair market value in excess of the balance in the trust account. In order to consummate such an initial business combination, we may issue a significant amount of debt, equity or other securities to the sellers of such business and/or seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt, equity or other securities. If we issue securities in order to consummate such an initial business combination, our stockholders could end up owning a minority of the combined company’s voting securities as there is no requirement that our stockholders own a certain percentage of our company (or, depending on the structure of the initial business combination, an ultimate parent company that may be formed) after our business combination. Because we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not entered into any such arrangement to issue our debt or equity securities and have no current intention of doing so.

 

The fair market value of a target business or businesses or assets will be determined by our Board of Directors based upon standards generally accepted by the financial community, such as actual and potential gross margins, the values of comparable businesses, earnings and cash flow, book value, enterprise value and, where appropriate, upon the advice of appraisers or other professional consultants. Investors will be relying on the business judgment of our Board of Directors, which will have significant discretion in choosing the standard used to establish the fair market value of a particular target business. If our Board of Directors is not able to independently determine that the target business or assets has a sufficient fair market value to meet the threshold criterion, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we seek to acquire with respect to the satisfaction of such criterion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless we consummate a business combination with an affiliated entity, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we seek to acquire, that the price we are paying is fair to our public stockholders.

 

Lack of Business Diversification

 

For an indefinite period of time after consummation of our initial business combination, the prospects for our success may depend entirely on the future performance of a single business. Unlike other entities that have the resources to complete business combinations with multiple entities in one or several industries, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations and mitigate the risks of being in a single line of business. By consummating our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:

 

•        subject us to negative economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact on the particular industry in which we operate after our initial business combination, and

 

•        cause us to depend on the marketing and sale of a single product or limited number of products or services.

 

Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target’s Management Team

 

Although we intend to closely scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with that business, our assessment of the target business’ management may not prove to be correct. The future role of members of our management team, if any, in the target business cannot presently be stated with any certainty. Consequently, members of our management team may not become a part of the target’s management team, and the future management may not have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Further, it is also not certain whether one or more of our directors will remain associated in some capacity with us following our initial business combination. Moreover, members of our management team may not have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business. Our key personnel may not remain in senior management or advisory positions with the combined company. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination.

 

Following our initial business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We may not have the ability to recruit additional managers, or to ascertain that additional managers will have the requisite skills, knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.

 

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Stockholders May Not Have the Ability to Approve an Initial Business Combination

 

In connection with any proposed business combination, we will either (1) seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which public stockholders may seek to convert their public shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable) or (2) provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to sell their public shares to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a stockholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case subject to the limitations described herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our initial stockholders have agreed, pursuant to written letter agreements with us, not to convert any public shares held by them into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account. If we determine to engage in a tender offer, such tender offer will be structured so that each stockholder may tender any or all of his, her or its public shares rather than some pro rata portion of his, her or its shares. The decision as to whether we will seek stockholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow stockholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek stockholder approval. If we so choose and are legally permitted to do so, we have the flexibility to avoid a stockholder vote and allow our stockholders to sell their shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act which regulate issuer tender offers. In that case, we will file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation and, solely if we seek stockholder approval, a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination.

 

We chose our net tangible asset threshold of $5,000,001 to ensure that we are not subject to Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. However, if we seek to consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital closing condition or requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the trust account upon consummation of such initial business combination, our net tangible asset threshold may limit our ability to consummate such initial business combination (as we may be required to have a lesser number of shares converted or sold to us), and may force us to seek third party financing which may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. Public stockholders may therefore have to wait 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering in order to be able to receive a pro rata share of the trust account.

 

Our initial stockholders and our officers and directors have agreed (1) to vote any shares of common stock owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination, (2) not to convert any shares of common stock in connection with a stockholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination and (3) not sell any shares of common stock in any tender in connection with a proposed initial business combination. As a result, if we sought stockholder approval of a proposed transaction, we would need only (i) 2,812,501 of our public shares (or approximately 37.5% of our public shares) to be voted in favor of the transaction in order to have such transaction approved (assuming all issued and outstanding shares are voted, the over-allotment option is not exercised and the initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering or units or shares in the after-market); or (ii) 468,752 of our public shares (or approximately 6.3% of our public shares) to be voted in favor of the transaction in order to have such transaction approved (assuming only the minimum number of shares representing a quorum are voted, the over-allotment option is not exercised and the initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering or units or shares in the after-market).

 

None of our officers, directors, initial stockholders or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase units or shares of common stock in this offering or from persons in the open market or in private transactions. However, if we hold a meeting to approve a proposed business combination and a significant number of stockholders vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against such proposed business combination, our officers, directors, initial stockholders or their affiliates could make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions in order to influence the vote. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers, directors, initial stockholders and their affiliates will not make purchases of common stock if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act, which are rules designed to stop potential manipulation of a company’s stock.

 

Conversion/Tender Rights

 

In connection with any meeting called to approve an initial business combination, public stockholders may seek to convert their public shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid. A public stockholder may be required to vote for or against a proposed business combination in order to have his, her or its shares of common stock redeemed for cash. If required to do so, and the stockholder fails to vote for or against a proposed business combination, that stockholder would not be able to have his, her or its shares of common stock redeemed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our initial stockholders have agreed, pursuant to written letter agreements with us, not to convert any public shares held by them into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account. If we hold a meeting to approve an initial business combination, a holder will always have the ability to vote against a proposed business combination and not seek conversion of his, her or its shares.

 

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Alternatively, if we engage in a tender offer, each public stockholder will be provided the opportunity to sell its public shares to us in such tender offer. The tender offer rules require us to hold the tender offer open for at least 20 business days. Accordingly, this is the minimum amount of time we would need to provide holders to determine whether they want to sell their public shares to us in the tender offer or remain an investor in our company.

 

Our initial stockholders, officers and directors will not have conversion rights with respect to any shares of common stock owned by them, directly or indirectly, whether acquired prior to this offering or purchased by them in this offering or in the aftermarket.

 

We may also require public stockholders, whether they are a record holder or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates (if any) to our transfer agent or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, at any time at or prior to the vote on the business combination. The proxy solicitation materials that we will furnish to stockholders in connection with the vote for any proposed business combination will indicate whether we are requiring stockholders to satisfy such delivery requirements. Accordingly, a stockholder would have from the time our proxy statement is mailed through the vote on the business combination to deliver his, her or its shares if the holder wishes to seek to exercise his conversion rights. Under Delaware law, we are required to provide at least 10 days’ advance notice of any stockholder meeting, which would be the minimum amount of time a stockholder would have to determine whether to exercise conversion rights. As a result, if we require public stockholders who wish to convert their shares of common stock into the right to receive a pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account to comply with the foregoing delivery requirements, holders may not have sufficient time to receive the notice and deliver their shares for conversion. Accordingly, investors may not be able to exercise their conversion rights and may be forced to retain our securities when they otherwise would not want to. The conversion rights will include the requirement that a beneficial holder must identify itself in order to validly redeem its shares.

 

There is a nominal cost associated with this tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $45, and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the converting holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise conversion rights. The need to deliver shares is a requirement of exercising conversion rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated. However, in the event we require stockholders seeking to exercise conversion rights to deliver their shares prior to the consummation of the proposed business combination and the proposed business combination is not consummated, this may result in an increased cost to stockholders.

 

Any request to convert or tender such shares, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the vote on the proposed business combination or expiration of the tender offer. Furthermore, if a holder of a public share delivered its certificate in connection with an election of their conversion or tender and subsequently decides prior to the vote on the business combination or the expiration of the tender offer not to elect to exercise such rights, it may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically).

 

If the initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public stockholders who elected to exercise their conversion or tender rights would not be entitled to convert their shares for the applicable pro rata share of the trust account. In such case, we will promptly return any shares delivered by public holders.

 

Liquidation of Trust Account if No Business Combination

 

If we do not complete a business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our Board of Directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject (in the case of (ii) and (iii) above) to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.

 

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Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. The pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of 100% of our outstanding public shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period may be considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware law. If the corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the Delaware General Corporation Law intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any redemptions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a redemption is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution.

 

Furthermore, if the pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of 100% of our public shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period is not considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful, then pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years, as in the case of a liquidation distribution. It is our intention to redeem our public shares as soon as reasonably possible following the 12th month (or 15th or 18th month, as applicable) from the closing of this offering and, therefore, we do not intend to comply with the above procedures. As such, our stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our stockholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of such date.

 

Because we will not be complying with Section 280 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, Section 281(b) of the Delaware General Corporation Law requires us to adopt a plan, based on facts known to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against us within the subsequent 10 years. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and our operations will be limited to seeking to complete an initial business combination, the only likely claims to arise would be from our vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses.

 

We will seek to have all third parties (including any vendors or other entities we engage after this offering) and any prospective target businesses enter into valid and enforceable agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account. The underwriters in this offering will execute such a waiver agreement. As a result, the claims that could be made against us will be limited, thereby lessening the likelihood that any claim would result in any liability extending to the trust. We therefore believe that any necessary provision for creditors will be reduced and should not have a significant impact on our ability to distribute the funds in the trust account to our public stockholders. Nevertheless, there is no guarantee that vendors, service providers and prospective target businesses will execute such agreements. In the event that a potential contracted party refuses to execute such a waiver, we will execute an agreement with that entity only if our management first determines that we would be unable to obtain, on a reasonable basis, substantially similar services or opportunities from another entity willing to execute such a waiver. Examples of instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver would be the engagement of a third party consultant who cannot sign such an agreement due to regulatory restrictions, such as our auditors who are unable to sign due to independence requirements, or whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver, or a situation in which management does not believe it would be able to find a provider of required services willing to provide the waiver. There is also no guarantee that, even if third parties execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the trust account. Gardiner Healthcare has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the trust account to below $10.00 per public share, except as to any claims by a third party who executed a valid and enforceable agreement with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, we have not asked Gardiner Healthcare to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether Gardiner Healthcare has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and we believe that Gardiner Healthcare’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we cannot assure you that Gardiner Healthcare would be able to satisfy those obligations. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties, including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses. As a result, if we liquidate, the per-share distribution from the trust account could be less than the estimated $10.00 due to claims or potential claims of creditors. We will distribute to all of our public stockholders, in proportion to their respective equity interests, an aggregate sum equal to the amount then held in the trust account, inclusive of any interest not previously released to us, subject to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors.

 

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If we are unable to consummate an initial business combination and are forced to redeem 100% of our outstanding public shares for a portion of the funds held in the trust account, we anticipate notifying the trustee of the trust account to begin liquidating such assets promptly after such date, and anticipate it will take no more than 10 business days to effectuate the redemption of our public shares. Our insiders have waived their rights to participate in any redemption with respect to their insider shares. We will pay the costs of any subsequent liquidation from our remaining assets outside of the trust account. If such funds are insufficient, our insiders have agreed to pay the funds necessary to complete such liquidation (currently anticipated to be no more than approximately $100,000), and have agreed not to seek repayment of such expenses. Each holder of public shares will receive a pro rata portion of the amount then in the trust account, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us or necessary to pay our taxes. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to claims of our creditors that are in preference to the claims of public stockholders.

 

Our public stockholders shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in the event of our failure to complete our initial business combination in the required time period or if the stockholders seek to have us convert their respective shares of common stock upon a business combination which is actually completed by us. In no other circumstances shall a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.

 

If we are forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us which is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, the per share redemption or conversion amount received by public stockholders may be less than $10.00.

 

If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover all amounts received by our stockholders. In addition, our Board of Directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or having acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and us to claims of punitive damages, by paying public stockholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. Claims may be brought against us for these reasons.

 

Certificate of Incorporation

 

Our certificate of incorporation contains certain requirements and restrictions relating to this offering that will apply to us until the consummation of our initial business combination. If we hold a stockholder vote to amend any provisions of our certificate of incorporation relating to stockholder’s rights or pre-business combination activity (including the substance or timing within which we have to complete a business combination), we will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of common stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, in connection with any such vote. Our insiders have agreed to waive any conversion rights with respect to any insider shares and any public shares they may hold in connection with any vote to amend our certificate of incorporation. Specifically, our certificate of incorporation provides, among other things, that:

 

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•        prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, we shall either (1) seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which public stockholders may seek to convert their shares of common stock, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination, into a portion of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, or (2) provide our stockholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a stockholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, in each case subject to the limitations described herein;

 

•        we will consummate our initial business combination only if public stockholders do not exercise conversion rights in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 and a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination;

 

•        if our initial business combination is not consummated within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) of the closing of this offering, then our existence will terminate and we will distribute all amounts in the trust account to all of our public holders of shares of common stock;

 

•        upon the consummation of this offering, $75,000,000, or $86,250,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, shall be placed into the trust account;

 

•        we may not consummate any other business combination, merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar transaction prior to our initial business combination; and

 

•        prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares of capital stock that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote on any initial business combination.

 

Potential Revisions to Agreements with Insiders

 

Each of our insiders has entered into a letter agreement with us pursuant to which each of them has agreed to do certain things relating to us and our activities prior to a business combination. We could seek to amend these letter agreements without the approval of stockholders, although we have no intention to do so. In particular:

 

•        Restrictions relating to liquidating the trust account if we failed to consummate a business combination in the time-frames specified above could be amended, but only if we allowed all stockholders to redeem their shares in connection with such amendment;

 

•        Restrictions relating to our insiders being required to vote in favor of a business combination or against any amendments to our organizational documents could be amended to allow our insiders to vote on a transaction as they wished;

 

•        The requirement of members of the management team to remain our officer or director until the closing of a business combination could be amended to allow persons to resign from their positions with us if, for example, the current management team was having difficulty locating a target business and another management team had a potential target business;

 

•        The restrictions on transfer of our securities could be amended to allow transfer to third parties who were not members of our original management team;

 

•        The obligation of our management team to not propose amendments to our organizational documents could be amended to allow them to propose such changes to our stockholders;

 

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•        The obligation of insiders to not receive any compensation in connection with a business combination could be modified in order to allow them to receive such compensation; and

 

•        The requirement to obtain a valuation for any target business affiliated with our insiders, in the event it was too expensive to do so.

 

Except as specified above, stockholders would not be required to be given the opportunity to redeem their shares in connection with such changes. Such changes could result in:

 

•        Our having an extended period of time to consummate a business combination (although with less in trust as a certain number of our stockholders would certainly redeem their shares in connection with any such extension);

 

•        Our insiders being able to vote against a business combination or in favor of changes to our organizational documents;

 

•        Our operations being controlled by a new management team that our stockholders did not elect to invest with;

 

•        Our insiders receiving compensation in connection with a business combination; and

 

•        Our insiders closing a transaction with one of their affiliates without receiving an independent valuation of such business.

 

We will not agree to any such changes unless we believed that such changes were in the best interests of our stockholders (for example, if we believed such a modification were necessary to complete a business combination). Each of our officers and directors have fiduciary obligations to us requiring that they act in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders.

 

Competition

 

In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for our initial business combination, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including other blank check companies, private equity groups and leveraged buyout funds, and operating businesses seeking strategic acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have significant experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Moreover, many of these competitors possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources than us. Our ability to acquire larger target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of a target business. Furthermore, the requirement that we acquire a target business or businesses having a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding any taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the business combination, our obligation to pay cash in connection with our public stockholders who exercise their redemption rights and the number of our outstanding warrants and the future dilution they potentially represent may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Any of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating our initial business combination.

 

Facilities

 

We will pay to Gardiner Healthcare a fee of $10,000 per month for use of office space and certain office and secretarial services. The office space will be located at 3107 Warrington Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44120.

 

Employees

 

We currently have four executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the stage of the business combination process we are in. We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of our initial business combination.

 

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Periodic Reporting and Audited Financial Statements

 

We have registered our units, shares of common stock and warrants under the Exchange Act and have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, our annual report will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.

 

We will provide stockholders with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of any proxy solicitation sent to stockholders to assist them in assessing the target business. In all likelihood, the financial information included in the proxy solicitation materials will need to be prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP or IFRS, depending on the circumstances, and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. The financial statements may also be required to be prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for the Form 8-K announcing the closing of an initial business combination, which would need to be filed within four business days thereafter. We cannot assure you that any particular target business identified by us as a potential acquisition candidate will have the necessary financial information. To the extent that this requirement cannot be met, we may not be able to acquire the proposed target business.

 

We will be required to comply with the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act beginning for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. A target company may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of their internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.

 

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.

 

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.

 

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” shall have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.

 

Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter, or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter.

 

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Legal Proceedings

 

There is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding currently pending against us or any of our officers or directors in their capacity as such, and we and our officers and directors have not been subject to any such proceeding in the 12 months preceding the date of this prospectus.

 

Comparison to Offerings of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419

 

The following table compares and contrasts the terms of our offering and the terms of an offering of blank check companies under Rule 419 promulgated by the SEC assuming that the gross proceeds, underwriting discounts and underwriting expenses for the Rule 419 offering are the same as this offering and that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. None of the terms of a Rule 419 offering will apply to this offering because we will be listed on a national securities exchange, we will have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,001 upon the consummation of this offering, and we will file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including an audited balance sheet demonstrating this fact.

 

    Terms of the Offering   Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
Escrow of offering proceeds   $75,000,000 of the net offering proceeds and proceeds from the sale of the private warrants will be deposited into a trust account in the United States, maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee.   $65,812,500 of the offering proceeds would be required to be deposited into either an escrow account with an insured depositary institution or in a separate bank account established by a broker-dealer in which the broker-dealer acts as trustee for persons having the beneficial interests in the account.
Investment of net proceeds   The $75,000,000 of the net offering proceeds and proceeds from the sale of the private warrants held in trust will only be invested in United States government treasury bills, bonds or notes with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting the applicable conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act and that invest solely in United States government treasuries.   Proceeds could be invested only in specified securities such as a money market fund meeting conditions of the Investment Company Act or in securities that are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal or interest by, the United States.
Limitation on fair value or net assets of target business   The initial target business that we acquire must have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in our trust account net of taxes payable at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination.   We would be restricted from acquiring a target business unless the fair value of such business or net assets to be acquired represent at least 80% of the maximum offering proceeds.

 

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    Terms of the Offering   Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
Trading of securities issued   The units may commence trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The shares of common stock and warrants comprising the units will begin to trade separately on the 90th day after the date of this prospectus unless Chardan informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading (based upon its assessment of the relative strengths of the securities markets and small capitalization and blank check companies in general, and the trading pattern of, and demand for, our securities in particular), provided we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K, which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the proceeds of this offering.   No trading of the units or the underlying securities would be permitted until the completion of a business combination. During this period, the securities would be held in the escrow or trust account.

 

Exercise of the warrants   The warrants cannot be exercised until the completion of a business combination and, accordingly, will be exercised only after the trust account has been terminated and distributed.   The warrants could be exercised prior to the completion of a business combination, but securities received and cash paid in connection with the exercise would be deposited in the escrow or trust account.
Election to remain an investor   We will either (1) give our stockholders the opportunity to vote on the business combination or (2) provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to sell their public shares to us in a tender offer for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, less taxes. If we hold a meeting to approve a proposed business combination, we will send each stockholder a proxy statement containing information required by the SEC. Under Delaware law, we must provide at least 10 days’ advance notice of any meeting of stockholders. Accordingly, this is the minimum amount of time we would need to provide holders to determine whether to exercise their rights to convert their shares into cash at such a meeting or to remain an investor in our company. Alternatively, if we do not hold a meeting and instead conduct a tender offer, we will conduct such tender offer in accordance with the tender offer rules of the SEC and file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination as we would have included in a proxy statement.   A prospectus containing information required by the SEC would be sent to each investor. Each investor would be given the opportunity to notify the company, in writing, within a period of no less than 20 business days and no more than 45 business days from the effective date of the post-effective amendment, to decide whether he, she or it elects to remain a stockholder of the company or require the return of his or her investment. If the company has not received the notification by the end of the 45th business day, funds and interest or dividends, if any, held in the trust or escrow account would automatically be returned to the stockholder. Unless a sufficient number of investors elect to remain investors, all of the deposited funds in the escrow account must be returned to all investors and none of the securities will be issued.

 

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    Terms of the Offering   Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
    The tender offer rules require us to hold the tender offer open for at least 20 business days. Accordingly, this is the minimum amount of time we would need to provide holders to determine whether they want to sell their shares to us in the tender offer or remain an investor in our company.    
Business combination deadline   If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within 12 months, which is extendable at our co-sponsors’ option to up to 18 months, as described herein, from the closing of this offering, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our Board of Directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.   If an acquisition has not been consummated within 18 months after the effective date of the initial registration statement, funds held in the trust or escrow account would be returned to investors.

 

Interest earned on the funds in the trust account   There can be released to us, from time to time, any interest earned on the funds in the trust account that we may need to pay our tax obligations. The remaining interest earned on the funds in the trust account will not be released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination and our entry into liquidation upon failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time.   All interest earned on the funds in the trust account will be held in trust for the benefit of public stockholders until the earlier of the completion of a business combination and our liquidation upon failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time.
Release of funds   Except for interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to us to pay our tax obligations, the proceeds held in the trust account will not be released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination (in which case, the proceeds released to us will be net of the funds used to pay converting or tendering stockholders, as the trustee will directly send the appropriate portion of the amount held in trust to the converting or tendering stockholders at the time of the business combination) and the liquidation of our trust account upon failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time.   The proceeds held in the escrow account would not be released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination or the failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time.

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers

 

Our current directors, director nominees and executive officers are as follows:

 

Name   Age   Position
Marc F. Pelletier   50   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
David P. Jenkins   60   Chief Financial Officer
Paul R. McGuirk   69  

Executive Vice President,

Chief Development Officer and Director
Janelle R. Anderson   48   Chief Business Officer and Director

 

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Frank C. Sciavolino   80   Director
James P. Linton   58   Director
Thomas F. Ryan, Jr.   43   Director
Matthew Rossen   44   Director

  

Marc F. Pelletier, PhD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is a scientist-entrepreneur with over thirty years of research and operational experience in the life sciences industry. Dr. Pelletier is a co-founder of Gardiner Founder, LLC and has been serving as its Managing Member since October 2020. Dr. Pelletier founded his first company, Aeromics, as a James Hudson Brown-Alexander B. Coxe Fellow at Yale School of Medicine. He led Aeromics’ drug discovery and development program from bench to clinic, developing a clinical-stage Aquaporin inhibitor to treat diseases of water imbalance, starting with brain swelling or cerebral edema. At Aeromics, Dr. Pelletier served as Chief Executive Officer from 2008-2019, Chief Financial Officer from 2008-2016 and as a Director from 2013-2019, overseeing strategic business and scientific operations. Dr. Pelletier also held the position of Chief Science Officer at Aeromics from 2008 through September 2020, when he launched Gardiner Founder, LLC. In 2015, he co-founded Iridia, Inc., a company developing DNA-based computer hard drive or molecular information storage technology. Dr. Pelletier served as a Director of Iridia from 2016-2019, and as secretary of Iridia from 2017-2019. Dr. Pelletier has extensive training in the life sciences sector, having completed three Post-Doctoral Fellowships at Yale University: one in the Department of Genetics, another in the Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry and a third in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology. He received his Ph.D. in Genetics and Cell Biology from McGill University and both a M.Sc. in Genetics and B.Sc. in Biology and Economics from Concordia University in Montreal. We believe Dr. Pelletier is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive scientific, strategic and operational experience.

 

David P. Jenkins, Chief Financial Officer, is a finance and business executive with over thirty-five years of experience in the technology, health and higher education sectors, and is currently serving as Chief Financial Officer of Gardiner Founder, LLC. Mr. Jenkins was an Audit Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) with over thirty-one years of experience (1983 to 1994, and 1997 to to 2017) serving in the firm’s audit practice. Many of his audit clients were publicly traded technology and/or bioscience companies. Early in his career, he also served as controller to a small, advanced materials business. Since retiring from PwC, Mr. Jenkins has provided financial consulting to several different venture-backed health software or bioscience companies, assisting with business planning, capital raising and financial analysis. In his capacity as an independent financial consultant, Mr. Jenkins’ work includes serving as the Chief Financial Officer of PatientWisdom, Inc. from June 2018 until its sale to NRC Health in January 2021, the Vice President of Finance at Aeromics, Inc. from March 2019 to the present, and the Chief Financial Officer of Bioasis Technologies Inc. from May 2021 to the present. He received his B.A. in Accounting and Business Administration from Muhlenberg College. Mr. Jenkins was also a Certified Public Accountant for many years, but no longer maintains an active license.

 

Paul R. McGuirk, PhD, Executive Vice President, Director and Chief Development Officer, brings nearly 40 years of pharmaceutical industry leadership experience to our company. Prior to joining Gardiner, from March 2009 to November 2020, Dr. McGuirk served in numerous capacities at Aeromics Inc., including as Chief Technology Officer, Executive Vice President and Head of Medicinal Chemistry, Process Chemistry, and Clinical Development, and as a member of the Board of Directors. Dr. McGuirk was responsible for the discovery and development of the only documented clinical stage aquaporin-4 inhibitor for the treatment of brain edema, which is preparing for Phase II clinical trials in China. Prior to Aeromics, Dr. McGuirk was at Pfizer from 1982 to 2009. As a Medicinal Chemist and Manager of Infectious Diseases Medicinal Chemistry at Pfizer Global Research and Development in Groton, CT, Dr. McGuirk was responsible for leading the discovery and development of the marketed drug danofloxacin/Advocin®, which is approved for treatment of bovine respiratory disease. Dr. McGuirk chaired the Allergy and Respiratory Early Clinical Management Team, addressing numerous development challenges while progressing the inhaled PDEIV inhibitor tofimilast into Phase 2 studies. As a Director, Dr. McGuirk led the nearly 100-person interdisciplinary team that pioneered Pfizer’s Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion (ADME) & Toxicology program. As Group Director and Executive Director of Chemical Technologies, Dr. McGuirk co-led the large matrix multi-company team that helped build a successful three million compound HTS library. As Executive Director, Dr. McGuirk led the global review and evaluation of 310 clinical candidates, over a ten-year period, as a prerequisite to their entry into formal development. The candidate reviews spanned ten therapeutic areas and included several successful drugs such as Maraviroc®, Chantix®, and Zeljanz®. Dr. McGuirk is an expert on new molecular entity (“NME”) attributes needed for success in drug development. We believe Dr. McGuirk is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive strategic and operational experience.

 

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Janelle R. Anderson, PhD, Director and Chief Business Officer, was most recently the Chief Strategy Officer at Century Therapeutics (2019-2021), where she drove the execution of deals and external partnerships that enabled Century’s scientific objectives and furthered its strategic goals. Prior to Century Therapeutics, Dr. Anderson was an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Versant Ventures (2017-2019), where she was instrumental in establishing Century Therapeutics’s funding and core technology. Prior to Versant Ventures, Dr. Anderson was Managing Partner at CTI Life Sciences Fund (2014-2017), where she led U.S. biotech transactions. Prior to CTI Life Science Fund, Dr. Anderson worked at Merck (2008-2014), as a Finance Director and later as Managing Director of the MRL Ventures Fund, Merck’s therapeutic-focused venture group. Prior to Merck, Dr. Anderson held roles at Boston Consulting Group (2002-2004) before taking on various operational and deal-making positions in medical venture capital, including serving as interim Chief Executive Officer of Access Scientific while at Carrot Capital (2005-2007) (now known as Embark Healthcare). Dr. Anderson earned her B.Sc. in Chemistry (Honors) from McGill University, and A.M. and Ph.D. from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University. We believe Dr. Anderson is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to her extensive strategic and operational experience.

 

Frank C. Sciavolino, PhD, Director, has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including a distinguished thirty-five year career at Pfizer Global Research & Development from 1968 to 2003. At Pfizer, Dr. Sciavolino held various management roles and responsibilities in drug discovery, development, registration and licensing, culminating in his role as Vice President of Research &Development Operations, in which he oversaw a team of more than one thousand scientists in the United States, Europe and Asia. He was responsible for two of Pfizer’s leading franchises, Zithromax and Celebrex. After leading the discovery chemistry team responsible for the initial macrolide antibiotic research, he served as principal investigator for the Phase I evaluation of eleven compounds in first-in-human (FIH) studies. This led to the identification and development of Zithromax, an antibiotic widely considered as one of the most important new drugs of the twentieth century, and one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. He also played a major role in the licensing of Celebrex, a COX-2 inhibitor that reached several billion in peak annual sales globally. From 2003 until 2007, Dr. Sciavolino was Vice President of Product Development and Regulatory Affairs at Indigene Pharmaceuticals, at which he later served as Executive Vice President of Global Design and Development from 2007-2010. Between 2010 and 2013, Dr. Sciavolino served as a Senior Management and Board Advisor at Max Zeller Söhne AG. In 2012, along with Drs. Gregory Gardiner, B. L. Mylari and Mr. Gary Mathias, Dr. Sciavolino co-founded Thetis Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company developing drugs for multiple diseases rooted in immune system deficits like cancers, respiratory conditions and gastro-intestinal disorders. As President and Chief Scientific Officer of Thetis, positions he has held since the founding of Thetis in 2012 to present, Dr. Sciavolino has pioneered the discovery and development of the HEALER platform, a technology that is enabling clinical evaluation of the extraordinarily potent Resolvins, an endogenous class of mediators that regulate both the innate and adaptive components of the immune system. Dr. Sciavolino has served on numerous editorial boards, including Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy and the Journal of Antibiotics. Dr. Sciavolino has more than forty-eight issued patents and has a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Michigan and B.S. in Pharmacy from St. John’s University. We believe Dr. Sciavolino is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive strategic and operational experience.

 

James P. Linton, PhD, MBA, Director, has over thirty years of entrepreneur and executive experience in the biotechnology space, co-founding or serving as a cofounding management member of six companies and leading the operations, fund raising and business development efforts for several of these companies.  Since September 2021, Dr. Linton has served as interim Chief Executive Officer of Resolute Bio, Inc., which focuses on developing novel human drug delivery and immunotolerance technology by coupling therapeutic peptides and proteins to circulating red blood cells. Among his previous start-ups, Dr. Linton co-founded (with Dr. Pelletier) Iridia Inc., a company developing DNA-based microchip data storage, where he served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman (2016-2017), and President and Director (March 2016 through November 2019). During his tenure as Iridia’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Linton was responsible for raising more than $26 million, including investment capital from Western Digital Corporation. Also, in this role he oversaw all operations, financing efforts, financial management, intellectual property, human resources and investor relations. Currently, he serves as a Director and Chief Executive Officer emeritus, collaborating with the Chief Executive Officer in fundraising, strategic planning and investor relations. In late 2020, Dr. Linton also co-founded New Frontier Bio, a biotechnology-driven health and wellness company, where he is a Director and serves as an Executive Consultant, supporting strategic planning and fundraising. Dr. Linton has successfully raised over $129 million in capital, negotiated over $298 million in deals, and has participated in a number of exits, including Protometrix Inc, Genicon Sciences, Axiom Biotechnologies and Owl Biomedical, Inc. Early in his career, Dr. Linton was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Merck Research Laboratories working on molecular cloning of genes responsible for FK-506-induced immunosuppression. He obtained his M.B.A. from the University of California at Davis and his Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from Emory University. We believe Dr. Linton is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive strategic and operational experience in early-stage biotechnology companies.

 

Thomas F. Ryan, Jr., Director, has approximately twenty years of business development, marketing and sales management experience in the life sciences sector. Mr. Ryan founded NavigatorBIO in October of 2017 and currently serves as its Chief Executive Officer. In that role, Mr. Ryan leads the operational and business development teams to help the company’s global clientele overcome challenges in brand recognition, market positioning, and business development. Prior to NavigatorBIO, Mr. Ryan served as the Director of Business Development at Eurofins Central Laboratory from November 2014 until October 2017. During his time at Eurofins, Mr. Ryan earned the “Business Development Representative of the Year” award in 2016 in recognition of his excellence in sales and participated on several steering committees. Prior to Eurofins, Mr. Ryan served as Strategic Account Manager for Lantheus Medical Imaging from May 2011 to May 2014. In that role, Mr. Ryan partnered with sales representatives to initiate, design and negotiate agreements with healthcare systems such as Yale New Haven Health, Columbia Presbyterian, Northwell Health and Mass General Brigham. For his efforts, Mr. Ryan earned the “Summit Award” in 2011 in recognition of his outstanding sales leadership and the “Lantheus Star Award” in 2013 in recognition of his exemplary commitment, contribution and leadership. Mr. Ryan began his career in the life sciences sector with Covidien, where his tenure ran from June 2003 through March 2011. Mr. Ryan was fortunate to have moved through various positions at Covidien that continuously increased his level of responsibility. He started as a Business Development Representative in the New York area, was eventually promoted to Sales Trainer and rounded out the last 3 years of his tenure as a Region Manager. Mr. Ryan led a sales team of several business development executives covering the Midwest market, and, in 2010, he earned Covidien’s “Sharp – Safety Manager of the Year” award. In addition to his strategy and business development background, Mr. Ryan has extensive experience with building teams and ensuring execution of sales plans. His career has focused on business and sales process optimization to ensure successful execution of corporate strategy in the most efficient manner possible. We believe Mr. Ryan is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive strategic and operational experience in the life sciences sector, including his knowledge of the North American biotechnology market.

 

Matthew Rossen, MBA, Director, has 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech arena, working across multiple therapeutic categories including Anti-Infectives, Alzheimer’s, Cardiovascular, Hematology, Solid Tumor, and Sleep Science. From April 2019 until May 2021, Mr. Rossen was Vice President of Marketing at QED Therapeutics, a subsidiary of BridgeBio. From August 2010 until April 2019, Mr. Rossen held various roles at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, eventually becoming Senior Director of New Product Planning. Prior thereto, from July 2001 to July 2010, Mr. Rossen worked at Pfizer Inc., where he spent 10 years in positions of increasing responsibility, ultimately becoming Senior Manager of Commercial Development for Dimebon, a neuroprotective drug. He holds a B.S. in Kinesiology and Applied Human Physiology from the University of Colorado and received his MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business. We believe Mr. Rossen is well qualified to serve as a Director due to his deep understanding of and appreciation for the investments needed to ensure development and commercial success in the biotechnology sector.

 

We believe our sponsor team, management team and Board of Directors have the skills and experience to identify, evaluate and consummate a business combination and is positioned to assist businesses we acquire. However, our team’s network of contacts, and its investing and operating experience, does not guarantee a successful initial business combination. We cannot guarantee that our current officers and directors will continue in their respective roles, or in any other role, after our initial business combination, and their expertise may only be of benefit to us until we complete our initial business combination. Past performance by our management team is not a guarantee of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate.

 

Executive Compensation

 

No executive officer has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. Commencing on the date of this prospectus through the completion of our initial business combination with a target business, we will pay to Gardiner Healthcare a fee of $10,000 per month for providing us with office space and certain office and secretarial services. However, pursuant to the terms of such agreement, we may delay payment of such monthly fee upon a determination by our audit committee that we lack sufficient funds held outside the trust to pay actual or anticipated expenses in connection with our initial business combination. Any such unpaid amount will accrue without interest and be due and payable no later than the date of the consummation of our initial business combination. Other than the $10,000 per month general and administrative services fee payable to Gardiner Healthcare, and the $38,750 per month aggregate consulting fees payable to Mr. Jenkins, Drs. Pelletier, McGuirk, Anderson and Sciavolino, no compensation or fees of any kind, including finder’s fees, consulting fees and other similar fees, will be paid to any of the members of our management team, for services rendered prior to or in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, such individuals will receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us; provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account and the interest income earned on the amounts held in the trust account, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination.

 

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After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials furnished to our stockholders. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of a stockholder meeting held to consider our initial business combination, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation. In this event, such compensation will be publicly disclosed at the time of its determination in a Current Report on Form 8-K, as required by the SEC.

 

Director Independence

 

Nasdaq rules require that a majority of the Board of Directors of a company listed on Nasdaq must be composed of “independent directors.” An “independent director” is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship, which, in the opinion of the company’s Board of Directors, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. We have determined that Frank C. Sciavolino, James P. Linton, Thomas F. Ryan, Jr. and Matthew Rossen are independent directors under the Nasdaq rules and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act.

 

We will only enter into a business combination if it is approved by a majority of our independent directors and our co-sponsors. Additionally, we will only enter into transactions with our officers and directors and their respective affiliates that are on terms no less favorable to us than could be obtained from independent parties. Any related party transactions must be approved by our audit committee and a majority of disinterested directors.

 

Audit Committee

 

Effective as of the date of this prospectus, we have established an audit committee of the Board of Directors, which will consist of Messrs. Rossen, Ryan and Linton, each of whom is an independent director under Nasdaq listing standards and under Rule 10-A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act. Mr. Rossen will serve as chair of the audit committee.

 

The audit committee will at all times be composed exclusively of independent directors who are “financially literate” as defined under Nasdaq’s listing standards. The Nasdaq listing standards define “financially literate” as being able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company’s balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement.

 

In addition, we must certify to the Nasdaq Global Market that the committee has, and will continue to have, at least one member who has past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or other comparable experience or background that results in the individual’s financial sophistication. We have determined that Mr. Linton satisfies Nasdaq’s definition of financial sophistication and also qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

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The audit committee’s duties, which are specified in our Audit Committee Charter, include, but are not limited to:

 

  reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor the annual audited financial statements, and recommending to the board whether the audited financial statements should be included in our Form 10-K;

 

  discussing with management and the independent auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of our financial statements;

 

  discussing with management major risk assessment and risk management policies;

 

  monitoring the independence of the independent auditor;

 

  verifying the rotation of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit as required by law;

 

  reviewing and approving all related party transactions;

 

  inquiring and discussing with management our compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

 

  pre-approving all audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditor, including the fees and terms of the services to be performed;

 

  appointing or replacing the independent auditor;

 

  determining the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work;

 

  obtaining and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent auditors describing (i) the independent auditor’s internal quality-control procedures and (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues;

 

  establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or reports which raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies;

 

  setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditors; and

 

  approving reimbursement of expenses incurred by our management team in identifying potential target businesses.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

Effective as of the date of this prospectus, we have established a nominating and corporate governance committee of the Board of Directors, which will consist of Messrs. Linton, Rossen and Sciavolino, each of whom is an independent director under Nasdaq’s listing standards. Mr. Linton is the chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee. The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for overseeing the selection of persons to be nominated to serve on our Board of Directors. The nominating and corporate governance committee considers persons identified by its members, management, stockholders, investment bankers and others.

 

Guidelines for Selecting Director Nominees

 

The guidelines for selecting nominees, which are specified in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, generally provide that persons to be nominated:

 

  should have demonstrated notable or significant achievements in business, education or public service;

 

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  should possess the requisite intelligence, education and experience to make a significant contribution to the Board of Directors and bring a range of skills, diverse perspectives and backgrounds to its deliberations; and

 

  should have the highest ethical standards, a strong sense of professionalism and intense dedication to serving the interests of the stockholders.

 

The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider a number of qualifications relating to management and leadership experience, background and integrity and professionalism in evaluating a person’s candidacy for membership on the Board of Directors. The nominating and corporate governance committee may require certain skills or attributes, such as financial or accounting experience, to meet specific board needs that arise from time to time and will also consider the overall experience and makeup of its members to obtain a broad and diverse mix of board members. The nominating and corporate governance committee does not distinguish among nominees recommended by stockholders and other persons.

 

Compensation Committee

 

Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we have established a compensation committee of the Board of Directors consisting of Messrs. Sciavolino, Ryan and Rossen, each of whom is an independent director. Mr. Sciavolino will serve as chair of the compensation committee. We will adopt a Compensation Committee Charter, which will detail the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:

 

  reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, evaluating our Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and, either as a committee or together with the other independent directors (as directed by the board), determining and approving the compensation level (if any) of our Chief Executive Officer based on such evaluation;

 

  reviewing and approving the compensation of all of our other executive officers;

 

  reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;

 

  implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;

 

  assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;

 

  approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our executive officers and employees;

 

  producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and

 

  reviewing, evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors.

 

The charter provides that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser, and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by Nasdaq and the SEC.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

None of our directors who currently serve as members of our compensation committee is, or has at any time in the past been, one of our officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of the compensation committee of any other entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our Board of Directors. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of the Board of Directors of any other entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our compensation committee.

 

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Code of Ethics

 

Effective upon consummation of this offering, we will adopt a code of ethics that applies to all of our executive officers, directors and employees. The code of ethics codifies the business and ethical principles that govern all aspects of our business.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

Investors should be aware of the following potential conflicts of interest:

 

  None of our officers and directors is required to commit their full time to our affairs, and, accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time among various business activities.

 

  In the course of their other business activities, our officers and directors may become aware of investment and business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to our company as well as the other entities with which they are affiliated. Our officers and directors may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.

 

  Our officers and directors may in the future become affiliated with entities, including other blank check companies, engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by our company. Our officers and directors are not prohibited from becoming either a director or officer of any other special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

 

  Unless we consummate our initial business combination, our officers, directors and other insiders will not receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them to the extent that such expenses exceed the amount of available proceeds not deposited in the trust account.

 

  The insider shares beneficially owned by our officers and directors will be released from escrow only if our initial business combination is successfully completed. Additionally, if we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time frame, our officers and directors will not be entitled to receive any amounts held in the trust account with respect to any of their insider shares or private warrants. Furthermore, the co-sponsors have agreed that the private warrants will not be sold or transferred by it until after we have completed our initial business combination. For the foregoing reasons, our board may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effect our initial business combination.

 

In general, officers and directors of a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware are required to present business opportunities to a corporation if:

 

  the corporation could financially undertake the opportunity;

 

  the opportunity is within the corporation’s line of business; and

 

  it would not be fair to the corporation and its stockholders for the opportunity not to be brought to the attention of the corporation.

 

Accordingly, as a result of multiple business affiliations, our officers and directors may have similar legal obligations relating to presenting business opportunities meeting the above-listed criteria to multiple entities. Furthermore, our certificate of incorporation provides that the doctrine of corporate opportunity will not apply with respect to any of our officers or directors in circumstances where the application of the doctrine would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations they may have. In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple affiliations, our officers and directors (other than our independent directors) have agreed to present to us for our consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or entity, any suitable opportunity to acquire a target business, until the earlier of: (1) our consummation of an initial business combination and (2) 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the date of this prospectus. This agreement is, however, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations such officer or director may from time to time have to another entity. Accordingly, if any of them becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, and only present it to us if such entity rejects the opportunity. We do not believe, however, that the pre-existing fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers and directors will materially undermine our ability to complete our business combination because in most cases the affiliated companies are closely held entities controlled by the officer or director or the nature of the affiliated company’s business is such that it is unlikely that a conflict will arise.

 

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The following table summarizes the current material pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations of our officers, directors and director nominees:

 

Name of Individual   Name of Affiliated Company   Entity’s Business   Affiliation
Marc F. Pelletier  

Gardiner Founder, LLC

Pelletier Biotech, LLC

 

Life Sciences/Biotechnology

Biotechnology

 

Managing Member

Independent Consultant

             
Paul R. McGuirk   STINGINN, LLC
Aeromics, Inc.
PRM Pharmaceuticals, LLC
Gardiner Founder, LLC
  Biotechnology
Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals
Life Sciences / Biotechnology
  Independent Consultant
Independent Consultant
President
Executive Vice President; Chief
Development Officer
             
Frank C. Sciavolino  

Thetis Pharmaceuticals LLC

 

Gardiner Founder, LLC

 

Biopharmaceuticals

 

Life Sciences / Biotechnology

 

President; Chief Scientific Officer;

Co-Founder; Director

Co-Founder; Director

             
James P. Linton   Iridia, Inc.

Resolute Bio, Inc.
  Biotechnology

Biotechnology
  Co-Founder; Chief Executive Officer Emeritus; Director
Interim Chief Executive Officer
             
Janelle R. Anderson  

Jazz House Kids Inc.

Century Therapeutics

Gardiner Founder, LLC

 

Non-profit

Biotechnology

Life Sciences/ Biotechnology

 

Director

Former Chief Strategy Officer

Chief Business Officer; Director

             
David P. Jenkins  

Gardiner Founder, LLC
Forest View Consulting, LLC
Riverfront Recapture, Inc.
Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
Muhlenberg College

  Life Sciences/ Biotechnology
Consulting
Non-Profit
Non-Profit
University/College
 

Chief Financial Officer
Managing Member
Director
Trustee
Trustee

             
Thomas F. Ryan, Jr.   NavigatorBIO   Biotechnology   Chief Executive Officer
             

Our insiders, including our officers and directors, have agreed to vote any shares of common stock held by them in favor of our initial business combination. In addition, they have agreed to waive their respective rights to receive any amounts held in the trust account with respect to their insider shares if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the required time frame. If they purchase shares of common stock in this offering or in the open market, however, they would be entitled to receive their pro rata share of the amounts held in the trust account if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the required time frame, but have agreed not to convert such shares in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination.

 

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All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions will require prior approval by our audit committee and a majority of our disinterested independent directors, or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into any such transaction unless our audit committee and a majority of our disinterested independent directors determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.

 

To further minimize conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate our initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our officers, directors or other insiders, unless we have obtained (i) an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our public stockholders from a financial point of view and (ii) the approval of a majority of our disinterested and independent directors. In no event will our insiders or any of the members of our management team be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other similar compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is).

 

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that our directors and officers will be indemnified by us to the fullest extent authorized by Delaware law as it now exists or may in the future be amended. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that our directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, unless they violated their duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized unlawful payments of dividends, unlawful stock purchases or unlawful redemptions, or derived an improper personal benefit from their actions as directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as set forth in our certificate of incorporation, such indemnification will not extend to any claims our insiders may make to us to cover any loss that they may sustain as a result of their agreement to pay debts and obligations to target businesses or vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us as described elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Our bylaws also will permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director or employee for any liability arising out of his or her actions, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit indemnification. We will purchase a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our directors and officers against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in accordance with the terms of such policy and insures us against our obligations to indemnify the directors and officers.

 

These provisions may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these provisions. We believe that these provisions, the insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced directors and officers.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

 

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our shares of common stock as of the date of this prospectus and as adjusted to reflect the sale of our shares of common stock included in the units offered by this prospectus (assuming none of the individuals listed purchase units in this offering), by:

 

•        each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock;

 

•        each of our executive officers, directors and director nominees; and

 

•        all of our executive officers, directors and director nominees as a group.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them. The following table does not reflect record of beneficial ownership of any shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, as the warrants are not exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus.

 

    Prior to Offering   After Offering(2)  
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)   Amount
and Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
    Approximate
Percentage of
Outstanding
Shares of
Common Stock
  Amount
and Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
    Approximate
Percentage of
Outstanding
Shares of
Common Stock
 
Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC(3)     1,336,563       61.9 %   1,153,750       12.3 %
Chardan Gardiner LLC(4)     370,125       17.1 %   319,500       3.4 %
CCMAUS Pty Ltd (5)     349,562       16.2 %   301,750       3.2 %
Marc F. Pelletier(3)     --       --     --       --  
David P. Jenkins     --       --     --       --  
Paul R. McGuirk(3)     --       --     --       --  
Janelle R. Anderson     --       --     --       --  
Frank C. Sciavolino(3)(6)     25,000       1.2 %   25,000       *  
James P. Linton(6)     25,000       1.2 %   25,000       *  
Thomas F. Ryan, Jr.(6)     25,000       1.2 %   25,000       *  
Matthew Rossen (6)     25,000       1.2 %   25,000       *  
All executive officers, directors and director nominees as a group (8 individuals)     100,000       4.6 %   100,000       1.1 %

 

____________

* Less than 1%
(1) The business address of each of the individuals is c/o Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., 3107 Warrington Road, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120.
(2) Assumes no exercise of the over-allotment option and, therefore, the forfeiture of an aggregate of 281,250 shares of common stock held by our initial stockholders.
(3) Gardiner Healthcare is the record holder of such shares. The business address of Gardiner Healthcare is 3107 Warrington Road, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120. Gardiner Healthcare is a wholly-owned subsidiary of, and is managed by, Gardiner Founder, LLC. Gardiner Founder is controlled by a board of managers that includes Messrs. Pelletier, McGuirk and Sciavolino. Messrs. Pelletier, McGuirk and Sciavolino are the three managers of Gardiner Founder. Any action by Gardiner Healthcare with respect to the founder shares held by it, including voting and dispositive decisions are made by a majority vote of the board of managers of Gardiner Founder. Accordingly, under the so-called “rule of three,” because voting and dispositive decisions are made by a majority of Gardiner Founder’s managers, none of the managers of Gardiner Founder is deemed to be a beneficial owner of Gardiner Founder’s securities, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest they may have therein.
(4) Chardan Gardiner is the record holder of such shares. The business address of Chardan Gardiner is 17 State Street, 21st Floor, New York, New York 10004. Jonas Grossman is the managing member of Chardan Gardiner, and as such has voting and investment discretion with respect to the common stock held of record by Chardan Gardiner and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the common stock held directly by Chardan Gardiner. Mr. Grossman disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest he may have therein, directly or indirectly.
(5) CCMAUS is the record holder of such shares. The business address of CCMAUS is 32 Stewart Street, Artarmon, NSW 2064. Mohendra Moodley and James Garton are the directors of CCMAUS, and as such have voting and investment discretion with respect to the common stock held of record by CCMAUS and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the common stock held directly by CCMAUS. Messrs. Moodley and Garton disclaim any beneficial ownership of the reported common stock other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest they may have therein, directly or indirectly.
  (6) For each of Messrs. Sciavolino, Linton, Ryan and Rossen, the founder shares held include founder shares directly held by such individuals through stock grants for serving as an independent director.

 

Immediately after this offering, our initial stockholders will beneficially own 20% of the then issued and outstanding shares of common stock (assuming none of them purchase any units offered by this prospectus). None of our initial stockholders has indicated to us that he or it intends to purchase securities in this offering.

 

100

 

 

Because of the ownership block held by our initial stockholders, they may be able to effectively exercise control over all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions other than approval of our initial business combination.

 

If the underwriters do not exercise all or a portion of the over-allotment option, our initial stockholders will have up to an aggregate 281,250 shares of common stock subject to forfeiture. Only a number of shares necessary to maintain our initial stockholders’ collective 20% ownership interest in our shares of common stock after giving effect to the offering and the exercise, if any, of the underwriters’ over-allotment option will be forfeited.

 

All of the insider shares issued and outstanding prior to the date of this prospectus will be placed in escrow with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent, until (1) with respect to 50% of the insider shares, the earlier of six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination and the date on which the closing price of our common stock equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination, and (2) with respect to the remaining 50% of the insider shares, six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property. Up to 281,250 of the insider shares may also be released from escrow earlier than this date for forfeiture and cancellation if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full as described above.

 

During the escrow period, the holders of these shares will not be able to sell or transfer their securities except (1) to any persons (including their affiliates and stockholders) participating in the private placement of the private warrants, officers, directors, stockholders, employees and members of the co-sponsors and their affiliates, (2) amongst initial stockholders or to our officers, directors and employees, (3) if a holder is an entity, as a distribution to its, partners, stockholders or members upon its liquidation, (4) by bona fide gift to a member of the holder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a holder or a member of a holder’s immediate family, for estate planning purposes, (5) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (6) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (7) by certain pledges to secure obligations incurred in connection with purchases of our securities, (8) by private sales at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased or (9) for the cancellation of up to 281,250 shares of common stock subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised in full or is exercised in part or in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, in each case (except for clause 9 or with our prior consent) where the transferee agrees to the terms of the escrow agreement and the insider letter, but will retain all other rights as our stockholders, including, without limitation, the right to vote their shares of common stock and the right to receive cash dividends, if declared. If dividends are declared and payable in shares of common stock, such dividends will also be placed in escrow. If we are unable to effect a business combination and liquidate the trust account, none of our initial stockholders will receive any portion of the liquidation proceeds with respect to their insider shares.

 

The private warrants and any shares of common stock issued upon conversion or exercise thereof are subject to transfer restrictions pursuant to lock-up provisions in a letter agreement with us to be entered into by the co-sponsors, officers, directors and Chardan. Those lock-up provisions provide that such securities are not transferable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination, except (a) to our officers or directors, any affiliates or family members of any of our officers or directors, any members of the co-sponsors or Chardan, or any affiliates of the co-sponsors or Chardan; (b) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of the individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization; (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (e) by private sales or transfers made in connection with the consummation of an initial business combination at prices no greater than the price at which the shares or warrants were originally purchased; (f) in the event of our liquidation prior to the completion of our initial business combination; or (g) by virtue of the laws of Delaware or the applicable limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of our co-sponsors or Chardan, provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (e) or (g), these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement agreeing to be bound by these transfer restrictions and the other restrictions contained in the letter agreements and by the same agreements entered into by the co-sponsors, officers, directors and Chardan, as the case may be, with respect to such securities (including provisions relating to voting, the trust account and liquidation distributions described elsewhere in this prospectus).

 

101

 

 

Gardiner Healthcare has committed to purchase from us 2,775,000 private warrants (or 2,985,938 private warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), Chardan Gardiner has committed to purchase from us 475,714 private warrants (or 511,875 private warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), and CCMAUS has committed to purchase from us 449,286 private warrants (or 483,438 private warrants if the over-allotment option in exercised in full), in each case, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,700,000 (or $3,981,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. We refer to these warrants, collectively, as the “private warrants” throughout this prospectus. Each private warrant is exercisable for one (1) share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. Of the $3,700,000 (or $3,981,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) we will receive from the sale of the private warrants, $2,350,000 (or $2,631,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be used for offering expenses and $1,350,000 will be used for working capital. If we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering, the proceeds from the sale of the private warrants will be included in the liquidating distribution to the holders of our public shares. The private warrants are identical to the warrants sold as part of the public units in this offering except that (i) each private warrant is exercisable for one share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, and (ii) the private warrants will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees.

 

In order to meet our working capital needs following the consummation of this offering, our initial stockholders, officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private warrants to purchase shares of common stock at a conversion price of $1.00 per private warrant. Such private warrants will be identical to the private warrants to be issued at the closing of this offering, except that the private warrants will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. Our stockholders have approved the issuance of the private warrants and underlying securities upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert them at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. If we do not complete a business combination, the loans will not be repaid.

 

Each of our officers, directors and the co-sponsors is a “promoter,” as that term is defined under the federal securities laws.

 

CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

 

On March 25, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare purchased 2,156,250 founder shares from us for $25,000, or approximately $0.012 per share. On April 9, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare sold (i) 388,125 founder shares to Chardan Gardiner and (ii) 366,562 founder shares to CCMAUS, in each case, for approximately $0.012 per share, resulting in Gardiner Healthcare holding a balance of 1,401,563 founder shares.

 

On October 15, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 50,000 founder shares to our independent directors, Dr. Linton and Dr. Sciavolino, with each independent director receiving 25,000 founder shares. On October 15, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 25,000 founder shares to our independent director, Mr. Ryan. On October 15, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 25,000 founder shares to our independent director, Mr. Rossen.

 

Of the 100,000 founder shares granted to our independent directors, Gardiner Healthcare granted 65,000 founder shares, Chardan Gardiner granted 18,000 founder shares, and CCMAUS granted 17,000 founder shares, leaving Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS, respectively, with 1,336,563 founder shares, 370,125 founder shares, and 349,562 founder shares. We refer to these shares held by our co-sponsors, officers and directors as “founder shares” or “insider shares.”

 

If the underwriters do not exercise all or a portion of their over-allotment option, our initial stockholders have agreed that up to an aggregate of 281,250 founder shares, in proportion to the portion of the over-allotment option that was not exercised, are subject to forfeiture and would be immediately cancelled.

 

If the underwriters determine the size of the offering should be increased (including pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act) or decreased, a share capitalization or a contribution back to capital, as applicable, would be effectuated in order to maintain our initial stockholder’s ownership at 20% of the number of shares issued and outstanding after the closing of this offering.

 

102

 

 

Gardiner Healthcare has committed to purchase from us 2,775,000 private warrants (or 2,985,938 private warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), Chardan Gardiner has committed to purchase from us 475,714 private warrants (or 511,875 private warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), and CCMAUS has committed to purchase from us 449,286 private warrants (or 483,438 private warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), in each case, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,700,000 (or $3,981,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Each private warrant is exercisable for one (1) share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. Of the $3,700,000 (or $3,981,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) we will receive from the sale of the private warrants, $2,350,000 (or $2,631,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be used for offering expenses and $1,350,000 will be used for working capital. If we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering, the proceeds from the sale of the private warrants will be included in the liquidating distribution to the holders of our public shares. The private warrants are identical to the warrants sold as part of the public units in this offering except that (i) each private warrant is exercisable for one share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, and (ii) the private warrants will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees.

 

In order to meet our working capital needs following the consummation of this offering, our initial stockholders, officers and directors and their respective affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private warrants to purchase shares of common stock at a conversion price of $1.00 per private warrant. Such private warrants will be identical to the private warrants to be issued at the closing of this offering, except that (i) each private warrant is exercisable for one share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, and (ii) the private warrants will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. Our stockholders have approved the issuance of the private warrants and underlying securities upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert them at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. If we do not complete a business combination, the loans would not be repaid.

 

The holders of our insider shares issued and outstanding on the date of this prospectus, as well as the holders of the private warrants (and all underlying securities), will be entitled to registration and stockholder rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of a majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that we register such securities. The holders of the majority of the insider shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these shares of common stock are to be released from escrow. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of a business combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Chardan Gardiner may not exercise its demand and “piggyback” registration rights after five and seven years, respectively, after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and may not exercise its demand rights on more than one occasion. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

 

On March 25, 2021, we issued an unsecured promissory note to Gardiner Healthcare, pursuant to which we may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $300,000. The promissory note is non-interest bearing and will be payable on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2021 or (ii) the date on which we consummate an initial public offering of our securities. To date, we have drawn $45,025 under the promissory note.

 

We will reimburse our officers and directors for any reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on our behalf such as identifying and investigating possible target businesses and business combinations. There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us; provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account and the interest income earned on the amounts held in the trust account, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination. Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements and payments made to any initial stockholder or member of our management team, or our or their respective affiliates, and any reimbursements and payments made to members of our audit committee will be reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.

 

103

 

 

Other than the $10,000 per month general and administrative services fee payable to Gardiner Healthcare, and the $38,750 per month aggregate consulting fees payable to Mr. Jenkins, Drs. Pelletier, McGuirk, Anderson and Sciavolino, no compensation or fees of any kind, including finder’s fees, consulting fees or other similar compensation, will be paid to any of our officers or directors who owned our shares of common stock prior to this offering, or to any of their respective affiliates, prior to or with respect to the business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is).

 

We will enter into indemnity agreements with each of our officers and directors. These agreements will require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and our amended and restated articles of incorporation.

 

All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions, including the payment of any compensation, will require prior approval by a majority of our disinterested independent directors or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into any such transaction unless our disinterested independent directors (or, if there are no independent directors, our disinterested directors) determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.

 

We will also pay to Chardan, our underwriter of this offering and an affiliate of Chardan Gardiner, an underwriting discount of $0.25 per unit purchased by it in this offering. We have also engaged Chardan as an advisor in connection with our business combination, pursuant to the Business Combination Marketing Agreement described under “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest) — Business Combination Marketing Agreement.” We will pay Chardan the Marketing Fee for such services upon the consummation of our initial business combination in an amount equal to, in the aggregate, 3.5% of the gross proceeds of this offering, including any proceeds from the full or partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. As a result, Chardan will not be entitled to such fee unless we consummate our initial business combination.

  

Related Party Policy

 

Our Code of Ethics, which we will adopt upon consummation of this offering, will require us to avoid, wherever possible, all related party transactions that could result in actual or potential conflicts of interests, except under guidelines approved by the Board of Directors (or the audit committee). Related party transactions are defined as transactions in which (1) the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000 in any calendar year (or, in the case of a smaller reporting company, the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of the smaller reporting company’s total assets at year end for the last two completed fiscal years), (2) we or any of our subsidiaries is a participant, and (3) any (a) executive officer, director or nominee for election as a director, (b) greater than 5% beneficial owner of our common stock, or (c) immediate family member, of the persons referred to in clauses (a) and (b), has or will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than solely as a result of being a director or a less than 10% beneficial owner of another entity). A conflict of interest situation can arise when a person takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise if a person, or a member of his or her family, receives personal benefits as a result of his or her position.

 

Our audit committee, pursuant to its written charter, will be responsible for reviewing and approving related party transactions to the extent we enter into such transactions. All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions will require prior approval by our audit committee and a majority of our disinterested independent directors, or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into any such transaction unless our audit committee and a majority of our disinterested independent directors determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties. Additionally, we require each of our directors and executive officers to complete a directors’ and officers’ questionnaire that elicits information about related party transactions.

 

104

 

 

These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, employee or officer.

 

To further minimize potential conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate a business combination with an entity which is affiliated with any of our initial stockholders unless we obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our public stockholders from a financial point of view. Furthermore, in no event will any of our existing officers or directors, or any entity with which they are affiliated, be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

 

General

 

Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, our authorized capital stock consists of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001. As of the date of this prospectus, 2,156,250 shares of common stock are issued and outstanding, held by the co-sponsors and our directors. No preferred shares are issued or outstanding.

 

Units

 

Each unit consists of one share of common stock and one warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus. Each warrant will become exercisable on the later of one year after the closing of this offering or the consummation of an initial business combination, and will expire five years after the completion of an initial business combination, or earlier upon redemption

.

The shares of common stock and warrants comprising the units will not be separately traded until 90 days after the effective date of this prospectus unless Chardan informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, but in no event will the shares of common stock and warrants be traded separately until we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering. We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes this audited balance sheet upon the consummation of this offering, which is anticipated to take place three business days after the date of this prospectus. The audited balance sheet will reflect proceeds we received from the exercise of the over-allotment option if such option is exercised prior to the filing of the Current Report on Form 8-K. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

 

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Common Stock

 

Our holders of record of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. In connection with any vote held to approve our initial business combination, our insiders, officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective shares of common stock owned by them immediately prior to this offering, including both the insider shares and any shares acquired in this offering or following this offering in the open market, in favor of the proposed business combination.

 

We will consummate our initial business combination only if public stockholders do not exercise conversion rights in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 and a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination.

 

Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, if we do not consummate our initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our Board of Directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject (in the case of (ii) and (iii) above) to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Our insiders have agreed to waive their rights to share in any distribution with respect to their insider shares. If we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months, we may, by resolution of our Board of Directors if requested by our co-sponsors, extend the period of time we will have to consummate an initial business combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 18 months from the closing of this offering), provided that, pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on the date of this prospectus, in order for the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination to be extended, our co-sponsors or their affiliates or designees, upon five days’ advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $750,000, or $862,500 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case, or an aggregate of $1,500,000 (or $1,725,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full)), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. Our public stockholders will not be entitled to vote or redeem their shares in connection with any such extension. In the event that our co-sponsors elect to extend the time to complete a business combination and deposits the applicable amount of money into trust, the co-sponsor would receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that we are unable to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. In the event that we receive notice from our co-sponsors five days prior to the applicable deadline of its intent to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our co-sponsors and their affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. To the extent that some, but not all, of our co-sponsors’ affiliates or designees, decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination, such affiliates or designees may deposit the entire amount required. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within such time period, we will, as promptly as possible but not more than 10 business days thereafter, redeem 100% of our outstanding public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account, including a pro rata portion of any interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, and then seek to dissolve and liquidate. However, we may not be able to distribute such amounts as a result of claims of creditors which may take priority over the claims of our public stockholders. In the event of our dissolution and liquidation, the private warrants will expire and be worthless.

 

Our stockholders have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the shares of common stock, except that public stockholders have the right to sell their shares to us in any tender offer or have their shares of common stock converted to cash equal to their pro rata share of the trust account if they vote on the proposed business combination and the business combination is completed.

 

If we hold a stockholder vote to amend any provisions of our certificate of incorporation relating to stockholder’s rights or pre-business combination activity (including the substance or timing within which we have to complete a business combination), we will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of common stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes or for working capital purposes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, in connection with any such vote. In either of such events, converting stockholders would be paid their pro rata portion of the trust account promptly following consummation of the business combination or the approval of the amendment to the certificate of incorporation. If the business combination is not consummated or the amendment is not approved, stockholders will not be paid such amounts.

 

Preferred Stock

 

There are no shares of preferred stock outstanding. No shares of preferred stock are being issued or registered in this offering. Accordingly, our Board of Directors is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights which could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of common stock. However, the underwriting agreement prohibits us, prior to a business combination, from issuing preferred stock which participates in any manner in the proceeds of the trust account, or which votes as a class with the common stock on our initial business combination. We may issue some or all of the preferred stock to effect our initial business combination. In addition, the preferred stock could be utilized as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of us. Although we do not currently intend to issue any shares of preferred stock, we reserve the right to do so in the future.

 

Warrants

 

No warrants are currently outstanding. Each whole public warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described below, at any time commencing on the later of one year after the closing of this offering or the consummation of an initial business combination. However, no public warrants will be exercisable for cash unless we have an effective and current registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such shares of common stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the public warrants is not effective within 120 days from the closing of our initial business combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act. The warrants will expire five years from the closing of our initial business combination at 5:00 p.m., New York City time.

 

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The private warrants will be identical to the public warrants underlying the units being offered by this prospectus, except that each private warrant will be exercisable for cash (even if a registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective) or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, and will not be redeemable by us, in each case so long as they are still held by the initial purchasers or their affiliates.

 

We may call the outstanding warrants for redemption (excluding the private warrants but including any warrants already issued upon exercise of the unit purchase option), in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per warrant:

 

•        at any time while the warrants are exercisable,

 

•        upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder,

 

•        if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the shares of common stock equals or exceeds $16.50 per share, for any 20 trading days within a 30-day trading period ending on the third business day prior to the notice of redemption to warrant holders, and

 

•        if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the shares of common stock underlying such warrants at the time of redemption and for the entire 30-day trading period referred to above and continuing each day thereafter until the date of redemption.

 

The right to exercise will be forfeited unless the warrants are exercised prior to the date specified in the notice of redemption. On and after the redemption date, a record holder of a warrant will have no further rights except to receive the redemption price for such holder’s warrant upon surrender of such warrant.

 

The redemption criteria for our warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient differential between the then-prevailing share price and the warrant exercise price so that if the share price declines as a result of our redemption call, the redemption will not cause the share price to drop below the exercise price of the warrants.

 

If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of our common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. Whether we will exercise our option to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis” will depend on a variety of factors including the price of our common shares at the time the warrants are called for redemption, our cash needs at such time and concerns regarding dilutive share issuances.

 

The warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval, by written consent or vote, of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding warrants in order to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders.

 

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The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a share dividend, extraordinary dividend or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. In addition, if (x) we issue additional shares of common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at a newly issued price of less than $9.20 per share of common stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by our Board of Directors and, in the case of any such issuance to our initial stockholders or their affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares or private warrants held by them, as applicable, prior to such issuance), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the completion of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the Market Value is below $9.50 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the newly issued price and the $16.50 per share redemption trigger price described below under will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 165% of the higher of the Market Value and the newly issued price.

 

The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price, by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of shares of common stock and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive shares of common stock. After the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.

 

Except as described above, no public warrants will be exercisable for cash, and we will not be obligated to issue shares of common stock unless at the time a holder seeks to exercise such warrant, a prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is current and the shares of common stock have been registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed to use our best efforts to meet these conditions and to maintain a current prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration of the warrants. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so and, if we do not maintain a current prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, holders will be unable to exercise their warrants, and we will not be required to settle any such warrant exercise. If the prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants is not current or if the common stock is not qualified or exempt from qualification in the jurisdictions in which the holders of the warrants reside, we will not be required to net cash settle or cash settle the warrant exercise, the warrants may have no value, the market for the warrants may be limited and the warrants may expire worthless.

 

A holder of a warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% or 9.99% (or such other amount as a holder may specify) of common stock outstanding.

 

No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of common stock to be issued to the warrant holder.

 

Contractual Arrangements with respect to the Certain Warrants

 

We have agreed that so long as the private warrants are still held by the initial purchasers or their affiliates, we will not redeem such warrants, and we will allow the holders to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis (even if a registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective). However, once any of the foregoing warrants are transferred from the initial purchasers or their affiliates, these arrangements will no longer apply. Furthermore, because the private warrants will be issued in a private transaction, the holders and their transferees will be allowed to exercise the private warrants for cash even if a registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective and receive unregistered shares of common stock.

 

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Dividends

 

We have not paid any cash dividends on our shares of common stock to date, and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of a business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of a business combination. The payment of any dividends subsequent to a business combination will be within the discretion of our then Board of Directors. It is the present intention of our Board of Directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, our board does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.

  

Our Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent

 

The transfer agent for our shares of common stock and warrant agent for our warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004.

 

Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law and our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

We have opted out of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporate Law, or the DGCL. However, our certificate of incorporation contains similar provisions providing that we may not engage in certain “business combinations” with any “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

•        prior to such time, our Board of Directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

•        upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding certain shares; or

 

•        at or subsequent to that time, the business combination is approved by our Board of Directors and by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale or certain other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with that person’s affiliates and associates, owns, or within the previous three years owned, 20% or more of our voting stock.

 

Under certain circumstances, this provision will make it more difficult for a person who would be an “interested stockholder” to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period. This provision may encourage companies interested in acquiring our company to negotiate in advance with our Board of Directors because the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if our Board of Directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. These provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our Board of Directors and may make it more difficult to accomplish transactions which stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that the co-sponsors and their respective affiliates, any of their respective direct or indirect transferees of at least 20% of our outstanding common stock and any group as to which such persons are party to, do not constitute “interested stockholders” for purposes of this provision.

 

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Special meeting of stockholders

 

Our bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by a majority vote of our Board of Directors, by our Chief Executive Officer or by our Chairman.

 

Advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations

 

Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of stockholders must provide timely notice of their intent in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice will need to be delivered to our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day prior to the scheduled date of the annual meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws also specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholders’ meeting. These provisions may preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Authorized but unissued shares

 

Our authorized but unissued common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuances without stockholder approval, and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

 

Exclusive forum for certain lawsuits

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent 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 any (1) derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our company, (2) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee or agent of our company to our company or our stockholders, or any claim for aiding and abetting any such alleged breach, (3) action asserting a claim against our company or any director or officer of our company arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws, or (4) action asserting a claim against us or any director or officer of our company governed by the internal affairs doctrine except for, as to each of (1) through (4) above, any claim (A) as to which the Court of Chancery determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, or (C) arising under the federal securities laws, including the Securities Act as to which the Court of Chancery and the federal district court for the District of Delaware shall concurrently be the sole and exclusive forums. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the inclusion of such provision in our certificate of incorporation will not be deemed to be a waiver by our stockholders of our obligation to comply with federal securities laws, rules and regulations, and the provisions of this paragraph will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum. Although we believe this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers. Furthermore, the enforceability of choice of forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find these types of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable.

 

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SECURITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

 

Immediately after this offering, we will have 9,375,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, or 10,781,250 shares of common stock if the over-allotment option is exercised in full. Of these shares, the 7,500,000 shares sold in this offering, or 8,625,000 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the remaining shares are restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering. All of those shares will not be transferable except in limited circumstances described elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Rule 144

 

A person who has beneficially owned restricted shares of common stock or warrants for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale. Persons who have beneficially owned restricted shares of common stock for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or any time during the three months preceding, a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of either of the following:

 

•        1% of the number of shares of common stock then issued and outstanding, which will equal 93,750 shares immediately after this offering (or 107,812 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full); and

 

•        The average weekly trading volume of the shares of common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.

 

Sales under Rule 144 are also limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

 

Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies

 

Historically, the SEC staff had taken the position that Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by companies that are, or previously were, blank check companies, like us. The SEC has codified and expanded this position in the amendments discussed above by prohibiting the use of Rule 144 for resale of securities issued by any shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or any issuer that has been at any time previously a shell company. The SEC has provided an important exception to this prohibition, however, if the following conditions are met:

 

•        the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company;

 

•        the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

 

•        the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and

 

•        at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.

 

As a result, it is likely that pursuant to Rule 144, our initial stockholders will be able to sell their insider shares freely without registration one year after we have completed our initial business combination assuming they are not an affiliate of ours at that time.

 

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Registration and Stockholder Rights

 

The holders of our insider shares issued and outstanding on the date of this prospectus, as well as the holders of the private warrants (and underlying securities), will be entitled to registration and stockholder rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of a majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that we register such securities. The holders of the majority of the insider shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these shares of common stock are to be released from escrow. The holders of a majority of the private warrants (and underlying securities) can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after we consummate a business combination. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of a business combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Chardan Gardiner may not exercise its demand and “piggyback” registration rights after five and seven years, respectively, after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and may not exercise its demand rights on more than one occasion. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

 

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

The following is a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our units, shares of common stock and warrants, which we refer to collectively as our securities. Because the components of a unit are separable at the option of the holder, the holder of a unit generally should be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as the owner of the underlying common stock and redeemable warrant components of the unit, as the case may be. As a result, the discussion below with respect to holders of common stock and warrants should also apply to holders of units (as the deemed owners of the underlying common stock and warrants that comprise the units). This discussion applies only to securities that are held as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is applicable only to holders who purchased units in this offering.

 

This discussion is a summary only and does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances, including but not limited to the alternative minimum tax, the Medicare tax on certain investment income and the different consequences that may apply if you are subject to special rules that apply to certain types of investors, including but not limited to:

 

•        our co-sponsors, founders, officers or directors;

 

•        financial institutions or financial services entities;

 

•        broker-dealers;

 

•        governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;

 

•        regulated investment companies;

 

•        real estate investment trusts;

 

•        expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States;

 

•        persons that actually or constructively own five percent or more of our shares by vote or value;

 

•        insurance companies;

 

•        dealers or traders subject to a mark-to-market method of accounting with respect to the securities;

 

•        persons holding our securities as part of a “straddle,” hedge, integrated transaction or similar transaction;

 

•        U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;

 

•        persons that acquired our securities pursuant to an exercise of employee share options, in connection with employee share incentive plans or otherwise as compensation or in connection with services;

 

•        partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes and any beneficial owners of such entities; and

 

•        tax-exempt entities.

 

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If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our securities, the tax treatment of a partner, member or other beneficial owner in such partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner, member or other beneficial owner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner, member or other beneficial owner level. Partnerships holding our securities and partners in such partnerships are urged to consult their own tax advisors.

 

This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations as of the date hereof, which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis, and changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this prospectus may affect the tax consequences described herein. This discussion does not address any aspect of state, local or non-U.S. taxation, or any U.S. federal taxes other than income taxes (such as gift and estate taxes).

 

We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the discussion herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion. You are urged to consult your tax advisor with respect to the application of U.S. federal tax laws to your particular situation, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction.

 

THIS DISCUSSION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. WE URGE PROSPECTIVE HOLDERS TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF ACQUIRING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR SECURITIES, AS WELL AS THE APPLICATION OF ANY, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. INCOME, ESTATE AND OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS.

 

Personal Holding Company Status

 

We would be subject to a second level of U.S. federal income tax on a portion of our income if we are determined to be a personal holding company, or PHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. corporation generally will be classified as a PHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in a given taxable year if (i) at any time during the last half of such taxable year, five or fewer individuals (without regard to their citizenship or residency and including as individuals for this purpose certain entities such as certain tax-exempt organizations, pension funds and charitable trusts) own or are deemed to own (pursuant to certain constructive ownership rules) more than 50% of the stock of the corporation by value and (ii) at least 60% of the corporation’s adjusted ordinary gross income, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, for such taxable year consists of PHC income (which includes, among other things, dividends, interest, certain royalties, annuities and, under certain circumstances, rents).

 

Depending on the date and size of our initial business combination, it is possible that at least 60% of our adjusted ordinary gross income may consist of PHC income. In addition, depending on the concentration of our stock in the hands of individuals, including the members of our initial stockholders and certain tax-exempt organizations, pension funds and charitable trusts, it is possible that more than 50% of our stock may be owned or deemed owned (pursuant to the constructive ownership rules) by five or fewer such persons during the last half of a taxable year. Thus, no assurance can be given that we will not be a PHC following this offering or in the future. If we are or were to become a PHC in a given taxable year, we would be subject to an additional PHC tax, currently 20%, on our undistributed PHC income, which generally includes our taxable income, subject to certain adjustments.

 

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Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit

 

No statutory, administrative or judicial authority directly addresses the treatment of the units or instruments with terms similar to the units for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, therefore, that treatment is not entirely clear. The acquisition of a unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the acquisition of one share of our common stock and one warrant to acquire one share of common stock. We intend to treat the acquisition of a unit in this manner and, by purchasing a unit, you agree to adopt such treatment for tax purposes. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, each holder of a unit must allocate the purchase price paid by such holder for such unit between the one share of common stock and the one warrant based on the relative fair market value of each at the time of issuance. No statutory, administrative or judicial authority directly addresses how to determine the fair market value of securities, such as the common stock and the one warrant, that are included as part of a unit but that do not trade separately from the unit at such time (which will be the case on the date the units are issued pursuant to this offering). Under U.S. federal income tax law, each investor must make his or her own determination of such value based on all the relevant facts and circumstances. Therefore, we strongly urge each investor to consult his or her tax advisor regarding the determination of value for these purposes. The price allocated to each share of common stock and one warrant should be the stockholder’s initial tax basis in such share of common stock or one warrant, as the case may be. Any disposition of a unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a disposition of the share of common stock and one warrant comprising the unit, and the amount realized on the disposition should be allocated between the common stock and the one warrant based on their respective relative fair market values (as determined by each such unit holder based on all the relevant facts and circumstances) at the time of disposition. The separation of the share of common stock and one warrant comprising a unit should not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

The foregoing treatment of the units and a holder’s purchase price allocation are not binding on the IRS or the courts. Because there are no authorities that directly address instruments that are similar to the units, no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with the characterization described above or the discussion below. Accordingly, each prospective investor is urged to consult its own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of an investment in a unit (including alternative characterizations of a unit). The balance of this discussion assumes that the characterization of the units described above is respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

U.S. Holders

 

This section applies to you if you are a “U.S. holder.” A U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of our units, shares of common stock or warrants who or that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

•        an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

•        a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

•        an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or

 

•        a trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons (as defined in the Code) have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person.

 

Taxation of Distributions.    If we pay distributions in cash or other property (other than certain distributions of our stock or rights to acquire our stock) to U.S. holders of shares of our common stock, such distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the common stock and will be treated as described under “U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants” below.

 

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Dividends we pay to a U.S. holder that is a taxable corporation generally will qualify for the dividends received deduction if the requisite holding period is satisfied. With certain exceptions (including, but not limited to, dividends treated as investment income for purposes of investment interest deduction limitations), and provided certain holding period requirements are met, dividends we pay to a non-corporate U.S. holder may constitute “qualified dividends” subject to tax at the preferential long-term capital gains rates. It is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to the common stock described in this prospectus may prevent a U.S. holder from satisfying the applicable holding period requirements with respect to the dividends received deduction or the preferential tax rate on qualified dividend income, as the case may be. If the holding period requirements are not satisfied, then a corporation may not be able to qualify for the dividends received deduction and would have taxable income equal to the entire dividend amount, and non-corporate holders may be subject to tax on such dividend at regular ordinary income tax rates instead of the preferential rate that applies to qualified dividend income.

 

Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants.    Upon a sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock or warrants which, in general, would include a redemption of common stock or warrants that is treated as a sale of such securities as described below, and including as a result of a dissolution and liquidation in the event we do not consummate an initial business combination within the required time period, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock or warrants so disposed of. Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock or warrants so disposed of exceeds one year. It is unclear, however, whether the redemption rights with respect to the common stock described in this prospectus may suspend the running of the applicable holding period for this purpose. If the running of the holding period for the common stock is suspended, then non-corporate U.S. holders may not be able to satisfy the one-year holding period requirement for long-term capital gain treatment, in which case any gain on a sale or taxable disposition of the shares or warrants would be subject to short-term capital gain treatment and would be taxed at regular ordinary income tax rates. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. holders are currently eligible to be taxed at reduced rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

Generally, the amount of gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder is an amount equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received in such disposition (or, if the common stock or warrants are held as part of units at the time of the disposition, the portion of the amount realized on such disposition that is allocated to the common stock or the warrants based upon the then relative fair market values of the common stock and the warrants included in the units) and (ii) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock or warrants so disposed of. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock or warrants generally will equal the U.S. holder’s acquisition cost (that is, as discussed above, determined based on the portion of the purchase price of a unit allocated to a share of common stock or one warrant or, as discussed below, the U.S. holder’s initial basis for common stock received upon exercise of warrants) less, in the case of a share of common stock, any prior distributions treated as a return of capital.

 

Redemption of Common Stock.    In the event that a U.S. holder’s common stock is redeemed pursuant to the redemption provisions described in this prospectus under the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Securities — Common Stock” or if we purchase a U.S. holder’s common stock in an open market transaction (each of which we refer to as a “redemption”), the treatment of the transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes will depend on whether the redemption qualifies as a sale or exchange of the common stock under Section 302 of the Code. If the redemption qualifies as a sale or exchange of common stock, the U.S. holder will be treated as described under “U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants” above. If the redemption does not qualify as a sale or exchange of common stock, the U.S. holder will be treated as receiving a corporate distribution with the tax consequences described above under “U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions.” Whether a redemption qualifies for sale treatment will depend largely on the total number of shares of our stock treated as owned by the U.S. holder (including any stock constructively owned by the U.S. holder as a result of owning warrants) relative to all of our shares outstanding both before and after the redemption. The redemption of common stock generally will be treated as a sale of the common stock (rather than as a corporate distribution) if the redemption (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the U.S. holder, (ii) results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. holder’s interest in us or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the U.S. holder. These tests are explained more fully below.

 

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In determining whether any of the foregoing tests are satisfied, a U.S. holder takes into account not only stock actually owned by the U.S. holder, but also shares of our stock that are constructively owned by it. A U.S. holder may constructively own, in addition to stock owned directly, stock owned by certain related individuals and entities in which the U.S. holder has an interest or that have an interest in such U.S. holder, as well as any stock the U.S. holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option, which would generally include common stock which could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of the warrants. In order to meet the substantially disproportionate test, the percentage of our outstanding voting stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. holder immediately following the redemption of common stock must, among other requirements, be less than 80% of the percentage of our outstanding voting stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. holder immediately before the redemption. There will be a complete termination of a U.S. holder’s interest if either (i) all of the shares of our stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. holder are redeemed or (ii) all of the shares of our stock actually owned by the U.S. holder are redeemed and the U.S. holder is eligible to waive, and effectively waives in accordance with specific rules, the attribution of stock owned by certain family members and the U.S. holder does not constructively own any other shares of our stock (including any stock constructively owned by the U.S. holder as a result of owning warrants). The redemption of the common stock will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend if the redemption results in a “meaningful reduction” of the U.S. holder’s proportionate interest in us. Whether the redemption will result in a meaningful reduction in a U.S. holder’s proportionate interest in us will depend on the particular facts and circumstances.

 

However, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority stockholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction.” A U.S. holder should consult with its own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of a redemption.

 

If none of the foregoing tests is satisfied, then the redemption will be treated as a corporate distribution and the tax effects will be as described under “U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions,” above. After the application of those rules, any remaining tax basis of the U.S. holder in the redeemed common stock will be added to the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its remaining stock, or, if it has none, to the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its warrants or possibly in other stock constructively owned by it. A U.S. holder should consult its own tax advisors as to the allocation of any remaining basis.  

 

Exercise, Lapse or Redemption of a Warrant.    Except as discussed below with respect to the cashless exercise of a warrant, a U.S. holder generally will not recognize taxable gain or loss on the acquisition of common stock upon exercise of a warrant for cash. The U.S. holder’s tax basis in the share of our common stock received upon exercise of the warrant generally will be an amount equal to the sum of the U.S. holder’s initial investment in the warrant (i.e., the portion of the U.S. holder’s purchase price for the units that is allocated to the warrant, as described above under “— Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit”) and the exercise price of such warrant. It is unclear whether the U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock received upon exercise of the warrants will begin on the date following the date of exercise or on the date of exercise of the warrants; in either case, the holding period will not include the period during which the U.S. holder held the warrants. If a warrant is allowed to lapse unexercised, a U.S. holder generally will recognize a capital loss equal to such holder’s tax basis in the warrant.

 

The tax consequences of a cashless exercise of a warrant are not clear under current tax law. A cashless exercise may be tax-free, either because the exercise is not a realization event or because the exercise is treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In either tax-free situation, a U.S. holder’s basis in the common stock received would equal the holder’s basis in the warrants exercised therefor. If the cashless exercise were treated as not being a realization event, it is unclear whether a U.S. holder’s holding period in the common stock would be treated as commencing on the date of exercise or the day following the date of exercise of the warrants; in either case, the holding period would not include the period during which the U.S. holder held the warrants. If the cashless exercise were treated as a recapitalization, the holding period of the common stock would include the holding period of the warrants exercised therefor.

 

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It is also possible that a cashless exercise could be treated in whole or in part as a taxable exchange in which gain or loss would be recognized. In such event, a U.S. holder could be deemed to have surrendered a number of warrants having an aggregate fair market value equal to the exercise price for the total number of warrants to be exercised. The U.S. holder would recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the warrants deemed surrendered and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in such warrants. Such gain or loss would be long-term or short-term, depending on the U.S. holder’s holding period in the warrants deemed surrendered. In this case, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock received would equal the sum of the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the warrants exercised (i.e., the portion of the U.S. holder’s purchase price for the units that is allocated to the warrants, as described above under “— Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit”) and the exercise price of such warrants. It is unclear whether a U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock would commence on the date following the date of exercise or on the date of exercise of the warrants; in either case, the holding period would not include the period during which the U.S. holder held the warrants. There may also be alternative characterizations of any such taxable exchange that would result in similar tax consequences.

 

Due to the absence of authority on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise, including when a U.S. holder’s holding period would commence with respect to the common stock received, there can be no assurance which, if any, of the alternative tax consequences and holding periods described above would be adopted by the IRS or a court of law. Accordingly, U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of a cashless exercise.

 

If we redeem warrants for cash pursuant to the redemption provisions described in the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Securities — Warrants” or if we purchase warrants in an open market transaction, such redemption or purchase generally will be treated as a taxable disposition to the U.S. holder, taxed as described above under “— Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants.” The tax consequences of an exercise of a warrant occurring after our giving notice of an intention to redeem the warrants as described in the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Securities —Warrants” are unclear under current law. In the case of a cashless exercise, the exercise may be treated either as if we redeemed such warrant for shares of common stock or as an exercise of the warrant. If the cashless exercise of a warrant for shares of common stock is treated as a redemption, then such redemption generally should be treated as a tax-deferred recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which case a U.S. holder should not recognize any gain or loss on such redemption and accordingly, a U.S. holder’s basis in the shares of common stock received should equal the U.S. holder’s basis in the warrant and the holding period of the shares of common stock would include the holding period of the warrant. If the cashless exercise of a warrant is treated as such, the tax consequences generally should be as described in the previous paragraphs under this heading “U.S. Holders — Exercise, Lapse or Redemption of a Warrant.” In the case of an exercise of a warrant for cash, the tax treatment generally should be as described above in the first paragraph under the heading “U.S. Holders — Exercise, Lapse or Redemption of a Warrant.” Due to the lack of clarity under current law regarding the treatment of an exercise of a warrant after our giving notice of an intention to redeem the warrant, there can be no assurance as to which, if any, of the alternative tax consequences described above would be adopted by the IRS or a court of law. Accordingly, U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the exercise of a warrant occurring after our giving notice of an intention to redeem the warrant as described above.

 

Possible Constructive Distributions.    The terms of each warrant provide for an adjustment to the number of shares of common stock for which the warrant may be exercised or to the exercise price of the warrant in certain events, as discussed in the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Securities — Warrants.” An adjustment which has the effect of preventing dilution generally is not taxable. The U.S. holders of the warrants would, however, be treated as receiving a constructive distribution from us if, for example, the adjustment to the number of such shares or to such exercise price increases the warrant holders’ proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits (e.g., through an increase in the number of shares of common stock that would be obtained upon exercise or through a decrease in the exercise price of the warrant) as a result of a distribution of cash or other property, such as other securities, to the holders of shares of our common stock, or as a result of the issuance of a stock dividend to holders of shares of our common stock, in each case which is taxable to the U.S. holders of such shares as a distribution (as described under “U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions” above). Such constructive distribution would be subject to tax in the same manner as if the U.S. holders of the warrants received a cash distribution from us equal to the fair market value of such increased interest resulting from the adjustment.

 

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding.    In general, information reporting requirements may apply to dividends paid to a U.S. holder and to the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of our units, shares of common stock and warrants, unless the U.S. holder is an exempt recipient. Backup withholding may apply to such payments if the U.S. holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number, a certification of exempt status or has been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding (and such notification has not been withdrawn). Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. All U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding to them.

 

Non-U.S. Holders

 

This section applies to you if you are a “Non-U.S. holder.” As used herein, the term “Non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of our units, common stock or warrants who or that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

•        a non-resident alien individual (other than certain former citizens and residents of the United States subject to U.S. tax as expatriates);

 

•        a foreign corporation or

 

•        an estate or trust that is not a U.S. holder;

 

but generally does not include an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition. If you are such an individual, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and sale or other disposition of our securities.

 

Taxation of Distributions.    In general, any distributions (including constructive distributions) we make to a Non-U.S. holder of shares of our common stock, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, provided such dividends are not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and are not attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment under an applicable treaty), we will be required to withhold tax from the gross amount of the dividend at a rate of 30%, unless such Non-U.S. holder is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding tax under an applicable income tax treaty and provides proper certification of its eligibility for such reduced rate (usually on an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E). In the case of any constructive dividend, it is possible that this tax would be withheld from any amount owed to a Non-U.S. holder by the applicable withholding agent, including cash distributions on other property or sales proceeds from warrants or other property subsequently paid or credited to such holder. Any distribution not constituting a dividend will be treated first as reducing (but not below zero) the Non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of our common stock and, to the extent such distribution exceeds the Non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis, as gain realized from the sale or other disposition of the common stock, which will be treated as described under “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants” below. In addition, if we determine that we are classified as a “United States real property holding corporation” (see “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants” below), we will withhold 15% of any distribution that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, including a distribution in redemption of shares of our common stock. See also “Non-U.S. Holders — Possible Constructive Distributions” for potential U.S. federal tax consequences with respect to constructive distributions.

 

The withholding tax does not apply to dividends paid to a Non-U.S. holder that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (or, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. holder), provided such Non-U.S. holder complies with certain certification and disclosure requirements (usually by providing an IRS Form W-8ECI). Instead, the effectively connected dividends will generally be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax as if the Non-U.S. holder were a United States resident, subject to an applicable income tax treaty providing otherwise. A Non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” imposed at a rate of 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate).

 

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Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants.    Subject to the discussion of FATCA and backup withholding below, a Non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of gain recognized on a sale, taxable exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock, which would include a dissolution and liquidation in the event we do not complete an initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of this offering, or warrants (including an expiration or redemption of our warrants), in each case without regard to whether those securities were held as part of a unit, unless:

 

•        the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the Non-U.S. holder within the United States (and, under certain income tax treaties, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. holder); or

 

•        we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the period that the Non-U.S. holder held our common stock, and, in the case where shares of our common stock are treated as regularly traded on an established securities market, the Non-U.S. holder has owned, directly or constructively, more than 5% of our common stock at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or such Non-U.S. holder’s holding period for the shares of our common stock. There can be no assurance that our common stock will be treated as regularly traded on an established securities market for this purpose. If we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” and you own warrants, you are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding the application of these rules.

 

Unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise, gain described in the first bullet point above will be subject to tax at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates as if the Non-U.S. holder were a United States resident. Any gains described in the first bullet point above of a Non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or lower treaty rate).

 

If the second bullet point above applies to a Non-U.S. holder, gain recognized by such holder on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock or warrants will be subject to tax at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates. In addition, if our common stock will not be treated as regularly traded on an established securities market, a buyer of our common stock or warrants from such holder may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 15% of the amount realized upon such disposition. We cannot determine whether we will be a United States real property holding corporation in the future until we complete an initial business combination. We will be classified as a United States real property holding corporation if the fair market value of our “United States real property interests” equals or exceeds 50 percent of the sum of the fair market value of our worldwide real property interests plus our other assets used or held for use in a trade or business, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Redemption of Common Stock.    The characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of the redemption of a Non-U.S. holder’s common stock generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax characterization of such a redemption of a U.S. holder’s common stock, as described under “U.S. Holders — Redemption of Common Stock” above, and the consequences of the redemption to the Non-U.S. holder will be as described above under “Non-U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions” and “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants,” as applicable.

 

Exercise, Lapse or Redemption of a Warrant.    The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a Non-U.S. holder’s exercise of a warrant, or the lapse of a warrant held by a Non-U.S. holder, generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the exercise or lapse of a warrant by a U.S. holder, as described under “U.S. Holders — Exercise, Lapse or Redemption of a Warrant” above, although to the extent a cashless exercise results in a taxable exchange, the consequences would be similar to those described above in “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants.” The U.S. federal income tax treatment for a Non-U.S. holder of a redemption of warrants for common stock will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment for a U.S. holder of a redemption of warrants for common stock, as described above in “U.S. Holders — Exercise, Lapse or Redemption of a Warrant.” The U.S. federal income tax treatment for a Non-U.S. holder of a redemption of warrants for cash (or if we purchase warrants in an open market transaction) would be similar to that described above under “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants.”

 

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Possible Constructive Distributions.    The terms of each warrant provide for an adjustment to the number of shares of common stock for which the warrant may be exercised or to the exercise price of the warrant in certain events, as discussed in the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Securities — Warrants.” An adjustment which has the effect of preventing dilution generally is not taxable. The Non-U.S. holders of the warrants would, however, be treated as receiving a constructive distribution from us if, for example, the adjustment to the number of such shares or to such exercise price increases the warrant holders’ proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits (e.g., through an increase in the number of shares of common stock that would be obtained upon exercise or through a decrease in the exercise price of the warrant) as a result of a distribution of cash or other property, such as other securities, to the holders of shares of our common stock, or as a result of the issuance of a stock dividend to holders of shares of our common stock, in each case which is taxable to the holders of such shares as a distribution (as described under “Non-U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions” above). Such constructive distribution would be subject to U.S. federal income tax (including any applicable withholding) in the same manner as if the Non-U.S. holders of the warrants received a cash distribution from us equal to the fair market value of such increased interest resulting from the adjustment without any corresponding receipt of cash.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding.    Information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments of dividends and the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our units, shares of common stock and warrants. A Non-U.S. holder may have to comply with certification procedures to establish that it is not a United States person in order to avoid information reporting and backup withholding requirements. The certification procedures required to claim a reduced rate of withholding under a treaty generally will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid the backup withholding as well.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax.    The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a Non-U.S. holder will be allowed as a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

All Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding to them.

 

FATCA Withholding Taxes.    Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance promulgated thereunder (commonly referred as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act” or “FATCA”) generally impose withholding at a rate of 30% in certain circumstances on dividends in respect of our securities which are held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless any such institution (1) enters into, and complies with, an agreement with the IRS to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to interests in, and accounts maintained by, the institution that are owned by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments, or (2) if required under an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, reports such information to its local tax authority, which will exchange such information with the U.S. authorities. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. Accordingly, the entity through which our securities are held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of our securities held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exceptions will generally be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (1) certifies to us or the applicable withholding agent that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (2) provides certain information regarding the entity’s “substantial United States owners,” which will in turn be provided to the U.S. Department of Treasury. IRS has issued proposed regulations (on which taxpayers may rely until final regulations are issued) that would generally not apply these withholding requirements to gross proceeds from sales or other disposition proceeds from our securities. Under certain circumstances, a Non-U.S. holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such withholding taxes; and a Non-U.S. holder might be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return to claim such refunds or credits. All prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in our securities.

 

THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER’S PARTICULAR SITUATION. HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND WARRANTS, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, ESTATE, NON-U.S. AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND TAX TREATIES AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN U.S. OR OTHER TAX LAWS.

 

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UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

 

We intend to offer our securities described in this prospectus through the underwriters named below. Chardan Capital Markets LLC is the representative for the underwriters. We have entered into an underwriting agreement with the representative. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, each of the underwriters has severally agreed to purchase from us the number of units listed next to its name in the following table:

 

Underwriter   Number of
Units
 
Chardan Capital Markets LLC        
Total     7,500,000  

  

A copy of the form of the underwriting agreement will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

Listing of our Securities

 

Our units, shares of common stock and warrants will be quoted on Nasdaq under the symbols “GDNRU,” “GDNR,” and “GDNRW,” respectively. Our units will be listed on Nasdaq on or promptly after the effective date of the registration statement. Following the date that our shares of common stock and warrants are eligible to trade separately, we anticipate that our shares of common stock and warrants will be listed separately and as a unit on Nasdaq. We cannot guarantee that our securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq after this offering.

 

Over-allotment Option

 

We have granted the underwriters an option to buy up to 1,125,000 additional units. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with this offering. The underwriters have 45 days from the date of this prospectus to exercise this option. If the underwriters exercise this option, they will each purchase additional units approximately in proportion to the amounts specified in the table above.

 

Commissions and Discounts

 

Units sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any units sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount of up to $[__] per unit from the public offering price. Any of these securities dealers may resell any units purchased from the underwriters to other brokers or dealers at a discount of up to $[__] per unit from the public offering price. If all of the units are not sold at the initial public offering price, the representative may change the offering price and the other selling terms. Upon execution of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase the units at the prices and upon the terms stated therein, and, as a result, will thereafter bear any risk associated with changing the offering price to the public or other selling terms.

 

On March 25, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare purchased 2,156,250 founder shares from us for $25,000, or approximately $0.012 per share. On April 9, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare sold (i) 388,125 founder shares to Chardan Gardiner and (ii) 366,562 founder shares to CCMAUS, in each case, for approximately $0.012 per share, resulting in Gardiner Healthcare holding a balance of 1,401,563 founder shares.

 

121

 

 

On October 15, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 50,000 founder shares to our independent directors, Dr. Linton and Dr. Sciavolino, with each independent director receiving 25,000 founder shares. On October 15, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 25,000 founder shares to our independent director, Mr. Ryan. On October 15, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 25,000 founder shares to our independent director, Mr. Rossen.

 

Of the 100,000 founder shares granted to our independent directors, Gardiner Healthcare granted 65,000 founder shares, Chardan Gardiner granted 18,000 founder shares, and CCMAUS granted 17,000 founder shares, leaving Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS, respectively, with 1,336,563 founder shares, 370,125 founder shares, and 349,562 founder shares.

 

In addition, our co-sponsor, Chardan Gardiner, has committed to purchase from us 475,714 warrants (or 511,875 warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), at a price of $1.00 per warrant, in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. See “Certain Transactions” in this prospectus for more information.

 

Such founder shares and private warrants (and underlying securities) will be considered underwriting compensation in connection with this offering. Such founder shares and private warrants (and underlying securities) will be subject to lock-up restrictions, as required by FINRA rule 5110(e)(1) and may not be sold during the offering, or sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of such securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or commencement of sales of the offering, except to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the offering and their bona fide officers or partners; provided that all securities so transferred remain subject to the lockup restriction above for the remainder of the time period. In addition, for so long as they are held by Chardan Gardiner, the private warrants will not be exercisable more than five years from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part in accordance with FINRA rules. We have granted the holders of private warrants the registration rights as described under Securities Eligible for Future Sale — Registration and Stockholder Rights.” As described under the section “Securities Eligible for Future Sale — Registration and Stockholder Rights,” Chardan Gardiner may not exercise its demand and “piggyback” registration rights after five and seven years, respectively, after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and may not exercise its demand rights on more than one occasion.

 

We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriters for accountable out-of-pocket expenses up to an aggregate amount of $125,000.

 

The following table shows the per unit and total underwriting discounts and commissions we will pay to the underwriters assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 1,125,000 units.

 

    Per Unit     Without
Over-allotment
    With
Over-allotment
 
Public offering price   $ 10.00     $ 75,000,000     $ 86,250,000  
Underwriting discounts and commissions   $ 0.25     $ 1,875,000     $ 2,156,250  

 

 

The offering expenses are estimated at $475,000.

 

122

 

 

Pricing of Securities

 

We have been advised by the representative of the underwriters that the underwriters propose to offer the units to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

 

Prior to this offering there has been no public market for any of our securities. The public offering price of the units and the terms of the warrants were negotiated between us and the representative. Factors considered in determining the prices and terms of the units, including the shares of common stock and warrants underlying the units, include:

 

the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies;

 

prior offerings of those companies;

 

our prospects for acquiring an operating business at attractive values;

 

our capital structure;

 

the per share amount of net proceeds being placed into the trust account;

 

an assessment of our management and their experience in identifying operating companies;

 

general conditions of the securities markets at the time of the offering; and

 

other factors as were deemed relevant.

 

However, although these factors were considered, the determination of our offering price is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities for an operating company in a particular industry since the underwriters are unable to compare our financial results and prospects with those of public companies operating in the same industry.

 

Business Combination Marketing Agreement

 

We have engaged Chardan as an advisor in connection with our business combination to introduce us to potential investors that are interested in purchasing our securities in connection with the potential business combination, assist us in obtaining stockholder approval for the business combination and assist us with our press releases and public filings in connection with the business combination. We will pay Chardan the Marketing Fee for such services upon the consummation of our initial business combination in an amount equal to, in the aggregate, 3.5% of the gross proceeds of this offering, including any proceeds from the full or partial exercise of the over-allotment option (exclusive of any applicable finders’ fees which might become payable). We have also agreed, pursuant to the business combination marketing agreement, to negotiate in good faith regarding the engagement of Chardan as a financial advisor to us in connection with our initial business combination, and as a placement agent in connection with any private placement undertaken in connection with such business combination, on mutually agreeable terms and conditions and pursuant to one or more separate engagement letters to be entered into between the parties.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

Chardan Gardiner, an affiliate of Chardan, beneficially owns in excess of 10% of our issued and outstanding common stock. Because Chardan is an underwriter in this offering and its affiliate owns in excess of 10% of our issued and outstanding common stock, Chardan is deemed to have a “conflict of interest” under Rule 5121.

 

Accordingly, this offering is being made in compliance with the requirements of Rule 5121, which requires, among other things, that a qualified independent underwriter participate in the preparation of, and exercise the usual standards of due diligence with respect to, the registration statement and this prospectus. B. Riley Securities, Inc. has agreed to act as a qualified independent underwriter for this offering and to undertake the legal responsibilities and liabilities of an underwriter under the Securities Act, specifically including those inherent in Section 11 thereof. B. Riley Securities, Inc. will receive $100,000 for serving as a qualified independent underwriter in connection with this offering. We have agreed to indemnify B. Riley Securities, Inc. against liabilities incurred in connection with acting as a qualified independent underwriter, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Pursuant to Rule 5121, Chardan will not confirm any sales to any account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the specific written approval of the account holder.

 

123

 

 

Regulatory Restrictions on Purchase of Securities

 

Rules of the SEC may limit the ability of the underwriters to bid for or purchase our units before the distribution of the units is completed. However, the underwriters may engage in the following activities in accordance with the rules:

 

•        Stabilizing Transactions.    The underwriters may make bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the price of our units, as long as stabilizing bids do not exceed the offering price of $10.00 and the underwriters comply with all other applicable rules.

 

•        Over-Allotments and Syndicate Coverage Transactions.    The underwriters may create a short position in our units by selling more of our units than are set forth on the cover page of this prospectus up to the amount of the over-allotment option. This is known as a covered short position. The underwriters may also create a short position in our units by selling more of our units than are set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and the units allowed by the over-allotment option. This is known as a naked short position. If the underwriters create a short position during the offering, the representative may engage in syndicate covering transactions by purchasing our units in the open market. The representative may also elect to reduce any short position by exercising all or part of the over-allotment option. Determining what method to use in reducing the short position depends on how the units trade in the aftermarket following the offering. If the unit price drops following the offering, the short position is usually covered with shares purchased by the underwriters in the aftermarket. However, the underwriters may cover a short position by exercising the over-allotment option even if the unit price drops following the offering. If the unit price rises after the offering, then the over-allotment option is used to cover the short position. If the short position is more than the over-allotment option, the naked short must be covered by purchases in the aftermarket, which could be at prices above the offering price.

 

•        Penalty Bids.    The representative may reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the units originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

 

Stabilization and syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of our securities to be higher than they would be in the absence of these transactions. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the prices of our securities if it discourages resales of our securities.

 

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our securities. These transactions may occur on Nasdaq, in the over-the-counter market or on any trading market. If any of these transactions are commenced, they may be discontinued without notice at any time.

 

Other Terms

 

Except as set forth above, we are not under any contractual obligation to engage any of the underwriters to provide any services for us after this offering, and have no present intent to do so. However, any of the underwriters may, among other things, introduce us to potential target businesses or assist us in raising additional capital, as needs may arise in the future. If any underwriter provides services to us after this offering, we may pay the underwriter fair and reasonable fees that would be determined at that time in an arm’s length negotiation; provided that no agreement will be entered into with the underwriter and no fees for such services will be paid to the underwriter prior to the date which is 60 days after the date of this prospectus, unless FINRA determines that such payment would not be deemed underwriter’s compensation in connection with this offering.

 

124

 

 

Indemnification

 

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against some liabilities, including civil liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in this respect.

 

Resale Restrictions

 

We intend to distribute our securities in the Province of Ontario, Canada (the “Canadian Offering Jurisdiction”) by way of a private placement and exempt from the requirement that we prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in such Canadian Offering Jurisdiction. Any resale of our securities in Canada must be made under applicable securities laws that will vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made under available statutory exemptions or under a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Canadian resale restrictions in some circumstances may apply to resales of interests made outside of Canada. Canadian purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of our securities. We may never be a “reporting issuer”, as such term is defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation, in any province or territory of Canada in which our securities will be offered and there currently is no public market for any of the securities in Canada, and one may never develop. Canadian investors are advised that we have no intention to file a prospectus or similar document with any securities regulatory authority in Canada qualifying the resale of the securities to the public in any province or territory in Canada.

 

Representations of Purchasers

 

A Canadian purchaser will be required to represent to us and the dealer from whom the purchase confirmation is received that:

 

•        the purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to purchase our securities without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under those securities laws;

 

•        where required by law, that the purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent;

 

•        the purchaser has reviewed the text above under Resale Restrictions; and

 

•        the purchaser acknowledges and consents to the provision of specified information concerning its purchase of our securities to the regulatory authority that by law is entitled to collect the information.

 

Rights of Action — Ontario Purchasers Only

 

Under Ontario securities legislation, certain purchasers who purchase a security offered by this prospectus during the period of distribution will have a statutory right of action for damages, or while still the owner of our securities, for rescission against us in the event that this prospectus contains a misrepresentation without regard to whether the purchaser relied on the misrepresentation. The right of action for damages is exercisable not later than the earlier of 180 days from the date the purchaser first had knowledge of the facts giving rise to the cause of action and three years from the date on which payment is made for our securities. The right of action for rescission is exercisable not later than 180 days from the date on which payment is made for our securities. If a purchaser elects to exercise the right of action for rescission, the purchaser will have no right of action for damages against us. In no case will the amount recoverable in any action exceed the price at which our securities were offered to the purchaser and if the purchaser is shown to have purchased the securities with knowledge of the misrepresentation, we will have no liability. In the case of an action for damages, we will not be liable for all or any portion of the damages that are proven to not represent the depreciation in value of our securities as a result of the misrepresentation relied upon. These rights are in addition to, and without derogation from, any other rights or remedies available at law to an Ontario purchaser. The foregoing is a summary of the rights available to an Ontario purchaser. Ontario purchasers should refer to the complete text of the relevant statutory provisions.

 

Enforcement of Legal Rights

 

All of our directors and officers as well as the experts named herein are located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon us or those persons. All of our assets and the assets of those persons are located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against us or those persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against us or those persons outside of Canada.

 

125

 

 

Collection of Personal Information

 

If a Canadian purchaser is resident in or otherwise subject to the securities laws of the Province of Ontario, the Purchaser authorizes the indirect collection of personal information pertaining to the Canadian purchaser by the Ontario Securities Commission (the “OSC”) and each Canadian purchaser will be required to acknowledge and agree that the Canadian purchaser has been notified by us (i) of the delivery to the OSC of personal information pertaining to the Canadian purchaser, including, without limitation, the full name, residential address and telephone number of the Canadian purchaser, the number and type of securities purchased and the total purchase price paid in respect of the securities, (ii) that this information is being collected indirectly by the OSC under the authority granted to it in securities legislation, (iii) that this information is being collected for the purposes of the administration and enforcement of the securities legislation of Ontario, and (iv) that the title, business address and business telephone number of the public official in Ontario who can answer questions about the OSC’s indirect collection of the information is the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Corporate Finance, the Ontario Securities Commission, Suite 1903, Box 5520, Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3S8, Telephone: (416) 593-8086, Facsimile: (416) 593-8252.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Reed Smith LLP is acting as counsel in connection with the registration of our securities under the Securities Act and will pass on the validity of the securities offered in the prospectus. Greenberg Traurig, LLP is acting as counsel for the underwriters in this offering.

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements of Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. as of April 8, 2021, and for the period from March 25, 2021 (inception) through April 8, 2021 included in this Prospectus and in the Registration Statement have been so included in reliance on the report of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein and in the Registration Statement given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The report on the financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities we are offering by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information about us and our securities, you should refer to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. Whenever we make reference in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the references are materially complete but may not include a description of all aspects of such contracts, agreements or other documents, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract, agreement or other document.

 

Upon completion of this offering, we will be subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and will file annual, quarterly and current event reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

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GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

    PAGE
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   F-2
Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2021 (unaudited) and April 8, 2021   F-3
Statements of Operations for the period March 25, 2021 (inception) through June 30, 2021 (unaudited) and for the period from March 25, 2021 (inception) through April 8, 2021   F-4
Statements of Changes in Stockholder’s Equity for the period March 25, 2021 (inception) through June 30, 2021 (unaudited) and for the period from March 25, 2021 (inception) through April 8, 2021 F-5
Statements of Cash Flows for the period March 25, 2021 (inception) through June 30, 2021 (unaudited) and for the period from March 25, 2021 (inception) through April 8, 2021   F-6
Notes to Financial Statements   F-7

  

F-1

 

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Stockholders and Board of Directors 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

New York, New York

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements  

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”) as of April 8, 2021, the related statements of operations, changes in stockholder’s equity and cash flows for the period from March 25, 2021 (inception) through April 8, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of April 8, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from March 25, 2021 (inception) through April 8, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

 

Going Concern Uncertainty 

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, as of April 8, 2021, the Company does not have sufficient cash and working capital to sustain its operations and the Company’s ability to execute its business plan is dependent upon its completion of the proposed initial public offering described in Note 3 to the financial statements. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Notes 1 and 3. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. 

 

Basis for Opinion 

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. 

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. 

 

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

 

/s/ BDO USA, LLP 

 

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2021. 

 

New York, New York

 

June 3, 2021

  

F-2

 

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

BALANCE SHEETS

 

  June 30, 2021     April 8, 2021  
    (unaudited)        
ASSETS            
CURRENT ASSETS            
Cash   $ 1,588     $ 25  
Total current assets     1,588       25  
OTHER ASSETS Deferred offering costs     143,737       50,000  
Total other assets     143,737       50,000  
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 145,325     $ 50,025  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES                
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   $ 1,000     $ 1,000  
Accrued offering costs     75,300       -  
Note payable - related party     45,025       25,025  
Total current liabilities     121,325       26,025  
TOTAL LIABILITIES   $ 121,325     $ 26,025  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding   $ -     $ -  
Common stock; $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 2,156,250 issued and outstanding (1)     215       215  
                 
Additional paid-in capital     24,785       24,785  
Accumulated deficit     (1,000 )     (1,000 )
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY     24,000       24,000  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   $ 145,325     $ 50,025  

 

(1) This number includes an aggregate of up to 281,250 shares of common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriter (see Note 4).
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

  

F-3

 

  

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the period March 25, 2021 (inception) through June 30, 2021 (unaudited)

For the period March 25, 2021 (inception) through April 8, 2021

 

EXPENSES            
General and administrative expenses   $ 1,000     $ 1,000  
                 
Total expenses     1,000       1,000  
                 
NET LOSS     (1,000 )     (1,000 )
                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING, BASIC AND DILUTED (1)     1,875,000       1,875,000  
                 
BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER SHARE   $ (0.00 )   $ (0.00 )

 

(1) This number excludes an aggregate of up to 281,250 shares of common stock subject to forfeiture if the overallotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriter (see Note 4).

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

F-4

 

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

 

    Common stock                 Total  
                Additional     Accumulated     stockholder's  
    Shares     Amount     paid-in capital     deficit     equity  
Balance, March 25, 2021 (inception)     -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                         
Issuance of common stock to Sponsor (1)     2,156,250     $ 215     $ 24,785       -     $ 25,000  
                                         
Net loss     -       -       -       (1,000 )     (1,000 )
                                         
Balance, April 08, 2021     2,156,250     $ 215     $ 24,785     $ (1,000 )   $ 24,000  
Net loss     -       -       -       -       -  
Balance, June 30, 2021 (unaudited)     2,156,250     $ 215     $ 24,785     $ (1,000 )   $ 24,000  

                                 
(1) This number includes an aggregate of up to 281,250 shares of common stock subject to forfeiture if the overallotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriter (see Note 4).
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

F-5

 

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the period March 25, 2021 (inception) through June 30, 2021 (unaudited)

For the period March 25, 2021 (inception) through April 08, 2021            

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES            
Net loss   $ (1,000 )   $ (1,000 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:                
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts payable     1,000       1,000  
Net cash flows used in operating activities     -       -  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Payment of Deferred Offering Costs     (18,437 )     -  
Net cash flows used in investing activities     (18,437 )     -  
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES                
Proceeds from notes payable - related party         20,025       25  
Net cash flows provided by financing activities     20,025       25  
NET CHANGE IN CASH     1,588       25  
CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                            -       -  
CASH, END OF PERIOD   $ 1,588     $ 25  
Supplemental disclosure of noncash activities: Payment of deferred offering costs by note payable - related party   $ 25,000     $ 25,000  
Deferred offering costs included in accrued offering costs   $ 75,300     $ -  
Payment of deferred offering costs by the Sponsor in exchange for the issuance of common stock   $ 25,000     $ 25,000  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements  

 

F-6

 

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

  

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 — Description of Organization and Business Operations

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on March 25, 2021. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). Although the Company is not limited to a particular industry or sector for purposes of consummating a Business Combination, the Company intends to focus on the healthcare or healthcare related industries. In particular, we will target North American or European companies in the life sciences and medical technology sectors, with a specific focus on small and large molecule therapeutics. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.

 

As of June 30, 2021, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from March 25, 2021 (inception) through June 30, 2021 relates to the Company’s formation and the proposed initial public offering described below. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents from the proceeds derived from the Proposed Public Offering. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.

 

The Company’s ability to commence operations is contingent upon obtaining adequate financial resources through a proposed public offering (the “Proposed Public Offering”) of 7,500,000 units (each, a “Unit” and collectively, the “Units”) at $10.00 per Unit (or 8,625,000 units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), which is discussed in Note 3, and the sale of 3,700,000 warrants (or 3,981,250 warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) (each, a “Private Placement Warrant” and collectively, the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the Proposed Public Offering.

 

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Proposed Public Offering and the sale of Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete one or more initial Business Combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (as defined below) (excluding the taxes payable on income earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial Business Combination. However, the Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). Upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering, management has agreed that an amount equal to at least $10.00 per Unit sold in the Proposed Public Offering will be held in a trust account (“Trust Account”), located in the United States at J.P. Morgan Chase, N.A., with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, and invested only in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 180 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by the Company meeting the conditions of paragraphs (d)(2), (d)(3) and (d)(4) of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below.

 

F-7

 

 

The Company will provide its holders of the outstanding shares of its common stock, par value $0.0001 (“common stock”), sold in the Proposed Public Offering (the “public stockholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Share upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The public stockholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares (as defined below in Note 3) for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (initially anticipated to be $10.00 per Public Share). The per-share amount to be distributed to public stockholders who redeem their Public Shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions the Company will pay to the underwriters (as discussed in Note 5). These Public Shares will be recorded at a redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” In such case, the Company will proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation of a Business Combination and a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a stockholder vote is not required by law and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transactions is required by law, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or legal reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. Additionally, each public stockholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the initial stockholders (as defined below) have agreed to vote its Founder Shares (as defined below in Note 4) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Proposed Public Offering in favor of a Business Combination. Subsequent to the consummation of the Proposed Public Offering, the Company will adopt an insider trading policy which will require insiders to: (i) refrain from purchasing shares during certain blackout periods and when they are in possession of any material non-public information and (ii) to clear all trades with the Company’s legal counsel prior to execution. In addition, the initial stockholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares and Public Shares in connection with the completion of a Business Combination.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Certificate of Incorporation provides that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% or more of the common stock sold in the Proposed Public Offering, without the prior consent of the Company.

 

The Company’s co-sponsors, officers and directors (the “initial stockholders”) have agreed not to propose an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of its Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination, unless the Company provides the public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of common stock in conjunction with any such amendment.

 

If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months at our co-sponsors’ option, as described herein) from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering (the “Combination Period”), the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay the Company’s franchise and income taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s Board of Directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.

 

F-8

 

 

The initial stockholders have agreed to waive their liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the initial stockholders should acquire Public Shares in or after the Proposed Public Offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such Public Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to its deferred underwriting commission (see Note 5) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within in the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the other funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be only $10.00 per share initially held in the Trust Account. In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, our co-sponsor, Gardiner Healthcare has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account. This liability will not apply with respect to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account or to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Proposed Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.

 

Going Concern Consideration

 

As of June 30, 2021, the Company had $1,588 in cash and a working capital deficit of $119,737. Further, the Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of its financing and acquisition plans. The Company lacks the financial resources it needs to sustain operations for a reasonable period of time, which is considered to be one year from the issuance date of the financial statements. Management’s plans to address this need for capital through the Proposed Public Offering. The Company cannot assure that its plans to raise capital or to consummate an initial Business Combination will be successful. In addition, management is currently evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry and its effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or closing the initial public offering or search for a target company.

 

These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as going concern one year from the date these financial statements are issued. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from its inability to consummate the Proposed Public Offering or its inability to continue as a going concern.

 

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization ("WHO") announced a global health emergency because of a new strain of coronavirus (the "COVID-19 pandemic"). The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations, close of the Proposed Public Offering and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

The accompanying unaudited financial statements as of June 30, 2021 and for the period from March 25, 2021 (inception) through June 30, 2021 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal accruals) considered for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the period from March 25, 2021 (inception) through June 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the period ending December 31, 2021, or any future period.

 

 

F-9

 

 

Emerging Growth Company

 

The Company is an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 102(b)(1) of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard.

 

This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statement with another public company that is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company that has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company's cash balance was $1,588 and $25 on June 30, 2021 and April 8, 2021, respectively.  The Company did not have any cash equivalents as of June 30, 2021 or April 8, 2021.

 

Deferred Offering Costs Associated with the Proposed Public Offering

 

Deferred offering costs will consist of direct costs incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Proposed Public Offering and that will be charged to stockholders’ equity upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering. Should the Proposed Public Offering prove to be unsuccessful, these deferred costs, as well as additional expenses to be incurred, will be charged to operations.

  

Net Loss Per Common Share

 

The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” As of June 30, 2021 and April 8, 2021, the Company did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into shares of common stock and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per share for the period presented.

 

Stock Compensation Expense

 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation expense in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). Under ASC 718, stock-based compensation associated with equity-classified awards is measured at fair value upon the grant date and recognized over the requisite service period. To the extent a stock-based award is subject to a performance condition, the amount of expense recorded in a given period, if any, reflects an assessment of the probability of achieving such performance condition, with compensation recognized once the event is deemed probable to occur. The fair value of equity awards has been estimated using a market approach. Forfeitures are recognized as incurred.

 

The Company’s Founder Shares were granted to certain independent directors subject to a performance condition, namely the occurrence of a Business Combination. This market condition is considered in determining the grant date fair value of these instruments using Monte Carlo simulation. Compensation expense related to the Founder Shares is recognized only when the performance condition is probable of occurrence, or more specifically when a Business Combination is consummated. Therefore, no stock-based compensation expense has been recognized during the period from inception to June 30, 2021 or April 8, 2021.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the federal depository insurance coverage of $250,000. As of June 30, 2021 and April 8, 2021, the Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

ASC Topic 820, Fair value Measurement, defines fair value as the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants.

 

Fair value measurements are classified on a three-tier hierarchy as follows:

 

· Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets;

 

· Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and

 

· Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

  

F-10

 

 

In many cases, a valuation technique used to measure fair value includes inputs from multiple levels of the fair value hierarchy described above. The lowest level of significant input determines the placement of the entire fair value measurement in the hierarchy.

 

The fair value of the Company's assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet, primarily due to its short-term nature.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. Derivative instruments are initially recorded at fair value on the grant date and re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the statements of operations. Derivative assets and liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement or conversion of the instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date. There were no derivative financial instruments as of June 30, 2021 or April 8, 2021.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgement. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation, or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

 

FASB ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. There were no unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2021 or April 8, 2021. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. No amounts were accrued for the payment of interest and penalties for the period from March 25, 2021 (date of inception) to June 30, 2021 or March 25, 2021 (date of inception) to April 8, 2021. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

 

The provision for income taxes was deemed to be de minimis for the period March 25, 2021 (inception) through June 30, 2021 and March 25, 2021 (inception) through April 8, 2021.

 

F-11

 

 

Recent Accounting Standards

 

The Company has considered all new accounting standards and has concluded that there are no new standards that may have a material impact on the results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows, based on the current information.  

  

Note 3 — Public Offering

 

Pursuant to the Proposed Public Offering, the Company intends to offer for sale 7,500,000 Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit (or 8,625,000 Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). Each Unit consists of one share of common stock (such shares of common stock included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”), and one redeemable warrant (each, a “Public Warrant”). Each Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 6).

 

Note 4 — Related Party Transactions

 

Founder Shares

 

On March 25, 2021, the Company’s initial stockholders purchased 2,156,250 shares (the “Founder Shares”) of the Company’s common stock for an aggregate price of $25,000. The initial stockholders have agreed to forfeit up to 281,250 Founder Shares to the extent that the over-allotment option is not exercised in full by the underwriters. The forfeiture will be adjusted to the extent that the over-allotment option is not exercised in full by the underwriters so that the Founder Shares will represent 20.0% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Proposed Public Offering. If the Company increases or decreases the size of the offering, the Company will effect a stock dividend or share contribution back to capital, as applicable, immediately prior to the consummation of the Proposed Public Offering in such amount as to maintain the Founder Share ownership of the Company’s stockholders prior to the Proposed Public Offering at 20.0% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock upon the consummation of the Proposed Public Offering.

 

The initial stockholders will agree, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of its Founder Shares until (A) with respect to 50% of the Founder Shares, the earlier of six months after the date of the consummation of the initial Business Combination and date on which the closing price of the common stock equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganization and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after the initial Business Combination, and (B) with respect to the remaining 50% of the Founder Shares, six month after the date of the consummation of the initial Business Combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to the initial Business Combination, the Company completes a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property.

 

Promissory Note – Related Party

 

On March 25, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC agreed to loan the Company an aggregate of up to $300,000 to cover expenses related to the Proposed Public Offering pursuant to a sponsor note (the “Note”). This loan is non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of December 31, 2021 or the completion of the Proposed Public Offering. As of June 30, 2021 and April 8, 2021, there was $45,025 and $25,025 outstanding under the Note, respectively.

 

Related Party Loans

 

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $2.0 million of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible into warrants of the post Business Combination entity at a price of $1.50 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants.

 

F-12

 

 

Support Services

 

The Company intends to pay Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC a fee of approximately $10,000 per month following the consummation of the Proposed Public Offering until the earlier of the consummation of the Business Combination or liquidation for the use of office space and administrative support services.

 

Note 5 — Private Placement Warrants

 

Our initial stockholders have agreed to purchase an aggregate of 3,700,000 Private Placement Warrants (or 3,981,250 the over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant ($3,700,000 in the aggregate or $3,981,250 million in the aggregate if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. Each whole Private Placement Warrant is exercisable for one whole share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. The proceeds from the Private Placement Warrants will be added to the proceeds from the Proposed Public Offering to be held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless. The Private Placement Warrants will be non-redeemable and exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by our initial stockholders or their permitted transferees.

 

Our initial stockholders and the Company’s officers and directors have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Private Placement Warrants until 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination.

  

Note 6 — Commitments & Contingencies

 

Registration Rights

 

The holders of Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans, if any, will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed on or before the date of the prospectus for the Proposed Public Offering. These holders will be entitled to certain demand and “piggyback” registration rights. However, the registration rights agreement provides that the Company will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until the termination of the applicable lock-up period for the securities to be registered. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

 

Underwriting Agreement

 

The Company will grant the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to 1,125,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any, at the Proposed Public Offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

The underwriters will be entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.25 per unit, or $1,875,000 in the aggregate (or $2,156,250 in the aggregate if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), payable upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering.

 

Business Combination Marketing Agreement

 

The Company has engaged Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (“Chardan”) as an advisor in connection with the Company’s business combination to introduce us to potential investors that are interested in purchasing the Company’s securities in connection with the potential business combination, assist the Company in obtaining stockholder approval for the business combination and assist the Company with its press releases and public filings in connection with the business combination. The Company will pay Chardan the Marketing Fee for such services upon the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination in an amount equal to 3.5% of the gross proceeds of this offering, including any proceeds from the full or partial exercise of the over-allotment option (exclusive of any applicable finders’ fees which might become payable). The Company has also agreed, pursuant to the business combination marketing agreement, to negotiate in good faith regarding the engagement of Chardan as a financial advisor to the Company in connection with the Company’s initial business combination, and as a placement agent in connection with any private placement undertaken in connection with such business combination, on mutually agreeable terms and conditions and pursuant to one or more separate engagement letters to be entered into between the parties.

 

F-13

 

 

Note 7 — Warrant Liabilities

 

The Company will account for the 3,700,000 private placement warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity. Such guidance provides that because the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment thereunder, each warrant must be recorded as a liability. Accordingly, we will classify each private warrant as a liability at its fair value. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date. With each such re- measurement, the warrant liability will be adjusted to fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in our statement of operations.

 

Note 8 — Stockholder’s Equity

 

Common Stock

 

Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. As of June 30, 2021 and April 8, 2021, there were 2,156,250 shares of common stock issued or outstanding of which up to 281,250 are subject to forfeiture if the underwriter’s over-allotment is not exercised.

 

On October 15 , 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 50,000 founder shares to our independent directors, Dr. Linton and Dr. Sciavolino, with each independent director receiving 25,000 founder shares.

 

On October 15 , 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 25,000 founder shares to our independent director, Mr. Ryan.

 

On October 15 , 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 25,000 founder shares to our independent director, Mr. Rossen. 

 

Preferred Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors. As of June 30, 2021 and April 8, 2021, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

 

Warrants

 

The Public Warrants will be accounted for as an equity instrument in the Company’s financial statements. The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination or (b) 12 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. No warrants will be exercisable for cash unless the Company has an effective and current registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such shares of common stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants is not effective within a specified period following the consummation of a Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, provided that such exemption is available. If that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the completion of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

 

 Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the Public Warrants:

 

•              in whole and not in part;

 

•              at a price of $0.01 per warrant;

 

•              upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption;

 

•             if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the shares of common stock equals or exceeds $16.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations), for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period commencing at any time after the warrants become exercisable and ending on the third business day prior to the notice of redemption to warrant holders; and

 

•             if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the shares of common stock underlying the warrants.

 

If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption, management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis,” as described in the warrant agreement.

 

The Private Warrants will be identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units being sold in the Proposed Public Offering, except that the Private Warrants and the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or salable until after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Warrants will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, and be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Private Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

 

F-14

 

 

The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, extraordinary dividend or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of shares of common stock at a price below their respective exercise prices. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the warrants. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with the respect to such warrants. Accordingly, the warrants may expire worthless.

 

In addition, if the Company issues additional shares of common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of a Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of common stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors, and in the case of any such issuance to the initial stockholders or their affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by them prior to such issuance), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of a Business Combination on the date of the consummation of a Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s common stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company consummates Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the greater of (i) the Market Value or (ii) the price at which the Company issues the additional shares of common stock or equity-linked securities. 

 

Note 9 — Subsequent events

 

The Company evaluated events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date of the financial statements were issued. For the financial statements as of June 30, 2021 and for the period from April 1, 2021 (inception) through June 30, 2021, the Company evaluated subsequent events through October 15, 2021 and determined that there were no significant unrecognized events through that date.

 

F-15

 

  

 

 

 

$75,000,000

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

 

7,500,000 Units

 

 

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

Sole Book-Running Manager

 

Chardan

 

_______, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

The estimated expenses payable by us in connection with the offering described in this registration statement (other than the underwriting discount and commissions) will be as follows:

 

Initial Trustee’s fee   $ 6,500
SEC registration fee     7,996
FINRA filing fee     13,438
Accounting fees and expenses     40,000
Nasdaq listing and filing fees     75,000
Printing and filing expenses     35,000
Legal fees and expenses     250,000
Miscellaneous expenses     47,066
Total   $ 475,000

 

 

 

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that all directors, officers, employees and agents of the registrant shall be entitled to be indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL.

 

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law concerning indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents is set forth below.

 

Section 145. Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents; insurance.

 

(a)      A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person 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 or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person 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 the person’s conduct was unlawful. 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 person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person 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 reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

(b)      A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person 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 or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

(c)      To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith. For indemnification with respect to any act or omission occurring after December 31, 2020, references to “officer” for purposes of this paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section shall mean only a person who at the time of such act or omission is deemed to have consented to service by the delivery of process to the registered agent of the corporation pursuant to § 3114(b) of Title 10 (for purposes of this sentence only, treating residents of this State as if they were nonresidents to apply § 3114(b) of Title 10 to this sentence).

 

 

 

 

(d)      Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer of the corporation at the time of such determination: (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.

 

(e)      Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director of the corporation in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former officers and directors or other employees and agents of the corporation or by persons serving at the request of the corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.

 

(f)      The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to or repeal or elimination of the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred.

 

(g)      A corporation shall have power to 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 or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability 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 this section.

 

(h)      For purposes of this section, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

 

 

 

(i)       For purposes of this section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section.

 

(j)       The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

(k)      The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation’s obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees).

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers, and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, 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 of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in a successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to the 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.

 

In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, our certificate of incorporation provides that our directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, unless they violated their duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized unlawful payments of dividends, unlawful stock purchases or unlawful redemptions, or derived an improper personal benefit from their actions as directors. The effect of this provision of our certificate of incorporation is to eliminate our rights and those of our stockholders (through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf) to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director, including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior, except, as restricted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL. However, this provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or the rights of any stockholder to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care.

 

If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the liability of directors, then, in accordance with our certificate of incorporation, the liability of our directors to us or our stockholders will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended.

 

Our certificate of incorporation also provides that we will, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable law, indemnify our current and former officers and directors, as well as those persons who, while directors or officers of our corporation, are or were serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of another entity, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, in connection with any threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, against all expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by any such person in connection with any such proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person eligible for indemnification pursuant to our certificate of incorporation will be indemnified by us in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by our Board of Directors, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification.

 

 

 

 

The right to indemnification conferred by our certificate of incorporation is a contract right that includes the right to be paid by us the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding referenced above in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by our officer or director (solely in the capacity as an officer or director of our corporation) will be made only upon delivery to us of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such officer or director, to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under our certificate of incorporation or otherwise.

 

The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights which any person covered by our certificate of incorporation may have or hereafter acquire under law, our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our certificate of incorporation affecting indemnification rights, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision. Our certificate of incorporation will also permit us, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other that those specifically covered by our certificate of incorporation.

 

Our bylaws, which we intend to adopt immediately prior to the closing of this offering, include the provisions relating to advancement of expenses and indemnification rights consistent with those set forth in our certificate of incorporation. In addition, our bylaws provide for a right of indemnity to bring a suit in the event a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses is not paid in full by us within a specified period of time. Our bylaws also permit us to purchase and maintain insurance, at our expense, to protect us and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of our corporation or another entity, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our bylaws affecting indemnification rights, whether by our Board of Directors, stockholders or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing thereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

 

We will enter into indemnity agreements with each of our officers and directors, a form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.6 to this Registration Statement. These agreements will require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified.

 

Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement that will be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Registration Statement, we have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters and the Underwriters have agreed to indemnify us against certain civil liabilities that may be incurred in connection with this offering, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

 

 

 

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

 

•        On March 25, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare purchased 2,156,250 founder shares from us for $25,000, or approximately $0.012 per share. On April 9, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare sold (i) 388,125 founder shares to Chardan Gardiner and (ii) 366,562 founder shares to CCMAUS, in each case for approximately $0.012 per share, resulting in Gardiner Healthcare holding a balance of 1,401,563 founder shares. On October 15, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 50,000 founder shares to our independent directors, Dr. Linton and Dr. Sciavolino, with each independent director receiving 25,000 founder shares. On October 15, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 25,000 founder shares to our independent director, Mr. Ryan. On October 14, 2021, Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS collectively granted 25,000 founder shares to our independent director, Mr. Rossen. Of the 100,000 founder shares granted to our independent directors, Gardiner Healthcare granted 65,000 founder shares, Chardan Gardiner granted 18,000 founder shares, and CCMAUS granted 17,000 founder shares, leaving Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner and CCMAUS, respectively, with 1,336,563 founder shares, 370,125 founder shares, and 349,562 founder shares. We refer to these shares held by our co-sponsors, officers and directors as “founder shares” or “insider shares.” The founder shares include an aggregate of up to 281,250 shares that are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or is exercised in part. Because these offers and sales were made in transactions not involving a public offering, the shares were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

•        Gardiner Healthcare has committed to purchase from us 2,775,000 warrants (or 2,985,938 warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), Chardan Gardiner has committed to purchase from us 475,714 warrants (or 511,875 warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), and CCMAUS has committed to purchase from us 449,286 warrants (or 483,438 warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), in each case, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,700,000 (or $3,981,250 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. We refer to these warrants, collectively, as the “private warrants” throughout this prospectus. Each private warrant is exercisable for one (1) share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. Because this offer and sale is being made to existing stockholders, the sale does not involve a public offering and is being made in reliance on the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such sales.

 

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 

(a)      The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:

 

Exhibit No.   Description
1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
1.2*   Form of Business Combination Marketing Agreement.
3.1*   Certificate of Incorporation.
3.2*   Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
3.3*   Bylaws.
4.1*   Specimen Unit Certificate.
4.2*   Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
4.3*   Specimen Warrant Certificate.
4.4*   Form of Warrant Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Registrant.
5.1*   Opinion of Reed Smith LLP.
10.1*   Form of Letter Agreement among the Registrant, Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, Chardan Gardiner LLC and CCMAUS Pty Ltd.
10.2*   Form of Letter Agreement among the Registrant and the Registrant’s officers, directors and director nominees.
10.3*   Form of Investment Management Trust Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Registrant.

 

 

 

 

10.4*   Form of Escrow Agreement among the Registrant, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Initial Stockholders.
10.5*   Form of Registration and Stockholder Rights Agreement among the Registrant and the Initial Stockholders.
10.6*   Subscription Agreement between the Registrant and Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC.
10.7*   Form of Indemnity Agreement.
10.8*   Promissory Note
10.9*   Amended and Restated Promissory Note.
10.10*   Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC.
10.11*   Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and Chardan Gardiner LLC.
10.12*   Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and CCMAUS PTY LTD.
10.13*   Form of Administrative Services Agreement.
10.14*   Founder Shares Purchase Agreement among Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC and CCMAUS Pty Ltd.
10.15*   Founder Shares Purchase Agreement among Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC and Chardan Gardiner LLC.
14.1*   Form of Code of Ethics.
23.1*   Consent of BDO USA, LLP.
23.2*   Consent of Reed Smith LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1*   Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement).
99.1*   Form of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter.
99.2*   Form of Audit Committee Charter.
99.3*   Form of Compensation Committee Charter.

  

 

* Filed herewith.

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

 

(a)      The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

 

(b)     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(c)      The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(1)      For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(2)      For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Shaker Heights, State of Ohio on the 21st day of October, 2021.

 

  GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
  By: /s/ Marc F. Pelletier
  Name: Marc F. Pelletier
  Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Marc F. Pelletier and David P. Jenkins his true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments including post-effective amendments to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact or his substitute, each acting alone, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

 

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 dates indicated.

 

Name   Position   Date
         
/s/ Marc F. Pelletier   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer   October 21, 2021
Marc F. Pelletier   (Principal Executive Officer)    
         
/s/ David P. Jenkins   Chief Financial Officer   October 21, 2021
David P. Jenkins   (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)    
         
/s/ Paul R. McGuirk   Executive Vice President, Chief Development Officer and Director   October 21, 2021
Paul R. McGuirk        
         
/s/ Janelle R. Anderson   Chief Business Officer and Director   October 21, 2021
Janelle R. Anderson        
         
/s/ Frank C. Sciavolino   Director   October 21, 2021
Frank C. Sciavolino        
         
/s/ James P. Linton   Director   October 21, 2021
James P. Linton        
         
/s/ Thomas F. Ryan, Jr.   Director   October 21, 2021
Thomas F. Ryan, Jr.        
         
/s/ Matthew Rossen   Director   October 21, 2021
Matthew Rossen        

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 1.1

 

7,500,000 Units

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

[●], 2021

 

Chardan Capital Markets, LLC
17 State Street, Suite 2100
New York, New York 10004
As Representative of the Underwriters named on Schedule A hereto

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned, Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), hereby confirms its agreement with Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (hereinafter referred to as “you”, “Chardan”, or as the “Representative”) and with the other underwriters named on Schedule A hereto for which you are acting as representative (the Representative and the other Underwriters being collectively referred to herein as the “Underwriters” or, individually, an “Underwriter”), as follows:

 

1.            Purchase and Sale of Securities.

 

1.1            Firm Securities.

 

1.1.1            Purchase of Firm Units. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company agrees to issue and sell, severally and not jointly, to the several Underwriters, an aggregate of 7,500,000 units (the “Firm Units”) of the Company at a purchase price (net of discounts and commissions) of $9.75 per Firm Unit. The Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agree to purchase from the Company the number of Firm Units set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof at a purchase price (net of discounts and commissions) of $9.75 per Firm Unit. The Firm Units (and the Option Units (as hereinafter defined), if any) are to be offered initially to the public (the “Offering”) at the offering price of $10.00 per Firm Unit, it being understood that the offering price is not in excess of the price recommended by the QIU (as hereinafter defined). Each Firm Unit consists of one (1) share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and one (1) redeemable warrant (the “Warrant(s)”), each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Common Stock. The shares of Common Stock and the Warrants included in the Firm Units will not be separately transferable until the earlier of the 90th day after the date that the Registration Statement (as defined below) becomes effective (the “Effective Date”) or the announcement by the Company of the Representative’s decision to allow earlier trading, subject, however, to the Company filing a Current Report on Form 8-K (“Form 8-K”) with the Commission (as defined below) containing an audited balanced sheet reflecting the Company’s receipt of the gross proceeds of the Offering and issuing a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin.

 

In no event will the Company allow separate trading until (i) the preparation of an audited balance sheet of the Company reflecting receipt by the Company of the proceeds of the Offering and the filing of such audited balance sheet with the Commission (as defined below) on a Form 8-K or similar form by the Company which includes such balance sheet and (ii) the issuance of a press release announcing when such separate trading shall begin. Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share during the period commencing on the later of one year after the closing of the Offering or the consummation of the Business Combination (as defined below) and expiring five years after the completion of a Business Combination, or earlier upon redemption. As used herein, the term “Business Combination” shall mean any merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities by the Company. The Company has the right to redeem the Warrants, upon not less than thirty (30) days written notice at a price of $0.01 per Warrant at any time after the Warrants become exercisable; so long as (i) the last sales price of the Common Stock has been at least $16.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any twenty (20) trading days within a thirty (30) trading day period ending on the third (3rd) Business Day before the Company sends the notice of redemption and (ii) there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying such Warrants at the time of redemption and for the entire 30-day trading period referred to above and continuing each day thereafter until the date of redemption. As used herein, the term “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any day on which national banks in New York, New York are not open for business.

 

 

 

 

1.1.2            Payment and Delivery. Delivery and payment for the Firm Units shall be made at 10:00 A.M., New York time, on the second (2nd) Business Day following the Effective Date of the Registration Statement (or the third (3rd) Business Day following the Effective Date, if the Registration Statement is declared effective on or after 4:00 p.m.) or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company at the offices of the Representative or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company. The closing of the public offering contemplated by this Agreement is referred to herein as the “Closing” and the hour and date of delivery and payment for the Firm Units is referred to herein as the “Closing Date.” Payment for the Firm Units shall be made on the Closing Date at the Representative’s election by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds or by certified or bank cashier’s check(s) in New York Clearing House funds. $75,000,000 ($86,250,000 if the Over-allotment Option (as defined in Section 1.2) is exercised in full), or $10.00 per Unit, of the proceeds received by the Company for the Firm Units and from the Private Placement (as defined in Section 1.4) shall be deposited in the trust account established by the Company for the benefit of the public stockholders as described in the Registration Statement (the “Trust Account”) pursuant to the terms of an investment management trust agreement (the “Trust Agreement”) by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. The proceeds (less commissions, expense allowance and actual expense payments or other fees payable pursuant to this Agreement) shall be paid to the order of the Company upon delivery to the Representative of certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing the Firm Units (or through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”)) for the account of the Underwriters. The Firm Units shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request in writing at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date. The Company will permit the Representative to examine and package the Firm Units for delivery, at least one (1) full Business Day prior to the Closing Date. The Company shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Firm Units except upon tender of payment by the Representative for all the Firm Units.

 

1.2            Over-Allotment Option.

 

1.2.1            Option Units. For the purpose of covering any over-allotments in connection with the distribution and sale of the Firm Units, the Underwriters are hereby granted, severally and not jointly, an option to purchase up to an additional 1,125,000 units from the Company (the “Over-allotment Option”). Such additional 1,125,000 units shall be identical in all respects to the Firm Units and are hereinafter referred to as “Option Units.” The Firm Units and the Option Units are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Units,” and the Units, the shares of Common Stock and Warrants included in the Units and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Warrants are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Public Securities.” The purchase price to be paid for the Option Units (net of discounts and commissions) will be $9.75 per Option Unit. The Option Units are to be offered initially to the public at the offering price of $10.00 per Option Unit.

 

1.2.2            Exercise of Option. The Over-allotment Option granted pursuant to Section 1.2.1 hereof may be exercised by the Representative as to all (at any time) or any part (from time to time) of the Option Units within forty-five (45) days after the Effective Date. The Underwriters will not be under any obligation to purchase any Option Units prior to the exercise of the Over-allotment Option. The Over-allotment Option granted hereby may be exercised by the giving of oral notice to the Company from the Representative, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight mail, facsimile transmission or e-mail transmission setting forth the number of Option Units to be purchased and the date and time for delivery of and payment for the Option Units, which will not be later than five (5) Business Days after the date of the notice or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative, at the offices of the Representative or at such other place or in such other manner as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative. If such delivery and payment for the Option Units does not occur on the Closing Date, the date and time of the closing for such Option Units will be as set forth in the notice (hereinafter the “Option Closing Date”). Upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option, the Company will become obligated to convey to the Underwriters, and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Underwriters will become obligated to purchase, the number of Option Units specified in such notice.

 

1.2.3            Payment and Delivery. Delivery and payment for the Option Units shall be made at 10:00 AM, New York time, on the Option Closing Date or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company at the offices of the Representative or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company. Payment for the Option Units shall be made at the Representative’s election by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds or by certified or bank cashier’s check(s) in New York Clearing House funds, by deposit of the sum of $9.75 per Option Unit in the Trust Account pursuant to the Trust Agreement upon delivery to the Representative of certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing the Option Units (or through the facilities of DTC) for the account of the Underwriters. The Option Units shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request not less than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and will be made available to the Representative for inspection, checking and packaging at the aforesaid office of the Company’s transfer agent or correspondent not less than one (1) full Business Day prior to such Closing Date or Option Closing Date.

 

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1.3            [Reserved.]

 

1.4            Private Placement. Simultaneously with the Closing, Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC (“Gardiner Healthcare”) shall purchase from the Company, pursuant to a Subscription Agreement (as defined in Section 2.24.2 hereof), an aggregate of 2,775,000 warrants (or 2,985,938 warrants if the Over-allotment Option is exercised in full), Chardan Gardiner LLC (“Chardan Gardiner”) shall purchase from the Company, pursuant to a Subscription Agreement, an aggregate of 475,714 warrants (or 511,875 warrants if the Over-allotment Option is exercised in full), and CCMAUS Pty Ltd. (“CCMAUS” and, collectively with Gardiner Healthcare and Chardan Gardiner, the “Sponsors”) shall purchsae from the Company, pursuant to a Subscription Agreement, an aggregate of 449,286 warrants (or 483,438 warrants if the Over-allotment Option is exercised in full) (collectively, the “Placement Warrants”), in each case at a purchase price of $1.00 per Placement Warrant in a private placement (the “Private Placement”). The Placement Warrants and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Placement Warrants are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Placement Securities,” and the Public Securities and the Placement Securities are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Securities.” Each Placement Warrant shall be identical to the Warrants sold in the Offering except that the Placement Warrants (a) shall be non-redeemable by the Company, (b) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the initial purchaser until thirty (30) days after the completion of the Company’s initial business combination and (c) may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, as described in the Prospectus, in each case so long as the Placement Warrants continue to be held by the initial purchasers of the Placement Warrants or their permitted transferees (as described in the Subscription Agreements and the Warrant Agreement (as defined in Section 2.22 hereof)). There will be no placement agent in the Private Placement and no party shall be entitled to a placement fee or expense allowance from the sale of the Placement Securities. Pursuant to Rule 5110(e)(1) of FINRA’s (as defined below) Rules, the Placement Warrants purchased by Chardan Gardiner are subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the Effective Date of the Registration Statement or the commencement of sales in the Offering and, for that 180 day period following the Effective Date,  may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, or be subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative or put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities. Pursuant to Rule 5110(g)(8) of FINRA’s Rules, Chardan Capital Markets, LLC and its related persons may not, with respect to the Placement Warrants (and the shares that are issuable upon exercise of the Placement Warrants) purchased by Chardan Gardiner, (i) have more than one demand registration right at the Company’s expense, (ii) exercise their demand registration rights more than five (5) years from the effective date of the Registration Statement, and (iii) exercise their “piggy-back” registration rights more than seven (7) years from the effective date of the Registration Statement, as long as Chardan Capital Markets, LLC or any of its related persons are beneficial owners of Placement Warrants.

 

1.5            Qualified Independent Underwriter. The Company hereby confirms its engagement of B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“B. Riley”) as, and B. Riley hereby confirms its agreement with the Company to render services as, the “qualified independent underwriter,” within the meaning of Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) with respect to the offering and sale of the Public Securities. B. Riley, solely in its capacity as the qualified independent underwriter and not otherwise, is referred to herein as the “QIU.” As compensation for services rendered, on the Closing Date, the Company shall pay to the QIU, by wire transfer of immediately available funds on the Closing Date, a fee of $100,000 from the total underwriting discount. B. Riley hereby consents to the reference to it as set forth under the heading “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)” in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (as defined herein) and any amendment or supplement thereto.

 

2.            Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the Underwriters and the QIU as follows:

 

2.1            Filing of Registration Statement.

 

2.1.1            Pursuant to the Act. The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement and an amendment or amendments thereto, on Form S-1 (File No. 333-[●]), including any related preliminary prospectus (the “Preliminary Prospectus”, including any prospectus that is included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement), for the registration of the Public Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), which registration statement and amendment or amendments have been prepared by the Company in conformity in all material respects with the requirements of the Act, and the rules and regulations (the “Regulations”) of the Commission under the Act. The conditions for use of Form S-1 to register the Offering under the Act, as set forth in the General Instructions to such Form, have been satisfied in all material respects. Except as the context may otherwise require, such registration statement, as amended, on file with the Commission at the time the registration statement becomes effective (including the prospectus, financial statements, schedules, exhibits and all other documents filed as a part thereof or incorporated therein and all information deemed to be a part thereof as of such time pursuant to Rule 430A of the Regulations), is hereinafter called the “Registration Statement,” and the form of the final prospectus dated the Effective Date included in the Registration Statement (or, if applicable, the form of final prospectus containing information permitted to be omitted at the time of effectiveness by Rule 430A of the Regulations filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 of the Regulations), is hereinafter called the “Prospectus.” For purposes of this Agreement, “Time of Sale”, as used in the Act, means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of this Agreement. If the Company has filed, or is required pursuant to the terms hereof to file, a registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act registering the Public Securities (a “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement”), then, unless otherwise specified, any reference herein to the term “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. Other than a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, which, if filed, becomes effective upon filing, no other document with respect to the Registration Statement has heretofore been filed with the Commission. All of the Public Securities have been registered under the Act pursuant to the Registration Statement or, if any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is filed, will be duly registered under the Securities Act with the filing of such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission on the date hereof. If, subsequent to the date of this Agreement, the Company or the Representative has determined that at the Time of Sale the Prospectus included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted a statement of material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and have agreed to provide an opportunity to purchasers of the Units to terminate their old purchase contracts and enter into new purchase contracts, the Prospectus will be deemed to include any additional information available to purchasers at the time of entry into the first such new purchase contract.

 

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2.1.2            Pursuant to the Exchange Act. The Company has filed with the Commission a Form 8-A (Registration No. 001-[●]), providing for the registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of the Units, the Common Stock and the Warrants. The registration of the Units, Common Stock and Warrants under the Exchange Act will be declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the Effective Date.

 

2.2            No Stop Orders, Etc. Neither the Commission nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any state regulatory authority has issued any order or threatened to issue any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or has instituted or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened to institute any proceedings with respect to such an order.

 

2.3            Disclosures in Registration Statement.

 

2.3.1            10b-5 Representation. At the time the Registration Statement became effective, upon the filing or first use (within the meaning of the Regulations) of the Prospectus and at the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained or will contain all material statements that are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act and the Regulations, and did or will in all material respects conform to the requirements of the Act and the Regulations. Neither the Registration Statement nor any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, nor any amendment or supplement thereto, on their respective dates, did or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading. When any Preliminary Prospectus was first filed with the Commission (whether filed as part of the Registration Statement for the registration of the Public Securities or any amendment thereto or pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the Regulations) or first used (within the meaning of the Regulations) and when any amendment thereof or supplement thereto was first filed with the Commission or first used (within the meaning of the Regulations), such Preliminary Prospectus and any amendments thereof and supplements thereto complied or will have been corrected in the Prospectus to comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Act and the Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representation and warranty made in this Section 2.3.1 does not apply to statements made or statements omitted in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to the Underwriters by the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto. It is understood that the following identified statements set forth in the Prospectus under the heading “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)” constitute, for the purposes of this Agreement, information furnished by the Representative with respect to the Underwriters: (i) the table of underwriters in the first paragraph of “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)”, (ii) the first paragraph of the Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest) subsection “Pricing of Securities,” (iii) the Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest) subsection “Regulatory Restrictions on Purchase of Securities” and (iv) the Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest) subsection “Resale Restrictions.”

 

2.3.2            Disclosure of Agreements. The agreements and documents described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus conform to the descriptions thereof contained therein and there are no agreements or other documents required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement, that have not been so described or filed. Each agreement or other instrument (however characterized or described) to which the Company is a party or by which its property or business is or may be bound or affected and (i) that is referred to in the Registration Statement, Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or attached as an exhibit thereto, or (ii) is material to the Company’s business, has been duly and validly executed by the Company, is in full force and effect in all material respects and is enforceable against the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, except (x) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (y) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws, and (z) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought, and none of such agreements or instruments has been assigned by the Company, and neither the Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any other party is in breach or default thereunder and, to the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a breach or default thereunder. To the Company’s knowledge, performance by the Company of the material provisions of such agreements or instruments will not result in a material violation of any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets or businesses, including, without limitation, those relating to environmental laws and regulations.

 

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2.3.3            Prior Securities Transactions. No securities of the Company have been sold by the Company or by or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any person or persons controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company since the date of the Company’s formation, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement.

 

2.3.4            Regulations. The disclosures in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus concerning the effects of Federal, state and local regulation on the Company’s business as currently contemplated fairly summarize, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, such effects and do not omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.

 

2.4            Changes After Dates in Registration Statement.

 

2.4.1            No Material Adverse Change. Except as contemplated in the Prospectus or specifically stated therein, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus: (i) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or business prospects of the Company; (ii) there have been no material transactions entered into by the Company, other than as contemplated pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) no member of the Company’s board of directors or management has resigned from any position with the Company and (iv) no event or occurrence has taken place which materially impairs, or would likely materially impair, with the passage of time, the ability of the members of the Company’s board of directors or management to act in their capacities with the Company as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

 

2.4.2            Recent Securities Transactions, Etc. Except as contemplated in the Prospectus, subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and except as may otherwise be indicated or contemplated herein or therein, the Company has not: (i) issued any securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, for borrowed money; or (ii) declared or paid any dividend or made any other distribution on or in respect to its capital stock.

 

2.5            Independent Accountants. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, BDO USA, LLP (“BDO”), whose report is filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement and included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, are independent accountants as required by the Act and the Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (including the rules and regulations promulgated by such entity, the “PCAOB”). To the best of the Company’s knowledge, BDO is duly registered and in good standing with the PCAOB. BDO has not, during the periods covered by the financial statements included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.

 

2.6            Financial Statements; Statistical Data.

 

2.6.1            Financial Statements. The financial statements, including the notes thereto and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus fairly present the financial position and the results of operations of the Company at the dates and for the periods to which they apply; and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied throughout the periods involved; and the supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly the information required to be stated therein. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, no other financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus. The Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus disclose all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), and other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities or other persons that may have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant components of revenues or expenses. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, there are no pro forma or as adjusted financial statements which are required to be included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus in accordance with Regulation S-X which have not been included as so required.

 

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2.6.2            Statistical Data. The statistical, industry-related and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, if any, are based on or derived from sources which the Company reasonably and in good faith believes are reliable and accurate, and such data agree with the sources from which they are derived.

 

2.7            Authorized Capital; Options, Etc. The Company had at the date or dates indicated in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, as the case may be, duly authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. Based on the assumptions stated in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company will have on the Closing Date the adjusted stock capitalization set forth therein. Except as set forth in, or contemplated by, the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, on the Effective Date of the Prospectus and on the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, there will be no options, warrants, or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any authorized, but unissued shares of Common Stock of the Company or any security convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell shares of Common Stock or any such options, warrants, rights or convertible securities.

 

2.8            Valid Issuance of Securities, Etc.

 

2.8.1            Outstanding Securities. All issued and outstanding securities of the Company (including, without limitation, the Placement Securities) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof have no rights of rescission with respect thereto, and are not subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; and none of such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company. The Securities conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. Subject to the disclosure contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus with respect to the Placement Securities, the offers and sales of the outstanding shares of Common Stock were at all relevant times either registered under the Act and the applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws or, based in part on the representations and warranties of the purchasers of such shares, exempt from such registration requirements.

 

2.8.2            Securities Sold. The Securities have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance and when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; the Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company; and all corporate actions required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Securities have been duly and validly taken. The Securities conform in all material respects to all statements with respect thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, as the case may be.

 

2.8.3            Placement Securities. The Placement Securities have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance and when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the Placement Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company; and all corporate actions required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Placement Securities have been duly and validly taken. When issued, the Placement Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company to issue and sell, upon exercise thereof and payment of the exercise price therefor, the number and type of securities of the Company called for thereby in accordance with the terms thereof, and such Placement Warrants are enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. The shares of Common Stock underlying the Placement Warrants have been reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Placement Warrants and, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Placement Warrants, will be duly and validly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders.

 

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2.8.4            No Integration. Subject to the disclosure contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus with respect to the Placement Securities, neither the Company nor any of its affiliates has, prior to the date hereof, made any offer or sale of any securities which are required to be “integrated” pursuant to the Act or the Regulations with the offer and sale of the Public Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

2.9            Registration Rights of Third Parties. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, no holders of any securities of the Company or any rights exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into securities of the Company have the right to require the Company to register any such securities of the Company under the Act or to include any such securities in a registration statement to be filed by the Company.

 

2.10            Validity and Binding Effect of Agreements. This Agreement, the Warrant Agreement (as defined in Section 2.22 hereof), the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement (as defined in Section 3.5.2 hereof), the Subscription Agreements (as defined in Section 2.24.2 hereof), the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in Section 2.24.3 hereof), the Business Combination Marketing Agreement (as defined in Section 2.33) and the Escrow Agreement (as defined in Section 2.24.4 hereof) have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and constitute valid and binding agreements of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

 

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2.11            No Conflicts, Etc. The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Business Combination Marketing Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Subscription Agreements, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Escrow Agreement, the consummation by the Company of the transactions herein and therein contemplated and the compliance by the Company with the terms hereof and thereof do not and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both: (i) result in a material breach of, or conflict with any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a material default under, or result in the creation, modification, termination or imposition of any material lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party; (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company; or (iii) violate any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties or business.

 

2.12            No Defaults; Violations. No material default exists in the due performance and observance of any term, covenant or condition of any material license, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note, loan or credit agreement, or any other agreement or instrument evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company may be bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company is subject. The Company is not in violation of any material agreement, license, permit, applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties or businesses, except for such violations which would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company is not in violation of any term or provision of its amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

 

2.13            Corporate Power; Licenses; Consents.

 

2.13.1            Conduct of Business. The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority, and has all necessary authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates and permits of and from all governmental regulatory officials and bodies that it needs as of the date hereof to conduct its business for the purposes described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. The disclosures in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus concerning the effects of federal, state and local regulation on the Offering and the Company’s business purpose as currently contemplated are correct in all material respects and do not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein (with respect to the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading. Since its formation, the Company has conducted no business and has incurred no liabilities other than in connection with and in furtherance of the Offering.

 

2.13.2            Transactions Contemplated Herein. The Company has all corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions and conditions hereof, and all consents, authorizations, approvals and orders required in connection therewith have been obtained. No consent, authorization or order of, and no filing with, any court, government agency or other body is required for the valid issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities and the consummation of the transactions and agreements contemplated by this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Subscription Agreements, the Business Combination Marketing Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and the Escrow Agreement and as contemplated by the Prospectus, except with respect to applicable federal and state securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated by FINRA.

 

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2.14            D&O Questionnaires. To the Company’s knowledge, all information contained in the questionnaires (the “Questionnaires”) completed by the Company’s stockholders immediately prior to the Offering (the “Initial Shareholders”) and each of the Company’s officers and directors and provided to the Underwriters is true and correct and the Company has not become aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in the questionnaires completed by the Initial Shareholders and each officer or director, to become inaccurate and incorrect.

 

2.15            Litigation; Governmental Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, arbitration, investigation, litigation or governmental proceeding pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened against, or involving the Company or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, the Initial Shareholders, which has not been disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Questionnaires, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.

 

2.16            Good Standing. The Company has been duly organized, is validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of Delaware and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

2.17            No Contemplation of a Business Combination. Prior to the date hereof, neither the Company, its officers and directors nor the Initial Shareholders had, and as of the Closing, the Company and such officers and directors and Initial Shareholders will not have had: (i) any specific Business Combination under consideration or contemplation; or (ii) any substantive interactions or discussions with any target business regarding a possible Business Combination.

 

2.18            Transactions Affecting Disclosure to FINRA.

 

2.18.1            Except as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus, there are no claims, payments, arrangements, agreements or understandings relating to the payment of a finder’s, consulting or origination fee by the Company or the Initial Shareholders with respect to the sale of the Securities hereunder or any other arrangements, agreements or understandings of the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, the Initial Shareholders that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation, as determined by FINRA.

 

2.18.2            Except as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus, the Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) to: (i) any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the Company; (ii) to any FINRA member; or (iii) to any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member, within the twelve (12) months prior to the Effective Date, other than payments to the Representative.

 

2.18.3            Except as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus, no officer, director, or beneficial owner of any class of the Company’s securities (whether debt or equity, registered or unregistered, regardless of the time acquired or the source from which derived) (any such individual or entity, a “Company Affiliate”) is a member, a person associated, or affiliated with a member of FINRA.

 

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2.18.4            Except as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus, no Company Affiliate is an owner of stock or other securities of any member of FINRA (other than securities purchased on the open market).

 

2.18.5            No Company Affiliate has made a subordinated loan to any member of FINRA.

 

2.18.6            No proceeds from the sale of the Public Securities (excluding underwriting compensation) or the Placement Securities will be paid to any FINRA member, or any persons associated or affiliated with a member of FINRA, except as specifically authorized herein and in the Subscription Agreements.

 

2.18.7            The Company has not issued any warrants or other securities, or granted any options, directly or indirectly to anyone who is a potential underwriter in the Offering or a related person (as defined by FINRA rules) of such an underwriter within the 180-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Registration Statement.

 

2.18.8            Except as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus, no person to whom securities of the Company have been privately issued within the 180-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Registration Statement has any relationship or affiliation or association with any member of FINRA.

 

2.18.9            Except as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus, no FINRA member intending to participate in the Offering has a conflict of interest with the Company. For this purpose, a “conflict of interest” exists when a member of FINRA and its associated persons, parent or affiliates in the aggregate beneficially own 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding subordinated debt or common equity, or 10% or more of the Company’s preferred equity. “Members participating in the Offering” include managing agents, syndicate group members and all dealers which are members of FINRA.

 

2.18.10            Except with respect to the Representative in connection with the Offering, the Company has not entered into any agreement or arrangement (including, without limitation, any consulting agreement or any other type of agreement) during the 180-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Registration Statement, which arrangement or agreement provides for the receipt of any item of value and/or the transfer of any warrants, options, or other securities from the Company to a FINRA member, any person associated with a member (as defined by FINRA rules), any potential underwriters in the Offering and any related persons.

 

2.19            Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Neither the Company nor the Initial Shareholders or any other person acting on behalf of the Company has, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any money, gift or similar benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers in the ordinary course of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or agent of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any governmental agency or instrumentality of any government (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or other person who was, is, or may be in a position to help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist it in connection with any actual or proposed transaction) that: (i) might subject the Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental litigation or proceeding; (ii) if not given in the past, might have had a material adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company as reflected in any of the financial statements contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus; or (iii) if not continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets, business, operations or prospects of the Company. The Company’s internal accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

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2.20            Patriot Act. Neither the Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any officer, director or Initial Shareholder has violated: (i) the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended; (ii) the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, as amended; or (iii) the Uniting and Strengthening of America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001, and/or the rules and regulations promulgated under any such law, or any successor law.

 

2.21            Officers’ Certificate. Any certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Representative or to the Representative’s counsel shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriters and the QIU as to the matters covered thereby.

 

2.22            Warrant Agreement. The Company has entered into a warrant agreement with respect to the Warrants and the Placement Warrants with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Warrant Agreement”).

 

2.23            [Reserved.]

 

2.24            Agreements with Officers, Directors and Initial Shareholders.

 

2.24.1            Insider Letters. The Company has caused to be duly executed legally binding and enforceable agreements (except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification, contribution or non-compete provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought) annexed as exhibits to the Registration Statement (the “Insider Letter”), pursuant to which each of the officers, directors and Initial Shareholders of the Company agree to certain matters.

 

2.24.2            Subscription Agreements. The Sponsors have executed and delivered certain agreements, the form of which is attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (each, a “Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which the Sponsors, among other things, will purchase an aggregate of 3,700,000 Placement Warrants (or 3,981,250 Placement Warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in the Private Placement. Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, all of the proceeds from the sale of the Placement Warrants will be deposited by the Company in the Trust Account in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement prior to the Closing.

 

2.24.3            Registration Rights Agreement. The Company and the Initial Shareholders have entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) substantially in the form annexed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, whereby the parties will be entitled to certain registration rights with respect to their securities, as set forth in such Registration Rights Agreement and described more fully in the Registration Statement.

 

2.24.4            Escrow Agreement. The Company has caused the Initial Shareholders to enter into an escrow agreement (the “Escrow Agreement”) with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, whereby the shares of Common Stock owned by the Initial Shareholders will be held in escrow during the period in which they are subject to the transfer restrictions as set forth in the Prospectus. During such escrow period, the Initial Shareholders shall be prohibited from selling or otherwise transferring such shares (except as otherwise set forth in the Escrow Agreement) but will retain the right to vote any such shares of Common Stock. To the Company’s knowledge, the Escrow Agreement is enforceable against each of the Initial Shareholders and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, result in a breach of, or conflict with any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument to which any of the Initial Shareholders is a party.

 

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2.25            Investment Management Trust Agreement. The Company has entered into the Trust Agreement with respect to certain proceeds of the Offering and the Private Placement substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

 

2.26            Covenants Not to Compete. To the Company’s knowledge, the officers and directors of the Company are not subject to any non-competition agreement or non-solicitation agreement with any employer or prior employer which could materially affect its ability to be an employee, officer or director of the Company.

 

2.27            Investments. No more than 45% of the “value” (as defined in Section 2(a)(41) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”)) of the Company’s total assets consist of, and no more than 45% of the Company’s net income after taxes is derived from, securities other than “Government Securities” (as defined in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act).

 

2.28            Subsidiaries. The Company does not own an interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other business entity.

 

2.29            Related Party Transactions. No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among any of the Company or any Company Affiliate, on the one hand, and any director, officer, shareholder, customer or supplier of the Company or any Company Affiliate, on the other hand, which is required by the Act, the Exchange Act or the Regulations to be described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus which is not so described and described as required. There are no outstanding loans, advances (except normal advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business) or guarantees of indebtedness by the Company to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the Company or any of their respective family members, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus. The Company has not extended or maintained credit, arranged for the extension of credit, or renewed an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any director or officer of the Company.

 

2.30            No Influence. The Company has not offered, or caused the Underwriters to offer, the Firm Units to any person or entity with the intention of unlawfully influencing: (i) a customer or supplier of the Company or any Company Affiliate to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with the Company or such affiliate; or (ii) a journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or any such affiliate.

 

2.31            Trading of the Public Securities on the Nasdaq Global Market. As of the Effective Date and the Closing Date, the Public Securities will have been authorized for listing on the Nasdaq Global Market and no proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would effect, and no event or circumstance has occurred as of the Effective Date which is reasonably likely to effect, the listing of the Public Securities on the Nasdaq Global Market.

 

2.32            Definition of “Knowledge”. As used in this Agreement, the term “knowledge of the Company” (or similar language) shall mean the knowledge of the officers and directors of the Company who are named in the Prospectus, with the assumption that such officers and directors shall have made reasonable and diligent inquiry of the matters presented.

 

2.33            The Business Combination Marketing Agreement. The Company has entered into a business combination marketing agreement with Chardan Capital Markets, LLC substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Business Combination Marketing Agreement”).

 

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3.            Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees as follows:

 

3.1            Amendments to Registration Statement. The Company will deliver to the Representative, prior to filing, any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus proposed to be filed after the Effective Date and will not file any such amendment or supplement to which the Representative shall reasonably object in writing.

 

3.2            Federal Securities Laws.

 

3.2.1            Compliance. During the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act, the Company will use all reasonable efforts to comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Act, the Regulations and the Exchange Act and by the regulations under the Exchange Act, as from time to time in force, so far as necessary to permit the continuance of sales of or dealings in the Public Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof and the Prospectus. If at any time when a Prospectus relating to the Public Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, any event shall have occurred as a result of which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary during such period to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Act, the Company will notify the Representative promptly and prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3.1 hereof, an appropriate amendment to the Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to the Prospectus (at the expense of the Company) so as to correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance.

 

3.2.2            Filing of Final Prospectus. The Company will file the Prospectus (in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative) with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Rule 424 of the Regulations.

 

3.2.3            Exchange Act Registration. For a period of five (5) years from the Effective Date, or until such earlier time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company will use its best efforts to maintain the registration of the Units, Common Stock and Warrants (until the Business Combination) under the provisions of the Exchange Act. The Company will not deregister the Units, Common Stock or Warrants prior to the Business Combination without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

3.2.4            Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance. As soon as it is legally required to do so, the Company shall take all actions necessary to obtain and thereafter maintain material compliance with each applicable provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and related or similar rules and regulations promulgated by any other governmental or self-regulatory entity or agency with jurisdiction over the Company.

 

3.2.5            Blue Sky Filing. Unless the Public Securities are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market or another national securities exchange, the Company, at its expense, will endeavor in good faith, in cooperation with the Representative, at or prior to the time the Registration Statement becomes effective, to qualify the Public Securities for offering and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate, provided that no such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Company would be subject to service of general process or to taxation as a foreign corporation doing business in such jurisdiction. In each jurisdiction where such qualification shall be effected, the Company will, unless the Representative agrees that such action is not at the time necessary or advisable, use all reasonable efforts to file and make such statements or reports at such times as are or may be required by the laws of such jurisdiction.

 

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3.2.6            Delivery to Underwriters of Prospectuses. The Company will deliver to each of the several Underwriters, without charge, from time to time during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act or the Exchange Act such number of copies of each Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to such documents as such Underwriters may reasonably request and, as soon as the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto becomes effective, deliver to the Representative two original executed Registration Statements, including exhibits, and all post-effective amendments thereto and copies of all exhibits filed therewith or incorporated therein by reference and all original executed consents of certified experts.

 

3.3            Effectiveness and Events Requiring Notice to the Representative. The Company will use all reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain effective and will notify the Representative immediately and confirm the notice in writing: (i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto; (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iii) of the issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings for the suspension of the qualification of the Public Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iv) of the mailing and delivery to the Commission for filing of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus; (v) of the receipt of any comments or request for any additional information from the Commission; and (vi) of the happening of any event during the period described in Section 3.4 hereof that, in the judgment of the Company, makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, (with respect to the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading. If the Commission or any state securities commission shall enter a stop order or suspend such qualification at any time, the Company will make every reasonable effort to obtain promptly the lifting of such order.

 

3.4            Review of Financial Statements. Until the earlier of five (5) years from the Effective Date, or until such earlier date upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company, at its expense, shall cause its regularly engaged independent certified public accountants to review (but not audit) the Company’s financial statements for each of the first three fiscal quarters prior to the announcement or filing of quarterly financial information, if any.

 

3.5            Affiliated Transactions.

 

3.5.1             Business Combinations. The Company will not consummate a Business Combination with any entity which is affiliated with the Initial Shareholders or an officer or director of the Company unless the Company obtains an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent firm that commonly renders valuation opinions stating the Business Combination is fair to the Company’s shareholders from a financial perspective.

 

3.5.2.            Administrative Services. The Company has entered into an administrative services agreement (the “Services Agreement”) with Gardiner Healthcare in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement pursuant to which the Company has made and will continue to make available to the Company general and administrative services including office space and utilities for the Company’s use for $10,000 per month until the consummation of a Business Combination.

 

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3.5.3             Compensation. Except (a)  as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or (b) as set forth in this Section 3.5,, the Company shall not pay any officer, director or Initial Shareholder, or any of their affiliates, any fees or compensation from the Company, for services rendered to the Company prior to, or in connection with, the Offering or the consummation of a Business Combination.

 

3.6            Secondary Market Trading. In the event the Public Securities are not listed on the Nasdaq Global Market or another national securities exchange, the Company will (i) apply to be included in Mergent, Inc. Manual for a period of five (5) years from the consummation of a Business Combination, (ii) take such commercially reasonable steps as may be necessary to obtain a secondary market trading exemption for the Company’s securities in such jurisdictions as reasonably requested by the Representative and (iii) take such other action as may be reasonably requested by the Representative to obtain a secondary market trading exemption in such other states as may be requested by the Representative; provided that no qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Company would be subject to service of general process or to taxation as a foreign entity doing business in such jurisdiction.

 

3.7            Financial Public Relations Firm. Promptly after the execution of a definitive agreement for a Business Combination, the Company shall retain a financial public relations firm reasonably acceptable to the Representative for a term to be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative.

 

3.8            Reports to the Representative.

 

3.8.1            Periodic Reports, Etc. For a period of five (5) years from the Effective Date or until such earlier time upon which the Company is dissolved, the Company will furnish to the Representative and its counsel copies of such financial statements and other periodic and special reports as the Company from time to time furnishes generally to holders of any class of its securities, and promptly furnish to the Representative: (i) a copy of each periodic report the Company shall be required to file with the Commission; (ii) a copy of every press release and every news item and article with respect to the Company or its affairs which was released by the Company; (iii) a copy of each Form 8-K or Schedules 13D, 13G, 14D-1 or 13E-4 received or prepared by the Company; (iv) five (5) copies of each Registration Statement; and (v) such additional documents and information with respect to the Company and the affairs of any future subsidiaries of the Company as the Representative may from time to time reasonably request; provided that the Representative shall sign, if requested by the Company, a Regulation FD compliant confidentiality agreement which is reasonably acceptable to the Representative and its counsel in connection with the Representative’s receipt of such information. Documents filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”) shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Representative pursuant to this section.

 

3.8.2            Transfer Sheets. For a period of five (5) years following the Effective Date or until such earlier time upon which the Company is dissolved, the Company shall retain a transfer and warrant agent acceptable to the Representative (the “Transfer Agent”). In the event the Public Securities are not listed on the Nasdaq Global Market or another national securities exchange, the Company will furnish to the Underwriters at the Company’s sole cost and expense such transfer sheets of the Company’s securities as the Representative may request, including the daily and monthly consolidated transfer sheets of the Transfer Agent and DTC. Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company is an acceptable Transfer Agent to the Representative.

 

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3.8.3            Trading Reports. If the Public Securities are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board (or any successor trading market) or a market operated by the OTC Market Group Inc. (or similar publisher of quotations), then during such time the Company shall provide to the Representative, at its expense, such reports published by the OTC Bulletin Board or the OTC Market Group Inc. relating to price trading of the Public Securities, as the Representative shall reasonably request. In addition to the requirements of the preceding sentence, if the Public Securities are not listed on the Nasdaq Global Market or such other national securities exchange for a period of two (2) years from the Closing Date, the Company, at its expense, shall provide Chardan a subscription to the Company’s weekly Depository Transfer Company Security Position Reports.

 

3.9            Disqualification of Form S-1. For a period equal to seven (7) years from the date hereof, the Company will not take any action or actions which may prevent or disqualify the Company’s use of Form S-1 (or other appropriate form) for the registration of the Warrants under the Act.

 

3.10            Payment of Expenses. The Company hereby agrees to pay on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, to the extent not paid at the Closing Date, all expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, including, but not limited to: (i) the Company’s legal and accounting fees and disbursements; (ii) the costs of preparing, printing, mailing (including the payment of postage with respect to such mailing) and delivering the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and final Prospectus contained therein and amendments thereto, post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, this Agreement and related documents, including the cost of all copies thereof and any amendments thereof or supplements thereto supplied to the Underwriters in quantities as may be required by the Underwriters; (iii) the printing, engraving, issuance and delivery of the Units and the shares of Common Stock and Warrants included in the Units, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon; (iv) if the Public Securities are not listed on the Nasdaq Global Market or such other national securities exchange, the qualification of the Public Securities under state or foreign securities or Blue Sky laws specified by Representative, including the costs of printing and mailing the “Preliminary Blue Sky Memorandum,” and all amendments and supplements thereto, and fees and disbursements for counsel of Representative’s choice retained for such purpose; (v) filing fees (including SEC filing fees), costs and expenses (including third party expenses and disbursements) incurred in registering the Offering; (vi) filing fees incurred in registering the Offering with FINRA; (vii) fees and disbursements of the registrar and transfer and rights and warrant agent; (viii) the Company’s expenses associated with “due diligence” meetings arranged by the Representative (none of which will be received or paid on behalf of an “underwriter and related person” as such term is defined in Rule 5110 of FINRA’s Rules); (ix) all costs and expenses associated with “road show” marketing and “due diligence” trips for the Company’s management to meet with prospective investors, including without limitation, all travel, food and lodging expenses associated with such trips; (x) the preparation of leather bound volumes and lucite cube mementos in such quantities as the Underwriter may reasonably request and (xi) all other reasonable costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided for in this Section 3.10 that the Underwriters have notified the Company about on or prior to the Closing Date. The Company has agreed to pay or reimburse the Underwriters for travel, lodging and other “road show” expenses, FINRA-related fees and expenses of the Underwriters’ legal counsel and certain diligence and other fees, including the preparation, binding and delivery of bound volumes in form and style reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters, transaction Lucite cubes or similar commemorative items in style as reasonably requested by the Representative, and reimbursement for background checks on the directors, director nominees and executive officers, which fees and expenses, including out-of-pocket accountable expenses, are capped at an aggregate of $125,000.

 

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3.11            Application of Net Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds from the Offering received by it in a manner consistent with the application described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus.

 

3.12            Delivery of Earnings Statements to Security Holders. The Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not later than the first day of the fifteenth (15th) full calendar month following the Effective Date, an earnings statement (which need not be certified by independent public or independent certified public accountants unless required by the Act or the Regulations, but which shall satisfy the provisions of Rule 158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Act) covering a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months beginning after the Effective Date.

 

3.13            Notice to FINRA.

 

3.13.1            Business Combination. In the event any person or entity (regardless of any FINRA affiliation or association) is engaged to assist the Company in its search for a merger candidate or to provide any other merger and acquisition services, the Company will provide the following to FINRA and the Representative prior to the consummation of the Business Combination: (i) complete details of all services and copies of agreements governing such services; and (ii) justification as to why the person or entity providing the merger and acquisition services should not be considered an “underwriter and related person” (as such term is defined in Rule 5110 of FINRA’s Rules) with respect to the Offering. The Company also agrees that proper disclosure of such arrangement or potential arrangement will be made in any proxy or tender offer statement which the Company files in connection with the Business Combination.

 

3.13.2            Broker/Dealer. In the event the Company intends to register as a broker/dealer, merge with or acquire a registered broker/dealer, or otherwise become a member of FINRA, it shall promptly notify FINRA.

 

3.14            Stabilization. Neither the Company, nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees, directors or stockholders (without the consent of the Representative) has taken or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act, or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Units.

 

3.15            Internal Controls. The Company will maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary in order to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

 

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3.16            Accountants. For a period of five (5) years from the Effective Date or until such earlier time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company shall retain BDO or other independent public accountants reasonably acceptable to the Representative.

  

3.17            Form 8-K. The Company shall, on the date hereof, retain its independent public accountants to audit the financial statements of the Company as of the Closing Date (the “Audited Financial Statements”) reflecting the receipt by the Company of the proceeds of the Offering and the Private Placement, as well as the proceeds from the exercise of the Over-Allotment if such exercise has occurred on the date of the Prospectus. Within four (4) Business Days of the Closing Date, the Company will file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Commission, which Report shall contain the Audited Financial Statements.

 

3.18            FINRA. The Company shall advise FINRA if it is aware that any 5% or greater stockholder of the Company becomes an affiliate or associated person of a FINRA member participating in the distribution of the Company’s Public Securities.

 

3.19            Corporate Proceedings. All corporate proceedings and other legal matters necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been done to the reasonable satisfaction to counsel for the Underwriters.

 

3.20            Investment Company. The Company shall cause the proceeds of the Offering to be held in the Trust Account to be invested only in “government securities” with specific maturity dates or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act as set forth in the Trust Agreement and disclosed in the Prospectus. The Company will otherwise conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become subject to the Investment Company Act. Furthermore, once the Company consummates a Business Combination, it will be engaged in a business other than that of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading securities.

 

3.21            Business Combination Announcement. Within four (4) Business Days following the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination, the Company shall cause an announcement (“Business Combination Announcement”) to be issued by a press release service announcing the consummation of the Business Combination and indicating that the Representative was one of the co-managing underwriters in the Offering and also indicating the name and location of any other financial advisors engaged by the Company as a merger and acquisitions advisor. The Company shall supply the Representative with a draft of the Business Combination Announcement and provide the Representative with a reasonable advance opportunity to comment thereon. The Company will not issue the Business Combination Announcement without the final approval of the Representative, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

3.22            Press Releases. The Company agrees that it will not issue press releases or engage in any other publicity, without Chardan’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), for a period of twenty-five (25) days after the Effective Date.

 

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3.23            Electronic Prospectus. The Company shall cause to be prepared and delivered to the Representative, at its expense, within one (1) Business Day from the Effective Date, an Electronic Prospectus to be used by the Underwriters in connection with the Offering. As used herein, the term “Electronic Prospectus” means a form of prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, that meets each of the following conditions: (i) it shall be encoded in an electronic format, satisfactory to the Representative, that may be transmitted electronically by the other Underwriters to offerees and purchasers of the Units for at least the period during which a Prospectus relating to the Units is required to be delivered under the Act; (ii) it shall disclose the same information as the paper prospectus and prospectus filed pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent that graphic and image material cannot be disseminated electronically, in which case such graphic and image material shall be replaced in the electronic prospectus with a fair and accurate narrative description or tabular representation of such material, as appropriate; and (iii) it shall be in or convertible into a paper format or an electronic format, satisfactory to the Representative, that will allow recipients thereof to store and have continuously ready access to the prospectus at any future time, without charge to such recipients (other than any fee charged for subscription to the Internet as a whole and for on-line time). The Company hereby confirms that it has included or will include in the Prospectus filed pursuant to EDGAR or otherwise with the Commission and in the Registration Statement at the time it was declared effective an undertaking that, upon receipt of a request by an investor or his or her representative within the period when a prospectus relating to the Units is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, the Company shall transmit or cause to be transmitted promptly, without charge, a paper copy of the Prospectus.

  

3.24            Reservation of Shares. The Company will reserve and keep available that maximum number of its authorized but unissued securities which are issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and the Placement Warrants outstanding from time to time.

 

3.25            Private Placement Proceeds. Immediately upon establishment of the Trust Account and prior to the Closing, the Company shall deposit all of the proceeds from the Private Placement in the Trust Account and shall provide the Representative with evidence of the same.

 

3.26            No Amendment to Charter.

 

3.26.1            Prior to the closing of a Business Combination, the Company covenants and agrees it will not seek to amend or modify its amended and restated certificate of incorporation without the prior approval of its Board of Directors and the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

 

3.26.2            The Company acknowledges that the purchasers of the Firm Units and Option Units in this Offering shall be deemed to be third party beneficiaries of this Section 3.26.

 

3.26.3            The Representative and the Company specifically agree that this Section 3.26 shall not be modified or amended in any way without the approval of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

 

3.27            Financial Printer. The Company shall retain a financial printer, reasonably acceptable to the Representative, for the purpose of facilitating the Company’s EDGAR filings and the printing of the Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus.

 

3.28            Listing on the Nasdaq Global Market. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the listing of the Public Securities on the Nasdaq Global Market or another national securities exchange until the earlier of five (5) years from the Effective Date or until the Public Securities are no longer registered under the Exchange Act.

 

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4.            Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the QIU and the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Units, as provided herein, shall be subject to the continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company as of the date hereof and as of each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, to the accuracy of the statements of officers of the Company made pursuant to the provisions hereof and to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following conditions:

 

4.1            Regulatory Matters.

 

4.1.1            Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have become effective not later than 5:00 P.M., New York time, on the date of this Agreement or such later date and time as shall be consented to in writing by the Representative, and, at each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for the purpose shall have been instituted or shall be pending or contemplated by the Commission and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of Greenberg Traurig, LLP.

 

4.1.2            FINRA Clearance. By the Effective Date, the Representative shall have received clearance from FINRA as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Underwriters as described in the Registration Statement.

 

4.1.3            No Commission Stop Order. At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, the Commission has not issued any order or threatened to issue any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or any part thereof, and has not instituted or threatened to institute any proceedings with respect to such an order.

 

4.1.4            No Blue Sky Stop Orders. No order suspending the sale of the Units in any jurisdiction designated by the Representative pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof, if any, shall have been issued on either the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or shall be contemplated.

 

4.1.5            The Nasdaq Global Market. By the Effective Date, the Securities shall have been approved for trading on the Nasdaq Global Market.

 

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4.2            Company Counsel Matters.

 

4.2.1            Closing Date Opinion of Counsel. On the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion of Reed Smith LLP (“Reed Smith”), counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Representative and the other Underwriters and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative. The opinion of counsel shall further include a statement to the effect that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company and representatives of the Underwriters at which the contents of the Registration Statement, final Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and related matters were discussed and although such counsel is not passing upon and does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement, final Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (except as otherwise set forth in such opinion), no facts have come to the attention of such counsel which lead them to believe that either the Registration Statement, final Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, as of the date of such opinion contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (it being understood that such counsel need express no opinion with respect to the financial statements and related notes and schedules and other financial and statistical data included in the Registration Statement, final Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or matters relating to the sale of securities in any jurisdiction outside the U.S.). The opinion of counsel shall state that such counsel is not opining as to the Placement Securities with respect to any rights to rescind or the effect any exercise of such rights will have on any other securities of the Company or on the Offering.

 

4.2.2            Option Closing Date Opinion of Counsel. On each Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion of Reed Smith, dated each Option Closing Date, addressed to the Representative and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel to the Representative, confirming as of each Option Closing Date, the statements made by Reed Smith in its opinion delivered on the Closing Date.

 

4.2.3            Reliance. In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely: (i) as to matters involving the application of laws other than the laws of the United States and jurisdictions in which they are admitted, to the extent such counsel deems proper and to the extent specified in such opinion, if at all, upon an opinion or opinions (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative) of other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Representative, familiar with the applicable laws; and (ii) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates or other written statements of officers of the Company and officers of departments of various jurisdictions having custody of documents respecting the corporate existence or good standing of the Company, provided that copies of any such statements or certificates shall be delivered to the Underwriters’ counsel if requested. The opinion of counsel for the Company and any opinion relied upon by such counsel for the Company shall include a statement to the effect that it may be relied upon by counsel for the Underwriters in its opinion delivered to the Underwriters.

 

4.3            Cold Comfort Letter. At the time this Agreement is executed, and at each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a letter, addressed to the Representative and in form and substance satisfactory in all respects (including the nature of the changes or decreases, if any, referred to in Section 4.3.3 below) to the Representative from BDO dated, respectively, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any:

 

4.3.1            Confirming that they are an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Act and the applicable Regulations;

 

4.3.2            Stating that in their opinion the financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the Regulations thereunder;

 

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4.3.3            Stating that, on the basis of limited procedures which included a reading of the latest available minutes of the stockholders and board of directors and the various committees of the board of directors, consultations with officers and other employees of the Company responsible for financial and accounting matters and other specified procedures and inquiries, nothing has come to their attention which would lead them to believe that: (a) at a date not later than five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there was any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company, or any decrease in the stockholders’ equity of the Company as compared with amounts shown in the April 8, 2021 and June 30, 2021 balance sheets included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, other than as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, or, if there was any decrease, setting forth the amount of such decrease; and (b) during the period from April 8, 2021 and June 30, 2021 (balance sheet dates) to a specified date not later than five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there was any decrease in net earnings or net earnings per share of Common Stock, in each case as compared with the Statement of Operations for the periods from March 25, 2021 (inception) to April 8, 2021 and June 30, 2021 included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, or, if there was any such decrease, setting forth the amount of such decrease;

 

4.3.4            Stating they have compared specific dollar amounts, numbers of shares, percentages of earnings, statements and other financial information pertaining to the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus in each case to the extent that such amounts, numbers, percentages, statements and information may be derived from the general accounting records, including work sheets, of the Company and excluding any questions requiring an interpretation by legal counsel, with the results obtained from the application of specified readings, inquiries and other appropriate procedures (which procedures do not constitute an examination in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB) set forth in the letter and found them to be in agreement; and

 

4.3.5            Statements as to such other matters incident to the transaction contemplated hereby as the Representative may reasonably request.

 

4.4            Officers’ Certificates.

 

4.4.1            Officers’ Certificate. At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Chief Executive Officer or the President and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, respectively, to the effect that the Company has performed all covenants and complied with all conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Company prior to and as of the Closing Date, or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and that the conditions set forth in Section 4 hereof have been satisfied as of such date and that, as of Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 2 hereof are true and correct. In addition, the Representative will have received such other and further certificates of officers of the Company as the Representative may reasonably request.

 

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4.4.2            Secretary’s Certificate. At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, certifying: (i) that the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company are true and complete, have not been modified and are in full force and effect; (ii) that the resolutions relating to the Offering are in full force and effect and have not been modified; (iii) all correspondence between the Company or its counsel and the Commission; (iv) all correspondence between the Company or its counsel and the Nasdaq Stock Market; and (v) as to the incumbency of the officers of the Company. The documents referred to in such certificate shall be attached to such certificate.

 

4.5            No Material Changes. Prior to and on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any: (i) there shall have been no material adverse change or development that is likely to result in a material adverse change in the condition or prospects or the business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus; (ii) no action, suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall have been pending or threatened against the Company or the Initial Shareholders before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding may materially adversely affect the business, operations, prospects or financial condition or income of the Company, except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus; (iii) no stop order shall have been issued under the Act and no proceedings therefor shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and (iv) the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto shall contain all material statements which are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act and the Regulations and shall conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the Regulations, and neither the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus nor the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading.

 

4.6            Delivery of Agreements.

 

4.6.1            Effective Date Deliveries. On the Effective Date, the Company shall have delivered to the Representative executed copies of the Trust Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Business Combination Marketing Agreement, all of the Insider Letters, the Subscription Agreements, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Escrow Agreement.

 

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5.            Indemnification.

 

5.1            Indemnification of Underwriters.

 

5.1.1            General. Subject to the conditions set forth below, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Underwriters and each dealer selected by the Representative that participates in the offer and sale of the Units (each a “Selected Dealer”) and each of their respective directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls any such Underwriter (“Controlling Person”) within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including but not limited to any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between any of the Underwriters and the Company or between any of the Underwriters and any third party or otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or any other federal, state or local statute, law, rule, regulation or ordinance or at common law or otherwise or under the laws, rules and regulation of foreign countries, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in: (i) any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus (as from time to time each may be amended and supplemented); or (ii) any application or other document or written communication (in this Section 5, collectively called “Application”) executed by the Company or based upon written information furnished by the Company in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Units under the securities laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any state securities commission or agency, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any securities exchange; or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to an Underwriter by or on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereof. With respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Preliminary Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter to the extent that any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense of such Underwriter results from the fact that a copy of the Prospectus was not given or sent to the person asserting any such loss, liability, claim or damage at or prior to the written confirmation of sale of the Securities to such person as required by the Act and the Regulations, and if the untrue statement or omission has been corrected in the Prospectus, unless such failure to deliver the Prospectus was a result of non-compliance by the Company with its obligations under Section 3.2 hereof. The Company agrees to promptly notify the Representative of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Company or any of its officers, directors or Controlling Persons in connection with the issue and sale of the Securities or in connection with the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus.

 

5.1.2            Indemnification of the QIU. Without limitation of and in addition to its obligations under the other paragraphs of this Section 5, the Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the QIU, its directors, officers, employees and each Controlling Person of the QIU, if any, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons, from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or severally, the QIU or any such person may incur, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon the QIU’s acting as a “qualified independent underwriter” (within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121) in connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement, and the Company agrees to advance and reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the QIU specifically for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus.

 

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5.1.3            Procedure. If any action is brought against an Underwriter, the QIU or a Controlling Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to Section 5.1.1, such Underwriter or the QIU shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the institution of such action and the Company shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel (subject to the reasonable approval of such Underwriter or the QIU) and payment of actual expenses. Such Underwriter, the QIU or Controlling Person shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter, the QIU or such Controlling Person unless: (i) the employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company shall have been authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such action within reasonable time under the circumstances; (ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action; or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to the Company, or another conflict of interest or conflict as to legal representation exists (in which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm of attorneys selected by the Underwriter, the QIU and/or Controlling Person shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Underwriter, the QIU or Controlling Person shall assume the defense of such action as provided above, the Company shall have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such action which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

5.2            Indemnification of the Company. Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers and employees and agents who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the several Underwriters, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Application, in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, written information furnished to the Company with respect to such Underwriter by or on behalf of the Underwriter expressly for use in such Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any such Application, which furnished written information, it is expressly agreed, consists solely of the information described in the last sentence of Section 2.3.1. In case any action shall be brought against the Company or any other person so indemnified based on any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or any Application, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter, such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company and each other person so indemnified shall have the rights and duties given to the several Underwriters by the provisions of Section 5.1.2.

 

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5.3            Contribution.

 

5.3.1            Contribution Rights. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution under the Act in any case in which: (i) any person entitled to indemnification under this Section 5 makes a claim for indemnification pursuant hereto but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Section 5 provides for indemnification in such case; or (ii) contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise may be required on the part of any such person in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Section 5, then, and in each such case, the Company and the Underwriters shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and the Underwriters, as incurred, in such proportions that the Underwriters are responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that the underwriting discount appearing on the cover page of the Prospectus bears to the initial offering price appearing thereon and the Company is responsible for the balance; provided, that, no person guilty of a fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.3.1, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Public Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay in respect of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses. For purposes of this Section, each director, officer and employee of an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, and each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Underwriters or the Company, as applicable. The QIU, in its capacity as “qualified independent underwriter” (within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121), shall in no event be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount the compensation received by the QIU for acting in such capacity exceeds the amount of any damage which the QIU has otherwise been required to pay by reason of the QIU’s acting in such capacity in connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement.

 

5.3.2            Contribution Procedure. Within fifteen (15) days after receipt by any party to this Agreement (or its representative) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, such party will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is to be made against another party (“Contributing Party”), notify the Contributing Party of the commencement thereof, but the omission to so notify the Contributing Party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any other party other than for contribution hereunder. In case any such action, suit or proceeding is brought against any party, and such party notifies a Contributing Party or its representative of the commencement thereof within the aforesaid fifteen (15) days, the Contributing Party will be entitled to participate therein with the notifying party and any other Contributing Party similarly notified. Any such Contributing Party shall not be liable to any party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding effected by such party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding effected by such party seeking contribution without the written consent of such Contributing Party. The contribution provisions contained in this Section are intended to supersede, to the extent permitted by law, any right to contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise available. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5.3 are several and not joint.

 

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6.            Default by an Underwriter.

 

6.1            Default Not Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units. If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall default in its or their obligations to purchase the Firm Units or the Option Units, if the Over-allotment Option is exercised, hereunder, and if the number of the Firm Units or Option Units with respect to which such default relates does not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the number of Firm Units or Option Units that all Underwriters have agreed to purchase hereunder, then such Firm Units or Option Units to which the default relates shall be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder.

 

6.2            Default Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units. In the event that the default addressed in Section 6.1 above relates to more than 10% of the Firm Units or Option Units, the Representative may in its discretion arrange for itself or for another party or parties to purchase such Firm Units or Option Units to which such default relates on the terms contained herein. If, within one (1) Business Day after such default relating to more than 10% of the Firm Units or Option Units, the Representative does not arrange for the purchase of such Firm Units or Option Units, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of one (1) Business Day within which to procure another party or parties satisfactory to the Company and the Representative to purchase said Firm Units or Option Units on such terms. In the event neither the Company nor the Representative arranges for the purchase of the Firm Units or Option Units to which a default relates as provided in this Section 6, this Agreement may be terminated by the Company without liability on the part of the Company (except as provided in Sections 3.10 and 5 hereof) or the several Underwriters (except as provided in Section 5 hereof); provided, however, that if such default occurs with respect to the Option Units, this Agreement will not terminate as to the Firm Units; and provided further that nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the other several Underwriters and to the Company for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.

 

6.3            Postponement of Closing Date. In the event the Firm Units or Option Units to which the default relates are to be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters, or are to be purchased by another party or parties as aforesaid, the Representative or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date or Option Closing Date for a reasonable period, but not in any event exceeding five (5) Business Days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus, as the case may be, or in any other documents and arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendment to, or to supplement, the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus, as the case may be, that in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters may thereby be made necessary. The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall include any party substituted under this Section 6 with like effect as if it had originally been a party to this Agreement with respect to such Securities.

 

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7.            Additional Covenants.

 

7.1            Additional Shares or Options. The Company hereby agrees that until the Company consummates a Business Combination, it shall not issue any shares of Common Stock or any options or other securities convertible into shares of Common Stock, or any class of shares which participate in any manner in the Trust Account or which vote as a class with the Common Stock on a Business Combination.

 

7.2            Trust Account Waiver Acknowledgments. The Company hereby agrees that it will not commence its due diligence investigation of any operating business or businesses which the Company seeks to acquire (each, a “Target Business”) unless and until such Target Business acknowledges in writing, whether through a letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or other similar document (and subsequently acknowledges the same in any definitive document replacing any of the foregoing), that: (i) it has read the Prospectus and understands that the Company has established the Trust Account, initially in an amount of $75,000,000 for the benefit of the public stockholders, and that (ii) for and in consideration of the Company agreeing to evaluate such Target Business for purposes of consummating a Business Combination with it, such Target Business agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies of the Trust Account (“Claim”) and waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. The Company further agrees that it will use all reasonable efforts, prior to obtaining the services of any vendor, to obtain a written acknowledgment from such vendor, whether through a letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or other similar document (and subsequently acknowledges the same in any definitive document replacing any of the foregoing), that: (i) such vendor has read the Prospectus and understands that the Company has established the Trust Account, initially in an amount of $75,000,000 for the benefit of the public stockholders, and that (ii) for and in consideration of the Company agreeing to engage the services of the vendor, such vendor agrees that it does not have any Claim and waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. The foregoing letters shall substantially be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and B, respectively.

 

7.3            Insider Letters. The Company shall not take any action or omit to take any action which would cause a breach of any of the Insider Letters executed among the Initial Shareholders, the officers and directors of the Company, and the Company or the Subscription Agreements and will not allow any amendments to, or waivers of, such Insider Letters or the Subscription Agreements without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

7.4            Certificate of Incorporation. The Company shall not take any action or omit to take any action that would cause the Company to be in breach or violation of its amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Except as provided in Section 3.26, prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, the Company will not amend its amended and restated certificate of incorporation, without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

7.5            Tender Offer Documents, Proxy Materials and Other Information. The Company shall provide counsel to the Representative with copies of all tender offer documents or proxy information and all related material filed with the Commission in connection with a Business Combination concurrently with such filing with the Commission. In addition, the Company shall furnish any other State in which the Offering was registered, such information as may be required by such State.

 

7.6            Acquisition/Liquidation Procedure. The Company agrees that it will comply with its amended and restated certificate of incorporation in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination or the failure to consummate a Business Combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months, as applicable) from the Closing Date.

 

7.7            Rule 419. The Company agrees that it will use its best efforts to prevent the Company from becoming subject to Rule 419 under the Act prior to the consummation of any Business Combination, including, but not limited to, using its best efforts to prevent any of the Company’s outstanding securities from being deemed to be a “penny stock” as defined in Rule 3a-51-1 under the Exchange Act during such period.

 

7.8            Presentation of Potential Target Businesses. The Company shall cause the Company’s officers, directors and Initial Shareholders to agree that, in order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple affiliations, the Company’s officers, directors and Initial Shareholders will present to the Company for its consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or company, any suitable opportunity to acquire an operating business, until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination or the liquidation of the Company, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary obligations the Initial Shareholders might have.

 

8.            Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery. Except as the context otherwise requires, all representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to be representations, warranties and agreements at the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, if any, and such representations, warranties and agreements of the Underwriters and the Company, including the indemnity agreements contained in Section 5 hereof, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, the Company or any Controlling Person, and shall survive termination of this Agreement or the issuance and delivery of the Units to the several Underwriters until the earlier of the expiration of any applicable statute of limitations and the seventh anniversary of the later of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, if any, at which time the representations, warranties and agreements shall terminate and be of no further force and effect.

 

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9.            Effective Date of This Agreement and Termination Thereof.

 

9.1            Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date at the time the Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission.

 

9.2            Termination. The Representative shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to any Closing Date: (i) if any domestic or international event or act or occurrence has materially disrupted, or in the Representative’s opinion will in the immediate future materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States; or (ii) if trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Stock Market or on the OTC Bulletin Board (or successor trading market) shall have been suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required on the OTC Bulletin Board or by order of the Commission or any other government authority having jurisdiction; or (iii) if the United States shall have become involved in a war or an initiation or increase in major hostilities, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by a New York State or federal authority, or (v) if a moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which materially adversely impacts the United States securities markets; or (vi) if the Company shall have sustained a material loss by fire, flood, accident, hurricane, earthquake, theft, sabotage or other calamity or malicious act which, whether or not such loss shall have been insured, will, in the Representative’s opinion, make it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Units; or (vii) if any of the Company’s representations, warranties or covenants hereunder are breached; or (viii) if the Representative shall have become aware after the date hereof of such a material adverse change in the conditions or prospects of the Company, or such material adverse change in general market conditions, including, without limitation, as a result of terrorist activities after the date hereof, as in the Representative’s judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with the offering, sale and/or delivery of the Units or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriters for the sale of the Units.

 

9.3            Expenses. In the event this Agreement shall not be carried out for any reason whatsoever, except as a result of the Representative’s or any Underwriters’ breach or default with respect to any of its material obligations pursuant to this Agreement, within the time specified herein or any extensions thereof pursuant to the terms herein, the obligations of the Company to pay the out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by the Representative related to the transactions contemplated herein shall be governed by Section 3.10 hereof.

 

9.4            Indemnification. Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, any election hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of Section 5 shall not be in any way affected by such election or termination or failure to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any part hereof.

 

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10.            Miscellaneous.

 

10.1            Notices. All communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise specifically provided, shall be in writing and shall be mailed, delivered by hand or reputable overnight courier or delivered by facsimile transmission (with printed confirmation of receipt) and confirmed, or by electronic transmission via PDF, and shall be deemed given when so mailed, delivered, or faxed or transmitted (or if mailed, three days after such mailing):

 

If to the Representative:

 

Chardan Capital Markets, LLC
17 State Street, Suite 2100
New York, New York 10004
Attn.: Jonas Grossman
Email: jgrossman@chardancm.com
Fax: (646) 465-9036

 

Copy to (which copy shall not be deemed to constitute notice to the Representative):

 

Greenberg Traurig, LLP
1750 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 1000
McLean, Virginia 22102

Attn: Jason Simon

Email: simonj@gtlaw.com

Fax: (703) 714-8386

 

If to the Company:

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. 

3107 Warrington Road
Shaker Heights, OH 44120
Attn: Marc F. Pelletier, Chief Executive Officer

Email: mfpelletier@gardinerhealthcare.com

 

Copy to (which copy shall not be deemed to constitute notice to the Company):

 

Reed Smith LLP

599 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Attn: Ari Edelman, Esq.

Email: aedelman@reedsmith.com

Fax: (212) 521-5450

 

If to the QIU:

 

B. Riley Securities, Inc.

299 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10171

Attn:

Email:

 

10.2            Headings. The headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.

 

10.3            Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument executed by each of the parties hereto.

 

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10.4            Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the other agreements and documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement) constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

10.5            Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Representative, the Underwriters, the QIU, the Company and the Controlling Persons, directors and officers referred to in Section 5 hereof, and their respective successors, legal representatives and assigns, and no other person shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provisions herein contained.

 

10.6            Governing Law, Venue, Etc.

 

10.6.1            This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof. Each of the Representative and the Company (and any individual signatory hereto): (i) agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and/or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be instituted exclusively in New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York; (ii) waives any objection which such party may have or hereafter have to the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding; and (iii) irrevocably and exclusively consents to the jurisdiction of the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in any such suit, action or proceeding.

 

10.6.2            Each of the Representative and the Company (and any individual signatory hereto) further agrees to accept and acknowledge service of any and all process which may be served in any such suit, action or proceeding in the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and agrees that service of process upon the Company or any such individual mailed by certified mail to the Company’s address shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company or any such individual in any such suit, action or proceeding, and service of process upon the Representative mailed by certified mail to the Representative’s addresses shall be deemed in every respect effective service process upon the Representative, in any such suit, action or proceeding.

 

10.6.3            THE COMPANY (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ON BEHALF OF ITS EQUITY HOLDERS AND CREDITORS) HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS.

 

10.6.4            The Company agrees that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action shall be entitled to recover from the other party(ies) all of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to such action or proceeding and/or incurred in connection with the preparation therefor.

 

10.7            Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts has been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by fax or email/.pdf transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery thereof.

 

10.8            Waiver, Etc. The failure of any of the parties hereto to at any time enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way effect the validity of this Agreement or any provision hereof or the right of any of the parties hereto to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this Agreement. No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment.

 

10.9            No Fiduciary Relationship. The Company hereby acknowledges that the Underwriters are acting solely as underwriters, and the QIU is acting solely as a “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121, in connection with the Offering. The Company further acknowledges that the Underwriters and the QIU are acting pursuant to a contractual relationship created solely by this Agreement entered into on an arm’s length basis and in no event do the parties intend that the Underwriters or the QIU act or be responsible as a fiduciary to the Company, its management, stockholders, creditors or any other person in connection with any activity that the Underwriters or the QIU may undertake or have undertaken in furtherance of the Offering, either before or after the date hereof. The Underwriters and the QIU hereby expressly disclaim any fiduciary or similar obligations to the Company, either in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions, and the Company hereby confirms its understanding and agreement to that effect. The Company, the Underwriters and the QIU agree that they are each responsible for making their own independent judgments with respect to any such transactions, and that any opinions or views expressed by the Underwriters or the QIU to the Company regarding such transactions, including but not limited to any opinions or views with respect to the price or market for the Company’s securities, do not constitute advice or recommendations to the Company. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriters or the QIU with respect to any breach or alleged breach of any fiduciary or similar duty to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding among the Underwriters, the QIU and the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between us.

 

Very truly yours,  
   
GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.  
   
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

Agreed to and accepted on the date first above written.

 

CHARDAN CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC, as Representative of the several Underwriters  
 
By:    
Name: Jonas Grossman  
Title: President   

 

B. Riley Securities, Inc., as Qualified Independent Underwriter  
   
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

[Signature Page of the Underwriting Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

 

Underwriter  

Number of Firm Units to be Purchased 

Chardan Capital Markets, LLC    
[●]    
TOTAL   7,500,000

 

Schedule A-1

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Form of Target Business Letter

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. 

3107 Warrington Road
Shaker Heights, OH 44120
Attn: Marc F. Pelletier, Chief Executive Officer

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Final Prospectus of Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”), dated [●], 2021 (the “Prospectus”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus.

 

We have read the Prospectus and understand that the Company has established a “trust account”, initially in an amount of at least $75,000,000 for the benefit of the “public shareholders” and the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering (the “Underwriters”) and that, except for interest earned on the trust account that may be released to the Company to pay any taxes it incurs, proceeds in the trust account will not be released until (a) the consummation of a Business Combination, or (b) the dissolution and liquidation of the Company if it is unable to consummate a Business Combination within the allotted time.

 

For and in consideration of the Company agreeing to evaluate the undersigned for purposes of consummating a business combination or other form of acquisition with it, the undersigned hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account (the “Claim”) and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever.

 

Print Name of Target Business

 

Authorized Signature of Target Business

 

Exhibit A-1

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Form of Vendor Letter

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. 

3107 Warrington Road
Shaker Heights, OH 44120
Attn: Marc F. Pelletier, Chief Executive Officer

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Final Prospectus of Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”), dated [●], 2021 (the “Prospectus”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus.

 

We have read the Prospectus and understand that the Company has established a “trust account”, initially in an amount of at least $75,000,000 for the benefit of the “public shareholders” and the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering (the “Underwriters”) and that, except for interest earned on the trust account that may be released to the Company to pay any taxes it incurs, proceeds in the trust account will not be released until (a) the consummation of a Business Combination, or (b) the dissolution and liquidation of the Company if it is unable to consummate a Business Combination within the allotted time.

 

For and in consideration of the Company agreeing to use the products or services of the undersigned, the undersigned hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account (the “Claim”) and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever.

 

Print Name of Vendor

 

Authorized Signature of Vendor 

 

Exhibit B-1

 

 Exhibit 1.2

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.
3107 Warrington Road
Shaker Heights, OH 44120

 

[●], 2021

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

3107 Warrington Road
Shaker Heights, OH 44120
Attn: Marc F. Pelletier, Chief Executive Officer

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This is to confirm our agreement whereby Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), has requested Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (the “Advisor”) to assist it in connection with the Company engaging in a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination (in each case, a “Business Combination”) with one or more businesses (each a “Target”) as described in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333- ), as amended, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“Registration Statement”) in connection with the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”).

 

1. Services and Fees. (a) (a) The Advisor will, from time to time, upon the Company’s request and in consultation with the Company:

 

(i) Assist the Company in arranging meetings with its stockholders to discuss one or more potential Business Combinations, including making calls to stockholders and providing business updates and marketing feedback, in all cases to the extent legally permissible;

 

(ii) Introduce the Company to potential investors to purchase the Company’s publicly-traded securities in after-market transactions following the public announcement of the Business Combination;

 

(iii) Provide financial advisory services to assist the Company in its efforts to obtain any stockholder approval for one or more Business Combinations, until such time as the Company has completed an initial Business Combination; and

 

(iv) Assist the Company with any press releases and/or filings related to any Business Combination or related Targets (the activities described in the foregoing clauses (i)-(iv), the “Services”).

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Services will not include (x) any solicitation of potential investors in connection with the IPO or any Business Combination, (y) any solicitation of proxies in connection with the Business Combination, or (z) any provision of M&A-related advisory services. In the event that the Company requests that the Advisor provide any placement agent and/or M&A-related advisory services, such engagement will be set forth in one or more separate agreements between the Company and the Advisor.

 

(b)            As compensation for the Services, the Company will pay the Advisor a cash fee equal to, in the aggregate, 3.5% of the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of its equity securities pursuant to the Registration Statement in connection with the IPO, including any proceeds from the full or partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option described therein (the “Fee”). The Fee is due and payable to the Advisor by wire transfer at the closing of the initial Business Combination (“Closing”). If a proposed Business Combination is not consummated for any reason during the 12-month period (or up to 18 months, if extended as described in the Registration Statement) (as such period may be otherwise extended pursuant to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation) from the closing of the IPO, no Fee shall be due or payable to the Advisor hereunder. The Fee shall be exclusive of any other fees which may become payable to the Advisor pursuant to any other agreement among the Advisor and the Company or any Target.

 

(c)             In addition to the Services, the Company and the Advisor shall negotiate in good faith regarding the engagement of the Advisor by the Company as a financial advisor in connection with the Company’s initial Business Combination, and as a placement agent in connection with any private placement undertaken in connection with such initial Business Combination, on mutually agreeable terms and conditions and pursuant to one or more separate engagement letters to be entered into between the parties.

 

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2.           Expenses. At the Closing, the Company shall reimburse the Advisor for all reasonable and documented costs and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Advisor (including reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of outside counsel) in connection with the performance of the Services hereunder; provided, however, that such expenses shall not exceed $25,000 in the aggregate without the prior written consent of the Company.

 

3.           Company Cooperation; Information. The Company will provide full cooperation to the Advisor as may be necessary for the efficient performance by the Advisor of its obligations hereunder, including providing to the Advisor and its counsel, on a timely basis, all documents and information regarding the Company and any Target that the Advisor may reasonably request or that are otherwise relevant to the Advisor’s performance of its obligations hereunder (collectively, the “Information”); making the Company’s management, auditors, consultants and advisors available to the Advisor; and using commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Advisor with reasonable access to the management, auditors, suppliers, customers, consultants and advisors of any Target. The Company will promptly notify the Advisor of any change in facts or circumstances or new developments affecting the Company or any Target or that might reasonably be considered material to the Advisor’s engagement hereunder.

 

4.           Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The Company represents, warrants and covenants to the Advisor that all Information it makes available to the Advisor by or on behalf of the Company in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading as of the date thereof and as of the consummation of the Business Combination.

 

5.           Indemnity. The Company shall indemnify the Advisor and its affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, shareholders, representatives and agents in accordance with the indemnification provisions set forth in Annex I hereto, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing and Annex I, the Advisor agrees, if there is no Closing, (i) that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Company’s trust account (“Trust Account”) established in connection with the IPO with respect to the Fee or any expenses provided for hereunder (each, a “Claim”); (ii) to waive any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any Services provided to the Company hereunder; and (iii) to not seek recourse against the Trust Account with respect to the Fee or any expenses provided for hereunder.

 

6.           Use of Name and Reports. Without the Advisor’s prior written consent (which may be provided via email), neither the Company nor any of its affiliates (nor any director, officer, manager, partner, member, employee or agent thereof) shall quote or refer to in any public communication (i) the Advisor’s name or (ii) any advice rendered by the Advisor to the Company or any communication from the Advisor, in connection with performance of the Services, except as required by applicable federal or state law, regulation or securities exchange rule.

 

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7.           Status as Independent Contractor. The Advisor shall perform the Services as an independent contractor and not as an employee of the Company or affiliate thereof. It is expressly understood and agreed to by the parties that the Advisor shall have no authority to act for, represent or bind the Company or any affiliate thereof in any manner, except as may be expressly agreed to by the Company in writing. In rendering such services, the Advisor will be acting solely pursuant to a contractual relationship on an arm’s-length basis. This Agreement is not intended to create a fiduciary relationship between the parties and neither the Advisor nor any of the Advisor’s officers, directors or personnel will owe any fiduciary duty to the Company or any other person in connection with any of the matters contemplated by this Agreement.

 

8.           Potential Conflicts. The Company acknowledges that the Advisor is a full-service securities firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities and providing investment banking and advisory services from which conflicting interests may arise. In the ordinary course of business, the Advisor and its affiliates may at any time hold long or short positions, and may trade or otherwise effect transactions, for its own account and the accounts of customers, in debt or equity securities of the Company, its affiliates or other entities that may be involved in the transactions contemplated hereby, and may provide advisory and other services to one or more actual or potential Targets, investors or other parties to any Business Combination or other transaction entered into by the Company, for which services the Advisor or one or more of its affiliates may be paid fees, including fees conditioned upon the closing of a particular Business Combination or other transaction or transactions. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to limit or restrict the Advisor or any of its affiliates in conducting any such business.

 

9.           Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect thereto. This Agreement may not be modified or terminated orally or in any manner other than by an agreement in writing signed by the parties hereto.

 

10.         Notices. Any notices required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when sent via email to each party at its respective address set forth below its signature and received by such party’s online access provider or mailed by certified mail or private courier service, return receipt requested, addressed to each party at its respective addresses set forth above, or such other address as may be given by a party in a notice given pursuant to this section.

 

11.         Successors and Assigns. This Agreement may not be assigned by any party without the written consent of the other parties hereto. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and, except where prohibited, to their successors and permitted assigns.

 

12.         Non-Exclusivity. Nothing herein shall be deemed to restrict or prohibit the engagement by the Company of other consultants providing the same or similar services or the payment by the Company of fees to such parties. The Company’s engagement of any other consultant(s) shall not affect the Advisor’s right to receive the Fee and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to this Agreement.

 

13.         Applicable Law; Venue. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

 

IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISPUTE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT THE DISPUTE SHALL BE BROUGHT AND ENFORCED IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NEW YORK UNDER THE ACCELERATED ADJUDICATION PROCEDURES OF THE COMMERCIAL DIVISION. EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO SUCH JURISDICTION, WHICH JURISDICTION SHALL BE EXCLUSIVE. EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO SUCH EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND THAT SUCH COURTS REPRESENT AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. ANY PROCESS OR SUMMONS TO BE SERVED IN SUCH A DISPUTE UPON A PARTY MAY BE SERVED BY TRANSMITTING A COPY THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, ADDRESSED TO SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS FOR SUCH PARTY SET FORTH AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS AGREEMENT. SUCH MAILING SHALL BE DEEMED PERSONAL SERVICE AND SHALL BE LEGAL AND BINDING UPON THE PARTY BEING SERVED. THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THE PREVAILING PARTY(IES) IN ANY SUCH ACTION SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER FROM THE OTHER PARTY(IES) ALL OF SUCH PREVAILING PARTY’S(IES’) REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND EXPENSES RELATING TO SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING AND/OR INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PREPARATION THEREFOR.

 

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14.         Interpretation. The term “including” shall mean “including, but not limited to”.

 

15.         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several original or facsimile counterparts, each one of which shall constitute an original, and all of which together shall constitute but one instrument.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

4 

 

 

If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding among the Advisor and the Company with respect to the foregoing, please indicate your agreement by signing in the place provided below, and this letter shall become a binding contract as of the date first set forth above.

 

  CHARDAN CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

Agreed and accepted by:  
   
gardiner healthcare acquisitions corp.  
   
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Business Combination Marketing Agreement]

 

 

 

 

ANNEX I

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

In connection with the Company’s engagement of Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (the “Advisor”) pursuant to that certain letter agreement (“Agreement”) of which this Annex forms a part, Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”) hereby agrees, subject to the second paragraph of Section 5 of the Agreement, to indemnify and hold harmless the Advisor and each of its affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, shareholders, representatives and agents of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Indemnified Persons”), from and against any and all claims, actions, suits, proceedings (including those of stockholders), damages, liabilities and expenses incurred by any of them (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel), as incurred (collectively a “Claim”), that (A) are related to or arise out of (i) any actions taken or omitted to be taken (including any untrue statements made or any statements omitted to be made) by the Company, or (ii) any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any Indemnified Person, in connection with the Company’s engagement of the Advisor, or (B) otherwise relate to or arise out of the Advisor’s activities on the Company’s behalf under the Advisor’s engagement, and the Company shall reimburse any Indemnified Person for all expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of outside counsel) as incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with investigating, preparing and defending any such claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether or not in connection with pending or threatened litigation in which any Indemnified Person is a party. The Company will not, however, be responsible for any Claim that is finally judicially determined to have resulted from bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Indemnified Person. The Company further agrees that no Indemnified Person shall have any liability to the Company for or in connection with the Company’s engagement of the Advisor except for any Claim incurred by the Company as a result of such Indemnified Person’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

The Company further agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of the Advisor, settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened Claim in respect of which indemnification may be sought hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified Person is an actual or potential party to such Claim), unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional, irrevocable release of each Indemnified Person from any and all liability arising out of such Claim.

 

Promptly upon receipt by an Indemnified Person of notice of any complaint or the assertion or institution of any Claim with respect to which indemnification is being sought hereunder, such Indemnified Person shall notify the Company in writing of such complaint or of such assertion or institution, but failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company from any obligation it may have hereunder, except and only to the extent such failure results in the forfeiture by the Company of substantial rights and defenses. If the Company so elects or is requested by such Indemnified Person, the Company will assume the defense of such Claim, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person and the payment of the fees and expenses of such counsel. In the event, however, that legal counsel to such Indemnified Person reasonably determines that having common counsel would present such counsel with an actual or potential conflict of interest or if the defendant in, or target of, any such Claim includes an Indemnified Person and the Company, and legal counsel to such Indemnified Person reasonably concludes that there may be actual or potential legal defenses available to it or other Indemnified Persons different from or in addition to those available to the Company, then such Indemnified Person may employ its own separate counsel to represent or defend him, her or it in any such Claim and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel; provided that any such fees and expenses shall be promptly reimbursed to the Company in the event that the underlying Claim is finally judicially determined to have resulted from bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Indemnified Person. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Company fails timely or diligently to defend, contest, or otherwise protect against any Claim, the relevant Indemnified Party shall have the right, but not the obligation, to defend, contest, compromise, settle, assert crossclaims, or counterclaims or otherwise protect against the same, and shall be fully indemnified by the Company therefor, including for the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel and all amounts paid as a result of such Claim or the compromise or settlement thereof.

 

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In addition, with respect to any Claim in which the Company assumes the defense, the Indemnified Person shall have the right to participate in such Claim and to retain his, her or its own counsel therefor at his, her or its own expense. The Company agrees that if any indemnity sought by an Indemnified Person hereunder is held by a court to be unavailable for any reason (other than a final judicial determination that the underlying Claim resulted from bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of an Indemnified Person), then (whether or not the Advisor is an Indemnified Person) the Company and the Advisor shall contribute to the Claim for which such indemnity is held unavailable in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits to the Company, on the one hand, and the Advisor, on the other, in connection with the Advisor’ engagement referred to above, subject to the limitation that in no event shall the amount of any the Advisor’s contribution to such Claim exceed the amount of Fee actually received by the Advisor from the Company pursuant to such engagement. The Company hereby agrees that the relative benefits to the Company, on the one hand, and the Advisor, on the other, with respect to the Advisor’s engagement shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as (a) the total value paid or proposed to be paid or received by the Company or its stockholders, as the case may be, pursuant to the transaction (whether or not consummated) for which the Advisor is engaged to render services bears to (b) the Fee paid or proposed to be paid to the Advisor in connection with such engagement.

 

The Company’s indemnity, reimbursement and contribution obligations under this Agreement (a) shall be in addition to, and shall in no way limit or otherwise adversely affect, any rights that any Indemnified Party may have at law or at equity and (b) shall be effective whether or not the Company is at fault in any way.

 

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Exhibit 3.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

 

March 25, 2021

 

The undersigned, for the purposes of forming and organizing a corporation under the provisions of and subject to the requirements of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”), hereby certifies as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
NAME

 

The name of the corporation is Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II
REGISTERED AGENT

 

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1013 Centre Road, Suite 403-B, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware, 19805, and the name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is Vcorp Services, LLC.

 

ARTICLE III
pURPOSE

 

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

 

ARTICLE IV
CAPITALIZATION

 

Section 4.01           Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share, which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 51,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 50,000,000 shares of common stock (the “Common Stock”), and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”). ”).

 

Section 4.02           Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is expressly authorized to provide, out of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock, one or more series of Preferred Stock. With respect to each such series of Preferred Stock, the Board is expressly authorized to establish the number of shares of Preferred Stock constituting such series in each such series and to fix the voting rights, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series of Preferred Stock and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL. The Board is expressly vested with the authority, to the full extent provided by the DGCL, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.

 

 

 

 

Section 4.03           Common Stock.

 

(a)         Voting.

 

(i)          Except as otherwise required by law or this certificate of incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), the holders of shares of Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power with respect to the Corporation.

 

(ii)         Except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders on which the holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to vote.

 

(iii)         Except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, holders of the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), holders of shares of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any amendment to any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series of Preferred Stock are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or the DGCL.

 

Section 4.04           Rights and Options. The Corporation has the authority to create and issue rights, warrants and options entitling the holders thereof to acquire from the Corporation any shares of its capital stock of any class or series, with such rights, warrants and options to be evidenced by or in instrument(s) approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants or options; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise thereof may not be less than the par value thereof.

 

ARTICLE V
INCORPORATOR

 

The name and mailing address of the sole incorporator of the Corporation are as follows:

 

Name   Address
Gary C. Johnson   Reed Smith LLP
401 Congress Avenue
Suite 1800
Austin, TX 78701

 

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ARTICLE VI
DIRECTORS

 

Section 6.01           Board Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, this Certificate of Incorporation or the by-laws of the Corporation (the “By-laws”), the Board 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, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Certificate of Incorporation and any By-laws adopted by the stockholders; provided, however, that no By-laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such By-laws had not been adopted.

 

Section 6.02           Election. Unless and except to the extent that the By-laws shall so require, the election of directors need not be by written ballot.

 

ARTICLE VII
BY-LAWS

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board is expressly authorized to adopt, amend, alter, change, add or repeal the By-laws or adopt new By-laws without any action on the part of the stockholders; provided, however, that any By-laws adopted or amended by the Board, and any powers thereby conferred, may be amended, altered, changed, added or repealed by the stockholders.

 

ARTICLE VIII
LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 8.01           Limitation of Director Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by law, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or to its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director. No amendment to, modification of, or repeal of this Section 8.01 shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment.

 

Section 8.02           Indemnification. The Corporation shall indemnify, advance expenses, and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (a “Covered Person”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise, or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by such Covered Person. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except for claims for indemnification (following the final disposition of such Proceeding) or advancement of expenses not paid in full, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a Covered Person in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Covered Person only if the commencement of such Proceeding (or part thereof) by the Covered Person was authorized in the specific case by the Board. Any amendment, repeal, or modification of this Section 8.02 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

 

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ARTICLE IX

INSOLVENCY; SALE, LEASE OR EXCHANGE OF ASSETS

 

Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of this Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under Section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of this Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of this Corporation, as the case may be, and also on this Corporation.

 

ARTICLE X
Corporate opportunity

 

To the extent allowed by law, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any other analogous doctrine, shall not apply with respect to the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, in circumstances where the application of any such doctrine would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations they may have as of the date of this Certificate of Incorporation or in the future, and the Corporation renounces any expectancy that any of the directors or officers of the Corporation will offer any such corporate opportunity of which he or she may become aware to the Corporation, except, the doctrine of corporate opportunity shall apply with respect to any of the directors or officers of the Corporation only with respect to a corporate opportunity that was offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation and (a) such opportunity is one the Corporation is legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for the Corporation to pursue and (b) the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to the Corporation without violating any legal obligation.

 

ARTICLE XI
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS WITH INTERESTED STOCKHOLDERS

 

As permitted by Section 203(b)(1) of Title 8 of the DGCL, the Corporation elects not to be governed by Section 203 of Title 7 of the DGCL.

 

ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

The Corporation reserves the right at any time, and from time to time, to amend, alter, change, add or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL. All rights, preferences, privileges, and powers of any kind conferred upon a director of stockholder of the Corporation by this Certificate of Incorporation or any amendment thereof are conferred subject to such right.

 

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ARTICLE XIII

FORUM SELECTION

 

Section 13.01       Exclusive Forum for Internal Corporate Claims. Subject to Section 13.02, unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, 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 current or former director, officer, employee, agent or stockholder 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, the Certificate of Incorporation, or the By-laws, or (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks jurisdiction over any such action or proceeding, then another court of the State of Delaware or, if no court of the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, then the United States District Court for the District of Delaware).

 

Section 13.02       Exclusive Forum for Federal Securities Laws Claims. The exclusive forum provision provided in Section 13.01 will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder and Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

 

Section 13.03       Consent to Jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 13.01 is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (a) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 13.01 (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (b) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

 

Section 13.04       Severability. If any provision or provisions of this ARTICLE XIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this ARTICLE XIII (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this ARTICLE XIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. 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.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned incorporator has executed this Certificate of Incorporation as of the date first set forth above.

 

  By:   /s/ Gary C. Johnson
    Name: Gary C. Johnson
    Title: Sole Incorporator

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

 

____________, 2021

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY AS FOLLOWS:

 

1.            The name of the Corporation is “Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.”. The original certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 25, 2021 (the “Original Certificate”).

 

2.            This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate”), which both restates and amends the provisions of the Original Certificate, was duly adopted in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”), and by written consent of the Corporation’s stockholders in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.

 

3.            This Amended and Restated Certificate shall become effective on the date of filing with the Secretary of State of Delaware.

 

4.            The text of the Original Certificate is hereby restated and amended in its entirety to read as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1
NAME

 

The name of the corporation is Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE 2
PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL. In addition to the powers and privileges conferred upon the Corporation by law and those incidental thereto, the Corporation shall possess and may exercise all the powers and privileges that are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business or purposes of the Corporation, including, but not limited to, effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination, involving the Corporation and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”).

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3
REGISTERED AGENT

 

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1013 Centre Road, Suite 430-B, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware, 19805. The name of its registered agent at such address is Vcorp Services, LLC.

 

ARTICLE 4
CAPITALIZATION

 

Section 4.1            Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock, which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 51,000,000 shares, consisting of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”). The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of the respective classes of the Corporation’s capital stock or the holders thereof and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof are as follows:

 

Section 4.2            Preferred Stock. Subject to Article 9 of this Amended and Restated Certificate, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide out of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock for one or more series of Preferred Stock and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.

 

Section 4.3            Common Stock.

 

(a)            Voting.

 

(i)            Except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the shares of Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power with respect to the Corporation.

 

(ii)            Except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders on which the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote.

 

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(iii)            Except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, holders of the shares of Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), holders of shares of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any amendment to any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series of Preferred Stock are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or the DGCL.

 

(b)            Dividends. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of Article 9 hereof, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.

 

(c)            Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up of the Corporation. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of Article 9 hereof, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the 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.

 

Section 4.4            Rights and Options. The Corporation has the authority to create and issue rights, warrants and options entitling the holders thereof to acquire from the Corporation any shares of its capital stock of any class or classes, with such rights, warrants and options to be evidenced by or in instrument(s) approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants or options; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise thereof may not be less than the par value thereof.

 

ARTICLE 5
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.1            Board Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, this Amended and Restated Certificate or the Bylaws of the Corporation then in effect (the “Bylaws”), the Board 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, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate, and any Bylaws adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation; provided, however, that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.

 

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Section 5.2            Number, Election and Term.

 

(a)            The number of directors of the Corporation, other than those who may be elected by the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock voting separately by class or series, shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board.

 

(b)            Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon.

 

(c)            Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, a director shall hold office until the annual meeting for the year in which his or her term expires and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

 

(d)            Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws shall so require, the election of directors need not be by written ballot. The holders of shares of Common Stock shall not have cumulative voting rights.

 

Section 5.3            Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause may be filled solely and exclusively by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by stockholders), and any director so chosen shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors to which the new directorship was added or in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

 

Section 5.4            Removal. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

Section 5.5            Preferred Stock - Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 5, and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect one or more directors, the term of office, the filling of vacancies, the removal from office and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of such series of the Preferred Stock as set forth in this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) and such directors shall not be included in any of the classes created pursuant to this Article 5 unless expressly provided by such terms.

 

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ARTICLE 6
BYLAWS

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board shall have the power and is expressly authorized to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors present at a regular or special meeting of the Board at which there is a quorum or by unanimous written consent. The Bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws; and provided further, however, that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.

 

ARTICLE 7
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT

 

Section 7.1            Special Meetings. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and the ability of the stockholders of the Corporation to call a special meeting is hereby specifically denied. Except as provided in the foregoing sentence, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may not be called by another person or persons.

 

Section 7.2            Advance Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

 

Section 7.3            Action by Written Consent. Except as may be otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) relating to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, subsequent to the consummation of the Corporation’s initial public offering of securities (the “Offering”), any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected by a duly called annual or special meeting of such stockholders and may not be effected by written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

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ARTICLE 8
LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 8.1            Limitation of Director Liability. A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended unless a director violated his or her duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized unlawful payments of dividends, unlawful stock purchases or unlawful redemptions, or derived improper personal benefit from his or her actions as a director. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.

 

Section 8.2            Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.

 

(a)            To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 8.2 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section 8.2 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2(a), except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no indemnification or advancement of expenses will extend to any claims made by the Corporation’s officers and directors to cover any loss that such individuals may sustain as a result of such individuals’ agreement to pay debts and obligations to target businesses or vendors or other entities that are owed money by the Corporation for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to the Corporation, as described in the Registration Statement.

 

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(b)            The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this Section 8.2 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, this Amended and Restated Certificate, the Bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

(c)            Any repeal or amendment of this Section 8.2 by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Section 8.2, shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision 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 such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

 

(d)            This Section 8.2 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees.

 

ARTICLE 9
BUSINESS COMBINATION REQUIREMENTS; EXISTENCE

 

Section 9.1            General.

 

(a)            The provisions of this Article 9 shall apply during the period commencing upon the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate and terminating upon the consummation of the Corporation’s initial Business Combination and no amendment to this Article 9 shall be effective prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination unless approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-five percent (65%) of all then outstanding shares of the Common Stock.

 

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(b)            Immediately after the Offering, 100% of the net offering proceeds received by the Corporation in the Offering (including the proceeds of any exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) and certain other amounts specified in the Corporation’s registration statement on Form S-1, as initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on [●], 2021, as amended (the “Registration Statement”), shall be deposited in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), established for the benefit of the Public Stockholders (as defined below) pursuant to a trust agreement described in the Registration Statement. Except for the withdrawal of interest income (if any) to pay the Corporation’s taxes, if any, none of the funds held in the Trust Account (including the interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account) will be released from the Trust Account until the earliest to occur of (i) the completion of the initial Business Combination, (ii) the redemption of 100% of the Offering Shares (as defined below) if the Corporation does not complete its initial Business Combination within 12 months, or 15 or 18 months from the closing of the Offering if the Corporation elects to extend the amount of time to complete the initial Business Combination to the 15-month or 18-month anniversary from the closing of the Offering by depositing $750,000 (or $862,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option was exercised in full) into the Trust Account for each 3-month extension and in accordance with the terms of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between the Corporation and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, subject to applicable law, and (iii) the redemption of Offering Shares in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate (A) to modify the substance or timing of the Corporation’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Offering Shares if the Corporation has not completed an initial Business Combination within 12 months (or 15 or 18 months, as applicable) of the closing of the Offering or (B) with respect to any other provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity (as described in Section 9.7). Holders of shares of the Common Stock included as part of the units sold in the Offering (the “Offering Shares”) (whether such Offering Shares were purchased in the Offering or in the secondary market following the Offering and whether or not such holders are Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, Chardan Gardiner LLC, CCMAUS Pty Ltd (collectively the “Co-Sponsors”) or the officers or directors of the Corporation, or any affiliates of any of the foregoing) are referred to herein as “Public Stockholders.”

 

Section 9.2            Redemption Rights.

 

(a)            Prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination, the Corporation shall provide all holders of Offering Shares with the opportunity to have their Offering Shares redeemed upon the consummation of the initial Business Combination pursuant to, and subject to the limitations of, Sections 9.2(b) and 9.2(c) (such rights of such holders to have their Offering Shares redeemed pursuant to such Sections, the “Redemption Rights”) hereof for cash equal to the applicable redemption price per share determined in accordance with Section 9.2(b) hereof (the “Redemption Price”); provided, however, that the Corporation shall not redeem Offering Shares to the extent that such redemption would result in the Corporation’s failure to have net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (or any successor rule)) of at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of the initial Business Combination or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to such initial Business Combination (such limitation hereinafter called the “Redemption Limitation”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate, there shall be no Redemption Rights or liquidating distributions with respect to any warrant issued pursuant to the Offering.

 

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(b)            If the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares other than in conjunction with a stockholder vote on an initial Business Combination with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (or any successor rules or regulations) and filing proxy materials with the SEC, the Corporation shall offer to redeem the Offering Shares upon the consummation of the initial Business Combination, subject to lawfully available funds therefor, in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.2(a) hereof, pursuant to a tender offer in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E under the Exchange Act (or any successor rule or regulation) (such rules and regulations hereinafter called the “Tender Offer Rules”) which it shall commence prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination and shall file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination that contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial Business Combination and the Redemption Rights as is required under Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (or any successor rule or regulation) (such rules and regulations hereinafter called the “Proxy Solicitation Rules”), even if such information is not required under the Tender Offer Rules; provided, however, that if a stockholder vote is required by law to approve the proposed initial Business Combination, or the Corporation decides to submit the proposed initial Business Combination to the stockholders for their approval for business or other legal reasons, the Corporation shall offer to redeem the Offering Shares, subject to lawfully available funds therefor, in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.2(a) hereof, in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the Proxy Solicitation Rules (and not the Tender Offer Rules) at a price per share equal to the Redemption Price calculated in accordance with the following provisions of this Section 9.2(b). In the event that the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares pursuant to a tender offer in accordance with the Tender Offer Rules, the Redemption Price per share of the Common Stock payable to holders of the Offering Shares tendering their Offering Shares pursuant to such tender offer shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing: (i) the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account calculated as of two business days prior to the completion of the initial Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Corporation to pay its taxes by (ii) the number of the then outstanding Offering Shares. If the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares in conjunction with a stockholder vote on the proposed initial Business Combination pursuant to a proxy solicitation, the Redemption Price per share of the Common Stock payable to holders of the Offering Shares exercising their Redemption Rights shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account calculated as of two business days prior to the completion of the initial Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Corporation to pay its taxes by (b) the number of the then outstanding Offering Shares.

 

(c)            If the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares in conjunction with a stockholder vote on an initial Business Combination pursuant to a proxy solicitation, a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), shall be restricted from seeking Redemption Rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 20% of the Offering Shares without the prior consent of the Corporation.

 

(d)            In the event that the Corporation has not completed an initial Business Combination within 18 months (or 24 months, as applicable) from the closing of the Offering, the Corporation shall (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten business days thereafter subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem the Offering Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account not previously released to the Corporation to pay its taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of the then outstanding Offering Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish rights of the Public Stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining stockholders and the Board in accordance with applicable law, dissolve and liquidate, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) to the Corporation’s obligations under the DGCL to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.

 

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(e)            If the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares in conjunction with a stockholder vote on an initial Business Combination, the Corporation shall consummate the proposed initial Business Combination only if (i) such initial Business Combination is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Common Stock that are voted at a stockholder meeting held to consider such initial Business Combination and (ii) the Redemption Limitation is not exceeded.

 

(f)            If the Corporation conducts a tender offer pursuant to Section 9.2(b), the Corporation shall consummate the proposed initial Business Combination only if the Redemption Limitation is not exceeded.

 

Section 9.3            Distributions from the Trust Account.

 

(a)            A Public Stockholder shall be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only as provided in Sections 9.2(a), 9.2(b), 9.2(d) or 9.7 hereof. In no other circumstances shall a Public Stockholder have any right or interest of any kind in or to distributions from the Trust Account, and no stockholder other than a Public Stockholder shall have any interest in or to the Trust Account.

 

(b)            Each Public Stockholder that does not exercise its Redemption Rights shall retain its interest in the Corporation and shall be deemed to have given its consent to the release of the remaining funds in the Trust Account to the Corporation, and following payment to any Public Stockholders exercising their Redemption Rights, the remaining funds in the Trust Account shall be released to the Corporation.

 

(c)            The exercise by a Public Stockholder of the Redemption Rights shall be conditioned on such Public Stockholder following the specific procedures for redemptions set forth by the Corporation in any applicable tender offer or proxy materials sent to the Public Stockholders relating to the proposed initial Business Combination, including the requirement that any Public Stockholder holder that holds Offering Shares beneficially through a nominee must identify itself to the Corporation in connection with any redemption election in order to validly redeem such Offering Shares. Holders of Offering Shares seeking to exercise their Redemption Rights may be required to either tender their certificates (if any) to the Corporation’s transfer agent or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, in each case up to two business days prior to the originally scheduled vote on the proposal to approve a Business Combination. Payment of the amounts necessary to satisfy the Redemption Rights properly exercised shall be made as promptly as practical after the consummation of the initial Business Combination.

 

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Section 9.4            Share Issuances. Prior to or in connection with the consummation of the Corporation’s initial Business Combination, the Corporation shall not issue any additional securities of the Corporation that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the Trust Account or (ii) vote on the Corporation’s initial Business Combination or any other proposal presented to the stockholders prior to or in connection with the completion of an initial Business Combination.

 

Section 9.5            Transactions with Affiliates. In the event the Corporation seeks to complete its initial Business Combination with a business combination target that is affiliated with the Sponsor, or the executive officers or directors of the Corporation, the Corporation, or a committee of independent directors of the Corporation, shall obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that such initial Business Combination is fair to the Corporation from a financial point of view.

 

Section 9.6            No Transactions with Other Blank Check Companies. The Corporation shall not enter into an initial Business Combination with another blank check company or other company.

 

Section 9.7            Additional Redemption Rights. If, in accordance with Section 9.1(a), any amendment is made to Section 9.2(d) that would affect the substance or timing of the Corporation’s obligation to allow redemption in connection with the Corporation’s initial Business Combination or amendments to this Amended and Restated Certificate prior thereto or to redeem 100% of the Offering Shares if the Corporation does not complete an initial Business Combination within 18 months (or 24 months, as applicable) from the closing of the Offering or with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity, the Public Stockholders shall be provided with the opportunity to redeem their Offering Shares upon approval of any such amendment, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Corporation to pay its taxes, divided by the number of the then outstanding Offering Shares; provided, however, that any such amendment will be voided, and this Article 9 will remain unchanged, if any stockholders who wish to redeem are unable to redeem due to the Redemption Limitation.

 

Section 9.8            Minimum Value of Target. So long as the Corporation is listed on a national securities exchange, the Corporation’s initial Business Combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the net assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the amount of deferred underwriting discounts held in trust and taxes payable on the interest earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial Business Combination.

 

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ARTICLE 10
CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY

 

To the extent allowed by law, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any other analogous doctrine, shall not apply with respect to the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, in circumstances where the application of any such doctrine would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations they may have as of the date of this Amended and Restated Certificate or in the future, and the Corporation renounces any expectancy that any of the directors or officers of the Corporation will offer any such corporate opportunity of which he or she may become aware to the Corporation, except, the doctrine of corporate opportunity shall apply with respect to any of the directors or officers of the Corporation only with respect to a corporate opportunity that was offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation and (i) such opportunity is one the Corporation is legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for the Corporation to pursue and (ii) the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to the Corporation without violating any legal obligation.

 

ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENT OF AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force that may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Amended and Restated Certificate and the DGCL; and, except as set forth in Article 8, all rights, preferences and privileges of whatever nature herein conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article 11; provided, however, that Article 9 of this Amended and Restated Certificate may be amended only as provided therein.

 

ARTICLE 12
EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LAWSUITS

 

Section 12.1          Forum. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, or any claim for aiding and abetting any such alleged breach, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Amended and Restated Certificate or the Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine, except for, as to each of (i) through (iv) above, any claim as to which the Court of Chancery determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, or for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. This exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder and Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

 

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Section 12.2          Consent to Jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 12.1 is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 12.1 (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

 

Section 12.3          Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article 12 shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article 12 (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article 12 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. 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 12.

 

ARTICLE 13
APPLICATION OF DGCL SECTION 203

 

Section 13.1          Section 203 of the DGCL. The Corporation hereby expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.

 

Section 13.2          Limitation on Business Combinations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not engage in any business combination (as defined below), at any point in time at which the Corporation’s Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act with any interested stockholder (as defined below) for a period of three (3) years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

(a)            prior to such time, the Board approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, or

 

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(b)            upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by (i) persons who are directors and also officers of the Corporation and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer, or

 

(c)            at or subsequent to that time, the business combination is approved by the Board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

Section 13.3            Certain Definitions. Solely for purposes of this Article 13, references to:

 

(a)            affiliate” means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another person.

 

(b)            associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any person, means: (i) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of twenty percent (20%) or more of any class of voting stock; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has at least a twenty percent (20%) beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such person.

 

(c)            business combination,” when used in reference to the Corporation and any interested stockholder of the Corporation, means:

 

(i)            any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (a) with the interested stockholder, or (b) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the interested stockholder and as a result of such merger or consolidation Section 12.2 is not applicable to the surviving entity;

 

(ii)            any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation, to or with the interested stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to ten percent (10%) or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation

 

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(iii)            any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation of any stock of the Corporation or of such subsidiary to the interested stockholder, except: (a) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the interested stockholder became such; (b) pursuant to a merger under Section 251(g) of the DGCL; (c) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata to all stockholders of a class or series of stock of the Corporation subsequent to the time the interested stockholder became such; (d) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase stock made on the same terms to all stockholders of said stock; or (e) any issuance or transfer of stock by the Corporation; provided, however, that in no case under items (c)-(e) of this subsection (iii) shall there be an increase in the interested stockholder’s proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the Corporation or of the voting stock of the Corporation (except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments); or

 

(iv)            any transaction involving the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series, or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series, of the Corporation or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the interested stockholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested stockholder.

 

(d)            control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract, or otherwise. A person who is the owner of twenty percent (20%) or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such person holds voting stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this Article 13, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity.

 

(e)            Exempted Person” means Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, Chardan Gardiner LLC, CCMAUS Pty Ltd and their respective affiliates, any of their respective direct or indirect transferees of at least 20% of the Corporation’s outstanding common stock and any “group” of which any such person is a part under Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act.

 

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(f)            interested stockholder” means any person (other than the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that (i) is the owner of twenty percent (20%) or more of the voting stock of the Corporation, or (ii) is an affiliate or associate of the Corporation and was the owner of twenty percent (20%) or more of the voting stock of the Corporation at any time within the three (3) year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested stockholder; and the affiliates and associates of such person; but “interested stockholder” shall not include (a) any Exempted Person, or (b) any person whose ownership of shares in excess of the twenty percent (20%) limitation set forth herein is the result of any action taken solely by the Corporation; provided that with respect to clause (b) such person shall be an interested stockholder if thereafter such person acquires additional shares of voting stock of the Corporation, except as a result of further corporate action not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person. For the purpose of determining whether a person is an interested stockholder, the voting stock of the Corporation deemed to be outstanding shall include stock deemed to be owned by the person through application of the definition of “owner” below but shall not include any other unissued stock of the Corporation which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.

 

(g)            owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any stock, means a person that individually or with or through any of its affiliates or associates:

 

(i)            beneficially owns such stock, directly or indirectly; or

 

(ii)            has (a) the right to acquire such stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such person or any of such person’s affiliates or associates until such tendered stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (b) the right to vote such stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of any stock because of such person’s right to vote such stock if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to ten (10) or more persons; or

 

(iii)            has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in item (b) of subsection (ii) above), or disposing of such stock with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such stock.

 

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(h)            person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.

 

(i)            stock” means, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest.

 

(j)            voting stock” means stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate to be duly executed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf by an authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

  GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
   
  By:  
  Name: Marc F. Pelletier
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation]

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.3 

 

FINAL VERSION 

 

BY-LAWS

OF

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

 

Adopted as of March 25, 2021

 

ARTICLE I
OFFICES

 

Section 1.01           Registered Office. The registered office of Chardan-Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Corporation”) will be fixed in the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, as may be amended or restated from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”).

 

Section 1.02           Other Offices. The Corporation may, have other offices, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”), from time to time, shall determine or as the business and affairs of the Corporation may require. 

 

ARTICLE II
STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS

 

Section 2.01           Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, or by means of remote communication, as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of Board and stated in the notice of meeting.

 

Section 2.02           Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may property come before the meeting in accordance with these by-laws of the Corporation (the “By-laws”) shall be held at such date, time, and place, if any as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to  Section 9.05(a).

 

Section 2.03           Special Meetings. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of the preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation (“Preferred Stock”), and to the requirements of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended (the “DGCL”), special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called only by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and may not be called by any other person. Special meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to  Section 9.05(a).

 

Section 2.04           Notices. Written notice of each stockholders meeting stating the place, if any, date, and time of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting and the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, shall be given in the manner permitted by  Section 9.03 to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, by the Corporation not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting unless otherwise required by the DGCL. If said notice is for a stockholders meeting other than an annual meeting, it shall in addition state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, and the business transacted at such meeting shall be limited to the matters so stated in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto). Any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be postponed, and any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be cancelled, by the Board upon public announcement (as defined in  Section 2.08(c)) given before the date previously scheduled for such meeting.

 

 

 

Section 2.05           Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By-laws, the presence, in person or by proxy, at a stockholders meeting of the holders of shares of outstanding capital stock of the Corporation representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. If a quorum shall not be present or represented by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in  Section 2.07 until a quorum shall attend. The stockholders present at a duly convened meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Shares of its own stock belonging to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or any such other corporation to vote shares held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

 

Section 2.06           Voting of Shares.

 

(a)                Voting Lists. The Secretary of the Corporation (the “Secretary”) shall prepare, or shall cause the officer or agent who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation to prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at such meeting; provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address and the number and class of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this  Section 2.06(a) shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of at least 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. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall 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 a meeting of stockholders is to be held solely by means of remote communication as permitted by  Section 9.05(a), the list shall 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 access such list shall be provided with the notice of meeting. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list required by this  Section 2.06(a) or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

(b)                Manner of Voting. At any stockholders meeting, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy. If authorized by the Board, the voting by stockholders or proxy holders at any meeting conducted by remote communication may be effected by a ballot submitted by electronic transmission (as defined in  Section 9.03(c)), provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which the Corporation can determine that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder or proxy holder. The Board, in its discretion, or the chairman of the meeting of stockholders, in such person’s discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.

 

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(c)                Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy expressly provides for a longer period. Proxies need not be filed with the Secretary until the meeting is called to order but shall be filed with the Secretary before being voted. No stockholder shall have cumulative voting rights. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy, either of the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority:

 

(i)                 A stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the stockholder or such stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing such person’s signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means, including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.

 

(ii)               A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of an electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission authorizing another person or persons to act as proxy for a stockholder may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used; provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

 

(d)                Required Vote. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, at all meetings of stockholders at which a quorum is present, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. All other matters presented to the stockholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, unless the matter is one upon which, by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws or applicable stock exchange rules, a different vote is required, in which case such provision shall govern and control the decision of such matter.

 

(e)                Inspectors of Election. The Board may, and shall if required by law, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more persons as inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation or otherwise serve the Corporation in other capacities, to act at such meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Board may appoint one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspectors of election or alternates are appointed by the Board, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging 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. The inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of outstanding shares and the voting power of each; determine the number of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; count all votes and ballots and report the results; determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election. Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors.

 

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Section 2.07           Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned by the chairman of the meeting, from time to time, whether or not there is a quorum, to reconvene at the same or some other place. Notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the date, time, and place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the stockholders, or the holders of any class or series of stock entitled to vote separately as a class, as the case may be, may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with  Section 9.02, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

Section 2.08           Advance Notice for Business.

 

(a)                Annual Meetings of Stockholders. No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either (i) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote at such annual meeting on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this  Section 2.08(a) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this  Section 2.08(a). Notwithstanding anything in this  Section 2.08(a) to the contrary, only persons nominated for election as a director to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of the annual meeting pursuant to  Section 3.02 will be considered for election at such meeting.

 

(i)                 In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business (other than nominations) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary and such business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. Subject to  Section 2.08(a)(iii), a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to such business, to be timely, must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the opening of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the opening of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made by the Corporation. The public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 2.08(a).

 

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(ii)               To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to any business (other than nominations) must set forth as to each such matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (A) 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 such business includes a proposal to amend these By-laws, the language of the proposed amendment) and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (B) the name and record address of such stockholder and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (D) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder, (E) any material interest of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made in such business and (F) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.

 

(iii)             The foregoing notice requirements of this Section 2.08(a) shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder as to any proposal (other than nominations) if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of such stockholder’s intention to present such proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and such stockholder has complied with the requirements of such Rule for inclusion of such proposal in a proxy statement prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.08(a), provided, however, that once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section 2.08(a) shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. If the Board or the chairman of the annual meeting determines that any stockholder proposal was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.08(a) or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this Section 2.08(a), such proposal shall not be presented for action at the annual meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.08(a), if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the proposed business, such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such matter may have been received by the Corporation. 

 

(iv)              In addition to the provisions of this Section 2.08(a), a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 2.08(a) shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

(b)                Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. 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 only pursuant to  Section 3.02.

 

(c)                Public Announcement. For purposes of these By-laws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (or any successor thereto).

 

Section 2.09           Conduct of Meetings. The chairman of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, such other person as shall be appointed by the Board. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the chairman of the meeting. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with these By-laws or such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (e) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The secretary of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Secretary or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary so appointed to act by the chairman of the meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 2.10           Consents in Lieu of Meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, until the Corporation consummates an initial public offering, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

 

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Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent, and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within 60 days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this section and the DGCL to the Corporation, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders entitled to vote to take action are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

 

ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS

 

Section 3.01           Powers; Number. The business and affairs 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 By-laws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Directors need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, the number of directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolution of the Board.

 

Section 3.02           Advance Notice for Nomination of Directors.

 

(a)                Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided by the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock with respect to the rights of holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock to elect directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors as set forth in the Corporation’s notice of such special meeting, may be made (i) by or at the direction of the Board or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote in the election of directors on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this  Section 3.02 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this  Section 3.02.

 

(b)                In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made by the Corporation; and (ii) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this  Section 3.02.

 

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(c)                Notwithstanding anything in Section 3.02(b) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is greater than the number of directors whose terms expire on the date of the annual meeting and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for the additional directors to be elected or specifying the size of the increased Board before the close of business on the 90th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders, a stockholder’s notice required by this  Section 3.02 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships created by such increase that are to be filled by election at such annual meeting, 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 10th day following the date on which such public announcement was first made by the Corporation. 

 

(d)                To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (D) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (A) the name and record address of such stockholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (B) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (C) a description of all arrangements or understandings relating to the nomination to be made by such stockholder among such stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names), (D) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (E) any other information relating to such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

 

(e)                If the Board or the chairman of the meeting of stockholders determines that any nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions of this  Section 3.02, or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this  Section 3.02, then such nomination shall not be considered at the meeting in question. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this  Section 3.02, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the nomination, such nomination shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nomination may have been received by the Corporation.

 

(f)                 In addition to the provisions of this  Section 3.02, a stockholder shall also comply with all of the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this  Section 3.02 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

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Section 3.03           Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors, including for service on a committee of the Board, and may be paid either a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or other compensation as director. The directors may be reimbursed their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of committees of the Board may be allowed like compensation and reimbursement of expenses for service on the committee.

 

Section 3.04           Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Any newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors and any vacancies occurring in the Board of Directors, shall be filled solely by the affirmative votes of a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. A director so elected shall be elected to hold office until the earlier of the expiration of the term of office of the director whom he or she has replaced, a successor is duly elected and qualified, or the earlier of such director’s death, resignation, or removal.

 

Section 3.05           Removal. Except as prohibited by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the stockholders holding a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors may remove any director from office with or without cause.

  

ARTICLE IV
BOARD MEETINGS

 

Section 4.01           Annual Meetings. The Board shall meet as soon as practicable after the adjournment of each annual stockholders meeting at the place of the annual stockholders meeting unless the Board shall fix another time and place and give notice thereof in the manner required herein for special meetings of the Board. No notice to the directors shall be necessary to legally convene this meeting, except as provided in this  Section 4.01.

 

Section 4.02           Regular Meetings. Regularly scheduled, periodic meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such times, dates and places (within or without the State of Delaware) as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.

 

Section 4.03           Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board (a) may be called by the Chairman of the Board or President and (b) shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, President or Secretary on the written request of at least a majority of directors then in office, or the sole director, as the case may be, and shall be held at such time, date and place (within or without the State of Delaware) as may be determined by the person calling the meeting or, if called upon the request of directors or the sole director, as specified in such written request. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given, as provided in  Section 9.03, to each director (i) at least 24 hours before the meeting if such notice is oral notice given personally or by telephone or written notice given by hand delivery or by means of a form of electronic transmission and delivery; (ii) at least two days before the meeting if such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service; and (iii) at least five days before the meeting if such notice is sent through the United States mail. If the Secretary shall fail or refuse to give such notice, then the notice may be given by the officer who called the meeting or the directors who requested the meeting. Any and all business that may be transacted at a regular meeting of the Board may be transacted at a special meeting. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By-laws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. A special meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with  Section 9.04.

 

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Section 4.04           Quorum; Required Vote. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, 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 applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

 

Section 4.05           Consent In Lieu of Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions (or paper reproductions thereof) are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

Section 4.06           Organization. The chairman of each meeting of the Board shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, a chairman elected from the directors present. The Secretary shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary at such meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.01           Establishment. The Board may by resolution of the Board designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required by the resolution designating such committee. The Board shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee. 

 

Section 5.02           Available Powers. Any committee established pursuant to  Section 5.01 hereof, to the extent permitted by applicable law and by resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all of 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 that may require it.

 

Section 5.03           Alternate Members. 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 such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

Section 5.04           Procedures. Unless the Board otherwise provides, the time, date, place, if any, and notice of meetings of a committee shall be determined by such committee. At meetings of a committee, a majority of the number of members of the committee (but not including any alternate member, unless such alternate member has replaced any absent or disqualified member at the time of, or in connection with, such meeting) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee, except as otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws or the Board. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of a committee, the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. Unless the Board otherwise provides and except as provided in these By-laws, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board is authorized to conduct its business pursuant to  ARTICLE III and  ARTICLE IV of these By-laws.

 

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ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS

 

Section 6.01            Officers. The officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary and such other officers (including without limitation, a Chairman of the Board, Presidents, Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and a Treasurer) as the Board from time to time may determine. Officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this ARTICLE VI. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer or President may also appoint such other officers (including without limitation one or more Vice Presidents and Controllers) as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers shall have such powers and duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as may be provided in these By-laws or as may be prescribed by the Board or, if such officer has been appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as may be prescribed by the appointing officer.

 

(a)                Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall have general supervision and control of the acquisition activities of the Corporation subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board shall not include supervision or control of the preparation of the financial statements of the Corporation (other than through participation as a member of the Board). The position of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.

 

(b)                Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation and general control of all of its business subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters, except to the extent any such powers and duties have been prescribed to the Chairman of the Board pursuant to  Section 6.01(a) above. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The position of Chief Executive Officer and President may be held by the same person. 

 

(c)                President. The President shall make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer on all operational matters that would normally be reserved for the final executive responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the President (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The President shall also perform such duties and have such powers as shall be designated by the Board. The position of President and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.

 

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(d)                Vice Presidents. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the Board) shall perform the duties and have the powers of the President. Any one or more of the Vice Presidents may be given an additional designation of rank or function.

 

(e)                Secretary.

 

(i)                 The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders, the Board and (as required) committees of the Board and shall record the proceedings of such meetings in books to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and the Secretary, or any Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and when so affixed, it 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.

 

(ii)               The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, if one has been appointed, a stock ledger, or duplicate stock ledger, showing the names of the stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each and, with respect to certificated shares, the number and date of certificates issued for the same and the number and date of certificates cancelled.

 

(f)                 Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretary or, if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, perform the duties and have the powers of the Secretary.

 

(g)                Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform all duties commonly incident to that office (including, without limitation, the care and custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, which from time to time may come into the Chief Financial Officer’s hands and the deposit of the funds of the Corporation in such banks or trust companies as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may authorize).

 

(h)                Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Financial Officer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

Section 6.02           Term of Office; Removal; Vacancies. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Board and shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified by the Board or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal from office. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the Board. Any officer appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may also be removed, with or without cause, by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as the case may be, unless the Board otherwise provides. Any vacancy occurring in any elected office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may be filled by the Chief Executive Officer, or President, as the case may be, unless the Board then determines that such office shall thereupon be elected by the Board, in which case the Board shall elect such officer. 

 

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Section 6.03           Other Officers. The Board may delegate the power to appoint such other officers and agents, and may also remove such officers and agents or delegate the power to remove same, as it shall from time to time deem necessary or desirable.

 

Section 6.04           Multiple Officeholders; Stockholder and Director Officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws otherwise provide. Officers need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE VII
SHARES

 

Section 7.01           Certificated and Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, subject to the sole discretion of the Board and the requirements of the DGCL.

 

Section 7.02           Multiple Classes of Stock. If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the Corporation shall (a) cause the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights to be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of any certificate that the Corporation issues to represent shares of such class or series of stock or (b) in the case of uncertificated shares, within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of such shares, send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth on certificates as specified in clause (a) above; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided by applicable law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of such certificate or, in the case of uncertificated shares, on such written notice 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 stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights.

 

Section 7.03           Signatures. Each certificate representing capital stock of the Corporation shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by (a) the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President and (b) the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation. Any or all the signatures on the 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, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar on the date of issue.

 

Section 7.04           Consideration and Payment for Shares.

 

(a)                Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares of stock may be issued for such consideration, having in the case of shares with par value a value not less than the par value thereof, and to such persons, as determined from time to time by the Board. The consideration may consist of any tangible or intangible property or any benefit to the Corporation including cash, promissory notes, services performed, contracts for services to be performed or other securities, or any combination thereof.

 

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(b)                Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares may not be issued until the full amount of the consideration has been paid, unless upon the face or back of each certificate issued to represent any partly paid shares of capital stock or upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of partly paid uncertificated shares, there shall have been set forth the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon up to and including the time said certificate representing certificated shares or said uncertificated shares are issued.

 

Section 7.05           Lost, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificates.

 

(a)                If an owner of a certificate representing shares claims that such certificate has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form if the owner: (i) requests such a new certificate before the Corporation has notice that the certificate representing such shares has been acquired by a protected purchaser; (ii) if requested by the Corporation, delivers to the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, wrongful taking or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares; and (iii) satisfies other reasonable requirements imposed by the Corporation. 

 

(b)                If a certificate representing shares has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the owner fails to notify the Corporation of that fact within a reasonable time after the owner has notice of such loss, apparent destruction or wrongful taking and the Corporation registers a transfer of such shares before receiving notification, the owner shall be precluded from asserting against the Corporation any claim for registering such transfer or a claim to a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form.

 

Section 7.06           Transfer of Stock.

 

(a)                If a certificate representing shares of the Corporation is presented to the Corporation with an endorsement requesting the registration of transfer of such shares or an instruction is presented to the Corporation requesting the registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall register the transfer as requested if:

 

(i)                 in the case of certificated shares, the certificate representing such shares has been surrendered;

 

(ii)               (A) with respect to certificated shares, the endorsement is made by the person specified by the certificate as entitled to such shares; (B) with respect to uncertificated shares, an instruction is made by the registered owner of such uncertificated shares; or (C) with respect to certificated shares or uncertificated shares, the endorsement or instruction is made by any other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of the appropriate person;

 

(iii)             the Corporation has received a guarantee of signature of the person signing such endorsement or instruction or such other reasonable assurance that the endorsement or instruction is genuine and authorized as the Corporation may request;

 

(iv)              the transfer does not violate any restriction on transfer imposed by the Corporation that is enforceable in accordance with  Section 7.08(a); and

 

(v)                such other conditions for such transfer as shall be provided for under applicable law have been satisfied.

 

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(b)                Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security and not absolutely, the Corporation shall so record such fact in the entry of transfer if, when the certificate for such shares is presented to the Corporation for transfer or, if such shares are uncertificated, when the instruction for registration of transfer thereof is presented to the Corporation, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.

 

Section 7.07           Registered Stockholders. Before due presentment for registration of transfer of a certificate representing shares of the Corporation or of an instruction requesting registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person exclusively entitled to inspect for any proper purpose the stock ledger and the other books and records of the Corporation, vote such shares, receive dividends or notifications with respect to such shares and otherwise exercise all the rights and powers of the owner of such shares, except that a person who is the beneficial owner of such shares (if held in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person) may, upon providing documentary evidence of beneficial ownership of such shares and satisfying such other conditions as are provided under applicable law, may also so inspect the books and records of the Corporation.

 

Section 7.08           Effect of the Corporation’s Restriction on Transfer.

 

(a)                A written restriction on the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, if permitted by the DGCL and noted conspicuously on the certificate representing such shares or, in the case of uncertificated shares, contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares, may be enforced against the holder of such shares or any successor or transferee of the holder including an executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of the holder. 

 

(b)                A restriction imposed by the Corporation on the transfer or the registration of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, even if otherwise lawful, is ineffective against a person without actual knowledge of such restriction unless: (i) the shares are certificated and such restriction is noted conspicuously on the certificate; or (ii) the shares are uncertificated and such restriction was contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares.

 

Section 7.09           Regulations. The Board shall have power and authority to make such additional rules and regulations, subject to any applicable requirement of law, as the Board may deem necessary and appropriate with respect to the issue, transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock or certificates representing shares. The Board may appoint one or more transfer agents or registrars and may require for the validity thereof that certificates representing shares bear the signature of any transfer agent or registrar so appointed.

 

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ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION

 

 

Section 8.01           Right to Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such proceeding; provided, however, that, except as provided in  Section 8.03 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

 

Section 8.02           Right to Advancement of Expenses. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in  Section 8.01, an Indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law the expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such Indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon the Corporation’s receipt of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this  ARTICLE VIII or otherwise.

 

Section 8.03           Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under  Section 8.01 or Section 8.02 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by an Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (b) in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including a determination by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Indemnitee, shall be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this  ARTICLE VIII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

 

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Section 8.04           Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights provided to any Indemnitee pursuant to this  ARTICLE VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right, which such Indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws, an agreement, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

Section 8.05           Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

Section 8.06           Indemnification of Other Persons. This  ARTICLE VIII shall not limit the right of the Corporation to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Indemnitees. Without limiting the foregoing, the Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation and to any other person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, to the fullest extent of the provisions of this  ARTICLE VIII with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of Indemnitees under this  ARTICLE VIII.

 

Section 8.07           Amendments. Any repeal or amendment of this  ARTICLE VIII by the Board or the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provision of these By-laws inconsistent with this  ARTICLE VIII, will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in applicable law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights to Indemnitees on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision; provided however, that amendments or repeals of this  ARTICLE VIII shall require the affirmative vote of the stockholders holding at least 66.7% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

 

Section 8.08           Certain Definitions. For purposes of this  ARTICLE VIII, (a) references to “other enterprise” shall include any employee benefit plan; (b) references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; (c) references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service that imposes duties on, or involves services by, a person with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and (d) a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interest of the Corporation” for purposes of Section 145 of the DGCL.

 

Section 8.09           Contract Rights. The rights provided to Indemnitees pursuant to this  ARTICLE VIII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, agent or employee and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

 

Section 8.10           Severability. If any provision or provisions of this  ARTICLE VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this  ARTICLE VIII shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this  ARTICLE VIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of this  ARTICLE VIII 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.

 

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ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.01           Place of Meetings. If the place of any meeting of stockholders, the Board or committee of the Board for which notice is required under these By-laws is not designated in the notice of such meeting, such meeting shall be held at the principal business office of the Corporation; provided, however, if the Board has, in its sole discretion, determined that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but instead shall be held by means of remote communication pursuant to  Section 9.05 hereof, then such meeting shall not be held at any place.

 

Section 9.02           Fixing Record Dates.

 

(a)                In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and 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. 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, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.02(a) at the adjourned meeting.

 

(b)                In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

Section 9.03           Means of Giving Notice.

 

(a)                Notice to Directors. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws notice is required to be given to any director, such notice shall be given either (i) in writing and sent by mail, or by a nationally recognized delivery service, (ii) by means of facsimile telecommunication or other form of electronic transmission, or (iii) by oral notice given personally or by telephone. A notice to a director will be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, orally, or by telephone, when actually received by the director, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iv) if sent by facsimile telecommunication, when sent to the facsimile transmission number for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, (v) if sent by electronic mail, when sent to the electronic mail address for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, or (vi) if sent by any other form of electronic transmission, when sent to the address, location or number (as applicable) for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation. 

 

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(b)                Notice to Stockholders. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws notice is required to be given to any stockholder, such notice may be given (i) in writing and sent either by hand delivery, through the United States mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or (ii) by means of a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder, to the extent permitted by, and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 232 of the DGCL. A notice to a stockholder shall be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, when actually received by the stockholder, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, and (iv) if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given and otherwise meeting the requirements set forth above, (A) if by facsimile transmission, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (B) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (C) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specified posting, upon the later of (1) such posting and (2) the giving of such separate notice, and (D) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent to receiving notice by means of electronic communication by giving written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (2) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or to the Corporation’s transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

 

(c)                Electronic Transmission. “Electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process, including but not limited to transmission by telex, facsimile telecommunication, electronic mail, telegram and cablegram.

 

(d)                Notice to Stockholders Sharing Same Address. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively by the Corporation to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent by delivering written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send such a single written notice shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.

 

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(e)                Exceptions to Notice Requirements.

 

(i)                 Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.  

 

(ii)               Whenever notice is required to be given by the Corporation, under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, to any stockholder to whom (1) notice of two consecutive annual meetings of stockholders and all notices of stockholder meetings or of the taking of action by written consent of stockholders without a meeting to such stockholder during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (2) all, and at least two payments (if sent by first-class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a 12-month period, have been mailed addressed to such stockholder at such stockholder’s address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such stockholder shall not be required. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to such stockholder shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth such stockholder’s then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such stockholder shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate need not state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice was not required to be given pursuant to Section 230(b) of the DGCL. The exception in subsection (1) of the first sentence of this paragraph to the requirement that notice be given shall not be applicable to any notice returned as undeliverable if the notice was given by electronic transmission.

 

Section 9.04           Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By-laws, a written waiver of such notice, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to such required notice. All such waivers shall be kept with the books of the Corporation. Attendance at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a person attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 9.05           Meeting Attendance via Remote Communication Equipment.

 

(a)                Stockholder Meetings. If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:

 

(i)                 participate in a meeting of stockholders; and

 

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(ii)               be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (A) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxy holder, (B) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and, if entitled to vote, to vote on matters submitted to the applicable stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (C) if any stockholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such votes or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

 

(b)                Board Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 9.06           Dividends. The Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends (payable in cash, property or shares of the Corporation’s capital stock) on the Corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock, subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 9.07           Reserves. The Board may set apart out of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.  

 

Section 9.08           Contracts and Negotiable Instruments. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument may be executed and delivered in the name and on behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers or other employee or employees of the Corporation as the Board may from time to time authorize. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board may determine. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may delegate powers to execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation to other officers or employees of the Corporation under such person’s supervision and authority, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.

 

Section 9.09           Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board.

 

Section 9.10           Seal. The Board may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be in such form as the Board determines. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or otherwise reproduced.

 

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Section 9.11           Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept within or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board.

 

Section 9.12           Resignation. Any director, committee member or officer may resign by giving notice thereof in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. The resignation shall take effect at the time it is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

Section 9.13           Surety Bonds. Such officers, employees and agents of the Corporation (if any) as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may direct, from time to time, shall be bonded for the faithful performance of their duties and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of their death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in their possession or under their control belonging to the Corporation, in such amounts and by such surety companies as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may determine. The premiums on such bonds shall be paid by the Corporation and the bonds so furnished shall be in the custody of the Secretary.

 

Section 9.14           Securities of Other Corporations. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents in writing and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President or any officers authorized by the Board. Any such officer, may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such corporation, and at any such meeting or with respect to any such consent shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed. The Board may from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

 

Section 9.15           Amendments. The Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-laws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-laws. The By-laws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power (except as otherwise provided in  Section 8.07) of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-laws.

 

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Exhibit 4.1

 

NUMBER

U-__________

      UNITS
SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
GARDINER HEALTHCARE
ACQUISITIONS CORP.
 
         

CUSIP 365506 203

 

UNITS CONSISTING OF ONE SHARE OF COMMON STOCK AND ONE WARRANT

 

TO PURCHASE ONE SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

 

THIS CERTIFIES THAT  
is the owner of Units.  

 

Each Unit (“Unit”) consists of one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock of the Company at $11.50 per full share (subject to adjustment), upon the later to occur of (i) the Company’s completion of a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination, with one or more target businesses (a “Business Combination”) or (ii) one year from the closing of the Company’s initial public offering (the “IPO”). Each warrant expires 5 years after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

 

The common stock and warrants comprising the Units represented by this certificate are not transferable separately until the 90th day after the date of the prospectus relating to the IPO, unless Chardan Capital Markets, LLC informs the Company of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, provided that the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K, which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting the Company’s receipt of the gross proceeds of the IPO.

 

The terms of the warrants are governed by a warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”), dated as of [●], 2021, between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as the Warrant Agent, and are subject to the terms and provisions contained therein, all of which terms and provisions the holder of this certificate consents to by acceptance hereof. A copy of the Warrant Agreement is on file at the office of the Warrant Agent at 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004, and are available to any warrant holder on written request and without cost.

 

Each Unit may be mandatorily split by the Company in connection with the closing of a Business Combination.

 

 

 

 

This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and Registrar of the Company.

 

This Unit Certificate shall be governed and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

 

Witness the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

 

By:

 

   
Chairman   Chief Financial Officer

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

 

The Company will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests, a statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of shares or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM – as tenants in common   UNIF GIFT MIN ACT -     Custodian  
TEN ENT – as tenants by the entireties         (Cust)   (Minor)
JT TEN – as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common     under Uniform Gifts to Minors
          Act      
              (State)

 

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

 

For value received, ___________________________ hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto_____________________________________________.

 

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE    
   

 

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)

 

Name:    
Address:    
     
     

 

2 

 

 

 
Units represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
Attorney to transfer the said Units on the books of the within named Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated:    

 

   
  Notice: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

Signature(s) Guaranteed:

 

   
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15).  

 

As more fully described in the Company’s final prospectus dated as of [●], 2021, the holder of this certificate shall be entitled to receive funds with respect to the underlying shares of common stock from the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering only in the event of the Company’s liquidation upon failure to consummate a business combination within the required time period set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate”), as the same may be amended from time to time, or if the holder seeks to convert his or her respective shares of common stock underlying the Unit upon consummation of such business combination or in connection with certain amendments to the Certificate. In no other circumstances shall the holder have any right or interest of any kind in or to the trust account.

 

3 

Exhibit 4.2

 

NUMBER SHARES
C  

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

 

INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

 

COMMON STOCK

 

SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

CUSIP 365506 104

 

This Certifies that  

 

is the owner of  

 

FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

 

transferable on the books of the Company in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed.

 

The Company will be forced to liquidate if it is unable to complete an initial business combination as defined in, and within the time period required by, its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar.

 

Witness the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

 

Dated:        
   
   

     
CHAIRMAN   CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

 

 

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM as tenants in common   UNIF GIFT MIN ACT     Custodian  
TEN ENT as tenants by the entireties         (Cust)   (Minor)
JT TEN —  as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common     under Uniform Gifts to Minors
          Act      
              (State)

 

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

 

The Company 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 shares or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. This certificate and the shares represented thereby are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and all amendments thereto and resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of preferred stock (copies of which may be obtained from the secretary of the Company), to all of which the holder of this certificate by acceptance hereof assents.

 

For value received, ___________________________ hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto _____________________________________.

 

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE    
       

 

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)

 

Name:      
Address:      
       
       

 

 

 

shares of common stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint

 

Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

2

 

 

Dated:      

 

    Notice: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

Signature(s) Guaranteed:

 

 

 

THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15).

 

As more fully described in the Company’s final prospectus dated as of [•], 2021, the holder of this certificate shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering only in the event of the Company’s liquidation upon failure to consummate a business combination within the required time period set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Certificate”), or if the holder seeks to convert his or her shares of common stock upon consummation of a business combination or in connection with certain amendments to the Certificate. In no other circumstances shall the holder have any right or interest of any kind in or to the trust account.

 

3

 

Exhibit 4.3

SPECIMEN WARRANT CERTIFICATE

 

NUMBER   [●] WARRANTS
WA-    

 

(THIS WARRANT WILL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M.

NEW YORK CITY TIME, FIVE YEARS FROM THE CLOSING DATE OF THE COMPANY’S INITIAL

BUSINESS COMBINATION)

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

 

CUSIP 365506 112

 

WARRANT

 

THIS WARRANT CERTIFIES THAT, for value received , or registered assigns, is the registered holder of a Warrant or Warrants (the “Warrant”), expiring on a date which is five (5) years from the completion of the Company’s initial business combination, to purchase one fully paid and non-assessable share (the “Warrant Shares”), of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for each Warrant evidenced by this Warrant Certificate. This Warrant Certificate is subject to and shall be interpreted under the terms and conditions of the Warrant Agreement (as defined below).

 

The Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase from the Company, from time to time, in whole or in part, commencing on the later to occur of (i) the completion of the Company’s initial business combination or (ii) one year following the closing of the Company’s initial public offering, such number of Warrant Shares at the price of $11.50 per share (the “Warrant Price”), upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Warrant Price at the office or agency of Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Warrant Agent”), such payment to be made subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement, dated [●], 2021, between the Company and the Warrant Agent (the “Warrant Agreement”). In no event shall the registered holder(s) of this Warrant be entitled to receive a net-cash settlement in lieu of physical settlement in Warrant Shares of the Company. The Warrant Agreement provides that, upon the occurrence of certain events, the Warrant Price and the number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder, set forth on the face hereof, may be adjusted, subject to certain conditions. The term Warrant Price as used in this Warrant Certificate refers to the price per full Warrant Share at which Warrant Shares may be purchased at the time the Warrant is exercised.

 

This Warrant will expire on the date first referenced above if it is not exercised prior to such date by the registered holder pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement or if it is not redeemed by the Company prior to such date.

 

No fractional shares will be issued upon any exercise of a Warrant. If, upon exercise of a Warrant, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, the Company will, upon exercise, issue or cause to be issued only the largest whole number of Warrant Shares issuable on such exercise (and such fraction of a share will be disregarded).

 

 

 

 

Upon any exercise of the Warrant for less than the total number of full Warrant Shares provided for herein, there shall be issued to the registered holder(s) hereof or its assignee(s) a new Warrant Certificate covering the number of Warrant Shares for which the Warrant has not been exercised.

 

Warrant Certificates, when surrendered at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent by the registered holder(s) hereof in person or by attorney duly authorized in writing, may be exchanged in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, but without payment of any service charge, for another Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants.

 

Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of the Warrant Certificate at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent, a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants shall be issued to the transferee(s) in exchange for this Warrant Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, without charge except for any applicable tax or other governmental charge.

 

The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered holder(s) as the absolute owner(s) of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone) for the purpose of any exercise hereof, of any distribution to the registered holder(s), and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

This Warrant does not entitle the registered holder(s) to any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company.

 

After the Warrant becomes exercisable and prior to its expiration date, the Company reserves the right to call the Warrant at any time, with a notice of call in writing to the holder(s) of record of the Warrant, giving thirty (30) days’ written notice of such call if the last reported sale price of the Common Stock has been equal to or greater than $16.50 per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a thirty (30) trading day period ending on the third (3rd) trading day prior to the date on which notice of such call is given, provided that (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) with respect to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise must be effective and a current prospectus must be available for use by the registered holders hereof or (ii) the Warrants may be exercised on cashless basis as set forth in the Warrant Agreement and such cashless exercise is exempt from registration under the Act. The call price is $0.01 per Warrant Share. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the Warrant.

 

If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and the Company calls the Warrant for redemption, each holder will then be entitled to exercise his, her or its Warrant prior to the date scheduled for redemption; provided that the Company may require the Registered Holder who desires to exercise the Warrant, to elect cashless exercise as set forth in the Warrant Agreement, and such Registered Holder must exercise the Warrants on a cashless basis if the Company so requires. Any Warrant either not exercised or tendered back to the Company by the end of the date specified in the notice of call shall be canceled on the books of the Company and have no further value except for the $0.01 call price.

 

2

 

 

By    
  Chief Executive Officer  

 

[REVERSE OF CERTIFICATE]

SUBSCRIPTION FORM

 

To Be Executed by the Registered Holder(s) in Order to Exercise Warrants

 

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, to receive shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of this Warrant Certificate and pursuant to the method selected below. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the respective meanings set forth in the Warrant Certificate. PLEASE CHECK ONE METHOD OF PAYMENT:

 

      a “Cash Exercise” with respect to Warrant Shares; and/or
     
      a “Cashless Exercise” with respect to Warrant Shares because on the date of this exercise, there is no effective registration statement registering the Warrant Shares, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the resale of the Warrant Shares, in which event the Company shall deliver to the registered holder(s) shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 3.3.2 of the Warrant Agreement.

 

The undersigned requests that a certificate for such shares be registered in the name(s) of:

 

 
(PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT NAME(S) AND ADDRESS)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(SOCIAL SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S))

 

and be delivered to    
    (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE NAME(S) AND ADDRESS)

 

and, if such number of Warrants shall not be all the Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate, that a new Warrant Certificate for the balance of such Warrants be registered in the name of, and delivered to, the registered holder(s) at the address(es) stated below:

 

Dated:

 

   
(SIGNATURE(S))  

 

3

 

 

   
(ADDRESS(ES))  
   
   
   
   
(TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S))  

 

ASSIGNMENT

 

To Be Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Assign Warrants

 

For Value Received, hereby sell(s), assign(s), and transfer(s) unto

 

 
(PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES))
 
 
 
 
 
 

(SOCIAL SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S))

and to be delivered to    
    (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES))
 
 
 
 

(SOCIAL SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S))

 

of the Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate, and hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney to transfer this Warrant Certificate on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated:

 

   
(SIGNATURE(S))  

 

NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

 

Signature(s) Guaranteed:

 

By:

   

 

THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15).

 

4

 

Exhibit 4.4

 

WARRANT AGREEMENT

 

This Warrant Agreement (“Warrant Agreement”) is made as of [•], 2021, by and between Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Warrant Agent”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in a public offering (the “Public Offering”) of 7,500,000 units (the “Units”) of the Company (and up to 1,125,000 additional Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), each Unit consisting of one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and one warrant (the “Public Warrant” or “Public Warrants”), each Public Warrant entitling its holder to purchase one share of Common Stock (the “Public Warrant Shares);

 

WHEREAS, the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333- [•] (“Registration Statement”), and a prospectus (the “Prospectus”), for the registration, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), of, among other securities, the Public Warrants;

 

WHEREAS, the Company has received a binding commitment from Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC to purchase up to 2,775,000 warrants, Chardan Gardiner LLC to purchase up to 475,714 warrants, and CCMAUS Pty Ltd. to purchase up to 449,286 warrants pursuant to the Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreements, dated as of [•], 2021 (collectively, the “Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreements”), and in connection therewith, will issue and deliver up to 3,700,000 warrants (the “Private Warrants”), each whole Private Warrant entitling its holder to purchase one share of Common Stock (“Private Warrant Shares”, and together with the Public Warrant Shares, the “Warrant Shares”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company may issue up to an additional 1,500,000 redeemable warrants in satisfaction of certain working capital loans made by the Company’s officers, directors, initial stockholders (as defined in the Prospectus) and their affiliates (“Working Capital Warrants”);

 

WHEREAS, following consummation of the Public Offering, the Company may issue additional warrants (“Post IPO Warrants” and collectively with the Public Warrants, Private Warrants and Working Capital Warrants, the “Warrants”) in connection with, or following the consummation by the Company of, an initial business combination;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, redemption and exercise of the Warrants;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide for the form, terms and provisions of the Warrants, including the terms upon which they shall be issued and exercised, and the respective rights, limitation of rights and immunities of the Company, the Warrant Agent and the holders of the Warrants; and

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, all acts and things have been done and performed which are necessary to make the Warrants, when executed on behalf of the Company and countersigned by or on behalf of the Warrant Agent, as provided herein, the legally valid and binding obligations of the Company, and to authorize the execution and delivery of this Warrant Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.            Appointment of Warrant Agent. The Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company for the Warrants, and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the same in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant Agreement.

 

2.            Warrants.

 

2.1           Form of Warrant. Each Warrant other than a Private Warrant shall be: (a) issued in registered form only, (b) in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, the provisions of which are incorporated herein and (c) signed by, or bear the facsimile signature of (i) the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President and (ii) the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company. In the event the person whose facsimile signature has been placed upon any Warrant shall have ceased to serve in the capacity in which such person signed the Warrant before such Warrant is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he or she had not ceased to be such at the date of issuance.

 

2.2           Effect of Countersignature. Unless and until countersigned by the Warrant Agent pursuant to this Warrant Agreement, a Warrant shall be invalid and of no effect and may not be exercised by the holder thereof.

 

2.3           Registration.

 

2.3.1        Warrant Register. The Warrant Agent shall maintain books (the “Warrant Register”), for the registration of the original issuance and transfers of the Warrants. Upon the initial issuance of the Warrants, the Warrant Agent shall issue and register the Warrants in the names of the respective holders thereof in such denominations and otherwise in accordance with instructions delivered to the Warrant Agent by the Company.

 

2.3.2        Registered Holder. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Warrant, the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name such Warrant shall be registered upon the Warrant Register (“Registered Holder”) as the absolute owner of such Warrant and of each Warrant represented thereby (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing on the Warrant certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Warrant Agent), for the purpose of any exercise thereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

 

 

 

2.4           Detachability of Warrants. Each of the securities comprising the Units will begin to trade separately on (i) the 90th day after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or (ii) such earlier date as Chardan Capital Markets, LLC, as representative of the underwriters (the “Representative”), shall determine is acceptable (such date, the “Detachment Date”). In no event will separate trading of the securities comprising the Units commence until the Company (i) files a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC including audited balance sheet reflecting the Company’s receipt of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering and (ii) issues a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin.

 

2.5           Private Warrants. The Private Warrants (i) will be exercisable either for cash or on a cashless basis at the holder’s option pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof and (ii) will not be redeemable by the Company, in either case as long as the Private Warrants are held by the initial purchasers or any of their permitted transferees (as prescribed in the Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreements). The Private Warrants may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of, the Private Warrants (or any securities underlying the Private Warrants) for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of the Registration Statement to anyone other than any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the Public Offering and the officers or partners thereof, if all securities so transferred remain subject to the lock-up restriction set forth above for the remainder of the time period.

 

3.            Terms and Exercise of Warrants.

 

3.1           Warrant Price. Each Warrant shall, when countersigned by the Warrant Agent, entitle the Registered Holder thereof, subject to the provisions of such Warrant and of this Warrant Agreement, to purchase from the Company the number of shares of Common Stock stated therein, at $11.50 per full share, subject to the adjustments provided in Section 4 hereof. The term “Warrant Price” as used in this Warrant Agreement refers to the price per whole share at which shares of Common Stock may be purchased at the time such Warrant is exercised. The Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of Warrant Shares by a Registered Holder. The Company in its sole discretion may lower the Warrant Price (including by allowing “cashless exercise”) at any time prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below) for a period of not less than twenty (20) business days, provided, that the Company shall provide at least three (3) days prior written notice of such reduction to Registered Holders of the Warrants and, provided further that any such reduction shall be identical among all of the Warrants.

 

 

 

 

3.2           Duration of Warrants. A Warrant may be exercised only during the period (“Exercise Period”) commencing on the later to occur of (i) the completion of the Company’s initial business combination and (ii) 12 months following the closing of the Public Offering, and terminating at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the earlier to occur of (i) (A) five years following the completion of the Company’s initial business combination, other than the Private Warrants purchased by Chardan Gardiner LLC, and (B) five years from the effective date of the Registration Statement with respect to the Private Warrants purchased by Chardan Gardiner LLC, provided that once the Private Warrants are not beneficially owned by Chardan Gardiner LLC or any of its related persons anymore, the Private Warrants may not be exercised five years following the completion of the Company’s initial business combination, and (ii) the date fixed for redemption of the Warrants as provided in Section 6 of this Warrant Agreement (“Expiration Date”). Except with respect to the right to receive the Redemption Price (as set forth in Section 6 hereunder), each Warrant not exercised on or before the Expiration Date shall become void, and all rights thereunder and all rights in respect thereof under this Warrant Agreement shall cease at the close of business on the Expiration Date. The Company may extend the duration of the Warrants by delaying the Expiration Date; provided, however, that the Company will provide written notice of not less than 10 days to Registered Holders of such extension and that such extension shall be identical in duration among all of the then outstanding Warrants. Notwithstanding the above, the Private Warrants (and the Private Warrant Shares that are issuable upon exercise of the Private Warrants) to be purchased by Chardan Gardiner LLC have been deemed compensation by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and are therefore subject to a 180-day lock-up described in the following sentence pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1) commencing on the effective date of the Registration Statement as long as Chardan Capital Markets, LLC or any of its related persons beneficially own these Private Warrants. Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1), the Private Warrants (and the Private Warrant Shares that are issuable upon exercise of the Private Warrants) purchased by Chardan Gardiner LLC will not be sold during the Public Offering, or sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of such securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the effective date of the Registration Statement, except to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the Public Offering made pursuant to the Registration Statement and their bona fide officers or partners, provided that all such securities so transferred remain subject to the lockup restriction above for the remainder of the time period.

 

3.3           Exercise of Warrants.

 

3.3.1        Cash Exercise. Subject to the provisions of the Warrant and this Warrant Agreement, a Warrant, when countersigned by the Company, may be exercised by the Registered Holder thereof by surrendering it at the office of the Warrant Agent, or at the office of its successor as Warrant Agent, currently being:

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30
th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Compliance Department

 

with the subscription form, as set forth in the Warrant, duly executed, and by paying in full, in lawful money of the United States, by certified or bank cashier’s check payable to the order of the Warrant Agent or by wire transfer to the Warrant Agent’s bank account, the Warrant Price for each whole Warrant Share as to which the Warrant is exercised and any and all applicable taxes due in connection with the exercise of the Warrant, the exchange of the Warrant for the Warrant Shares, and the issuance of the Warrant Shares (such exercise, a “Cash Exercise”). A Cash Exercise in accordance with this Section 3.3.1 is available to the Registered Holder only during such times that there is an effective registration statement registering the Warrant Shares, with the prospectus contained therein being available for the resale of the Warrant Shares.

 

3.3.2        Cashless Exercise. Subject to Section 2.4, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if there is no effective registration statement registering the Warrant Shares on any day the Registered Holder desires to exercise the Warrants and more than 120 days have passed since the Company completed its initial business combination, the Registered Holder may exercise the Warrants in whole or in part in lieu of making a cash payment for whole numbers of Warrant Shares, by providing notice to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company in a subscription form of its election to utilize cashless exercise, in which event the Company shall issue to the holder the number of Warrant Shares determined as follows:

 

X = Y [(A-B)/A]

 

where:

 

X = the number of Warrant Shares to be issued to the holder.

Y = the number of Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant is being exercised.

A = the fair market value of one share of Common Stock.

B = the Warrant Price.

 

 

 

 

The Registered Holder may not exercise any Warrants in the absence of a registration statement except pursuant to this Section 3.3.2. For purposes of this Section 3.3.2 and Section 4.1, the fair market value of one share of Common Stock is defined as follows:

 

(i) if the Company’s shares of Common Stock are listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Capital Market (each, a “Trading Market”), the fair market value shall be deemed the average reported last sale price of the shares of Common Stock on such Trading Market for the 10 trading days ending on the day prior to the date the subscription form is submitted to the Company in connection with the exercise of the Warrant; or

 

(ii) if the Company’s shares of Common Stock are not listed on a Trading Market, but is traded in the over-the-counter market, the fair market value shall be deemed to be the average of the bid price on such Trading Market for the 10 trading days ending on the day prior to the date the subscription form is submitted in connection with the exercise of the Warrant; or

 

(iii) if there is no active public market for the Company’s shares of Common Stock, the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock shall be determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors.

 

3.3.3      Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Warrant Agreement, the Company shall not be required to issue any fraction of a Warrant Share in connection with the exercise of Warrants, and in any case where the Registered Holder would be entitled under the terms of the Warrants to receive a fraction of a Warrant Share upon the exercise of such Registered Holder’s Warrants, issue or cause to be issued only the largest whole number of Warrant Shares issuable on such exercise (and such fraction of a Warrant Share will be disregarded); provided, that if more than one Warrant certificate is presented for exercise at the same time by the same Registered Holder, the number of whole Warrant Shares which shall be issuable upon the exercise thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of Warrant Shares issuable on exercise of all such Warrants.

 

 

 

 

3.3.4        Issuance of Certificates. No later than three (3) business days following the exercise of any Warrant and the clearance of the funds in payment of the Warrant Price pursuant to Section 3.3.1 or cashless exercise pursuant to Section 3.3.2, the Company shall issue, or cause to be issued, to the Registered Holder of such Warrant a certificate or certificates representing (or at the option of the Registered Holder, deliver electronically through the facilities of the Depository Trust Corporation) the number of full shares of Common Stock to which he, she or it is entitled, registered in such name or names as may be directed by him, her or it, and, if such Warrant shall not have been exercised or surrendered in full, a new countersigned Warrant for the number of shares as to which such Warrant shall not have been exercised or surrendered. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not deliver, or cause to be delivered, any securities without applicable restrictive legend pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Warrants is effective and a current prospectus relating to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is available for delivery to the Registered Holder of the Warrant or (b) in the opinion of counsel to the Company, the exercise of the Warrants is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and such securities are qualified for sale or exempt from qualification under applicable securities laws of the states or other jurisdictions in which the Registered Holder resides. Warrants may not be exercised by, or securities issued to, any Registered Holder in any state in which such exercise or issuance would be unlawful. In addition, in no event will the Company be obligated to pay such Registered Holder any cash consideration upon exercise or otherwise “net cash settle” the Warrant.

 

3.3.5       Valid Issuance. All shares of Common Stock issued upon the proper exercise or surrender of a Warrant in conformity with this Warrant Agreement shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

3.3.6       Date of Issuance. Each person or entity in whose name any such certificate for shares of Common Stock is issued shall, for all purposes, be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares on the date on which the Warrant was surrendered and payment of the Warrant Price was made, irrespective of the date of delivery of such certificate, except that, if the date of such surrender and payment is a date when the stock transfer books of the Company are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become the holder of such shares at the close of business on the next succeeding date on which the stock transfer books are open.

 

 

 

 

3.3.7       Maximum Percentage. A holder of a Warrant may notify the Company in writing in the event it elects to be subject to the provisions contained in this subsection 3.3.7; however, no holder of a Warrant shall be subject to this subsection 3.3.7 unless he, she or it makes such election. If the election is made by a holder, the Warrant Agent shall not effect the exercise of the holder’s Warrant, and such holder shall not have the right to exercise such Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the Warrant Agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% or 9.99% (or such other amount as such person may specify) (each, a “Maximum Percentage”) of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such person and its affiliates shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude the shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon (x) exercise of the remaining, unexercised portion of the Warrant beneficially owned by such person and its affiliates and (y) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company beneficially owned by such person and its affiliates (including, without limitation, any convertible notes or convertible preferred shares or warrants) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this paragraph, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). For purposes of the Warrant, in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, the holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (1) the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q, current report on Form 8-K or other public filing with the SEC as the case may be, (2) a more recent public announcement by the Company, or (3) any other notice by the Company or the Warrant Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. For any reason at any time, upon the written request of the holder of the Warrant, the Company shall, within two (2) business days, confirm orally and in writing to such holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of equity securities of the Company by the holder and its affiliates since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. By written notice to the Company, the holder of a Warrant may from time to time increase or decrease the Maximum Percentage applicable to such holder to any other percentage specified in such notice; provided, however, that any such increase shall not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company.

 

4.            Adjustments.

 

4.1            Stock Dividends, Splits. If, after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5 below, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is increased by a stock dividend payable in shares of Common Stock, or by a forward or reverse split of shares of Common Stock, or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such stock dividend, split or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be increased or decreased in proportion to such increase or decrease in outstanding shares of Common Stock. A rights offering to all holders of the shares of Common Stock entitling holders to purchase shares of Common Stock at a price less than the fair market value shall be deemed a stock dividend of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for the shares of Common Stock) multiplied by (ii) one (1) minus the quotient of (x) the price per share of Common Stock paid in such rights offering divided by (y) the fair market value. For purposes of this subsection 4.1, if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of Common Stock, in determining the price payable for the shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion.

 

 

 

 

4.2            Aggregation of Shares. If, after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.6, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination or reclassification of shares of Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares of Common Stock.

 

4.3           Extraordinary Dividends. If the Company, at any time while the Warrants (or rights to purchase the Warrants) are outstanding and unexpired, shall pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of the shares of Common Stock on account of such shares of Common Stock (or other shares of the Company’s capital stock into which the Warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described in subsection 4.1 above, (b) Ordinary Cash Dividends (as defined below), (c) to satisfy the conversion rights of the holders of the shares of Common Stock in connection with a proposed initial business combination or vote to extend the time period to complete an initial business combination, (d) as a result of the repurchase of shares of Common Stock by the Company in connection with an initial business combination or as otherwise permitted by the Investment Management Trust Agreement between the Company and the Warrant Agent dated of even date herewith or (e) in connection with the Company’s liquidation and the distribution of its assets upon its failure to consummate a business combination (any such non-excluded event being referred to herein as an “Extraordinary Dividend”), then the Warrant Price shall be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such Extraordinary Dividend, by the amount of cash and the fair market value (as determined by the Company’s board of directors, in good faith) of any securities or other assets paid on each share of Common Stock in respect of such Extraordinary Dividend. For purposes of this subsection 4.3, “Ordinary Cash Dividends” means any cash dividend or cash distribution which, when combined on a per share basis with the per share amounts of all other cash dividends and cash distributions paid on the shares of Common Stock during the 365-day period ending on the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any of the events referred to in other subsections of this Section 4 and excluding cash dividends or cash distributions that resulted in an adjustment to the Warrant Price or to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant) does not exceed $0.50 (being 5% of the offering price of the Units in the Public Offering).

 

4.4           Adjustments in Exercise Price.

 

4.4.1       Whenever the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants is adjusted, as provided in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 above, the Warrant Price shall be adjusted (to the nearest cent) by multiplying such Warrant Price, immediately prior to such adjustment, by a fraction, (a) the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (b) the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock so purchasable immediately thereafter.

 

 

 

 

4.4.2        If (i) the Company issues additional shares of Common Stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of its initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of Common Stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to the Company’s initial stockholders or their affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares (as defined in the Prospectus) or Private Warrants held by them, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “newly issued price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of the Company’s initial business combination on the date of the completion of its initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume-weighted average trading price of the Common Stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company completes its initial business combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.50 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the newly issued price and the $16.50 per share redemption trigger price will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 165% of the higher of the Market Value and the newly issued price.

 

4.5           Replacement of Securities upon Reorganization, etc. In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a change covered by Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 hereof or one that solely affects the par value of such shares of Common Stock), or, in the case of any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Common Stock), or, in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, in connection with which the Company is dissolved, the Registered Holders shall thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the Warrants and in lieu of the shares of Common Stock of the Company immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the Registered Holder would have received if such Registered Holder had exercised his, her or its Warrant(s) immediately prior to such event; and if any reclassification or reorganization also results in a change in shares of Common Stock covered by Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3, then such adjustment shall be made pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and this Section 4.5. The provisions of this Section 4.5 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, sales or other transfers. In no event will the Warrant Price be reduced to less than the par value per share issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.

 

4.6           Notices of Changes in Warrant. Upon every adjustment of the Warrant Price or the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a Warrant, the Company shall give written notice thereof to the Warrant Agent, which notice shall state the Warrant Price resulting from such adjustment and the increase or decrease, if any, in the number of shares purchasable at such price upon the exercise of a Warrant, setting forth in reasonable detail the method of calculation and the facts upon which such calculation is based. Upon the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 4.1 – 4.5 the Company shall give written notice to each Registered Holder, at the last address set forth for such Registered Holder in the Warrant Register, of the record date or the effective date of the event. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such event.

 

 

 

 

4.7           Form of Warrant. The form of Warrant need not be changed because of any adjustment pursuant to this Section 4, and Warrants issued after such adjustment may state the same Warrant Price and the same number of shares as is stated in the Warrants initially issued pursuant to this Warrant Agreement. However, the Company may, at any time, in its sole discretion, make any change in the form of Warrant that the Company may deem appropriate and that does not affect the substance thereof, and any Warrant thereafter issued or countersigned, whether in exchange or substitution for an outstanding Warrant or otherwise, may be in the form as so changed.

 

4.8           Notice of Certain Transactions. In the event that the Company shall (a) offer to holders of all its shares of Common Stock rights to subscribe for or to purchase any securities convertible into shares of Common Stock or shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or options, (b) issue any rights, options or warrants entitling all the holders of shares of Common Stock to subscribe for shares of Common Stock, or (c) make a tender offer, redemption offer or exchange offer with respect to the shares of Common Stock, the Company shall send to the Registered Holders a notice of such action or offer. Such notice shall be mailed to the Registered Holders at their addresses as they appear in the Warrant Register, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such dividend, distribution or rights, or the date such issuance or event is to take place and the date of participation therein by the holders of shares of Common Stock, if any such date is to be fixed, and shall briefly indicate the effect of such action on the shares of Common Stock and on the number and kind of any other shares of stock and on other property, if any, and the number of shares of Common Stock and other property, if any, issuable upon exercise of each Warrant and the Warrant Price after giving effect to any adjustment pursuant to this Section 4 which would be required as a result of such action. Such notice shall be given as promptly as practicable after the Company has taken any such action.

 

5.            Transfer and Exchange of Warrants.

 

5.1           Transfer of Warrants. Prior to the Detachment Date, the Warrants may be transferred or exchanged only together with the Unit in which such Warrant is included, and only for the purpose of effecting, or in conjunction with, a transfer or exchange of such Unit. Furthermore, each transfer of a Unit on the register relating to such Units shall operate also to transfer the Warrants included in such Unit. From and after the Detachment Date, this Section 5.1 will have no further force and effect.

 

5.2           Registration of Transfer. The Warrant Agent shall register the transfer, from time to time, of any outstanding Warrant into the Warrant Register, upon surrender of such Warrant for transfer, properly endorsed with signatures properly guaranteed and accompanied by appropriate instructions for transfer. Upon any such transfer, a new Warrant representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants shall be issued and the old Warrant shall be cancelled by the Warrant Agent. The Warrants so cancelled shall be delivered by the Warrant Agent to the Company from time to time upon the Company’s request.

 

5.3           Procedure for Surrender of Warrants. Warrants may be surrendered to the Warrant Agent, together with a written request for exchange or transfer, and, thereupon, the Warrant Agent shall issue in exchange therefor one or more new Warrants as requested by the Registered Holder of the Warrants so surrendered, representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants; provided, however, that, in the event a Warrant surrendered for transfer bears a restrictive legend, the Warrant Agent shall not cancel such Warrant and shall issue new Warrants in exchange therefor until the Warrant Agent has received an opinion of counsel for the Company stating that such transfer may be made and indicating whether the new Warrants must also bear a restrictive legend.

 

 

 

 

5.4           Fractional Warrants. The Warrant Agent shall not be required to effect any registration of transfer or exchange which will result in the issuance of a warrant certificate for a fraction of a warrant.

 

5.5           Service Charges. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Warrants.

 

5.6           Warrant Execution and Countersignature. The Warrant Agent is hereby authorized to countersign and to deliver, in accordance with the terms of this Warrant Agreement, the Warrants required to be issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5, and the Company, whenever required by the Warrant Agent, will supply the Warrant Agent with Warrants duly executed on behalf of the Company for such purpose.

 

6.            Redemption.

 

6.1           Redemption. All (and not less than all) of the outstanding Warrants may be redeemed, in whole and not in part, at the option of the Company, at any time from and after the Warrants become exercisable, and prior to their expiration, at the office of the Warrant Agent, upon the notice referred to in Section 6.2, at the price of $0.01 per Warrant (“Redemption Price”); provided that the last sales price of the shares of Common Stock has been equal to or greater than $16.50 per share (subject to adjustment for splits, dividends, recapitalizations and other similar events), for any twenty (20) trading days within a thirty (30) trading day period ending on the third business day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given and provided further that there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants for each day in the aforementioned 30-day trading period and continuing each day thereafter until the Redemption Date (defined below). For avoidance of doubt, if and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company under this Section 6.1, the Company may exercise its redemption right, even if it is unable to register or qualify the Warrant Shares for sale under all applicable state securities laws.

 

6.2           Date Fixed for, and Notice of, Redemption. In the event the Company shall elect to redeem all of the Warrants, the Company shall fix a date for the redemption (the “Redemption Date”). Notice of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, by the Company not less than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the Registered Holders of the Warrants to be redeemed at their last addresses as they shall appear on the Warrant Register. Any notice mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Registered Holder received such notice.

 

 

 

 

6.3           Exercise After Notice of Redemption. The Warrants may be exercised in accordance with Section 3 of this Warrant Agreement at any time after notice of redemption shall have been given by the Company pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof and prior to the Redemption Date; provided that the Company may require the Registered Holder who desires to exercise the Warrant to elect cashless exercise as set forth under Section 3.3.2, and such Registered Holder must exercise the Warrants on a cashless basis if the Company so requires. On and after the Redemption Date, the Registered Holder of the Warrants shall have no further rights except to receive, upon surrender of the Warrants, the Redemption Price.

 

6.4           No Other Rights to Cash Payment. Except for a redemption in accordance with this Section 6, no Registered Holder of any Warrant shall be entitled to any cash payment whatsoever from the Company in connection with the ownership, exercise or surrender of any Warrant under this Warrant Agreement.

 

7.            Other Provisions Relating to Rights of Registered Holders of Warrants.

 

7.1           No Rights as Stockholder. A Warrant does not entitle the Registered Holder thereof to any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends, or other distributions, exercise any preemptive rights to vote or to consent or to receive notice as stockholders in respect of the meetings of stockholders or the election of directors of the Company or any other matter.

 

7.2           Lost, Stolen Mutilated or Destroyed Warrants. If any Warrant is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed, the Company and the Warrant Agent may, on such terms as to indemnity or otherwise as they may in their discretion impose (which terms shall, in the case of a mutilated Warrant, include the surrender thereof), issue a new Warrant of like denomination, tenor and date as the Warrant so lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed. Any such new Warrant shall constitute a substitute contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the allegedly lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed Warrant shall be at any time enforceable by anyone.

 

7.3           Reservation of Shares of Common Stock. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available a number of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Warrants issued pursuant to this Warrant Agreement.

 

7.4           Registration of Shares of Common Stock. The Company agrees that as soon as practicable after the closing of a business combination, it shall use its best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration under the Securities Act of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, and to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the Warrants in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant Agreement. In addition, the Company agrees to use its best efforts to register the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants under state blue sky laws, to the extent an exemption is not available.

 

8.            Concerning the Warrant Agent and Other Matters.

 

8.1           Payment of Taxes. The Company will, from time to time, promptly pay all taxes and charges that may be imposed upon the Company or the Warrant Agent in respect of the issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of Warrants, but the Company shall not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in respect of the Warrants or such shares.

 

 

 

 

8.2           Resignation, Consolidation, or Merger of Warrant Agent.

 

8.2.1        Appointment of Successor Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may resign its duties and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder after giving sixty (60) days’ notice in writing to the Company. If the office of the Warrant Agent becomes vacant by resignation or incapacity to act or otherwise, the Company shall appoint, in writing, a successor Warrant Agent in place of the Warrant Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the Warrant Agent or by the Registered Holder of the Warrant (who shall, with such notice, submit his, her or its Warrant for inspection by the Company), then the Registered Holder of any Warrant may apply to the Supreme Court of the State of New York for the County of New York for the appointment of a successor Warrant Agent. Any successor Warrant Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such court, shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, in good standing and having its principal office in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, and be authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities. After appointment, any successor Warrant Agent shall be vested with all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties and obligations of its predecessor Warrant Agent with like effect as if originally named as Warrant Agent hereunder, without any further act or deed; but, if for any reason it becomes necessary or appropriate, the predecessor Warrant Agent shall execute and deliver, at the expense of the Company, an instrument transferring to such successor Warrant Agent all the authority, powers, and rights of such predecessor Warrant Agent hereunder; and, upon request of any successor Warrant Agent, the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge, and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Warrant Agent all such authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties and obligations.

 

8.2.2       Notice of Successor Warrant Agent. In the event a successor Warrant Agent shall be appointed, the Company shall give notice thereof to the predecessor Warrant Agent and the transfer agent for the shares of Common Stock not later than the effective date of any such appointment.

 

8.2.3        Merger or Consolidation of Warrant Agent. Any corporation into which the Warrant Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party shall be the successor Warrant Agent under this Warrant Agreement without any further act on the part of the Company or the Warrant Agent.

 

8.3           Fees and Expenses of Warrant Agent.

 

8.3.1        Remuneration. The Company agrees to pay the Warrant Agent reasonable remuneration for its services as Warrant Agent hereunder and will reimburse the Warrant Agent upon demand for all expenditures that the Warrant Agent may reasonably incur in the execution of its duties hereunder.

 

 

 

 

8.3.2        Further Assurances. The Company agrees to perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered, all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Warrant Agent for the carrying out or performing of the provisions of this Warrant Agreement.

 

8.4           Liability of Warrant Agent.

 

8.4.1        Reliance on Company Statement. Whenever, in the performance of its duties under this Warrant Agreement, the Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Chairman of the Board of the Company and delivered to the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent may rely upon such statement for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it pursuant to the provisions of this Warrant Agreement.

 

8.4.2        Indemnity. The Warrant Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Company agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent and hold it harmless against any and all liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees, for anything done or omitted by the Warrant Agent in the execution of this Warrant Agreement, except as a result of the Warrant Agent’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith.

 

8.4.3        Exclusions. The Warrant Agent shall have no responsibility with respect to the validity of this Warrant Agreement or with respect to the validity or execution of any Warrant (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Warrant Agreement or in any Warrant; nor shall it be responsible to make any adjustments required under the provisions of Section 4 hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment; nor shall it, by any act hereunder, be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Warrant Agreement or any Warrant or as to whether any shares of Common Stock will when issued be valid and fully paid and non-assessable.

 

8.5          Acceptance of Agency. The Warrant Agent hereby accepts the agency established by this Warrant Agreement and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth and, among other things, shall account promptly to the Company with respect to Warrants exercised and concurrently account for, and pay to the Company, all moneys received by the Warrant Agent for the purchase of shares of the Company’s shares of Common Stock through the exercise of Warrants.

 

8.6          Waiver. The Warrant Agent hereby waives any right of set-off or any other right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) in or to any distribution of the Trust Account (as defined in that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and the Warrant Agent as trustee thereunder) and hereby agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any Claim against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever.

 

 

 

 

9.            Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

9.1          Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Warrant Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Warrant Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.

 

9.2          Notices. Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Warrant Agreement to be given or made by the Warrant Agent or by the Registered Holder of any Warrant to or on the Company shall be delivered by hand or sent by registered or certified mail or overnight courier service, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Warrant Agent) as follows:

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.
3107 Warrington Road

Shaker Heights, OH 44120

Attn: Chief Executive Officer

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Reed Smith LLP

599 Lexington Avenue

22nd Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attn: Ari Edelman, Esq.

 

Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Warrant Agreement to be given or made by the Registered Holder of any Warrant or by the Company to or on the Warrant Agent shall be delivered by hand or sent by registered or certified mail or overnight courier service, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Warrant Agent with the Company), as follows:

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30
th Floor
New York, New York 10004

 

Any notice, sent pursuant to this Warrant Agreement shall be effective, if delivered by hand, upon receipt thereof by the party to whom it is addressed, if sent by overnight courier, on the next business day of the delivery to the courier, and if sent by registered or certified mail on the third day after registration or certification thereof.

 

 

 

 

9.3           Applicable Law. The validity, interpretation, and performance of this Warrant Agreement and of the Warrants shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflict of laws. Subject to applicable law, the Company and the Warrant Agent hereby agree that any action, proceeding or claim against either of them arising out of or relating in any way to this Warrant Agreement may be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be a non-exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim). The Company and the Warrant Agent hereby waive any objection that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum.

 

Any such process or summons to be served upon the Company or the Warrant Agent may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in Section 9.2 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and binding upon the party receiving such service in any action, proceeding or claim.

 

9.4           Persons Having Rights under this Warrant Agreement. Nothing in this Warrant Agreement expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or give to, any person or corporation other than the parties hereto and the Registered Holders of the Warrants and, for the purposes of Sections 2.5 hereof, the Representative and the underwriters, any right, remedy, or claim under or by reason of this Warrant Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise, or agreement hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises, and agreements contained in this Warrant Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and assigns and of the Registered Holders of the Warrants.

 

9.5           Examination of the Warrant Agreement. A copy of this Warrant Agreement shall be available at all reasonable times at the office of the Warrant Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, for inspection by the Registered Holder of any Warrant. The Warrant Agent may require any such Registered Holder to submit his, her or its Warrant for inspection.

 

9.6           Counterparts- Facsimile Signatures. This Warrant Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each of such counterparts shall, for all purposes, be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Facsimile signatures shall constitute original signatures for all purposes of this Warrant Agreement.

 

9.7           Effect of Headings. The section headings herein are for convenience only and are not part of this Warrant Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation thereof

 

 

 

 

9.8           Amendments. This Warrant Agreement and any Warrant certificate may be amended by the parties hereto by executing a supplemental warrant agreement, without the consent of any of the Warrant holders, for the purpose of (i) curing any ambiguity, or curing, correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained herein, or making any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Warrant Agreement that is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Warrant Agreement or the Warrant certificates, (ii) evidencing the succession of another corporation to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company contained in this Warrant Agreement and the Warrants, (iii) evidencing and providing for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Warrant Agent with respect to the Warrants, (iv) adding to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Registered Holders or surrendering any right or power conferred upon the Company under this Warrant Agreement, or (viii) amending this Warrant Agreement and the Warrants in any manner that the Company may deem to be necessary or desirable and that will not adversely affect the interests of the Registered Holders in any material respect. All other modifications or amendments to this Warrant Agreement, including any amendment to increase the Warrant Price or shorten the Exercise Period, shall require the written consent of the Registered Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Warrants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may extend the duration of the Exercise Period in accordance with Section 3.2 without such consent.

 

9.9           Severability. This Warrant Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Warrant Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Warrant Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Warrant Agreement has been duly executed by the parties hereto as of the day and year first above written.

 

  GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
   
   
  By:                             
  Name: Marc F. Pelletier
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
   
   
   
  CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
   
   
  By:  
  Name: [•]
  Title: [•]

 

[Signature Page to Warrant Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Warrant

 

 

 

See attached.

 

 

 

 

Reed Smith LLP

599 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022-7650

+1 212 521 5400

Fax +1 212 521 5450

reedsmith.com

 

  

Exhibit 5.1

 

 

October 21, 2021

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.
3107 Warrington Road
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-[•]) (such registration statement, as amended through the date hereof, the “Registration Statement”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the offer and sale by the Company (the “Offering”) of (a) up to 8,625,000 units of the Company (the “Units”) (including up to 1,125,000 Units subject to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Units), each such Unit consisting of one share of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and one redeemable warrant of the Company (the “Warrant”), each Warrant exercisable for the purchase of one share of Common Stock, as set forth in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), and (b) all shares of Common Stock and all Warrants, in each case, issued as part of the Units. The term “Units” also includes any additional Units (and the underlying securities) that may be issued by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act in connection with the Offering.

 

This opinion letter is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

 

We have reviewed originals or copies of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company, as amended through the date hereof (the “Organizational Documents”), the form of warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”) that is filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement, and the form of Unit certificate filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement (together with the Warrant Agreement the “Transaction Documents”), and such other corporate records, agreements and documents of the Company, certificates or comparable documents of public officials and officers of the Company and have made such other investigations as we have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions set forth below.

 

In rendering the opinion set forth below, we have assumed:

 

a. the genuineness of all signatures;

 

b. the legal capacity of natural persons;

 

c. the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals;

 

d. the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as duplicates or conformed copies;

 

e. as to matters of fact, the truthfulness of the representations made in certificates or comparable documents of public officials and officers of the Company;

 

f. the board of directors of the Company or a duly constituted and acting committee of such board of directors will have taken all action necessary to set the public offering price of the Units;

 

 

 

 

g. with respect to the issuance of the Common Stock, the amount of valid consideration paid in respect of such Common Stock will equal or exceed the par value of such Common Stock; and

 

h. neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the Units, Warrants, and Warrant Shares (i) constitutes or will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture, instrument or other agreement to which the Company or its property is subject, (ii) contravenes or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which the Company or its property is subject, or (iii) violates or will violate any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (iii) with respect to the Opined-on Law (as defined below)).

 

We have not independently established the validity of the foregoing assumptions.

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

1. The Units, when issued and sold by the Company in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement and Prospectus against payment therefor, and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Units by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as transfer agent, will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms under the laws of the State of New York, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith, and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

2. The Common Stock included in the Units, when the Units are issued and sold by the Company in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, against payment therefor, will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

 

3. The Warrants included in the Units, when the Units are issued and sold by the Company in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement and Prospectus against payment therefor, and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of such Warrants by the Warrant Agent, will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, under the laws of the State of New York, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

  

The opinions stated herein are subject to the qualifications that we express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of (i) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain certain remedies, (ii) any requirement that a claim with respect to any security denominated in other than U.S. dollars (or a judgment denominated in other than U.S. dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined in accordance with applicable law, (iii) any provision waiving the right to object to venue in any court; (iv) any agreement to submit to the jurisdiction of any federal court and (v) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside of the United States or in a foreign currency or currency unit.

 

- 2 -

 

 

Our opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (collectively, the “Opined-on Law”) and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. This opinion letter speaks only as of its date.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

/s/ REED SMITH LLP

 

- 3 -

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

[●], 2021

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

1307 Warrington Road

Shaker Heights, OH 44120

 

Chardan Capital Markets, LLC

17 State Street, 21st Floor

New York, NY 10004

 

Re: Initial Public Offering

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This letter is being delivered to you in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) entered into by and between Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Chardan Capital Markets, LLC, as representative (the “Representative”) of the Underwriters named in Schedule A thereto (the “Underwriters”), relating to an underwritten initial public offering (the “IPO”) of the Company’s units (the “Units”), each comprised of one share of Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and one warrant, with each warrant being exercisable to purchase one share of Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per full share (“Warrant”). Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in paragraph 15 hereof.

 

In order to induce the Company and the Underwriters to enter into the Underwriting Agreement and to proceed with the IPO, and in recognition of the benefit that such IPO will confer upon each of the undersigned as a stockholder of the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each of the undersigned hereby agrees with the Company as follows:

 

1.                  If the Company solicits approval of its stockholders of a Business Combination, each of the undersigned will vote all shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by it, whether acquired before, in or after the IPO, in favor of such Business Combination.

 

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2.                  To the extent that the Underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 1,125,000 Units (as described in the Registration Statement), (a) Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC (“Gardiner Healthcare”) agrees that it shall forfeit, at no cost, a number of Founder Shares in the aggregate equal to 182,812 multiplied by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is 1,125,000 minus the number of Units purchased by the Underwriters upon the exercise of their over-allotment option and (ii) the denominator of which is 1,125,000, (b) Chardan Gardiner LLC agrees that it shall forfeit, at no cost, a number of Founder Shares in the aggregate equal to 50,625 multiplied by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is 1,125,000 minus the number of Units purchased by the Underwriters upon the exercise of their over-allotment option and (ii) the denominator of which is 1,125 ,000 and (c) CCMAUS Pty Ltd agrees that it shall forfeit, at no cost, a number of Founder Shares in the aggregate equal to 47,813 multiplied by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is 1,125,000 minus the number of Units purchased by the Underwriters upon the exercise of their over-allotment option and (ii) the denominator of which is 1,125,000. All references in this letter to Founder Shares of the Company being forfeited shall take effect as a contribution of such Founder Shares to the Company’s capital as a matter of Delaware law. The forfeiture will be adjusted to the extent that the over-allotment option is not exercised in full by the Underwriters so that the number of Founder Shares will equal an aggregate of 20.0% of the Company’s issued and outstanding IPO Shares and Founder Shares after the IPO. The undersigned further agrees that to the extent that the size of the IPO is increased or decreased, the Company will effect a capitalization or stock repurchase or redemption, as applicable, immediately prior to the consummation of the IPO in such amount as to maintain the number of Founder Shares at 20.0% of the Company’s issued and outstanding IPO Shares and Founder Shares upon the consummation of the IPO. In connection with such increase or decrease in the size of the IPO, then (A) the references to 1,125,000 in the numerator and denominator of the formula in the first sentence of this paragraph shall be changed to a number equal to 15.0% of the number of shares of Common Stock included in the Units issued in the IPO, (B) the reference to 182,812, 50,625 and 47,813 in the formula set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph shall be adjusted to, respectively, (i) the total number of Founder Shares that Gardiner Healthcare would have to return to the Company in order for the number of Founder Shares that Gardiner Healthcare owns (together with the Insiders) to equal an aggregate of 12.3% of the Company’s issued and outstanding IPO Shares and Founder Shares after the IPO, (ii) the total number of Founder Shares that Chardan Gardiner LLC would have to return to the Company in order for the number of Founder Shares that Chardan Gardiner LLC owns (together with Insiders) to equal an aggregate of 3.4% of the Company’s issued and outstanding IPO Shares and Founder Shares after the IPO, and (iii) the total number of Founder Shares that CCMAUS Pty Ltd would have to return to the Company in order for the number of Founder Shares that CCMAUS Pty Ltd owns (together with Insiders) to equal an aggregate of 3.2% of the Company’s issued and outstanding IPO Shares and Founder Shares after the IPO.

 

3.                  The undersigned agrees that the Founder Shares and Private Warrants held by it, and any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion or exercise thereof, shall not be sold during the IPO, or sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of such securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of effectiveness of the Registration Statement or commencement of sales of the IPO, except to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the IPO and their bona fide officers or partners; provided that all securities so transferred remain subject to the foregoing lockup restriction for the remainder of the time period.

 

4.                   

 

(a)               In the event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within 12 months (or in the event the Company extends the time to complete a Business Combination as described in the Registration Statement, 15 or 18 months) from the closing of the Company’s IPO, or such later period approved by the Company’s stockholders in accordance with the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the undersigned shall take all reasonable steps to (i) cause the Trust Fund to be liquidated and distributed to the holders of IPO Shares and (ii) cause the Company to liquidate as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days after the date the Company is required to consummate a Business Combination.

 

2

 

 

(b)               The undersigned hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any distribution of the Trust Fund and any remaining net assets of the Company as a result of such liquidation with respect to any shares it owns, including its Insider Shares, IPO Shares and Private Warrants, purchased during or after the offering, if any (“Claim”), and hereby waives any Claim the undersigned may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever. Each of the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that there will be no distribution from the Trust Fund with respect to any Common Stock underlying the Private Warrants, all rights of which will terminate on the Company’s liquidation.

 

(c)               In the event of the liquidation of the Trust Fund, Gardiner Healthcare agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any and all loss, liability, claims, damage and expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, whether pending or threatened, or any claim whatsoever) which the Company may become subject as a result of any claim by any vendor or other person who is owed money by the Company for services rendered or products sold or contracted for, but only to the extent necessary to ensure that such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense does not reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Fund; provided, that such indemnity shall not apply if such vendor or other person has executed an agreement waiving any claims against the Trust Fund.

 

(d)               In the event that the Company does not consummate a Business Combination and must liquidate and its remaining net assets are insufficient to complete such liquidation, Gardiner Healthcare agrees to advance such funds necessary to complete such liquidation and agrees not to seek repayment for such expenses.

 

5.                  Each of the undersigned will place into escrow all of its Insider Shares pursuant to the terms of a Stock Escrow Agreement which the Company will enter into with the undersigned and an escrow agent acceptable to the Company. Each of the undersigned agrees that during the escrow period, the undersigned shall not sell or transfer its Insider Shares except (1) to any persons (including their affiliates and stockholders) participating in the private placement of the Private Warrants, officers, directors, stockholders, employees and members of Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner LLC, and CCMAUS Pty Ltd and their affiliates, (2) amongst initial stockholders or to the Company’s officers, directors and employees, (3) if a holder is an entity, as a distribution to its, partners, stockholders or members upon its liquidation, (4) by bona fide gift to a member of the holder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a holder or a member of a holder’s immediate family, for estate planning purposes, (5) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (6) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (7) by certain pledges to secure obligations incurred in connection with purchases of the Company’s securities, (8) by private sales at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased or (9) for the cancellation of up to 281,250 shares of Common Stock subject to forfeiture to the extent that the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part or in connection with the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination, in each case (except for clause 9 or with the prior consent of the Representative) where the transferee agrees to the terms of the escrow agreement and this insider letter.

 

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6.                  Each of the undersigned agrees that until the Company consummates a Business Combination, its Private Warrants will be subject to the transfer restrictions described in the Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement relating to its Private Warrants.

 

7.                  [RESERVED]

 

8.                  The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that prior to entering into a Business Combination with a target business that is affiliated with any Insiders of the Company or their affiliates, including any company that is a portfolio company of, or otherwise affiliated with, or has received financial investment from, an entity with which any Insider or their affiliates is affiliated, such transaction must be approved by a majority of the Company’s disinterested independent directors and the Company must obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that such Business Combination is fair to the Company’s unaffiliated stockholders from a financial point of view.

 

9.                  Neither Gardiner Healthcare nor any affiliate of Gardiner Healthcare will be entitled to receive or accept a finder’s fee or any other compensation in the event Gardiner Healthcare or any affiliate of Gardiner Healthcare originates a Business Combination.

 

10.              Each of the undersigned’s FINRA Questionnaire previously furnished to the Company and the Representative is true and accurate in all material respects. Each of the undersigned represents and warrants that:

 

(a)               it has never had a petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law filed by or against (i) it or any partnership in which it was a general partner at or within two years before the time of filing; or (ii) any corporation or business association of which it was an executive officer at or within two years before the time of such filing;

 

(b)               it has never had a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer appointed by a court for its business or property, or any such partnership;

 

(c)               it has never been convicted of fraud in a civil or criminal proceeding;

 

(d)               it has never been convicted in a criminal proceeding or named the subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and minor offenses);

 

(e)               it has never been the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining or otherwise limiting it from (i) acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan association or insurance company, or from engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with any such activity; or (ii) engaging in any type of business practice; or (iii) engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity or in connection with any violation of federal or state securities or federal commodities laws;

 

4

 

 

(f)                it has never been the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any federal or state authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting for more than 60 days its right to engage in any activity described in paragraph 10(e)(i) above, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;

 

(g)               it has never been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC to have violated any federal or state securities law, where the judgment in such civil action or finding by the SEC has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated;

 

(h)               it has never been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the CFTC to have violated any federal commodities law, where the judgment in such civil action or finding by the CFTC has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated;

 

(i)                 it has never been the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of (i) any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, (ii) any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease and desist order, or removal or prohibition order or (iii) any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity;

 

(j)                 it has never been the subject of, or party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, or any self-regulatory organization, any registered entity, or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member;

 

(k)               it has never been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor: (i) in connection with the purchase or sale of any security; (ii) involving the making of any false filing with the SEC; or (iii) arising out of the conduct of the business of an underwriter, broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, investment advisor or paid solicitor of purchasers of securities;

 

(l)                 it was never subject to a final order of a state securities commission (or an agency of officer of a state performing like functions); a state authority that supervises or examines banks, savings associations, or credit unions; a state insurance commission (or an agency or officer of a state performing like functions); an appropriate federal banking agency; the CFTC; or the National Credit Union Administration that is based on a violation of any law or regulation that prohibits fraudulent, manipulative, or deceptive conduct;

 

(m)             it has never been subject to any order, judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, that, at the time of such sale, restrained or enjoined it from engaging or continuing to engage in any conduct or practice: (i) in connection with the purchase or sale of any security; (ii) involving the making of any false filing with the SEC; or (iii) arising out of the conduct of the business of an underwriter, broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, investment adviser or paid solicitor of purchasers of securities;

 

5

 

 

(n)               it has never been subject to any order of the SEC that orders it to cease and desist from committing or causing a future violation of: (i) any scienter-based anti-fraud provision of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, Section 17(a)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and Section 206(1) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), or any other rule or regulation thereunder; or (ii) Section 5 of the Securities Act;

 

(o)               it has never been named as an underwriter in any registration statement or Regulation A offering statement filed with the SEC that was the subject of a refusal order, stop order, or order suspending the Regulation A exemption, or is, currently, the subject of an investigation or proceeding to determine whether a stop order or suspension order should be issued;

 

(p)               it has never been subject to a United States Postal Service false representation order, or is currently subject to a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction with respect to conduct alleged by the United States Postal Service to constitute a scheme or device for obtaining money or property through the mail by means of false representations;

 

(q)               it is not subject to a final order of a state securities commission (or an agency of officer of a state performing like functions); a state authority that supervises or examines banks, savings associations, or credit unions; a state insurance commission (or an agency or officer of a state performing like functions); an appropriate federal banking agency; the CFTC; or the National Credit Union Administration that bars it from: (i) association with an entity regulated by such commission, authority, agency or officer; (ii) engaging in the business of securities, insurance or banking; or (iii) engaging in savings association or credit union activities;

 

(r)                it is not subject to an order of the SEC entered pursuant to section 15(b) or 15B(c) of the Exchange Act or section 203(e) or 203(f) of the Advisers Act that: (i) suspends or revokes its registration as a broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer or investment adviser; (ii) places limitations on the activities, functions or operations of, or imposes civil money penalties on, such person; or (iii) bars it from being associated with any entity or from participating in the offering of any penny stock; and

 

(s)                it has never been suspended or expelled from membership in, or suspended or barred from association with a member of, a securities self-regulatory organization (e.g., a registered national securities exchange or a registered national or affiliated securities association) for any act or omission to act constituting conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade.

 

11.              Each of the undersigned represents that it has full right and power, without violating any agreement by which it is bound, to enter into this letter agreement.

 

6

 

 

12.              Each of the undersigned hereby waives its right to exercise conversion rights with respect to any shares of Common Stock owned or to be owned by it, directly or indirectly, whether purchased by it prior to the IPO, in the IPO or in the aftermarket, and agrees that it will not seek conversion with respect to or otherwise sell, such shares in connection with any vote to approve a Business Combination with respect thereto, a vote to amend the provisions of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or a tender offer by the Company prior to a Business Combination.

 

13.              Each of the undersigned hereby agrees to not propose, or vote in favor of, an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with respect to stockholder’s rights or the Company’s pre-Business Combination activities (including the substance or timing within which the Company has to complete a business combination) of a Business Combination unless the Company offers holders of IPO Shares the right to receive their pro rata portion of the funds then held in the Trust Fund upon approval of any amendment.

 

14.              In connection with Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York, this letter agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of law that would result in the application of the substantive law of another jurisdiction. The parties hereto agree that any action, proceeding or claim arising out of or relating in any way to this letter agreement shall be resolved through final and binding arbitration in accordance with the International Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The arbitration shall be brought before the AAA International Center for Dispute Resolution’s offices in New York City, New York, will be conducted in English and will be decided by a panel of three arbitrators selected from the AAA Commercial Disputes Panel and that the arbitrator panel’s decision shall be final and enforceable by any court having jurisdiction over the party from whom enforcement is sought. The cost of such arbitrators and arbitration services, together with the prevailing party’s legal fees and expenses, shall be borne by the non-prevailing party or as otherwise directed by the arbitrators.

 

15.              As used herein, (i) a “Business Combination” shall mean a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities; (ii) “Insiders” shall mean all officers, directors and stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the IPO; (iii) “Insider Shares” shall mean all of the shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired by an Insider prior to the IPO and the purchase of the Private Warrants; (iv) “Founder Shares” shall mean all of the shares of Common Stock acquired by Gardiner Healthcare, Chardan Gardiner LLC and CCMAUS Pty Ltd prior to the consummation of the IPO; (v) “IPO Shares” shall mean the shares of Common Stock issued in the Company’s IPO; (vi) “Private Warrants” shall mean the Warrants purchased in the private placements taking place simultaneously with the consummation of the Company’s IPO; (vii) “Registration Statement” means the registration statement on Form S-1 filed by the Company with respect to the IPO; (viii) “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; and (ix) “Trust Fund” shall mean the trust fund into which a portion of the net proceeds of the Company’s IPO will be deposited.

 

7

 

 

16.              Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this letter agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand delivery or electronic mail.

 

If to the Representative:

 

Chardan Capital Markets, LLC

17 State Street, 21st Floor

New York, NY 10004

Attn: Richard Korhammer

Email: rkorhammer@chardan.com

 

Copy (which copy shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

1750 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 1000

McLean, Virginia 22102

Attn: Jason Simon

Email: simonj@gtlaw.com

 

If to the Company:

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

3107 Warrington Road

Shaker Heights, OH 44210

Attn: Marc F. Pelletier, Chief Executive Officer

Email: mfpelletier@gardinerhealthcare.com

 

Copy (which copy shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Reed Smith LLP

599 Lexington Avenue

22nd Floor

New York, New York 10022

Attn: Ari Edelman, Esq.

Email: aedelman@reedsmith.com

 

17.              No party hereto may assign either this letter agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee. This letter agreement shall be binding on the parties hereto and any successors and assigns thereof.

 

18.              The undersigned acknowledges and understands that the Underwriters and the Company will rely upon the agreements, representations and warranties set forth herein in proceeding with the IPO. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree that paragraph 5 of this letter agreement shall not be modified or amended without the written consent of the Representative. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to render the Underwriters a representative of, or a fiduciary with respect to, the Company, its stockholders or any creditor or vendor of the company with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

[Signature page to follow]

 

8

 

 

  Sincerely,
   
  GARDINER HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS, LLC
   
  By:  
  Name: Marc F. Pelletier
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
   
  CHARDAN GARDINER LLC
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
   
  CCMAUS PTY LTD
   
  By:  
  Name:    
  Title:  
   
  Acknowledged and Agreed:
   
  GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
   
  By:  
  Name: Marc F. Pelletier
  Title Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Insider Letter]

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

[●], 2021

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. 

3107 Warrington Road 

Shaker Heights, OH 44120 

 

Chardan Capital Markets, LLC 

17 State Street, 21st Floor 

New York, NY 10004

 

Re: Initial Public Offering

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This letter is being delivered to you in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) entered into by and between Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Chardan Capital Markets, LLC, as representative (the “Representative”) of the Underwriters named in Schedule A thereto (the “Underwriters”), relating to an underwritten initial public offering (the “IPO”) of the Company’s units (the “Units”), each comprised of one share of Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and one warrant, with each warrant being exercisable to purchase one share of Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per full share (“Warrant”). Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in paragraph 12 hereof.

 

In order to induce the Company and the Underwriters to enter into the Underwriting Agreement and to proceed with the IPO, and in recognition of the benefit that such IPO will confer upon the undersigned as a stockholder of the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agrees with the Company as follows:

 

1.            If the Company solicits approval of its stockholders of a Business Combination, the undersigned will vote all shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by him, whether acquired before, in or after the IPO, in favor of such Business Combination.

 

2.

 

(a)               In the event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within 12 months (or in the event the Company extends the time to complete a Business Combination as described in the Registration Statement, 15 or 18 months) from the closing of the Company’s IPO or such later period approved by the Company’s stockholders in accordance with the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the undersigned shall take all reasonable steps to (i) cause the Trust Fund to be liquidated and distributed to the holders of IPO Shares and (ii) cause the Company to liquidate as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days after the date we are required to consummate a Business Combination.

 

 

 

 

(b)            The undersigned hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any distribution of the Trust Fund and any remaining net assets of the Company as a result of such liquidation with respect to any shares he owns, including his Insider Shares, IPO Shares and Private Warrants purchased during or after the offering, if any, (“Claim”) and hereby waives any Claim the undersigned may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever.

 

3.            The undersigned will place into escrow all of his Insider Shares pursuant to the terms of a Stock Escrow Agreement which the Company will enter into with the undersigned and an escrow agent acceptable to the Company. The undersigned agrees that during the escrow period (as described in the Registration Statement), the undersigned shall not sell or transfer its Insider Shares except (1) to any persons (including their affiliates and stockholders) participating in the private placement of the Private Warrants, officers, directors, stockholders, employees and members of the co-sponsors and their affiliates, (2) amongst initial stockholders or to the Company’s officers, directors and employees, (3) if a holder is an entity, as a distribution to its, partners, stockholders or members upon its liquidation, (4) by bona fide gift to a member of the holder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a holder or a member of a holder’s immediate family, for estate planning purposes, (5) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (6) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (7) by certain pledges to secure obligations incurred in connection with purchases of the Company’s securities, or (8) by private sales at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased, in each case (except with the prior consent of the Representative) where the transferee agrees to the terms of the escrow agreement and this insider letter

 

4.            In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple affiliations, the undersigned agrees to present to the Company for its consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or entity, any suitable opportunity to acquire a target business, until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination or the liquidation of the Company, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations the undersigned might have.

 

5.            The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that prior to entering into a Business Combination with a target business that is affiliated with any Insiders of the Company or their affiliates, including any company that is a portfolio company of, or otherwise affiliated with, or has received financial investment from, an entity with which any Insider or their affiliates is affiliated, such transaction must be approved by a majority of the Company’s disinterested independent directors and the Company must obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that such Business Combination is fair to the Company’s unaffiliated stockholders from a financial point of view.

 

6.            Neither the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any affiliate of the undersigned will be entitled to receive or accept a finder’s fee or any other compensation in the event the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned or any affiliate of the undersigned originates a Business Combination.

 

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7.           The undersigned agrees to be a director or officer of the Company, as applicable, until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination or the liquidation of the Company. The undersigned’s biographical information previously furnished to the Company and the Representative is true and accurate in all material respects, does not omit any material information with respect to the undersigned’s biography and contains all of the information required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 401 of Regulation S-K, promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The undersigned’s FINRA Questionnaire and Director and Officer Questionnaire previously furnished to the Company and the Representative is true and accurate in all material respects. The undersigned represents and warrants that, except as disclosed in the undersigned’s Director and Officer Questionnaire:

 

(a)           he has never had a petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law been filed by or against (i) him or any partnership in which he was a general partner at or within two years before the time of filing; or (ii) any corporation or business association of which he was an executive officer at or within two years before the time of such filing;

 

(b)           he has never had a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer appointed by a court for his business or property, or any such partnership;

 

(c)           he has never been convicted of fraud in a civil or criminal proceeding;

 

(d)           he has never been convicted in a criminal proceeding or named the subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and minor offenses);

 

(e)           he has never been the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining or otherwise limiting him from (i) acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan association or insurance company, or from engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with any such activity; or (ii) engaging in any type of business practice; or (iii) engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity or in connection with any violation of federal or state securities or federal commodities laws;

 

(f)            he has never been the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any federal or state authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting for more than 60 days his right to engage in any activity described in paragraph 7(e)(i) above, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;

 

(g)           he has never been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC to have violated any federal or state securities law, where the judgment in such civil action or finding by the SEC has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated;

 

3

 

 

(h)           he has never been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the CFTC to have violated any federal commodities law, where the judgment in such civil action or finding by the CFTC has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated;

 

(i)            he has never been the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of (i) any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, (ii) any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease and desist order, or removal or prohibition order or (iii) any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity;

 

(j)            he has never been the subject of, or party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, or any self-regulatory organization, any registered entity, or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member;

 

(k)           he has never been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor: (i) in connection with the purchase or sale of any security; (ii) involving the making of any false filing with the SEC; or (iii) arising out of the conduct of the business of an underwriter, broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, investment advisor or paid solicitor of purchasers of securities;

 

(l)            he was never subject to a final order of a state securities commission (or an agency of officer of a state performing like functions); a state authority that supervises or examines banks, savings associations, or credit unions; a state insurance commission (or an agency or officer of a state performing like functions); an appropriate federal banking agency; the CFTC; or the National Credit Union Administration that is based on a violation of any law or regulation that prohibits fraudulent, manipulative, or deceptive conduct;

 

(m)          he has never been subject to any order, judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, that, at the time of such sale, restrained or enjoined him from engaging or continuing to engage in any conduct or practice: (i) in connection with the purchase or sale of any security; (ii) involving the making of any false filing with the SEC; or (iii) arising out of the conduct of the business of an underwriter, broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, investment adviser or paid solicitor of purchasers of securities;

 

(n)           he has never been subject to any order of the SEC that orders him to cease and desist from committing or causing a future violation of: (i) any scienter-based anti-fraud provision of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, Section 17(a)(1) of the Securities Act, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and Section 206(1) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”) or any other rule or regulation thereunder; or (ii) Section 5 of the Securities Act;

 

(o)           he has never been named as an underwriter in any registration statement or Regulation A offering statement filed with the SEC that was the subject of a refusal order, stop order, or order suspending the Regulation A exemption, or is, currently, the subject of an investigation or proceeding to determine whether a stop order or suspension order should be issued;

 

4

 

 

(p)           he has never been subject to a United States Postal Service false representation order, or is currently subject to a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction with respect to conduct alleged by the United States Postal Service to constitute a scheme or device for obtaining money or property through the mail by means of false representations;

 

(q)           he is not subject to a final order of a state securities commission (or an agency of officer of a state performing like functions); a state authority that supervises or examines banks, savings associations, or credit unions; a state insurance commission (or an agency or officer of a state performing like functions); an appropriate federal banking agency; the CFTC; or the National Credit Union Administration that bars the undersigned from: (i) association with an entity regulated by such commission, authority, agency or officer; (ii) engaging in the business of securities, insurance or banking; or (iii) engaging in savings association or credit union activities;

 

(r)            he is not subject to an order of the SEC entered pursuant to section 15(b) or 15B(c) of the Exchange Act or section 203(e) or 203(f) of the Advisers Act that: (i) suspends or revokes the undersigned’s registration as a broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer or investment adviser; (ii) places limitations on the activities, functions or operations of, or imposes civil money penalties on, such person; or (iii) bars the undersigned from being associated with any entity or from participating in the offering of any penny stock; and

 

(s)            he has never been suspended or expelled from membership in, or suspended or barred from association with a member of, a securities self-regulatory organization (e.g., a registered national securities exchange or a registered national or affiliated securities association) for any act or omission to act constituting conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade.

 

8.           The undersigned has full right and power, without violating any agreement by which he is bound, to enter into this letter agreement and to serve as a director or officer of the Company, as applicable.

 

9.           The undersigned hereby waives his right to exercise conversion rights with respect to any shares of Common Stock owned or to be owned by the undersigned, directly or indirectly, whether purchased by the undersigned prior to the IPO, in the IPO or in the aftermarket, and agrees that he will not seek conversion with respect to or otherwise sell, such shares in connection with any vote to approve a Business Combination with respect thereto, a vote to amend the provisions of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or a tender offer by the Company prior to a Business Combination.

 

10.         The undersigned hereby agrees to not propose, or vote in favor of, an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with respect to stockholder’s rights or the Company’s pre-Business Combination activities (including the substance or timing within which the Company has to complete a business combination) of a Business Combination unless the Company offers holders of IPO Shares the right to receive their pro rata portion of the funds then held in the Trust Fund upon approval of any amendment.

 

5

 

 

11.          In connection with Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York, this letter agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of law that would result in the application of the substantive law of another jurisdiction. The parties hereto agree that any action, proceeding or claim arising out of or relating in any way to this letter agreement shall be resolved through final and binding arbitration in accordance with the International Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The arbitration shall be brought before the AAA International Center for Dispute Resolution’s offices in New York City, New York, will be conducted in English and will be decided by a panel of three arbitrators selected from the AAA Commercial Disputes Panel and that the arbitrator panel’s decision shall be final and enforceable by any court having jurisdiction over the party from whom enforcement is sought. The cost of such arbitrators and arbitration services, together with the prevailing party’s legal fees and expenses, shall be borne by the non-prevailing party or as otherwise directed by the arbitrators.

 

12.          As used herein, (i) a “Business Combination” shall mean a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities; (ii) “Insiders” shall mean all officers, directors and stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the IPO; (iii) “Insider Shares” shall mean all of the shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired by an Insider prior to the IPO and the purchase of the Private Warrants; (iv) “IPO Shares” shall mean the shares of Common Stock issued in the Company’s IPO; (v) “Private Warrants” shall mean the warrants purchased in the private placements taking place simultaneously with the consummation of the Company’s IPO; (vi) “Registration Statement” means the registration statement on Form S-1 filed by the Company with respect to the IPO; (vii) “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; and (viii) “Trust Fund” shall mean the trust fund into which a portion of the net proceeds of the Company’s IPO will be deposited.

 

13.          Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this letter agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand delivery or electronic mail.

 

If to the Representative:

 

Chardan Capital Markets, LLC 

17 State Street, 21st Floor 

New York, NY 10004 

Attn: Richard Korhammer 

Email: rkorhammer@chardan.com

 

Copy (which copy shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Greenberg Traurig, LLP 

1750 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 1000 

McLean, Virginia 22102 

Attn: Jason Simon 

Email: simonj@gtlaw.com

 

6

 

 

If to the Company:

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. 

3107 Warrington Road 

Shaker Heights, OH 44120 

Attn: Marc F. Pelletier, Chief Executive Officer 

Email: mfpelletier@gardinerhealthcare.com

 

Copy (which copy shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Reed Smith LLP 

599 Lexington Avenue 

22nd Floor 

New York, New York 10022 

Attn: Ari Edelman, Esq. 

Email: aedelman@reedsmith.com

 

14.          No party hereto may assign either this letter agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee. This letter agreement shall be binding on the parties hereto and any successors and assigns thereof.

 

15.         The undersigned acknowledges and understands that the Underwriters and the Company will rely upon the agreements, representations and warranties set forth herein in proceeding with the IPO. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to render the Underwriters a representative of, or a fiduciary with respect to, the Company, its stockholders or any creditor or vendor of the company with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

[Signature page to follow]

 

7

 

 

  Sincerely,
   
  By:  
  Name: Marc F. Pelletier
   
  By:  
  Name: David P. Jenkins
   
  By:  
  Name: Paul R. McGuirk
     
  By:  
  Name: Janelle R. Anderson
   
  By:  
  Name: Frank C. Sciavolino
   
  By:  
  Name: James P. Linton
   
  By:  
  Name: Thomas F. Ryan, Jr.
   
  By:     
  Name: Matthew Rossen
   
  Acknowledged and Agreed:
   
  GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
   
  By:  
  Name: Marc F. Pelletier
  Title  Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Insider Letter]

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT TRUST AGREEMENT

 

This Investment Management Trust Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of [_____ __], 2021, by and between Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation (the “Trustee”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-[●] (the “Registration Statement”) and prospectus (the “Prospectus”) for the initial public offering of the Company’s units (the “Units”), each of which consists of one share of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and one redeemable warrant, each warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Common Stock (such initial public offering hereinafter referred to as the “Offering”), has been declared effective as of the date hereof by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Chardan Capital Markets, LLC as representative (the “Representative”) of the several underwriters (the “Underwriters”) named therein; and

 

WHEREAS, if a Business Combination (as defined herein) is not consummated within the initial 12 month period following the closing of the Offering, upon the request of the Company’s sponsor (the “Sponsor”), the Company may extend such period twice, by an additional three months for each extension period, for a total of up to 18 months, subject to the Sponsor or its affiliates or permitted designees depositing $750,000 (or up to $862,500 if the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) into the Trust Account no later than the 12 month anniversary of the Offering (the “Deadline”) for such extension (the “Extension”), in exchange for which the Sponsor will receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note for such Extension payable upon consummation of a Business Combination; and

 

WHEREAS, as described in the Prospectus, $75,000,000 of the gross proceeds of the Offering and sale of the Private Placement Warrants (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) (or $86,250,000, if the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and the proceeds from any loans in connection with an Extension will be delivered to the Trustee to be deposited and held in a segregated trust account located at all times in the United States (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of the Company and the holders of the Common Stock included in the Units issued in the Offering as hereinafter provided (the amount to be delivered to the Trustee (and any interest subsequently earned thereon) is referred to herein as the “Property,” the stockholders for whose benefit the Trustee shall hold the Property will be referred to as the “Public Stockholders,” and the Public Stockholders and the Company will be referred to together as the “Beneficiaries”);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, a portion of the Property equal to $2,625,000 (or up to $3,018,750 if the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), is attributable to deferred underwriting discounts and commissions that will be payable by the Company to the Representative upon and concurrently with the consummation of the Business Combination (as defined below) (the “Marketing Fee”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Trustee shall hold the Property.

 

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:

 

1. Agreements and Covenants of Trustee. The Trustee hereby agrees and covenants to:

 

(a) Hold the Property in trust for the Beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of this Agreement in the Trust Account established by the Trustee in the United States at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., (or at another U.S. chartered commercial bank with consolidated assets of $100 billion or more), and at a brokerage institution selected by the Trustee that is reasonably satisfactory to the Company;

 

(b) Manage, supervise and administer the Trust Account subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein;

 

 

 

(c) In a timely manner, upon the written instruction of the Company, invest and reinvest the Property solely in United States government securities within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, having a maturity of 185 days or less, or in money market funds meeting the conditions of Rule 2a-7(d) promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (or any successor rule), which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, as determined by the Company; it being understood that the Trust Account will earn no interest while account funds are uninvested awaiting the Company’s instructions hereunder; and while account funds are invested or uninvested, the Trustee may earn bank credits or other consideration;

 

(d) Collect and receive, when due, all interest or other income arising from the Property, which shall become part of the “Property,” as such term is used herein;

 

(e) Promptly notify the Company and the Representative of all communications received by the Trustee with respect to any Property requiring action by the Company;

 

(f) Supply any necessary information or documents as may be requested by the Company (or its authorized agents) in connection with the Company’s preparation of the tax returns relating to assets held in the Trust Account;

 

(g) Participate in any plan or proceeding for protecting or enforcing any right or interest arising from the Property if, as and when instructed by the Company to do so;

 

(h) Render to the Company monthly written statements of the activities of, and amounts in, the Trust Account reflecting all receipts and disbursements of the Trust Account;

 

(i) Commence liquidation of the Trust Account only after and promptly after (x) receipt of, and only in accordance with, the terms of a letter from the Company (“Termination Letter”) in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as either Exhibit A or Exhibit B, as applicable, signed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Executive Vice President, Vice President, Secretary or Chairman of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) or other authorized officer of the Company, and, in the case of a Termination Letter in a form substantially similar to the attached hereto as Exhibit A, jointly signed by the Representative, and complete the liquidation of the Trust Account and distribute the Property in the Trust Account, including interest not previously released to the Company to pay its taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest that may be released to the Company to pay dissolution expenses), only as directed in the Termination Letter and the other documents referred to therein, or (y) the date which is the later of (1) 12 months after the closing of the Offering and (2) such later date upon an Extension effectuated pursuant to the terms hereof and (3) such later date as may be approved by the Company’s stockholders in accordance with the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation if a Termination Letter has not been received by the Trustee prior to such date, in which case the Trust Account shall be liquidated in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Termination Letter attached as Exhibit B and the Property in the Trust Account, including interest not previously released to the Company to pay its taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest that may be released to the Company to pay dissolution expenses) shall be distributed to the Public Stockholders of record as of such date; and provided, however, that in the event the Trustee receives a Termination Letter in a form substantially similar to Exhibit B hereto, or if the Trustee begins to liquidate the Property because it has received no such Termination Letter by the date specified in clause (y) of this Section 1(i), the Trustee shall keep the Trust Account open until twelve (12) months following the date the Property has been distributed to the Public Stockholders. Other than what is provided for in Section 1(k), it is acknowledged and agreed that there should be no reduction in the principal amount initially deposited in the Trust Account;

 

(j) Upon written request from the Company, which may be given from time to time in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit C, withdraw from the Trust Account and distribute to the Company the amount of interest earned on the Property requested by the Company to cover any tax obligation owed by the Company as a result of assets of the Company or interest or other income earned on the Property, which amount shall be delivered directly to the Company by electronic funds transfer or other method of prompt payment, and the Company shall forward such payment to the relevant taxing authority; provided, however, that to the extent there is not sufficient cash in the Trust Account to pay such tax obligation, the Trustee shall liquidate such assets held in the Trust Account as shall be designated by the Company in writing to make such distribution, so long as there is no reduction in the principal amount per share initially deposited in the Trust Account; provided, further, that if the tax to be paid is a franchise tax, the written request by the Company to make such distribution shall be accompanied by a copy of the franchise tax bill from the State of Delaware for the Company (it being acknowledged and agreed that any such amount in excess of interest income earned on the Property shall not be payable from the Trust Account). The written request of the Company referenced above shall constitute presumptive evidence that the Company is entitled to said funds, and the Trustee shall have no responsibility to look beyond said request;

 

- 2 -

 

 

(k) Upon written request from the Company, which may be given from time to time in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit D, the Trustee shall distribute on behalf of the Company the amount requested by the Company to be used to redeem shares of Common Stock from Public Stockholders properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (a) to modify the substance or timing of the ability of Public Stockholders to seek redemption in connection with an initial Business Combination or the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of its public shares of Common Stock if the Company has not consummated an initial Business Combination within such time as is described in the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation or (b) with respect to any other provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity. The written request of the Company referenced above shall constitute presumptive evidence that the Company is entitled to distribute said funds, and the Trustee shall have no responsibility to look beyond said request; and

 

(l) Not make any withdrawals or distributions from the Trust Account other than pursuant to Section 1(i), (j) or (k) above.

 

(m) Upon receipt of an extension letter (“Extension Letter”) substantially similar to Exhibit E hereto at least five business days prior to the Deadline, signed on behalf of the Company by an executive officer, and receipt of the dollar amount specified in the Extension Letter on or prior to the Deadline, follow the instructions set forth in the Extension Letter.

 

2. Agreements and Covenants of the Company. The Company hereby agrees and covenants to:

 

(a) Give all instructions to the Trustee hereunder in writing, signed by the Company’s Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Executive Vice President, Vice President or Secretary. In addition, except with respect to its duties under Sections 1(i), 1(j) and 1(k) hereof, the Trustee shall be entitled to rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, any verbal or telephonic advice or instruction which it, in good faith and with reasonable care, believes to be given by any one of the persons authorized above to give written instructions, provided that the Company shall promptly confirm such instructions in writing;

 

(b) Subject to Section 4 hereof, hold the Trustee harmless and indemnify the Trustee from and against any and all expenses, including reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, or losses suffered by the Trustee in connection with any action taken by it hereunder and in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding brought against the Trustee involving any claim, or in connection with any claim or demand, which in any way arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services of the Trustee hereunder, or the Property or any interest earned on the Property, except for expenses and losses resulting from the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct. Promptly after the receipt by the Trustee of notice of demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, pursuant to which the Trustee intends to seek indemnification under this Section 2(b), it shall notify the Company in writing of such claim (hereinafter referred to as the “Indemnified Claim”). The Trustee shall have the right to conduct and manage the defense against such Indemnified Claim; provided that the Trustee shall obtain the consent of the Company with respect to the selection of counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Trustee may not agree to settle any Indemnified Claim without the prior written consent of the Company, which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company may participate in such action with its own counsel;

 

(c) Pay the Trustee the fees set forth on Schedule A hereto, including an initial acceptance fee, annual administration fee, and transaction processing fee which fees shall be subject to modification by the parties from time to time. It is expressly understood that the Property shall not be used to pay such fees unless and until the closing of the Business Combination (defined below). The Company shall pay the Trustee the initial acceptance fee and the first annual administration fee at the consummation of the Offering.. The Company shall not be responsible for any other fees or charges of the Trustee except as set forth in this Section 2(c), Schedule A and as may be provided in Section 2(b) hereof;

 

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(d) In connection with any vote of the Company’s stockholders regarding a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Company and one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”), provide to the Trustee an affidavit or certificate of the inspector of elections for the stockholder meeting verifying the vote of such stockholders regarding such Business Combination;

 

(e) Provide the Representative with a copy of any Termination Letter(s) and/or any other correspondence that is sent to the Trustee with respect to any proposed withdrawal from the Trust Account promptly after it issues the same;

 

(f) Unless otherwise agreed between the Company and the Representative, ensure that any Instruction Letter (as defined in Exhibit A) delivered in connection with a Termination Letter in the form of Exhibit A expressly provides that the Marketing Fee is paid directly to the account or accounts directed by the Representative prior to any transfer of the funds held in the Trust Account to the Company or any other person;

 

(g) Instruct the Trustee to make only those distributions that are permitted under this Agreement, and refrain from instructing the Trustee to make any distributions that are not permitted under this Agreement; and

 

(h) Within four (4) business days after the Underwriters exercise the over-allotment option (or any unexercised portion thereof) or such over-allotment expires, provide the Trustee with a notice in writing of the total amount of the Marketing Fee, which shall in no event be less than $2,625,000.

 

(i) If applicable, issue a press release at least three days prior to the Deadline announcing that, at least five days prior to the Deadline, the Company received notice from the Sponsor that the Sponsor intends to deposit funds into the Trust Account for extending the Deadline and the Board has approved such Extension.

 

(j) Promptly following the Deadline, disclose whether or not the deadline for the Company to consummate a Business Combination has been extended.

 

3. Limitations of Liability. The Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability to:

 

(a) Imply obligations, perform duties, inquire or otherwise be subject to the provisions of any agreement or document other than this Agreement and that which is expressly set forth herein;

 

(b) Take any action with respect to the Property, other than as directed in Section 1 hereof, and the Trustee shall have no liability to any third party except for liability arising out of the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct;

 

(c) Institute any proceeding for the collection of any principal and income arising from, or institute, appear in or defend any proceeding of any kind with respect to, any of the Property unless and until it shall have received instructions from the Company given as provided herein to do so and the Company shall have advanced or guaranteed to it funds sufficient to pay any expenses incident thereto;

 

(d) Refund any depreciation in principal of any Property;

 

(e) Assume that the authority of any person designated by the Company to give instructions hereunder shall not be continuing unless provided otherwise in such designation, or unless the Company shall have delivered a written revocation of such authority to the Trustee;

 

(f) The other parties hereto or to anyone else for any action taken or omitted by it, or any action suffered by it to be taken or omitted, in good faith and in the Trustee’s best judgment, except for the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct. The Trustee may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the Trustee, which counsel may be the Company’s counsel), statement, instrument, report or other paper or document (not only as to its due execution and the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of any information therein contained) which the Trustee believes, in good faith and with reasonable care, to be genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Trustee shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement or any of the terms hereof, unless evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Trustee, signed by the proper party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Trustee are affected, unless it shall give its prior written consent thereto;

 

- 4 -

 

 

(g) Verify the accuracy of the information contained in the Registration Statement;

 

(h) Provide any assurance that any Business Combination entered into by the Company or any other action taken by the Company is as contemplated by the Registration Statement;

 

(i) File information returns with respect to the Trust Account with any local, state or federal taxing authority or provide periodic written statements to the Company documenting the taxes payable by the Company, if any, relating to any interest income earned on the Property;

 

(j) Prepare, execute and file tax reports, income or other tax returns and pay any taxes with respect to any income generated by, and activities relating to, the Trust Account, regardless of whether such tax is payable by the Trust Account or the Company, including, but not limited to, franchise and income tax obligations, except pursuant to Section 1(j) hereof; or

 

(k) Verify calculations, qualify or otherwise approve the Company’s written requests for distributions pursuant to Sections 1(i), 1(j) or 1(k) hereof.

 

4. Trust Account Waiver. The Trustee has no right of set-off or any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account, and hereby irrevocably waives any Claim to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account that it may have now or in the future. In the event the Trustee has any Claim against the Company under this Agreement, including, without limitation, under Section 2(b) or Section 2(c) hereof, the Trustee shall pursue such Claim solely against the Company and its assets outside the Trust Account and not against the Property or any monies in the Trust Account.

 

5. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate as follows:

 

(a) If the Trustee gives written notice to the Company that it desires to resign under this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to locate a successor trustee, pending which the Trustee shall continue to act in accordance with this Agreement. At such time that the Company notifies the Trustee that a successor trustee has been appointed and has agreed to become subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Trustee shall transfer the management of the Trust Account to the successor trustee, including but not limited to the transfer of copies of the reports and statements relating to the Trust Account, whereupon this Agreement shall terminate; provided, however, that in the event that the Company does not locate a successor trustee within ninety (90) days of receipt of the resignation notice from the Trustee, the Trustee may submit an application to have the Property deposited with any court in the State of New York or with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and upon such deposit, the Trustee shall be immune from any liability whatsoever; or

 

(b) At such time that the Trustee has completed the liquidation of the Trust Account and its obligations in accordance with the provisions of Section 1(i) hereof and distributed the Property in accordance with the provisions of the Termination Letter, this Agreement shall terminate except with respect to Section 2(b).

 

6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) The Company and the Trustee each acknowledge that the Trustee will follow the security procedures set forth below with respect to funds transferred from the Trust Account. The Company and the Trustee will each restrict access to confidential information relating to such security procedures to authorized persons. Each party must notify the other party immediately if it has reason to believe unauthorized persons may have obtained access to such confidential information, or of any change in its authorized personnel. In executing funds transfers, the Trustee shall rely upon all information supplied to it by the Company, including, account names, account numbers, and all other identifying information relating to a Beneficiary, Beneficiary’s bank or intermediary bank. Except for any liability arising out of the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, the Trustee shall not be liable for any loss, liability or expense resulting from any error in the information or transmission of the funds.

 

- 5 -

 

 

(b) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. This Agreement may be executed in several original or facsimile counterparts, each one of which shall constitute an original, and together shall constitute but one instrument.

 

(c) This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement or any provision hereof may only be changed, amended or modified (other than to correct a typographical error) by a writing signed by each of the parties hereto; provided, however, that no such change, amendment or modification to Section 1(i), 2(f) or Exhibit A may be made without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

(d) This Agreement or any provision hereof may only be changed, amended or modified pursuant to Section 6(c) hereof with the Consent of the Stockholders. For purposes of this Section 6(d), the “Consent of the Stockholders” means receipt by the Trustee of a certificate from the inspector of elections of the stockholder meeting certifying that the Company’s stockholders of record as of a record date established in accordance with Section 213(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (“DGCL”) (or any successor rule), who hold sixty-five percent (65%) or more of all then outstanding shares of the Common Stock and Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company voting together as a single class, have voted in favor of such change, amendment or modification. No such amendment will affect any Public Stockholder who has otherwise indicated his election to redeem his shares of Common Stock in connection with a stockholder vote sought to amend this Agreement to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Common Stock if the Company does not complete its initial Business Combination within the time frame specified in the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Except for any liability arising out of the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, the Trustee may rely conclusively on the certification from the inspector or elections referenced above and shall be relieved of all liability to any party for executing the proposed amendment in reliance thereon.

 

(e) The parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction and venue of any state or federal court located in the City of New York, State of New York, for purposes of resolving any disputes hereunder. AS TO ANY CLAIM, CROSS-CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

(f) Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand delivery or by electronic mail:

 

if to the Trustee, to:

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

Email: fwolf@continentalstock.com;

Email: cgonzalez@continentalstock.com

 

 

if to the Company, to:

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

3107 Warrington Road

Shaker Heights, OH 44120

Attn: Marc F. Pelletier

Email: sandra@sanaby.com

 

in each case, with copies to:

Reed Smith LLP

599 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attn: Ari Edelman, Esq.

Email: aedelman@reedsmith.com

 

- 6 -

 

 

and

 

Chardan Capital Markets LLC

17 State Street, 21st Floor

New York, NY 10004

Attn: Richard Korhammer

Fax. No.: (646) 465-9002

 

and

 

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

1750 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 1000

McLean, VA 22102

Attn: Jason T. Simon, Esq.

 

E-mail: simonj@gtlaw.com (g) Each of the Company and the Trustee hereby represents that it has the full right and power and has been duly authorized to enter into this Agreement and to perform its respective obligations as contemplated hereunder. The Trustee acknowledges and agrees that it shall not make any claims or proceed against the Trust Account, including by way of set-off, and shall not be entitled to any funds in the Trust Account under any circumstance.

 

(h) This Agreement is the joint product of the Trustee and the Company and each provision hereof has been subject to the mutual consultation, negotiation and agreement of such parties and shall not be construed for or against any party hereto.

 

(i) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery thereof.

 

(j) Each of the Company and the Trustee hereby acknowledges and agrees that Chardan Capital Markets, LLC is a third party beneficiary of this Agreement.

 

(k) Except as specified herein, no party to this Agreement may assign its rights or delegate its obligations hereunder to any other person or entity.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

- 7 -

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Investment Management Trust Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee
     
  By:  
    Name: Francis Wolf
    Title:  Vice President
   
 

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

     
  By:  
    Name: Marc F. Pelletier
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Investment Management Trust Agreement]

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

Fee Item   Time and method of payment   Amount  
Initial set-up fee.   Initial closing of Offering by wire transfer.   $ 3,500  
Trustee administration fee   Payable annually. First year fee payable, at initial closing of Offering by wire transfer, thereafter by wire transfer or check.   $ 10,000  
Transaction processing fee for disbursements to Company under Sections 1(i), (j) and (k)   Billed to Company following disbursement made to Company under Section 1   $ 250  
Paying Agent services as required pursuant to Sections 1(i) and 1(k)   Billed to Company upon delivery of service pursuant to Section 1(i) and 1(k)     Prevailing rates  

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

[Letterhead of Company]

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Fran Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

     
  Re: Trust Account . Termination Letter
     

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to Section 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”), dated as of [_____ __], 2021 (the “Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company has entered into an agreement with (the “Target Business”) to consummate a business combination with Target Business (the “Business Combination”) on or about [insert date]. The Company shall notify you at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the actual date of the consummation of the Business Combination (the “Consummation Date”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.

 

In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to commence to liquidate all of the assets of the Trust Account, and to transfer the proceeds to a segregated account held by you on behalf of the Beneficiaries to the effect that, on the Consummation Date, all of the funds held in the Trust Account will be immediately available for transfer to the account or accounts that the Company shall direct on the Consummation Date (including as directed to it by the Representative (with respect to the Marketing Fee)). It is acknowledged and agreed that while the funds are on deposit in the trust operating account at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. awaiting distribution, the Company will not earn any interest or dividends.

 

On the Consummation Date (i) counsel for the Company shall deliver to you written notification that the Business Combination has been consummated, or will be consummated concurrently with your transfer of funds to the accounts as directed by the Company (the “Notification”) and (ii) the Company shall deliver to you (a) a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer, which verifies that the Business Combination has been approved by a vote of the Company’s stockholders, if a vote is held and (b) a joint written instruction signed by the Company and the Representative with respect to the transfer of the funds held in the Trust Account, including payment of amounts owed to public stockholders who have properly exercised their redemption rights and payment of the Marketing Fee to the Representative from the Trust Account (the “Instruction Letter”). You are hereby directed and authorized to transfer the funds held in the Trust Account immediately upon your receipt of the Notification and the Instruction Letter, (x) to the Representative in an amount equal to the Marketing Fee as directed by the Representative and (y) the remainder in accordance with the terms of the Instruction Letter. In the event that certain deposits held in the Trust Account may not be liquidated by the Consummation Date without penalty, you will notify the Company in writing of the same and the Company shall direct you as to whether such funds should remain in the Trust Account and be distributed after the Consummation Date to the Company. Upon the distribution of all the funds, net of any payments necessary for reasonable unreimbursed expenses related to liquidating the Trust Account, your obligations under the Trust Agreement shall be terminated.

 

In the event that the Business Combination is not consummated on the Consummation Date described in the notice thereof and we have not notified you on or before the original Consummation Date of a new Consummation Date, then upon receipt by the Trustee of written instructions from the Company, the funds held in the Trust Account shall be reinvested as provided in Section 1(c) of the Trust Agreement on the business day immediately following the Consummation Date as set forth in such notice as soon thereafter as possible.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
     
  By:  
    Name: Marc F. Pelletier
    Title: Chief Executive Officer
   

 

Acknowledged and Agreed by:

 
     
Chardan Capital Markets, LLC    
     
By:                        
  Name:    
  Title:    

 

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EXHIBIT B

[Letterhead of Company]

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Fran Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

     
  Re: Trust Account  Termination Letter
     

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to Section 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”), dated as of [____ __], 2021 (the “Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company has been unable to effect a business combination with a Target Business (the “Business Combination”) within the time frame specified in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as described in the Company’s Prospectus relating to the Offering. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.

 

In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to liquidate all of the assets in the Trust Account and to transfer the total proceeds into a segregated account held by you on behalf of the Beneficiaries to await distribution to the Public Stockholders. The Company has selected (1) as the effective date for the purpose of determining when the Public Stockholders will be entitled to receive their share of the liquidation proceeds. You agree to be the Paying Agent of record and, in your separate capacity as Paying Agent, agree to distribute said funds directly to the Company’s Public Stockholders in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. Upon the distribution of all the funds, net of any payments necessary for reasonable unreimbursed expenses related to liquidating the Trust Account, your obligations under the Trust Agreement shall be terminated, except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 1(j) of the Trust Agreement.

 

   
(1) 12 months from the closing of the Offering, or such later date upon an Extension, if any, effectuated pursuant to the Trust Agreement.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
     
  By:  
    Name: Marc F. Pelletier
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

cc: Chardan Capital Markets, LLC

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

[Letterhead of Company]

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Fran Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

     
  Re: Trust Account  Withdrawal Instruction

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to Section 1(j) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”), dated as of [____ __], 2021 (the “Trust Agreement”), the Company hereby requests that you deliver to the Company $ of the interest income earned on the Property as of the date hereof. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.

 

The Company needs such funds to pay for the tax obligations as set forth on the attached tax return or tax statement. In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, you are hereby directed and authorized to transfer (via wire transfer) such funds promptly upon your receipt of this letter to a segregated account held by you on behalf of the Beneficiaries:

 

[WIRE INSTRUCTION INFORMATION]

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
     
  By:  
    Name: Marc F. Pelletier
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

cc:  Chardan Capital Markets, LLC

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

[Letterhead of Company]

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Fran Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

  Re: Trust Account Stockholder Redemption Withdrawal Instruction

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to Section 1(k) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”), dated as of [_____ __], 2021 (the “Trust Agreement”), the Company hereby requests that you deliver to the redeeming Public Stockholders of the Company $ of the principal and interest income earned on the Property as of the date hereof to a segregated account held by you on behalf of the Beneficiaries for distribution to the Stockholders who have requested redemption of their Common Stock. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.

 

The Company needs such funds to pay its Public Stockholders who have properly elected to have their shares of Common Stock redeemed by the Company in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of public shares of Common Stock if the Company has not consummated an initial Business Combination within such time as is described in the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation or with respect to any other provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity. As such, you are hereby directed and authorized to transfer (via wire transfer) such funds promptly upon your receipt of this letter to a segregated account held by you on behalf of the Beneficiaries.

 

  Very truly yours,
     
  GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
     
  By:  
    Name: Marc F. Pelletier
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Cc: Chardan Capital Markets, LLC

 

 

 

EXHIBIT E

[Letterhead of Company]

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Fran Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

Re: Trust Account Extension Letter

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to Section 1(m) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, dated as of [____] [__], 2021 (“Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company is extending the time available to consummate a Business Combination for an additional three (3) months, from _______ to _________ (the “Extension”).

 

This Extension Letter shall serve as the notice required with respect to the Extension prior to the Deadline. Capitalized words used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Trust Agreement.

 

In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to deposit $750,000 [(or up to $862,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option was exercised in full)], which will be wired to you, into the Trust Account investments upon receipt.

 

  Very truly yours,
     
  GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
     
  By:  
    Name: Marc F. Pelletier
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

cc: Chardan Capital Markets, LLC

 

- 15 -

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

STOCK ESCROW AGREEMENT

 

This STOCK ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of [●], 2021 (“Agreement”), by and among GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), the initial stockholders listed on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the “Initial Stockholders”), and CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, a New York corporation (“Escrow Agent”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into an Underwriting Agreement, dated as of [●], 2021 (“Underwriting Agreement”), with Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (“Chardan”) acting as representative of the several underwriters (collectively, the “Underwriters”), pursuant to which, among other matters, the Underwriters have agreed to purchase 7,500,000 units (the “Units”) of the Company, plus an additional 1,125,000 Units if the Underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full. Each Unit consists of one share of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and one warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of the Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, all as more fully described in the Company’s final Prospectus, dated [●], 2021 (“Prospectus”), comprising part of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-[●]) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Registration Statement”), declared effective on [●], 2021 (“Effective Date”).

 

WHEREAS, the Initial Stockholders have agreed as a condition of the sale of the Units to deposit their Insider Shares (as defined in the Prospectus), as set forth opposite their respective names on Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively “Escrow Shares”), in escrow as hereinafter provided.

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Initial Stockholders desire that the Escrow Agent accept the Escrow Shares, in escrow, to be held and disbursed as hereinafter provided.

 

IT IS AGREED:

 

1.            Appointment of Escrow Agent. The Company and the Initial Stockholders hereby appoint the Escrow Agent to act in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement, and the Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act in accordance with and subject to such terms.

 

2.            Deposit of Escrow Shares. On or prior to the date hereof, each of the Initial Stockholders delivered to the Escrow Agent certificates representing such Initial Stockholder’s respective Escrow Shares, together with applicable share powers, to be held and disbursed subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each of the Initial Stockholders acknowledges that the certificate representing such Initial Stockholder’s Escrow Shares is legended to reflect the deposit of such Escrow Shares under this Agreement.

 

1 

 

 

3.            Disbursement of the Escrow Shares.

 

3.1            The Escrow Agent shall hold the Escrow Shares during the period (the “Escrow Period”) commencing on the date hereof and (i) for 50% of the Escrow Shares, ending on the earlier of (x) six months after the date of the consummation of the Company’s initial business combination (as described in the Registration Statement, hereinafter a “Business Combination”) and (y) the date on which the closing price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after the Company’s initial Business Combination and (ii) for the remaining 50% of the Escrow Shares, ending six months after the date of the consummation of an initial Business Combination. The Company shall promptly provide notice of the consummation of a Business Combination to the Escrow Agent. Upon completion of the Escrow Period, the Escrow Agent shall disburse such amount of each Initial Stockholder’s Escrow Shares (and any applicable share power) to such Initial Stockholder; provided, however, that if the Escrow Agent is notified by the Company pursuant to Section 6.7 hereof that the Company is being liquidated at any time during the Escrow Period, then the Escrow Agent shall promptly destroy the certificates representing the Escrow Shares; provided further, however, that if, within six months after the Company consummates an initial Business Combination, the Company (or the surviving entity) subsequently consummates a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the stockholders of such entity having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property, then the Escrow Agent will, upon receipt of a notice executed by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or other authorized officer of the Company, in form reasonably acceptable to the Escrow Agent, certifying that such transaction is then being consummated or such conditions have been achieved, as applicable, release the Escrow Shares to the Initial Stockholders. The Escrow Agent shall have no further duties hereunder after the disbursement or destruction of the Escrow Shares in accordance with this Section 3.1.

 

3.2            Notwithstanding Section 3.1, if the Underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option to purchase an additional 1,125,000 Units of the Company in full within 45 days of the date of the Prospectus (as described in the Underwriting Agreement), Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, Chardan Gardiner LLC and CCMAUS Pty Ltd (together, the “Co-Sponsors”) agree that the Escrow Agent shall return to the Company for cancellation, at no cost, the number of Escrow Shares held by the Co-Sponsors listed on Exhibit B determined by multiplying (a) 182,812 in the case of Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, 50,625 in the case of Chardan Gardiner LLC and 47,813 in the case of CCMAUS Pty Ltd, by (b) a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is 1,125,000 minus the number of shares of Common Stock purchased by the Underwriters upon the exercise of their over-allotment option, and (ii) the denominator of which is 1,125,000. The Company shall promptly provide notice to the Escrow Agent of the expiration or termination of the Underwriters’ over-allotment option and the number of Units, if any, purchased by the Underwriters in connection with their exercise thereof.

 

4.            Rights of Initial Stockholders in Escrow Shares.

 

4.1            Voting Rights as a Stockholder. Subject to the terms of the Insider Letters described in Section 4.4 hereof and except as herein provided, the Initial Stockholders shall retain all of their rights as stockholders of the Company during the Escrow Period, including, without limitation, the right to vote such shares.

 

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4.2            Dividends and Other Distributions in Respect of the Escrow Shares. During the Escrow Period, all dividends payable in cash with respect to the Escrow Shares shall be paid to the Initial Stockholders, but all dividends payable in stock or other non-cash property (“Non-Cash Dividends”) shall be delivered to the Escrow Agent to hold in accordance with the terms hereof. As used herein, the term “Escrow Shares” shall be deemed to include the Non-Cash Dividends distributed thereon, if any.

 

4.3            Restrictions on Transfer. During the Escrow Period, the only permitted transfers of the Escrow Shares will be to (1) any person (including their affiliates and stockholders) participating in the private placement of the private warrants, officers, directors, stockholders, employees and members of Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, Chardan Gardiner LLC and CCMAUS Pty Ltd and their respective affiliates, (2) to the Company’s pre-IPO stockholders or their respective affiliates, or to the Company’s offices, directors, advisors and employees (3) if the Initial Stockholder is an entity, as a distribution to its, partners, stockholders or members upon its liquidation, (4) by bona fide gift to a member of the Initial Stockholder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is the Initial Stockholder or a member of the Initial Stockholder’s immediate family for estate planning purposes, (5) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of the Initial Stockholder, (6) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (7) by certain pledges to secure obligations incurred in connection with purchases of the Company’s securities, (8) by private sales at prices no greater than the price at which the Insider Shares were originally purchased or (9) for the cancellation of up to 281,250 shares of Common Stock subject to forfeiture to the extent that the Underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised in full or in part or in connection with the consummation of our initial Business Combination, in each case (except for clause 9 or with our prior consent), on the condition that such transfers may be implemented only upon the respective transferee’s written agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and of the Insider Letter (as defined below) signed by the Initial Stockholder transferring the Escrow Shares.

 

4.4            Insider Letters. Each of the Initial Stockholders has executed a letter agreement with Chardan and the Company, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (each an “Insider Letter” and together the “Insider Letters”), respecting the rights and obligations of such Initial Stockholder in certain events, including but not limited to the liquidation of the Company.

 

5.            Concerning the Escrow Agent.

 

5.1            Good Faith Reliance. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in the exercise of its own best judgment, and may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the Escrow Agent), statement, instrument, report or other paper or document (not only as to its due execution and the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of any information therein contained) which is believed by the Escrow Agent to be genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement unless evidenced by a writing delivered to the Escrow Agent signed by the proper party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Escrow Agent are affected, unless it shall have given its prior written consent thereto.

 

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5.2            Indemnification. The Escrow Agent shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against any expenses, including counsel fees and disbursements, or loss suffered by the Escrow Agent in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding involving any claim which in any way, directly or indirectly, arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services of the Escrow Agent hereunder, or the Escrow Shares held by it hereunder, other than expenses or losses arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent. Promptly after the receipt by the Escrow Agent of notice of any demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, the Escrow Agent shall notify the other parties hereto in writing. In the event of the receipt of such notice, the Escrow Agent, in its sole discretion, may commence an action in the nature of interpleader in an appropriate court to determine ownership or disposition of the Escrow Shares or it may deposit the Escrow Shares with the clerk of any appropriate court or it may retain the Escrow Shares pending receipt of a final, non-appealable order of a court having jurisdiction over all of the parties hereto directing to whom and under what circumstances the Escrow Shares are to be disbursed and delivered. The provisions of this Section 5.2 shall survive in the event the Escrow Agent resigns or is discharged pursuant to Sections 5.5 or 5.6 below.

 

5.3            Compensation. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from the Company for all services rendered by it hereunder. The Escrow Agent shall also be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for all expenses paid or incurred by it in the administration of its duties hereunder including, but not limited to, all counsel, advisors’ and agents’ fees and disbursements and all taxes or other governmental charges.

 

5.4            Further Assurances. From time to time on and after the date hereof, the Company and the Initial Stockholders shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Escrow Agent such further documents and instruments and shall do or cause to be done such further acts as the Escrow Agent shall reasonably request to carry out more effectively the provisions and purposes of this Agreement, to evidence compliance herewith or to assure itself that it is protected in acting hereunder.

 

5.5            Resignation. The Escrow Agent may resign at any time and be discharged from its duties as escrow agent hereunder by its giving the other parties hereto written notice and such resignation shall become effective as hereinafter provided. Such resignation shall become effective at such time that the Escrow Agent shall turn over to a successor escrow agent appointed by the Company, the Escrow Shares held hereunder. If no new escrow agent is so appointed within the 60 day period following the giving of such notice of resignation, the Escrow Agent may deposit the Escrow Shares with any court it reasonably deems appropriate.

 

5.6            Discharge of Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall resign and be discharged from its duties as escrow agent hereunder if so requested in writing at any time by the other parties hereto, jointly, provided, however, that such resignation shall become effective only upon acceptance of appointment by a successor escrow agent as provided in Section 5.5.

 

5.7            Liability. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Escrow Agent shall not be relieved from liability hereunder for its own gross negligence or its own willful misconduct.

 

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5.8            Waiver. The Escrow Agent hereby waives any right of set-off or any other right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) in, or to any distribution of, the Trust Account (as defined in that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and the Escrow Agent as trustee thereunder) and hereby agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any Claim against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever.

 

6.            Miscellaneous.

 

6.1            Governing Law. This Agreement shall for all purposes be deemed to be made under and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction.

 

6.2            Third Party Beneficiaries. Each of the Initial Stockholders hereby acknowledges that Chardan is a third party beneficiary of this Agreement and this Agreement may not be modified or changed without the prior written consent of Chardan.

 

6.3            Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and, except as expressly provided herein, may not be changed or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by the party to the charged.

 

6.4            Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation thereof.

 

6.5            Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective parties hereto and their legal representatives, successors and assigns.

 

6.6            Notices. Any notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall be in writing and either be delivered personally or be mailed, certified or registered mail, or by private national courier service, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so delivered personally or, if mailed, two days after the date of mailing, as follows:

 

If to the Company, to: Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

3107 Warrington Road

Shaker Heights, OH 44120

Attn: Chief Executive Officer

 

If to a Stockholder, to his address set forth in Exhibit A.

 

and if to the Escrow Agent, to: Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: [●]

 

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A copy (which copy shall not constitute notice) sent hereunder shall be sent to:

 

Chardan Capital Markets LLC

17 State Street, 21st Floor

New York, NY 10004

Attn: Richard Korhammer

Fax: (646) 465-9002

 

and: Greenberg Traurig, LLP

1750 Tyson Boulevard, Suite 1000

McLean, Virginia 22102

Attn: Jason Simon

Email: simonj@gtlaw.com

Fax: (212) 801-6400

 

and: Reed Smith LLP

599 Lexington Avenue, 22nd Floor

New York, New York 10022

Attn: Ari Edelman, Esq.

Email: aedelman@reedsmith.com

Fax: (212) 521-5450

 

The parties may change the persons and addresses to which the notices or other communications are to be sent by giving written notice to any such change in the manner provided herein for giving notice.

 

6.7            Liquidation of the Company. The Company shall give the Escrow Agent written notification of the liquidation and dissolution of the Company in the event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within the time period specified in the Prospectus.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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WITNESS the execution of this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  COMPANY:
   
  GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
   
  By:  
    Name: Marc F. Pelletier
    Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
     
  ESCROW AGENT:
   
  CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

[Signature Page to Escrow Agreement]

 

 

 

 

WITNESS the execution of this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  INITIAL STOCKHOLDERS:
   
  GARDINER HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS, LLC
   
  By: Gardiner Founder, LLC, its Member
 
  By:  
    Name: Marc F. Pelletier
    Title: Managing Member
 
 
  CHARDAN GARDINER LLC
 
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
 
 
  CCMAUS PTY LTD
 
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

[Signature Page to Escrow Agreement]

 

 

 

 

   
  Frank C. Sciavolino
   
   
  James P. Linton
   
   
  Thomas F. Ryan, Jr.  
   
   
  Matthew Rossen

 

[Signature Page to Escrow Agreement]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Initial Stockholders

 

Name of Initial Stockholder   Number of Shares  
Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC     1,336,563  
Chardan Gardiner LLC     370,125  
CCMAUS Pty Ltd     349,562  
Frank C. Sciavolino     25,000  
James P. Linton     25,000  
Thomas F. Ryan Jr.     25,000  
Matthew Rossen     25,000  

 

Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC – Address: 3107 Warrington Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44120

 

Chardan Gardiner LLC – Address: 17 State Street, 21st Floor, New York, New York 10004

 

CCMAUS Pty Ltd – Address: 32 Stewart Street, Artarmon, New South Wales 2064

 

Frank C. Sciavolino – Address: 51 Oswegatchie Road, Waterford, Connecticut 06357

 

James P. Linton – Address: 1433 Horizon Court, San Marcos, California 92078

 

Thomas F. Ryan Jr. – Address: 13 High Field Lane, Madison, CT 06443

 

Matthew Rossen – Address: 133 Clarendon Rd. Burlingame, CA 94010

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Escrow Shares

 

Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC – 1,336,563

 

Chardan Gardiner LLC – 370,125

 

CCMAUS Pty Ltd – 349,562

 

Frank C. Sciavolino – 25,000

 

James P. Linton - 25,000

 

Thomas F. Ryan Jr. – 25,000

 

Matthew Rossen – 25,000

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

REGISTRATION AND STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS REGISTRATION AND STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of [●], 2021, by and among Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and the undersigned parties listed under Investor on the signature page hereto (each, an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”).

 

WHEREAS, the Investors and the Company desire to enter into this Agreement to provide the Investors with certain rights relating to the registration of the securities held by them as of the date hereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.             DEFINITIONS. The following capitalized terms used herein have the following meanings:

 

Agreement” means this Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Board” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

Business Combination” means the acquisition of direct or indirect ownership through a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar type of transaction, of one or more businesses or entities.

 

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other Federal agency then administering the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

 

Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.

 

Company” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Demand Registration” is defined in Section 2.1.1.

 

Demanding Holder” is defined in Section 2.1.1.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

 

Form S-3” is defined in Section 2.2.4.

 

Indemnified Party” is defined in Section 4.3.

 

Indemnifying Party” is defined in Section 4.3.

 

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Initial Shares” means all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock issued prior to the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering.

 

Investor” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Investor Indemnified Party” is defined in Section 4.1.

 

Maximum Number of Shares” is defined in Section 2.1.4.

 

Notices” is defined in Section 7.4.

 

Piggy-Back Registration” is defined in Section 2.2.1.

 

Private Warrants” means the aggregate of up to 3,981,250 Warrants that Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, Chardan Gardiner LLC, and CCMAUS Pty Ltd., each an Investor, are privately purchasing simultaneously with the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering.

 

Register,” “Registered” and “Registration” mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.

 

Registrable Securities” means (i) the Initial Shares and (ii) the Private Warrants (and underlying shares of Common Stock). Registrable Securities include any warrants, shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to or in exchange for or in replacement of such Initial Shares and Private Warrants (and underlying shares of Common Stock). As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (a) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (b) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for them not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of them shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (c) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding, or (d) the Registrable Securities are freely saleable under Rule 144 without volume limitations.

 

Registration Statement” means a registration statement filed by the Company with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder for a public offering and sale of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, equity securities (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or Form S-8, or their successors, or any registration statement covering only securities proposed to be issued in exchange for securities or assets of another entity).

 

Release Date” means the date on which the Initial Shares are disbursed from escrow pursuant to Section 3 of that certain Stock Escrow Agreement dated as of [●], 2021 by and among the Investors and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

 

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Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

 

Underwriter” means a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an underwritten offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.

 

Warrant(s)” means the warrants of the Company.

 

2.             REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

 

2.1           Demand Registration.

 

2.1.1        Request for Registration. At any time and from time to time on or after (i) the date that the Company consummates a Business Combination with respect to the Private Warrants or (ii) three months prior to the Release Date with respect to all other Registrable Securities, but prior to the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the Company’s Form S-1 Registration Statement (File No. 333-[•]) (the “Effective Date”), the holders of a majority-in-interest of the Initial Shares, may make a written demand for registration under the Securities Act of all or part of their Private Warrants or other Registrable Securities, as the case may be (a “Demand Registration”). Any demand for a Demand Registration shall specify the number of shares of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. The Company will notify all holders of Registrable Securities of the demand, and each holder of Registrable Securities who wishes to include all or a portion of such holder’s Registrable Securities in the Demand Registration (each such holder including shares of Registrable Securities in such registration, a “Demanding Holder”) shall so notify the Company within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by the holder of the notice from the Company. Upon any such request, the Demanding Holders shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in the Demand Registration, subject to Section 2.1.4 and the provisos set forth in Section 3.1.1. The Company shall not be obligated to effect more than two (2) Demand Registrations under this Section 2.1.1 in respect of all Registrable Securities.

 

2.1.2        Effective Registration. A registration will not count as a Demand Registration until the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Demand Registration has been declared effective and the Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto; provided, however, that if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Registration is interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission or any other governmental agency or court, the Registration Statement with respect to such Demand Registration will be deemed not to have been declared effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is removed, rescinded or otherwise terminated, and (ii) a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders thereafter elect to continue the offering; provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated to file a second Registration Statement until a Registration Statement that has been filed is counted as a Demand Registration or is terminated.

 

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2.1.3        Underwritten Offering. If a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders so elect and such holders so advise the Company as part of their written demand for a Demand Registration, the offering of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an underwritten offering. In such event, the right of any holder to include its Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned upon such holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Demanding Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through such underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter or Underwriters selected for such underwriting by a majority-in-interest of the holders initiating the Demand Registration.

 

2.1.4         Reduction of Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters for a Demand Registration that is to be an underwritten offering advises the Company and the Demanding Holders in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Registrable Securities which the Demanding Holders desire to sell, taken together with all other shares of Common Stock or other securities which the Company desires to sell and the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by other shareholders of the Company who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of shares that can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of shares, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Shares”), then the Company shall include in such registration: (i) first, the Registrable Securities as to which Demand Registration has been requested by the Demanding Holders (pro rata in accordance with the number of shares that each such person has requested be included in such registration, regardless of the number of shares held by each such person (such proportion is referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the shares of Common Stock or other securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the shares of Common Stock or other securities for the account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to written contractual arrangements with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares.

 

2.1.5        Withdrawal. If a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders disapprove of the terms of any underwriting or are not entitled to include all of their Registrable Securities in any offering, such majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders may elect to withdraw from such offering by giving written notice to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters of their request to withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Demand Registration. If the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders withdraws from a proposed offering relating to a Demand Registration, then such registration shall not count as a Demand Registration provided for in Section 2.1.

 

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2.2           Piggy-Back Registration.

 

2.2.1        Piggy-Back Rights. If at any time on or after the date the Company consummates a Business Combination the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, equity securities, by the Company for its own account or for shareholders of the Company for their account (or by the Company and by shareholders of the Company including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2.1), other than a Registration Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing shareholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company or (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall (x) give written notice of such proposed filing to the holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but in no event less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date, which notice shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, of the offering, and (y) offer to the holders of Registrable Securities in such notice the opportunity to register the sale of such number of shares of Registrable Securities as such holders may request in writing within five (5) days following receipt of such notice (a “Piggy-Back Registration”). The Company shall cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such registration and shall use its best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested to be included in a Piggy-Back Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All holders of Registrable Securities proposing to distribute their securities through a Piggy-Back Registration that involves an Underwriter or Underwriters shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter or Underwriters selected for such Piggy-Back Registration. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in the immediately preceding sentences, the right to a Piggy-Back Registration set forth under this Section 2.2.1 with respect to the Registrable Securities shall terminate on the seventh anniversary of the Effective Date.

 

2.2.2         Reduction of Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters for a Piggy-Back Registration that is to be an underwritten offering advises the Company and the holders of Registrable Securities in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Common Stock which the Company desires to sell, taken together with the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which registration has been demanded pursuant to written contractual arrangements with persons other than the holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested under this Section 2.2, and the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to the written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other shareholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Shares, then the Company shall include in any such registration:

 

(a)             If the registration is undertaken for the Company’s account: (A) first, the shares of Common Stock or other securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the shares of Common Stock or other securities, if any, comprised of Registrable Securities, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to the applicable written contractual piggy-back registration rights of such security holders, Pro Rata, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares of Common Stock or other securities for the account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares;

 

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(b)            If the registration is a “demand” registration undertaken at the demand of persons other than either the holders of Registrable Securities, (A) first, the shares of Common Stock or other securities for the account of the demanding persons that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the shares of Common Stock or other securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), collectively the shares of Common Stock or other securities comprised of Registrable Securities, Pro Rata, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to the terms hereof, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the shares of Common Stock or other securities for the account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to written contractual arrangements with such persons, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares.

 

2.2.3         Withdrawal. Any holder of Registrable Securities may elect to withdraw such holder’s request for inclusion of Registrable Securities in any Piggy-Back Registration by giving written notice to the Company of such request to withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. The Company (whether on its own determination or as the result of a withdrawal by persons making a demand pursuant to written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding any such withdrawal, the Company shall pay all expenses incurred by the holders of Registrable Securities in connection with such Piggy-Back Registration as provided in Section 3.3.

 

2.2.4         Registrations on Form S-3. The holders of Registrable Securities may at any time and from time to time, request in writing that the Company register the resale of any or all of such Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration which may be available at such time (“Form S-3”); provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect such request through an underwritten offering. Upon receipt of such written request, the Company will promptly give written notice of the proposed registration to all other holders of Registrable Securities, and, as soon as practicable thereafter, effect the registration of all or such portion of such holder’s or holders’ Registrable Securities as are specified in such request, together with all or such portion of the Registrable Securities or other securities of the Company, if any, of any other holder or holders joining in such request as are specified in a written request given within fifteen (15) days after receipt of such written notice from the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such registration pursuant to this Section 2.2.4: (i) if Form S-3 is not available for such offering; or (ii) if the holders of the Registrable Securities, together with the holders of any other securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such registration, propose to sell Registrable Securities and such other securities (if any) at any aggregate price to the public of less than $500,000. Registrations effected pursuant to this Section 2.2.4 shall not be counted as Demand Registrations effected pursuant to Section 2.1.

 

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3.             REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.

 

3.1           Filings; Information. Whenever the Company is required to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect the registration and sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof as expeditiously as practicable, and in connection with any such request:

 

3.1.1        Filing Registration Statement. The Company shall use its best efforts to, as expeditiously as possible after receipt of a request for a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.1, prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement on any form for which the Company then qualifies or which counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and which form shall be available for the sale of all Registrable Securities to be registered thereunder in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof, and shall use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and use its best efforts to keep it effective for the period required by Section 3.1.3; provided, however, that the Company shall have the right to defer any Demand Registration for up to thirty (30) days, and any Piggy-Back Registration for such period as may be applicable to deferment of any demand registration to which such Piggy-Back Registration relates, in each case if the Company shall furnish to the holders a certificate signed by the President or Chairman of the Company stating that, in the good faith judgment of the Board, it would be materially detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for such Registration Statement to be effected at such time; provided further, however, that the Company shall not have the right to exercise the right set forth in the immediately preceding proviso more than once in any 365-day period in respect of a Demand Registration hereunder.

 

3.1.2         Copies. The Company shall, prior to filing a Registration Statement or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration, and such holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus), and such other documents as the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration or legal counsel for any such holders may request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such holders.

 

3.1.3        Amendments and Supplements. The Company shall prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements to such Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until all Registrable Securities and other securities covered by such Registration Statement have been disposed of in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or such securities have been withdrawn.

 

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3.1.4         Notification. After the filing of a Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly, and in no event more than two (2) business days after such filing, notify the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement of such filing, and shall further notify such holders promptly and confirm such advice in writing in all events within two (2) business days of the occurrence of any of the following: (i) when such Registration Statement becomes effective; (ii) when any post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement becomes effective; (iii) the issuance or threatened issuance by the Commission of any stop order (and the Company shall take all actions required to prevent the entry of such stop order or to remove it if entered); and (iv) any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or any prospectus relating thereto or for additional information or of the occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the securities covered by such Registration Statement, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and promptly make available to the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement any such supplement or amendment; except that before filing with the Commission a Registration Statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, including documents incorporated by reference, the Company shall furnish to the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement and to the legal counsel for any such holders, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed sufficiently in advance of filing to provide such holders and legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review such documents and comment thereon, and the Company shall not file any Registration Statement or prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, including documents incorporated by reference, to which such holders or their legal counsel shall object.

 

3.1.5        State Securities Laws Compliance. The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this paragraph or subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction.

 

3.1.6        Agreements for Disposition. The Company shall enter into customary agreements (including, if applicable, an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as are reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities. The representations, warranties and covenants of the Company in any underwriting agreement which are made to or for the benefit of any Underwriters, to the extent applicable, shall also be made to and for the benefit of the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement. No holder of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement shall be required to make any representations or warranties in the underwriting agreement except, if applicable, with respect to such holder’s organization, good standing, authority, title to Registrable Securities, lack of conflict of such sale with such holder’s material agreements and organizational documents, and with respect to written information relating to such holder that such holder has furnished in writing expressly for inclusion in such Registration Statement.

 

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3.1.7        Cooperation. The principal executive officer of the Company, the principal financial officer of the Company, the principal accounting officer of the Company and all other officers and members of the management of the Company shall cooperate fully in any offering of Registrable Securities hereunder, which cooperation shall include, without limitation, the preparation of the Registration Statement with respect to such offering and all other offering materials and related documents, and participation in meetings with Underwriters, attorneys, accountants and potential investors.

 

3.1.8        Records. The Company shall make available for inspection by the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement, any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other professional retained by any holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement or any Underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, as shall be necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information requested by any of them in connection with such Registration Statement.

 

3.1.9        Opinions and Comfort Letters. Upon request, the Company shall furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement a signed counterpart, addressed to such holder, of (i) any opinion of counsel to the Company delivered to any Underwriter and (ii) any comfort letter from the Company’s independent public accountants delivered to any Underwriter. In the event no legal opinion is delivered to any Underwriter, the Company shall furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement, at any time that such holder elects to use a prospectus, an opinion of counsel to the Company to the effect that the Registration Statement containing such prospectus has been declared effective and that no stop order is in effect.

 

3.1.10      Earnings Statement. The Company shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the Securities Act, and make available to its shareholders, as soon as practicable, an earnings statement covering a period of twelve (12) months, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder.

 

3.1.11      Listing. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities included in any registration to be listed on such exchanges or otherwise designated for trading in the same manner as similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or designated or, if no such similar securities are then listed or designated, in a manner satisfactory to the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration.

 

3.1.12      Road Show. If the registration involves the registration of Registrable Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $5,000,000, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any underwritten offering.

 

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3.2           Obligation to Suspend Distribution. Upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3.1.4(iv), or, in the case of a resale registration on Form S-3 pursuant to Section 2.2.4 hereof, upon any suspension by the Company, pursuant to a written insider trading compliance program adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, of the ability of all “insiders” covered by such program to transact in the Company’s securities because of the existence of material non-public information, each holder of Registrable Securities included in any registration shall immediately discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities until such holder receives the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3.1.4(iv) or the restriction on the ability of “insiders” to transact in the Company’s securities is removed, as applicable, and, if so directed by the Company, each such holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such holder’s possession, of the most recent prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice.

 

3.3           Registration Expenses. The Company shall bear all costs and expenses incurred in connection with any Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.1, any Piggy-Back Registration pursuant to Section 2.2, and any registration on Form S-3 effected pursuant to Section 2.2.4, and all expenses incurred in performing or complying with its other obligations under this Agreement, whether or not the Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees; (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or “blue sky” laws (including fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities); (iii) printing expenses; (iv) the Company’s internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees); (v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities as required by Section 3.1.11; (vi) Financial Industry Regulatory Authority fees; (vii) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by the Company (including the expenses or costs associated with the delivery of any opinions or comfort letters requested pursuant to Section 3.1.9); (viii) the reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration and (ix) the reasonable fees and expenses of one legal counsel selected by the holders of a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities included in such registration. The Company shall have no obligation to pay any underwriting discounts or selling commissions attributable to the Registrable Securities being sold by the holders thereof, which underwriting discounts or selling commissions shall be borne by such holders. Additionally, in an underwritten offering, all selling shareholders and the Company shall bear the expenses of the Underwriter pro rata in proportion to the respective amount of shares each is selling in such offering.

 

3.4           Information. The holders of Registrable Securities shall provide such information as may reasonably be requested by the Company, or the managing Underwriter, if any, in connection with the preparation of any Registration Statement, including amendments and supplements thereto, in order to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 2 and in connection with the Company’s obligation to comply with Federal and applicable state securities laws.

 

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4.            INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.

 

4.1            Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Investor and each other holder of Registrable Securities, and each of their respective officers, employees, affiliates, directors, partners, members, attorneys and agents, and each person, if any, who controls an Investor and each other holder of Registrable Securities (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) (each, an “Investor Indemnified Party”), from and against any expenses, losses, judgments, claims, damages or liabilities, whether joint or several, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement (or allegedly untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which the sale of such Registrable Securities was registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or summary prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement, or arising out of or based upon any omission (or alleged omission) to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any violation by the Company of the Securities Act or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any such registration; and the Company shall promptly reimburse the Investor Indemnified Party for any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred by such Investor Indemnified Party in connection with investigating and defending any such expense, loss, judgment, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such expense, loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, or summary prospectus, or any such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company, in writing, by such selling holder expressly for use therein. The Company also shall indemnify any Underwriter of the Registrable Securities, their officers, affiliates, directors, partners, members and agents and each person who controls such Underwriter on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification provided above in this Section 4.1.

 

4.2            Indemnification by Holders of Registrable Securities. Each selling holder of Registrable Securities will, in the event that any registration is being effected under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement of any Registrable Securities held by such selling holder, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors and officers and each Underwriter (if any), and each other selling holder and each other person, if any, who controls another selling holder or such Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, judgments, damages or liabilities, whether joint or several, insofar as such losses, claims, judgments, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which the sale of such Registrable Securities was registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or summary prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, or arise out of or are based upon any omission or the alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein not misleading, if the statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such selling holder expressly for use therein, and shall reimburse the Company, its directors and officers, and each other selling holder or controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with investigation or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action. Each selling holder’s indemnification obligations hereunder shall be several and not joint and shall be limited to the amount of any net proceeds actually received by such selling holder.

 

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4.3           Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Promptly after receipt by any person of any notice of any loss, claim, damage or liability or any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 4.1 or 4.2, such person (the “Indemnified Party”) shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any other person for indemnification hereunder, notify such other person (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing of the loss, claim, judgment, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the failure by the Indemnified Party to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability which the Indemnifying Party may have to such Indemnified Party hereunder, except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by such failure. If the Indemnified Party is seeking indemnification with respect to any claim or action brought against the Indemnified Party, then the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in such claim or action, and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with all other Indemnifying Parties, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party. After notice from the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party of its election to assume control of the defense of such claim or action, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that in any action in which both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party are named as defendants, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (but no more than one such separate counsel) to represent the Indemnified Party and its controlling persons who may be subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may be sought by the Indemnified Party against the Indemnifying Party, with the fees and expenses of such counsel to be paid by such Indemnifying Party if, based upon the written opinion of counsel of such Indemnified Party, representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, consent to entry of judgment or effect any settlement of any claim or pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which the Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such judgment or settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such claim or proceeding.

 

4.4           Contribution.

 

4.4.1        If the indemnification provided for in the foregoing Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 is unavailable to any Indemnified Party in respect of any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to herein, then each such Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnified Parties and the Indemnifying Parties in connection with the actions or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, damage, liability or action, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of any Indemnified Party and any Indemnifying Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such Indemnified Party or such Indemnifying Party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

 

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4.4.2        The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4.4 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding Section 4.4.1.

 

4.4.3        The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.4, no holder of Registrable Securities shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the dollar amount of the net proceeds (after payment of any underwriting fees, discounts, commissions or taxes) actually received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities which gave rise to such contribution obligation. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

5.             RULE 144.

 

5.1           Rule 144. The Company covenants that it shall file any reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and shall take such further action as the holders of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such holders to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rules may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission.

 

6.             MISCELLANEOUS.

 

6.1           Other Registration Rights. The Company represents and warrants that, except as disclosed in the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-[•]), no person, other than the holders of the Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any shares of the Company’s capital stock for sale or to include shares of the Company’s capital stock in any registration filed by the Company for the sale of shares of capital stock for its own account or for the account of any other person.

 

6.2           Limitation on Registration Rights. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to the Private Warrants purchased by it, Chardan Gardiner LLC may not, (i) have more than one (1) Demand Registration at the Company’s expense, (ii) exercise a Demand Registration more than five (5) years from the Effective Date, and (iii) exercise a Piggy-Back Registration more than seven (7) years from the Effective Date, as long as Chardan Gardiner LLC or any of its related persons are beneficial owners of the Private Warrants held by Chardan Gardiner LLC.

 

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6.3            Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part. This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the holders of Registrable Securities hereunder may be freely assigned or delegated by such holder of Registrable Securities in conjunction with and to the extent of any transfer of Registrable Securities by any such holder. This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties, to the permitted assigns of the Investors or holder of Registrable Securities or of any assignee of the Investors or holder of Registrable Securities. This Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not party hereto other than as expressly set forth in Article 4 and this Section 6.3.

  

6.4            Notices. All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals or other communications (collectively, “Notices”) required or permitted to be given hereunder or which are given with respect to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally served, delivered by reputable air courier service with charges prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery, telegram, telex or facsimile, addressed as set forth below, or to such other address as such party shall have specified most recently by written notice. Notice shall be deemed given on the date of service or transmission if personally served or transmitted by telegram, telex or facsimile; provided, that if such service or transmission is not on a business day or is after normal business hours, then such notice shall be deemed given on the next business day. Notice otherwise sent as provided herein shall be deemed given on the next business day following timely delivery of such notice to a reputable air courier service with an order for next-day delivery.

 

To the Company:

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

3107 Warrington Road

Shaker Heights, OH 44120

Attn: Chief Executive Officer

 

with a copy (which copy shall not constitute Notice) to:

 

Reed Smith LLP

599 Lexington Avenue

22nd Floor

New York, New York 10022

Attn: Ari Edelman, Esq.

 

To an Investor, to the address set forth below such Investor’s name on Exhibit A hereto.

 

6.5            Severability. This Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible that is valid and enforceable.

 

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6.6           Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

6.7           Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including all agreements entered into pursuant hereto and all certificates and instruments delivered pursuant hereto and thereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations, understandings, negotiations and discussions between the parties, whether oral or written.

 

6.8           Term. This Agreement shall terminate on the seven-year anniversary of the date hereof.

 

6.9           Modifications and Amendments. No amendment, modification or termination of this Agreement shall be binding upon any party unless executed in writing by such party.

 

6.10         Titles and Headings. Titles and headings of sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of any provision of this Agreement. No amendment, modification or termination of this Agreement shall be binding upon the holders of the Registrable Securities unless executed in writing by the holders of the majority Registrable Securities.

 

6.11         Waivers and Extensions. Any party to this Agreement may waive any right, breach or default which such party has the right to waive, provided that such waiver will not be effective against the waiving party unless it is in writing, is signed by such party, and specifically refers to this Agreement. Waivers may be made in advance or after the right waived has arisen or the breach or default waived has occurred. Any waiver may be conditional. No waiver of any breach of any agreement or provision herein contained shall be deemed a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach thereof nor of any other agreement or provision herein contained. No waiver or extension of time for performance of any obligations or acts shall be deemed a waiver or extension of the time for performance of any other obligations or acts.

 

6.12         Remedies Cumulative. In the event that the Company fails to observe or perform any covenant or agreement to be observed or performed under this Agreement, the Investor or any other holder of Registrable Securities may proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in equity or action at law, whether for specific performance of any term contained in this Agreement or for an injunction against the breach of any such term or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Agreement or to enforce any other legal or equitable right, or to take any one or more of such actions, without being required to post a bond. None of the rights, powers or remedies conferred under this Agreement shall be mutually exclusive, and each such right, power or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any other right, power or remedy, whether conferred by this Agreement or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

 

6.13         Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted under, and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed within the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice-of-law provisions thereof that would compel the application of the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

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6.14         Waiver of Trial by Jury. Each party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives the right to a trial by jury in any action, suit, counterclaim or other proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of, connected with or relating to this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby, or the actions of the Investor in the negotiation, administration, performance or enforcement hereof.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

16

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

 

  COMPANY:
   
  GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
   
  By:  
    Name: Marc F. Pelletier
    Title: Chief Executive Officer
   
  INVESTORS
   
   
  Marc F. Pelletier
   
   
  David P. Jenkins
   
   
  Paul R. McGuirk
   
   
  Frank C. Sciavolino
   
   
  James P. Linton
   
   
  Thomas F. Ryan Jr.  
   
   
  Matthew Rossen  

 

[Signature Page to Registration and Stockholder Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

  

  GARDINER HEALTHCARE
HOLDINGS, LLC
   
  By: Gardiner Founder, LLC,
its Member
   
   
  By:  
    Name: Marc F. Pelletier
    Title: Managing Member
   
  CHARDAN GARDINER LLC
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
   
  CCMAUS PTY LTD
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

[Signature Page to Registration and Stockholder Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Name and Address of Investor

 

Marc F. Pelletier Address: 3107 Warrington Road, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120
   
David P. Jenkins Address: 71 Old Farms Road East, Middletown, Connecticut 06457
   
Paul R. McGuirk Address: 158 Gordham Court, Spring Hill, Florida 34609
   
Frank C. Sciavolino Address: 51 Oswegatchie Road, Waterford, Connecticut 06357
   
James P. Linton Address: 1433 Horizon Court, San Marcos, California 92078
   
Thomas F. Ryan Jr. Address: 13 High Field Lane, Madison, CT 06443  
   
Matthew Rossen Address: 133 Clarendon Rd., Burlingame, CA 94010
   
Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC Address: 3107 Warrington Road, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120
   
Chardan Gardiner LLC Address: 17 State Street, 21st Floor, New York, New York 10004
   
CCMAUS PTY LTD Address: 32 Stewart Street, Artarmon, New South Wales 2064

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

EXECUTION VERSION 

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

3107 Warrington Road

Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120

 

March 25, 2021

 

Gardner Healthcare Holdings, LLC

3107 Warrington Road

Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120

 

RE: Securities Subscription Agreement

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into on March 25, 2021 by and between Gardner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Subscriber” or “you”), and Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”, “we” or “us”). Pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company hereby accepts the offer the Subscriber has made to purchase 2,156,250 shares (the “Shares”) of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) up to 281,250 of which are subject to forfeiture by you if the underwriters of the initial public offering (“IPO”) of units of the Company (the “Units”), do not fully exercise their over-allotment option (the “Over-allotment Option”). The Company and the Subscriber’s agreements regarding such Shares are as follows:

 

1.                   Purchase of Shares. For the sum of $25,000, which the Company acknowledges receiving in cash, the Company hereby issues the Shares to the Subscriber, and the Subscriber hereby purchases the Shares from the Company, subject to forfeiture, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. Concurrently with the Subscriber’s execution of this Agreement, the Company shall, at its option, deliver to the Subscriber a certificate registered in the Subscriber’s name representing the Shares (the “Original Certificate”), or effect such delivery in book-entry form.

 

2.                   Representations, Warranties, and Agreements.

 

2.1          Subscriber’s Representations, Warranties and Agreements. To induce the Company to issue the Shares to the Subscriber, the Subscriber hereby represents and warrants to the Company and agrees with the Company as follows:

 

2.1.1          No Government Recommendation or Approval. The Subscriber understands that no federal or state agency has passed upon or made any recommendation or endorsement of the offering of the Shares.

 

2.1.2          No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Subscriber of the transactions contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (a) the formation and governing documents of the Subscriber, (b) any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Subscriber is a party, or (c) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Subscriber is subject, or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Subscriber is subject.

 

2.1.3          Organization and Authority. The Subscriber is a Delaware limited liability company, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware and possesses all requisite power and authority necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Upon execution and delivery by you, this Agreement is a legal, valid and binding agreement of Subscriber, enforceable against Subscriber in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

 

 

 

2.1.4          Experience, Financial Capability and Suitability.

 

(a)                Subscriber is: (i) sophisticated in financial matters and is able to evaluate the risks and benefits of the investment in the Shares and (ii) able to bear the economic risk of its investment in the Shares for an indefinite period of time because the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and therefore cannot be sold unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Subscriber is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect its own interests.

 

(b)               Subscriber must bear the economic risk of this investment until the Shares are sold pursuant to: (i) an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or (ii) an exemption from registration available with respect to such sale. Subscriber is able to bear the economic risks of an investment in the Shares and to afford a complete loss of Subscriber’s investment in the Shares.

 

2.1.5          Access to Information; Independent Investigation. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Subscriber has had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of the Company concerning an investment in the Company, as well as the finances, operations, business and prospects of the Company, and the opportunity to obtain additional information to verify the accuracy of all information so obtained. In determining whether to make this investment, Subscriber has relied solely on Subscriber’s own knowledge and understanding of the Company and its business based upon Subscriber’s own due diligence investigation and the information furnished pursuant to this paragraph. Subscriber understands that no person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations which were not furnished pursuant to this Section 2 and Subscriber has not relied on any other representations or information in making its investment decision, whether written or oral, relating to the Company, its operations and/or its prospects.

 

2.1.6          Regulation D Offering. Subscriber represents that it is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and acknowledges the sale contemplated hereby is being made in reliance on a private placement exemption to “accredited investors” within the meaning of Section 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act or similar exemptions under state law.

 

2.1.7          Investment Purposes. The Subscriber is purchasing the Shares solely for investment purposes, for the Subscriber’s own account and not for the account or benefit of any other person, and not with a view towards the distribution or dissemination thereof. The Subscriber did not decide to enter into this Agreement as a result of any general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

2.1.8          Restrictions on Transfer; Shell Company. Subscriber understands the Shares are being offered in a transaction not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act. Subscriber understands the Shares will be “restricted securities” within the meaning of section (a)(3) of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”), and Subscriber understands that the Certificates (as defined in Section 3.3) or book-entries representing the Shares will contain a legend in respect of such restrictions. If in the future the Subscriber decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Shares, such Shares may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only pursuant to (a) registration under the Securities Act covering such offer, resale, pledge or other transaction or (b) an available exemption from registration. Subscriber agrees that if any transfer of its Shares or any interest therein is proposed to be made, as a condition precedent to any such transfer, Subscriber may be required to deliver to the Company an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company. Absent registration or an exemption, the Subscriber agrees not to resell the Shares. Subscriber further acknowledges that because the Company is a shell company, Subscriber may not be able to rely on Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act with respect to the resale of the Shares until one year following consummation of the initial business combination of the Company, despite technical compliance with the requirements of Rule 144 and the release or waiver of any contractual transfer restrictions.

 

2.1.9          No Governmental Consents. No governmental, administrative or other third-party consents or approvals are required, necessary or appropriate on the part of Subscriber in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

- 2 -

 

 

2.2            Company’s Representations, Warranties and Agreements. To induce the Subscriber to purchase the Shares, the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Subscriber and agrees with the Subscriber as follows:

 

2.2.1          Organization and Corporate Power. The Company is a Delaware corporation and is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, operating results or assets of the Company. The Company possesses all requisite corporate power and authority necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

2.2.2         No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (a) the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company, (b) any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company is a party, or (c) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Company is subject, or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Company is subject.

 

2.2.3          Title to Securities. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof, the Shares will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof, the Subscriber will have or receive good title to the Shares, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances of any kind, other than (a) transfer restrictions hereunder and other agreements to which the Shares may be subject which have been notified to the Subscriber in writing, (b) transfer restrictions under federal and state securities laws, and (c) liens, claims or encumbrances imposed due to the actions of the Subscriber.

 

2.2.4          No Adverse Actions. There are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings pending, threatened against or affecting the Company that: (a) seek to restrain, enjoin, prevent the consummation of or otherwise affect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (b) question the validity or legality of any transactions or seeks to recover damages or to obtain other relief in connection with any transactions.

 

3.             Forfeiture of Shares.

 

3.1               Partial or No Exercise of the Over-allotment Option. In the event the Over-allotment Option granted to the underwriters of the IPO is not exercised in full, the Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that it (or, if applicable, it and any transferees of the Shares (such transferees, the “Initial Stockholders”)) shall forfeit any and all rights to such number of Shares (up to an aggregate of 281,250 Shares, pro rata based upon the percentage of the Over-allotment Option exercised) such that immediately following such forfeiture, the Subscriber (and all other Initial Stockholders prior to the IPO, if any) will own an aggregate number of Shares (not including any Shares issuable upon exercise of any warrants or any shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share purchased by Subscriber or any other Initial Stockholder in the IPO or in the aftermarket) equal to 20% of the issued and outstanding Shares immediately following the IPO.

 

- 3 -

 

 

3.2           Termination of Rights as Stockholder. If any of the Shares are forfeited in accordance with this Section 3, then after such time the Subscriber (or Initial Stockholder or other successor in interest), shall no longer have any rights as a holder of such forfeited Shares, and the Company shall take such action as is appropriate to cancel such forfeited Shares.

 

3.3           Share Certificates. In the event an adjustment to the original certificates representing the Shares (the “Original Certificates”), if any, is required pursuant to this Section 3, then the Subscriber shall return such Original Certificates to the Company or its designated agent as soon as practicable upon its receipt of Notice (as defined in Section 6.2) from the Company advising Subscriber of such adjustment, following which a new certificate representing the Shares (the “New Certificate” and together with the Original Certificates, the “Certificates”), if any, shall be issued in such amount representing the adjusted number of Shares held by the Subscriber. The New Certificate, if any, shall be returned to the Subscriber as soon as practicable. Any such adjustment for any uncertificated securities held by the Subscriber shall be made in book-entry form.

 

4.                   Waiver of Liquidation Distributions; Redemption Rights. In connection with the Shares purchased pursuant to this Agreement, the Subscriber hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any distributions by the Company from the trust account, which will be established for the benefit of the Company’s public stockholders and into which substantially all of the proceeds of the IPO will be deposited (the “Trust Account”), in the event of a liquidation of the Company upon the Company’s failure to timely complete an initial business combination. For purposes of clarity, in the event the Subscriber purchases Units in the IPO or shares of Common Stock in the aftermarket, any additional shares of Common Stock included in the Units or shares of Common Stock so purchased shall be eligible to receive any liquidating distributions by the Company. However, in no event will the Subscriber have the right to redeem any Shares into funds held in the Trust Account upon the successful completion of an initial business combination.

 

5.                   Restrictions on Transfer.

 

5.1          Securities Law Restrictions. In addition to any restrictions to be contained in that certain letter agreement (commonly known as an “Insider Letter”) by and between Subscriber and the Company to be dated as of the closing of the IPO, Subscriber agrees not to sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Shares unless, prior thereto (a) a registration statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws with respect to the offer and sale of the Shares proposed to be transferred shall then be effective or (b) the Company has received an opinion from counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such registration is not required because such transaction is exempt from registration (i) under the Securities Act and the rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission and (ii) with respect to all applicable state securities laws. 

 

5.2           Lock-up. Subscriber acknowledges that the Shares will be subject to lock-up provisions (the “Lock-up”) contained in the Insider Letter.

 

- 4 -

 

 

5.3          Restrictive Legends. Any Certificates shall have endorsed thereon legends substantially as follows:

 

“THE OFFER AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND NEITHER THE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT COVERING SUCH OFFER, SALE, TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER DISPOSAL UNDER SUCH ACT OR SUCH LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL, IS AVAILABLE.”

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A LOCKUP AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED DURING THE TERM OF THE LOCKUP.”

 

5.4            Additional Shares or Substituted Securities. In the event of the declaration of a share dividend, the declaration of an extraordinary dividend payable in a form other than Common Stock, a spin-off, a share split, an adjustment in conversion ratio, a recapitalization or a similar transaction affecting the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock without receipt of consideration, any new, substituted or additional securities or other property, which are by reason of such transaction distributed with respect to any Shares subject to this Section 5 or into which such Shares thereby become convertible shall immediately be subject to this Section 5 and Section 3. Appropriate adjustments to reflect the distribution of such securities or property shall be made to the number or class of Shares subject to this Section 5 and Section 3.

 

5.5           Registration Rights. Subscriber acknowledges that the Shares are being purchased pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and will become freely-tradable only after certain conditions are met or the offer and sale of the Shares is registered under the Securities Act pursuant to that certain registration rights agreement to be dated as of the closing of the IPO by and between Subscriber, the Company, and the other parties thereto (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) prior to the closing of the IPO.

 

6.                   Other Agreements.

 

6.1            Further Assurances. Subscriber agrees to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may reasonably be necessary to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

 

6.2           Notices. All notices, requests, consents, claims, demands, waivers, and other communications hereunder (each, a “Notice”) shall be in writing and addressed to the parties at the addresses set forth on the first page of this Agreement (or to such other address that may be designated by the receiving party from time to time in accordance with this Section 6.2). A Notice shall be deemed to have been given (a) when delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt); (b) when received by the addressee if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (receipt requested); (c) on the date sent by facsimile or email (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next business day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient; or (d) on the third day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail (in each case, return receipt requested, postage pre-paid).

 

6.3            Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Insider Letter and the Registration Rights Agreement, each substantially in the form to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 associated with the Company’s IPO, embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the Subscriber and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. No statement, representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of any kind not expressly set forth in this Agreement shall affect, or be used to interpret, change or restrict, the express terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

- 5 -

 

 

6.4           Modifications and Amendments. The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be modified or amended only by written agreement executed by all parties hereto.

 

6.5            Assignment. The rights and obligations under this Agreement may not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

6.6            Successors and Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person or entity any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

6.7           Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of New York applicable to contracts wholly performed within the borders of such state, without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.

 

6.8           Severability. In the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that any provision, or any portion thereof, contained in this Agreement shall be unreasonable or unenforceable in any respect, then such provision shall be deemed limited to the extent that such court deems it reasonable and enforceable, and as so limited shall remain in full force and effect. In the event that such court shall deem any such provision, or portion thereof, wholly unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect.

 

6.9           Waivers and Consents. No waiver by any party of any of the provisions hereof shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the party so waiving. No waiver by any party shall operate or be construed as a waiver in respect of any failure, breach, or default not expressly identified by such written waiver, whether of a similar or different character, and whether occurring before or after that waiver. No failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power, or privilege arising from this Agreement shall operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power, or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power, or privilege. No Notice on a party not expressly required under this Agreement shall entitle the party receiving such Notice to any other or further Notice in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the party giving such Notice to any other or further action in any circumstances without such Notice.

 

6.10           Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made by the parties hereto in this Agreement or in any other agreement, certificate or instrument provided for or contemplated hereby, shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and any investigations made by or on behalf of the parties.

 

6.11           No Broker or Finder. Each of the parties hereto represents and warrants to the other that no broker, finder or other financial consultant has acted on its behalf in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in such a way as to create any liability on the other. Each of the parties hereto agrees to indemnify and save the other harmless from any claim or demand for commission or other compensation by any broker, finder, financial consultant or similar agent claiming to have been employed by or on behalf of such party and to bear the cost of legal expenses incurred in defending against any such claim.

 

- 6 -

 

 

6.12          Headings and Captions. The headings and captions of the various subdivisions of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall in no way modify or affect the meaning or construction of any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

6.13          Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or any other form of electronic delivery, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such signature page were an original thereof.

 

6.14          Construction. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties hereto intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party hereto has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which such party hereto has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that such party hereto is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant.

 

6.15          Mutual Drafting. This Agreement is the joint product of the Subscriber and the Company and each provision hereof has been subject to the mutual consultation, negotiation and agreement of such parties and shall not be construed for or against any party hereto.

 

7.                   Voting and Tender of Shares. The Subscriber agrees to vote the Shares in favor of an initial business combination that the Company negotiates and submits for approval to the Company’s stockholders and the Subscriber shall not seek redemption with respect to such Shares. Additionally, the Subscriber agrees not to tender any Shares in connection with a tender offer presented to the Company’s stockholders in connection with an initial business combination negotiated by the Company.

 

8.                   Indemnification. Each party shall indemnify the other against any loss, cost or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses) incurred as a result of such party’s breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

- 7 -

 

 

If the foregoing accurately sets forth our understanding and agreement, please sign the enclosed copy of this Agreement and return it to us.

 

  Very truly yours,

 

  Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

 

  By:   /s/ Marc F. Pelletier PhD
  Name: Marc F. Pelletier, PhD
  Title: Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

 

Accepted and agreed as of the date first written above.

 

Gardner Healthcare Holdings, LLC

 

By: Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions, LLC
Its Member

 

By:   /s/ Marc F. Pelletier, PhD  
Name:  Marc F. Pelletier, PhD
Title:    Managing Member

 

 

[Signature Page to Subscription Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

 

THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of [●], 2021, by and between Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and __________________ (“Indemnitee”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such corporations;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) and the Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) of the Company require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). The Charter, Bylaws and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement and reimbursement rights;

 

WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;

 

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;

 

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so protected against liabilities;

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Charter and Bylaws of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as an officer, director, advisor or in another capacity without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he or she be so indemnified.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein and subject to the provisions of the letter agreement, dated the date hereof, among the Company, Indemnitee and the other parties thereto, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

1.            SERVICES TO THE COMPANY. In consideration of the Company’s covenants and obligations hereunder, Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve as an officer, director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as applicable, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or until Indemnitee is removed. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director, officer, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as provided in Section 17. This Agreement, however, shall not impose any obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by law or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any.

 

2.            DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement:

 

(a)           References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, advisor, fiduciary or other official of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.

 

(b)          The terms “Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below) as in effect on the date hereof.

 

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(c)          A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

 

(i)           Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Other than an affiliate or member of Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, CCMAUS Pty Ltd or Chardan Gardiner LLC (the “Co-Sponsors”), any Person (as defined below) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (1) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (2) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors (as defined below) and such acquisition would not constitute a Change in Control under part (iii) of this definition;

 

(ii)          Change in Board of Directors. Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board, and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date hereof or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “Continuing Directors”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;

 

(iii)         Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination: (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries (as defined below)) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (2) other than a member or an affiliate of the Co-Sponsors, no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the surviving corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (3) at least a majority of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination;

 

(iv)         Liquidation. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such stockholder approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale, or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions); or

 

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(v)          Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or any successor rule) (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

(d)           Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise (as defined below) which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.

 

(e)           Delaware Court” shall mean the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.

 

(f)            Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding (as defined below) in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

(g)           Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent.

 

(h)           Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(i)            Expenses” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telecommunication charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding (as defined below), including reasonable compensation for time spent by Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding (as defined below), including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedes a bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

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(j)            References to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

 

(k)           Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm or a member of a law firm with significant experience in matters of corporation law and that neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding (as defined below) giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

(l)            The term “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiaries (as defined below) of the Company; (iii) any employment benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company; and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

 

(m)          The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative or related nature, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by him or her or of any action (or failure to act) on his or her part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he or she is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

 

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(n)           The term “Subsidiary,” with respect to any Person, shall mean any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.

 

(o)           The phrase “to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law” shall include, but not be limited to: (a) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL, and (b) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.

 

3.             INDEMNITY IN THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually, and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful; provided, in no event shall Indemnitee be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless or advanced any amounts hereunder in respect of any Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (if any) that Indemnitee may incur by reason of his or her own actual fraud or intentional misconduct. Indemnitee shall not be found to have committed actual fraud or intentional misconduct for any purpose of this Agreement unless or until a court of competent jurisdiction shall have made a finding to that effect.

 

4.             INDEMNITY IN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that any court in which the Proceeding was brought or the Delaware Court shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, to be held harmless or to exoneration.

 

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5.             INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement except for Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company also shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

6.             INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement except for Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness or deponent in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee was or is not a party or threatened to be made a party, he or she shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection therewith.

 

7.            ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND EXONERATION RIGHTS. Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, or 5, except for Section 27, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights shall be available under this Section 7 on account of Indemnitee’s conduct which constitutes a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders or is an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.

 

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8.            CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY.

 

(a)            To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification, hold harmless and/or exoneration rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying, holding harmless or exonerating Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.

 

(b)           The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

 

(c)           The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.

 

9.            EXCLUSIONS. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement (except for section 27), the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification, advance expenses, hold harmless or exoneration payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:

 

(a)           for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity or advancement provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity or advancement provision or otherwise;

 

(b)           for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (or any successor rule) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or

 

(c)           except as otherwise provided in Sections 14(f) and (g) hereof, prior to a Change in Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law. Indemnitee shall seek payments or advances from the Company only to the extent that such payments or advances are unavailable from any insurance policy of the Company covering Indemnitee.

 

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10.           ADVANCES OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIM.

 

(a)           Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary except for Section 27, and to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Company shall pay the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee (or reasonably expected by Indemnitee to be incurred by Indemnitee within three months) in connection with any Proceeding within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, prior to the final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing a Proceeding to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. To the fullest extent required by applicable law, such payments of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon the Company’s receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to repay the advanced amounts to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, the Charter, the Bylaws of the Company, applicable law or otherwise. If it shall be determined by a final judgment or other final adjudication that Indemnitee was not so entitled to indemnification, any advancement shall be returned to the Company (without interest) by the Indemnitee. This Section 10(a) shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which an indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment is excluded pursuant to Section 9 but shall apply to any Proceeding referenced in Section 9(b) prior to a final determination that Indemnitee is liable therefor.

 

(b)           The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.

 

(c)           The Company shall not settle any action, claim or Proceeding (in whole or in part) which would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.

 

11.          PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION.

 

(a)           Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding, claim, issue or matter therein which may be subject to indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights, or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, or otherwise.

 

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(b)           Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written application to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Such application(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written application for indemnification by Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 12(a) of this Agreement.

 

12.           PROCEDURE UPON APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION.

 

(a)           A determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods, which shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, (iii) if there are no Disinterested Directors or if such directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (iv) by vote of the stockholders. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

 

(b)           In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12(b). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Board, the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, 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 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. 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 of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(b) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Delaware Court, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, 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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(c)           The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

 

13.           PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS.

 

(a)           In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

(b)           If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a final judicial determination that any or all such indemnification is expressly prohibited under applicable law; provided, however, that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.

 

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(c)           The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

(d)           For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors, manager, or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member. The provisions of this Section 13(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

 

(e)           The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

14.           REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE.

 

(a)           In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement within 30 days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 5, 6, 7 or the last sentence of Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (vi) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vii) payment to Indemnitee pursuant to any hold harmless or exoneration rights under this Agreement or otherwise is not made in accordance with this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by the Delaware Court to such indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or advancement rights. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Delaware law (without regard to its conflict of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

 

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(b)           In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.

 

(c)           In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated to receive advancement of Expenses under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated and to receive advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 10 until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).

 

(d)           If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

 

(e)           The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

 

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(f)            The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) pay to Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee: (i) to enforce his or her rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement or contribution agreement or provision of the Charter, or the Bylaws now or hereafter in effect; or (ii) for recovery or advances under any insurance policy maintained by any person for the benefit of Indemnitee, regardless of the outcome and whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration right, advancement, contribution or insurance recovery, as the case may be (unless such judicial proceeding or arbitration was not brought by Indemnitee in good faith).

 

(g)           Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under Delaware law for amounts which the Company indemnifies, holds harmless or exonerates, or advances, or is obliged to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate or advance for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification, to be held harmless, exonerated, contribution, reimbursement or advancement of any Expenses and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.

 

15.           SECURITY. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, except for Section 27, to the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time, and from time to time, provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of Indemnitee.

 

16.           NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE; SUBROGATION.

 

(a)           The rights of Indemnitee as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Charter, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any Proceeding (regardless of when such Proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) or claim, issue or matter therein arising out of, or related to, any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Charter, the Bylaws or this Agreement, then this Agreement (without any further action by the parties hereto) shall automatically be deemed to be amended to require that the Company indemnify the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

14 

 

 

(b)           The DGCL, the Charter and the Bylaws permit the Company to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond (“Indemnification Arrangements”) on behalf of Indemnitee against any liability asserted against him or her or incurred by or on behalf of him or her or in such capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement or under the DGCL, as it may then be in effect. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any such Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or of Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any such Indemnification Arrangement.

 

(c)           To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, trustees, partners, managers, managing members, fiduciaries, employees, or agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

(d)           In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights. No such payment by the Company shall be deemed to relieve any insurer of its obligations.

 

(e)           The Company’s obligation to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payments or advancement of expenses from such Enterprise. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary except for Section 27, (i) Indemnitee shall have no obligation to reduce, offset, allocate, pursue or apportion any indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement, contribution or insurance coverage among multiple parties possessing such duties to Indemnitee prior to the Company’s satisfaction and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) the Company shall perform fully its obligations under this Agreement without regard to whether Indemnitee holds, may pursue or has pursued any indemnification, advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage rights against any person or entity other than the Company.

 

15 

 

 

(f)            Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the Company is the primary indemnitor, and any indemnification or advancement obligation of the Sponsor or its affiliates or members or any other Person is secondary.

 

17.          DURATION OF AGREEMENT. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other Enterprise which Indemnitee serves at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement) by reason of his or her Corporate Status, whether or not he or she is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement can be provided under this Agreement.

 

18.          SEVERABILITY. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

19.          ENFORCEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT.

 

(a)           The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer or key employee of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer or key employee of the Company.

 

(b)           Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under the Charter or Bylaws of the Company as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

16 

 

 

(c)           The indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise at the Company’s request, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

 

(d)           The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

(e)           The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, enforce this Agreement by seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which he or she may be entitled. The Company and Indemnitee further agree that Indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court of competent jurisdiction, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

20.           MODIFICATION AND WAIVER. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the Company and Indemnitee. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

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21.          NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, on such delivery, or (ii) if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which it is so mailed:

 

(a)            If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide in writing to the Company.

 

(b)           If to the Company, to:

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. 

3107 Warrington Road 

Shaker Heights, OH 44120 

Attn: Chief Executive Officer 

E-mail: mfpelletier@gardinerhealthcare.com

 

With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:

 

Reed Smith LLP 

599 Lexington Avenue, 22nd Floor 

New York, New York 10022 

Attn: Ari Edelman, Esq. 

E-mail: aedelman@reedsmith.com

 

or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee in writing by the Company.

 

22.           APPLICABLE LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country; (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court; and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum, or is subject (in whole or in part) to a jury trial. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the parties hereby agree that the mailing of process and other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided by Section 21 or in such other manner as may be permitted by law, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.

 

23.           IDENTICAL COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

24.           MISCELLANEOUS. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

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25.           PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS. No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.

 

26.           ADDITIONAL ACTS. If for the validation of any of the provisions in this Agreement any act, resolution, approval or other procedure is required to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company undertakes to cause such act, resolution, approval or other procedure to be affected or adopted in a manner that will enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.

 

27.           WAIVER OF CLAIMS TO TRUST ACCOUNT. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Indemnitee hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to any monies in the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering for the benefit of the Company and holders of shares issued in such offering, and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to the Company and will not seek recourse against such trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, Indemnitee acknowledges and agrees that any indemnification provided hereto will only be able to be satisfied by the Company if (i) the Company has sufficient funds outside of the trust account to satisfy its obligations hereunder or (ii) the Company consummates a Business Combination.

 

28.           MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain in effect during the entire period for which the Company is obligated to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement, one or more policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies to provide the officers and directors of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts and omissions and to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement. Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director or officer under such policy or policies. In all such insurance policies, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors and officers.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indemnity Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
   
  By:  
    Name:  Marc F. Pelletier
    Title: Chief Executive Officer
   
  INDEMNITEE
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Address:

 

[Signature Page to Indemnity Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.8

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

THE OFFER AND SALE OF THIS PROMISSORY NOTE (THIS “NOTE”) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”). THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT ONLY AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF REGISTRATION OF THE RESALE THEREOF UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY IN FORM, SCOPE AND SUBSTANCE TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.  

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

 

Principal Amount:  Up to $300,000

Dated as of March 25, 2021

Shaker Heights, Ohio

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation and blank check company (the “Maker”), promises to pay to the order of Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company or its registered assigns or successors in interest (together, the “Payee”), the principal sum of up to Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) (the “Maximum Amount”) in lawful money of the United States of America, on the terms and conditions described below. All payments on this Note shall be made by check or wire transfer of immediately available funds, or as otherwise determined by Maker, to such account as Payee may from time to time designate by Notice (as defined in Section 9) to Maker in accordance with the provisions of this Note.

 

1.                  Principal. The principal balance of this Note shall be payable by Maker on the earlier of: (i) September 30, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”) or (ii) the date on which Maker consummates an initial public offering of its securities (the “IPO”). The principal balance may be prepaid at any time. Under no circumstances shall any individual, including but not limited to any officer, director, employee or shareholder of Maker, be obligated personally for any obligations or liabilities of Maker hereunder.

 

2.                   Interest. No interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal balance of this Note.

 

3.                Drawdown Requests. Maker and Payee agree that Maker may request from the Payee or its affiliates up to the Maximum Amount for costs reasonably related to Maker’s initial public offering of its securities (which amount shall include any amounts funded to date by the Payee or its affiliates). The principal of this Note may be drawn down from time to time prior to the earlier of: (i) September 30, 2021; or (ii) the date on which Maker consummates an initial public offering of its securities, upon written request from Maker to Payee (each, a “Drawdown Request”). Each Drawdown Request must state the amount to be drawn down, and must not be an amount less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000), unless agreed upon by Maker and Payee. Payee shall fund each Drawdown Request no later than five business days after receipt of a Drawdown Request; provided, however, that the maximum amount of drawdowns collectively under this Note shall not exceed the Maximum Amount. Once an amount is drawn down under this Note, such amount shall not be available for future Drawdown Requests, even if such amount is prepaid. No fees, payments or other amounts shall be due to Payee in connection with, or as a result of, any Drawdown Request by Maker. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all payments shall be applied, first, to payment in full of any costs incurred in the collection of any sum due under this Note, including (without limitation) reasonable attorneys’ fees, and second, to the reduction of the unpaid principal balance of this Note.

 

4.                   Application of Payments. All payments shall be applied, first, to payment in full of any costs incurred in the collection of any sum due under this Note, including (without limitation) reasonable attorney’s fees, second, to the payment in full of any late charges, and third, to the reduction of the unpaid principal balance of this Note.

 

 

 

5.                   Events of Default. The following events shall constitute an event of default (“Event of Default”):

 

5.1               Failure to Make Required Payments. The failure by Maker to pay the principal amount due pursuant to this Note within five business days of the Maturity Date.

 

5.2           Voluntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The: (a) commencement by Maker of a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, rehabilitation or other similar law; (b) consent by Maker to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of Maker for any substantial part of its property, (c) making by Maker of any assignment for the benefit of creditors; (d) the failure of Maker generally to pay its debts as such debts become due; or (e) taking of any corporate action by Maker in furtherance of any of the foregoing events described in Section 5.2(a)Section 5.2(d).

 

5.3              Involuntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The: (a)(i) entry of a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in respect of Maker in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, (ii) appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of Maker or for any substantial part of its property, or (iii) the ordering of the winding-up or liquidation of Maker’s affairs; and (b) continuance of any such decree, appointment, or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days.

 

6.                   Remedies.

 

6.1             Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1, Payee may, by Notice to Maker, declare this Note to be due immediately and payable by Maker, whereupon the unpaid principal amount of this Note, and all other amounts payable hereunder, shall become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, notwithstanding anything contained herein or in the documents evidencing the same to the contrary.

 

6.2               Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 5.2 and Section 5.3, the unpaid principal balance of this Note, and all other sums payable with regard to this Note, shall automatically and immediately become due and payable by Maker, in all cases without any action on the part of Payee.

 

7.                  Waivers. Maker and all endorsers and guarantors of, and sureties for, this Note waive: (a) presentment for payment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, and notice of protest with regard to the Note; (b) all errors, defects and imperfections in any proceedings instituted by Payee under the terms of this Note; and (c) all benefits that might accrue to Maker by virtue of any present or future laws (i) exempting any property, real or personal, or any part of the proceeds arising from any sale of any such real or personal property, from attachment, levy or sale under execution, or (ii) providing for any stay of execution, exemption from civil process, or extension of time for payment. Maker agrees that any real estate that may be levied upon pursuant to a judgment obtained by virtue hereof or any writ of execution issued hereon, may be sold upon any such writ in whole or in part in any order desired by Payee.

 

8.                  Unconditional Liability. Maker hereby waives all notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default, or enforcement of the payment of this Note, and agrees that Maker’s liability shall be unconditional, without regard to the liability of any other party, and shall not be affected in any manner by any indulgence, extension of time, renewal, waiver or modification granted or consented to by Payee. Maker consents to any and all extensions of time, renewals, waivers, or modifications that may be granted by Payee with respect to the payment or other provisions of this Note. Maker agrees that additional makers, endorsers, guarantors, or sureties may become parties hereto without either any Notice to Maker or any bearing on Maker’s liability hereunder.

 

- 2 -

 

 

9.                   Notices. All notices, requests, consents, claims, demands, waivers, and other communications hereunder (each, a “Notice”) shall be in writing and addressed to the parties at the addresses set forth on the first page of this Agreement (or to such other address that may be designated by the receiving party from time to time in accordance with this Section 9). A Notice shall be deemed to have been given (a) when delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt); (b) when received by the addressee if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (receipt requested); (c) on the date sent by facsimile or email (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next business day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient; or (d) on the third day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail (in each case, return receipt requested, postage pre-paid). .

 

10.                Construction. THIS NOTE SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF.

 

11.              Severability. Any provision contained in this Note which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

12.                Trust Waiver. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Payee hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to any distribution of or from the trust account to be established (the “Trust Account”), in which the proceeds of both the (a) IPO (including the deferred underwriters discounts and commissions) and (b) sale of the warrants to be issued in a private placement to occur at the closing of the IPO are to be deposited, as described in greater detail in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 and prospectus to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the IPO. Payee hereby agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any Claim against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever.

 

13.               Amendment; Waiver. Any amendment hereto or waiver of any provision hereof may be made with, and only with, the written consent of both Maker and Payee.

 

14.                Assignment. No assignment or transfer of this Note or any rights or obligations hereunder may be made by any party hereto (by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party hereto. Any attempted assignment without the required consent shall be void.

 

 

[Signature page follows]

 

- 3 -

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker, intending to be legally bound hereby, has caused this Note to be duly executed by the undersigned as of the day and year first above written.

 

  Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

 

  By: /s/ Marc F. Pelletier
    Name: Marc F. Pelletier
    Title: Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Promissory Note]

 

 

Exhibit 10.9

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

THE OFFER AND SALE OF THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED PROMISSORY NOTE (THIS “NOTE”) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”). THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT ONLY AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF REGISTRATION OF THE RESALE THEREOF UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY IN FORM, SCOPE AND SUBSTANCE TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.  

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED PROMISSORY NOTE

 

Principal Amount:  Up to $300,000

Dated as of July 30, 2021

Shaker Heights, Ohio

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation and blank check company (the “Maker”), promises to pay to the order of Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company or its registered assigns or successors in interest (together, the “Payee”), the principal sum of up to Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) (the “Maximum Amount”) in lawful money of the United States of America, on the terms and conditions described below. All payments on this Note shall be made by check or wire transfer of immediately available funds, or as otherwise determined by Maker, to such account as Payee may from time to time designate by Notice (as defined in Section 9) to Maker in accordance with the provisions of this Note.

 

1.             Principal. The principal balance of this Note shall be payable by Maker on the earlier of: (i) December 31, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”) or (ii) the date on which Maker consummates an initial public offering of its securities (the “IPO”). The principal balance may be prepaid at any time. Under no circumstances shall any individual, including but not limited to any officer, director, employee or shareholder of Maker, be obligated personally for any obligations or liabilities of Maker hereunder.

 

2.             Interest. No interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal balance of this Note.

 

3.             Drawdown Requests. Maker and Payee agree that Maker may request from the Payee or its affiliates up to the Maximum Amount for costs reasonably related to Maker’s initial public offering of its securities (which amount shall include any amounts funded to date by the Payee or its affiliates). The principal of this Note may be drawn down from time to time prior to the earlier of: (i) December 31, 2021; or (ii) the date on which Maker consummates an initial public offering of its securities, upon written request from Maker to Payee (each, a “Drawdown Request”). Each Drawdown Request must state the amount to be drawn down, and must not be an amount less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000), unless agreed upon by Maker and Payee. Payee shall fund each Drawdown Request no later than five business days after receipt of a Drawdown Request; provided, however, that the maximum amount of drawdowns collectively under this Note shall not exceed the Maximum Amount. Once an amount is drawn down under this Note, such amount shall not be available for future Drawdown Requests, even if such amount is prepaid. No fees, payments or other amounts shall be due to Payee in connection with, or as a result of, any Drawdown Request by Maker. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all payments shall be applied, first, to payment in full of any costs incurred in the collection of any sum due under this Note, including (without limitation) reasonable attorneys’ fees, and second, to the reduction of the unpaid principal balance of this Note.

 

4.             Application of Payments. All payments shall be applied, first, to payment in full of any costs incurred in the collection of any sum due under this Note, including (without limitation) reasonable attorney’s fees, second, to the payment in full of any late charges, and third, to the reduction of the unpaid principal balance of this Note.

 

 

 

5.             Events of Default. The following events shall constitute an event of default (“Event of Default”):

 

5.1            Failure to Make Required Payments. The failure by Maker to pay the principal amount due pursuant to this Note within five business days of the Maturity Date.

 

5.2            Voluntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The: (a) commencement by Maker of a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, rehabilitation or other similar law; (b) consent by Maker to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of Maker for any substantial part of its property, (c) making by Maker of any assignment for the benefit of creditors; (d) the failure of Maker generally to pay its debts as such debts become due; or (e) taking of any corporate action by Maker in furtherance of any of the foregoing events described in Section 5.2(a)Section 5.2(d).

 

5.3            Involuntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The: (a)(i) entry of a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in respect of Maker in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, (ii) appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of Maker or for any substantial part of its property, or (iii) the ordering of the winding-up or liquidation of Maker’s affairs; and (b) continuance of any such decree, appointment, or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days.

 

6.             Remedies.

 

6.1            Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1, Payee may, by Notice to Maker, declare this Note to be due immediately and payable by Maker, whereupon the unpaid principal amount of this Note, and all other amounts payable hereunder, shall become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, notwithstanding anything contained herein or in the documents evidencing the same to the contrary.

 

6.2            Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 5.2 and Section 5.3, the unpaid principal balance of this Note, and all other sums payable with regard to this Note, shall automatically and immediately become due and payable by Maker, in all cases without any action on the part of Payee.

 

7.             Waivers. Maker and all endorsers and guarantors of, and sureties for, this Note waive: (a) presentment for payment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, and notice of protest with regard to the Note; (b) all errors, defects and imperfections in any proceedings instituted by Payee under the terms of this Note; and (c) all benefits that might accrue to Maker by virtue of any present or future laws (i) exempting any property, real or personal, or any part of the proceeds arising from any sale of any such real or personal property, from attachment, levy or sale under execution, or (ii) providing for any stay of execution, exemption from civil process, or extension of time for payment. Maker agrees that any real estate that may be levied upon pursuant to a judgment obtained by virtue hereof or any writ of execution issued hereon, may be sold upon any such writ in whole or in part in any order desired by Payee.

 

8.             Unconditional Liability. Maker hereby waives all notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default, or enforcement of the payment of this Note, and agrees that Maker’s liability shall be unconditional, without regard to the liability of any other party, and shall not be affected in any manner by any indulgence, extension of time, renewal, waiver or modification granted or consented to by Payee. Maker consents to any and all extensions of time, renewals, waivers, or modifications that may be granted by Payee with respect to the payment or other provisions of this Note. Maker agrees that additional makers, endorsers, guarantors, or sureties may become parties hereto without either any Notice to Maker or any bearing on Maker’s liability hereunder.

 

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9.             Notices. All notices, requests, consents, claims, demands, waivers, and other communications hereunder (each, a “Notice”) shall be in writing and addressed to the parties at the addresses set forth on the first page of this Agreement (or to such other address that may be designated by the receiving party from time to time in accordance with this Section 9). A Notice shall be deemed to have been given (a) when delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt); (b) when received by the addressee if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (receipt requested); (c) on the date sent by facsimile or email (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next business day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient; or (d) on the third day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail (in each case, return receipt requested, postage pre-paid). .

 

10.           Construction. THIS NOTE SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF.

 

11.           Severability. Any provision contained in this Note which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

12.           Trust Waiver. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Payee hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to any distribution of or from the trust account to be established (the “Trust Account”), in which the proceeds of both the (a) IPO (including the deferred underwriters discounts and commissions) and (b) sale of the warrants to be issued in a private placement to occur at the closing of the IPO are to be deposited, as described in greater detail in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 and prospectus to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the IPO. Payee hereby agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any Claim against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever.

 

13.           Amendment; Waiver. Any amendment hereto or waiver of any provision hereof may be made with, and only with, the written consent of both Maker and Payee.

 

14.           Assignment. No assignment or transfer of this Note or any rights or obligations hereunder may be made by any party hereto (by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party hereto. Any attempted assignment without the required consent shall be void.

 

 

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker, intending to be legally bound hereby, has caused this Note to be duly executed by the undersigned as of the day and year first above written.

 

  Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

 

  By: /s/ Marc F. Pelletier
    Name: Marc F. Pelletier
    Title: Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Amended & Restated Promissory Note]

 

 

Exhibit 10.10

 

[●], 2021

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

3107 Warrington Road

Shaker Heights, OH 44210

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”), a blank check company formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”), intends to register its securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), in connection with its initial public offering (“IPO”), pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 (“Registration Statement”).

 

The undersigned hereby commits that it will purchase an aggregate of 2,775,000 warrants of the Company (“Private Warrants”) (or 2,985,938 Private Warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), at a price of $1.00 per Private Warrant for an aggregate purchase price of $2,775,000 (or $2,985,938 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) (the “Private Warrant Purchase Price”).

 

At least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement, the undersigned will cause the Private Warrant Purchase Price to be delivered to Reed Smith LLP as escrow agent, by wire transfer as set forth in the instructions attached as Exhibit A to hold in a non-interest bearing account until the Company consummates the IPO.

 

The consummation of the purchase and issuance of the Private Warrants shall occur simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO. Simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Continental”) shall deposit $1,762,500 (or $1,973,438 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of the Private Warrant Purchase Price, without interest or deduction, into the trust account (“Trust Account”) established by the Company for the benefit of the Company’s public stockholders and the remaining $1,012,500 shall be used by the Company for working capital, each as described in the Registration Statement.

 

Each of the Company and the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that Reed Smith LLP is serving hereunder solely as a convenience to the parties to facilitate the purchase of the Private Warrants.

 

1

 

 

Additionally, the undersigned agrees:

 

not to propose, or vote in favor of, prior to or unrelated to an initial Business Combination, an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Company’s shares of common stock sold in the IPO if the Company does not complete an initial Business Combination within 12 months (or 18 months, if the time to complete a Business Combination is extended as described in the prospectus) from the closing of the IPO, unless the Company provides the holders of shares of common stock sold in the IPO with the opportunity to redeem their shares of common stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay the Company’s franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding shares of common stock sold in the IPO;

 

the undersigned will not participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to the Private Warrants (but will participate in liquidation distributions with respect to any units or common stock purchased by the undersigned in the IPO or in the open market) if the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination;

 

that the Private Warrants and underlying securities will not be transferable until 30 days after the consummation of a Business Combination except (i) to the Company’s officers or directors, any affiliates or family members of any of the Company’s officers or directors and any members or affiliates of the Company’s co-sponsors, (ii) by gift to a member of an individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization, (iii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (iv) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (v) by private sales or transfers made in connection with the consummation of an initial Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the Private Warrants were originally purchased, (vi) in the event of the Company’s liquidation prior to the completion of its initial Business Combination, (vii) by virtue of the laws of Delaware or Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC’s limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, or (viii) to the Company for cancellation in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination, in each case (except for clauses (vi) and (viii)) where the transferee agrees to the terms of the transfer restrictions; and

 

the Private Warrants will include any additional terms or restrictions as is customary in other similarly structured blank check company offerings or as may be reasonably required by the underwriters in the IPO in order to consummate the IPO, each of which will be set forth in the Registration Statement.

 

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the purchaser of the Private Warrants will execute agreements in form and substance typical for transactions of this nature necessary to effectuate the foregoing agreements and obligations prior to the consummation of the IPO as are reasonably acceptable to the undersigned, including but not limited to an insider letter.

 

The undersigned also acknowledges to be bound by the terms of the private warrants described in the warrant agreement between the Company and Continental that will be executed in connection with the Company’s IPO.

 

2

 

 

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(a)               it has been advised that the Private Warrants have not been registered under the Securities Act;

 

(b)               it will be acquiring the Private Warrants for its account for investment purposes only;

 

(c)               it has no present intention of selling or otherwise disposing of the Private Warrants in violation of the securities laws of the United States;

 

(d)               it is an “accredited investor” as defined by Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act;

 

(e)               it has had both the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the officers and directors of the Company and all persons acting on its behalf concerning the terms and conditions of the offer made hereunder;

 

(f)                it is familiar with the proposed business, management, financial condition and affairs of the Company;

 

(g)               it has full power, authority and legal capacity to execute and deliver this letter and any documents contemplated herein or needed to consummate the transactions contemplated in this letter; and

 

(h)               this letter constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, and is enforceable against it.

 

This letter agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the undersigned and the Company with respect to the purchase of the Private Warrants, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to the same.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

3

 

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  GARDINER HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS, LLC
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

Accepted and Agreed:  
   
GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.  
   
By:    
  Name: Marc F. Pelletier  
  Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

[Signature Page to Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Wire Instructions

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.11

 

[●], 2021

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

3107 Warrington Road

Shaker Heights, OH 44120

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”), a blank check company formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”), intends to register its securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), in connection with its initial public offering (“IPO”), pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 (“Registration Statement”).

 

The undersigned hereby commits that it will purchase an aggregate of 475,714 warrants of the Company (“Private Warrants”) (or 511,875 Private Warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), at a price of $1.00 per Private Warrant for an aggregate purchase price of $475,714 (or $511,875 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) (the “Private Warrant Purchase Price”).

 

At least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement, the undersigned will cause the Private Warrant Purchase Price to be delivered to Greenberg Traurig, LLP, as escrow agent, by wire transfer as set forth in the instructions attached as Exhibit A to hold in a non-interest bearing account until the Company consummates the IPO.

 

The consummation of the purchase and issuance of the Private Warrants shall occur simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO. Simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Continental”) shall deposit $302,143 (or $338,303 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of the Private Warrant Purchase Price, without interest or deduction, into the trust account (“Trust Account”) established by the Company for the benefit of the Company’s public stockholders and the remaining $173,571 shall be used by the Company for working capital, each as described in the Registration Statement.

 

Each of the Company and the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that Reed Smith LLP is serving hereunder solely as a convenience to the parties to facilitate the purchase of the Private Warrants.

 

1

 

 

Additionally, the undersigned agrees:

 

not to propose, or vote in favor of, prior to or unrelated to an initial Business Combination, an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Company’s shares of common stock sold in the IPO if the Company does not complete an initial Business Combination within 12 months (or 18 months, if the time to complete a Business Combination is extended as described in the prospectus) from the closing of the IPO, unless the Company provides the holders of shares of common stock sold in the IPO with the opportunity to redeem their shares of common stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay the Company’s franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding shares of common stock sold in the IPO;

 

the undersigned will not participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to the Private Warrants (but will participate in liquidation distributions with respect to any units or common stock purchased by the undersigned in the IPO or in the open market) if the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination;

 

that the Private Warrants and underlying securities will not be transferable until 30 days after the consummation of a Business Combination except (i) to the Company’s officers or directors, any affiliates or family members of any of the Company’s officers or directors and any members or affiliates of the Company’s co-sponsors, (ii) by gift to a member of an individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization, (iii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (iv) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (v) by private sales or transfers made in connection with the consummation of an initial Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the Private Warrants were originally purchased, (vi) in the event of the Company’s liquidation prior to the completion of its initial Business Combination, (vii) by virtue of the laws of Delaware or Chardan Gardiner LLC’s limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of Chardan Gardiner LLC, or (viii) to the Company for cancellation in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination, in each case (except for clauses (vi) and (viii)) where the transferee agrees to the terms of the transfer restrictions; and

 

the Private Warrants will include any additional terms or restrictions as is customary in other similarly structured blank check company offerings or as may be reasonably required by the underwriters in the IPO in order to consummate the IPO, each of which will be set forth in the Registration Statement.

 

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the purchaser of the Private Warrants will execute agreements in form and substance typical for transactions of this nature necessary to effectuate the foregoing agreements and obligations prior to the consummation of the IPO as are reasonably acceptable to the undersigned, including but not limited to an insider letter.

 

The undersigned also acknowledges to be bound by the terms of the private warrants described in the warrant agreement between the Company and Continental that will be executed in connection with the Company’s IPO.

 

2

 

 

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(a)               it has been advised that the Private Warrants have not been registered under the Securities Act;

 

(b)               it will be acquiring the Private Warrants for its account for investment purposes only;

 

(c)               it has no present intention of selling or otherwise disposing of the Private Warrants in violation of the securities laws of the United States;

 

(d)               it is an “accredited investor” as defined by Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act;

 

(e)               it has had both the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the officers and directors of the Company and all persons acting on its behalf concerning the terms and conditions of the offer made hereunder;

 

(f)                it is familiar with the proposed business, management, financial condition and affairs of the Company;

 

(g)               it has full power, authority and legal capacity to execute and deliver this letter and any documents contemplated herein or needed to consummate the transactions contemplated in this letter; and

 

(h)               this letter constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, and is enforceable against it.

 

This letter agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the undersigned and the Company with respect to the purchase of the Private Warrants, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to the same.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

3

 

 

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  CHARDAN GARDINER LLC
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

Accepted and Agreed:  
   
GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.  
   
By:    
  Name: Marc F. Pelletier  
  Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

[Signature Page to Private Placement Warrant Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Wire Instructions

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.12

 

[●], 2021

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

3107 Warrington Road

Shaker Heights, OH 44120

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”), a blank check company formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”), intends to register its securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), in connection with its initial public offering (“IPO”), pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 (“Registration Statement”).

 

The undersigned hereby commits that it will purchase an aggregate of 449,286 warrants of the Company (“Private Warrants”) (or 483,438 Private Warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), at a price of $1.00 per Private Warrant for an aggregate purchase price of $449,286 (or $483,438 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) (the “Private Warrant Purchase Price”).

 

At least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement, the undersigned will cause the Private Warrant Purchase Price to be delivered to Reed Smith LLP as escrow agent, by wire transfer as set forth in the instructions attached as Exhibit A to hold in a non-interest bearing account until the Company consummates the IPO.

 

The consummation of the purchase and issuance of the Private Warrants shall occur simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO. Simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Continental”) shall deposit $285,357 (or $319,509 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of the Private Warrant Purchase Price, without interest or deduction, into the trust account (“Trust Account”) established by the Company for the benefit of the Company’s public stockholders and the remaining $163,929 shall be used by the Company for working capital, each as described in the Registration Statement.

 

Each of the Company and the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that Reed Smith LLP is serving hereunder solely as a convenience to the parties to facilitate the purchase of the Private Warrants.

 

1

 

 

Additionally, the undersigned agrees:

 

not to propose, or vote in favor of, prior to or unrelated to an initial Business Combination, an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Company’s shares of common stock sold in the IPO if the Company does not complete an initial Business Combination within 12 months (or 18 months, if the time to complete a Business Combination is extended as described in the prospectus) from the closing of the IPO, unless the Company provides the holders of shares of common stock sold in the IPO with the opportunity to redeem their shares of common stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay the Company’s franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding shares of common stock sold in the IPO;

 

the undersigned will not participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to the Private Warrants (but will participate in liquidation distributions with respect to any units or common stock purchased by the undersigned in the IPO or in the open market) if the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination;

 

that the Private Warrants and underlying securities will not be transferable until 30 days after the consummation of a Business Combination except (i) to the Company’s officers or directors, any affiliates or family members of any of the Company’s officers or directors and any members or affiliates of the Company’s co-sponsors, (ii) by gift to a member of an individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization, (iii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (iv) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (v) by private sales or transfers made in connection with the consummation of an initial Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the Private Warrants were originally purchased, (vi) in the event of the Company’s liquidation prior to the completion of its initial Business Combination, (vii) by virtue of the laws of Delaware or CCMAUS’ limited company agreement upon dissolution of CCMAUS, or (viii) to the Company for cancellation in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination, in each case (except for clauses (vi) and (viii)) where the transferee agrees to the terms of the transfer restrictions; and

 

the Private Warrants will include any additional terms or restrictions as is customary in other similarly structured blank check company offerings or as may be reasonably required by the underwriters in the IPO in order to consummate the IPO, each of which will be set forth in the Registration Statement.

 

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the purchaser of the Private Warrants will execute agreements in form and substance typical for transactions of this nature necessary to effectuate the foregoing agreements and obligations prior to the consummation of the IPO as are reasonably acceptable to the undersigned, including but not limited to an insider letter.

 

The undersigned also acknowledges to be bound by the terms of the private warrants described in the warrant agreement between the Company and Continental that will be executed in connection with the Company’s IPO.

 

2

 

 

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(a)               it has been advised that the Private Warrants have not been registered under the Securities Act;

 

(b)               it will be acquiring the Private Warrants for its account for investment purposes only;

 

(c)               it has no present intention of selling or otherwise disposing of the Private Warrants in violation of the securities laws of the United States;

 

(d)               it is an “accredited investor” as defined by Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act;

 

(e)               it has had both the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the officers and directors of the Company and all persons acting on its behalf concerning the terms and conditions of the offer made hereunder;

 

(f)                it is familiar with the proposed business, management, financial condition and affairs of the Company;

 

(g)               it has full power, authority and legal capacity to execute and deliver this letter and any documents contemplated herein or needed to consummate the transactions contemplated in this letter; and

 

(h)               this letter constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, and is enforceable against it.

 

This letter agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the undersigned and the Company with respect to the purchase of the Private Warrants, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to the same.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

3

 

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  CCMAUS PTY LTD.,
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

Accepted and Agreed:  
   
GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.  
   
By:    
  Name: Marc F. Pelletier  
  Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

[Signature Page to Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Wire Instructions

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.13

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

3107 Warrington Road

Shaker Heights, OH 44120

 

[●], 2021

 

Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC

3107 Warrington Road

Shaker Heights, OH 44120

 

Re: Administrative Services Agreement

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This letter agreement by and between Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”) and Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC (“Provider”), dated as of the date hereof, will confirm our agreement that, commencing on the effective date (the “Effective Date”) of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Registration Statement”) for the Company’s initial public offering and continuing until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of an initial business combination or the Company’s liquidation (in each case as described in the Registration Statement) (such earlier date hereinafter referred to as the “Termination Date”):

 

i. Provider shall make available, or cause to be made available, to the Company, at 3107 Warrington Road, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120 (or any successor location of Provider), certain office space, utilities, general and administrative services and secretarial support as may be reasonably required by the Company. In exchange therefor, the Company shall pay Provider the sum of $10,000 per month on the Effective Date and continuing monthly thereafter until the Termination Date; and

 

ii. Provider hereby irrevocably waives any and all right, title, interest, causes of action and claims of any kind as a result of, or arising out of, this letter agreement (each, a “Claim”) in or to, and any and all right to seek payment of any amounts due to it out of, the trust account established for the benefit of the public stockholders of the Company and into which substantially all of the proceeds of the Company’s initial public offering will be deposited (the “Trust Account”), and hereby irrevocably waives any Claim it may have in the future, which Claim would reduce, encumber or otherwise adversely affect the Trust Account or any monies or other assets in the Trust Account, and further agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction of any Claim against the Trust Account or any monies or other assets in the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever.

 

This letter agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of its subject matter and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

1 

 

 

This letter agreement may not be amended, modified or waived as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto.

 

No party hereto may assign either this letter agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee.

 

This letter agreement constitutes the entire relationship of the parties hereto, and any litigation between the parties (whether grounded in contract, tort, statute, law or equity) shall be governed by, construed in accordance with, and interpreted pursuant to the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to its choice of laws principles.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

2 

 

 

  Very truly yours,
     
  GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
     
  By:  
  Name: Marc F. Pelletier
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY:  
     
GARDINER HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS, LLC  
     
By: Gardiner Founder, LLC Its Member  
     
By:    
Name: Marc F. Pelletier  
Title: Managing Member  

 

[Signature Page to Administrative Services Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.14

 

Execution Version

 

FOUNDER SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

THIS FOUNDER SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into effective as of April 9, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), between Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Seller”), and CCMAUS Pty Ltd, an Australian proprietary limited company (the “Buyer”). Buyer and Seller are herein referred to as the “Parties” and each a “Party”.

 

WHEREAS, Seller is the holder of 2,156,250 shares of the common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of Company (the “Common Stock”), representing all of the outstanding issued shares of Common Stock of Company; and

 

WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, 366,562 shares of Common Stock (the “Purchased Shares”) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.            Sale and Purchase. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Buyer hereby agrees to purchase from Seller, and Seller hereby agrees to sell, assign, transfer, and deliver to Buyer (the “Purchase”), all of Seller’s right, title and interest in and to the Purchased Shares for Four Thousand Two Hundred Fifty and No/100 Dollars ($4,250.00) (the “Purchase Price”). On the date hereof, Buyer (or an affiliate thereof) shall deliver to Seller the Purchase Price, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Seller, and Seller shall deliver to Buyer the Purchased Shares, together with an executed power evidencing transfer thereof (attached hereto).

 

2.            Representations and Warranties of Seller. In connection with the Purchase, Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

 

(a)          Ownership of Purchased Shares. Seller owns all right, title and interest (legal and beneficial) in and to all of the Purchased Shares free and clear of all liens, including without limitation any lien, pledge, claim, security interest, encumbrance, mortgage, assessment, charge, restriction or limitation of any kind, whether arising by agreement, operation of law or otherwise, other than as may arise under applicable securities laws. Upon delivery and payment for the Purchased Shares, Buyer shall acquire valid and unencumbered title to such Purchased Shares. Except for pursuant to this Agreement, no person has any agreement, option, understanding or commitment (oral or in writing) with Seller for the purchase or acquisition of any of the Purchased Shares.

 

(b)          Authorization, Approval and Enforceability. Seller has full power and authority to execute, deliver and perform his obligations under this Agreement. No consent, waiver, approval, order, permit or authorization of, or declaration or filing with, or notification to, any person or entity is required on the part of Seller in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Seller, enforceable in accordance with its terms except as limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, or (ii) laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

 

   

 

 

(c)          Organization and Authority. Seller is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The execution and delivery by Seller of this Agreement, and the performance by Buyer of its obligations hereunder have been duly and validly authorized by Seller.

 

(d)          No Conflicts. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor compliance with the terms and provisions hereof on the part of Seller will breach any statutes or regulations of any governmental authority, domestic or foreign, or will conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any judgment, order, injunction, decree, or instrument to which Seller is a party or by which he or his assets may be bound, or constitute a default thereunder or an event which with the giving of notice or passage of time or both would constitute a default thereunder, or require the consent of any person or entity (other than consents obtained on or before the Closing), which, in each of the foregoing cases, would have any material adverse impact on Seller’s ability to perform his obligations hereunder.

 

(e)          No Broker. No person has any right or other claim against Buyer for any commission, fee or other compensation as a finder or broker in connection with the Purchase.

 

3.            Representation and Warranties of Buyer. In connection with the Purchase, Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

 

(a)          Authorization, Approval and Enforceability. Buyer has full power and authority to execute, deliver and perform his obligations under this Agreement. No consent, waiver, approval, order, permit or authorization of, or declaration or filing with, or notification to, any person or entity is required on the part of Buyer in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable in accordance with its terms except as limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, or (ii) laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

 

(b)          Organization and Authority. Buyer is a proprietary limited company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia. The execution and delivery by Buyer of this Agreement, and the performance by Buyer of its obligations hereunder have been duly and validly authorized by Buyer.

 

(c)          No Conflicts. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor compliance with the terms and provisions hereof on the part of Buyer will breach any statutes or regulations of any governmental authority, domestic or foreign, or of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any judgment, order, injunction, decree, agreement or instrument to which Buyer is a party or by which its assets may be bound, or constitute a default thereunder or an event which with the giving of notice or passage of time or both would constitute a default thereunder, or require the consent of any person or entity, which, in each of the foregoing cases, would have any material adverse impact on Buyer’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

(d)          No Broker. No person has any right or other claim against Buyer for any commission, fee or other compensation as a finder or broker in connection with the Purchase.

 

(e)          Ability to Bear Risk. Buyer is financially capable of bearing the risk of loss of the entire investment represented by the Purchased Shares and is able to bear the economic risk of investment in the Purchased Shares for an indefinite period of time. Buyer is an “accredited investor” as defined by Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

   

 

 

(f)           Receipt of Information. Buyer acknowledges that it (i) has made the decision to Purchase the Purchased Shares voluntarily and without inducement by Seller or any other Person, (ii) has undertaken a thorough evaluation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) is an informed and sophisticated person, and (iv) has had an opportunity to consult with legal and financial experts regarding the transactions contemplated hereby. Buyer acknowledges that neither Seller nor any of its members, managers, officers, employees or agents have made any representations or warranties to Buyer relating to Company, its business, financial performance, or prospects, and Buyer has not relied upon any express or implied representations or warranties of any nature made by or on behalf of or imputed to Seller.

 

4.            Miscellaneous.

 

(a)          Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, each Party and their respective successors and assigns, whether or not any such person has become a party to this Agreement or has agreed in writing to join herein and to be bound by the terms, conditions and restrictions hereof. Nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any person other than the parties any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement and all of its provisions and conditions are for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties and their successors and assigns.

 

(b)          Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regards to conflicts of laws provisions.

 

(c)          Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Facsimile and/or PDF signature pages shall be accepted as originals for all purposes hereof.

 

(d)          Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), in each case only with the written consent of the Parties. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this section shall be binding upon the Parties (and any successors or assigns).

 

(e)          Further Action. Each Party hereto agrees to execute any additional documents and to take any further action as may be necessary or desirable in order to implement the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(f)           Entire Agreement. This Agreement, along with all Exhibits thereto, contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no further or other agreements or understandings, written or oral, in effect between the parties hereto, relating to the subject matter hereof except as expressly referred to herein.

 

(g)          Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. In case any provision of the Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Upon such determination that any provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the greatest extent possible.

 

(h)           Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any provision of this Agreement was not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that a party that is not in breach of its obligations under this Agreement may demand specific performance, in which case such Party shall be entitled to an injunction, to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such Party is entitled at law or in equity.

 

   

 

 

in WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS, LLC  
   
By Gardiner Founder, LLC, its Member  
   
By: /s/ Marc F. Pelletier  
Name: Marc F. Pelletier, PhD  
Title: Managing Member  
   
CCMAUS PTY LTD  
   
By: /s/ Mohendra Moodley  
Name: Mohendra Moodley  
Title: Director  

 

   

 

 

 

IRREVOCABLE STOCK POWER

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns, and transfers to CCMAUS PTY LTD 366,562 shares of the common stock, par value $0.0001, of Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation, issued, but uncertificated, to the undersigned as shown on the books of said corporation. The undersigned does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint David Jenkins as attorney to transfer the afore-described stock on the books of said corporation, with full power of substitute in the premises.

 

EXECUTED AND DELIVERED to be effective as of April 9, 2021.

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS, LLC  
   
By Gardiner Founder, LLC, its Member  
   
By: /s/ Marc F. Pelletier  
Name: Marc F. Pelletier, PhD  
Title: Managing Member  

 

   

 

Exhibit 10.15

 

Execution Version

 

FOUNDER SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

THIS FOUNDER SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into effective as of April 9, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), between Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Seller”), and Chardan Gardiner LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Buyer”). Buyer and Seller are herein referred to as the “Parties” and each a “Party”.

 

WHEREAS, Seller is the holder of 2,156,250 shares of the common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of Company (the “Common Stock”), representing all of the outstanding issued shares of Common Stock of Company; and

 

WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, 388,125 shares of Common Stock (the “Purchased Shares”) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.             Sale and Purchase. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Buyer hereby agrees to purchase from Seller, and Seller hereby agrees to sell, assign, transfer, and deliver to Buyer (the “Purchase”), all of Seller’s right, title and interest in and to the Purchased Shares for Four Thousand Five Hundred and No/100 Dollars ($4,500.00) (the “Purchase Price”). On the date hereof, Buyer (or an affiliate thereof) shall deliver to Seller the Purchase Price, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Seller, and Seller shall deliver to Buyer the Purchased Shares, together with an executed power evidencing transfer thereof (attached hereto).

 

2.             Representations and Warranties of Seller. In connection with the Purchase, Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

 

(a)           Ownership of Purchased Shares. Seller owns all right, title and interest (legal and beneficial) in and to all of the Purchased Shares free and clear of all liens, including without limitation any lien, pledge, claim, security interest, encumbrance, mortgage, assessment, charge, restriction or limitation of any kind, whether arising by agreement, operation of law or otherwise, other than as may arise under applicable securities laws. Upon delivery and payment for the Purchased Shares, Buyer shall acquire valid and unencumbered title to such Purchased Shares. Except for pursuant to this Agreement, no person has any agreement, option, understanding or commitment (oral or in writing) with Seller for the purchase or acquisition of any of the Purchased Shares.

 

(b)           Authorization, Approval and Enforceability. Seller has full power and authority to execute, deliver and perform his obligations under this Agreement. No consent, waiver, approval, order, permit or authorization of, or declaration or filing with, or notification to, any person or entity is required on the part of Seller in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Seller, enforceable in accordance with its terms except as limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, or (ii) laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

 

 

 

 

(c)           Organization and Authority. Seller is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The execution and delivery by Seller of this Agreement, and the performance by Buyer of its obligations hereunder have been duly and validly authorized by Seller.

 

(d)           No Conflicts. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor compliance with the terms and provisions hereof on the part of Seller will breach any statutes or regulations of any governmental authority, domestic or foreign, or will conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any judgment, order, injunction, decree, or instrument to which Seller is a party or by which he or his assets may be bound, or constitute a default thereunder or an event which with the giving of notice or passage of time or both would constitute a default thereunder, or require the consent of any person or entity (other than consents obtained on or before the Closing), which, in each of the foregoing cases, would have any material adverse impact on Seller’s ability to perform his obligations hereunder.

 

(e)           No Broker. No person has any right or other claim against Buyer for any commission, fee or other compensation as a finder or broker in connection with the Purchase.

 

3.             Representation and Warranties of Buyer. In connection with the Purchase, Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

 

(a)           Authorization, Approval and Enforceability. Buyer has full power and authority to execute, deliver and perform his obligations under this Agreement. No consent, waiver, approval, order, permit or authorization of, or declaration or filing with, or notification to, any person or entity is required on the part of Buyer in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable in accordance with its terms except as limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, or (ii) laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

 

(b)           Organization and Authority. Buyer is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The execution and delivery by Buyer of this Agreement, and the performance by Buyer of its obligations hereunder have been duly and validly authorized by Buyer.

 

(c)            No Conflicts. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor compliance with the terms and provisions hereof on the part of Buyer will breach any statutes or regulations of any governmental authority, domestic or foreign, or of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any judgment, order, injunction, decree, agreement or instrument to which Buyer is a party or by which its assets may be bound, or constitute a default thereunder or an event which with the giving of notice or passage of time or both would constitute a default thereunder, or require the consent of any person or entity, which, in each of the foregoing cases, would have any material adverse impact on Buyer’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

(d)           No Broker. No person has any right or other claim against Buyer for any commission, fee or other compensation as a finder or broker in connection with the Purchase.

 

(e)           Ability to Bear Risk. Buyer is financially capable of bearing the risk of loss of the entire investment represented by the Purchased Shares and is able to bear the economic risk of investment in the Purchased Shares for an indefinite period of time. Buyer is an “accredited investor” as defined by Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

 

 

 

(f)            Receipt of Information. Buyer acknowledges that it (i) has made the decision to Purchase the Purchased Shares voluntarily and without inducement by Seller or any other Person, (ii) has undertaken a thorough evaluation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) is an informed and sophisticated person, and (iv) has had an opportunity to consult with legal and financial experts regarding the transactions contemplated hereby. Buyer acknowledges that neither Seller nor any of its members, managers, officers, employees or agents have made any representations or warranties to Buyer relating to Company, its business, financial performance, or prospects, and Buyer has not relied upon any express or implied representations or warranties of any nature made by or on behalf of or imputed to Seller.

 

4.             Miscellaneous.

 

(a)           Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, each Party and their respective successors and assigns, whether or not any such person has become a party to this Agreement or has agreed in writing to join herein and to be bound by the terms, conditions and restrictions hereof. Nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any person other than the parties any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement and all of its provisions and conditions are for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties and their successors and assigns.

 

(b)           Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regards to conflicts of laws provisions.

 

(c)            Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Facsimile and/or PDF signature pages shall be accepted as originals for all purposes hereof.

 

(d)           Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), in each case only with the written consent of the Parties. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this section shall be binding upon the Parties (and any successors or assigns).

 

(e)           Further Action. Each Party hereto agrees to execute any additional documents and to take any further action as may be necessary or desirable in order to implement the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(f)            Entire Agreement. This Agreement, along with all Exhibits thereto, contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no further or other agreements or understandings, written or oral, in effect between the parties hereto, relating to the subject matter hereof except as expressly referred to herein.

 

(g)           Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. In case any provision of the Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Upon such determination that any provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the greatest extent possible.

 

 

 

 

(h)           Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any provision of this Agreement was not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that a party that is not in breach of its obligations under this Agreement may demand specific performance, in which case such Party shall be entitled to an injunction, to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such Party is entitled at law or in equity.

 

in WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS, LLC

 

By Gardiner Founder, LLC, its Member  
   
By: /s/ Marc F. Pelletier  
Name: Marc F. Pelletier, PhD  
Title: Managing Member  
   
CHARDAN GARDINER LLC  
   
By: /s/ Jonas Grossman  
Name: Jonas Grossman  
Title: Managing Member  

 

 

 

 

IRREVOCABLE STOCK POWER

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns, and transfers to CHARDAN GARDINER LLC 388,125 shares of the common stock, par value $0.0001, of Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation, issued, but uncertificated, to the undersigned as shown on the books of said corporation. The undersigned does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint David Jenkins as attorney to transfer the afore-described stock on the books of said corporation, with full power of substitute in the premises.

 

EXECUTED AND DELIVERED to be effective as of April 9, 2021.

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS, LLC  
   
By Gardiner Founder, LLC, its Member  
   
By: /s/ Marc F. Pelletier  
Name: Marc F. Pelletier, PhD  
Title: Managing Member  

 

 

 

Exhibit 14.1

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

 

1. Introduction

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”) has adopted this code of business conduct and ethics (this “Code”), as amended from time to time by the Board, and which is applicable to all of the Company’s directors, officers and employees (to the extent that employees are hired in the future) to:

 

· promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

 

· promote the full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as well as in other public communications made by or on behalf of the Company;

 

· promote compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

 

· deter wrongdoing; and

 

· require prompt internal reporting of breaches of, and accountability for adherence to, this Code.

 

In addition to following this Code in all aspects of business activities, the Company’s directors, officers and employees are expected to seek guidance in any situation where there is a question regarding compliance issues, whether with the letter or the spirit of the Company’s policies and applicable laws. Cooperation with this Code is essential to the continued success of the Company’s business and the cultivation and maintenance of its reputation as a good corporate citizen. Misconduct is never justified, even where sanctioned or ordered by an officer or other individual in a position of higher management. No individual, regardless of stature or position, can authorize actions that are illegal, or that jeopardize or violate Company standards. This Code sets forth general principles of conduct and ethics and is intended to work in conjunction with the policies and procedures that are covered in the Company’s specific policy statements.

 

Nothing in this Code prohibits the Company’s directors, officers or employees from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the SEC, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of U.S. federal law or regulation. No prior authorization from the Company is needed to make any such reports or disclosures and there is no duty to notify the Company that any such reports or disclosures have been made. The Company has a no-tolerance policy for retaliation against persons who raise good faith compliance, ethics or related issues.

 

1

 

 

This Code may be amended and modified by the Board. In this Code, references to the “Company” mean Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. and, in appropriate context, the Company’s subsidiaries, if any.

 

2. Honest, Ethical and Fair Conduct

 

Each person owes a duty to the Company to act with integrity. Integrity requires, among other things, being honest, fair and candid. Deceit, dishonesty and subordination of principle are inconsistent with integrity. Service to the Company should never be subordinated to violations of laws or regulations, unscrupulous dealings or to personal gain and advantage.

 

Each person must:

 

(a) act with integrity, including being honest and candid while still maintaining the confidentiality of the Company’s information where required or when in the Company’s interests;

 

(b) observe all applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

 

(c) comply with the requirements of applicable accounting and auditing standards, as well as Company policies, in order to maintain a high standard of accuracy and completeness in the Company’s financial records and other business-related information and data;

 

(d) adhere to a high standard of business ethics and not seek competitive advantage through unlawful or unethical business practices;

 

(e) deal fairly with the Company’s customers, suppliers, competitors, employees and independent contractors;

 

(f) refrain from taking advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other unfair-dealing practice;

 

(g) protect the assets of the Company and ensure their proper use;

 

(h) until the earliest of (i) the Company’s initial business combination (as such is defined in the Company’s initial registration statement filed with the SEC), (ii) the Company’s liquidation, or (iii) such time that such person ceases to be an officer or director of the Company, in each case, to first present to the Company for the Company’s consideration, prior to presentation to any other entity, any business opportunity, but only if such opportunity is suitable for the Company, subject to the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws in effect at such time and subject to any other fiduciary or contractual obligations such officer or director may have; and

 

2

 

 

(i) avoid actual or apparent conflicts between personal, private interests (including any related party transaction as defined in our Audit Committee Charter) and the interests of the Company, wherever possible, including receiving improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position, except as may be allowed under guidelines or resolutions approved by the Board (or the appropriate committee of the Board) or as disclosed in the Company’s public filings with the SEC. Anything that would be a conflict for a person subject to this Code also will be a conflict for a member of his or her immediate family or any other close relative. Examples of conflict of interest situations include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

· any significant ownership interest in any supplier or customer;

 

· any consulting or employment relationship with any supplier or customer;

 

· the receipt of any money, non-nominal gifts or excessive entertainment from any entity with which the Company has current or prospective business dealings;

 

· selling anything to the Company or buying anything from the Company, except on the same terms and conditions as a third party would buy or sell a comparable item in an arm’s-length transaction;

 

· any other financial transaction, arrangement or relationship (including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness) involving the Company; and

 

· any other circumstance, event, relationship or situation in which the personal interest of a person subject to this Code interferes, or even appears to interfere, with the interests of the Company as a whole.

 

Any material transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest shall be disclosed to the Board.

 

3. Confidentiality

 

The Company’s directors, officers and employees must maintain and protect the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by the Company, or that otherwise comes into their possession, while carrying out their duties and responsibilities, except when disclosure is authorized by the Company or legally mandated.

 

Confidential information encompasses all non-public information (including, for example, “inside information” or information that third-parties have entrusted to the Company) that may be of use to competitors, or may otherwise be harmful to the Company or its key stakeholders, if disclosed. Financial information is of special sensitivity and should under all circumstances be considered confidential, except where its disclosure is approved by the Company or when the information has been publicly disseminated.

 

4. Disclosure

 

The Company strives to ensure that the contents of and the disclosures in the reports and documents that the Company files with the SEC and other public communications shall be full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable in accordance with applicable disclosure standards, including standards of materiality, where appropriate. Each person must:

 

3

 

 

· not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Company to others, whether within or outside the Company, including to the Company’s independent registered public accountants, governmental regulators, self-regulating organizations and other governmental officials, as appropriate; and

 

· in relation to his or her area of responsibility, properly review and critically analyze proposed disclosure for accuracy and completeness.

 

In addition to the foregoing, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of each subsidiary of the Company (or persons performing similar functions), if any, and each other person that typically is involved in the financial reporting of the Company must familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements applicable to the Company as well as the business and financial operations of the Company.

 

Each person must promptly bring to the attention of the Board of Directors any information he or she may have concerning (a) significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal and/or disclosure controls that could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data or (b) any fraud that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s financial reporting, disclosures or internal controls.

 

5. Compliance

 

It is the Company’s obligation and policy to comply with all applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations. All directors, officers and employees of the Company are expected to understand, respect and comply with all of the laws, regulations, policies and procedures that apply to them in their positions with the Company. Employees are responsible for talking to their supervisors to determine which laws, regulations and Company policies apply to their position and what training is necessary to understand and comply with them.

 

Directors, officers and employees are directed to specific policies and procedures available to persons they supervise.

 

6. Reporting and Accountability

 

The Board is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented to it and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. Any person who becomes aware of any existing or potential breach of this Code is required to notify the Board promptly. Failure to do so is, in and of itself, a breach of this Code.

 

Specifically, each person must:

 

· notify the Board promptly of any existing or potential violation of this Code; and

 

4

 

 

· not retaliate against any other person for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith.

 

The Company will follow the following procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code and in reporting on this Code:

 

· the Board will take all appropriate action to investigate any breaches reported to it; and

 

· upon determination by the Board that a breach has occurred, the Board (by majority decision) will take or authorize such disciplinary or preventive action as it deems appropriate, after consultation with the Company’s internal or external legal counsel, up to and including dismissal or, in the event of criminal or other serious violations of law, notification of the SEC or other appropriate law enforcement authorities.

 

No person following the above procedure shall, as a result of following such procedure, be subject by the Company or any officer or employee thereof to discharge, demotion suspension, threat, harassment or, in any manner, discrimination against such person in terms and conditions of employment.

 

7. Waivers and Amendments

 

Any waiver (defined below) or an implicit waiver (defined below) from a provision of this Code for the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions or any amendment (as defined below) to this Code is required to be disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC. In lieu of filing a Current Report on Form 8-K to report any such waivers or amendments, the Company may provide such information on its website, in the event that it establishes one in the future, and if it keeps such information on the website for at least 12 months and discloses the website address as well as any intention to provide such disclosures in this manner in its most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

A “waiver” means the approval by the Board of a material departure from a provision of this Code. An “implicit waiver” means the Company’s failure to take action within a reasonable period of time regarding a material departure from a provision of this Code that has been made known to an executive officer of the Company. An “amendment” means any amendment to this Code other than minor technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendments hereto.

 

Any request for a waiver of any provision of this Code must be in writing and addressed to the Board. All persons should note that it is not the Company’s intention to grant or to permit waivers from the requirements of this Code. The Company expects full compliance with this Code.

 

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8. Insider Information and Securities Trading

 

The Company’s directors, officers or employees who have access to material, non-public information are not permitted to use that information for security trading purposes or for any purpose unrelated to the Company’s business. It is also against the law to trade or to “tip” others who might make an investment decision based on inside company information. For example, using non-public information to buy or sell the Company securities, options in the Company securities or the securities of any Company supplier, customer, competitor or potential target is prohibited. The consequences of insider trading violations can be severe. These rules also apply to the use of material, non-public information about other companies (including, for example, the Company’s customers, competitors, potential business partners and potential targets). In addition to directors, officers or employees, these rules apply to such person’s spouse, children, parents and siblings, as well as any other family members living in such person’s home.

 

9. Financial Statements and Other Records

 

All of the Company’s books, records, accounts and financial statements must be maintained in reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect the Company’s transactions and must both conform to applicable legal requirements and to the Company’s system of internal controls. Unrecorded or “off the books” funds or assets should not be maintained unless permitted by applicable law or regulation.

 

Records should always be retained or destroyed according to the Company’s record retention policies. In accordance with those policies, in the event of litigation or governmental investigation, please consult the Board or the Company’s internal or external legal counsel.

 

Any and all reports received by the Company of questionable accounting, violations of internal accounting controls, or any other auditing or financial matters, or the reporting of fraudulent financial information or other questionable conduct that are submitted to an officer of the Company will be handled as follows:

 

· All reports received will be logged and include, among other things: (1) the date the report was received, (2) a description of the report, (3) the reporting party (if provided), and (4) the status and disposition of an investigation of the report.

 

· The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company will promptly submit to the Audit Committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”) all reports received. The Audit Committee shall direct and oversee an investigation of all reports as it determines to be appropriate. The Audit Committee may also delegate the oversight and investigation of reports to the appropriate members of the Company’s management. The Audit Committee may request special treatment for any report and may re-assume the direction and oversight of an investigation of any report delegated to members of our management.

 

10. Improper Influence on Conduct of Audits

 

No director or officer, or any other person acting under the direction thereof, shall directly or indirectly take any action to coerce, manipulate, mislead or fraudulently influence any public or certified public accountant engaged in the performance of an audit or review of the financial statements of the Company or take any action that such person knows or should know that if successful could result in rendering the Company’s financial statements materially misleading. Any person who believes such improper influence is being exerted should report such action to such person’s supervisor, or if that is impractical under the circumstances, to any of the Company’s directors.

 

6

 

 

Types of conduct that could constitute improper influence include, but are not limited to, directly or indirectly:

 

· offering or paying bribes or other financial incentives, including future employment or contracts for non-audit services;

 

· providing an auditor with an inaccurate or misleading legal analysis;

 

· threatening to cancel or canceling existing non-audit or audit engagements if the auditor objects to the Company’s accounting;

 

· seeking to have a partner removed from the audit engagement because the partner objects to the Company’s accounting;

 

· blackmailing; and

 

· making physical threats.

 

11. Anti-Corruption Laws

 

The Company complies with the anti-corruption laws of the countries in which it does business, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (“FCPA”). Directors, officers, employees and agents, such as third party sales representatives, shall not take or cause to be taken any action that would reasonably result in the Company not complying with such anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA. If you are authorized to engage agents on the Company’s behalf, you are responsible for ensuring they are reputable and for obtaining a written agreement for them to uphold the Company’s standards in this area.

 

12. Violations

 

The Board will investigate any reported violations and will oversee an appropriate response, including corrective action and preventative measures. Any director, officer or employee who violates this Code will face appropriate, case specific disciplinary action, which may include demotion or discharge. Such action is in addition to any civil or criminal liability which might be imposed by any court or regulatory agency.

 

13. Other Policies and Procedures

 

Any other policy or procedure set out by the Company in writing or made generally known to employees, officers or directors of the Company prior to the date hereof or hereafter are separate requirements and remain in full force and effect.

 

14. Inquiries

 

All inquiries and questions in relation to this Code or its applicability to particular people or situations should be addressed to the Board, or such other compliance officer as shall be designated from time to time by the Company.

 

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Exhibit 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp.

 

We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our report dated June 3, 2021, relating to the financial statements of Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp., which is contained in that Prospectus. Our report contains an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus.

 

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

 

New York, NY

October 21, 2021

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

1. Purpose

 

The purposes of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”) shall be to:

 

(a) identify and to recommend individuals qualified to serve as directors of the Company and on committees of the Board;

 

(b) advise the Board with respect to the Board composition, procedures and committees;

 

(c) develop and recommend to the Board a set of corporate governance guidelines (the “Guidelines”) applicable to the Company; and

 

(d) oversee the evaluation of the Board and the Company’s management.

 

While the members of the Committee have the duties and responsibilities set forth in this charter (this “Charter”), nothing contained in this Charter is intended to create, or should be construed as creating, any responsibility or liability of members of the Committee, except to the extent otherwise provided under applicable federal or state law.

 

2. Organization

 

The Committee shall consist of two or more independent directors as determined from time to time by the Board based on the recommendation of the Committee. Each member of the Committee shall be “independent” and qualified to serve on the Committee pursuant to the requirements of Nasdaq, Inc. (“Nasdaq”), subject to the applicable phase-in periods permitted by the rules of Nasdaq, and any additional requirements that the Board deems appropriate.

 

The chairperson of the Committee shall be designated by the Board; provided that if the Board does not so designate a chairperson, the members of the Committee, by a majority vote, may designate a chairperson.

 

Any vacancy on the Committee shall be filled by majority vote of the Board. No member of the Committee shall be removed except by majority vote of the Board.

 

3. Meetings

 

The Committee shall meet as often as it determines necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities, but at least once annually. The Committee, in its discretion, may ask members of management or others to attend its meetings (or portions thereof) and to provide pertinent information as necessary.

 

 

 

 

A majority of the members of the Committee present in person or by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other shall constitute a quorum.

 

The Committee shall maintain minutes of its meetings and records relating to those meetings and shall report regularly to the Board on its activities, as appropriate.

 

4. Authority and Responsibilities

 

(a) Board Candidates and Nominees

 

The Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities with respect to Board candidates and nominees:

 

(i) To assist in identifying, recruiting and, if appropriate, interviewing candidates to fill positions on the Board, including persons suggested by stockholders or others. The Committee may, if it deems appropriate, establish procedures to be followed by stockholders in submitting recommendations for Board candidates.

 

(ii) To review the background and qualifications of individuals being considered as director candidates, taking into consideration the following guidelines: the person should have demonstrated notable or significant achievements in business, education or public service; the person should possess the requisite intelligence, education and experience to make a significant contribution to the Board and bring a range of skills, diverse perspectives and backgrounds to its deliberations; and the person should have the highest ethical standards, a strong sense of professionalism and intense dedication to serving the interests of the Company’s stockholders. The Committee shall consider a number of qualifications relating to management and leadership experience, background and integrity and professionalism in evaluating a person’s candidacy for membership on the Board. The Committee may require certain skills or attributes, such as financial or accounting experience, to meet specific Board needs that arise from time to time and will also consider the overall experience and makeup of its members to obtain a broad and diverse mix of Board members.

 

(iii) To recommend to the Board the director nominees for election by the stockholders or to fill vacancies on the Board, as the case may be, pursuant to the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as amended from time to time, which recommendations shall be consistent with the criteria for selecting directors established by the Board from time to time. The Committee shall develop and make recommendations to the Board regarding such criteria and qualifications for membership on the Board.

 

(iv) To review the suitability for continued service as a director of each Board member when his or her term expires and when he or she has a change in status, including, but not limited to, an employment change, and to recommend whether or not the director should be re-nominated.

 

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(b) Board Composition and Procedures

 

The Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities with respect to the composition and procedures of the Board as a whole:

 

(i) To review annually with the Board the composition of the Board as a whole and to recommend, if necessary, measures to be taken so that the Board reflects the appropriate balance of knowledge, experience, skills, expertise and diversity required for the Board as a whole and contains at least the minimum number of independent directors required by Nasdaq.

 

(ii) To review periodically the size of the Board and to recommend to the Board any appropriate changes.

 

(iii) To make recommendations on the frequency and structure of Board meetings.

 

(iv) To review the independence of each director in light of the independence criteria of Nasdaq and any other independence standards applicable to directors, and make a recommendation to the Board with respect to each director’s independence.

 

(v) To make recommendations concerning any other aspect of the procedures of the Board that the Committee considers warranted, including but not limited to procedures with respect to the waiver by the Board of any Company rule, guideline, procedure or corporate governance principle.

 

(c) Board Committees

 

The Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities with respect to the committee structure of the Board:

 

(i) After consultation with the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and after taking into account the experiences and expertise of individual directors, to make recommendations to the Board regarding the size and composition of each standing committee of the Board, including the identification of individuals qualified to serve as members of a committee, including the Committee, and to recommend individual directors to fill any vacancy that might occur on a committee, including the Committee.

 

(ii) To review the independence of each committee member in light of the independence criteria of Nasdaq for service on the audit and compensation committees and to make a recommendation to the Board with respect to each director’s independence for service on such committees.

 

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(iii) To monitor the functioning of the committees of the Board and to make recommendations for any changes, including the creation and elimination of committees.

 

(iv) To review annually committee assignments and the policy with respect to the rotation of committee memberships and/or chairpersonships, and to report any recommendations to the Board.

 

(v) To recommend that the Board establish such special committees as may be desirable or necessary from time to time in order to address ethical, legal or other matters that may arise. The Committee’s power to make such a recommendation under this Charter shall be without prejudice to the right of any other committee of the Board, or any individual director, to make such a recommendation at any time.

 

(d) Corporate Governance

 

The Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities with respect to corporate governance:

 

(i) To develop and recommend to the Board the Guidelines for the Company, which shall be consistent with any applicable laws, regulations and listing standards. At a minimum, the Guidelines developed and recommended by the Committee shall address the following:

 

· director qualification standards;

· director responsibilities;

· director access to management and, as necessary and appropriate, independent advisors;

· director compensation, including principles for determining the form and amount of director compensation, and for reviewing those principles, as appropriate;

· director orientation and continuing education;

· management succession, including policies and principles for the selection and performance review of the Chief Executive Officer, as well as policies regarding succession in the event of an emergency or the retirement of the Chief Executive Officer; and

· annual performance evaluation of the Board.

 

(ii) To review periodically, and at least annually, the Guidelines adopted by the Board and the Company’s overall corporate governance to ensure that they are appropriate for the Company and comply with the requirements of Nasdaq, and to report to the Board on its findings and to recommend any desirable changes to the Board.

 

(iii) To consider any other corporate governance issues that arise from time to time, and to develop appropriate recommendations for the Board.

 

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(e) Evaluation of the Board, Committees and Management

 

The Committee shall be responsible for overseeing an annual evaluation of the Board, its committees and management, and shall evaluate and report to the Board on the performance and effectiveness of the Board and its committees. The Committee shall establish procedures to allow it to exercise this oversight function.

 

5. Delegation of Authority

 

The Committee may form subcommittees for any purpose that the Committee deems appropriate and may delegate to such subcommittees such power and authority as the Committee deems appropriate; provided, however, that no subcommittee shall consist of fewer than two members; and provided further that the Committee shall not delegate to a subcommittee any power or authority required by any law, regulation or listing standard to be exercised by the Committee as a whole.

 

6. Reporting

 

The Committee shall, on an annual basis, evaluate its performance. In conducting this review, the Committee shall evaluate whether this Charter appropriately addresses the matters that are or should be within its scope and shall recommend such changes as it deems necessary or appropriate. The Committee shall address all matters that the Committee considers relevant to its performance, including at least the following: the adequacy, appropriateness and quality of the information and recommendations presented by the Committee to the Board, the manner in which they were discussed or debated and whether the number and length of meetings of the Committee were adequate for the Committee to complete its work in a thorough and thoughtful manner.

 

The Committee shall deliver to the Board a report, which may be oral, setting forth the results of its evaluation, including any recommended amendments to this Charter and any recommended changes to the Company’s or the Board’s policies or procedures.

 

7. Resources

 

The Committee shall have the sole authority to retain and terminate advisors, at the Company’s expense, such as independent counsel, other consultants or advisors as it deems necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties. The Committee shall have the sole authority to retain or terminate any search firm to be used to identify director candidates, including sole authority to approve the search firm’s fees and other retention terms, such fees to be borne by the Company.

 

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Exhibit 99.2

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

Audit Committee CHARTER

 

1. Purpose

 

The purposes of the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”) shall be to provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations to oversee:

 

(a) the quality and integrity of the Company’s financial statements and other financial information provided by the Company to its stockholders, the public, any stock exchange and others;

 

(b) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

 

(c) the qualifications and independence of the Company’s independent auditor;

 

(d) the performance of the Company’s independent auditors and the Company’s internal audit function (or if the Company does not yet have an internal audit function because it is availing itself of a transition period pursuant to the rules of the Nasdaq, Inc. (the “Nasdaq”), assisting the Board in oversight of the design and implementation of the internal audit function); and

 

(e) the preparation of the report required by the Committee pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for inclusion in the Company’s annual proxy statement.

 

The Committee shall also review and approve all Related Party Transactions (as defined below) in accordance with the policy set forth herein.

 

Although the Committee has the powers and responsibilities set forth in this charter (this “Charter”), the role of the Committee is oversight. The members of the Committee are not full-time employees of the Company and may or may not be accountants or auditors by profession or experts in the fields of accounting or auditing and, in any event, do not serve in such capacity. Consequently, it is not the duty of the Committee to conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and are in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and listing standards of the Nasdaq or as mandated under applicable laws, rules and regulations (including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, each as amended). These are the responsibilities of management and the Company’s independent auditor.

 

While the members of the Committee have the duties and responsibilities set forth in this Charter, nothing contained in this Charter is intended to create, or should be construed as creating, any responsibility or liability of members of the Committee, except to the extent otherwise provided under applicable federal or state law.

 

 

 

2. Organization

 

The Committee shall consist of three or more independent directors, as determined from time to time by the Board based on the recommendation of the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each member of the Committee shall be “independent” and qualified to serve on the Committee pursuant to the requirements of the Nasdaq, and any additional requirements that the Board deems appropriate. Each member of the Committee must be financially literate, as such qualification is interpreted by the Board in its business judgment, or must become financially literate within a reasonable period of time after his or her appointment to the Committee. At least one member of the Committee must be designated by the Board to be the “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by the SEC pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”).

 

No Committee member shall simultaneously serve on the audit committees of more than two other public companies, unless the Board determines that such simultaneous service does not impair the ability of such member to effectively serve on the Committee. Any such determination must be disclosed in the Company’s annual proxy statement, or, if the Company does not file an annual proxy statement, in its annual report on Form 10-K.

 

The chairperson of the Committee shall be designated by the Board, provided that if the Board does not so designate a chairperson, the members of the Committee, by a majority vote, may designate a chairperson.

 

Any vacancy on the Committee shall be filled by majority vote of the Board. No member of the Committee shall be removed except by majority vote of the Board.

 

3. Meetings

 

The Committee shall meet at least four times per year on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as required. The Committee, in its discretion, may ask members of management or others to attend its meetings (or portions thereof) and to provide pertinent information as necessary. The Committee shall also meet separately, periodically, with (i) management, (ii) the director of the Company’s internal auditing department or other person responsible for the internal audit function, if any, and (iii) the Company’s independent auditors, in each case, to discuss any matters that the Committee or any of the above persons or firms believe warrant Committee attention.

 

A majority of the members of the Committee present in person or by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other shall constitute a quorum.

 

The Committee shall maintain minutes of its meetings and records relating to those meetings and shall report regularly to the Board on its activities, as appropriate.

 

4. Authority and Responsibilities

 

In fulfilling its duties and responsibilities hereunder, the Committee will be entitled to rely reasonably on (a) the integrity of those persons within the Company and the professionals and experts (such as the Company’s independent auditor) from whom it receives information, (b) the accuracy of the financial and other information provided to the Committee by such persons and (c) representations made by the Company’s independent auditor as to any services provided by such firm to the Company.

 

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The Committee’s policies and procedures should remain flexible, so that it may be in a position to best address, react or respond to changing circumstances or conditions. The following duties and responsibilities are within the authority of the Committee and the Committee shall, consistent with and subject to applicable law and rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Nasdaq, or any other applicable regulatory authority:

 

(a) Selection, Evaluation, and Oversight of the Independent Auditors

 

(i) Be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention (including termination), scope and oversight of the work of any independent, registered public accounting firm engaged by the Company for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company, and resolution of any disagreements between management and any such firm regarding financial reporting, and each such firm must report directly to the Committee;

 

(ii)              Review and, in its sole discretion, approve in advance the Company’s independent auditors’ annual engagement letter, including the proposed fees contained therein, as well as all audit and, as provided in the Act and the SEC rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all permitted non-audit engagements and relationships between the Company and such independent auditors (which approval should be made after receiving input from the Company’s management, if desired). Approval of audit and permitted non-audit services will be made by the Committee or by one or more members of the Committee as shall be designated by the Committee or the chairperson of the Committee and the persons granting such approval shall report such approval to the Committee at the next scheduled meeting;

 

(iii) At least annually, evaluate the performance of the independent auditors, including the lead partner of the independent auditors, and, in its sole discretion (subject, if applicable, to stockholder ratification), make decisions regarding the replacement or termination of the independent auditors when circumstances warrant;

 

(iv) At least annually, obtain and review a formal written report from the Company’s independent auditor describing:

 

· the independent auditors’ internal quality-control procedures;

· any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, or Public Company Accounting Oversight Board review or inspection, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, with respect to one or more independent audits carried out by the independent auditors, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues;

 

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· an assessment of the continued independence of the independent auditor, including all relationships and engagements that may reasonably be thought to bear on the independence of the auditor, including those between the auditor and the Company;

· the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s accounting and internal control policies and procedures; and

· if applicable, the yearly report prepared by management, and attested to by the Company’s independent auditors, assessing the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and stating management’s responsibility for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting prior to its inclusion in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K;

 

(v) Evaluate the independence of the Company’s independent auditors by, among other things:

 

· Confirming with the independent auditors that the audit partner rotation requirements contained in the Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder have been complied with;

· actively engaging in a dialogue with the Company’s independent auditors with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the auditors;

· setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the Company’s independent auditors;

· taking, or recommending that the Board take, appropriate action to oversee the independence of the Company’s independent auditors;

· monitoring compliance by the Company of the employee conflict of interest requirements contained in the Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder; and

· engaging in a dialogue with the independent auditors to confirm that audit partner’s compensation is consistent with applicable SEC rules;

 

(b) Oversight of Annual Audit and Quarterly Reviews

 

(i) Review and discuss with the independent auditors their annual audit plan, including the timing and scope of audit activities, and monitor such plan’s progress and results during the year;

 

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(ii) Review with management and the Company’s independent auditors the following information which is required to be reported by the independent auditor:

 

· all critical accounting policies and practices to be used;

· all alternative treatments of financial information that have been discussed by the independent auditors and management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments and the treatment preferred by the independent auditors;

· all other material written communications between the independent auditors and management, such as any management letter and any schedule of unadjusted differences; and

· any material financial arrangements of the Company which do not appear on the financial statements of the Company;

 

(iii) Review with management, the Company’s independent auditors and, if appropriate, the director of the Company’s internal auditing department, if any, the following:

 

· any major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentations, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles;

· any major issues and any analyses prepared by management and/or the independent auditors setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including analyses of the effects of alternative GAAP methods on the financial statements;

· the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures, on the financial statements of the Company; and

· the type and presentation of information to be included in earnings, press releases as well as review of any financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts or rating agencies;

 

(iv) Review with management, the Company’s independent auditors and, if appropriate, the director of the Company’s internal auditing department, if any, the Company’s annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements, including the Company’s specific disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K, and any major issues related thereto;

 

(v) Resolve all disagreements between the Company’s independent auditors and management regarding financial reporting;

 

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(vi) Review on a regular basis with the Company’s independent auditors any problems or difficulties encountered by the independent auditors in the course of any audit work, including management’s response with respect thereto, any restrictions on the scope of the independent auditor’s activities or on access to requested information, and any significant disagreements with management. In connection therewith, the Committee should review with the independent auditors the following:

 

· any accounting adjustments that were noted or proposed by the independent auditors but were rejected by management (as immaterial or otherwise);

· any communications between the audit team and the independent auditor’s national office respecting auditing or accounting issues presented by the engagement; and

· any “management” or “internal control” letter issued, or proposed to be issued, by the independent auditors to the Company;

 

(c) Oversight of Financial Reporting Process and Internal Controls

 

(i) Review the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s accounting and internal control policies and procedures on a regular basis, including the responsibilities, budget, compensation and staffing of the Company’s internal audit function, through inquiry and discussions with the Company’s independent auditors, management and director of the Company’s internal auditing department, if any;

 

(ii) Review, if applicable, the yearly report prepared by management, and attested to by the Company’s independent auditors, assessing the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and stating management’s responsibility for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting prior to its inclusion in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K;

 

(iii) Review the Committee’s level of involvement and interaction with the Company’s internal audit function, including the Committee’s line of authority and role in appointing and compensating employees in the internal audit function;

 

(iv) Periodically, review the following with management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, and the Company’s independent auditors:

 

· all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

· any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting;

 

(v) Discuss guidelines and policies governing the process by which senior management of the Company assess and manage the Company’s exposure to risk, as well as the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures;

 

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(vi) Review with management the progress and results of all internal audit projects, and, when deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee, assign additional internal audit projects to appropriate personnel;

 

(vii) Review with management the Company’s administrative, operational and accounting internal controls, including any special audit steps adopted in light of the discovery of material control deficiencies;

 

(viii) Receive periodic reports from the Company’s independent auditors, management and director of the Company’s internal auditing department, if any, to assess the impact on the Company of significant accounting or financial reporting developments that may have a bearing on the Company;

 

(ix) Review and discuss with management and the independent auditors the results of the year-end audit of the Company, including any comments or recommendations of the Company’s independent auditors and, based on such review and discussions and on such other considerations as it determines appropriate, recommend to the Board whether the Company’s financial statements should be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K;

 

(x) Establish and maintain free and open means of communication between and among the Committee, the Company’s independent auditors and management, including providing such parties with appropriate opportunities to meet separately and privately with the Committee on a periodic basis;

 

(xi) Review the type and presentation of information to be included in the Company’s earnings press releases (especially the use of “pro forma” or “adjusted” information not prepared in compliance with GAAP), as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided by the Company to analysts and rating agencies (which review may be done generally (i.e., discussion of the types of information to be disclosed and type of presentations to be made), and the Committee need not discuss in advance each earnings release or each instance in which the Company may provide earnings guidance);

 

(d) Additional Duties

 

(i) Establish and implement policies and procedures for the Committee’s review and approval or disapproval of proposed transactions or courses of dealings with respect to which executive officers or directors or members of their immediate families have an interest (including all transactions required to be disclosed by Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”);

 

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(ii) Meet periodically with outside counsel when appropriate, to review legal and regulatory matters, including (i) any matters that may have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company and (ii) any matters involving potential or ongoing material violations of law or breaches of fiduciary duty by the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees, or agents or breaches of fiduciary duty to the Company;

 

(iii) Prepare the report required by the rules of the SEC to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement;

 

(iv) Review the Company’s policies relating to the ethical handling of conflicts of interest and review past or proposed transactions between the Company and members of management as well as policies and procedures with respect to officers’ expense accounts and perquisites, including the use of corporate assets. The Committee shall consider the results of any review of these policies and procedures by the Company’s independent auditors;

 

(v) Review and approve in advance any services provided by the Company’s independent auditors to the Company’s executive officers or members of their immediate family;

 

(vi) Review the Company’s program to monitor compliance with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”);

 

(vii) Establish procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

 

(viii) Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of reports of evidence of a material violation made by attorneys appearing and practicing before the SEC in the representation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or reports made by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer in relation thereto;

 

(ix) Approve reimbursement of expenses incurred by management in connection with certain activities conducted on the Company’s behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses;

 

(x) Secure independent expert advice to the extent the Committee determines it to be appropriate, including retaining, with or without Board approval, independent counsel, accountants, consultants or others, to assist the Committee in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities, the cost of such independent expert advisors to be borne by the Company;

 

(xi) Review and assess the adequacy of this Charter on an annual basis;

 

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(xii) Report regularly to the Board on its activities, as appropriate (in connection therewith, the Committee should review with the Board any issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, the performance and independence of the Company’s independent auditors, or the performance of the internal audit function);

 

(xiii) Perform such additional activities, and consider such other matters, within the scope of its responsibilities, as the Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate;

 

(xiv) Review, on a quarterly basis, all payments that were made by the Company to Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Chardan Gardiner LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and CCMAUS Pty Ltd, an Australia proprietary company limited by shares, the Company’s officers and directors or any of their respective affiliates;

 

(xv) Review with management, the independent auditors, and legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding the Company’s financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities;

 

(xvi) Review and approve (i) any amendment to or waiver from the Code and (ii) any public disclosure made regarding such amendment or waiver and advise the Board with respect to the Company’s policies and procedures regarding compliance with the Code; and

 

(xvii) Review and approve all Related Party Transactions in accordance with the policy set forth herein.

 

5. Related Party Transactions Policy

 

(a) Definitions

 

(i) A “Related Party Transaction” is any transaction directly or indirectly involving any Related Party that would need to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Under Item 404(a) of the Securities Act, the Company is required to disclose any transaction occurring since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year, or any currently proposed transaction, involving the Company where the amount involved exceeds $120,000 (or in the case of a smaller reporting company the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of the smaller reporting company’s total assets at year end for the last two completed fiscal years), and in which any Related Party had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. “Related Party Transaction” also includes any material amendment or modification to an existing Related Party Transaction.

 

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(ii) Related Party” means any of the following:

 

· a director (which term when used herein includes any director nominee) of the Company;

· an executive officer of the Company;

· a person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s common stock; or

· a person known by the Company to be an immediate family member of any of the foregoing.

 

(iii) Immediate family member” means a child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law of such director, executive officer, nominee for director or beneficial owner, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer, nominee for director or beneficial owner.

 

(b) Identification of Potential Related Party Transactions

 

Each of the Company’s directors and executive officers shall promptly inform the chairperson of the Committee of any potential Related Party Transactions. In addition, each such director and executive officer shall complete a questionnaire on an annual basis designed to elicit information about any potential Related Party Transactions.

 

Any potential Related Party Transactions that are brought to the Committee’s attention shall be analyzed by the Committee, in consultation with outside counsel or members of management, as appropriate, to determine whether the transaction or relationship does, in fact, constitute a Related Party Transaction requiring compliance with this policy.

 

(c) Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions

 

At each of its meetings, the Committee shall be provided with the details of each new, existing or proposed Related Party Transaction, including the terms of the transaction, any contractual restrictions that the Company has already committed to, the business purpose of the transaction, and the benefits to the Company and to the relevant Related Party. In determining whether to approve a Related Party Transaction, the Committee shall consider, among other factors, the following factors to the extent relevant to the Related Party Transaction:

 

(i) whether the terms of the Related Party Transaction are fair to the Company and on the same basis as would apply if the transaction did not involve a Related Party;

 

(ii) whether there are business reasons for the Company to enter into the Related Party Transaction;

 

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(iii) whether the Related Party Transaction would impair the independence of an outside director;

 

(iv) whether the Related Party Transaction would present an improper conflict of interest for any director or executive officer of the Company, taking into account the size of the transaction, the overall financial position of the director, executive officer or Related Party, the direct or indirect nature of the director’s, executive officer’s or Related Party’s interest in the transaction and the ongoing nature of any proposed relationship, and any other factors the Committee deems relevant; and

 

(v) any pre-existing contractual obligations.

 

Any member of the Committee who has an interest in the transaction under discussion shall abstain from voting on the approval of the Related Party Transaction, but may, if so requested by the chairperson of the Committee, participate in some or all of the Committee’s discussions of the Related Party Transaction. Upon completion of its review of the transaction, the Committee may determine to permit or to prohibit the Related Party Transaction. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present and the affirmative vote of a majority of our disinterested independent directors will be required in order to approve a Related Party Transaction. Without a meeting, the unanimous written consent of all of the members of the Committee will be required to approve a Related Party Transaction.

 

To further minimize potential conflicts of interest, the Company agrees not to consummate a business combination with an entity which is affiliated with any of its initial stockholders unless the Company obtains an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to its public stockholders from a financial point of view. Furthermore, other than the $10,000 per month general and administrative services fee payable to Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC and Chardan Gardiner LLC and the $30,500 per month aggregate consulting fees payable to David P. Jenkins, Marc F. Pelletier, Paul R. McGuirk, and Frank C. Sciavolino, in no event will any of the Company’s existing officers, directors or initial stockholders, or any entity with which they are affiliated, be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination.

 

6. Reporting

 

The Committee shall, on an annual basis and in coordination with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, evaluate its own performance. The evaluation shall address all matters that the Committee considers relevant to its performance, including a review and assessment of the adequacy of this Charter, and shall be conducted in such manner as the Committee deems appropriate.

 

The Committee should present to the Board its conclusions with respect to the above matters, including its review of the adequacy, performance, and continued independence of the independent auditors, and its views on whether there should be a regular rotation of the independent auditors.

 

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The Committee shall deliver to the Board a report, which may be oral, setting forth the results of its evaluation, including any recommended amendments to this Charter.

 

7. Resources

 

The Committee shall have the sole authority to retain and terminate advisors, at the Company’s expense, such as independent legal, accounting and other advisors, consultants or professionals as it deems necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.

 

The Committee shall have the sole authority to determine the terms of engagement and the extent of funding necessary (and to be provided by the Company) for payment of (a) compensation to the Company’s independent auditor engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company, (b) any compensation to any advisors retained to advise the Committee and (c) ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.

 

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Exhibit 99.3

 

GARDINER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS CORP.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

1. Purpose

 

The purposes of the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the “Company”) shall be to oversee the Company’s compensation and employee benefit plans and practices, including its executive compensation plans, and its incentive-compensation and equity-based plans; to review and discuss with management the Company’s compensation discussion and analysis (“CD&A”) to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement or annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); to prepare the Compensation Committee Report as required by the rules of the SEC; and to perform such further functions as may be consistent with this charter (this “Charter”) or assigned by applicable law, the Company’s certificate of incorporation (as amended from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and bylaws, or the Board.

 

While the members of the Committee have the duties and responsibilities set forth in this Charter, nothing contained in this Charter is intended to create, or should be construed as creating, any responsibility or liability of members of the Committee, except to the extent otherwise provided under applicable federal or state law.

 

2. Organization

 

The Committee shall consist of two or more independent directors as determined from time to time by the Board based on the recommendation of the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each member of the Committee shall be “independent” and qualified to serve on the Committee pursuant to the requirements of the Nasdaq, Inc. (the “Nasdaq”), subject to the applicable phase-in periods permitted by the rules of the Nasdaq, and any additional requirements that the Board deems appropriate. Members of the Committee shall also qualify as “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

The chairperson of the Committee shall be designated by the Board; provided that if the Board does not so designate a chairperson, the members of the Committee, by a majority vote, may designate a chairperson.

 

Any vacancy on the Committee shall be filled by majority vote of the Board. No member of the Committee shall be removed except by majority vote of the Board.

 

3. Meetings

 

The Committee shall meet as often as it determines necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities, but at least once annually. The Committee, in its discretion, may ask members of management or others to attend its meetings (or portions thereof) and to provide pertinent information as necessary; provided that the Chief Executive Officer of the Company may not be present during any portion of a Committee meeting in which deliberation or any vote regarding his or her compensation occurs.

 

 

 

 

A majority of the members of the Committee present in person or by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other shall constitute a quorum.

 

The Committee shall maintain minutes of its meetings and records relating to those meetings and shall report regularly to the Board on its activities, as appropriate.

 

4. Authority and Responsibilities

 

(a) Executive Compensation

 

The Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities with respect to the Company’s executive compensation plans:

 

(i) The Committee shall review and approve the corporate goals and objectives relevant to compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, evaluate the Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of those goals and objectives and, either as a Committee or together with other independent directors (as directed by the Board), determine and approve the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation level based on this evaluation. In determining the long-term incentive component of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, the Committee shall consider, among other factors, the Company’s performance and relative stockholder return, the value of similar incentive awards to chief executive officers at comparable companies, and the awards given to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer in past years.

 

(ii) The Committee shall set salaries and approve incentive compensation awards and equity compensation plan awards, as well as compensation policies for all officers, directors and other employees subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act as designated by the Board (other than the Chief Executive Officer, whose compensation is determined in accordance with paragraph (i) above).

 

(iii) To implement and administer the Company’s incentive compensation plans and to review on an annual basis the Company’s executive compensation policies and plans.

 

(iv) To evaluate annually the appropriate level of compensation for Board and Committee service by non-employee directors, and to make recommendations to the Board regarding such compensation.

 

(v) To review and approve any employment agreements, severance or termination arrangements and any other compensatory contracts or arrangements to be made with any executive officer of the Company.

 

(vi) To perform such duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Board or the Committee under the terms of any executive compensation plan.

 

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(vii) To review and approve perquisites or other personal benefits to the Company’s executive officers and directors and recommend any changes to the Board.

 

(viii) To consider the results of the most recent shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation as required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act and, to the extent the Committee determines it appropriate to do so, take such results into consideration in connection with the review and approval of executive officer compensation.

 

(ix) To review and discuss with management the Company’s CD&A, and based on that review and discussion, to recommend to the Board that the CD&A be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement or annual report on Form 10-K, as applicable.

 

(x) To review compensation arrangements for the Company’s employees to evaluate whether incentive and other forms of pay encourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking, and review and discuss, at least annually, the relationship between risk management policies and practices, corporate strategy and the Company’s compensation arrangements.

 

(xi) To the extent it deems necessary, review and approve the terms of any compensation “clawback” or similar policy or agreement between the Company and the Company’s executive officers or other employees subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

(xii) To prepare the Compensation Committee Report in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC for inclusion in the Company’s annual proxy statement or annual report on Form 10-K, as applicable.

 

(xiii) To perform such other functions as assigned by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Board.

 

(b) General Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans

 

The Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities with respect to the Company’s general compensation and employee benefit plans, including incentive-compensation and equity-based plans:

 

(i) To review at least annually the goals and objectives of the Company’s general compensation plans and other employee benefit plans, including incentive-compensation and equity-based plans, and amend, or recommend that the Board amend, these goals and objectives if the Committee deems it appropriate.

 

(ii) To review at least annually the Company’s general compensation plans and other employee benefit plans, including incentive-compensation and equity-based plans, in light of the goals and objectives of these plans, and recommend that the Board amend these plans if the Committee deems it appropriate.

 

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(iii) To review all equity-compensation plans to be submitted for shareholder approval under the Nasdaq listing standards, and to review and, in the Committee’s sole discretion, approve all equity-compensation plans that are exempt from such shareholder approval requirement.

 

(iv) To perform such duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Board or the Committee under the terms of any compensation or other employee benefit plan, including any incentive-compensation or equity-based plan.

 

5. Delegation of Authority

 

The Committee may form subcommittees for any purpose that the Committee deems appropriate and may delegate to such subcommittees such power and authority as the Committee deems appropriate; provided, however, that no subcommittee shall consist of fewer than two members; and provided further that the Committee shall not delegate to a subcommittee any power or authority required by any law, regulation or listing standard to be exercised by the Committee as a whole.

 

6. Reporting

 

The Committee shall, no less frequently than annually, evaluate its performance. In conducting this review, the Committee shall evaluate whether this Charter appropriately addresses the matters that are or should be within its scope and shall recommend such changes as it deems necessary or appropriate.

 

The Committee shall address all matters that the Committee considers relevant to its performance, including at least the following: the adequacy, appropriateness and quality of the information and recommendations presented by the Committee to the Board, the manner in which they were discussed or debated, and whether the number and length of meetings of the Committee were adequate for the Committee to complete its work in a thorough and thoughtful manner.

 

The Committee shall deliver to the Board a report, which may be oral, setting forth the results of its evaluation, including any recommended amendments to this Charter and any recommended changes to the Company’s or the Board’s policies or procedures.

 

7. Resources

 

The Committee may conduct or authorize investigations into or studies of matters within the Committee’s scope of responsibilities, and may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser. The Committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser retained by the Committee, the expense of which shall be borne by the Company. The Committee may select a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser to the Committee only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that person’s independence from management, including the following:

 

(a) The provision of other services to the Company by the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser;

 

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(b) The amount of fees received from the Company by the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser, as a percentage of the total revenue of the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser;

 

(c) The policies and procedures of the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest;

 

(d) Any business or personal relationship of the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser with a member of the Committee;

 

(e) Any stock or other securities of the Company owned by the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser; and

 

(f) Any business or personal relationship of the compensation consultant, legal counsel, other adviser or the person employing the adviser with an executive officer of the Company.

 

The Committee shall conduct the independence assessment with respect to any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser that provides advice to the Committee, other than: (i) in-house legal counsel; and (ii) any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser whose role is limited to the following activities for which no disclosure would be required under Item 407(e)(3)(iii) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended: (x) consulting on any broad-based plan that does not discriminate in scope, terms, or operation, in favor of executive officers or directors of the Company, and that is available generally to all salaried employees; or (y) providing information that either is not customized for the Company or that is customized based on parameters that are not developed by the compensation consultant, and about which the compensation consultant does not provide advice.

 

Nothing herein requires a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other compensation adviser to be independent, only that the Committee consider the enumerated independence factors before selecting or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other compensation adviser. The Committee may select or receive advice from any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other compensation adviser it prefers, including ones that are not independent, after considering the six independence factors outlined above.

 

Nothing herein shall be construed: (1) to require the Committee to implement or act consistently with the advice or recommendations of the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser to the Committee; or (2) to affect the ability or obligation of the Committee to exercise its own judgment in fulfillment of its duties.

 

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