Registration Statement No. 333-          

 

AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 11, 2016

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   3851   47-4428421

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

 Identification No.)

 

15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200

San Diego, California 92128

Telephone: 858-605-9055

Telecopier: (858) 630-5543

(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)

 

Michael Favish, Chief Executive Officer

15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200

San Diego, California 92128

Telephone: 858-605-9055

Telecopier: (858) 630-5543

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

 

Copy to:

 

  Elliot H. Lutzker, Esq.
  Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, LLP
  605 Third Avenue, 34 th Floor
  New York, New York 10158
  Telephone: (212) 557-7200
  Telecopier: (212) 286-1884

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Sale to the Public:  As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

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.   þ

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) 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(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, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨ Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨ Smaller reporting company þ
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)      

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Shares to be

Registered

   

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price

per Security(1)

   

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering

Price (1)

   

Amount of

Registration

Fee (1)

 
Common Stock, par value $.001     21,906,396 shs     $ 0.60 (2)   $ 13,143,837.60     $ 1,323.58  
Shares of Common Stock, par value  $.001 underlying Warrants     1,435,166 shs  (3)(4)   $ 0.54 (5)   $ 777,989.51     $ 78.34  
Shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 underlying promissory notes     1,264,997 shs  (4)(6)   $ 0.47 (5)   $ 595,689.32     $ 59.99  
TOTAL     24,606,559 shs     $     $ 14,517,516.43     $ 1,461.91  

 

(1) This offering price is solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) and is based, in part, upon the last private sale of the Company’s common stock.
(2) Based on the last sale price of the Company’s common stock.
(3) Shares issuable upon exercise of warrants held by Selling Securityholders.
(4) Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement shall be deemed to cover additional securities (i) to be offered or issued in connection with any provision of any securities purported to be registered hereby pursuant to terms which provide for a change in the amount of securities being offered or issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends, or similar transactions and (ii) of the same class as the securities covered by this registration statement issued or   issuable prior to completion of the distribution of the securities covered by this registration statement as a result of a split of, or a stock dividend on, the registered securities.
(5) Pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Act, the offering price is based upon the respective, average exercise or conversion price.
(6) Shares issuable upon conversion of promissory notes, and related interest, held by Selling Securityholders, one note of which was sold on April 1, 2015 for $500,000 convertible upon certain going public events, and four notes that were sold during the current private placement each of different amounts that are automatically convertible upon going public events.

 

This 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 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 11, 2016

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed.  The Selling Securityholders 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 we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Prospectus

 

24,606,559 Shares of Common Stock

 

GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC.

 

This prospectus relates to the sale by the selling securityholders (the “Selling Securityholders”) of Guardion Health Sciences, Inc. (the “Company” or “Guardion”) as identified in this prospectus of up to 21,906,396 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, 1,435,166 shares issuable upon exercise of common stock purchase warrants and 1,264,997 shares issuable upon conversion of promissory notes. See “Selling Securityholders.” This is the initial public offering of Guardian Health Sciences, Inc. 

 

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

The Selling Securityholders and any broker-dealers that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” as that term is defined in Section 2(11) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our shares of common stock.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” under the Federal Securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements as set forth on page 4 of this prospectus.  The shares will be sold by the Selling Securityholders on an immediate and continuing basis. We intend to seek a listing of our common stock on the OTCQB, which is maintained by OTC Markets Group.

 

Investing in our common stock is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus before making a decision to purchase our common stock.

 

The Date of this prospectus is _______________, 2016

 

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The prices at which the Selling Securityholders may sell shares will be determined by the prevailing market price for the shares or in negotiated transactions. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of these shares by the Selling Securityholders. However, we will receive proceeds from the exercise of the warrants if they are exercised for cash by the Selling Securityholders.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement. No one has been authorized to provide you with different information. The shares are not being offered in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of such documents.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page No.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 3
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 7
   
RISK FACTORS 7
   
USE OF PROCEEDS 19
   
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 19
   
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 20
   
BUSINESS 30
   
MANAGEMENT 38
   
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 39
   
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE 40
   
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS 40
   
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 47
   
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES 48
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 50
   
LEGAL MATTERS 50
   
EXPERTS 50
   
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-1

  

  2  

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

The following summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our historical financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. In this prospectus, unless otherwise noted, the terms “the Company,” “GHS,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

 

The Company

 

Overview

 

We are a specialty health sciences company that develops, formulates and distributes condition-specific medical foods with an initial medical food product that addresses a depleted macular protective pigment, which is a biomarker and leading cause of age-related macular degeneration (“AMD”), as well as computer vision syndrome (“CVS”). We have also developed a proprietary medical device that accurately measures the macular pigment density.

 

We currently develop and distribute a line of medical foods that restores the macular protective pigment to address AMD and CVS under the brand name Lumega-Z®. We are using our own proprietary patent-pending technology embodied in a medical device called the MapcatSF TM that measures the macular pigment. The MapcatSF is a patent-pending, non-mydriatic, non-invasive device that accurately measures the macular protective pigment density, thereby creating an evidence-based protocol that is shared with the patient. For the past three years, the clinic prototypes have been fully tested on patients, allowing for frequent modifications of the device’s algorithms and retesting for accuracy, as well as to provide the inclusion of additional features not previously considered in the initial prototype. The alpha prototype, which is the pre-commercial production version, was unveiled for the first time in July 2013 in Cambridge, United Kingdom, to all the researchers and scientists from around the world. The MapcatSF is manufactured and assembled in Irvine, California, and will be distributed from our national headquarters in San Diego. The marketing of the device will be implemented through continuing education presentations conducted by our key opinion leaders. The device is currently classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) as a Class I medical device which does not require pre-market approval.

 

Lumega-Z is now the first liquid ocular health formula to be classified as a medical food (as defined in Section 5(b) of the “Orphan Drug Act”). Lumega-Z has a patent-pending, critical ingredient that replenishes and restores the macular protective pigment simultaneously delivering critical and essential nutrients to the eye. Formulated by Dr. Sheldon Hendler in 2010, modifications were made over a two-year period to improve the taste and method of delivery. The current formulation has been delivered to patients and used in clinics for the past three years. Patients who have taken Lumega-Z for a minimum period of three months have usually experienced an increase in their Macular Protective Pigment and noticeable halt in the progression of their AMD. Testimonials have been reported weekly regarding a noticeable improvement in their glare and contrast sensitivity. Over 250 patients have been set–up on an auto ship program for delivery every four weeks, which is primarily generated from three beta clinics. Our operations, to date, indicate that each MapcatSF deployed in a clinic generates an average of 75 new customers for our Lumega-Z product over a period of approximately 90 days when a MapcatSF is deployed in a small, low volume clinic. A larger, higher volume clinic is expected to generate a larger number of patients in a shorter period of time.

 

AMD is the leading cause of blindness in the world. More than 11 million people in the United States suffer from various forms of this incurable disease, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation. As the population ages, that number is expected to triple by 2025. Congress, the Food and Drug Administration ( “FDA” ), the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services and private insurance companies are focusing increased efforts on pharmacovigilance (the branch of the pharmaceutical industry which assesses and monitors the safety of drugs either in the development pipeline or which have already been approved for marketing) to measure and reduce these adverse health consequences. We believe that there is an increasing level of acceptance of medical foods as a primary therapy by patients and healthcare providers to treat pain syndromes, sleep and cognitive disorders, obesity, hypertension, and viral infection. In clinical practice, medical foods are being prescribed as both a standalone therapy and as an adjunct therapy to low doses of commonly prescribed drugs.

 

Medical foods are neither dietary nor nutritional supplements. We believe that medical foods will continue to grow in importance over the coming years. From a regulatory standpoint, the FDA took steps in 1988 to encourage the development of medical foods by regulating this product category under the Orphan Drug Act. The term “medical food” as defined in Section 5(b) of the Orphan Drug Act is a “food which is formulated to be consumed or administered internally (by mouth) under the supervision of a physician and which is intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation.” This definition was incorporated by reference into the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990.

 

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These regulatory changes have reduced the costs and time associated with bringing medical foods to market. Until 1972, medical foods were categorized as drugs and then as “foods for special dietary purposes” until 1988. The field of candidates for development into medical foods is always expanding due to continuing advances in the understanding of the science of nutrition and disease, coupled with advances in food technology increasing the number of products that can be formulated and commercialized.

 

Corporate Strategy

 

Since there are no research-validated pharmaceutical offerings for slowing the progression of adult macular degeneration (“AMD”), it is necessary for physicians to recommend Age-Related Eye Disease Study (“AREDS”)-based supplements to their AMD patients. However, more than 90% of all AREDS-based nutritional products currently on the market are in tablet form. As previously discussed, tablets are difficult to administer and have a low efficiency of absorption. For this reason, some doctors may hesitate to prescribe tablet form AREDS-based nutraceuticals despite the fact that is all they have available to them.

 

Lumega-Z addresses this concern. In contrast, Lumega-Z is formulated using a proprietary molecular micronization process (“MMP”) to maximize efficiency of absorption and safety and to minimize compatibility issues.

 

Medical Foods Products Industry Overview

 

The science of nutrition was long overlooked and underdeveloped and has now shown that the sick and elderly have special nutritional needs that cannot be met by traditional adult diets. Medical nutrition has emerged as an attractive segment in the food industry today.

 

A number of diseases are associated with metabolic imbalances and that patients in treatment have specific nutritional requirements. Some examples are ocular health, pain syndromes, insomnia, cognitive disorders, IBS, and heart disease. Many older Americans have or will develop chronic diseases that are amenable to the dietary management benefits of medical foods. Medical foods help address these diseases and conditions in a drug-free way with food-based ingredients, yet are a medical product taken under supervision by a physician. The term “medical foods” does not pertain to all foods fed to sick patients. Medical foods are foods that are specially formulated and processed (as opposed to a naturally occurring foodstuff used in a natural state) for patients who are seriously ill or who require s the product as a major treatment modality according to FDA regulations.

 

Medical foods consist of food-based ingredients that are part of the normal human diet and are Generally Recognized as Safe (“GRAS”) under FDA standards. Medical foods must make disease claims for which there is scientific evidence for the nutrient deficiencies that cannot be corrected by normal diet. Medical foods are intended for a vulnerable population suffering from a particular chronic disease and so have special, extra-rigorous guarantees of safety. All ingredients must be designated GRAS and used in therapeutic concentrations to address the particular nutritional needs of the patient. Medical foods are taken under the supervision of a physician or professional healthcare provider who monitors and adjusts the food ‘dosage.’ In addition, under FDA guidelines and congressionally approved laws medical foods do not require FDA preapproval but undergo continuous FDA monitoring and approval of label claims. Even though pre-market FDA approval is not required for a medical food, the official requirements and responsibilities for the manufacturer, in terms of safety, are greater than for dietary supplements, including solid scientific support for the formula as a whole. For these reasons, medical foods have greater guarantees of efficacy. In contradistinction, dietary supplements, such as vitamins, minerals and botanicals, do not require FDA preapproval, cannot make disease claims, are intended for normal people without disease and cannot claim that they prevent, mitigate or treat a given disease. Dietary supplements do not require physician supervision and can be administered to a person that can self-administer the supplement without supervision. 

 

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

 

As a company with less than $1.0 billion in revenue during our most recently completed fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. As an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise applicable, in general, to public companies that are not emerging growth companies. These provisions include:

 

· Reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements;
· No non-binding shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements;
· Exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting; and
· Reduced disclosure of financial information in this prospectus, limited to two years of audited financial information and two years of selected financial information.

 

As a smaller reporting company, each of the foregoing exemptions is currently available to us. We may take advantage of these exemptions for up to five years or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would cease to be an emerging growth company if we have more than $1.0 billion in annual revenues as of the end of a fiscal year, if we are deemed to be a large-accelerated filer under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), or if we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year-period.

 

The JOBS Act permits an emerging growth company to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. Therefore, we will not be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.  

 

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Corporate Information

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc. was formed under the name P4L Health Sciences, LLC in December, 2009 in California as a limited liability company. The Company changed its name to Guardion Health Sciences, LLC (“GHS”) in December 2009. In June 2015, GHS became a Delaware “C” corporation. The Company’s address is 15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92128. Our telephone number is 858-605-9055. Our website is: www.guardionhealth.com. The information on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus, and you should not rely on any such information in making the decision whether to purchase our common stock.

 

The Offering

 

Common Stock Offered

An aggregate of 24,606,559 shares are being offered by the Selling Securityholders; consisting of 21,906,396 shares issued and outstanding; 1,435,166 shares underlying common stock purchase warrants, and 1,264,997 shares underlying promissory notes.

 

Common Stock Outstanding (1) 21,906,396.
   
Use of Proceeds We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the Selling Securityholders.  Any proceeds received from the exercise of warrants by Selling Securityholders will be used for working capital purposes.  See “Use of Proceeds.”
   
Dividend Policy We have never declared any cash dividends on our common stock.  We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in financing the growth of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future.  See “Dividend Policy.”
   
Trading Symbol We intend to seek a listing of our common stock on the OTCQB, which is maintained by OTC Markets Group under the symbol “GHSC” if available.
   
Risk Factors You should carefully consider the information set forth in this prospectus and, in particular, the specific factors set forth in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 6 of this prospectus before deciding whether or not to invest in our common stock.

 

(1) Does not include 1,435,166 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants and 1,264,997 shares issuable upon conversion of promissory notes.

 

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Summary Financial Information

 

The following summary financial and operating data set forth below should be read in conjunction with our financial statements, the notes thereto and the other information contained in this prospectus. The summary statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 have been derived from our audited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary balance sheet data as of September 30, 2015, and the statement of operations data for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, have been derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus The unaudited financial statements were prepared on a basis consistent with our audited financial statements and include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the financial information contained in those statements. The historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of financial results to be achieved in future periods.

 

Statement of Operations Data:

 

    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Years Ended
December 31,
 
    2015     2014     2014     2013  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)              
                         
Revenue   $ 86,802     $ 132,655     $ 164,582     $ 260,356  
                                 
Cost of goods sold     36,865       121,203       145,529       168,878  
                                 
Gross profit     49.937       11,452       19,053       91,478  
                                 
Operating expenses:                                
Research and development (including $342,000 of stock-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2015)     386,673       46,711       43,436       259,786  
Sales and marketing     40,574       30,442       46,768       51,600  
General and administrative (including $3,937,233 of stock-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, of which $464,557 was to related parties)     4,662,643       462,365       638,002       616,703  
                                 
Total operating expenses     5,089,890       539,518       728,206       928,089  
                                 
Loss from operations     (5,039,953 )     (528,066 )     (709,153 )     (836,611 )
                                 
Other expenses:                                
Interest expense     640,351       443,457       611,339       406,067  
Cost to induce conversion of notes payable     1,699,609       -       -       -  
Loss on settlement of debt     258,606       -       -       -  
                                 
Total other expenses     2,598,566       443,457       611,339       406,067  
                                 
Net loss   $ (7,638,519 )   $ (971,523 )   $ (1,320,492 )   $ (1,242,678 )
Basic and diluted net loss per common share   $ (0.51 )   $ (0.09 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.12 )
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding     14,894,883       10,821,827       10,821,827       10,711,515  

 

 

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Balance Sheet Data:

 

    As of 
September 30,
    As of 
December 31,
 
    2015     2015     2014  
                   
Balance Sheet Data:                        
Cash   $ 24,497     $ 6,160     $ 22,877  
Property, plant, and equipment, net     185,827       214,166       249,121  
Working capital     (508,727 )     (1,554,609 )     (236,480 )
Total assets     290,881       273,876       462,645  
Current portion of convertible note payable     40,584       693,133       36,850  
Current portion of convertible notes payable related party             347,645       38,570  
Current portion of promissory notes payable             3,762       35,000  
Convertible notes payable     510,274       382,109       685,828  
Convertible notes payable related party     -       104,996       258,062  
Promissory notes payable     -       3,762       -  
Stockholders’ deficit     (812,704 )     (1,812,633 )     (902,141 )

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We will distribute annual reports to our stockholders, including financial statements audited and reported on by a registered public accounting firm. Any or all reports and other documents we will file with the SEC, as well as any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the registration statement we filed with the SEC registering for resale the shares of our common stock being offered pursuant to this prospectus, are available at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov, as well as our website www.guardionhealth.com. If you do not have Internet access, requests for copies of such documents should be directed to Vincent J. Roth, the Company’s General Counsel, at Guardion Health Sciences, Inc., 15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92128; Tel: 858-605-9055.

 

Statements contained in this prospectus concerning the provisions of any documents are summaries of those documents, and we refer you to the documents filed with the SEC for more information. This registration statement and any of its amendments, including exhibits filed as a part of this registration statement or an amendment to this registration statement are available for inspection and copying as described above.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Prospective investors should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information included or referred to in this prospectus, before purchasing shares of our common stock. There are numerous and varied risks that may prevent us from achieving our goals. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations may be materially adversely affected. In such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline and investors in our common stock could lose all or part of their investment.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

Our recurring operating losses have raised substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The Company has sustained recurring operating losses, which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The perception of our ability to continue as a going concern may make it more difficult for us to obtain financing for the continuation of our operations and could result in the loss of confidence by investors, suppliers and employees. Our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the Financial Statements the continuation of the Company as a going concern is dependent upon the Company raising additional debt and equity financing to fund future operations and to provide additional working capital. Our independent registered public accounting firm has included an explanatory paragraph expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern in their audit report for the year ended December 31, 2014. If we are unable to raise additional capital, the Company will be forced to suspend or terminate operations and, in all likelihood, cause investors to lose their entire investment.

 

We have significant working capital requirements and have historically experienced negative working capital balances. If we continue to experience such negative working capital balances in the future, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

As a result of our continued losses, the Company’s current liabilities significantly exceed current assets, resulting in negative working capital of approximately $508,727 at September 30, 2015.  The Company is dependent upon obtaining additional financing to meet working capital needs and repay outstanding debt. Since our formation, the Company has relied on convertible notes from unrelated parties to fund its operating cash flow deficits. There is no assurance that we will generate the necessary net income or operating cash flows to meet our working capital requirements and pay our debt as it becomes due in the future due to a variety of factors and other factors discussed in this “Risk Factors” section. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to successfully take any of these actions, including adjusting expenses sufficiently or in a timely manner, or raising additional equity, increasing borrowings or completing a refinancing on any terms or on terms that are acceptable to us. Our inability to take these actions as and when necessary would materially adversely affect our liquidity, results of operations, financial condition and ability to operate.

 

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Our future success is largely dependent on the successful commercialization of Lumega-Z and the MapcatSF.

 

The future success of our business is largely dependent upon the successful commercialization of our medical food, Lumega-Z, and our medical device, the MapcatSF. We are dedicating a substantial amount of our resources to advance Lumega-Z and certain resources to advance MapcatSF as aggressively as possible over the next twelve months. If we encounter difficulties in the commercialization of Lumega-Z or the MapcatSF, we will not have the resources necessary to continue our business in its current form. If we are unable to establish and maintain adequate sales, marketing and distribution capabilities or enter into or maintain agreements with third parties to do so, we may be unable to successfully commercialize our products. We believe we are creating an efficient commercial organization, taking advantage of outsourcing options where prudent to maximize the effectiveness of our commercial expenditures. However, we may not be able to correctly judge the size and experience of the sales and marketing force and the scale of distribution necessary to be successful. Establishing and maintaining sales, marketing, and distribution capabilities are expensive and time-consuming. Such expenses may be disproportionate compared to the revenues we may be able to generate on sales of Lumega-Z or licensing fees or sales of the MapcatSF. If this occurs, it will have an adverse impact on operations and ability to fund any future development.

 

We have limited experience in developing medical foods and medical devices, and we may be unable to commercialize some of the products we develop.

 

Development and commercialization of medical foods and medical devices involves a lengthy and complex process. We have limited experience in developing products and have only one commercialized product on the market. In addition, no one has ever developed or commercialized a medical device like the MapcatSF, and we cannot assure you that it is possible to develop or commercialize Lumega-Z or the MapcatSF or that we will be successful in doing so.

 

Even if we develop products for commercial use, these products may not be accepted by the medical and pharmaceutical marketplaces or be capable of being offered at prices that will enable us to become profitable. We cannot assure you that our products will be approved by regulatory authorities, if required, or ultimately prove to be useful for commercial markets, meet applicable regulatory standards, or be successfully marketed.

 

We and our suppliers and manufacturers are subject to a number of existing laws, regulations and industry initiatives and the regulatory environment of the healthcare industry is continuing to change. If it is determined that we or our suppliers or manufacturers are not in compliance with the laws and regulations to which we are subject, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

As a participant in the healthcare industry, our operations and relationships, and those of our customers, are regulated by a number of federal, state and local governmental entities and our products must be capable of being used by our customers in a manner that complies with those laws and regulations. Inability of our customers to do so could affect the marketability of our products or our compliance with our customer contracts, or even expose us to direct liability on a theory that we had assisted our customers in a violation of healthcare laws or regulations. Because of our business relationships with physicians and professional healthcare providers, and since our product, Lumega-Z is a medical food and our product, the MapcatSF, is a medical device, a number of regulations are implicated. For example, from FDA’s perspective, a drug cures, treats, or mitigates the effects or symptoms of a specific disease. A medical food manages a specific disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation. While we believe Lumega-Z is a medical food, if the FDA was to determine Lumega-Z to be a drug, the Company and the product would be subject to additional FDA regulation. Similarly, while we believe the MapcatSF is a safe medical device, with a very low potential risk of injury to a patient, we believe the MapcatSF is correctly classified as a Class I medical device, which does not require any premarket approval. If, however, the FDA were to determine that the MapcatSF is a Class II medical device, the Company and the product would be subject to additional regulatory requirements. We cannot anticipate how changes in regulation or determinations by regulatory agencies may evolve. Thus, application of many state and federal regulations to our business operations is uncertain. Further, there are federal and state fraud and abuse laws, including anti-kickback laws and limitations on physician referrals and laws related to off-label promotion of prescription drugs that may or may not be directly or indirectly applicable to our operations and relationships or the business practices of our customers. It is possible that a review of our business practices or those of our customers by courts or regulatory authorities could result in a determination that may adversely affect us. In addition, the healthcare regulatory environment may change in a way that restricts our existing operations or our growth. The healthcare industry is expected to continue to undergo significant changes for the foreseeable future, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We cannot predict the effect of possible future legislation and regulation.

 

We may be subject to fines, penalties, injunctions and other sanctions if we are deemed to be promoting the use of our products as a drug.

 

Our business and future growth depend on the development, use and ultimate sale of products that are subject to FDA regulation, clearance and approval. Under the U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other laws, we are prohibited from promoting our products for treatment of a condition or disease. This means that we may not make claims about the usefulness or effectiveness or expected outcome of use of our products for any particular condition or disease and may not proactively discuss or provide information on the use of our products, except as allowed by the FDA.

 

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There is a risk that the FDA or other federal or state law enforcement authorities could determine that the nature and scope of our sales and marketing activities may constitute the promotion of our products for use as a drug in violation of applicable law. We also face the risk that the FDA or other regulatory authorities might pursue enforcement based on past activities that we have discontinued or changed, including sales activities, arrangements with institutions and doctors, educational and training programs and other activities.

 

Government investigations are typically expensive, disruptive and burdensome and generate negative publicity. If our promotional activities are found to be in violation of applicable law or if we agree to a settlement in connection with an enforcement action, we would likely face significant fines and penalties and would likely be required to substantially change our sales, promotion and educational activities. In addition, were any enforcement actions against us or our senior officers to arise, we could be excluded from participation in U.S. government healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

 

  A key part of our business strategy is to establish collaborative relationships to commercialize and develop our product candidates. We may not succeed in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships, which may significantly limit our ability to develop and commercialize our products successfully, if at all.

 

 A key part of our business strategy is to establish collaborative relationships to commercialize and fund development of our product candidates. We may not be able to negotiate additional collaborations on acceptable terms, if at all, and if we do enter into collaborations, these collaborations may not be successful. Our current and future success depends in part on our ability to enter into successful collaboration arrangements. If we are unable to establish and maintain collaborative relationships on acceptable terms or to successfully transition terminated collaborative agreements, we may have to delay or discontinue further development of one or more of our product candidates, undertake development and commercialization activities at our own expense or find alternative sources of capital. Consequently, if we are unable to enter into, maintain or extend successful collaborations, our business may be harmed.

 

Our long-term success may depend upon the successful development and commercialization of products other than Lumega-Z and the MapcatSF.

 

 Our long-term viability and growth may depend upon the successful development and commercialization of products other than Lumega-Z and the MapcatSF. Product development and commercialization is very expensive and involves a high degree of risk. Only a small number of research and development programs result in the commercialization of a product. Product development is a complex, time-consuming and expensive process. If we fail to adequately manage the research, development, execution and regulatory aspects of new product development we may fail to launch new products altogether.

 

  Government agencies may establish usage guidelines that directly apply to our products or proposed products or change legislation or regulations to which we are subject.

 

Government usage guidelines typically address matters such as usage and dose, among other factors. Application of these guidelines could limit the use of our products and products that we may develop. In addition, there can be no assurance that government regulations applicable to our products or proposed products or the interpretation thereof will not change and thereby prevent the marketing of some or all of our products for a period of time or permanently. The FDA’s policies may change and additional government regulations may be enacted that could modify, prevent, delay or change the regulatory approval required of our products. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of adverse government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action, either in the U.S. or in other countries.

 

  The pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries are characterized by patent litigation and any litigation or claim against us may cause us to incur substantial costs, and could place a significant strain on our financial resources, divert the attention of management from our business and harm our reputation.

 

 While we are not a pharmaceutical or a biotechnology company, as a health sciences company, our medical foods or our medical device may come into competition with products in the medical foods and related industries, such as pharmaceuticals, biologics or dietary supplements. There has been substantial litigation in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries with respect to the manufacture, use and sale of new products that are the subject of conflicting patent rights. For the most part, these lawsuits relate to the validity, enforceability and infringement of patents. We expect that we will rely upon patents, trade secrets, know-how, continuing technological innovations and licensing opportunities to develop and maintain our competitive position. We may find it necessary to initiate claims to defend our intellectual property rights as a result. Other parties may have issued patents or be issued patents that may prevent the sale of our products or know-how or require us to license such patents and pay significant fees or royalties to produce our products. In addition, future patents may issue to third parties which our technology may infringe. Because patent applications can take many years to issue, there may be applications now pending of which we are unaware that may later result in issued patents that our products may infringe.

 

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 Intellectual property litigation, regardless of outcome, is expensive and time-consuming, could divert management’s attention from our business and have a material negative effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. If such a dispute were to be resolved against us, we may be required to pay substantial damages, including treble damages and attorney’s fees if we were to be found to have willfully infringed a third party’s patent, to the party claiming infringement, develop non-infringing technology, stop selling any products we develop, cease using technology that contains the allegedly infringing intellectual property or enter into royalty or license agreements that may not be available on acceptable or commercially practical terms, if at all. Our failure to develop non-infringing technologies or license the proprietary rights on a timely basis could harm our business. Modification of any products we develop or development of new products thereafter could require us to become subject to other requirements of the FDA and other regulatory bodies, which could be time-consuming and expensive. In addition, parties making infringement claims may be able to obtain an injunction that would prevent us from selling any products we develop, which could harm our business.

 

Our competitors may develop products similar to Lumega-Z, and we may therefore need to modify or alter our business strategy, which may delay the achievement of our goals.

 

 Competitors may develop products with similar characteristics to Lumega-Z. Such similar products marketed by larger competitors could hinder our efforts to penetrate the market. As a result, we may be forced to modify or alter our business and regulatory strategy and sales and marketing plans, as a response to changes in the market, competition and technology limitations, among others. Such modifications may pose additional delays in achieving our goals.

 

  If we are unable to develop our own sales, marketing and distribution capabilities, or if we are not successful in contracting with third parties for these services on favorable terms, or at all, revenues from any products we develop could be limited.

 

 We currently have limited sales, marketing and distribution capabilities. To commercialize our products successfully, we have to develop more robust capabilities internally or collaborate with third parties that can perform these services for us. In the process of commercializing our products, we may not be able to hire the necessary experienced personnel and build sales, marketing and distribution operations capable of successfully launching new products and generating sufficient product revenues. In addition, establishing such operations takes time and involves significant expense.

 

If we decide to enter into co-promotion or other licensing arrangements with third parties, we may be unable to identify acceptable partners because the number of potential partners is limited and because of competition from others for similar alliances with potential partners. Even if we are able to identify one or more acceptable partners, we may not be able to enter into any partnering arrangements on favorable terms, or at all. If we enter into any partnering arrangements, our revenues are likely to be lower than if we marketed and sold our products ourselves.

 

 In addition, any revenues we receive would depend upon our partners’ efforts which may not be adequate due to lack of attention or resource commitments, management turnover, and change of strategic focus, further business combinations or other factors outside of our control. Depending upon the terms of our agreements, the remedies we have against an under-performing partner may be limited. If we were to terminate the relationship, it may be difficult or impossible to find a replacement partner on acceptable terms, or at all.

 

If we cannot compete successfully for market share against other companies, we may not achieve sufficient product revenues and our business will suffer.

 

 The market for our products and product candidates is characterized by competition and technological advances. If our products are unable to capture and maintain market share, we may not achieve sufficient product revenues and our business will suffer.

 

 We will compete for market share against fully integrated medical food and medical device companies or other companies that develop products independently or collaborate with larger pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, government agencies and other public and private research organizations. In addition, many of these competitors, either alone or together with their collaborative partners, have substantially greater capital resources, larger research and development staffs and facilities, and greater financial resources than we do, as well as significantly greater experience in:

 

  developing medical foods and medical devices;
     
  conducting product testing and studies;
     
  complying with regulatory requirements;
     
  formulating and manufacturing products; and
     
  launching, marketing, distributing and selling products.
     

Our competitors may:

 

  develop and patent processes or products earlier than we will;
     
  develop and commercialize products that are less expensive or more efficient than our products;
     
  Comply with regulatory requirements more rapidly than us; or
     
  improve upon existing technological approaches or develop new or different approaches that render our technology or products obsolete or uncompetitive.

 

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If we are unable to compete successfully against current or future competitors, we may be unable to obtain market acceptance for any product candidates that we create, which could prevent us from generating revenues or achieving profitability and could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

 

We may be unsuccessful in expanding our product distribution outside the United States.

 

To the extent we begin to offer our products outside the United States, we expect that we may be dependent on third-party distribution relationships. Distributors may not commit the necessary resources to market and sell our products to the level of our expectations. If distributors do not perform adequately, or we are unable to locate distributors in particular geographic areas, our ability to realize long-term international revenue growth would be materially adversely affected.

 

Additionally, our products may require regulatory clearances and approvals from jurisdictions outside the United States. We expect that we will be subject to and required to comply with local regulatory requirements before selling our products in those jurisdictions. We are not certain that we will be able to obtain these clearances or approvals or compliance requirements on a timely basis, or at all.

 

Manufacturing risks and inefficiencies may adversely affect our ability to produce products.

 

We engage third parties to manufacture our products in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis, while maintaining product quality and acceptable manufacturing costs and complying with regulatory requirements. In determining the required quantities of our products and the manufacturing schedule, we must make significant judgments and estimates based on historical experience, inventory levels, current market trends and other related factors. Because of the inherent nature of estimates, there could be significant differences between our estimates and the actual amounts of products we require. If we are unable to obtain from one or more of our vendors the needed materials or components that meet our specifications on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, we may not be able to meet the demand for our products. We have not arranged for alternate suppliers, and it may be difficult to find alternate suppliers in a timely manner and on terms acceptable to us.

 

Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information and expose us to liability, which would cause our business and reputation to suffer.

 

In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including intellectual property, our proprietary business information and that of our customers and business partners, including personally identifiable information of our customers, some of which is stored on our network and some of which is stored with our third-party E-commerce vendor. Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to operator error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Any such breach could compromise our network and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, disrupt our operations, and damage our reputation, which could adversely affect our business.

 

Our products and facility and the facilities of our manufacturers are subject to federal laws and regulations and certain requirements in the State of California. Failure to comply with any law or regulation could result in penalties and restrictions on our manufacturers’ ability to manufacture and our ability to distribute products. If any such action were to be imposed, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

 Although medical foods do not require pre-market approval by the FDA, manufacturers of medical foods must be registered with the FDA under a provision promulgated by the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (the  “Bioterrorism Act” ). Manufacturers of medical foods are subject to periodic inspection by the FDA. The manufacture of our medical foods is outsourced in its entirety to a third party manufacturer. We are evaluating additional manufacturers for selection as second source or back-up providers. Our medical foods have not been reviewed by the FDA. There is no certainty that the FDA will favorably review our medical food products or our manufacturers’ facilities. If the outcome of an inspection is negative or if we or our manufacturers fail to comply with any law or regulation, we could be subject to penalties and restrictions on our manufacturers’ ability to manufacture and distribute products. Any such action may result in a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. For a more complete discussion of the laws and regulations to which we are subject, see the section of this report titled “ Description of Business - Government Regulation .”

 

  A significant portion of the Company’s billings and revenues are derived from the sale of a single product.

 

In the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company derived 100% of its revenues from the sale of Lumega-Z®. While we continue to see an increasing demand for Lumega-Z from our customers, we cannot assure you that the demand will continue. A decline in sales of Lumega-Z to our customers may have an immediate adverse effect on our financial results.

 

  A substantial portion of the Company’s billings and revenues are derived from a limited number of customers and the loss of any one or more of them may have an immediate adverse effect on our financial results.

 

In the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company’s billings were derived from a limited number of individual customers. The Company does not receive volume commitments from its customers. Customers may stop purchasing our products with little or no warning. Loss of customers may have an immediate adverse effect on our financial results.

 

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If we are forced to reduce our prices, our business, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.

 

 We may be subject to pricing pressures with respect to our future sales arising from various sources, including practices of health insurance companies, healthcare providers and competition in the marketplace. If our pricing experiences significant downward pressure, our business could be less profitable and our results of operations may be adversely affected. In addition, because cash from sales funds our working capital requirements, reduced profitability could require us to raise additional capital to support our operations.

 

  If we are unable to successfully introduce new products or fail to keep pace with medical advances and developments, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

 The successful implementation of our business model depends on our ability to adapt to evolving technologies and industry standards and introduce new products and services. We cannot assure you that we will be able to introduce new products on schedule, or at all, or that such products will achieve market acceptance. Moreover, competitors may develop competitive products that could adversely affect our results of operations. A failure by us to introduce planned products or other new products or to introduce these products on schedule may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

 If we cannot adapt to changing technologies, our products and services may become obsolete, and our business could suffer. Because the healthcare industry is characterized by rapid technological change, we may be unable to anticipate changes in our current and potential customers’ requirements that could make our existing technology obsolete. Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to continue to enhance our existing products, develop new technology that addresses the needs of our prospective customers, license leading technologies and respond to technological advances and emerging industry standards and practices on a timely and cost-effective basis. The development of our proprietary technology entails significant technical and business risks. We may not be successful in using new technologies effectively or adapting our proprietary technology to evolving customer requirements or emerging industry standards, and, as a result, our business may suffer.

 

If customers do not accept our products, or delay in deciding whether to recommend our products and services, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

 Our business model depends on our ability to sell our products. Acceptance of our products requires physicians to use our MapcatSF to measure the macular protective pigment in their patients’ eyes and understand and appreciate the benefits of Lumega-Z in order to recommend it to their patients. We cannot assure you that physicians will integrate our products into their treatment plans or patient recommendations. Achieving market acceptance for our products and services will require substantial sales and marketing efforts and the expenditure of significant financial and other resources to create awareness and demand by participants in the healthcare industry. If we fail to achieve broad acceptance of our products by physicians, and other healthcare industry participants or if we fail to position our products as an ocular health remedy, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

  If our principal suppliers fail or are unable to perform their contracts with us, we may be unable to meet our commitments to our customers. As a result, our reputation and our relationships with our customers may be damaged and our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

 We currently purchase all our medical food ingredients and products from three vendors – one for carotenoids, one for Omega 3, and one for all other supplements. These companies are subject to FDA regulation and they are responsible for compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices. Although our agreements provide that our suppliers will abide by the FDA manufacturing requirements, we cannot control their compliance. If they fail to comply with FDA manufacturing requirements, the FDA could prevent our vendors from manufacturing our products. Although we believe that there are a number of other sources of supply of ingredients and manufacturers of medical food products, if these suppliers are unable to perform under our agreements, particularly at certain critical times such as when we add new physician clients that will require a large production of one or more products, we may be unable to meet our commitments to our customers. If this were to happen, our reputation as well as our relationships with our customers may suffer and our business and results of operations may be adversely affected. We have evaluated several additional manufacturers for selection as second source or back-up providers. 

 

If we incur costs exceeding our insurance coverage in lawsuits that are brought against us in the future, it could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

If we were to become a defendant in any lawsuits involving the manufacture and sale of our products and if our insurance coverage were inadequate to satisfy these liabilities, it may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Our business depends on our intellectual property rights, and if we are unable to protect them, our competitive position may suffer.

 

Our business plan is predicated on our proprietary technology. Accordingly, protecting our intellectual property rights is critical to our continued success and our ability to maintain our competitive position. We protect our proprietary rights through a combination of patents, trademark, trade secret and copyright law, confidentiality agreements and technical measures. We generally enter into non-disclosure agreements with our employees and consultants and limit access to our trade secrets and technology. We cannot assure you that the steps we have taken will prevent misappropriation of our technology. Misappropriation of our intellectual property would have an adverse effect on our competitive position. In addition, we may have to engage in litigation in the future to enforce or protect our intellectual property rights or to defend against claims of invalidity, and we may incur substantial costs and the diversion of management’s time and attention as a result.

 

If we are deemed to infringe on the proprietary rights of third parties, we could incur unanticipated expense and be prevented from providing our products and services.

 

We could be subject to intellectual property infringement claims as the number of our competitors grows and our products and applications’ functionality overlaps with competitive products. While we do not believe that we have infringed or are infringing on any proprietary rights of third parties, we cannot assure you that infringement claims will not be asserted against us or that those claims will be unsuccessful. We could incur substantial costs and diversion of management resources defending any infringement claims whether or not such claims are ultimately successful. Furthermore, a party making a claim against us could secure a judgment awarding substantial damages, as well as injunctive or other equitable relief that could effectively block our ability to provide products or services. In addition, we cannot assure you that licenses for any intellectual property of third parties that might be required for our products or services will be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

 

We may not be able to protect our Intellectual Property.

 

The Company has two pending patent applications related to its products. Our success, competitive position, and future revenues will depend in part on our ability to obtain and maintain patent protection for our products, methods, processes, and other technologies; to preserve our trade secrets; to obtain trademarks for our name, logo and products; to prevent third parties from infringing our proprietary rights; and to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties. To counter infringement or unauthorized use by third parties, we may be required to file infringement claims, which can be expensive and time-consuming. If we infringe the rights of third parties, we could be prevented from selling our products, forced to pay damages, and forced to incur substantial costs in defending litigations.

 

The patent process is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in protecting our products by obtaining and defending patents. These risks and uncertainties include the following:

 

  Claims of issued patents, and the claims of any patents which may issue in the future and be owned by or licensed to the Company may be challenged by third parties, resulting in patents being deemed invalid, unenforceable, or narrowed in scope, a third party may circumvent any such issued patents, or such issued patents may not provide any significant commercial protection against competing products.
     
  Our competitors, many of which have substantially greater resources than we do and many of which have made significant investments in competing technologies, may seek, or may already have obtained, patents that will limit, interfere with, or eliminate our ability to make, use, and sell our potential products either in the United States or in international markets.
     
  The legal systems of some foreign countries do not encourage the aggressive enforcement of patents, and countries other than the United States may have less restrictive patent laws than those upheld by United States courts, allowing foreign competitors the ability to exploit these laws to create, develop, and market competing products. Thus, the Company’s foreign patents may not be enforceable to the same extent as the counterpart U.S. patents.

 

In addition, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and patent offices in other jurisdictions have often required that patent applications concerning pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology-related inventions be limited or narrowed substantially to cover only the specific innovations exemplified in the patent application, thereby limiting the scope of protection against competitive challenges. Thus, even if we or any of our licensors are able to obtain patents, the patents may be substantially narrower than anticipated.

 

Our business depends in part on and will continue to depend in part on our ability to establish and maintain additional strategic relationships. Our failure to establish and maintain these relationships could make it more difficult to expand the reach of our products, which may have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

To be successful, we must continue to maintain our existing strategic relationships, such as our relationship with our vendors who manufacture our medical food products. We also must continue to establish additional strategic relationships with healthcare leaders. This is critical to our success because we believe that these relationships contribute towards our ability to extend the reach of our products and services to a larger number of physicians, professional healthcare providers and physician groups and to other participants in the healthcare industry; develop and deploy new products and services; enhance the Lumega-Z® brand in the U.S. and potentially the Lumega-Z brand internationally; and generate additional revenue and cash flows. Entering into strategic relationships is complicated because strategic partners may decide to compete with us in some or all of our markets. In addition, we may not be able to maintain or establish relationships with key participants in the healthcare industry if we conduct business with their competitors.

 

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We must attract quality management in order to manage our growth. Failure to do so may result in slower expansion.

 

In order to support the growth of our business, we will need to expand our senior management team. There is no assurance that we will be capable of attracting quality managers and integrating those individuals into our management system. Without experienced and talented management, the growth of our business may be adversely impacted.

 

Competition for qualified employees is intense, and we may not be able to attract and retain the highly skilled employees we need to support our business. Without skilled employees, the quality of our product development and services could diminish and the growth of our business may be slowed, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our ability to provide high-quality products and services to our clients depends, in large part, upon our employees’ experience and expertise. We must attract and retain highly qualified personnel with a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical and healthcare information technology industries. In addition, we will invest significant time and expense in training our employees, increasing their value to clients as well as to competitors who may seek to recruit them, which will increase the cost of replacing them. If we fail to retain our employees, the quality of our product development and services could diminish and the growth of our business may be slowed. This may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

If we lose the services of our Chief Executive Officer and other key personnel, we may be unable to replace them, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

Our success largely depends on the continued skills, experience, efforts and policies of our management and other key personnel and our ability to continue to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified employees. In particular, the services of Michael Favish, our President and Chief Executive Officer, are integral to the execution of our business strategy. We believe that the loss of the services of Mr. Favish could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We cannot assure you that Mr. Favish or our other executive officers will continue to provide services to the Company. We do not maintain key man insurance for any of our key personnel. We intend to enter into employment contracts with Michael Favish and other key personnel before the effective date of this prospectus.

 

Our failure to compete successfully could cause our revenue or market share to decline.

 

The market for our products and services is competitive and is characterized by rapidly evolving industry standards, technology and user needs and the frequent introduction of new products and services. Some of our competitors, which include major pharmaceutical companies with alternatives to our products, may be more established, benefit from greater name recognition and have substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources than us. We compete on the basis of several factors, including distribution of products, reputation, scientific validity, reliability, client service, price, and industry expertise and experience. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors or that the competitive pressures that we face will not materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our future success depends upon our ability to grow, and if we are unable to manage our growth effectively, we may incur unexpected expenses and be unable to meet our customers’ requirements.

 

We will need to expand our operations if we successfully achieve market acceptance for our products and services. We cannot be certain that our systems, procedures, controls and existing space will be adequate to support expansion of our operations. Our future operating results will depend on the ability of our officers and key employees to manage changing business conditions and to implement and improve our technical, administrative, financial control and reporting systems. We may not be able to expand and upgrade our systems and infrastructure to accommodate these increases. Difficulties in managing any future growth could have a significant negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations because we may incur unexpected expenses and be unable to meet our customers’ requirements.

 

We may consider acquiring other companies or product lines in an effort to expand our business in exchange for cash or stock of the Company, which may not be successful or which may cause dilution to investors.

 

The Company will also consider acquiring other companies or product lines that may be complimentary or supplementary as part of our future efforts to expand the business, which acquisitions could be for cash, stock or a combination thereof. In either event, there is no guarantee that any such acquisition will be successful or that an acquired company’s products, operations or corporate culture will mesh with our Company, integrate well, or that any economies of scale will be realized. In addition, any such transaction that involves the Company’s stock would cause dilution to investors. Moreover, any such transaction that involves cash would result in a reallocation of funds on hand that would be needed to support an acquired company or acquired product line.

 

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In order to expand our business into additional states, we may need to comply with regulatory requirements specific to such state and there can be no assurance that we will be able to initially meet such requirements or that we will be able to maintain compliance on an on-going basis.

 

While our product, Lumega-Z®, is a medical food and not a drug, it is only available under the supervision of a physician. While it is not yet available in pharmacies, we are mindful that the act of physicians prescribing, particularly if conducted across state lines, could potentially be subject to certain pharmacy regulations. Each state has its own regulations concerning physician dispensing, restrictions on the corporate practice of medicine, anti-kickback and false claims. In addition, each state has a board of pharmacy that regulates the sale and distribution of drugs and other therapeutic agents. Some states require a physician to obtain a license to dispense prescription products. While we do not believe these pharmacy requirements are applicable should a pharmacy board or medical board determine otherwise, there can be no assurance that we will be able to comply with the regulations of particular states into which we may expand or that we will be able to maintain compliance with the states in which we currently distribute our products. Our inability to maintain compliance with the regulations of states into which we currently ship our products or expand our business into additional states may adversely affects our results of operations.

 

Risks Related to our Industry

 

Any failure to comply with all applicable federal and state confidentiality requirements for the protection of patient information may result in fines and other liabilities, which may adversely affect our results of operations.

 

When a physician recommends to a patient to take our medical food, Lumega-Z, we typically receive an order from the customer, but we do not usually receive medical information. As part of the operation of our business, it is possible, however, that during communication with customers or with physicians we might receive patient-identifiable medical information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-191 (“HIPAA”), the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, Title XIII of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “HITECH Act”), and related regulations promulgated by the Secretary (“HIPAA Regulations”) grant a number of rights to individuals as to their identifiable confidential medical information (called  “Protected Health Information” ) and restrict the use and disclosure of Protected Health Information. Failure to comply with these confidentiality requirements may result in penalties and sanctions. In addition, certain state laws may impose independent obligations upon us with respect to patient-identifiable medical information. Moreover, various new laws relating to the acquisition, storage and transmission of patient medical information have been proposed at both the federal and state level. Any failure to comply may result in fines and other liabilities, which may adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Congress enacted significant prohibitions against physician self-referrals in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. This law, commonly referred to as “Stark II,” applies to physician dispensing of outpatient prescription drugs that are reimbursable by Medicare or Medicaid. Our products are neither prescription drugs nor are they reimbursable under any federal program at present. Stark II, however, includes an exception for the provision of in-office ancillary services, including a physician’s dispensing of outpatient prescription drugs, provided that the physician meets specified requirements. We believe that the physicians who use our medical device, the MapcatSF, or recommend our medical food, Lumega-Z, to their patients are aware of these requirements, but we do not monitor their compliance and have no assurance that the physicians are in material compliance with Stark II. If it were determined that the physicians who use our medical device or prescribe medical foods purchased from us were not in compliance with Stark II, it could potentially have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The federal anti-kickback statute applies to Medicare, Medicaid and other state and federal programs. At present, our products are not prescription drugs, nor are they reimbursable under any federal program. The federal anti-kickback statute prohibits the solicitation, offer, payment or receipt of remuneration in return for referrals or the purchase, or in return for recommending or arranging for the referral or purchase, of goods, including drugs, covered by the programs. The federal anti-kickback statute provides a number of statutory exceptions and regulatory “safe harbors” for particular types of transactions. We believe that our arrangements with our customers are in material compliance with the anti-kickback statute and relevant safe harbors. Many states have similar fraud and abuse laws, and we believe that we are in material compliance with those laws. At present, we do not participate in any federal programs and our products are not reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid or any other state or federal program. If, however, that changes in the future and it were determined that we were not in compliance with the federal anti-kickback statute, we could be subject to liability, and our operations could be curtailed. Moreover, if the activities of our customers or other entity with which we have a business relationship were found to constitute a violation of the federal anti-kickback law and we, as a result of the provision of products or services to such customer or entity, were found to have knowingly participated in such activities, we could be subject to sanction or liability under such laws, including civil and/or criminal penalties, as well as exclusion from government health programs. As a result of exclusion from government health programs, neither products nor services could be provided to any beneficiaries of any federal healthcare program.

 

Increased government involvement in healthcare could adversely affect our business.

 

U.S. healthcare system reform under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and other initiatives at both the federal and state level, could increase government involvement in healthcare, lower reimbursement rates and otherwise change the business environment of our customers and the other entities with which we have a business relationship. While no federal price controls are included in the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act, any legislation that reduces physician incentives to dispense medications in their offices could adversely affect physician acceptance of our products. We cannot predict whether or when future healthcare reform initiatives at the federal or state level or other initiatives affecting our business will be proposed, enacted or implemented or what impact those initiatives may have on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Our customers and the other entities with which we have a business relationship could react to these initiatives and the uncertainty surrounding these proposals by curtailing or deferring investments, including those for our products. Additionally, government regulation could alter the clinical workflow of physicians, hospitals and other healthcare participants, thereby limiting the utility of our products and services to existing and potential customers and curtailing broad acceptance of our products and services. Additionally, new safe harbors to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and corresponding exceptions to such law may alter the competitive landscape.

 

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Risks Related to Our Common Stock

 

We are eligible to be treated as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.

 

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including (1) not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which we refer to as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (2) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in this prospectus and our periodic reports and proxy statements and (3) exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, as an emerging growth company, we are only required to provide two years of audited financial statements and two years of selected financial data in this prospectus. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of any June 30 before that time or if we have total annual gross revenue of $1.0 billion or more during any fiscal year before that time, in which cases we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31 or, if we issue more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during any three-year period before that time, we would immediately cease to be an emerging growth company. Even after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, we may still qualify as a “smaller reporting company” which would allow us to take advantage of many of the same exemptions from disclosure requirements, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting until the later of our second annual report or the first annual report required to be filed with the Commission following the date we are no longer an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act.  We cannot assure you that there will not be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal controls in the future.

 

Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can also delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have elected to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, will not be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

 

Our directors and executive officers beneficially own a significant number of shares of our common stock.  Their interests may conflict with our outside stockholders, who may be unable to influence management and exercise control over our business .

 

As of the date of this prospectus, our executive officers and directors beneficially own approximately 38.3% of our shares of Common Stock.  As a result, our executive officers and directors may be able to: affect the election or defeat the election of our directors, amend or prevent amendment to our certificates of incorporation or bylaws, effect or prevent a merger, sale of assets or other corporate transaction, and control the outcome of any other matter submitted to the shareholders for vote.  Accordingly, our outside stockholders may be unable to influence management and exercise control over our business.

 

We do not intend to pay cash dividends to our stockholders, so you will not receive any return on your investment in our Company prior to selling your interest in the Company.

 

We have never paid any dividends to our common stockholders as a public company. We currently intend to retain any future earnings for funding growth and, therefore, do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. If we determine that we will pay cash dividends to the holders of our common stock, we cannot assure that such cash dividends will be paid on a timely basis. The success of your investment in the Company will likely depend entirely upon any future appreciation.  As a result, you will not receive any return on your investment prior to selling your shares in our Company and, for the other reasons discussed in this “Risk Factors” section, you may not receive any return on your investment even when you sell your shares in our Company.

 

We may require additional capital to support business growth, and this capital might not be available.

 

We intend to continue to make investments to support our business growth and may require additional funds to respond to business challenges or opportunities, including the need to develop new products. Accordingly, we expect to engage in equity or debt financings in the future to secure additional funds. In addition, we do not expect that our existing capital will be sufficient to enable us to fund our operations and we will need to raise additional capital to fund our operations. Our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our current business model and future prospects. Accordingly, investors should consider our prospects in light of the costs, uncertainties, delays and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in the early stages of development. Potential investors should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties that a new company with no operating history will face. In particular, potential investors should consider that there is a significant risk that we will not be able to:

 

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  implement or execute our current business plan, which may or may not be sound;
  maintain our anticipated management and advisory team; and
  raise sufficient funds in the capital markets to effectuate our business plan.

 

If we raise additional funds through further issuances of equity or convertible debt securities, our existing shareholders could suffer significant dilution, and any new equity securities we issue could have rights, preferences and privileges superior to those of holders of our existing capital stock. Any debt financing secured by us in the future could involve restrictive covenants relating to our capital raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities. In addition, we may not be able to obtain additional financing on terms favorable to us, if at all. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us, when we require it, our ability to continue to support our business growth and to respond to business challenges could be significantly limited. If we cannot access the capital necessary to support our business, we could be forced to curtail our business activities or even shut down operations. If we cannot execute any one of the foregoing or similar matters relating to our business, the business may fail, in which case you would lose the entire amount of your investment in the Company.

 

The obligations associated with being a public company require significant resources and management attention, which may divert from our business operations.

 

Upon the effective date of this prospectus, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition, proxy statement, and other information. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we establish and maintain effective internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.  Our Chief Executive Officer and Principle Accounting Officer will need to certify that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that material information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. We will need to hire additional financial reporting, internal controls and other financial personnel in order to develop and implement appropriate internal controls and reporting procedures.  As a result, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses.  Furthermore, the need to establish the corporate infrastructure demanded of a public company may divert management’s attention from implementing our growth strategy, which could prevent us from improving our business, results of operations and financial condition. We have made, and will continue to make, changes to our internal controls and procedures for financial reporting and accounting systems to meet our reporting obligations as a public company. However, the measures we take may not be sufficient to satisfy our obligations as a public company. In addition, we cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur in order to comply with these requirements. We anticipate that these costs will materially increase our selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.  In connection with the implementation of the necessary procedures and practices related to internal control over financial reporting, we may identify deficiencies.  If we are unable to comply with the internal controls requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, then we may not be able to obtain the independent account certifications required by that act, which may preclude us from keeping our filings with the SEC current, and interfere with the ability of investors to trade our securities and our shares to be quoted or our ability to list our shares on any national securities exchange.

 

If we fail to establish and maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately or prevent fraud.  Any inability to report and file our financial results accurately and timely could harm our reputation and adversely impact the trading price of our common stock.

 

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and prevent fraud.  If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, we may not be able to manage our business as effectively as we would if an effective control environment existed, and our business and reputation with investors may be harmed.  With each prospective acquisition we may make we will conduct whatever due diligence is necessary or prudent to assure us that the acquisition target can comply with the internal controls requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  Notwithstanding our diligence, certain internal controls deficiencies may not be detected.  As a result, any internal control deficiencies may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and access to capital.  We have not performed an in-depth analysis to determine if historical undiscovered failures of internal controls exist, and may in the future discover areas of our internal controls that need improvement.

 

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Risks Related to our Securities

 

Public company compliance may make it more difficult to attract and retain officers and directors.

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and rules implemented by the SEC have required changes in corporate governance practices of public companies. As a public company, these rules and regulations increase our compliance costs and make certain activities more time consuming and costly. As a public company, these rules and regulations may make it more difficult and expensive for us to maintain our director and officer liability insurance and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers, and to maintain insurance at reasonable rates, or at all.

 

Our stock price may be volatile and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the purchase price.

 

The market price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in price in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including the following:

 

· our ability to execute our business plan;
· changes in our industry;
· competitive pricing pressures;
· our ability to obtain working capital financing;
· additions or departures of key personnel;
· sales of our common stock (particularly following effectiveness of this resale registration statement);
· operating results that fall below expectations;
· regulatory developments;
· economic and other external factors;
· period-to-period fluctuations in our financial results;
· the public’s response to press releases or other public announcements by us or third parties, including filings with the SEC;
· changes in financial estimates or ratings by any securities analysts who follow our common stock, our failure to meet these estimates or failure of those analysts to initiate or maintain coverage of our common stock;
· the development and sustainability of an active trading market for our common stock; and
· any future sales of our common stock by our officers, directors and significant stockholders.

 

In addition, the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

Our shares of common stock are not publicly traded and there can be no assurance that there will be an active market for our shares of common stock in the future.

 

Our shares of common stock are not currently publicly traded. There can be no assurance that there will be an active market for our shares of common stock in the future. If we are able to establish a public market for our securities, the market liquidity will be dependent on the perception of our operating business, among other things.  We will take certain steps including utilizing investor awareness campaigns and firms, press releases, road shows and conferences to increase awareness of our business. Any steps that we might take to bring us to the awareness of investors may require that we compensate consultants with cash and/or stock. There can be no assurance that there will be any awareness generated or the results of any efforts will result in any impact on our trading volume. Consequently, investors may not be able to liquidate their investment or liquidate it at a price that reflects the value of the business, and trading may be at an inflated price relative to the performance of the Company due to, among other things, the availability of sellers of our shares.

 

If an active market should develop, the price may be highly volatile. If there is a low price for our shares of common stock, many brokerage firms or clearing firms may not be willing to effect transactions in the securities or accept our shares for deposit in an account.  Many lending institutions will not permit the use of low priced shares of common stock as collateral for any loans.  

 

We are subject to penny stock regulations and restrictions and you may have difficulty selling shares of our common stock.

 

Our common stock will be subject to the provisions of Section 15(g) and Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange Act, commonly referred to as the “penny stock rules.”  Section 15(g) sets forth certain requirements for transactions in penny stock, and Rule 15g-9(d) incorporates the definition of “penny stock” that is found in Rule 3a51-1 of the Exchange Act.  The SEC generally defines a penny stock to be any equity security that has a market price less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. We will be subject to the SEC’s penny stock rules.

 

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Since our common stock will be deemed to be penny stock, trading in the shares of our common stock will be subject to additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell penny stock to persons other than established customers and accredited investors.  ”Accredited investors” are persons with assets in excess of $1,000,000 (excluding the value of such person’s primary residence) or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 together with their spouse. For transactions covered by these rules, broker-dealers must make a special suitability determination for the purchase of such security and must have the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to the purchase. Additionally, for any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt the rules require the delivery, prior to the first transaction of a risk disclosure document, prepared by the SEC, relating to the penny stock market.  A broker-dealer also must disclose the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities.  Finally, monthly statements must be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stocks held in an account and information to the limited market in penny stocks. Consequently, these rules may restrict the ability of broker-dealer to trade and/or maintain a market in our common stock and may affect the ability of the Company’s stockholders to sell their shares of common stock.

 

There can be no assurance that our shares of common stock will qualify for exemption from the Penny Stock Rules. In any event, even if our common stock was exempt from the Penny Stock Rules, we would remain subject to Section 15(b)(6) of the Exchange Act, which gives the SEC the authority to restrict any person from participating in a distribution of penny stock if the SEC finds that such a restriction would be in the public interest.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal securities laws.  These statements relate to future events or future predictions, including events or predictions relating to our future financial performance, and are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about us, our future performance, our beliefs and management’s assumptions.  They are generally identifiable by use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “feel,” “confident,” “estimate,” “intend,” “predict,”  ”forecast,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of such terms or other variations on these words or comparable terminology.  These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks described under “Risk Factors” that may cause the Company’s or its industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  In addition to the risks described in Risk Factors, important factors to consider and evaluate in such forward-looking statements include: (i) general economic conditions and changes in the external competitive market factors which might impact the Company’s results of operations; (ii) unanticipated working capital or other cash requirements including those created by the failure of the Company to adequately anticipate the costs associated with acquisitions and other critical activities; (iii) changes in the Company’s corporate strategy or an inability to execute its strategy due to unanticipated changes; and (iv) the failure of the Company to complete any or all of the transactions described herein on the terms currently contemplated.  In light of these risks and uncertainties, many of which are described in greater detail elsewhere in this Risk Factors discussion, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus will in fact transpire.

 

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.  Moreover, neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of such statements.  We do not undertake any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus to conform such statements to actual results or changes in our expectations.

 

Emerging Growth Company Status

 

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, permits an “emerging growth company” such as us to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. As a result, we will not need to comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The Selling Securityholders are selling all of the shares of common stock being sold in this offering. Accordingly, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common stock by the Selling Securityholders. The principal purposes of this offering are to facilitate an orderly distribution of shares for the Selling Securityholders in the offering. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of these shares by the Selling Securityholders. However, we will receive proceeds from the exercise of the warrants if they are exercised for cash by the Selling Securityholders.

 

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

There is currently no public market for our shares of common stock.

 

We intend to seek a listing of our common stock on the OTCQB maintained by OTC Markets Group, however, we cannot assure you that our application will be approved.  

 

Dividend Policy

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc. has not declared nor paid any cash dividend on our common stock, and we currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of our business, and we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.  The decision whether to pay cash dividends on our common stock will be made by our board of directors, in their discretion, and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors that our board of directors considers significant.

 

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

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

 

The statements in this registration statement that are not reported financial results or other historical information are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the  Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements appear in a number of different places in this prospectus and can be identified by words such as “estimates,” “projects,” “expects,” “intends,” “believes,” “plans,” or their negatives or other comparable words. Also look for discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding our business plans and availability of financing for our business.

 

You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees and may involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements due to risks facing us or due to actual facts differing from the assumptions underlying our estimates. Some of these risks and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those set forth under the heading “Risk Factors.” We advise you that these cautionary remarks expressly qualify in their entirety all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf. Unless required by law, we do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements based on unanticipated events or changed expectations. However, you should carefully review the reports and other documents we will file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

Actual results may differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Presentation of Information

 

As used in this prospectus, the terms “we,” “us” “our” and the “Company” mean Guardion Health Sciences, Inc. unless the context requires otherwise. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited (and unaudited) financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this prospectus. All dollar amounts in this registration statement refer to US dollars unless otherwise indicated.

 

Overview

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc. (the “Company” or “we”) was formed in December 2009 in California as a limited liability company under the name P4L Health Sciences, LLC and we subsequently changed our name to Guardion Health Sciences, LLC. On June 30, 2015 we converted from a California limited liability company to a Delaware corporation, changing our name to Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

 

We are a specialty health sciences company that develops, formulates and distributes condition-specific medical foods with an initial medical food product that addresses a depleted macular protective pigment, which is a biomarker and leading cause of age-related macular degeneration (“AMD”), as well as computer vision syndrome (“CVS”). We have also developed a proprietary medical device that accurately measures the macular pigment density.

 

We currently develop and distribute a line of medical foods that restores the macular protective pigment to address AMD and CVS under the brand name Lumega-Z®. We are using our own proprietary patent-pending technology embodied in a medical device call the MapcatSFTM that measures the macular pigment. The MapcatSF is a patent-pending, non-mydriatic, non-invasive device that accurately measures the macular protective pigment density, thereby creating an evidence-based protocol that is shared with the patient.

 

Lumega-Z has a patent-pending, critical ingredient that replenishes and restores the macular protective pigment simultaneously delivering critical and essential nutrients to the eye. Formulated by Dr. Sheldon Hendler in 2010, modifications were made over a two year period to improve the taste and method of delivery. Medical foods are neither dietary nor nutritional supplements. We believe that there is an increasing level of acceptance of medical foods as a primary therapy by patients and healthcare providers to treat pain syndromes, sleep and cognitive disorders, obesity, hypertension, and viral infection. In clinical practice, medical foods are being prescribed as both a standalone therapy and as an adjunct therapy to low doses of commonly prescribed drugs. We believe that medical foods will continue to grow in importance over the coming years.

 

By combining our cutting edge technology with our MapcatSF medical device and Lumega-Z medical food, we have developed the only reliable two-pronged evidence-based protocol for replenishing and restoring the Macular Protective Pigment (“MPP”), which affects AMD, cataracts and CVS. The MapcatSF is intended to be the first device using a patented “single fixation” process and “automatic lens density correction” that produces accurate serialized data.

 

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Lumega-Z is a regulated Medical Food and therefore must be administered under the supervision of a physician or professional healthcare provider. Our ingredients and formulas are well-researched and supported by voluminous scientific literature, in-house monographs, and clinical trials. In order to reach the large, expanding AMD patient population, we primarily market Lumega-Z to patients through ophthalmologists and optometrists.

 

Recent Developments

 

In January 2016, we engaged Gordon Bethwaite as our Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Bethwaite is a senior figure in the ophthalmic space, with over 15 years of experience in the sales and marketing of diagnostic, surgical and optical products. Through his collaborations with thought-leading doctors in cataract, refractive, retina and glaucoma specialties, Mr. Bethwaite brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to the Company.

 

We recently further improved the taste of Lumega-Z. Based on feedback from customers, we had our manufacturer produce sample batches of Lumega-Z with slightly modified tastes. We then conducted taste tests with a sample population to select the most popular taste. While the taste change is only slight, we believe customers will like the new flavor better and new customers will be introduced to an already improved tasting product.

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company has utilized cash in operating activities of $779,108, $543,378 and $506,299 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and had a total stockholders’ deficiency of $812,704, $1,812,633 and $902,141 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company expects to continue to incur net losses and negative operating cash flows at least through 2016. As a result, management and the Company’s auditors believe that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that may result from the possible inability of the Company to continue as a going concern.

 

We will continue to incur significant expenses for commercialization activities related to our lead product Lumega-Z, the MapcatSF medical device, and with respect to efforts to build our infrastructure. Development and commercialization of medical foods and medical devices involves a lengthy and complex process. Additionally, our long-term viability and growth will depend upon the successful development and commercialization of products other than Lumega-Z and the MapcatSF. We are continuing attempts to raise additional debt and/or equity capital to fund future operations, but there can be no assurances that we will be able to secure such additional financing in the amounts necessary to fully fund our operating requirements on acceptable terms or at all. If we are unable to access sufficient capital resources on a timely basis, we may be forced to reduce or discontinue our technology and product development programs and curtail or cease operations.  

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (ASU 2014-09), Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 will eliminate transaction- and industry-specific revenue recognition guidance under current GAAP and replace it with a principle based approach for determining revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 will require that companies recognize revenue based on the value of transferred goods or services as they occur in the contract. ASU 2014-09 also will require additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. Based on the FASB’s Exposure Draft Update issued on April 29, 2015, and approved in July 2015, Revenue from Contracts With Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, ASU 2014-09 is now effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Entities will be able to transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 is not expected to have any impact on our financial statement presentation or disclosures.

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15 (ASU 2014-15), Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-10). ASU 2014-15 provides guidance as to management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. In connection with preparing financial statements for each annual and interim reporting period, an entity’s management should evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued when applicable). Management’s evaluation should be based on relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable at the date that the financial statements are issued (or at the date that the financial statements are available to be issued when applicable). Substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern exists when relevant conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, indicate that it is probable that the entity will be unable to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to have any impact on our financial statement presentation or disclosures.

 

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In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-02 (ASU 2015-02), Consolidation (Topic 810). ASU 2015-02 changes the guidance with respect to the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation mode. ASU 2015-02 affects the following areas: (1) limited partnerships and similar legal entities; (2) evaluating fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider as a variable interest; (3) the effect of fee arrangements on the primary beneficiary determination; (4) the effect of related parties on the primary beneficiary determination; and (5) certain investment funds. ASU 2015-02 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the guidance in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. A reporting entity may apply the amendments in this guidance using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively. The adoption of ASU 2015-02 is not expected to have any impact on our financial statement presentation or disclosures.

 

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, authoritative guidance, if currently adopted, would have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

 

Concentration of Risk

 

Cash balances are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, balances may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has never experienced any losses related to these balances. All of the non-interest bearing cash balances were fully insured at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014 and 2013. Insurance coverage limits are $250,000 per depositor at each financial institution. There were no interest-bearing amounts on deposit in excess of federally insured limits at September 30, 2015, or at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of the accompanying financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain 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 reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

As discussed above, on June 30, 2015 we converted from a California limited liability company to a Delaware corporation and LLC units were converted to Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.

 

Our financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, these financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements included herein and include all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The information disclosed in the notes to the financial statements for such interim period is also unaudited. Actual results may differ from these estimates as a result of different assumptions or conditions.

 

The following critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Patent Costs

 

We are the owner of several domestic patents. Due to the significant uncertainty associated with the successful development of one or more commercially viable products based on our research efforts and any related patent applications, all patent costs, including patent-related legal fees, filing fees and other costs, including internally generated costs, are expensed as incurred. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, patent costs were $22,698, $14,433, $32,783 and $20,483, respectively, and are included in total research and development costs in the statements of operations.

 

Convertible Notes Payable

 

When conventional convertible debt is issued with detachable warrants, the proceeds from issuance are allocated to the two instruments based on their relative fair values. This method is generally appropriate if debt is issued with any other freestanding instrument that is classified in equity.

 

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When the convertible debt instrument includes both detachable instruments such as warrants, and a beneficial conversion option, the proceeds of issuance are allocated among the convertible instrument and the other detachable instruments based on their relative fair values as indicated above, and the amount allocated to the convertible instrument is further analyzed to determine if the embedded conversion option has intrinsic value. If the conversion features of conventional convertible debt provide for a rate of conversion that is below market value, then the conversion option has intrinsic value and this feature is characterized as a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”). We calculate an effective conversion price based on the fair value allocated to the convertible instrument divided by the number of conversion shares based upon the conversion terms of the instrument. The resulting calculation or effective conversion price is used to measure the intrinsic value, if any, of the embedded conversion option. Stated differently, intrinsic value is calculated at the commitment date as the difference between the conversion price (effective or otherwise) and the fair value of the common stock or other securities into which the security is convertible, multiplied by the number of shares into which the security is convertible.

 

The fair value of members’ units or common stock was determined based on management’s judgment. In order to assist management in calculating such fair value, we retained a third party valuation firm in determining the value our Company. The third party valuation firm’s input was utilized in determining the related per unit or share valuations of our equity used at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014 and 2013. Management made the final determination as to valuation based on various inputs, including the valuation report prepared by the third party valuation firm.

 

If the intrinsic value of the BCF is greater than the proceeds allocated to the convertible instrument, the amount of the discount assigned to the BCF is limited to the amount of the proceeds allocated to the convertible instrument. We record a BCF as a debt discount and in those circumstances, the convertible debt will be recorded net of the discount related to the BCF. The Company amortizes the discount to interest expense over the life of the debt using the effective interest rate method or the straight-line method, as an approximation of effective interest amortization.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

We periodically issue stock-based compensation to officers, directors, employees and consultants for services rendered. Such issuances vest and expire according to terms established at the issuance date.

 

Stock-based payments to officers and directors, and to employees in the future which will include grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. Stock option grants, which are generally time vested, will be measured at the grant date fair value and charged to operations on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The fair value of stock options is determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which is affected by several variables, including the risk-free interest rate, the expected dividend yield, the expected life of the equity award, the exercise price of the stock option as compared to the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date and the estimated volatility of the common stock over the term of the equity award.

 

The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Until we have established a trading market for our common stock, estimated volatility is based on the average historical volatilities of comparable public companies in a similar industry. The expected dividend yield is based on the current yield at the grant date; we have never declared or paid dividends and have no plans to do so for the foreseeable future.

 

The fair value of members’ units or common stock was determined based on management’s judgment. In order to assist management in calculating such fair value, we retained a third party valuation firm in determining the value our Company. The third party valuation firm’s input was utilized in determining the related per unit or share valuations of our equity used at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014 and 2013. Management made the final determination as to valuation based on various inputs, including the valuation report prepared by the third party valuation firm.

 

The Company accounts for stock option and warrant grants issued and vesting to non-employees in accordance with the authoritative guidance of the FASB whereas the value of the stock compensation is based upon the measurement date as determined at either a) the date at which a performance commitment is reached, or b) at the date at which the necessary performance to earn the equity instruments is complete. Non-employee stock-based compensation charges generally are amortized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. In certain circumstances where there are no future performance requirements by the non-employee, option grants are immediately vested and the total stock-based compensation charge is recorded in the period of the measurement date.We recognize stock compensation expense on stock or unit purchases at a price less than fair value, and for fully-vested stock issued to consultants and other service providers, for the excess of fair value of the stock or units over the price paid for the stock or units.

 

We recognize the fair value of stock-based compensation within our statements of operations with classification depending on the nature of the services rendered. We issue new shares to satisfy stock option exercises.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recognized aggregate stock-compensation expense based upon a stock price of $1.14 per share of $4,279,233, of which $3,937,233 was recorded in general and administrative expense and $342,000 was recorded in research in development expense. There was no stock-based compensation expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 or the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013.

 

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Income Taxes

 

As of September 30, 2015, we were subject to U.S. federal income taxes and California state income taxes. Prior to June 30, 2015, we were a limited liability company and taxed as a pass through entity whereby substantially all income tax attributes were passed through to the individual members except the minimum state income tax and an LLC fee based on revenues.

 

We currently account for income taxes under an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Accordingly, we recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected impact of differences between the financial statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities.

 

We account for uncertainties in income tax law under a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns as prescribed by GAAP. The tax effects of a position are recognized only if it is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority as of the reporting date. If the tax position is not considered “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained, then no benefits of the position are recognized. As of September 30, 2015, we had not recorded any liability for uncertain tax positions. In subsequent periods, any interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions will be recognized as a component of income tax expense.

 

We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In the event we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be credited to operations in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be charged to operations in the period such determination was made. We have not yet filed a tax return as a corporate entity.

 

Plan of Operations

 

General Overview

 

Upon receipt of sufficient funding we intend to increase our commercialization activities and:

 

· further the commercial production of our MapcatSF, starting with the manufacture of ten new units for sale to our customers and for use in our internal clinics;
· expand our domestic sales and marketing efforts, which include revamping our web site and new promotional materials;
· increase production of Lumega-Z as is necessary to support the additional sales resulting from the deployment of additional MapcatSF units and increased marketing and promotional activity;
· commence certain FDA safety testing of the MapcatSF; and
· increase our focus on intellectual property protection and strategy.

 

Our enhanced sales and marketing messaging will include the announcement of three new medical food products we are staging for introduction during the summer of 2016, which address:

 

· Glaucoma
· Dry-eye syndrome
· Prenatal nutrition

 

In preparation for these activities, our plan necessitates the build-up of our infrastructure at our San Diego facility. In addition, further development of internal processes and procedures as part of us becoming a public reporting company, which includes the development of internal controls and a compliance program.

  

Results of Operations

 

Through September 30, 2015, we had limited operations and have primarily been engaged in research and development and raising capital. We have incurred significant expenditures for the development of the Company's products and intellectual property, which includes research and development of both medical foods and medical diagnostic equipment for the treatment of various eye diseases. We had limited revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

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Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014

 

    Nine Months Ended        
    September 30,
2015
    September 30,
2014
    Change  
Revenue   $ 86,802     $ 132,655     $ (45,853 )     (35 )%
Cost of goods sold     36,865       121,203       (84,338 )     (70 )%
Gross profit     49,937       11,452       38,485       336 %
Operating Expenses:                                
Research and development (including $342,000 of stock-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2015)     386,673       46,711       339,962       728 %
Sales and marketing     40,574       30,442       10,132       33 %
General and administrative (including $3,937,233 of stock-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, of which $464,557 was to related parties)     4,662,643       462,365       4,200,278       908 %
Total operating expenses     5,089,890       539,518       4,550,372       843 %
Loss from operations     (5,039,953 )     (528,066 )     (4,511,887 )     854 %
Other expense:                                
Interest expense     640,351       443,457       196,894       44 %
Cost to induce conversion of notes payable     1,699,609       -       1,699,609       - %
Loss on settlement of debt     258,606       -       258,606      

-

%
Net loss   $ (7,638,519 )   $ (971,523 )   $ (6,666,996 )     686 %

 

Revenue

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, revenue from the sale of Lumega-Z was $86,802 compared to $132,655 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The decrease in sales of $45,853 or 35% compared to the prior comparable period was primarily a result of the Company shifting its attention from sales to FDA compliance, which included reformulation and repackaging of our product to move Lumega-Z into a medical food category rather than a dietary supplement category and satisfy related medical food requirements.

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, cost of goods sold from the sale of Lumega-Z was $36,865 compared to $121,203 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The decrease in cost of goods sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 of $84,338 or 70% compared to the prior period was primarily the result of moving Lumega-Z from the Dietary Supplement category into the Medical Food Category and the resulting shift in focus discussed above. In addition, in 2014 we repackaged our product from daily to weekly dosages which decreased product cost and increased margins.

 

Research and Development

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, research and development costs were $386,673 compared to $46,711 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase in research and development costs of $339,962 or 728% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was due to stock-based compensation of $342,000 issued to a consultant for services rendered in 2015 and no stock-based compensation in the comparable period in 2014.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, sales and marketing expenses were $40,574 compared to $30,442 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase in sales and marketing expenses of $10,132 or 33% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was due to the additional costs for repackaging our product and resulting changes in website design and marketing materials compared to the comparable period in 2014.

 

General and Administrative

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, general and administrative expenses were $4,662,643 compared to $462,365 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase in general and administrative expenses of $4,200,278 or 908% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to that comparable prior year period was largely due to the fair value of stock issued to consultants and service providers of $3,937,233 and legal fees of $259,145 related primarily to our 2015 financing activities.

 

Interest Expense

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, interest expense was $640,351 compared to $443,457 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase in interest expense of $196,894 or 44% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was due to non-cash interest expense of $260,806 resulting from the amortization of debt discount related to the beneficial conversion features and warrants issued with our convertible notes. The non-cash amortization was partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $63,912, due to conversion of the related notes into common stock in May and August 2015.

 

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Cost to induce conversion of notes payable

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, costs to induce conversion of our notes payable was $1,699,609 compared to $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

In connection with the May 1, 2015 conversion of notes payable, we issued 995,926 membership units valued at $1,135,356 or $1.14 per share to the holders of the notes as an inducement to convert their notes payable. In addition, we offered certain holders 146,000 warrants valued at $165,072 to acquire membership units. The fair value of the warrants was based on a Black-Scholes option pricing model with a stock price of $1.14, volatility of 113% and risk-free rate of 0.97%. In connection with the May 1, 2015 conversion of related party notes payable, we issued 350,001 warrants valued at $341,785 to certain holders to acquire membership units as inducement to convert the notes. The fair value of the warrants was based on a Black-Scholes option pricing model with a stock price of $1.14, volatility of 113% and risk-free rate of 0.97%. In connection with the August 10, 2015 conversion of notes payable, the Company issued 50,348 shares of its common stock valued at $57,396 to the holders of the notes as an inducement to convert their notes payable.

 

Loss on settlement of debt

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, loss on settlement of debt was $258,606 compared to $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

On August 10, 2015, the Company issued 441,358 shares of its Common Stock valued at $503,149 upon the conversion of $260,900 of outstanding principal and interest. The Company recognized a loss on settlement of the promissory notes of $242,249.

 

On August 10, 2015, the Company issued warrants to purchase 28,176 shares of its Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share and a 3 year term in settlement of $15,497 of accounts payable. The warrants were valued at $31,853, based upon the Black-Scholes option pricing model with a stock price of $1.14, volatility of 105% and a risk free rate of 1.09%. The Company recognized a loss on settlement of accounts payable of $16,357.

 

Net Loss

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company incurred a net loss of $7,638,519, compared to a net loss of $971,523 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase in net loss of $6,666,996 or 686% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily due to the increase in stock-based compensation of $4,279,233, inducement to convert notes payable of $1,699,609, loss on conversion of promissory notes and accounts payable of $258,606 and amortization of debt discount of $196,894.

 

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

 

    Year Ended        
    December 31,
2014
    December 31,
2013
    Change  
Revenue   $ 164,582     $ 260,356     $ (95,774 )     (37 )%
Cost of goods sold     145,529       168,878       (23,349 )     (14 )%
Gross profit     19,053       91,478       (72,425 )     (79 )%
Operating Expenses:                                
Research and development     43,436       259,786       (216,350 )     (83 )%
Sales and marketing     46,768       51,600       (4,832 )     (9 )%
General and administrative     638,002       616,703       21,299       3 %
Total operating expenses     728,206       928,089       (199,883 )     22 )%
Loss from operations     (709,153 )     (836,611 )     127,458       (15 )%
Other expense:                                
Interest expense     611,339       406,067       205,272       51 %
Cost to induce conversion of notes payable     -       -       -       - %
Loss on settlement of debt     -       -       -      

-

%
Net loss   $ (1,320,492 )   $ (1,242,678 )   $ (77,814 )     6 %

 

Revenue

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, revenue from the sale of Lumega-Z was $164,582 compared to $260,356 during year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in sales of $95,774 or 37% compared to the 2013 period was the result of running four beta clinics in 2013, which included the measurement of macular pigment density with our MapcatSF device and subsequent sales of Lumega-Z subscriptions. In 2014 we had two clinics sign-up for our program and two clinics were discontinued due to proximity and resulting costs involved in supporting those clinics.

 

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Cost of Goods Sold

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of goods sold from the sale of Lumega-Z was $145,529 compared to $168,878 during the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in cost of goods sold for the year ended December 31, 2014 of $23,349 or 14% compared to the 2013 period was the result of our decrease in sales, which was partially offset by a $10,165 inventory scrappage charge associated with the Lumega-Z packaging changes from daily to weekly supply.

 

Research and Development

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, research and development expenses were $43,436 compared to $259,786 for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in research and development costs of $216,350 or 83% for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the 2013 period was due to engineering and development costs associated with the prototype design of the MapcatSF device in 2013.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, sales and marketing expenses were $46,768 compared to $51,600 for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses of $4,832 or 9% for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the prior comparable period was largely due to website development costs of $4,404, printing costs of $1,717 and other general marketing expenses of $4,025 and offset by an increase in advertising and promotion costs of $5,314.

 

General and Administrative

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, general and administrative expenses were $638,002 compared to $616,703 for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase in general and administrative expenses of $21,299 or 3% for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to prior year comparable period was due largely to increases in related party management fees of $90,808 and depreciation of $34,389, and partially offset by a decrease in professional fees of $86,237 and other expenses.

 

Interest Expense

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, interest expense was $611,339 compared to $406,067 for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase in interest expense of $205,272 or 51% for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the comparable prior year period was due to incremental non-cash interest expense of $141,116 resulting from the amortization of debt discount related to the beneficial conversion features and warrants issued with our convertible notes, and incremental interest expense of $64,156 resulting from additional financing in the form of convertible and promissory notes.

 

Net Loss

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company incurred a net loss of $1,320,492, as compared to a net loss of $1,242,678 for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase in net loss of $77,814 or 6% for the year ended December 31, 2014, was primarily due to the increase in interest expense of $205,272, the decrease in sales activity and related gross margin of $72,425, and an increase in general and administrative expense of $21,299, and was partially offset by the decrease in research and development expenses of $216,350.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Since our formation in 2009, we have devoted substantial effort and capital resources to the development and commercialization activities related to our lead product Lumega-Z and MapcatSF medical device. As a result of our activities we utilized cash in operating activities of $779,108, $543,378 and $506,299 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We had negative working capital of $508,727, $1,554,609 and $236,480 at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of September 30, 2015, we had cash in the amount of $24,497 and no available borrowings. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 we converted $2,412,809 in outstanding principal and interest on our convertible notes payable and promissory notes into 3,987,640 units or shares of our common stock. Our financing has historically come from the issuance of convertible and promissory notes and to a lesser extent from the sale of common stock and exercise of warrants.

 

Our financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern (see “Going Concern” above). Our current sources of liquidity, including cash and our anticipated cash from operating activities, will not be sufficient to fund our operations and working capital needs based on current expected sales volumes, marketing expenses and infrastructure development. We will require additional financing to continue as a going concern. We will continue to incur significant expenses for commercialization activities related to our lead product Lumega-Z and MapcatSF medical device and building the Company’s infrastructure.

 

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Recent Financing Activity

 

Subsequent to September 30, 2015, we borrowed an aggregate of $250,000 under unsecured notes payable, with interest at the rate of 12% per annum and 90 day terms (the “Loans”). The note holder received warrants with a term of three years to purchase 500,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.25 per share (the “Loan Warrants”). On January 26, 2016, we entered into an addendum to the Loans which includes additional post-maturity interest in the form of warrants to purchase shares of our common stock as follows:

 

in the event the Loans are not paid by maturity, we will grant a warrant to purchase 1/10th of the number of shares and under the same terms as set forth in the Loan Warrants;

 

each month thereafter, if the Loan is not paid in full, we will grant a warrant to purchase 1/10th of the number of shares and under the same terms as set forth in the Loan Warrants;

 

the Loans continue to accrue interest at the rate of 12% until paid in full; and

 

upon repayment of the Loans, the holder shall receive an additional warrant to purchase shares our common stock at $0.25 per share for the number of shares equivalent to the amount of post-maturity interest paid on each of the Loans upon repayment under the same terms as set forth in the Loan Warrants.

 

On November 30, 2015, we entered into a $100,000 promissory note with an investor. The note carries simple interest at 5% and is due and payable on the earlier of (i) May 1, 2016, (ii) upon default, or (iii) upon receipt of an aggregate of $1,000,000 from an equity placement that generates gross proceeds of at least $1,000,000. In connection with the issuance of the promissory note, the Company issued a warrant with a three year term to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.25 per share.

 

Sources and Uses of Cash

 

The following table sets forth our major sources and uses of cash for each of the following periods:

 

    Nine Months Ended     Years Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,     December 31,     December 31,  
    2015     2014     2014     2013  
Net cash used in operating activities   $ (779,108 )   $ (421,838 )   $ (543,378 )   $ (506,299 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (2,164 )     (5,550 )     (7,450 )     (176,273 )
Net cash provided by financing activities     799,609       404,511       534,111       675,388  
Net increase (decrease) in cash   $ 18,337     $ (22,877 )   $ (16,717 )   $ (7,184 )

 

Operating Activities

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

Net cash used in operating activities was $779,108 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The largest component of our cash used during this period was a net loss of $7,638,519, which included non-cash charges of $6,930,607 related to stock-based compensation, inducement expense on note conversions to equity, amortization of debt discount, loss on settlement of promissory notes and accounts payable, accrued interest expense and depreciation and amortization. Additional cash outflows were related to decreases in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $30,619 and accrued and deferred rent costs of $5,363. These outflows were partially offset by decreases in deposits and prepaid expenses of $20,902 and inventories of $14,111. Net cash used in operating activities was $421,838 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The largest component of our cash used during this period was a net loss of $971,523, which included non-cash charges of $469,177 related to amortization of debt discount, accrued interest expense and depreciation and amortization. Additional cash outflows were related to a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expense of $98,491, which were partially offset by increases in accrued and deferred rent costs of $94,900, inventories of $73,787 and deposits and prepaid expenses of $9,317.

 

Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

 

Net cash used in operating activities was $543,378 during the year ended December 31, 2014. The largest component of our cash used during this period was a net loss of $1,320,492, which included non-cash charges of $649,412 related to amortization of debt discount, accrued interest expense and depreciation and amortization. Additional cash outflows were related to a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $38,167, and increases in inventories of $69,541 and deposits and prepaid expenses of $9,317. These outflows were partially offset by an increase in accrued and deferred rent costs of $86,474. Net cash used in operating activities was $506,299 for the year ended December 31, 2013. The largest component of our cash used during this period was a net loss of $1,242,678, which included non-cash charges of $414,908 related to amortization of debt discount, accrued interest expense and depreciation and amortization. Additional cash outflows were related to an increase in deposits and prepaid expenses of $18,057. These outflows were partially offset by increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $258,930 and accrued and deferred rent costs of $45,144. Increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses included costs related to the prototype builds of our MapcatSF and related engineering and development expenses.

 

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Investing Activities

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $2,164 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and $5,550 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, and consisted of investments in property and equipment for both years.

 

Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $7,450 for the year ended December 31, 2014 and $176,273 for the year ended December 31, 2013 and consisted of investments in property and equipment for both years. Expenditures in 2013 included build-out costs associated with our current leased facilities.

 

Financing Activities

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $799,609 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Financing activities for the 2015 period provided proceeds of $542,500 from the issuance of convertible notes payable, $182,109 in short-term loans from related parties and $75,000 in proceeds from the exercise of warrants. Net cash provided by financing activities was $404,511 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Financing activities for the 2014 period provided proceeds of $200,000 from the issuance of promissory notes, $135,000 from the issuance of convertible notes payable and $69,511 in amounts received from related parties on a net basis.

 

Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $534,111 for the year ended December 31, 2014. Financing activities for 2014 provided proceeds of $222,500 from the issuance of convertible notes payable, $200,000 from the issuance of promissory notes and $111,611 in amounts received from related parties on a net basis. Net cash provided by financing activities was $675,388 for the year ended December 31, 2013. Financing activities for 2013 provided proceeds of $465,000 from the issuance of convertible notes, $87,000 from the issuance of common stock, $100,000 from the issuance of convertible notes to related parties and $35,000 from the issuance of promissory notes.

 

Principal Commitments

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s principal cash obligations and commitments for the next five fiscal years as of September 30, 2015 aggregating $550,858, of which $40,584 is included in current liabilities in the Company’s balance sheet at September 30, 2015.

 

          Payments Due By Year  
    Total     (remaining
3 months)
2015
    2016     2017       2018     2019  
                                     
Convertible notes payable, currently due     40,584       40,584                          
Convertible notes payable, long-term     510,274                   510,274              
Operating lease commitments     331,372       28,815       108,248       121,599       72,710          
Total   $ 882,230     $ 69,399     $     $ 631,873     $ 72,710     $  

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

At September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not have any transactions, obligations or relationships that could be considered off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

BUSINESS

 

Overview

 

We are a specialty health sciences company that develops, formulates and distributes condition-specific medical foods with an initial medical food product that addresses a depleted macular protective pigment, which is a biomarker and leading cause of age-related macular degeneration (“AMD”), as well as computer vision syndrome (“CVS”). We have also developed a proprietary medical device that accurately measures the macular pigment density.

 

We currently develop and distribute a line of medical foods that restores the macular protective pigment to address AMD and CVS under the brand name Lumega-Z®. We are using our own proprietary patent-pending technology embodied in a medical device called the MapcatSF TM that measures the macular pigment. The MapcatSF is a patent-pending, non-mydriatic, non-invasive device that accurately measures the macular protective pigment density, thereby creating an evidence-based protocol that is shared with the patient. For the past three years, the clinic prototypes have been fully tested on patients, allowing for frequent modifications of the device’s algorithms and retesting for accuracy, as well as to provide the inclusion of additional features not previously considered in the initial prototype. The alpha prototype, which is the pre-commercial production version, was unveiled for the first time in July 2013 in Cambridge, United Kingdom, to researchers and scientists from around the world. The MapcatSF is manufactured and assembled in Irvine, California, and will be distributed from our national headquarters in San Diego. The marketing of the device will be implemented through continuing education presentations conducted by our key opinion leaders. This device is currently classified by the FDA as a Class I medical device which does not require any pre-market approval.

 

Lumega-Z is now the first liquid ocular health formula to be classified as a medical food (as defined in Section 5(b) of the “Orphan Drug Act”). Lumega-Z has a patent-pending, critical ingredient that replenishes and restores the macular protective pigment simultaneously delivering critical and essential nutrients to the eye. Formulated by Dr. Sheldon Hendler in 2010, modifications were made over a two-year period to improve the taste and method of delivery. The current formulation has been delivered to patients and used in clinics for the past three years. Patients who have taken Lumega-Z for a minimum period of three months have usually experienced an increase in their Macular Protective Pigment and noticeable halt in the progression of their AMD. Testimonials have been reported weekly regarding a noticeable improvement in their glare and contrast sensitivity. Over 250 patients have been set–up on an auto ship program for delivery every four weeks, which is primarily generated from three beta clinics. Our operations, to date, indicate that each MapcatSF deployed in a clinic generates an average of 75 new customers for our Lumega-Z product over a period of approximately 90 days when a MapcatSF is deployed in a small, low volume clinic. A larger, higher volume clinic is expected to generate a larger number of patients in a shorter period of time.

 

AMD is the leading cause of blindness in the world. More than 11 million people in the United States suffer from various forms of this incurable disease, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation. As the population ages, that number is expected to triple by 2025. Congress, the Food and Drug Administration ( “FDA” ), the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services and private insurance companies are focusing increased efforts on pharmacovigilance (the branch of the pharmaceutical industry which assesses and monitors the safety of drugs either in the development pipeline or which have already been approved for marketing) to measure and reduce these adverse health consequences. We believe that there is an increasing level of acceptance of medical foods as a primary therapy by patients and healthcare providers to treat pain syndromes, sleep and cognitive disorders, obesity, hypertension, and viral infection. In clinical practice, medical foods are being prescribed as both a standalone therapy and as an adjunct therapy to low doses of commonly prescribed drugs.

 

Medical foods are neither dietary nor nutritional supplements. We believe that medical foods will continue to grow in importance over the coming years. From a regulatory standpoint, the FDA took steps in 1988 to encourage the development of medical foods by regulating this product category under the Orphan Drug Act. The term “medical food” as defined in Section 5(b) of the Orphan Drug Act is a “food which is formulated to be consumed or administered enterally (by mouth) under the supervision of a physician and which is intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation.” This definition was incorporated by reference into the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990.

 

These regulatory changes have reduced the costs and time associated with bringing medical foods to market. Until 1972, medical foods were categorized as drugs and then as “foods for special dietary purposes” until 1988. The field of candidates for development into medical foods is always expanding due to continuing advances in the understanding of the science of nutrition and disease, coupled with advances in food technology increasing the number of products that can be formulated and commercialized.

 

We distribute our products through E-commerce in an online store that is operated at www.guardionhealth.com. The contents of our website are not incorporated into this prospectus.

 

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Competitive Advantage

 

By combining our cutting edge technology with our MapcatSF medical device and Lumega-Z medical food, we have developed based on management’s knowledge of the industry, the only reliable two-pronged evidence-based protocol for replenishing and restoring the Macular Protective Pigment (“MPP”), which affects AMD, cataracts and CVS. The MapcatSF will be the first device using a patented “single fixation” process and “automatic lens density correction” that produces accurate serialized data. Historically, a number of specialized densometers used by research groups within the medical community have been known to produce unreliable data; due in part to the fact that they are not Troxler-free. The Troxler effect is an optical illusion affecting visual perception where an unchanging stimulus away from a fixation point will fade away and disappear as one stares at a fixation point consistently. A device that is Troxler-free does not have this fading of images that otherwise would occur as a result of the Troxler effect. Being Troxler-free is thought to be an important function in being able to accurately complete the testing using these devices. The MapcatSF has been installed at the Illinois College of Optometry (“ICO”) and is being included in the college’s curriculum. ICO is responsible for graduating 20% of the optometrists practicing in the US.

 

Medical Foods Products Industry Overview

 

The science of nutrition was long overlooked and underdeveloped and has now shown that the sick and elderly have special nutritional needs that cannot be met by traditional adult diets. Medical nutrition has emerged today as an attractive segment in the food industry.

 

A number of diseases are associated with metabolic imbalances and that patients in treatment have specific nutritional requirements. Some examples are ocular health, pain syndromes, insomnia, cognitive disorders, IBS, and heart disease. Many older Americans have or will develop chronic diseases that are amenable to the dietary management benefits of medical foods. Medical foods help address these diseases and conditions in a drug-free way with food-based ingredients, yet are a medical product taken under supervision by a physician. The term “medical foods” does not pertain to all foods fed to sick patients. Medical foods are foods that are specially formulated and processed (as opposed to a naturally occurring foodstuff used in a natural state) for patients who are seriously ill or who require the product as a major treatment modality according to FDA regulations.

  

Medical foods consist of food-based ingredients that are part of the normal human diet and are Generally Recognized as Safe (“GRAS”) under FDA standards. Medical foods must make disease claims for which there is scientific evidence for the nutrient deficiencies that cannot be corrected by normal diet. Medical foods are intended for a vulnerable population suffering from a particular chronic disease and so have special, extra-rigorous guarantees of safety. All ingredients must be designated GRAS and used in therapeutic concentrations to address the particular nutritional needs of the patient. Medical foods are taken under the supervision of a physician or professional healthcare provider who monitors and adjusts the food ‘dosage.’ In addition, under FDA guidelines and congressionally approved laws medical foods do not require FDA preapproval but undergo continuous FDA monitoring and approval of label claims. Even though pre-market FDA approval is not required for a medical food, the official requirements and responsibilities for the manufacturer, in terms of safety, are greater than for dietary supplements, including solid scientific support for the formula as a whole. For these reasons, medical foods have greater guarantees of efficacy. In contradistinction, dietary supplements, such as vitamins, minerals and botanicals, do not require FDA preapproval, cannot make disease claims, are intended for normal people without disease and cannot claim that they prevent, mitigate or treat a given disease. Dietary supplements do not require physician supervision and can be administered to a person that can self-administer the supplement without supervision. 

 

Competitive Strategy

 

Since there are no research-validated pharmaceutical solutions for slowing the progression of adult macular degeneration (“AMD”), it is necessary for physicians to recommend Age-Related Eye Disease Study (“AREDS”)-based supplements to their AMD patients. 1 However, more than 90% of all AREDS-based nutritional products currently on the market are in tablet form. As previously discussed, tablets are difficult to administer and have a low efficiency of absorption. For this reason, some doctors may hesitate to prescribe tablet form AREDS-based nutraceuticals despite the fact that is all they have available to them.

 

Lumega-Z addresses this concern. In contrast, Lumega-Z is formulated using a proprietary molecular micronization process (“MMP”) to maximize efficiency of absorption and safety and to minimize compatibility issues.

 

 

1 The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) was a clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute, one of the National Institutes of Health in the United States, the results of which were reported in the October 2001 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology . “A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial of High-Dose Supplementation With Vitamins C and E, Beta Carotene, and Zinc for Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Vision Loss.” Archives of Ophthalmology 119.10 (2001): 1417. doi:10.1001/archopht.119.10.1417. http://archopht.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=268224

 

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Growth Strategy

 

Our Company believes that marketing our product is critical in ensuring its success. We have several marketing initiatives and will implement them according to the success and product feedback that our Company and products create. The Company will also consider acquiring other companies or product lines that may be complementary or supplementary as part of our future efforts to expand the business, which acquisitions could be for cash, stock or a combination thereof. We believe that we can grow our business using the following sales and marketing strategies:

 

Sales and Marketing

 

The use of dietary supplements to enhance health and well-being is a longstanding and increasing trend. According to industry sources, up to 52% of adults in the United States have reported taking nutritional supplements. 2 Worldwide sales of supplements surpassed $53 billion in 2007, with Asia Pacific capturing 44.2% market share.

 

Supplementation has recently generated much interest among health professionals in a relatively new area, the prevention and slowing of the AMD epidemic.

 

U.S. Statistics

§ AMD is one of the leading cause of blindness in the developed world, responsible for 50% of blindness. 3
§ AMD cases in the United States is estimated to be 15 million. 4
§ In the U.S., one in three people will develop AMD or some vision-reducing eye disease by age 65. 5

 

Worldwide Statistics

§ AMD is the third leading cause of blindness throughout the entire world, exceeded only by cataracts and glaucoma. 6
§ Overall, the prevalence of AMD appears to be lower and more variable in the developing nations as compared to more developed countries. 7 Healthcare experts believe this will likely change for the worse with increasing life expectancy, changing lifestyles and increase in viewing computer monitors. 8

 

Marketing Lumega-Z to Practitioners

In order to reach the large, expanding AMD patient population, GHS will primarily market its vision formulation to the patients through ophthalmologists and optometrists. In the U.S. alone, there are more than 19,000 ophthalmologists 9 and over 33,000 optometrists currently practicing. 10 There are over 213,000 ophthalmologists worldwide. 11

 

Sales Channel

Lumega-Z is a regulated Medical Food and therefore must be administered under the supervision of a physician or professional healthcare provider. Once the healthcare provider has determined that the patient requires Lumega-Z, they will follow the following procedures:

 

§ GHS will provide all clinicians a DAC number (Doctor Authorization Code)
§ Patients will be given a customized prescription with the DAC number; this will enable them to order Lumega-Z either online or by calling the 800 number
§ Patients will be able to take advantage of using their Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (HCFSA) or Health Savings Account (HAS) dollars (pre-tax)

 

GHS will support the clinicians by making available Online Ocular Nutrition courses to train their technicians.

 

 

2 “Multivitamin-multimineral supplements: who uses them?” Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jan;85(1):277S-279S.

3 “Leading Causes of Blindness.” NIH MedlinePlus, Summer 2008 Issue: Volume 3 Number 3 Pages 14 - 15

4 Retina Health Series; Facts from the ASRS, American Society of Retina Specialists.

5 Ganley JP, Roberts J, eds. Eye conditions and related need for medical care among persons 1–74 years of age, United States, 1971–72. Hyattsville, Md.: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Center for Health Statistics, 1983; DHHS publication no. 83-1678.

6 “Prevention of Blindness and Visual Impairment.” World Health Organization website, under Programmes, viewed on February 5, 2016, available at http://www.who.int/blindness/causes/priority/en/index7.html

7 Nazimul H, Rohit K, Anjli H. Trend of Retinal Diseases in Developing Countries. Expert Rev Ophthalmol. 2008;3:43-50.

8 Id .

9 American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2014, viewed on February 3, 2016, available at http://www.aao.org/newsroom/eye-health-statistics.

10 U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Occupational Employment Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2014, viewed on February 3, 2016, available at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291041.htm

11 American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2014, viewed on February 3, 2016, available at http://www.aao.org/newsroom/eye-health-statistics.

 

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Proprietary Technology and Intellectual Property

 

Patents

 

We currently own and have exclusive rights to the following pending patent applications:

 

Pat. App. No.   Title   Owner   Product   File Date
14/377,929  

APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE MEASUREMENT OF MACULAR PIGMENT OPTICAL DENSITY AND/OR LENS OPTICAL DENSITY OF AN EYE

  GHS   MapcatSF TM   08/11/14
14/028,104   EMULSION OF CAROTENOIDS AND OCULAR ANTIOXIDANTS   GHS   Lumega-Z®   09/16/13

 

The MapcatSF TM patent filing describes an apparatus for use in the measurement of the optical density of the macular pigment in the human eye, as well as an apparatus for the use in measuring the lens optical density of a human eye. The apparatus is particularly applicable to flicker photometers, which are used to measure the macular pigment in the human eye.

 

The Lumega-Z® patent filing describes a daily liquid supplement for ocular and body health containing at least one of lutein, zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin and astaxanthin for a human subject for nutritionally supplementing macular pigments in the human eye. The micronized nutrients in a lipid based emulsion described in the patent are more efficiently absorbed into the bloodstream than conventional supplement formulations resulting in higher serum levels and increased macular pigment.

 

Trade Secrets

 

Our MapcatSF device employs a secret algorithm for correcting macular pigment optical density measurements with respect to lens density effects.  More particularly, the proprietary algorithm adjusts the photopic luminosity function for the age equivalence of the subject’s lens using a relationship disclosed by Sagawa and Takahashi ( J. Opt. Soc. Am. 18, 2659-2667 ).  The algorithm is embedded in an IC block designed in such a way as to make it difficult to reverse engineer.

 

Trademarks

 

We utilize trademarks on all current products and believe that having distinguishing marks is an important factor in marketing our products. Currently, we have one U.S. registered trademarks on the principal register at the United States Patent and Trademark Office ( “USPTO” ) and we have two common law trademarks. These marks are listed below. We believe that having distinctive marks for any additional products that we develop will also be an important marketing characteristic. We have not sought any foreign trademark protection for our products or product candidates at this time. U.S. trademark registrations generally are for fixed, but renewable, terms.

 

We currently own and have exclusive rights to the following registered trademarks:

 

Registration No.   Mark   Owner   Product
3978935   LUMEGA-Z   GHS   Lumega-Z

 

We currently own and have exclusive rights to the following pending trademark applications:

 

Serial Number   Mark   Owner   Product
86823358   MAPCAT SF   GHS   MapcatSF
86818552   GUARDION   GHS   Company name for Guardion

 

Medical Foods and Medical Device Manufacturing and Sources and Availability of Raw Materials

 

We outsource the manufacturing of our medical food products to the following contract manufacturers: Manufacturer A for carotenoids, Manufacturer B for all other supplements, and Manufacturer C for Omega 3. We do not have contracts with our manufacturers. We process orders through purchase orders and invoices with each manufacturer.

 

Manufacturer A is a Mexican corporation established in 1966 that has been involved in the research, development, production and commercialization of carotenoids from natural sources for the past 49 years with operations in Mexico. According to its own advertising, its carotenoids are produced under the strictest standards and Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) from the optimization of seeds and plants, to cultivation methods, fertilization and manual harvesting of flowers and peppers. These processes are followed by a gentle dehydration. Then, meals that contain oleoresins are saponified and isomerized, followed by stabilization and standardization. The final products are packaged and distributed. Manufacturer A just recently completed an FDA inspection with no findings, which demonstrates they satisfy cGMP requirements.

 

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Manufacturer B offers a vast array of full service contract vitamin manufacturing, liquid vitamin manufacturing and skin care manufacturing and lotions manufacturing services. According to their own advertising, their desire to be better than the best has resulted in a full service vitamin manufacturing and skin care manufacturing company, whose commitment to quality, integrity, consistency and customer service is unsurpassed. Manufacturer B claims it has old school business values combined with the latest cGMP computerized process management technology and an experienced, knowledgeable staff to make itself more than a contract liquid manufacturer.

 

Manufacturer C is a custom chemicals and food ingredients manufacturer with two facilities in Coshocton, Ohio. According to its own advertising, Manufacturer C was established as an Ohio corporation in 1981 and has grown from a small research chemical sales business in specialty hydrocarbons and fine chemicals to a fully capable GMP manufacturer with a wide portfolio of products and services in the fine chemical, food ingredient, pharmaceutical, and nutritional supplement markets.

 

Manufacturer D is a full-service, consumer, medical device design and engineering company based in Orange County, Southern California, established in 1998. According to its own advertising, it successfully completed over 100 projects including 16 Medical Carts, 22 Table-Top Instruments, 20 Hand Held Devices and 9 Single Use/Disposable Medical Devices. Manufacturer D claims it can take product from concept to market quickly and cost-effectively and is ISO 13485 certified. The primary objective of ISO 13485 is to facilitate harmonized medical device regulatory requirements for quality management systems.

 

Government Regulation

 

Statutory Definition and One FDA Regulation

 

Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 (“FFDCA”), products are regulated on the basis of their intended use. Their intended use is determined by the objective factors surrounding their use. Numerous categories and subcategories of products exist under the FFDCA, such as food, food additive, dietary supplement, GRAS food component, new drug, GRAS and Effective (“GRAS/E”) drug for over the counter use, and GRAS/E drug for use under the supervision of a physician. The categories overlap and products can fall within more than one category depending on their intended use.

 

The FDA has provided little guidance on the regulation of medical foods, as it is still a relatively new and evolving category of product under the FFDCA.

 

Our medical food products are defined and regulated by the FDA. The term medical food, as defined in Section 5(b) of the Orphan Drug Act is a “food which is formulated to be consumed or administered enterally, or by mouth, under the supervision of a physician and which is intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation.” The FDA advises that it considers the statutory definition of medical foods to “narrowly” constrain the types of products that fit within the category of food (see May 2007 Guidance, and Food Labeling; Reference Daily Intakes and Daily Reference Values; Mandatory Status of Nutrition Labeling and Nutrition Content Revision proposed rule.) This is a Final Rule, binding regulation, on nutrition labeling for conventional foods.

 

The one FDA regulation pertaining to medical foods exempts them from the nutrition labeling requirements that apply to conventional foods, but they are subject to special labeling requirements. Under 21 C.F.R. sec. 101.9 (j) (8),

 

(j) The following foods are exempt from this section or are subject to special labeling requirements:

 

(8) Medical foods as defined in section 5(b) of the Orphan Drug Act. A medical food is a food which is formulated to be consumed or administered enterally, or by mouth, under the supervision of a physician and which is intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation. A food is subject to this exemption only if: (i) It is a specially formulated and processed product (as opposed to a naturally occurring foodstuff used in its natural state) for the partial or exclusive feeding of a patient by means of oral intake or enteral feeding by tube; (ii) It is intended for the dietary management of a patient who, because of therapeutic or chronic medical needs, has limited or impaired capacity to ingest, digest, absorb, or metabolize ordinary foodstuffs or certain nutrients, or who has other special medically determined nutrient requirements, the dietary management of which cannot be achieved by the modification of the normal diet alone; (iii) It provides nutritional support specifically modified for the management of the unique nutrient needs that result from the specific disease or condition, as determined by medical evaluation; (iv) It is intended to be used under medical supervision; and (v) It is intended only for a patient receiving active and ongoing medical supervision wherein the patient requires medical care on a recurring basis for, among other things, instructions on the use of the medical food.

 

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Unlike for drugs and for dietary supplements, there is no overall regulatory scheme for medical foods, or even a pending proposed rule, meaning that no FDA rulemaking is in progress. However, a very detailed Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“ANPR”) entitled “Regulation of Medical Foods,” was published in the Federal Register on Nov. 29, 1996. This ANPR never progressed to a proposed rule, the Notice and Comment procedure, and an eventual Final Rule (binding regulation). However, it still represents FDA’s position and policy on medical foods, in conjunction with the May 2007 and August 2013 Draft Guidance. This ANPR was in effect withdrawn, because on April 22, 2003, the FDA published a proposal to withdraw numerous long-pending proposed rules, including this ANPR. The FDA cited as its reasons for withdrawal, first, that the subjects are not a regulatory priority, and agency resources are limited, second, the proposed rules have become outdated due to advances in science or changes in the products or the industry regulated, or changes in legal or regulatory contexts; and, third, to eliminate uncertainty, so that the FDA or the private sector may resolve underlying issues in ways other than those in the proposals. In May 2007, the FDA issued its Guidance to Industry, presumably because the medical foods sector was growing, but it did not engage in a formal rulemaking procedure, either because it did not have the resources and/or because the medical foods category is still lower priority than drugs and medical devices. A third draft guidance was issued in August 2013 further attempting to clarify the FDA’s position on medical foods. The guidance has not been formalized but we maintain compliance with this draft guidance.

  

Regulatory Requirements

 

Overview:   Medical foods are FDA-regulated, but there is no complete set or scheme of regulations. There is no pre-market approval, or even pre-market notification required. Rather, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer and marketer to test for safety and efficacy before marketing and selling. The developer of a medical food must adhere closely to the statutory definition, and to the descriptions of a medical food in the one regulation regarding exemption from nutrition labeling, and in the May 2007 Guidance and the August 2013 Draft Guidance.

 

Threshold Issue:  The manufacturer must demonstrate that the disease or condition to be targeted, scientifically and medically, is a disease with distinctive (or unique) nutritional requirements (ANPR 1996). The FDA has stated that this is a “narrow category,” (2007 Guidance) and that whether a product is valid for this category depends on the published medical science of the disease and its origins. The targeted disease or condition may be, or caused by, a metabolic imbalance or deficiency or the accelerated requirements for a certain nutrient caused by a disease state. We and our Scientific Advisory Board examine the distinctive nutritional requirements of a disease.

 

Formulation:  A medical food may not be a single ingredient formula - otherwise, that product would be a dietary supplement for a nutrient deficiency. (FDA Field Guides) A medical food formula must go beyond a mere modification of the diet. (FDA regulation; 2007 Guidance, 2013 Draft Guidance). The formula must meet and satisfy the distinctive nutritional requirements, not merely ameliorate the symptoms. For example, Glucosamine or MSM, or an herb’s “active” constituent may indeed help osteoarthritis. One must demonstrate that these nutrients are the distinctive nutritional requirements for osteoarthritis.

 

Safety : There is no particular or mandated FDA pre-market safety studies required of the formula as a whole. However, all ingredients must be either GRAS or approved food-additives. (See FDA letter to Industry (2001) regarding no botanicals or “novel” ingredients permitted in “functional foods”; and the ANPR.) Since medical foods are typically taken with prescription drugs, the developer must assess whether any medical food/drug interactions pose a risk. Many ingredients have been determined by the FDA to be GRAS and are listed as such by regulation. Other ingredients may achieve self-affirmed GRAS status through a panel of experts on that particular substance that author a GRAS Report. The standard for an ingredient to achieve GRAS status requires not only technical demonstration of non-toxicity and safety, but also general recognition and agreement on that safety by experts in the field. All ingredients we use in our medical foods are either FDA-approved food additives or have GRAS status. Note that the GRAS requirement for ingredients (above) is arguably a higher safety standard than the risk/benefit analysis required for pharmaceuticals. Like any evolving area, especially where no premarket approval is required, the FDA reserves the right to raise questions about the qualification of products within any category as well as the labeling and manufacturing safety of those products.

 

Efficacy : No particular FDA pre-market efficacy studies are required by the FDA or by Congressional statute, similar to or comparable to Phase 2 & 3 trials for prescription drugs. However, a company must have data to demonstrate that the formula, when taken as directed, meets the distinctive nutritional requirements of the particular disease.

   

Manufacturing:  There are no “good manufacturing practice” (“GMP”) regulations for medical foods in particular. Drug GMPs are not required, nor are the relatively new dietary supplement GMPs required; only food GMPs are required. The manufacture of our medical foods is outsourced in its entirety. We use state of the art facilities that manufacture only nutritional supplements and medical foods.

 

Labeling:  As for all food labels, printing must be legible, and many required elements must be conspicuous, such as a Statement of Identity, the statement “Must be administered under the supervision of a physician or professional healthcare provider,” quantity, ingredient listing, name and address of the distributor and other requirements as for fully set forth in the 2007 Guidance.

 

Marketing:  A medical food is a food product, thus the FDA does not regulate advertisements and promotional activities according to the pharmaceutical statutes and regulations; there is no side effects disclaimer or fair balancing required, e.g., in DTC advertising of drugs on television. However, the FDA has a very broad definition of “labeling”; thus all promotional materials, including websites, are under the authority, monitoring and enforcement of FDA. The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) also has joint jurisdiction with the FDA over food products, per a 1983 Memorandum of Understanding. Thus, all advertising claims, both express and implied, must be true, accurate, well-substantiated, and not misleading.

 

Enforcement:  Enforcement is post-market, mostly via annual FDA inspections of food facilities, including packaging, distribution facilities, and fulfillment houses, as well as the manufacturer. (Field Guides for Compliance). FDA also gathers material at trade shows and conferences, and examines websites. FTC has joint jurisdiction, and performs sophisticated Internet searches, both randomly and at the request of the FDA or of a competitor.

 

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Stark II

 

Congress enacted significant prohibitions against physician self-referrals in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. This law commonly referred to as “Stark II,” applies to physician dispensing of outpatient prescription drugs that are reimbursable by Medicare or Medicaid. Our product, Lumega-Z, is not a prescription drug, nor do we participate in Medicare, Medicaid or any other federal or state-funded program. Stark II, however, includes an exception for the provision of in-office ancillary services, including a physician’s dispensing of outpatient prescription drugs, provided that the physician meets the requirements of the exception. We are mindful that if our Lumega-Z product becomes eligible for reimbursement from any such program or if Lumega-Z were deemed to be a prescription drug, Stark laws could potentially become applicable with regard to Lumega-Z.

 

  Anti-Kickback Statute and HIPAA Criminal Laws

 

While we do not yet participate in any federal or state-funded healthcare programs, we are mindful that should we participate in such programs or should our customers receive reimbursement or subsidy from a federal or state healthcare program, certain laws may become applicable to us. The federal Anti-Kickback Statute makes it illegal for any person, including a pharmaceutical, biologic, or medical device company (or a party acting on its behalf), to knowingly and willfully solicit, offer, receive or pay any remuneration, directly or indirectly, in exchange for, or to induce, the referral of business, including the purchase, ordering or prescription of a particular item or service, or arranging for the purchase, ordering, or prescription of a particular item or service for which payment may be made under federal healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. In 1996, under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”), the Anti-Kickback Statute was expanded to be made applicable to most federal and state-funded health care programs.

 

The federal Anti-Kickback Statute is broad and prohibits many arrangements and practices that may be lawful in businesses outside of the healthcare industry. Recognizing that the Anti-Kickback Statute is broad and may technically prohibit many innocuous and beneficial arrangements, Congress created several exceptions in the Social Security Act and has authorized the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) to publish regulatory “safe harbors” that exempt certain practices from enforcement action under the Anti-Kickback Statute prohibitions. For example, there are safe harbors available for certain discounts to purchasers, personal services arrangements and various other types of arrangements.

 

In addition, many states have adopted laws similar to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute. Some of these state prohibitions apply to referral of patients for healthcare services reimbursed by any third-party payer, not only the Medicare and Medicaid programs or other governmental payers. At least one state, California, also has adopted a law requiring pharmaceutical companies to implement compliance programs to prevent and deter conduct that may violate fraud and abuse laws that comply with the voluntary industry guidelines and the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) compliance guidance. We believe we have structured our business arrangements to comply with these laws.

 

HIPAA created two new federal crimes: health care fraud and false statements relating to health care matters. The health care fraud statute prohibits knowingly and willfully executing a scheme to defraud any health care benefit program, including private payers. A violation of this statute is a felony and may result in fines, imprisonment or exclusion from federal and state health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. The false statements statute prohibits knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement in connection with the delivery of or payment for health care benefits, items or services. A violation of this statute is a felony and may result in fines or imprisonment. Additionally, HIPAA granted expanded enforcement authority to HHS and the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and provided enhanced resources to support the activities and responsibilities of the OIG and DOJ by authorizing large increases in funding for investigating fraud and abuse violations relating to health care delivery and payment.

 

HIPAA Compliance and Privacy Protection

 

HIPAA established comprehensive federal protection for the privacy and security of health information. The HIPAA standards apply to three types of organizations, or Covered Entities: health plans, health care clearing houses, and health care providers who conduct certain health care transactions electronically. Covered Entities must have in place administrative, physical and technical standards to guard against the misuse of individually identifiable health information. Additionally, some state laws impose privacy protections more stringent than HIPAA’s. There are also international privacy laws, such as the European Data Directive, that impose restrictions on the access, use, and disclosure of health information. All of these laws may impact our business.

 

HITECH Act

 

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (“HITECH”) Act promotes the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology. The HITECH Act addresses the privacy and security concerns associated with the electronic transmission of health information, in part, through several provisions that strengthen the civil and criminal enforcement of the HIPAA rules.

 

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The HITECH Act establishes four categories of violations that reflect increasing levels of culpability and four corresponding tiers of penalty amounts that significantly increase the minimum penalty amount of each violation. The maximum penalty amount is $1,500,000 for repeated violations of the same provision. In addition, the HITECH Act permits the imposition of penalties if the Covered Entity did not know, and with the exercise of reasonable diligence, would not have known, of the violation. Such violations are now punishable under the lowest tier of penalties. In addition, the HITECH Act prohibits the imposition of penalties for violations corrected within a 30-day period so long as those violations were not due to willful neglect.

 

State Regulatory Requirements

 

Each state has its own regulations concerning physician dispensing, restrictions on the corporate practice of medicine, anti-kickback and false claim regulations. In addition, each state has a board of pharmacy that regulates the sale and distribution of drugs and other therapeutic agents. Some states require that a physician obtain a license to dispense prescription products. When considering the commencement of business in a new state, we solicit the opinion of healthcare counsel regarding the expansion of operations and utilize local counsel when necessary.

 

Other United States Regulatory Requirements

 

In the United States, the research, manufacturing, distribution, sale, and promotion of drug and biological products are subject to regulation by various federal, state, and local authorities in addition to the FDA, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formerly the Health Care Financing Administration), other divisions of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (e.g., the Office of Inspector General), the United States Department of Justice and individual United States Attorney offices within the Department of Justice, and state and local governments. Pricing and rebate programs must comply with the Medicaid rebate requirements of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 and the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992, each as amended. If products are made available to authorized users of the Federal Supply Schedule of the General Services Administration, additional laws and requirements apply. All of these activities are also potentially subject to federal and state consumer protection, unfair competition, and other laws. In addition, we may be subject to federal and state laws requiring the disclosure of financial arrangements with health care professionals.

 

Foreign Regulatory Requirements

 

While not yet applicable to us, we may eventually be subject to widely varying foreign regulations, which may be quite different from those of the FDA, governing clinical trials, manufacture, product registration and approval, and sales. Whether or not FDA approval has been obtained, we must obtain a separate approval for a product by the comparable regulatory authorities of foreign countries prior to the commencement of product marketing in these countries. In certain countries, regulatory authorities also establish pricing and reimbursement criteria. The approval process varies from country to country, and the time may be longer or shorter than that required for FDA approval.

 

Corporate History

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc. was formed under the name P4L Health Sciences, LLC in December, 2009 in California as a limited liability company. The Company changed its name to Guardion Health Sciences in December 2009. We are a specialty health sciences company that develops, formulates and distributes condition-specific medical foods with an initial medical food product that addresses a depleted macular protective pigment, which is a biomarker and leading cause of age-related macular degeneration (“AMD”), as well as computer vision syndrome (“CVS”). We have also developed a proprietary medical device that accurately measures the macular ocular pigment density. In June 2015, GHS became a Delaware “C” corporation.

 

Properties

 

The Company’s address is 15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92128. Our telephone number is 858-605-9055. The Company’s offices are rented under a six (6) year lease for approximately 9,605 square feet of space at a current rental of $9,893 per month.

 

Employees

 

As of February 2, 2016, the Company had a staff of eight, consisting of three officers, four full-time staff and one part-time staff person, all of whom are independent contractors.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, the Company may become involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. Except as described below, no legal proceedings, government actions, administrative actions, investigations or claims are currently pending against us or involve the Company which, in the opinion of the management of the Company, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition.  

 

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There are no proceedings in which any of the directors, officers or affiliates of the Company, or any registered or beneficial stockholder, is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to that of the Company.

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Set forth below is certain information regarding our executive officers and directors. Each of the directors listed below was elected to our board of directors to serve until our next annual meeting of stockholders or until his or her successor is elected and qualified. All directors hold office for one-year terms until the election and qualification of their successors. The following table sets forth information regarding the members of our board of directors and our executive officers:

 

Name   Age   Position
         
Michael Favish   67  

President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

Robert Weingarten   63   Director
         
Mark Goldstone   52  

Executive Vice President of Marketing and Director

 

Gordon Bethwaite   40  

Vice President of Sales and Marketing

 

Vincent J. Roth   48   General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

Management Team

 

Michael Favish has been Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board since the Company’s formation in 2009. He has more than 30 years’ experience in founding, developing and managing private and public companies. He is an acknowledged and respected leader and innovator with hands-on experience in strategic marketing, brand building and product development. Mr. Favish founded Fotoball USA, Inc. (“Fotoball”), a pioneer in retail licensed products and marketing, in 1984. In 1994, Mr. Favish transformed Fotoball into a publicly held company with 200 employees listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. After growing revenues from $7 million in 1994 to $50 million in 2003, Fotoball was acquired in January 2004 by an industry leading NSE company.

 

Robert N. Weingarten has been a financial advisor to the Company since late 2011 and became a Director of the Company effective June 30, 2015. He is an experienced business consultant and advisor with an ongoing consulting practice. Since 1979, he has provided financial consulting and advisory services to numerous public companies in various stages of development, operation or reorganization. Mr. Weingarten was appointed as a director of Staffing 360, Inc. on February 25, 2014 and resigned this position on April 20, 2014. Mr. Weingarten was the Non-Executive Chairman of New Dawn Mining Corp. (“New Dawn”) from August 31, 2005 through September 30, 2010, and was named the Executive Chairman of New Dawn in October 2010. On July 8, 2010, Mr. Weingarten was appointed to the board of directors of Central African Gold Limited (formerly known as Central African Gold Plc and listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange at that time). Central African Gold Limited was an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of New Dawn. Both New Dawn and Central African Gold Limited have ceased to be publicly traded reporting companies in their respective jurisdictions. On April 29, 2014, Mr. Weingarten was appointed to the Board of Directors of RespireRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., formerly known as Cortex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“RespireRx”), and was named Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of RespireRx and continues to serve in these roles. Mr. Weingarten received a B.A. Degree in Accounting from the University of Washington in 1974, and an M.B.A. Degree in Finance from the University of Southern California in 1975. Mr. Weingarten is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) in the State of California.

 

Mark Goldstone has been Executive Vice President of Marketing and Director since June 2015. He has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry, encompassing operations, commercialization and consulting. He has executed numerous M&A, financing and strategic partnership transactions, for a broad array of middle market and emerging growth companies in technology, life sciences and healthcare services. Mr. Goldstone was the Worldwide President of DDB’s healthcare business, where he was responsible for a global communications business spanning 40+ offices in over 36 markets. The business covered advertising, digital, integrated communications, HCP promotion, branding, naming, design, market shaping, medical education and scientific communications. Mr. Goldstone has previously held senior positions at Publicis Healthcare Communications Group where he was responsible for the global Sanofi-Aventis business and at Interbrand where he was CEO of its global Healthcare business. Mr. Goldstone moved from the United Kingdom to New York with Havas, where he held senior positions at Robert A. Becker, Euro RSCG and Jordan McGrath Case & Partners, Euro RSCG and ultimately at Euro RSCG Worldwide Headquarters, where he helped devise and build their global healthcare business – Euro RSCG Life Worldwide (Now Havas Life). Mr. Goldstone holds a BSc (Hons) in Pharmacy. He is a board member of the prestigious Galien Foundation and a board member of G3 Global Genomics Group. He is a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and is a past Co-Chairman of New York Corporate Development for the American Diabetes Association.

 

Gordon Bethwaite has been Vice President of Sales and Marketing since December 2015. He is a senior figure in the ophthalmic space, with over 15 years of experience in the sales and marketing of diagnostic, surgical and optical products. After graduating with a degree in Applied Biology from Liverpool John Moores University, Gordon transitioned into the corporate healthcare environment. Throughout his career, Gordon has held senior management positions in both the ophthalmology & optometry, and audiology industries. Most recently, from October, 2012 to December, 2015, he served as Market Development Manager and subsequently, Director of Marketing for the ophthalmic diagnostic and surgical portfolio at Carl Zeiss Meditec, a global leader and innovator in the industry.

 

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Through his collaborations with thought leading doctors in cataract, refractive, retina and glaucoma specialties, Gordon brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to the table. A passion for the technology, clinical and surgical application, and business environment of the industry, coupled with an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of the eye care market and years of collaboration with his customers, all combine to provide Gordon with a rich skill set invaluable to his role as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Company.

 

Vincent J. Roth has served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since April 2015. He is an experienced corporate attorney with over 15 years of experience serving as the General Counsel to public and private companies in the high-tech, healthcare, medical device, nutraceutical, and biotechnology industries. In addition to managing legal affairs, Mr. Roth is very familiar with operating in highly regulated industries. Mr. Roth recently completed a Master of Laws in Intellectual Property at the University of San Diego with honors. He received a Master of Laws in Business and Corporate Law from the University of San Diego with honors, a Juris Doctor and an MBA from Temple University, a Master of Liberal Arts in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania and a BBA in Marketing and Human Resources from Temple University.

 

Director or Officer Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

 

Our directors and executive officers were not involved in any legal proceedings as described in Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K in the past ten years.

 

Independent Directors

 

We believe Mark Goldstone is an “independent director” as that term is defined by listing standards of the national exchanges and SEC rules, including the rules relating to the independence standards of an audit committee and the non-employee director definition of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  We intend to add additional independent directors in order to meet listing requirements of a national securities exchange.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Currently, our Board of Directors acts as audit, nominating, corporate governance and compensation committees.   The Board of Directors has not yet adopted charters relative to its audit committee, compensation committee and nominating committee.   Until such time as we add more members to the Board, the entire Board will determine all matters and no committees have been formed. We intend to appoint persons to the board of directors and committees of the board of directors as required to meet the corporate governance requirements of a national securities exchange, although we are not required to comply with these requirements until we are listed on a national securities exchange. We intend to appoint directors in the future so that we have a majority of our directors who will be independent directors, and of which at least one director will qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” prior to a listing on a national securities exchange.

 

Audit Committee

 

The audit committee’s duties under the terms of its charter are to recommend to our board of directors the engagement of independent auditors to audit our financial statements and to include the terms of its charter review our accounting and auditing principles. The audit committee reviews the scope, timing and fees for the annual audit and the results of audit examinations performed by independent public accountants, including their recommendations to improve the system of accounting and internal controls. The audit committee oversees the independent auditors, including their independence and objectivity. However, the committee members are not acting as professional accountants or auditors, and their functions are not intended to duplicate or substitute for the activities of management and the independent auditors. The audit committee is empowered to retain independent legal counsel and other advisors as it deems necessary or appropriate to assist the audit committee in fulfilling its responsibilities, and to approve the fees and other retention terms of the advisors. The audit committee members possess an understanding of financial statements and generally accepted accounting principles.

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The table below sets forth, for the last three fiscal years, the compensation earned by (i) each individual who served as our principal executive officer or principal financial officer, and (ii) our most highly compensated executive officers, other than those listed in clause (i) above, who were serving as executive officers at the end of the last fiscal year (together, the “Named Executive Officers”). No other executive officer had annual compensation in excess of $100,000 during the last fiscal year.

 

Executive   Year   Salary     Bonus($)     Stock Awards     All Other
Compensation
    Total  
Michael Favish(1)   2014   $ 150,000       -       -       -     $ 150,000  
    2015   $ 200,000       -       -       -     $ 200,000  
Vincent J. Roth(2)   2014     -       -       -       -          
    2015   $ 104,000       -     $ 1,500       -     $ 105,500  
Gordon Bethwaite(3)   2014     -       -       -       -          
    2015     -       -     $ 2,500       -     $ 2,500  

 

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(1) Michael Favish has been the Company’s CEO since inception. He does not have a written agreement with the Company. Mr. Favish received 5,500,000 units of membership interest at inception of the Company on December 1, 2009 when the Company was a California limited liability company, such units became 5,500,000 shares of Common Stock when the Company incorporated as a Delaware corporation on June 30, 2015. The Company accrued a salary of $150,000 for Mr. Favish in fiscal year 2014, $200,000 in fiscal year 2015 and will accrue a salary of $250,000 for fiscal year 2016. It is expected that Mr. Favish will be engaged with a formal employment agreement in 2016.

 

(2)Vincent J. Roth began as the Company’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary on May 6, 2015 at an annual compensation of $156,000. Mr. Roth was awarded a stock grant on August 7, 2015 for services rendered for 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $0.01 per share. It is expected that Mr. Roth will be engaged with a formal employment agreement in 2016.

 

(3) Gordon Bethwaite was awarded a stock grant on October 1, 2015 for 250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $0.01 per share as an inducement to engage as the Company’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing and to compensate Mr. Bethwaite for work to be performed. These shares reverse vest quarterly over the first year, with the first quarter vested on January 1, 2016. Mr. Bethwaite officially began his engagement as Vice President of Sales and Marketing on January 1, 2016 with an annualized compensation of $208,000. It is expected that Mr. Bethwaite will be engaged with a formal employment agreement in 2016.

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Except as set forth below, during the past three years, there have been no transactions, whether directly or indirectly, between the Company and any of its officers, directors or their family members.

 

In December 2013, a member, Christopher Scangas, contributed $66,947 of fixed assets, which were recorded at historical cost.

 

Due to and from related parties represents unreimbursed expenses paid on behalf of, and amounts loaned to the Company by, Michael Favish, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, as well as other shareholders. The advances are unsecured, non-interest bearing and are due on demand. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had $236,844 and $54,735 due to related parties and as of December 31, 2013, the Company had $56,876 due from related parties.

 

The Company also pays management fees directly to Michael Favish. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred management fees of $156,250, $152,758 and $61,950, respectively.

 

On May 1, 2015, the Company issued 450,000 membership units to a related party, Cynthia Elaine Trust dated 12/12/14, upon exercise of warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $0.20 per unit. In lieu of the aggregate cash payment of $90,000, the holder applied $90,000 of accrued interest towards the exercise price of the warrants.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company issued $464,557 of stock-based compensation to individuals that were related parties at the time of issuance. There was no stock-based compensation issued during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had a total of $0, $514,693 and $463,644, respectively, of principal and interest outstanding under its convertible notes payable with related parties.

 

PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

 

The following tables set forth certain information as of February 1, 2016 and as adjusted to reflect the sale of Common Stock in this Offering, regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by the following persons:

 

· each person or entity who, to our knowledge, owns more than 5% of our common stock;

· our executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table above;

· each director;

· all of our executive officers and directors as a group; and

· the Selling Securityholders.

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the following table, each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power and that person’s address is c/o Guardion Health Sciences, Inc., 15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200 San Diego, California 92128. Shares of common stock subject to options, warrants, or other rights currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus, are deemed to be beneficially owned and outstanding for computing the share ownership and percentage of the stockholder holding the options, warrants or other rights, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other stockholder.

 

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The following table sets forth certain information regarding our common stock, beneficially owned as of February 1, 2016 by (i) each person known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock, (ii) each executive officer and director, and (iii) all directors and executive officers as a group.  The following table is based on the Company having 21,906,396 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of February 1, 2016 prior to the Offering. We calculated beneficial ownership according to Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended as of that date (the “Exchange Act”).  Shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options or warrants or conversion of notes that are exercisable or convertible within 60 days after February 1, 2016 are included as beneficially owned by the holder, but not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other Stockholder for Percentage of Common Stock Beneficially Owned Immediately After the Offering gives effect to the sale of all shares issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants and conversion of notes.  Beneficial ownership generally includes voting and dispositive power with respect to securities.  Unless otherwise indicated below, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and sole dispositive power with respect to all Units beneficially owned.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner and
title, if any
  Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned
    Percentage of
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned
Immediately Prior
to the Offering
 
Officers and Directors:                
Michael Favish, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director (1)     5,750,000 (1)     26.24 %
Robert N. Weingarten, Director     1,250,000       5.69 %
Mark Goldstone, Director (2)     1,000,000 (2)     4.56 %
Gordon Bethwaite, Vice President (3)     250,000 (3)     1.14 %
Vincent J. Roth, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary     150,000       *
All Officers and Directors as a Group (5 persons) (4)     8,400,000 (4)      38.3 %
5% Shareholders:                
Christopher Scangas (5)     2,578,489 (5)     11.77 %
Leon Krajian (6)     2,521,697 (6)     11.5 %
Jeffrey Morris (7)     1,278,211 (7)     5.83 %

* less than 1%

 

(1) Includes 250,000 shares held by Mr. Favish’s spouse.
(2) Consists of 1,000,000 shares of restricted Common Stock of the Company that reverse vest quarterly over a one year period with the first quarter vested on December 31, 2015.
(3) These shares reverse vest quarterly over the first year commencing October 1, 2015, with the first 25% of the shares vested on January 1, 2016.
(4) Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each individual is c/o Guardion Health Sciences, Inc., 15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92128.
(5) Includes 2,075,753 shares held in the name of Cynthia Elaine Trust dated December 12, 2014; 138,750 shares held in the name of Cynthia Elaine Scangas Dated June 12 2002-IRA rollover, BNY Mellon Trustee; and 363,986 shares held in the name of Jason Scangas, the son of Christopher Scangas, for whom Christopher Scangas holds Power of Attorney.
(6) Includes 231,974 shares held in the name of Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Leon S. Krajian IRA; 146,000 shares that may be purchased pursuant to an exercisable warrant issued to Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Leon S. Krajian IRA that is vested and expires May 1, 2018; and 100,000 shares that may be purchased pursuant to an exercisable warrant issued to Leon Krajian that is vested and expires September 30, 2018.
(7) Shares are held in the name of Jeff and Phyllis Morris Family Trust UDT Dated June 11, 1999; includes an exercisable warrant to purchase 30,237 shares that is vested and expires May 1, 2018.

 

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Selling Securityholders

  

Name   Beneficial Ownership        
    Number     Percent     Warrants  
Officers and Directors                          
Michael Favish   (1)     5,500,000       25.1 %      
Robert Weingarten   (2)     1,250,000       5.7 %        
Mark Goldstone   (3)     1,000,000       4.5 %        
Vincent Roth   (4)     150,000       *        
Bethwaite, Gordon   (5)     250,000       1.1 %        
                             
5% or greater shareholders                            
Krajian, Leon   (6)     1,875,697       11.5 %     646,000  
Jeffrey  Morris   (7)     1,278,211       5.9 %     30,237  
Christopher Scangas   (8)     2,578,489       11.7 %        
                             
Selling Securityholders                            
A.G. Borgia Insurance Services Inc. Defined Benefit Pension Plan   (9)     92,819                  
Addis, Demetre   (10)     186,402                  
Altschuler, Stanley   (11)     1,053,227                  
Andrews, Joseph S.   (12)     20,000                  
Armendariz, Azminda Valle   (13)     5,000                  
Arthur Pappathanasi Cust IRA   (14)     118,048               59,024  
Bane, Kenneth D.   (15)     45,755                  
                             
Bone, Richard A.   (16)     300,000                  
Borger, Howard E.   (17)     130,938                  
Borgia Family Trust UTD 8/1/1986   (18)     60,474               30,237  
Brand, Patrice L.   (19)     15,000                  
Burke, Charles Rice   (20)     8,182                  
Burke, Edward Rogers   (21)     8,182                  
Carbondale Metal, LLC   (22)     138,272                  
Carchide, Meghan   (23)     46,410                  
Chase, Christopher   (24)     93,201                  
Chavez, Denise   (25)     4,850                  
Chen, Chieh-His   (26)     36,932                  
Chen, Yu-Jen   (27)     100,091                  
Chun, Lin Ching   (28)     325,840               74,022  
Clancy, Timothy   (29)     403,581                  
Czerminski, Walter A.   (30)     99,182                  
Davies Family Trust dated February 16, 1994   (31)     20,000                  
Degnan 2000 Trust Dated April 14, 2000   (32)     91,910                  
Donati, Robert   (33)     10,000                  
Donoghue, Daniel R.   (34)     149,614                  
Dussin Investment Co. PSP   (35)     110,500                  
Favish, Greg   (36)     9,375                  
Favish, Karen M.   (37)     250,000                  
Favish, Terrence   (38)     9,474                  
Fitzpatrick, Brian   (39)     53,850               26,926  
Gagliano, Donald A.   (40)     20,000                  
Goldstone, Mark   (41)     1,000,000                  
Hamby, Jonathan M.   (42)     156,378                  
Harbushka Family Trust dated July 30, 2015   (43)     65,782                  
Heller Family Trust U/A 10-31-97   (44)     45,455                  
Heller, Charles J.   (45)     101,910                  
Hendler, Joyce M.   (46)     50,000                  

 

  42  

 

 

Hovanesian Family Trust   (47)     30,000              
Huang, Wenlue   (48)     25,000                  
Janet Levin and Frank Gruber as joint tenants   (49)     121,545               60,773  
Karam, Jean   (50)     31,705                  
Kopman, Fraeda   (51)     174,966                  
Lamont, Chris   (52)     223,803                  
Landrum, John T.   (53)     50,000                  
LaVelle, Benjamin & Angela   (54)     57,141                  
Leisher, Steve   (55)     15,765                  
Lonner, Monique   (56)     234,959                  
Margin, Susan   (57)     36,364                  
Marie, Janice   (58)     65,157                  
McCarty, Mark   (59)     20,000                  
McCaslin Family Trust   (60)     32,735                  
Morris, Amanda   (61)     122,974               30,237  
MSSB C/F Donna S. Duvall   (62)     57,246                  
Narendra, Andy   (63)     300,000                  
Obex Holding, LLC   (64)     53,548               26,774  
Powell, Marie   (65)     9,091                  
Rehfeld, Dean and Lisa Lindsey   (66)     83,334                  
Ritch, Robert   (67)     20,000                  
Scangas Schatz, Heather   (68)     121,784               60,892  
Scangas Verma, Marie Rebecca   (69)     121,784               60,892  
Scangas, Arthur   (70)     166,667                  
Scangas, Evan   (71)     46,410                  
Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP   (72)     150,000                  
Siegel, Mark   (73)     59,517               29,759  
SMC San Diego Trust   (74)     45,455                  
Snyder Family Trust U/D/T, dated July 13, 2009   (75)     52,864               26,432  
Snyder, Scott   (76)     445,098               118,018  
Stath J. Karras and Terry L. Karras as Trustees of the Karras Family Trust Dated February 15, 2002   (77)     67,032                  
Stephen Soden and Julie Soden Family Trust Dated March 24, 2008   (78)     125,000                  
Steward, Kailee (doc in Kailee Krajian)   (79)     47,319                  
Steward, Kailee (Krajian)   (80)     25,872                  
Stewart, William E.   (81)     50,500                  
Strat, Montgomery   (82)     5,000                  
Theodore, Nicholas   (83)     53,535               26,768  
Titmas, Harper Rae   (84)     16,364                  
Trattler, William   (85)     15,000                  
Wanebo, Andrea   (86)     4,848                  
Wanebo, Ella   (87)     5,455                  
Wanebo, Grace   (88)     5,455                  
Wanebo, Isabella   (89)     4,848                  
Wanebo, Oliver   (90)     5,455                  
Weinstein, Andrew F.   (91)     45,755                  
William and Anne Marie Hoversen   (92)     57,888                  
Yu, Lin Ching   (93)     107,364                  
LEWKO, LLC   (94)                     28,176  
                             
Edward Grier   (95)     575,542               100,000  
                           

 

  43  

 

 

(1)   Our Chief Executive Officer, President and Director; The Shares were issued to the Michael Favish Living Trust Dated Jan 31, 2007 on December 1, 2009.
(2)   A Director of the Company, the Shares consist of 1,250,000 shares purchased from the Issuer on June 29, 2015 for $1,250.00.
(3)   A Director of the Company; The Shares consist of 1,000,000 shares of restricted Common Stock of the Company that reverse vest quarterly over a one year period with the first quarter vested on December 31, 2015.
(4)   Our General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; Shares consist of 150,000 shares issued on August 7, 2015 for services provided.
(5)   VP of Sales and Marketing  of the Company; Shares consist of 250,000 shares of restricted Common Stock of the Company that reverse vest quarterly over a one year period with the first quarter vested on January 1, 2016.
(6)   Includes 231,974 shares held in the name of Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Leon S. Krajian IRA; 146,000 shares that may be purchased pursuant to an exercisable warrant issued to Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Leon S. Krajian IRA issued May 1, 2015 that is vested and expires May 1, 2018 at a per share price of $0.01; and 500,000 shares that may be purchased pursuant to various exercisable warrants issued to Leon Krajian between May 1, 2015 and January 25, 2016, each of which are vested and expire between May 1, 2018 and January 25, 2019, respectively and are exercisable at $0.25 per share.  Includes 99,182 shares and 1,544,541 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $50,000 promissory note issued September 29, 2011 and the May 1, 2015 conversion of a master convertible promissory note issued November 29, 2012 for amounts invested from November 29, 2012 through September 11, 2014 for an aggregate amount of $317,500, respectively, inclusive of 12% interest and additional purchases in connection with the notes.
(7)   Shares are held in the name of Jeff and Phyllis Morris Family Trust UDT Dated June 11, 1999 (Consists of 187,500 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $75,000 promissory note issued July 26, 2010, inclusive of 12% interest.); and an exercisable warrant to purchase 30,237 shares granted May 1, 2015 that is vested and expires May 1, 2018 with an exercise price of $1.00 per share.
(8)   Includes 2,075,753 shares held in the name of Cynthia Elaine Trust dated December 12, 2014 (consisting of 69,688 and 138,750 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $25,000 and a $50,000 promissory note issued July 27, 2010 and August 1, 2010, respectively, inclusive of 12% interest and additional share purchases in connection with the notes; 138,750 shares held in the name of Cynthia Elaine Scangas Dated June 12 2002-IRA rollover, BNY Mellon Trustee; and 363,986 shares held in the name of Jason Scangas (consisting of 136,250 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $50,000 promissory note issued December 1, 2010, inclusive of 12% interest), the son of Christopher Scangas, for whom Christopher Scangas holds Power of Attorney.
(9)   Includes 92,819 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $50,000 promissory note issued April 16, 2012, inclusive of 12% interest.
(10)   Consists of 103,068 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $50,000 promissory note issued February 8, 2014, inclusive of 10% interest and 83,334 shares issued from the August 10, 2015 exercise of warrants granted on February 8, 2014 with an exercise price of $0.01.
(11)   Shares were purchased on April 1, 2015 for $1,053.23 and are held in the name of Stanley and Laurie Altschuler.
(12)   Consists of 20, 000 shares issued for services provided on August 7, 2015.
(13)   Consists of 5, 000 shares issued for services provided on August 7, 2015.
(14)   Includes 59,024 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted May 1, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $1.00
(15)   Consists of 24,921 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $12,500 promissory note issued May 1, 2013, inclusive of 12% interest and 20,834 shares issued from the August 10, 2015 exercise of warrants granted on June 24, 2014 with an exercise price of $0.01.
(16)   Consists of 300, 000 shares issued on August 7, 2015 for services provided.

 

  44  

 

 

(17)   Consists of 130,938 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $50,000 promissory note issued June 24. 2014, inclusive of 10% interest.
(18)   Includes 30,237 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted May 1, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $1.00
(19)   Consists of 15,000 shares issued on August 6, 2015 for services provided.
(20)   Consists of 8,182 shares issued May 7, 2015 in exchange for extinguishment of $327 debt.
(21)   Consists of 8,182 shares issued May 7, 2015 in exchange for extinguishment of $327 debt.
(22)   Includes 92,819 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $50,000 promissory note issued April 28, 2012, inclusive of 12% interest.
(23)   Includes 46,410 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued March 31, 2012, inclusive of 12% interest.
(24)   Consists of 51,534 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued February 8, 2014, inclusive of 10% interest and 41,667 shares issued from the August 10, 2015 exercise of warrants granted on February 8, 2014 with an exercise price of $0.01.
(25)   Consists of 4,850 shares of Common Stock purchased from the Issuer on September 3, 2013 for $2,667.49
(26)   Consists of 36,932 shares of Common Stock issued upon the May 1, 2015 conversion of a $50,000 promissory note issued to Lin Ching Chun, which included $16,619.18 of interest at 12%, which interest converted at $0.45 per share into 36,932 shares, for which Lin Ching Chun gifted these shares to Chieh-His Chen.
(27)   Consists of 100,091 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $50,000 promissory note issued April 11, 2011, inclusive of 12% interest.
(28)   Consists of 214,728 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $100,000 promissory note issued December 29, 2010, inclusive of 12% interest; Includes 74,022 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted May 1, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $1.00
(29)   Consists of 226,914 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $100,000 promissory note issued February 5, 2014, inclusive of 10% interest and 166,667 shares issued from the August 10, 2015 exercise of warrants granted on February 5, 2014 with an exercise price of $0.01, and 10,000 shares issued on August 10, 2015 as repayment for a non-interest bearing loan.
(30)   Consists of 99,182 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $50,000 promissory note issued April 28, 2012, inclusive of 12% interest.
(31)   Consists of 20,000 shares issued on August 7, 2015 for services provided.
(32)   Consists of 91,910 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $50,000 promissory note issued September 29, 2011, inclusive of 12% interest.
(33)   Consists of 10,000 shares issued October 1, 2015 for services provided.
(34)   Consists of 98,204 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $37,500 promissory note issued August 2, 2010, inclusive of 12% interest and 51,140 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued May 6, 2011, inclusive of 12% interest.
(35)   Consists of 110,500 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $40,000 promissory note issued August 30, 2010, inclusive of 12% interest and additional purchase in connection with the note.
(36)   Consists of 9,375 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 7, 2015 conversion of a $5,000 invoice issued October 27, 2014, inclusive of 4% interest.
(37)   Wife of CEO and President; 250,000 shares issued on August 7, 2015 for services provided.
(38)   Consists of 9,474 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $5,000 invoice issued July 23, 2014, inclusive of 4% interest.
(39)   Includes 53,850 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued November 3, 2014, inclusive of 10% interest; 13,463 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted August 10, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $0.60 and 13,462 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted August 10, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $0.75.
(40)   Consists of 20,000 shares issued on August 7, 2015 for services provided.
(41)   Consists of 1,000,000 shares issued on October 1, 2015 for services to be provided over the following year.
(42)   Consists of 65,469 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued August 3, 2010, inclusive of 12% interest and 90,909 shares of Common Stock purchased from the Issuer on January 3, 2013 for $50,000.
(43)   Consists of 65,782 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued July 27, 2010, inclusive of 12% interest.
(44)   Consists of 45,455 shares of Common Stock purchased from the Issuer on June 4, 2012 for $25,000.
(45)   Consists of 101,910 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $50,000 promissory note issued June 10, 2011, inclusive of 12% interest.

 

  45  

 

 

(46)   Consists of 50,000 shares issued on August 7, 2015 for services provided.
(47)   Consists of 30,000 shares issued on August 7, 2015 for services provided.
(48)   Consists of 25,000 shares issued on August 7, 2015 for services provided.
(49)   Includes 60,773 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted May 1, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $1.00
(50)   Consists of 31,250 shares issued June 29, 2012 for the $25,000 of services provided.
(51)   Consists of 67,032 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued March 1, 2010, inclusive of 12% interest; 50,046 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued August 6, 2011, inclusive of 12% interest; 57888 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued May 1, 2013, inclusive of 12% interest.
(52)   Includes 223,803 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $90,000 promissory note issued August 14, 2014, inclusive of 12% interest.
(53)   Consists of 50,000 shares issued on August 7, 2015 for services provided.
(54)   Includes 57,141 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued June 20, 2013, inclusive of 12% interest.
(55)   Includes 10,510 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $5,000 promissory note issued February 6, 2015, inclusive of 10% interest and 5,255 shares purchased at $0.34 per share in connection with a cancellation of a warrant.
(56)   Includes 234,959 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $100,000 promissory note issued March 5, 2013, inclusive of 12% interest.
(57)   36,364 shares of Common Stock purchased from the Issuer on October 4, 2013 for $20,000.
(58)   Consists of 65,157 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued August 30, 2010, inclusive of 12% interest.
(59)   Consists of 20,000 shares issued on August 7, 2015 for services provided.
(60)   Consists of 32,735 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $12,500 promissory note issued August 5, 2010, inclusive of 12% interest.
(61)   Includes 62,500 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued July 26, 2010, inclusive of 12% interest and 30,237 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted May 1, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $1.00.
(62)   Consists of 57,246 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued June 13, 2013, inclusive of 12% interest.
(63)   Consists of 300,000 shares issued on August 7, 2015 for services provided.
(64)   Includes 53,548 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued November 25, 2014, inclusive of 10% interest and 13,387 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted August 10, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $0.60 and 13,387 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted August 10, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $0.75.
(65)   Consists of 9,091 shares issued on August 10, 2015 for the extinguishment of $5,000 of debt.
(66)   Consists of 83,334 shares issued on September 8, 2015 for the exercise of a warrant in the name of Cynthia Elaine Trust dated 12/12/14, which shares were issued in the name of Dean and Lisa Lindsey Rehfeld upon exercise of the warrant.
(67)   Consists of 20,000 shares issued on August 7, 2015 for services provided.
(68)   Includes 60,892 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted May 1, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $1.00
(69)   Includes 60,892 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted May 1, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $1.00
(70)   Consists of 166,667 shares issued on September 11, 2015 for exercise of a warrant in the name of Jason Scangas, which shares were issued in the name of Arthur Scangas upon exercise of the warrant.
(71)   Includes 46,410 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued March 31, 2012, inclusive of 12% interest.
(72)   Consists of 150,000 shares issued on August 10, 2015 for services provided.
(73)   Includes 29,759 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted May 1, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $1.00
(74)   Consists of 45,455 shares of Common Stock purchased from the Issuer on September 9, 2013 for $25,000.
(75)   Includes 52,864 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued January 14, 2015, inclusive of 10% interest; 13,216 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted August 10, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $0.60 and 13,216 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted August 10, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $0.75.
(76)   Consists of 209,063 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $75,000 promissory note issued July 26, 2010, inclusive of 12% interest including additional shares purchased in connection with the conversion and 118,018 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted May 1, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $1.00.

 

  46  

 

 

(77)   Consists of 67,032 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued March 1, 2010, inclusive of 12% interest.
(78)   Consists of 125,000 shares issued on December 1, 2009 for services provided.
(79)   Consists of 47,319 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued February 28, 2012, inclusive of 12% interest.
(80)   Consists of 25,872 shares of Common Stock issued upon the May 1, 2015 conversion of a $12,500 promissory note issued January 16, 2015, inclusive of 12% interest.
(81)   Consists of 50,500 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued June 30, 2011, inclusive of 12% interest.
(82)   Consists of 5,000 shares issued on August 10, 2015 for the extinguishment of $2,800 of debt.
(83)   Includes 53,535 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued November 26, 2014, inclusive of 10% interest; 13,384 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted August 10, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $0.60 and 13,384 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted August 10, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $0.75.
(84)   Consists of 16,364 shares issued May 7, 2015 in exchange for extinguishment of $655 debt.
(85)   Consists of 15,000 shares issued on August 7, 2015 for services provided.
(86)   Consists of 4,848 shares purchased from the Issuer on September 3, 2013 for $2,666.
(87)   Consists of 5,455 shares purchased from the Issuer on September 3, 2013 for $3,000.
(88)   Consists of 5,455 shares purchased from the Issuer on September 3, 2013 for $3,000.
(89)   Consists of 4,848 shares purchased from the Issuer on September 3, 2013 for $ 2,666.
(90)   Consists of 5,455 shares purchased from the Issuer on September 3, 2013 for $3,000.
(91)   Consists of 24,921 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $12,500 promissory note issued June 24, 2014, inclusive of 10% interest and 20,834 shares issued from the August 10, 2015 exercise of warrants granted on June 24, 2014 with an exercise price of $0.01.
(92)   Consists of 57,888 shares of Common Stock issued upon the August 10, 2015 conversion of a $25,000 promissory note issued May 1, 2013, inclusive of 12% interest.
(93)   Consists of 107,364 shares of Common Stock issued upon the June 29, 2012 conversion of a $50,000 promissory note issued December 29, 2010, inclusive of 12% interest.
(94)   Includes 28,176 shares issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant granted August 10, 2015 with a per share exercise price of $0.01.
     
(95)   Consisting of 575,542 shares issuable upon conversion of a promissory note with a principal amount of $500,000 and 100,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of a common stock purchase warrant at $0.25 per share issued on November 30, 2015.
(96)    

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Each Selling Securityholder and any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of their shares of common stock on the over-the-counter market or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are traded, after our shares are traded publicly, or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices. The distribution of the shares by the Selling Securityholders is not currently subject to any underwriting agreement. Each Selling Securityholder must use a broker-dealer which is registered in the state in which the Selling Securityholder seeks to sell their shares. A Selling Securityholder may use any one or more of the following methods when selling shares:

 

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

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

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

•conducting business in places where business practices and customs are unfamiliar and unknown;

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

•privately negotiated transactions;

•settlement of short sales entered into after the date of this prospectus;

•broker-dealers may agree with the Selling Securityholders to sell a specified number of the shares at a stipulated price per share;

 

  47  

 

 

•a combination of any of these methods of sale;

•through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise; or

•any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

 

The Selling Securityholders may also sell shares under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.

 

The Selling Securityholders will offer the Shares under this Prospectus on an immediate and continuous basis at a fixed offering price of $___ per share. The initial offering price is based, in part, on the last private sale of the Company’s Common Stock at $0.60 per share and comparison by Management of similarly situated companies and an independent valuation report last calculated on June 30, 2015.

 

The Company has not engaged any FINRA member firms to participate in the distribution of securities. Broker-dealers engaged by the Selling Securityholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the Selling Securityholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated. Each Selling Securityholder does not expect these commissions and discounts relating to its sales of shares to exceed what is customary in the types of transactions involved. The SEC has indicated that it is their position that any broker-dealer firm which is a Selling Securityholder is deemed an underwriter and therefore these firms may be deemed an underwriter with respect to the securities being sold by them.

 

We are required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by us incident to the registration of the shares. We have agreed to indemnify the Selling Securityholders against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

The Selling Securityholders may agree to indemnify any agent, dealer or broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving sales of the shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

 

We have advised the Selling Securityholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the market and to the activities of the Selling Securityholders and their affiliates. In addition, we will make copies of this Prospectus available to the Selling Securityholders for the purpose of satisfying the Prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

 

In connection with the sale of our common stock or interests therein, the Selling Securityholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling Securityholders may also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The Selling Securityholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to these broker-dealers or other financial institutions of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares these broker-dealers or other financial institutions may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect these transactions).

 

Because Selling Securityholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, they will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. In addition, any securities covered by this prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than under this prospectus. There is no underwriter or coordinating broker acting in connection with the proposed sale of the shares by the Selling Securityholders.

 

Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged in the distribution of the shares may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to our common stock for a period of two business days prior to the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the Selling Securityholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of shares of our common stock by the Selling Securityholders or any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the Selling Securityholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

 

Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock

 

The following description of our capital stock and provisions of our articles of incorporation and by-laws are summaries and are qualified by reference to our articles of incorporation and by-laws. Copies of these documents have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to our registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

We have authorized 100,000,000 shares of capital stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which 90,000,000 are shares of common stock and 10,000,000 are shares of “blank check” preferred stock.

 

As of February 1, 2016, we had 21,906,396 shares of common stock held of record by 94 shareholders of record.  

 

We have authorized 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. There are no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

 

  48  

 

 

Common Stock

 

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share. In addition, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive ratably dividends, if any, declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds; however, the current policy of our board of directors is to retain earnings, if any, for operations and growth. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets that are legally available for distribution. The holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, which may be designated solely by action of our board of directors and issued in the future.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Our board of directors are authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, without further vote or action by our stockholders, to issue from time to time shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Each series of preferred stock will have the number of shares, designations, preferences, voting powers, qualifications and special or relative rights or privileges as shall be determined by our board of directors, which may include, among others, dividend rights, voting rights, liquidation preferences, conversion rights and preemptive rights.

 

It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock upon the rights of holders of our common stock until the board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of our preferred stock.  However, the effects might include, among other things:

 

· Impairing dividend rights of our common stock;

· Diluting the voting power of our common stock;

· Impairing the liquidation rights of our common stock; and

· Delaying or preventing a change of control without further action by our stockholders.

 

Blank Check Preferred Stock

 

The ability to authorize “blank check” preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to acquire us.  These and other provisions may have the effect of deferring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of our Company.

 

Common Stock Purchase Warrants

 

We have 554,091 warrants to purchase common stock outstanding at an exercise price of $1.00 per share issued on May 1, 2015 expiring on May 1, 2018, held by 10 warrant holders.

 

On August 10, 2015, we issued common stock purchase warrants in connection with an investor’s issuance of a convertible promissory note. Warrant coverage was provided to each investor in a number of shares equal to 50% of the shares of stock the investor would receive on conversion of their note. Of the warrants, half were issued with an exercise price of $0.75 per share and half were issued with and exercise price of $0.60 per share. A total of 106,899 warrants to purchase common stock are outstanding from this round of investment.

 

In connection with the issuance of bridge loans between September 30, 2015 and January 25, 2016 totaling $350,000, we issued the lender a total of 600,000 common stock purchase warrants with an exercise price of $0.25 exercisable for three (3) years issued.

 

On August 10, 2015, a creditor exchanged its outstanding invoices of $15,497 for 28,176 warrants to purchase common stock at $0.01.

 

Transfer Agent

 

Our transfer agent is VStock Transfer with an address 18 Lafayette Pl, Woodmere, NY 11598.

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (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, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the full extent authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“Delaware Code”), as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Company to provide prior to such amendment), or by other applicable law as then in effect, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. The right to indemnification conferred shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Company the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if the Delaware Code requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of 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. Any person who is or was serving as a director of a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed, for indemnification purposes, to be a director or officer of the Company entitled to indemnification under the Company’s bylaws and the Delaware Code. The Company may by action of its Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Company with the same scope and effects as the indemnification provisions for officers and directors.

 

  49  

 

 

Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities

 

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

 

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 shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus.  This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement.  For further information with respect to us and the shares we and the Selling Securityholders are offering pursuant to this prospectus, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits.  Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and you should refer to the copy of that contract or other documents filed as an exhibit to the registrations statement.  You may read or obtain a copy of the registration statement at the SEC’s public reference room and Website referred to below.

 

We will file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms and their copy charges. You may also request a copy of those filings, excluding exhibits, from us at no cost. These requests should be addressed to us at: Guardion Health Sciences, Inc., 15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92128, Attention: Vincent J. Roth, General Counsel.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, 605 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10158, will pass upon the validity of the shares of our common stock to be sold in this offering.

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 have been audited by Weinberg & Co., 1925 Century Park East, Suite 1120, Los Angeles, CA 90067, an independent registered public accounting firm as set forth in their report and are included in reliance upon such report given as authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

  50  

 

 

  Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
   
  Financial Statements
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited) and the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

 

 

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
 
Contents

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   F-2
     
Financial Statements    
     
Balance Sheets   F-3
     
Statements of Operations   F-4
     
Statements of Members’ and Stockholders’ Deficiency   F-5
     
Statements of Cash Flows   F-7
     
Notes to Financial Statements   F-8 – F-28

 

  F- 1  

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors
Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

San Diego, California

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Guardion Health Sciences, Inc. (the "Company") as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the related statements of operations, members’ and stockholders' deficiency and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform our audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that we considered appropriate in the circumstances, 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. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Guardion Health Sciences, Inc. as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1, the Company has experienced negative operating cash flows since inception and has a members’ deficiency as of December 31, 2014. These matters 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 Note 1 to the financial statements. These financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

/s/ Weinberg & Company, P.A.  
   
Weinberg & Company, P.A.  
Los Angeles, California  
February 11, 2016  

 

  F- 2  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

 

Balance Sheets

 

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
    2015     2014     2013  
    (unaudited)              
                   
Assets                        
                         
Current assets                        
Cash   $ 24,497     $ 6,160     $ 22,877  
Accounts receivable     1,242       1,041       1,578  
Inventories     38,338       24,227       93,768  
Current portion of deposits and prepaid expenses     20,507       9,605       9,317  
Due from related party     -       -       56,87 6  
                         
Total current assets     84,584       41,033       184,416  
                         
Deposits and prepaid expenses, less current portion     20,470       10,470       20,075  
Property and equipment, net     185,827       214,166       249,121  
Other non-current assets     -       8,207       9,033  
                         
Total assets   $ 290,881     $ 273,876     $ 462,645  
                         
Liabilities, Members’ and Stockholders’ Deficiency                        
                         
Current liabilities                        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   $ 160,886     $ 198,422     $ 240,419  
Accrued and deferred lease costs     154,997       160,360       70,057  
Due to related party     236,844       54,735       -  
Current portion of convertible notes payable, net of debt discount of $0, $86,190 and $0, respectively     40,584       693,133       36,850  
Current portion of convertible notes payable related party,   net of debt discount of $0, $45,087 and $9,745, respectively     -       347,645       38,570  
Current portion of promissory notes payable, net of debt discount of $0, $98,654 and $0, respectively     -       141,347       35,000  
                         
Total current liabilities     593,311       1,595,642       420,896  
                         
Convertible notes payable, net of debt discount of $0, $252,320 and $339,022, respectively, less current portion     510,274       382,109       685,828  
Convertible notes payable related party, net of debt discount of $0, $16,965 and $157,267, respectively, less current portion     -       104,996       258,062  
Promissory notes payable, net of debt discount of $0, $9,395 and $0, respectively, less current portion     -       3,762       -  
                         
Total liabilities     1,103,585       2,086,509       1,364,786  
                         
Commitments and contingencies                        
                         
Members’ and Stockholders’ Deficiency                        
                         
Members’ equity; 10,821,827 units outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013     -       3,452,852     3,042,852
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015 (unaudited)     -       -       -  
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 90,000,000 shares authorized; 20,646,396 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015 (unaudited)     2,064       -       -  
Additional paid-in capital     12,089,236       -       -  
Accumulated deficit     (12,904,004 )     (5,265,485 )     (3,944,993 )
                         
Total members’ and stockholders’ deficiency     (812,704 )     (1,812,633 )     (902,141 )
                         
Total liabilities, members’ and stockholders’ deficiency   $ 290,881     $ 273,876     $ 462,645  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  F- 3  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
 
Statements of Operations

 

    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Years Ended
December 31,
 
    2015     2014     2014     2013  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)              
                         
Revenue   $ 86,802     $ 132,655     $ 164,582     $ 260,356  
                                 
Cost of goods sold     36,865       121,203       145,529       168,878  
                                 
Gross profit     49.937       11,452       19,053       91,478  
                                 
Operating expenses                                
Research and development (including $342,000 of stock-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2015)     386,673       46,711       43,436       259,786  
Sales and marketing     40,574       30,442       46,768       51,600  
General and administrative (including $3,937,233 of stock-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, of which $464,557 was to related parties)     4,662,643       462,365       638,002       616,703  
                                 
Total operating expenses     5,089,890       539,518       728,206       928,089  
                                 
Loss from operations     (5,039,953 )     (528,066 )     (709,153 )     (836,611 )
                                 
Other expenses:                                
Interest expense     640,351       443,457       611,339       406,067  
Cost to induce conversion of notes payable     1,699,609       -       -       -  
Loss on settlement of promissory notes and accounts payable     258,606       -       -       -  
                                 
Total other expenses     2,598,566       443,457       611,339       406,067  
                                 
Net loss   $ (7,638,519 )   $ (971,523 )   $ (1,320,492 )   $ (1,242,678 )
                                 
Basic and diluted net loss per common share   $ (0.51 )   $ (0.09 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.12 )
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding     14,894,883       10,821,827       10,821,827       10,711,515  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  F- 4  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

 

Statement of Stockholders’ and Members’ Deficiency

 

    Members’ Capital     Common Stock                    
    Units     Amount     Shares     Amount     Additional
 Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
 Members’ and
Stockholders’
Deficiency
 
Balance at December 31, 2012     10,572,735     $ 2,650,794       -     $ -     $ -     $ (2,702,315 )   $ (51,521 )
Issuance of membership units     158,183       87,000       -       -       -       -       87,000  
Issuance of membership units - conversion of notes payable     90,909       50,000       -       -       -       -       50,000  
Issuance of convertible notes payable - beneficial conversion feature     -       188,111       -       -       -       -       188,111  
Capital contribution     -       66,947       -       -       -       -       66,947  
Net loss     -       -       -       -               (1,242,678 )     (1,242,678 )
Balance at December 31, 2013     10,821,827     $ 3,042,852       -     $ -     $ -     $ (3,944,993 )     (902,141 )
Fair value of warrants issued with promissory notes  payable and convertible notes payable     -       241,548       -       -       -       -       241,548  
Issuance of convertible notes payable – beneficial conversion feature     -       168,452       -       -       -       -       168,452  
Net loss                                             (1,320,492 )     (1,320,492 )
Balance at December 31, 2014     10,821,827     $ 3,452,852       -     $ -     $ -     $ (5,265,485 )   $ (1,812,633 )
Fair value of warrants issued with convertible  notes payable     -       16,656       -       -       -       -       16,656  
Issuance of convertible notes payable - beneficial  conversion feature     -       25,844       -       -       -       -       25,844  
Issuance of membership units - conversion of notes payable, promissory notes payable and related interest     2,659,294       1,429,035       -       -       -       -       1,429,035  
Issuance of membership units as inducement to convert     995,926       1,135,356       -       -       -       -       1,135,356  
Issuance of warrants as inducement  to convert     -       506,857       -       -       -       -       506,857  
Issuance of membership units for consulting  services     2,303,227       2,625,679       -       -       -       -       2,625,679  
Issuance of membership units to related party upon warrant exercise     450,000       90,000       -       -       -       -       90,000  
Net loss- January 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015     -       -       -       -       -       (5,071,113 )     (5,071,113 )
Conversion of Membership Units to Common Stock on June 30, 2015     (17,230,274 )     (9,282,279 )     17,230,274       1,722       9,280,557       -       -  
Issuance of common stock - conversion of notes payable, promissory notes payable and related interest     -       -       1,328,346       133       983,641       -       983,774  
Issuance of common stock as inducement  to convert     -       -       50,348       5       57,391       -       57,396  
Issuance of common stock for services     -       -       1,454,091       146       1,657,518       -       1,657,664  

 

(continued)

 

  F- 5  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

 

Statement of Stockholders’ and Members’ Deficiency

 

(continued)

 

    Members’ Capital     Common Stock                    
    Units     Amount     Shares     Amount     Additional
 Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
Stockholders’
Deficiency
 
Issuance of common stock - warrant exercises     -       -       583,337       58       78,276       -       78,334  
Fair value of warrants issued in  conversion of accounts payable     -       -       -       -       31,853       -       31,853  
Net loss - July 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015     -       -       -       -       -       (2,567,406 )     (2,567,406 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2015 (unaudited)     -     $ -       20,646,396     $ 2,064     $ 12,089,236     $ (12,904,004 )   $ (812,704 )

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  F- 6  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

 

Statements of Cash Flows  

 

 

    Nine Months Ended September 30,     Years Ended December 31,  
    2015     2014     2014     2013  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)              
Operating Activities                                
Net loss   $ (7,638,519 )   $ (971,523 )   $ (1,320,492 )   $ (1,242,678 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:                                
Depreciation and amortization     38,710       32,386       43,231       8,842  
Amortization of debt discount     551,110       290,303       407,424       266,307  
Accrued interest expense included in notes payable     95,347       146,488       198,757       139,759  
Stock-based compensation for consulting services     4,279,233       -       -       -  
Loss on settlement of promissory notes payable and accounts payable     258,606       -       -       -  
Inducement expense on conversions of notes payable to equity     1,699,609       -       -       -  
Warrants issued in payment of accounts payable     7,992       -       -       -  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                                
(Increase) decrease in -                                
Accounts receivable     (201 )     995       537       513  
Inventories     (14,111 )     73,787       69,541       (1,173 )
Deposits and prepaid expenses     (20,902 )     9,317       9,317       18,057  
Increase (decrease) in -                                
Accounts payable and accrued expenses     (30,619 )     (98,491 )     (38,167 )     258,930  
Accrued and deferred rent costs     (5,363 )     94,900       86,474       45,144  
                                 
Net cash used in operating activities     (779,108 )     (421,838 )     (543,378 )     (506,299 )
                                 
Investing Activities                                
Purchase of property and equipment     (2,164 )     (5,550 )     (7,450 )     (176,273 )
                                 
Net cash used in investing activities     (2,164 )     (5,550 )     (7,450 )     (176,273 )
                                 
Financing Activities                                
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes payable     542,500       135,000       222,500       465,000  
Proceeds from issuance of promissory notes     -       200,000       200,000       35,000  
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes payable – related party     -       -       -       100,000  
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and membership units     -       -       -       87,000  
Proceeds from exercise of warrants     75,000       -                  
(Increase) decrease in due from related parties     182,109       56,876       56,876       (11,612 )
Increase in due to related parties     -       12,635       54,735       -  
                                 
Net cash provided by financing activities     799,609       404,511       534,111       675,388  
                                 
Cash:                                
Net increase (decrease)     18,337       (22,877 )     (16,717 )     (7,184 )
Balance at beginning of period     6,160       22,877       22,877       30,061  
Balance at end of period   $ 24,497     $ -     $ 6,160     $ 22,877  
                                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                                
Cash paid for -                                
Interest   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Income taxes   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                 
Non-cash financing activities:                                
Fair value of warrants issued in connection with promissory and convertible notes payable   $ 16,656     $ 200,000     $ 241,548     $ -  
Beneficial conversion feature associated with promissory and convertible notes payable   $ 25,844     $ 135,000     $ 168,452     $ 188,111  
Conversion of notes payable and related interest into common stock   $ 2,412,809     $ -     $ -     $ 50,000  
Accrued interest on notes payable utilized to exercise warrants   $ 93,334     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Fair value of warrants issued to settle accounts payable   $ 7,504     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Contribution of property and equipment to members’ capital   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 66,947  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  F- 7  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

1. Organization and Business Operations

 

Organization and Business

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”) was formed in December 2009 as a California limited liability company under the name P4L Health Sciences, LLC. On June 30, 2015, the Company converted from a California limited liability company to a Delaware corporation, changing its name from Guardion Health Sciences, LLC to Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

 

The Company is a specialty health sciences company that develops, formulates and distributes condition-specific medical foods. The Company’s initial medical food product, Lumega-Z, addresses a depleted macular protective pigment, which is a biomarker and leading cause of age-related macular degeneration (“AMD”), as well as computer vision syndrome (“CVS”). The Company has also developed a proprietary medical device, the MapcatSF, which measures the macular ocular pigment density.

 

Through September 30, 2015, the Company has had limited operations, but has been primarily engaged in research and development and capital raising. The Company has incurred significant expenditures for the development of the Company's products and intellectual property, which includes research and development of both medical foods and medical diagnostic equipment for the treatment of various eye diseases. The Company had limited revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

Going Concern and Liquidity

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company has utilized cash in operating activities of $779,108, $543,378 and $506,299 during the nine months ending September 30, 2015 (unaudited) and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and had a deficit of $812,704, $1,812,633 and $902,141 as of September 30, 2015 (unaudited) and December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company expects to continue to incur net losses and negative operating cash flows at least through 2016. As a result, management and the Company’s auditors believe that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that may result from the possible inability of the Company to continue as a going concern.

 

The Company will continue to incur significant expenses for commercialization activities related to its lead product Lumega-Z, the MapcatSF medical device, and with respect to efforts to build the Company’s infrastructure. Development and commercialization of medical foods and medical devices involves a lengthy and complex process. Additionally, the Company’s long-term viability and growth will depend upon the successful development and commercialization of products other than Lumega-Z and the MapcatSF. The Company is continuing attempts to raise additional debt and/or equity capital to fund future operations (see Note 12) , but there can be no assurances that the Company will be able to secure such additional financing in the amounts necessary to fully fund its operating requirements on acceptable terms or at all. If the Company is unable to access sufficient capital resources on a timely basis, the Company may be forced to reduce or discontinue its technology and product development programs and curtail or cease operations.

 

  F- 8  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of the accompanying financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain 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 reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

As discussed in Note 1, on June 30, 2015 the Company converted from a California limited liability company to a Delaware corporation and LLC units were converted to common stock on a one-for-one basis.

 

Interim Unaudited Financial Information

 

The accompanying financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, these financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements included herein and include all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The information disclosed in the notes to the financial statements for such interim periods is also unaudited.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The authoritative guidance with respect to fair value established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels, and requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of three categories, as presented below. Disclosure as to transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2, and activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, is also required.

 

Level 1. Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for an identical asset or liability that the Company has the ability to access as of the measurement date. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 1 inputs include active-exchange traded securities and exchange-based derivatives.

 

Level 2. Inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are directly observable for the asset or liability or indirectly observable through corroboration with observable market data. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 2 inputs include fixed income securities, non-exchange based derivatives, mutual funds, and fair-value hedges.

 

Level 3. Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data for the asset or liability which requires the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 3 inputs include infrequently-traded, non-exchange-based derivatives and commingled investment funds, and are measured using present value pricing models.

 

  F- 9  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

The Company determines the level in the fair value hierarchy within which each fair value measurement falls in its entirety, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. In determining the appropriate levels, the Company performs an analysis of the assets and liabilities at each reporting period end.

 

The Company believes the carrying amount of its financial instruments (consisting of cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities) approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of such instruments. The fair value of the Company’s notes payable approximate their carrying value given the interest rates of such notes.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties

 

Cash balances are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, balances may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has never experienced any losses related to these balances. All of the non-interest bearing cash balances were fully insured at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014 and 2013. Insurance coverage limits are $250,000 per depositor at each financial institution. There were no interest-bearing amounts on deposit in excess of federally insured limits at September 30, 2015, or at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

Inventories

 

The Company’s inventories are stated at the lower of weighted-average cost or market. The cost of finished goods and raw materials is determined on a first-in, first-out basis. The Company evaluates its inventories for obsolescence and recoverability at each reporting period.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are initially recorded at their historical cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets (ranging from three to seven years). Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remaining lease term.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company reviews long-lived assets, consisting of property and equipment, for impairment at each fiscal year end or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may exceed their current fair values. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The Company has not historically recorded any impairment to its long-lived assets. In the future, if events or market conditions affect the estimated fair value to the extent that a long-lived asset is impaired, the Company will adjust the carrying value of these long-lived assets in the period in which the impairment occurs. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had not deemed any long-lived assets as impaired, and was not aware of the existence of any indicators of impairment at such dates.

 

  F- 10  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company’s revenue is currently comprised of sales of medical foods and dietary supplements to consumers through a direct sales/credit card process. Revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence an arrangement exists, the selling price is fixed or determinable, collectability is reasonably assured, and the product has shipped.

 

The Company allows for returns within 30 days of purchase. Product returns for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (unaudited) and 2014 (unaudited), and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were insignificant.

 

Research and Development Costs

 

Research and development expenditures, which include patent related costs, are expensed as incurred and totaled $386,673, $46,711, $43,436 and $259,786 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (unaudited) and 2014 (unaudited), and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Patent Costs

 

The Company is the owner of several domestic patents. Due to the significant uncertainty associated with the successful development of one or more commercially viable products based on the Company's research efforts and any related patent applications, patent costs, including patent-related legal fees, filing fees and other costs, including internally generated costs, are expensed as incurred. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, patent costs were $22,698, $14,433, $32,783 and $20,483, respectively, and are included in total research and development costs in the statement of operations.

 

Convertible Notes Payable

 

When conventional convertible debt is issued with detachable warrants, the proceeds from issuance are allocated to the two instruments based on their relative fair values. This method is generally appropriate if debt is issued with any other freestanding instrument that is classified in equity.

 

When the convertible debt instrument includes both detachable instruments such as warrants, and a beneficial conversion option, the proceeds of issuance are allocated among the convertible instrument and the other detachable instruments based on their relative fair values as indicated above, and the amount allocated to the convertible instrument is further analyzed to determine if the embedded conversion option has intrinsic value. If the conversion features of conventional convertible debt provide for a rate of conversion that is below market value, then the conversion option has intrinsic value and this feature is characterized as a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”). The Company calculates an effective conversion price based on the fair value allocated to the convertible instrument divided by the number of conversion shares based upon the conversion terms of the instrument. The resulting calculation or effective conversion price is used to measure the intrinsic value, if any, of the embedded conversion option. Stated differently, intrinsic value is calculated at the commitment date as the difference between the conversion price (effective or otherwise) and the fair value of the common stock or other securities into which the security is convertible, multiplied by the number of shares into which the security is convertible.

 

The fair value of members’ units or common stock was determined based on management’s judgement. In order to assist management in calculating such fair value, the Company retained a third party valuation firm in determining the value of the Company. The third party valuation firm’s input was utilized in determining the related per unit or share valuations of the Company’s equity used at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014 and 2013. Management made the final determination as to valuation based on various inputs, including the valuation report prepared by the third party valuation firm.

 

  F- 11  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

If the intrinsic value of the BCF is greater than the proceeds allocated to the convertible instrument, the amount of the discount assigned to the BCF is limited to the amount of the proceeds allocated to the convertible instrument. A BCF is recorded by the Company as a debt discount and in those circumstances, the convertible debt will be recorded net of the discount related to the BCF. The Company amortizes the discount to interest expense over the life of the debt using the effective interest rate method or the straight-line method, as an approximation of effective interest amortization.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company periodically issues stock-based compensation to officers, directors, employees and consultants for services rendered. Such issuances vest and expire according to terms established at the issuance date.

 

Stock-based payments to officers and directors, and to employees in the future which will include grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. Stock option grants, which are generally time vested, will be measured at the grant date fair value and charged to operations on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The fair value of stock options is determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which is affected by several variables, including the risk-free interest rate, the expected dividend yield, the expected life of the equity award, the exercise price of the stock option as compared to the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date and the estimated volatility of the common stock over the term of the equity award.

 

The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Until the Company has established a trading market for its common stock, estimated volatility is based on the average historical volatilities of comparable public companies in a similar industry. The expected dividend yield is based on the current yield at the grant date; the Company has never declared or paid dividends and has no plans to do so for the foreseeable future.

 

The fair value of members’ units or common stock was determined based on management’s judgement. In order to assist management in calculating such fair value, the Company retained a third party valuation firm in determining the value of the Company. The third party valuation firm’s input was utilized in determining the related per unit or share valuations of the Company’s equity used at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014 and 2013. Management made the final determination as to valuation based on various inputs, including the valuation report prepared by the third party valuation firm.

 

The Company accounts for stock option and warrant grants issued and vesting to non-employees in accordance with the authoritative guidance of the FASB whereas the value of the stock compensation is based upon the measurement date as determined at either a) the date at which a performance commitment is reached, or b) at the date at which the necessary performance to earn the equity instruments is complete. Non-employee stock-based compensation charges generally are amortized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. In certain circumstances where there are no future performance requirements by the non-employee, option grants are immediately vested and the total stock-based compensation charge is recorded in the period of the measurement date.

 

  F- 12  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

The Company recognizes stock compensation expense on stock or unit purchases at a price less than fair value, and for fully-vested stock issued to consultants and other service providers, for the excess of fair value of the stock or units over the price paid for the stock or units.

 

The Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation within its statements of operations with classification depending on the nature of the services rendered. The Company issues new shares to satisfy stock option exercises.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (unaudited), the Company recognized aggregate stock-compensation expense based upon a stock price of $1.14 per share of $4,279,233, of which $3,937,233 was recorded in general and administrative expense and $342,000 was recorded in research in development expense. There was no stock-based compensation expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited) or the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013.

 

Income Taxes

 

As of September 30, 2015, the Company was a corporation subject to U.S. federal income taxes and California state income taxes. Prior to June 30, 2015, the Company was a limited liability company and taxed as a pass through entity whereby substantially all income tax attributes were passed through to the individual members, except for the minimum state income tax and an LLC fee based on revenues.

 

The Company currently accounts for income taxes under an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Accordingly, the Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected impact of differences between the financial statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities.

 

The Company accounts for uncertainties in income tax law under a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns as prescribed by GAAP. The tax effects of a position are recognized only if it is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority as of the reporting date. If the tax position is not considered “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained, then no benefits of the position are recognized. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had not recorded any liability for uncertain tax positions. In subsequent periods, any interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions will be recognized as a component of income tax expense.

 

The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In the event the Company was to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be credited to operations in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be charged to operations in the period such determination was made.

 

  F- 13  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

Net Loss per Share

 

The Company’s computation of basic and diluted net loss per common share is measured as net loss divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the respective periods. The company considers membership units to be equivalent to common shares for purposes of the computation of net loss per share. For diluted net loss per share, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding are adjusted to include (i) dilutive warrants under the treasury method, and (ii) the shares associated with the conversion of convertible debt outstanding during the period under the if-converted method, and related interest charges applicable to the convertible debt added back to net income. Potential common shares that have an anti-dilutive effect are excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share. The Company’s basic and diluted net loss per share is the same for all periods presented because all shares issuable upon exercise of warrants and conversion of convertible debt outstanding are anti-dilutive as they decrease loss per share.

 

The following table sets forth the number of shares excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
    2015     2014     2014     2013  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)              
Warrants     835,166       333,336       1,317,894       904,091  
Estimated shares issuable upon conversion of convertible notes payable     1,054,672       3,097,530       3,327,274       2,646,841  
      1,889,838       3,430,866       4,645,168       3,550,932  

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (ASU 2014-09), Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 will eliminate transaction- and industry-specific revenue recognition guidance under current GAAP and replace it with a principle based approach for determining revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 will require that companies recognize revenue based on the value of transferred goods or services as they occur in the contract. ASU 2014-09 also will require additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. Based on the FASB’s Exposure Draft Update issued on April 29, 2015, and approved in July 2015, Revenue from Contracts With Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, ASU 2014-09 is now effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Entities will be able to transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15 (ASU 2014-15), Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-10). ASU 2014-15 provides guidance as to management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. In connection with preparing financial statements for each annual and interim reporting period, an entity’s management should evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued when applicable). Management’s evaluation should be based on relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable at the date that the financial statements are issued (or at the date that the financial statements are available to be issued when applicable). Substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern exists when relevant conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, indicate that it is probable that the entity will be unable to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

 

  F- 14  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-02 (ASU 2015-02), Consolidation (Topic 810). ASU 2015-02 changes the guidance with respect to the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation mode. ASU 2015-02 affects the following areas: (1) limited partnerships and similar legal entities; (2) evaluating fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider as a variable interest; (3) the effect of fee arrangements on the primary beneficiary determination; (4) the effect of related parties on the primary beneficiary determination; and (5) certain investment funds. ASU 2015-02 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the guidance in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. A reporting entity may apply the amendments in this guidance using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively. The adoption of ASU 2015-02 is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

 

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, authoritative guidance, if currently adopted, would have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

 

3. Inventories

 

Inventories consisted of the following:

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
    2015     2014     2013  
Raw materials   $ 31,278     $ 21,859     $ 93,768  
Finished goods     7,060       2,368       -  
    $ 38,338     $ 24,227     $ 93,768  

 

  F- 15  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

4. Property and Equipment, net

 

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
    2015     2014     2013  
Leasehold improvements   $ 98,357     $ 98,357     $ 90,907  
Testing equipment     145,502       145,502       145,502  
Furniture and fixtures     15,189       15,189       15,189  
Computer equipment     12,083       9,919       9,919  
Office equipment     2,694       2,694       2,694  
      273,825       271,661       264,211  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization     (87,998 )     (57,495 )     (15,090 )
    $ 185,827     $ 214,166     $ 249,121  

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, depreciation and amortization expense was $30,503 and $31,768, respectively, of which $21,975 and $21,975 was included in research and development expense, respectively, and $8,528 and $9,793 was included in general and administrative expense, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, depreciation and amortization expense was $42,405 and $8,017, respectively, of which $29,300 and $200 was included in research and development expense, respectively, and $13,105 and $7,817 was included in general and administrative expense, respectively.

 

  F- 16  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

5. Convertible Notes Payable

 

As of September 30, 2015 (unaudited), and December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had a total of $550,858, $1,413,752 and $1,061,700, respectively, of principal and interest outstanding under its convertible unsecured notes payable, which consisted of the following:

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
Year of issuance:   2015     2014     2013  
2010 (due August 2013)   $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000  
2012 (due June through October 2015)     -       450,000       450,000  
2013 (due March through October 2016)     -       465,000       465,000  
2014 (due December 2015 through December  2017)     -       222,500       -  
2015 (due May 1, 2017)     500,000       -       -  
Accrued interest     25,858       251,252       121,700  
Total principal and interest     550,858       1,413,752       1,061,700  
Debt discount – unamortized balance     -       (338,510 )     (339,022 )
Convertible notes payable, net     550,858       1,075,242       722,678  
Convertible notes payable - current portion, net     40,584       693,133       36,850  
Convertible notes payable, net     510,274       382,109       685,828  
    $ 550,858     $ 1,075,242     $ 722,678  

 

Convertible notes payable have historically consisted of loans provided to the Company from various investors. These notes carry simple interest at a rate of 12% per annum and the majority had three year terms. In lieu of the repayment of the principal and accrued interest, the outstanding amounts were convertible, at the option of the note holder, generally at any time on or prior to maturity and automatically under certain conditions, into membership interests in the Company at conversion prices ranging from of $0.50 - $0.55 per unit. The debt discount associated with convertible notes payable at December 31, 2014 and 2013 represents the unamortized discount related to beneficial conversion features and outstanding warrants to purchase the Company’s units, which is amortized to interest expense over the life of the corresponding note payable.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (unaudited) and 2014 (unaudited), and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, amortization of debt discount related to the Company’s convertible notes payable aggregated $381,009, $147,405, $241,169 and $163,655, respectively.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (unaudited) and 2014 (unaudited), and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, interest expense related to the Company’s convertible notes payable was $64,813, $105,144, $129,551 and $91,759, respectively.

 

As of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company was past the stated maturity date for the payment of outstanding principal and interest related to its convertible notes payable of $40,584, $38,340 and $35,315, respectively. These amounts are included in the current portion of convertible notes payable as demand notes for all periods presented.

 

  F- 17  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

2013 Activity

 

During the period March 2013 through October 2013, the Company issued convertible notes payable in the principal amount of $465,000, with simple interest of 12% per year due at maturity and an average term of three years. In connection with the issuance the 2013 convertible notes, the Company recognized debt discounts at the dates of issuance in the aggregate amount of $146,294 related to the intrinsic value of beneficial conversion features.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2013, an investor converted a $50,000 convertible note payable into 90,909 membership units at a conversion price of $0.55 per unit.

 

Debt discount amortization for the year ended December 31, 2013 totaled $163,655 resulting in an unamortized debt discount balance of $339,021 at such date.

 

2014 Activity

 

During the period February 2014 through November 2014, the Company issued convertible notes payable in the principal amount of $222,500, with simple interest of 10 - 12% per year, due at maturity and an average term of three years. In connection with the issuance of the 2014 convertible notes, the Company issued to certain investors an aggregate of 80,467 warrants to purchase membership units at prices ranging from $0.60 to $0.75 per unit with a three year term. The Company recognized a debt discount at the dates of issuance in the aggregate amount of $240,657 related to the relative fair value of the warrants and beneficial conversion features, which comprised $199,109 related to the intrinsic value of beneficial conversion features and $41,548 related to the relative fair value of the warrants. The aggregate fair value allocated to the warrants of $41,548 was based on a probability-effected Black-Scholes option pricing model with a stock price of $1.50, volatility of 105% and risk-free interest rate of 0.88%.

 

Debt discount amortization for the year ended December 31, 2014 totaled $241,169, resulting in an unamortized debt discount balance of $338,510 at such date.

 

2015 Activity

 

During the period January 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015, the Company issued convertible notes payable in the principal amount of $42,500, with simple interest of 10 - 12% per year, due at maturity and an average term of 3 years. The notes are convertible at a price of $0.50 upon the occurrence of a public company event or the next equity financing, or upon voluntary election of the majority of note holders, all as defined in the notes. Certain holders received warrants to purchase 31,687 membership interests equal to 50% of the number of membership units issued upon conversion of the notes, at a price per unit of $0.60 for 50% of the warrants and a price per unit of $0.75 for the remaining 50% of the warrants, with three year terms and contingent upon the conversion of the related note. The Company recognized a debt discount at the dates of issuance in the aggregate amount of $42,500 related to the relative fair value of the warrants and beneficial conversion features, which comprised $25,844 related to the intrinsic value of beneficial conversion features and $16,656 related to the relative fair value of the warrants. The aggregate fair value allocated to the warrants of $16,656 was based on a probability effected Black-Scholes option pricing model with a stock price of $1.50, volatility of 104 - 109% and risk-free rate of 0.83% - 1.03%.

 

  F- 18  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

During the period May 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, the Company issued 1,793,692 membership units upon the conversion of $986,542 of outstanding principal and interest pursuant to the terms of the convertible note agreements. Upon conversion, the remaining unamortized debt discount of $119,972 was charged to interest expense.

 

On May 1, 2015, the Company issued a convertible note in the principal amount of $500,000, with interest at 5% per year, and a two year maturity. The note is convertible within 10 business days after a Going Public Event, which is defined as the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(i) The registration of any class of securities of the Borrower pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

(ii) The registration of any class of securities of the Borrower pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

(iii) The merger by and between the Company and an entity subject to the reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including both shell and non-shell companies; provided, however, that the Borrower and its equity holders must receive 50% or more of the equity interest in the Reporting Company immediately after the merger.

 

Upon conversion of the principal amount of the note, the holder is entitled to an undiluted 4.76% equity interest in the Company. Upon conversion, the Company will recognize a contingent beneficial conversion feature calculated as of the date of note issuance.

 

On August 10, 2015, the Company issued 886,988 shares of the Company’s common stock upon the conversion of $480,625 of outstanding principal and interest pursuant to the terms of the convertible notes. Upon conversion, the remaining unamortized debt discount of $143,971 was charged to interest expense.

 

In connection with the May 1, 2015 conversion of notes payable, the Company issued 995,926 membership units valued at $1,135,356 to the holders of the notes as an inducement to convert their notes payable. In addition, as a further inducement to convert the notes, the Company offered to certain holders of the notes 146,000 warrants valued at $165,072 to acquire membership units. The fair value of the warrants was based on a Black-Scholes option pricing model, with a stock price of $1.14, volatility of 113%, and a risk-free interest rate of 0.97%.

 

In connection with the August 10, 2015 conversion of notes payable, the Company issued 50,348 shares of its common stock valued at $57,396 to the holders of the notes as an inducement to convert their notes payable, which was calculated as the excess of the shares actually received over the shares the holder was entitled to receive per the terms of their respective note agreements, multiplied by the fair value of the Company’s common stock of $1.14 per share. Upon conversion, the remaining unamortized debt discount of $381,009 was charged to interest expense.

 

Future maturities of principal under convertible notes are as follows :

 

Years  ended:      
2015 (remaining 3 months and currently due)   $ 25,000  
2016     -  
2017     500,000  
    $ 525,000  

 

  F- 19  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

6. Convertible Notes Payable - Related Party

 

As of September 30, 2015 (unaudited), and December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had a total of $0, $514,693 and $463,644, respectively, of principal and interest outstanding under its convertible unsecured notes payable with related parties, which consisted of the following:

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
Year of Issuance:   2015     2014     2013  
2011 (due June 30, 2015)   $ -     $ 40,000     $ 40,000  
2012 (due June 30, 2015)     -       260,000       260,000  
2013 (due April 1, 2016)     -       100,000       100,000  
Accrued interest     -       114,693       63,644  
Total principal and interest     -       514,693       463,644  
Debt discount – unamortized balance     -       (62,052 )     (167,012 )
Convertible notes payable - related party, net             452,641       296,632  
Current portion of convertible notes payable - related party     -       347,645       38,570  
Non-current portion of convertible notes payable - related party     -       104,996       258,062  
    $ -     $ 452,641     $ 296,632  

 

Convertible notes payable to related parties consisted of loans provided to the Company from various unit holders. These notes carried simple interest at a rate of 12% per annum and approximate three year terms. In lieu of the repayment of the principal and accrued interest, the outstanding amounts may be converted, at the option of the holder, generally at any time on or prior to maturity and automatically under certain conditions, into membership units at conversion prices ranging from $0.45 - $0.55 per share. The debt discount associated with the notes payable to related parties at December 31, 2014 and 2013 represents the unamortized discount related to beneficial conversion features and outstanding warrants to purchase membership units, which is amortized to interest expense over the life of the corresponding note payable.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (unaudited) and 2014 (unaudited), and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, amortization of debt discount related to the Company’s notes payable to related parties aggregated $62,052, $78,504, $104,960 and $102,653, respectively.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (unaudited) and 2014 (unaudited), and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, interest expense related to the Company’s notes payable to related parties was $13,182, $36,037, $51,049 and $48,000, respectively.

  

  F- 20  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

2013 Activity

 

In March 2013, the Company issued a $100,000 convertible note payable to a related party, convertible at a price of $0.55 per share and a 3 year term. The note converts automatically upon the occurrence of a commercial milestone or upon the voluntary election of the holder or the Majority Note Holders, as defined in the note. The Company recognized a debt discount at the date of issuance in the amount of $41,818 related to the intrinsic value of the beneficial conversion feature.

 

2015 Activity

 

On May 1, 2015, the Company issued 865,602 membership units upon the conversion of $442,493 of outstanding principal and a portion of accrued interest. Upon conversion, the remaining unamortized debt discount of $27,257 was charged to interest expense. In addition, as an inducement to convert the notes, the Company offered to certain holders 350,001 warrants valued at $341,785 to acquire membership units. The fair value of the warrants was based on a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, with a stock price of $1.14, volatility of 113% and a risk-free interest rate of 0.97%.

 

7. Promissory Notes

 

As of September 30, 2015 (unaudited), and December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had a total of $0, $253,158 and $35,000, respectively, of principal and interest outstanding under its unsecured promissory notes, which consisted of the following:

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
Year of issuance:   2015     2014     2013  
2013   $ -     $ 35,000     $ 35,000  
2014 (due July 2015 through July 2016)     -       200,000       -  
Accrued interest     -       18,158       -  
Total principal and interest     -       253,158       35,000  
Debt discount – unamortized balance     -       (108,049 )     -  
Promissory notes, net     -       145,109       35,000  
Current portion of promissory notes     -       141,347       35,000  
Non-current portion of promissory notes, net     -       3,762       -  
    $ -     $ 145,109     $ 35,000  

 

Promissory notes outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 include principal and interest to various outside investors. The majority of these notes carried simple interest at a rate of 10% per annum and an approximate two year term at issuance. Debt discount related to the promissory notes at December 31, 2014 represented the unamortized discount associated with the issuance of warrants to the holders, which was amortized over the life of the corresponding note.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (unaudited) and 2014 (unaudited), and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, amortization of debt discount related to the Company’s promissory notes aggregated $108,049, $64,394, $91,952 and $0, respectively.

 

  F- 21  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (unaudited) and 2014 (unaudited), and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, interest expense related to the Company’s promissory notes was $10,867, $11,973, $18,158 and $0, respectively.

 

2013 Activity

 

In December of 2013, the Company received a non-interest bearing loan of $35,000 from a third party.

 

2014 Activity

 

In February through June of 2014, the Company issued $200,000 of promissory notes to various outside investors, with a weighted average term at issuance of approximately two years. The holders received 333,336 warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s membership units at a price per unit of $0.01 with terms ranging from two to three years. The Company recognized a debt discount at the dates of issuance in the aggregate amount of $200,000 related to the fair value of the warrants. The aggregate fair value of the warrants of $200,000 was based on a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with a stock price of $1.50, volatility of 102 - 108%, and a risk-free interest rate of 0.33 - 0.95%.

 

2015 Activity

 

On August 10, 2015, the Company issued 441,358 shares of its common stock valued at $503,149 upon the conversion of $260,900 of outstanding principal and interest. Upon conversion, the remaining unamortized debt discount of $41,861 was charged to interest expense. The Company recognized a loss on settlement of promissory notes of $242,249.

 

8. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Operating Lease

 

In October 2012, the Company entered into a lease agreement for 9,605 square feet of office and warehouse space commencing March 1, 2013. As of September 30, 2015, remaining average monthly lease payments were approximately $10,042 through July 2018. Upon entering into the agreement, the Company paid a deposit of $47,449, of which $36,979 represented prepaid rent. As of September 30, 2015, $10,470 remained on deposit under the lease agreement.

 

As of September 30, 2015 (unaudited) and December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had accrued and deferred rent payable for its office and warehouse facilities under its lease agreement in the aggregate of $154,997, $160,360 and $70,057, respectively.

 

The approximate future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2014 are as follows:

 

Years ending December 31,

 

2015 (3 months)   $ 28,815  
2016     108,248  
2017     121,599  
2018     72,710  
    $ 331,372  

 

  F- 22  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

Rent expense was $79,303 and $79,303, $105,738 and $88,115 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Contingencies

 

The Company is subject to claims and assessments from time to time in the ordinary course of business. The Company’s management does not believe that any such matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

9. Stockholders’ Deficit

 

As of September 30, 2015, the Company is authorized to issue is 100,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of 90,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share (see Note 12). At September 30, 2015 (unaudited), the Company had 20,646,396 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. The Company did not have any shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015 (unaudited).

 

On June 30, 2015 the Company changed its form of organization from a limited liability company to a corporation under the laws of the state of Delaware and all LLC membership units were converted to common stock on a one for one basis. The Company was previously governed by the terms and conditions of the Guardion Health Sciences, LLC Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement dated January 28, 2012 (the “Operating Agreement”) and had one authorized class of units, and one class of members which consisted of four members. The LLC's business, property, and affairs were managed exclusively by the manager. Members' voting rights were in direct proportion to their Membership Interests.

 

Activity

 

2013

 

During the year ended December 31, 2013, 158,183 membership units were issued to investors at a price per share of $0.55 for aggregate proceeds of $87,000.

 

2015

 

During the period April 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, the Company sold 2,303,227 membership units to two consultants for aggregate cash consideration of $2,303. These membership units had a fair value of $2,625,679 or $1.14 per unit. Accordingly, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized $2,623,376 in stock compensation from this transaction, which was recorded in general and administrative expenses in the statement of operations.

 

On May 1, 2015, the Company issued 450,000 membership units to a related party upon exercise of 450,000 warrants, as described in “Warrant Activity” below.

 

  F- 23  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

During the period August 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015, the Company issued 1,454,091 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $1,657,664, or $1.14 per share, as compensation for services rendered. There was no stock-based compensation issued during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

During the period August 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015, the Company issued 583,337 shares of the Company’s common stock upon exercise of warrants, as described at “Warrant Activity” below.

 

Warrant Activity

 

2014

 

During the period February 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014, in connection with the issuance of $200,000 of promissory notes to various outside investors, the Company issued 333,336 warrants to purchase membership units at a price per unit of $0.01 with terms ranging from two to three years.

 

During the period February 1, 2014 through November 30, 2014, in connection with the issuance of convertible notes payable of $222,500, the Company issued to certain investors an aggregate of 80,467 warrants to purchase membership units at prices ranging from $0.60 to $0.75 per unit with a three year term, contingent on conversion of the related note.

 

2015

 

During the period January 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015, in connection with the issuance of notes payable of $42,500 convertible at a price of $0.50 per membership unit upon certain events, the Company issued 31,687 warrants to purchase membership units equal to 50% of the number of units issued upon conversion of the notes, at a price per unit of $0.60 for 50% of the warrants and a price per unit of $0.75 for the remaining 50% of the warrants, with three year terms and contingent upon the conversion of the related notes.

 

On May 1 2015, the Company issued warrants valued at $506,857 to purchase 496,001 membership units at a weighted average exercise price of $0.21 per unit with 3 year terms, as inducements to convert notes payable, as more fully described at Note 5 and Note 6.

 

On May 1, 2015, the Company issued 450,000 membership units to a related party upon exercise of 450,000 warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $0.20 per unit. In lieu of the aggregate cash payment of $90,000, the holder applied $90,000 of accrued interest towards the exercise price of warrants.

 

During the period August 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015, the Company issued 250,001 shares of the Company's common stock upon exercise of 250,001 warrants for aggregate cash consideration of $75,000.

 

During this period, the Company also issued 333,336 shares of the Company's common stock upon exercise of 333,336 warrants at an average exercise price of $0.01 per share. In lieu of the aggregate cash payment of $3,334, the holder applied $3,334 of accrued interest toward the exercise price of the warrants.

 

  F- 24  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

On August 10, 2015, the Company issued warrants to purchase 28,176 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share and a three year term in settlement of $15,497 of accounts payable. The warrants were valued at $31,853, based upon the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, with a stock price of $1.14, volatility of 105% and a risk free interest rate of 1.09%. The Company recognized a loss on settlement of accounts payable of $16,357.

 

A summary of the Company’s warrant activity is as follows:

 

    Membership 
Units or
Shares
 
December 31, 2013     904,091  
Granted     413,803  
December 31, 2014     1,317,894  
Granted     555,864  
Cancelled     (5,255 )
Exercised     (1,033,337 )
September 30, 2015     835,166  

 

Additional details of the Company’s outstanding warrants are as follows:

 

Outstanding at:   Membership
Units or Shares
    Weighted Average 
Exercise Price
 
December 31, 2013     904,091     $ 0.64  
December 31, 2014     1,317,894     $ 0.37  
September 30, 2015     835,166     $ 0.75  

 

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had an aggregate of 835,166 outstanding warrants to purchase shares of its common stock with a weighted average remaining life of 2.6 years and aggregate intrinsic value of $324,100, based upon a stock price of $1.14 per share. The intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the market value of the underlying common stock and the exercise price of the warrants.

 

10. Related Party Transactions

 

In December 2013, a member contributed $66,947 of fixed assets, which were recorded at historical cost.

 

Due to and from related parties represents unreimbursed expenses paid on behalf of, and amounts loaned to the Company by, Michael Favish, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, as well as certain other LLC members. The advances are unsecured, non-interest bearing and are due on demand. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had $236,844 and $54,735 due to related parties, and as of December 31, 2013, the Company had $56,876 due from related parties.

 

  F- 25  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

The Company also pays management fees directly to Michael Favish, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred management fees of $156,250, $55,700, $152,758 and $61,950, respectively. Accrued management fees in the amount of $150,000, $82,420 and $0 were included in due to related parties at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

On May 1, 2015, the Company issued 450,000 membership units to a related party upon exercise of warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $0.20 per unit or $90,000 (see Note 9).

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company issued $464,557 of stock-based compensation to individuals that were related parties at the time of issuance. There was no stock-based compensation issued during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had a total of $0, $514,693 and $463,644, respectively, of principal and interest outstanding under its convertible notes payable with related parties (see Note 6).

 

11. Income Taxes

 

As of June 30, 2015, the Company became subject to U.S. federal income taxes and state income taxes. Prior to that date, the Company was a limited liability company and as such was taxed as a pass through entity whereby substantially all income tax attributes were passed through to the individual members of the limited liability company, except for California minimum state income tax and an LLC fee based on revenues.

 

The Company currently accounts for income taxes under an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Accordingly, the Company recognizes deferred income taxes to reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

 

As of September 30, 2015 (unaudited), significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets were as follows:

 

Net operating loss carryforwards   $ 928,000  
Deferred rent     13,000  
Accrued compensation due to related party     95,000  
Depreciation     1,000  
Total deferred tax assets     1,037,000  
Valuation allowance     (1,037,000 )
Net deferred tax assets   $  

 

In assessing the potential realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the Company attaining future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. As of September 30, 2015, management was unable to determine if it is more likely than not that the Company’s deferred tax assets will be realized, and has therefore recorded an appropriate valuation allowance against deferred tax assets at such dates.

 

  F- 26  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

No federal tax provision has been provided for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 due to the losses incurred during the period. Prior to July 1, 2015, the Company operated as a limited liability company, and as such, all profits, losses, revenues, expenses and other income tax attributes were passed through to the limited liability company owners. Reconciled below is the difference between the income tax rate computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory rate and the effective tax rate for the period July 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015.

 

  F- 27  

 

 

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
and Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
 

 

U. S. federal statutory tax rate     (35.0 )%
Amortization of note payable discounts     2.9 %
Change in valuation allowance     32.1 %
Effective tax rate     0.0 %

 

At September 30, 2015, the Company has available net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $2,278,000 which, if not utilized earlier, will expire in 2035.

 

12. Subsequent Events

 

Subsequent to September 30, 2015, the Company borrowed an aggregate of $250,000 under unsecured notes payable, with interest at the rate of 12% per annum and 90 day terms (the “Loans”). The note holder received warrants with a term of three years to purchase 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.25 per share (the “Loan Warrants”). On January 26, 2016, the Company entered into an addendum to the Loans which includes additional post-maturity interest in the form of warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock as follows:

 

· in the event the Loans are not paid by maturity, the Company shall grant a warrant to purchase 1/10th of the number of shares and under the same terms as set forth in the Loan Warrants;
· each month thereafter, if the Loan is not paid in full, the Company will grant a warrant to purchase 1/10th of the number of shares and under the same terms as set forth in the Loan Warrants;
· the Loans shall continue to accrue interest at the rate of 12% until paid in full; and
· upon repayment of the Loans, the holder shall receive an additional warrant to purchase shares of Company’s common stock at $0.25 per share for the number of shares equivalent to the amount of post-maturity interest paid on each of the Loans upon repayment under the same terms as set forth in the Loan Warrants.

 

Subsequent to September 30, 2015, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,260,000 shares of restricted common stock valued at $1,436,400 or $1.14 per share, consisting of 1,000,000 shares to a director, 250,000 shares to the vice president of sales and marketing, and 10,000 shares to a consultant, for cash consideration of $0.01 per share and aggregate cash consideration of $12,600. The shares will vest through June 30, 2017 as the services are provided. Accordingly, the fair value of such shares of common stock will be charged to general and administrative expense or sales and marketing expense, as applicable, over the vesting period.

 

On October 30, 2015, the Company amended its Certificate of Incorporation to change the par value of its common stock and preferred stock from $0.0001 per share to $0.001 per share.

 

On November 30, 2015, the Company entered into a $100,000 promissory note payable with an investor. The note carries interest at 5% and is due and payable on the earlier of (i) May 1, 2016, (ii) upon default, or (iii) upon receipt of an aggregate of $1,000,000 from an equity placement that generates gross proceeds of at least $1,000,000. In connection with the issuance of the promissory note, the Company issued a warrant with a three year term to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.25 per share.

 

  F- 28  

 

 

OUTSIDE BACK COVER OF PROSPECTUS

 

We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or any other person to give any information or to represent anything other than those contained in this prospectus in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or made, you should not rely upon such information or representations as having been authorized by _________________. This prospectus does not constitute an offer of any securities other than those to which it relates or an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, to those to which it relates in any state to any person to whom it is not lawful to make such offer in such state. The delivery of this prospectus at any time does not imply that the information herein is correct as of any time after the date of this prospectus.

 

DEALER PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENT

 

Until _______________, 2016 [90 days from the date of this prospectus], all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus.  

 

GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC.

 

24,606,559 Shares

 

Common Stock

 

PROSPECTUS

 

__________, 2016

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

ITEM 13.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

 

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. None of the following expenses are payable by the Selling Securityholders.  All of the amounts shown are estimates, except for the SEC registration fee.

 

SEC registration fee   $    
FINRA Registration Fee   $    
Legal fees and expenses   $    
Accounting fees and expenses   $    
Miscellaneous   $    
TOTAL   $    

 

ITEM 14.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

 

Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (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, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the full extent authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“Delaware Code”), as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Company to provide prior to such amendment), or by other applicable law as then in effect, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. The right to indemnification conferred shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Company the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if the Delaware Code requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of 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. Any person who is or was serving as a director of a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed, for indemnification purposes, to be a director or officer of the Company entitled to indemnification under the Company’s bylaws and the Delaware Code. The Company may by action of its Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Company with the same scope and effects as the indemnification provisions for officers and directors.

 

ITEM 15.  RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.

 

The Company conducted a small private placement during calendar year 2013 during which it sold units of the Company’s membership interest while the company was a California limited liability company.  The company sold units at a price of $0.55 per unit.

 

On August 10, 2015, we issued common stock purchase warrants in connection with an investor’s issuance of a convertible promissory note. Warrant coverage was provided to each investor in a number of shares equal to 50% of the shares of stock the investor would receive on conversion of their note. Of the warrants, half were issued with an exercise price of $0.75 per share and half were issued with and exercise price of $0.60 per share. A total of 106,899 warrants to purchase common stock are outstanding from this round of investment. The units were sold pursuant to the exemption afforded under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.  There were no placement agents or underwriters for this private placement.

 

  II - 1  

 

 

The Company did not conduct any specific private placement during calendar years 2014 or 2015.  The company did not raise any money with its securities during calendar year 2014.  During calendar year 2015, the company conducted four unrelated transactions.  In one transaction, the company sold 1,053,227 units of its membership interest while the company was a California limited liability company to an advisor assisting the company with developing certain strategic relationships.  These units were sold at par value.  In a second transaction, the company sold a promissory note for $500,000 convertible into the company’s common stock based into approximately 1,137,933 shares of the company’s common stock depending up interest and certain other factors as set forth in the promissory note. In a third transaction, the company sold 1,250,000 units of its membership interest while the company was a California limited liability company to an advisor assisting the company with financial affairs.  These units were sold at par value.   In a fourth transaction, the company issued a total of 32,728 units of membership interest to an investor at a price of $0.04 per unit by converting the interest accrued on a short term loan from that investor.

 

During January and February 2016, the company conducted a private placement during which the company sold shares of the company’s common stock at $0.60 per share along with a warrant to purchase one share of common stock for each dollar invested at an exercise price of $1.00, which warrant is immediately vested and exercisable for a period of three years from the closing of the private placement.

 

The Company is currently engaged in a private placement in which it is selling to accredited investors (1) convertible promissory notes that will automatically convert into the Common Stock of the Company upon the occurrence of certain events related to the Company becoming a public reporting company with the SEC, and (2) warrants to purchase one share of Common Stock of the Company for each dollar invested, whereby such warrant is immediately exercisable at One Dollar ($1.00) per share for a period of three (3) years from the date of issue. As of February 11, 2016, an aggregate of $76,000.00 of convertible promissory notes had been sold. No placement agents or underwriters are involved in this offering and no sales commissions or other compensation is being paid.

 

ITEM 16.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 

Exhibit No.   Description
3.1   Articles of Organization of P4L Health Sciences, LLC and restatement changing name to Guardion Health Sciences, LLC filed in California
3.2   Articles of Conversion; Delaware and California
3.3   Articles of Incorporation in Delaware and amendment thereto
3.4   Bylaws
4.1   May 1, 2015 Promissory Note Purchase Agreement
4.2   May 1, 2015 Promissory Note
4.3   November 30, 2015 Amendment to May 1, 2015 Promissory Note
4.4   November 30, 2015 Promissory Note
4.5   November 30, 2015 Warrant Agreement
5.1   Opinion of Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP #
10.1   Lease for 15150 Avenue of the Sciences, Suite 200, San Diego California and amendments thereto
10.2   Form of Restricted Unit Purchase Agreement from Round 3 Funding in 2013
10.3   Form of Bridge Loan from September 30, 2015 - January 25, 2016
10.4   Form of Indemnification Agreement
23.1   Consent of Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)#
23.2   Consent of Weinberg & Co. LA

 

# to be filed with an amendment to this registration statement

 

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

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

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

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

 

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

 

  II - 2  

 

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment 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.

 

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

 

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

(5) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:  The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (§ 230.424 of this chapter);

 

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(6) (i) 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.  

 

(ii) 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.

 

(7) 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.

 

  II - 3  

 

 

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 on the 11th day of February, 2016.

 

  GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC.
       
  By: /s/ Michael Favish  
  Name: Michael Favish  
  Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

We, the undersigned officers and directors of GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC., hereby severally constitute and appoint Michael Favish and Vincent Roth, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone), our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for us and in our stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and all documents relating thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or advisable to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

 

WITNESS our hands and common seal on the dates set forth below.

 

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.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Michael Favish   CEO, President, and   February 11, 2016
Michael Favish   Chairman of the Board    
   

(Principal Executive Officer) 

(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)

 

   
/s/ Robert N. Weingarten   Director   February 11, 2016
Robert N. Weingarten        
         
/s/ Mark Goldstone        
Mark Goldstone    Executive Vice President of Marketing and   February 11, 2016
     Director    

 

  II - 4  

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

  LLC-1 File# 200933710071

 

State of California

Secretary of State

ENDORSED - FILED

in the office of the Secretary of State

of the State of California

     

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION

 

DEC 01 2009

 
   
A $70.00 filing fee must accompany this form.  
IMPORTANT – Read instructions before completing this form. This Space For Filing Use Only

 
ENTITY NAME (End the name with the word “Limited Liability Company,” or the abbreviations “LLC” or L.LC.” The words “Limited” and “Company” may be abbreviated to “Ltd.” and “Co.,” respectively.)

1. NAME OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
   
  P4L HEALTH SCIENCES, LLC
   

 
PURPOSE (The following statement is required by statute and should not be altered.)
 

   
2. THE PURPOSE OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY IS TO ENGAGE IN ANY LAWFUL ACT OR ACTIVITY FOR WHICH A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY MAY BE ORGANIZED UNDER THE BEVERLY-KILLEA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT.

 
 
INITIAL AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS (If the agent is an individual, the agent must reside in California and both Items 3 and 4 must be completed. If the agent is a corporation, the agent must have on file with the California Secretary of State a certificate pursuant to Corporations Code section 1505 and Item 3 must be completed (leave Item 4 blank).
 

   
3. NAME OF INITIAL AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS
   
  STEPHEN R. SODEN
   

         
4. IF AN INDIVIDUAL, ADDRESS OF INITIAL AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS IN CALIFORNIA CITY STATE ZIP CODE
         
  550 West C Street, Suite 1710 San Diego CA 92101
         

 
MANAGEMENT (Check only one)
 

   
5. THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY WILL BE MANAGED BY:
   

  þ ONE MANAGER
  ¨ MORE THAN ONE MANAGER
  ¨ ALL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY MEMBER(S)
     

 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
 

6. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SET FORTH ON THE ATTACHED PAGES. IF ANY, IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE AND MADE A PART OF THIS CERTIFICATE.
   

 
EXECUTION
 

   
7. I DECLARE I AM THE PERSON WHO EXECUTED THIS INSTRUMENT. WHICH EXECUTIONS MY ACT AND DEED.
   

  11-30-2009   /s/ Stephen R. Soden  
  DATE   SIGNATURE OF ORGANIZER
       
      Stephen R. Soden
      TYPE OR PRINT NAME OF ORGANIZER
         

APPROVED BY SECRETARY OF STATE

 

   

 

 

 

State of California

Secretary of State

 

I, DEBRA BOWEN, Secretary of State of the State of California, hereby certify:

 

That the attached transcript of 1 page(s) is a full, true and correct copy of the original record in the custody of this office.

 

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I execute this certificate and affix the Great Seal of the State of California this day of
 
DEC 04 2009
 

/s/ Debra Bowen

DEBRA BOWEN

Secretary of State

 

   

 

 

 

State of California

Secretary of State

 

I, DEBRA BOWEN, Secretary of State of the State of California, hereby certify:

 

That the attached transcript of 1 page(s) is a full, true and correct copy of the original record in the custody of this office.

 

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I execute this certificate and affix the Great Seal of the State of California this day of
 
JAN 13 2010
 

/s/ Debra Bowen

DEBRA BOWEN

Secretary of State

   

Sec/State Form CE-109 (REV 01/2009) OSP 09113843

 

   

 

 

 

State of California

Secretary of State

 
     
     

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

RESTATED ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION

ENDORSED - FILED

In the office of the Secretary of State

of the State of California

   
A $30.00 filing fee must accompany this form. DEC 31 2009
   
IMPORTANT − Read instructions before completing this form This Space For Filing Use Only

1. SECRETARY OF STATE FILE NUMBER 2.        NAME Of LIMITED LIABILITY compamy:
     
  200933710071 P4L HEALTH SCIENCES, LLC

3 . NAME OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY IF DIFFERENT FROM ITEM 2. (END THE NAME WITH THE WORDS “LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY” OR “LTD, LIABILITY CO.” OR THE ABBREVIATIONS “LLC OR L.L.C.”)
   
  GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, LLC
   

4 . FUTURE EFFECTIVE DATE, If ANY:
   

  MONTH: DAY: YEAR:

5. THE PURPOSE OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY IS TO ENGAGE IN ANY LAWFUL ACT OR ACTIVITY FOR WHICH A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY MAY BE ORGANIZED UNDER THE BEVERLY-KILLEA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT.
   

6. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE PROVISION BELOW AND NAME TOE AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS
   

  þ  AN INDIVIDUAL RESIDING IN CALIFORNIA. PROCEED TO ITEM 7
  ¨ A CORPORATION WHICH HAS FILED A CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 1505. PROCEED TO ITEM 8.
     

  AGENT’S NAME: STEPHEN R. SODEN  
       
       

7. CALIFORNIA Address of the agent for service of process. complete only If an individual

   
  ADDRESS 550 WEST C STREET, SUITE 1710

  CITY SAN DIEGO state: CA ZIP CODE: 92101

8 . THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY WILL BE MANAGED BY: (CHECK ONE)
   

  þ ONE MANAGER
  ¨ MORE THAN ONE MANAGER
  ¨ ALL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY MEMBER(S)

9. OTHER MATTERS TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE SET FORTH ON SEPARATE ATTACHED PAGES AND ARE MADE A PART OF THIS CERTIFICATE. OTHER MATTERS MAY INCLUDE THE LATEST DATE ON WHICH THE LIMITED LIABILITY IS TO DISSOLVE.
   

10. TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES ATTACHED, IF ANY:
   

11. IT IS HEREBY DECLARED THAT I AM THE PERSON WHO EXECUTED THIS INSTRUMENT. WHICH EXECUTION IS MY ACT AND DEED.
   

  /s/ Michael Favish   DECEMBER 30, 2009  
  Signature of authoriZed person   DATE  

     
  MICHAEL FAVISH, CEO FOR GUARDION TECHNOLOGIES, INC., MANAGER  
  TYPE OR PRINT NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED PERSON  
     

12. RETURN TO:
   

  NAME STEPHEN R. SODEN  
  FIRM SODEN & STEINBERGER, LLP
  ADDRESS 650 WEST C STREET, SUITE 1710
  CITY/STATE SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
  ZIP CODE 92101

 

SEC/state form LLC-10 (R ev . 03/2005) - Filing fee $30.00 Approved by secretary of state

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

  Delaware PAGE    1
  The First State  

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION OF A CALIFORNIA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY UNDER THE NAME OF "GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, LLC" TO A DELAWARE CORPORATION, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM "GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, LLC" TO "GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC.", FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE THIRTIETH DAY OF JUNE, A. D. 2015, AT 2:22 O'CLOCK P.M.

 

A FILED COPY OF THIS CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE NEW CASTLE COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS.

 

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  /s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock
  Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State
5776811        8100V AUTHENTICATION:    2519688
   
150993107 DATE:     07-01-15

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

 

 

 

  State of Delaware
  Secretary of State
  Division of Corporations
  Delivered 04:09 PM 06/30/2015
  FILED 02:22 PM 06/30/2015
  SRV 150993107 - 5776811 FILE

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION

FROM A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY TO A

CORPORATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 265 OF

THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

 

1.) The jurisdiction where the Limited Liability Company first formed is California.

 

2.) The jurisdiction immediately prior to filing this Certificate is California.

 

3.) The date the Limited Liability Company first formed is December 1, 2009 .

 

4.) The name of the Limited Liability Company immediately prior to filing this Certificate is Guardion Health Sciences, LLC .

 

5.) The name of the Corporation as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation is Guardion Health Sciences, Inc .

 

6) The filing will be effective on June 30, 2015.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned being duly authorized to sign on behalf of the converting Limited Liability Company have executed this Certificate on the 30 day of June , A.D . 2015 .

 

  By: / s/ Michael Favish 
     
  Name: Michael Favish
    Print or Type
     
  Title: Manager
    Print or Type

 

 

 

 

    CONV-1A File # 200933710071
     
   
State of California

FILED

Secretary of State

State of California

 

JUN 30 2015

 

This Space For Filing Use Only

Secretary of State
 
 
   
  Certificate of Conversion
   
IMPORTANT – Read all instructions before completing this form.

Converted Entity Information
1. Name of Converted Entity
  Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
2. Form of Entity 3. Jurisdiction
  "C" Corporation DE

4. Mailing Address of Chief Executive Office City State Zip Code
  15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200 San Diego CA 92128
5. Street Address of Chief Executive Office - Do not list a P.O. Box City State Zip Code
  15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200 San Diego CA 92128
6. Street Address of the California Office, if any - Do not list a P.O. Box City State Zip Code
  15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200 San Diego CA 92128

7. If the converting entity is a California corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership or general partnership, you must designate an agent for service of process: Item 7a: List the name of an individual of a CA registered corporate agent that agrees to be your agent for service of process. You may not list the converted entity as the agent; Item 7b: If the agent is an individual, list the agent's business for residential street address. Do not list an address if the agent is a California registered corporate agent as the address or service of process is already on file; and Item 7c: If the converting entity is a California limited liability company, list the mailing address of the converted entity’s agent, if different from Item 7b, or if the agent is a CA registered corporate agent.
  a. Name of Agent For Service of Process
  Michael Favish

  b. If an individual, Street Address of Agent for Service of Process - Do not list a P.O. Box City State Zip Code
  15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200 San Diego CA 92128  
  c. Mailing Address of Agent for Service of Process City State Zip Code
  15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200 San Diego CA 92128  

Converting Entity Information

8. Name of Converting Entity
  Guardion Health Sciences, LLC

9. Form of Entity 10. Jurisdiction 11. CA Secretary of State File Number, if any
  Limited Liability Company CA 200933710071

12. The principal terms of the plan of conversion were approved by a vote of the number of interests or shares of each class that equaled or exceeded the vote required. If a vote was required, the following was required for each class :
   

  The class and number of outstanding interests entitled to vote. AND The p ercentage vote required of each class.
  1     Member   100%
       

Additional Information
13. Additional information set forth on the attached pages, if any, is incorporated herein by this reference and made part of this certificate.
14. I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct of my own knowledge. I declare I am the person who executed this instrument, which execution is my act and deed.
   

  6/30/15  
  Date  
     

  /s/ Michael Favish   Michael Favish, Member  
  Signature of Authorized Person   Type or Print Name and Title of Authorized Person  
         

         
  Signature of Authorized Person   Type or Print Name and Title of Authorized Person  
         

CONV-1A (REV 05/2015) APPROVED BY SECRETARY OF STATE

 

 

 

 

     
  I hereby certify that the foregoing
  transcript o f 1 page(s)
  is a full, true and correct copy of the
  original record in the custody of the
  California Secretary of State's office.
   

 

  Date: JUL 01 2015
    /s/ Alex Padilla
    ALEX PADILLA, Secretary of State

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.3

 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF "GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC. " FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE THIRTIETH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2015, AT 2:22 O'CLOCK P.M.

 

A FILED COPY OF THIS CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE NEW CASTLE COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS.

 

5776811   8100V

 

150993107

You may verify this certificate online at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

DESCRIPTION: Z:/VINEYARD/2016/02 FEB/10 FEB/SHIFT I/GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC. S-1 (V430789)/DRAFT/03-PRODUCTION/TEX3-3PG1.JPG  

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

AUTHETICATION: 2519688

 

DATE: 07-01-15  

  

 

 

 

State of Delaware
Secretary of
State
Division of
Corporations
Delivered 04:09PM 06/30/2015
FILED 02:22 PM 06/30/2015
SRV 150993107
- 5776811 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC.

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of this corporation is Guardian Health Sciences, Inc. (the "Corporation"),

 

ARTICLE II

 

The name of the registered agent of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is The Corporation Trust Company, and the address for the registered agent, including street, number, city and county, of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, New Castle County.

 

ARTICLE III

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Section I. Number of Authorized Shares. The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue shall be One Hundred Million (100,000,000) shares. The Corporation shall be authorized to issue two classes of shares of stock, designated "Common Stock” and "Preferred Stock." The Corporation shall be authorized to issue Ninety Million (90,000,000) shares of Common Stock, each share to have a par value of $.0001 per share, and Ten Million (10,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, each share to have a par value of $.0001 per share.

 

Section 2. Common Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may authorize the issuance of shares of Common Stock from time to time. The Corporation may issue shares of Common Stock that are redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired by the Corporation unless otherwise provided by law.

 

Section 3. Preferred Stock . The Board of Directors of the Corporation may by resolution authorize the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more series. The Corporation may reissue shares of Preferred Stock that are redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired by the Corporation unless otherwise provided by law. The Board of Directors is hereby authorized to fix or alter the designations, powers and preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including, without limitation, dividend rights (and whether dividends are cumulative), conversion rights, if any, voting rights (including the. number of votes, if any, per share, as well as the number of members, if any, of the Board of Directors or the percentage of members, if any, of the Board of Directors each class or series of Preferred Stock may be entitled to elect), rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions, if any), redemption price and liquidation preferences of any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock, and the number of shares constituting any such series and the designation thereof, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series subsequent to the issuance of shares of such series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding.

  

 

 

 

Section 4. Dividends and Distributions . Subject to the preferences applicable to Preferred Stock outstanding at any time, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends, payable in cash or otherwise, as may be declared thereon by the Board of Directors from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor.

 

Section 5. Voting Rights. Each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware, as the Bylaws may provide. The books of the Corporation may be kept (subject to any provision contained in Delaware General Corporation Law) outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as maybe designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

The number of directors. of the Corporation .shall be fixed from time to time by or in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation or amendment thereof duly adopted by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders of the Corporation. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

No action, which has not been previously approved by the Board of Directors, shall be taken by the stockholders except at an annual meeting or a special meeting of the stockholders. Any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, 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 or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock 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.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

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 paragraph seven 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.

 

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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 of directors of the Corporation. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this paragraph shall not adverse)y 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.

 

ARTICLE X

 

This Certificate of Incorporation will be effective as of June 30, 2015.

 

The undersigned hereby acknowledges that the foregoing certificate of incorporation and that the facts stated therein are true.

 

Dated: June 30, 2015   Incorporation is his act and deed
     
    /s/ Michael Favish
    Michael Favish
    Incorporator
    15150 Avenue of Science Suite 200
    San Diego, CA 92128

  

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Delaware Page 1
The First State  

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF “GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC.”, FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE THIRTIETH DAY OF OCTOBER, A.D. 2015, AT 2:44 O`CLOCK P.M.

 

A FILED COPY OF THIS CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE NEW CASTLE COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS.

 

5776811   8100 

SR#20150715539

You may verify this certificate online at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

 

Authentication :10362397

 

Date: 11-04-15  

 

 

 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of Delaware (the "Corporation") hereby certifies as follows:

 

1. ARTICLE IV, SECTION 1 of the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

The total number of shares of stock authorized which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue shall be One Hundred Million (100,000,000) shares. The Corporation shall be authorized to issue two classes of shares of stock, designated "Common Stock" and "Preferred Stock." The Corporation shall be authorized to issue Ninety Million (90,000,000) shares of Common Stock, each share to have a par value of $0.001 per share, and Ten Million (10,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, each share to have a par value of $0.001 per share.

 

2. That thereafter, pursuant to resolution of its Board of Directors, a written consent of the stockholders holding a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company was obtained and adopted in accordance with Section 211 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

3. The foregoing amendments have been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 and Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Certificate of Amendment as of this 30th day of October 2015.

 

  /s/ Michael Favish
  Name: Michael Favish
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

  ..

State of Delaware
Secretary of State
Division of Corporations
Delivered 02:44PM 10/30/2015
FILED 02:44PM 10/30/2015
SR 20150715539 - File Number 5776811

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.4

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC.

a Delaware corporation

 

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

 

Offices . The registered office of Guardian Health Sciences, Inc. (the "Corporation") is located in the city and state designed by the Corporation in its Certificate of Incorporation. The Corporation may also maintain offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II MEETINGS OF

STOCKHOLDERS

 

SECTION 1.       Annual Meetings . The annual meeting of the shareholders may be held at such time on such day as shall be fixed by the Board for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting. If the election of directors shall not be held on the day designated herein for any annual meeting of the shareholders, or at any adjournment thereof, the Board shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of the shareholders as soon thereafter as may be convenient. Written notice of each annual meeting signed by the president or vice president, or the secretary, or an assistant secretary, or by such other person or persons as the Board may designate, shall be given to each shareholder entitled to vote thereat. All such notices shall be sent to each shareholder entitled thereto, or published, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before each annual meeting, and shall specify the place, the day and the hour of such meeting, and shall also state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Failure to hold the annual meeting shall not constitute dissolution or forfeiture of the Corporation, and a special meeting of the shareholders may take the place thereof.

 

SECTION 2.       Special Meetings . Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by a majority of the Board of Directors, by the Chairman of the Board, or by the President and shall be called by the Secretary at the request of the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of all issued and outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

SECTION 3.       Place of Meetings . The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held at the general offices of the Corporation in the City of San Diego, California, or at such other place in the United States as may be stated in the notice of the meeting. All other meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such places within or without the State of Delaware as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting.

 

SECTION 4.       Notice of Meetings . Except as otherwise provided by law, written notice of each meeting of the stockholders, whether annual or special, shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, notice shall be given when deposited in the United States mails, postage prepaid, directed to such stockholder at his address as it appears in the stock ledger of the Corporation. Each such notice shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.

 

Any shareholders' meeting, annual or special, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the shares, the holders of which are either present in person or represented by proxy thereat, but in the absence of a quorum, no other business may be transacted at any such meeting. When a meeting is adjourned to another time and place, notice of the adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is given. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

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SECTION 5.      Quorum. At any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of record of a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, provided that at any meeting at which the holders of any series of class of stock shall be entitled, voting as a class, to elect directors, the holders of record of a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of such series or class, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of such election.

 

In the absence of a quorum at any meeting, the holders of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, may adjourn the meeting, from time to time, until the holders of the number of shares requisite to constitute a quorum shall be present in person or represented at the meeting. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally convened.

 

SECTION 6.       Organization . At each meeting of the stockholders, the Chairman of the Board, or if he so designates or is absent, the President, shall act as Chairman of the meeting. In the absence of both the Chairman of the Board and the President, such person as shall have been designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation a person elected by the holders of a majority in number of shares of stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting, shall act as Chairman of the meeting.

 

The Secretary or, in his absence, an Assistant Secretary or, in the absence of the Secretary and all of the Assistant Secretaries, any person appointed by the Chairman of the meeting shall act as Secretary of the meeting.

 

SECTION 7.      Voting. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or a resolution of the Board of Directors creating a series of stock, and designating the rights thereto, at each meeting of the stockholders, each holder of shares of any series or class of stock entitled to vote at such meeting shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock having voting power in respect of each matter upon which a vote is to be taken, standing in his name on the stock ledger of the Corporation on the record date fixed as provided in these bylaws for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting or, if no record date be fixed, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice of the meeting is given. Shares of its own capital stock belonging to the Corporation, or to another Corporation if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other Corporation is held by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor counted for quorum purposes.

 

At all meetings of stockholders for the election of directors, the voting shall be by ballot, and the persons having the greatest number of votes shall be deemed and declared elected. All other elections and questions submitted to a vote of the stockholders shall, unless otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of lncorporation, be decided by the affirmative vote of the majority of shares which are present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter.

 

SECTION 8.       Action Without Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a written consent (or counterparts thereof) that sets forth the action so taken is signed by shareholders holding at least that proportion of the voting power necessary to approve such action and received by the Corporation. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a vote of the shareholders and may be stated as such in any document. Action taken under this Section 8 is effective as of the date the last writing necessary to effect the action is received by the Corporation, unless all of the writings specify a different effective date, in which case such specified date shall be the effective date for such action. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to take action without a meeting is the date the Corporation first receives a writing upon which the action is taken.

 

SECTION 9.      Inspectors. Prior to each meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors shall appoint two Inspectors who are not directors, candidates for directors or officers of the Corporation, who shall receive and determine the validity of proxies and the qualifications of voters, and receive, inspect, count and report to the meeting in writing the votes cast on all matters submitted to a vote at such meeting. In case of failure of the Board of Directors to make such appointments or in case of failure of any Inspector so appointed to act, the Chairman of the Board shall make such appointment or fill such vacancies.

  

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Each Inspector, immediately before entering upon his duties, shall subscribe to an oath or affirmation faithfully to execute the duties of Inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability.

 

SECTION 10.      List of Stockholders. The Secretary or other officer or agent having charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class and series registered in the name of each such stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

 

SECTION 11 .       Business at Meetings of Stockholders .

 

(a) General. The business to be conducted at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be limited to such business and nominations as shall comply with the procedures set forth in these bylaws.

 

(b) Notification of Stockholder Business. At any special meeting of stockholders only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation's notice of special meeting. At an annual meeting of stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must either be (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (ii) otherwise (a) properly requested to be brought before the meeting by a stockholder of record entitled to vote in the elections of directors generally, and (b) constitute a proper subject to be brought before the meeting. In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business (other than the election of directors) to be otherwise properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the business must be a proper matter for stockholder action and the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be addressed to and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, not more than one hundred fifty (150) days and not less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the fifteenth (15th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure was made, whichever first occurs. A stockholder's notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter (other than the election of directors) the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and record address of the stockholder proposing such business and of each beneficial owner on behalf of which the stockholder is acting, (iii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder and by any such beneficial owner, (iv) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to present such business, (v) any material interest of the stockholder and of any such beneficial owner in such business; and (vi) whether the proponent intends or is part of a group which intends to solicit proxies from other stockholders in support of such proposal.

 

Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 11 of Article II, provided, however, that nothing in this Section 11 of Article II shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any business properly brought before the annual meeting.

 

The Chairman of an annual or special meeting shall have the power and duty to determine and shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11 of Article II, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

  

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ARTICLE III BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 1.       Number, Qualification and Term of Office. The business, property and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by a board consisting of not less than three (3) or more than seven (7) directors. The Board of Directors shall from time to time by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office fix within the maximum and minimum limits the number of directors to constitute the Board. At each annual meeting of stockholders, a Board of Directors shall be elected by the stockholders for a term of one (1) year. Each Director shall serve until his successor is elected and shall qualify.

 

SECTION 2.      Vacancies. Vacancies in the Board of Directors and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors of the Board of Directors as set forth in Article III Section 3 of these bylaws.

 

SECTION 3.       Resignations . Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect on the date of receipt of such notice or at any later date specified therein; and the acceptance of such resignation, unless required by the terms thereof, shall not be necessary to make it effective. When one or more directors shall resign effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective.

 

SECTION 4.      Removals. Any director may be removed at any special meeting of the Board of Directors, and the vacancy in the Board caused by any such removal may be filled by the Board of Directors at such a meeting.

 

SECTION 5.       Place of Meetings; Books and Records . The Board of Directors may hold its meetings, and have an office or offices, at such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as the Board from time to time may determine.

 

The Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of applicable law, may authorize the books and records of the Corporation, and offices or agencies for the issue, transfer and registration of the capital stock of the Corporation, to be kept at such place or places outside of the State of Delaware as, from time to time, may be designated by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 6.       Annual Meeting of the Board. The first meeting of each newly elected Board of Directors, to be known as the Annual Meeting of the Board, for the purpose of electing officers, designating committees and the transaction of such other business as may come before the Board, shall be held as soon as practicable after the adjournment of the annual meeting of stockholders, and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly elected directors in order legally to constitute the meeting, provided a quorum shall be present. In the event such meeting is not held due to the absence of a quorum, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors or as shall be specified in a written waiver signed by all of the newly elected directors.

 

SECTION 7.       Regular Meetings. The Board of Directors shall, by resolution, provide for regular meetings of the Board at such times and at such places as it deems desirable. Notice of regular meetings need not be given.

 

SECTION 8.       Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board or the President and shall be called by the Secretary on the written request of at least two (2) directors on such notice as the person or persons calling the meeting shall deem appropriate in the circumstances. Notice of each such special meeting shall be mailed to each director or delivered to him by telephone, telegraph or any other means of electronic communication, in each case addressed to his residence or usual place of business, or delivered to him in person or given to him orally. The notice of meeting shall state the time and place of the meeting but need not state the purpose thereof. Attendance of a director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except when a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened. Except as provided by law, the directors may waive notice of such meeting and consent to the action taken as set forth in Section 12 hereof.

 

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SECTION 9.       Quorum and Manner of Acting . Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, the presence of a majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any such meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is present. Notice of any such adjourned meeting need not be given.

 

SECTION 10.      Chairman of the Board. A Chairman of the Board shall be elected by the Board of Directors from among its members for a prescribed term and may, or may not, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, be an employee or an officer of the Corporation. If the Chairman is neither an employee nor an officer of the Corporation, he may be designated "non-executive." The Chairman of the Board shall perform such duties as shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors and, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. In the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board, the Board of Directors shall designate a member of the Board to serve as Chairman of the Board and such designated Board Member shall have the powers and perform the duties of the office; provided, however, that if the Chairman of the Board shall so designate or shall be absent from a meeting of stockholders, the President shall preside at such meeting of stockholders.

 

SECTION 11.      Organization. At every meeting of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or, in his absence the President or, if both of these individuals are absent, a Chairman chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as Chairman of the meeting. The Secretary or, in his absence, an Assistant Secretary or, in the absence of the Secretary and all the Assistant Secretaries, any person appointed by the Chairman of the meeting, shall act as Secretary of the meeting.

 

SECTION 12.       Consent of Directors in Lieu of Meeting . Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board, may be taken without a meeting if a majority of members of the Board or committee consent thereto in writing, and such written consent is filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee.

 

SECTION 13.      Telephonic Meetings. Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

SECTION 14.        Compensation . Each Director who is not a full-time salaried officer of the Corporation or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries, when authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors, may receive as a director a stated salary or an annual retainer and in addition may be allowed a fixed fee and his reasonable expenses for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board or any Committee thereof.

 

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

SECTION I.       Audit Committee. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, designate annually an Audit Committee to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities with respect to overseeing the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices and the internal control policies and procedures of the Corporation. If so designated, the Board shall adopt a charter for the Audit Committee, and the Audit Committee shall review and assess the adequacy of the charter on an annual basis. The duties of the Audit Committee, which shall be set forth in its charter shall be to: (i) be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of any registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the issuer; (ii) establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, including procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the issuer of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; and (iii) engage independent counsel and other advisors, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties as set forth herein.

 

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All members of the Audit Committee shall meet the requirements of the charter and any relevant regulatory body, as interpreted by the Board in its reasonable business judgment. The Corporation shall provide funding requested by the Audit Committee as it reasonably relates to carry out its duties set forth herein. The Board shall elect a chairman of the Audit Committee, who will have authority to act on behalf of the committee between meetings. The Chairman may appoint a temporary Chairman in his absence.

 

SECTION 2.       Compensation Committee . The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, designate annually a Compensation Committee to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities with respect to overseeing the compensation practices of the Corporation. If so designated, the Board shall adopt a charter for the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee shall review and assess the adequacy of the charter on an annual basis. The duties of the Compensation Committee, which shall be set forth in its charter shall be to: (i) review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to executive compensation, (ii) approve executive compensation, (iii) review and advise the Board on non-executive compensation, (iv) advise the Board on the compensation of non-employee directors and (v) make recommendations to the Board with respect to incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans. All members of the Compensation Committee shall meet the requirements of the charter and any relevant regulatory body, as interpreted by the Board in its reasonable business judgment. The Board shall elect a chairman of the Compensation Committee, who will have authority to act on behalf of the committee between meetings. The Chairman may appoint a temporary Chairman in his absence.

 

SECTION 3.      Committee Chairman. Books and Records. Unless designated by the Board of Director, each Committee shall elect a Chairman to serve for such term as it may determine. Each Committee shall fix its own rules of procedure and shall meet at such times and places and upon such call or notice as shall be provided by such rules. It shall keep a record of its acts and proceedings, and all action of the Committee shall be reported to the Board of Directors at the next meeting of the Board.

 

SECTION 4.      Alternates. Alternate members of the Committees prescribed by this Article IV may be designated by the Board of Directors from among the directors to serve as occasion may require. Whenever a quorum cannot be secured for any meeting of any such Committees from among the regular members thereof and designated alternates, the member or members of such Committee present at such meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of such absent or disqualified member. Alternate members of such Committees shall receive a reimbursement for expenses and compensation at the same rate as regular members of such Committees.

 

SECTION 5.      Other Committees. The Board of Directors may designate such other Committees, as it may from time to time determine, and each such Committee shall serve for such term and shall have and may exercise, during intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, such duties, functions and powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

SECTION 6.      Quorum and Manner of Acting. At each meeting of any Committee, the presence of a majority of the members of such Committee, whether regular or alternate, shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and if a quorum is present the concurrence of a majority of those present shall be necessary for the taking of any action.

 

ARTICLEV

OFFICERS

 

SECTION I.        Number. The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, Secretary, and Treasurer, each of which officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors, and such other officers as the Board of Directors may determine, in its discretion, to elect. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Any officer may hold such additional title descriptions or qualifiers such as "Chief Executive Officer", "Chief Operating Officer", "Chief Financial Officer", "Senior Vice President", "Executive Vice President" or "Assistant Secretary" or such other title as the Board of Directors shall determine.

 

SECTION 2.      Election. Term of Office and Qualifications. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors. Each officer elected by the Board of Directors shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until he shall have died, resigned or been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.

 

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SECTION 3.        Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the date of its receipt, or at any later date specified therein; and the acceptance of such resignation, unless required by the terms thereof, shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

SECTION 4.       Removals. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors at a regular meeting or special meeting of the Board. Any officer or agent appointed by any officer or committee may be removed, either with or without cause, by such appointing officer or committee.

 

SECTION 5.       Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as prescribed in these bylaws for regular election or appointment to such office.

 

SECTION 6.        Compensation of Officers. The compensation of all officers elected by the Board of Directors shall be approved or authorized by the Board of Directors or by the President when so authorized by the Board of Directors or these bylaws.

 

SECTION 7.        Absence or Disability of Officers . In the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board or the President, the Board of Directors may designate, by resolution, individuals to perform the duties of those absent or disabled. The Board of Directors may also delegate this power to a committee or to a senior corporate officer.

 

ARTICLE VI

STOCK CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFER THEREOF

 

SECTION 1.       Stock Certificates. Except as otherwise permitted by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, every holder of stock in the Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate, signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, certifying the number of shares, and the class and series thereof, owned by him in the Corporation. Any and all of 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, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

SECTION 2.       Transfer of Stock. Transfer of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation by the holder thereof, or by his attorney thereunto duty authorized, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares. A person in whose name shares of stock stand on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof as regards the Corporation, and the Corporation shall not, except as expressly required by statute, be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such shares on the part of any other person whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof.

 

SECTION 3.       Lost. Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates. The Board of Directors may provide for the issuance of new certificates of stock to replace certificates of stock lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed, or alleged to be lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed, upon such terms and in accordance with such procedures as the Board of Directors shall deem proper and prescribe.

 

SECTION 4.       Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. 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 of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

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ARTICLE VII DIVIDENDS,

SURPLUS, ETC.

 

Except as otherwise provided by statute or the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors may declare dividends upon the shares of its capital stock either (l) out of its surplus, or (2) in case there shall be no surplus, out of its net profits for the fiscal year, whenever, and in such amounts as, in its opinion, the condition of the affairs of the Corporation shall render it advisable. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the capital stock of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VIII

SEAL

 

The corporate seal shall have the name of the Corporation inscribed thereon and shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board of Directors. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

 

ARTICLE IX

FISCAL YEAR

 

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be the twelve months ending December 31, or such other period as may be fixed by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE X

INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 1.       Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director 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 (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, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the full extent authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("Delaware Code"), as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), or by other applicable law as then in effect, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorney's fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee's heirs, executors and administrators, provided, however, that except as provided in Section 2 of this Article with respect to proceedings seeking to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an "advancement of expenses"); provided, however, that, if the Delaware Code requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of 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 Section 1, or otherwise.

 

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SECTION 2.      Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section I of this Article is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written claim 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 twenty (20) days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, to the extent successful in whole or in part, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such suit. The indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Article X upon submission of a written claim (and, in an action brought to enforce a claim for an advancement of expenses where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the Corporation), and thereafter the Corporation shall have the burden of proof to overcome the presumption that the indemnitee is not so entitled. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of 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 nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification shall be a defense to the suit or create a presumption that the indemnitee is not so entitled.

 

SEC TION 3.       Non-exclusivity of Rights . The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article X shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

SECTION 4.       Insurance. Contracts and Funding. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and 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 Delaware Code. The Corporation may enter into contracts with any indemnitee in furtherance of the provisions of this Article X and may create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit) to ensure the payment of such amounts as may be necessary to effect indemnification as provided in this Article.

 

SECTION 5.      Definition of Director and Officer. Any person who is or was serving as a director of a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation shall be deemed, for purposes of this Article X only, to be a director or officer of the Corporation entitled to indemnification under this Article X.

 

SECTION 6.        Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation. The Corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors from time to time, grant rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effects as the provisions of this Article X with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE XI

FORUM FOR ADJUDICATION OF DISPUTES

 

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 (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation's stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. 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 Section XL

 

ARTICLE XII

CHECKS, DRAFTS, BANK ACCOUNTS, ETC.

 

SECTION I.      Checks, Drafts. Etc.; Loans. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation and in such manner as shall, from time to time, be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Corporation unless authorized by the Board of Directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific circumstances.

  

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SECTION 2.      Deposits. All funds of the Corporation shall be deposited, from time to time, to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select, or as may be selected by any officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation to whom such power may, from time to time, be delegated by the Board of Directors; and for the purpose of such deposit, the Chairman, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary or any other officer or agent to whom such power may be delegated by the Board of Directors, may endorse, assign and deliver checks, drafts and other order for the payment of money which are payable to the order of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENTS

 

These bylaws may be altered or repealed and new bylaws may be made by the affirmative vote, at any meeting of the Board, of a majority of the Board of Directors.

 

APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of November, 2015.

 

  By:  
  Name: Michael Favish
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

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Exhibit 4.1

 

NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

THIS NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this " Agreement ") is made as of May 1, 2015 (the ' 'Effective Date ") by and between GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, LLC, a California limited liability company, having an address at 15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92128 (the " Company ") and EDWARD B. GRIER III (the "Lender").

 

WHEREAS, the Lender intends to provide consideration to the Company in the amount of a loan in the principal amount of $500,000 (the " Consideration "); and

 

WHEREAS, the parties intend for the Company to issue in return for the Consideration one or more Notes convertible into the Company's equity interests.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

 

l.              Amount and Terms of the Note .

 

1.1            Issuance of Note . In return for the Consideration paid by the Lender, the Company shall sell and issue to such Lender a convertible promissory note with a principal balance equal to the Consideration, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A annexed hereto (the " Note" ). All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Note.

 

1.2            Right to Convert Note . The Note is convertible into Equity Interests (as defined in the Note) of the Company pursuant to the terms set forth in the Note.

 

2.            Closing . The closing (the " Closing ") of the purchase of the Note in return for the Consideration shall take place at the offices of Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, at 10 A.M. on the Effective Date, or such other place as may be mutually agreed by the Company and the Lender. At the Closing, the Lender shall deliver the Consideration to the Company in immediately available funds and the Company shall deliver to the Lender an original executed Note in return for the Consideration provided to the Company.

 

3.            Representations and Warranties of the Company. In connection with the transactions provided for herein, the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Lender that:

 

3.1            Organization, Good Standing and Qualification . The Company is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of California and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted. The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on its business or properties.

 

3.2            Authorization . All Company action has been taken on the part of the Company, its officers, directors, members, and managers necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Note. Except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’' rights, the Company has taken all corporate action required to make all of the obligations of the Company reflected in the provisions of this Agreement and the Note, the valid and enforceable obligations they purport to be.

 

3.3            Consents . No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court, govern mental agency or body or arbitrator having jurisdiction over the Company, or over any of its affiliates, FINRA, Nasdaq, the OTC Bulletin Board nor the Company's equity holders is required for execution of this Agreement and all other agreements entered into by the Company relating thereto.

 

 

 

  

3.4            No Violation or Conflict . Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the issuance and sale of the Note and underlying Equity Interests (collectively, the "Securities") nor the performance of the Company's obligations under this Agreement and all other agreements entered into by the Company or any of its affiliates relating thereto by the Company or any of its affiliates will: violate, conflict with, result in a material breach of, or constitute a default (or an event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would be reasonably likely to constitute a default) or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation under (A) the articles of organization or operating agreement of the Company or any of its affiliates, (B) any decree, judgment, order, law, treaty, rule, regulation or determination applicable to the Company or any of its affiliates of any court, governmental agency or body, or arbitrator having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its affiliates (including federal and state securities laws and regulations) or over the properties or assets of the Company or any of its affiliates, (C) the terms of any bond, debenture, note or any other evidence of indebtedness, or any agreement, stock option or other similar plan, indenture, lease, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument to which the Company or any of its affiliates is a party, by which the Company or any of its affiliates is bound or affected, or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its affiliates is subject, or (D) the terms of any "lock-up" or similar provision of any underwriting or similar agreement to which the Company, or any of its affiliates is a party. Under this Agreement, an " affiliate " of the Company shall include any person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with the Company, and shall specifically include Guardian Health Sciences, LLC or any other successor in the interest to the Company by merger, reverse merger, or otherwise.

 

3.5            Securities . Any securities issuable upon conversion of the Note will be free and clear of any security interests, liens, claims or other encumbrances, subject to restrictions upon transfer under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " Securities Act "), and any applicable state securities laws; will be duly and validly authorized and issued on the date of issuance, fully paid; and will not have been issued or sold in violation of any preemptive or other similar rights of the holders of any securities of the Company.

 

3.6            Litigation . There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding inquiry, notice of violation, or investigation before any court, governmental or administrative agency or regulatory body (federal, state, county, local or foreign), or arbitrator having jurisdiction over the Company, or any of its affiliates that would challenge the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement and/or the Note, or otherwise affect the execution by the Company or the performance by the Company or any of its affiliates of its obligations under this Agreement, and all other agreements entered into by the Company or any of its affiliates relating hereto.

 

3.7            No General Solicitation . Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor to the Company's knowledge, any person acting on its or their behalf, has, directly or indirectly made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security that would cause the offer of the Note or any Securities issuable thereunder to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act or any applicable stockholder approval provisions. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates will take any action or steps that would cause the offer of the Securities to be integrated with other offerings if such integration would eliminate the Offering Exemption.

 

4.           Representations and Warranties of the Lender . In connection with the transactions provided for herein, the Lender hereby represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

4.1            Authorizatio n. This Agreement constitutes such Lender's valid and legally binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights and (ii) laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies. The Lender represents that he has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement.

 

 

 

  

4.2            Purchase Entirely for Own Account . The Lender acknowledges that this Agreement is made with Lender in reliance upon the Lender's representation to the Company that the Note and any Securities issuable thereunder will be acquired for investment for Lender's own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and that the Lender has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. By executing this Agreement, the Lender further represents that he does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to the Securities.

 

4.3            Disclosure of Information . The Lender acknowledges that he has received all the information it considers necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to acquire the Securities. The Lender further represents that he has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Securities.

 

4.4            Investment Experience . The Lender is an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that he is able to fend for himself, can bear the economic risk of its investment and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Securities.

 

4.5            Questionnaire . The Lender has completed the Questionnaire annexed hereto as Exhibit B and has delivered it herewith and represents and warrants that it is accurate and true in all respects and that it accurately and completely sets forth the financial condition of the Lender on the date hereof. The Lender has no reason to expect there will be any material adverse change in its financial condition.

 

4.6            Accredited Investor . The Lender is an "accredited investor" within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act, of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC "), as presently in effect.

 

4.7            Restricted Securities . The Lender understands that the Securities are characterized as "restricted securities" under the federal securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may be resold without registration under the Act only in certain limited circumstances. The Lender represents that he is familiar with SEC Rule 144, as presently in effect, and understands the resale l imitations imposed thereby and by the Act. Upon conversion of the Note, the Borrower shall comply in all respects with its reporting and filing obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act ") that are applicable to an issuer with a class of shares registered pursuant to either Section 15(d) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, as applicable in order to enable holder to effect sales of the Securities under Rule 144. The Company will use its best efforts to not take any action or file any document (whether or not permitted by the Exchange Act or the Securities Act or the rules thereunder) to terminate or suspend such registration or to terminate or suspend its reporting and filing obligations under the acts until the resale of the Securities.

 

4.8            Further Limitations on Disposition . Without in any way limiting the representations and warranties set forth above, the Lender further agrees not to make any disposition of all or any portion of the Securities unless:

 

(a)           There is then in effect a registration statement under the Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in accordance with such registration statement;

 

(b)           The proposed disposition is exempt from registration under the Securities Act; or

 

(c)           The disposition is to a trust or other estate planning vehicle for the benefit of Lender or members of his immediate family, or is made pursuant to Lender's will, subject to applicable securities laws.

 

4.9            Legends . It is understood that the Securities may bear the following legend, or a legend with text similar to the following:

 

 

 

  

"THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SUCH ACT OR UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER SUCH ACT."

 

4.10          Anti-Money Laundering Regulations . The Lender hereby acknowledges that the Company's intent is to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws designed to combat money laundering and similar illegal activities, including the provisions of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the " PATRIOT Act "). In furtherance of such efforts, Lender hereby represents, covenants, and agrees that, to the best of Lender's knowledge, based on reasonable investigation:

 

(a)           None of the Consideration or any other investment in the Company shall be derived from money laundering or similar activities deemed illegal under federal laws and regulations.

 

(b)           To the extent within Lender's control, none of Lender's investment in the Company will cause the Company or any of its personnel to be in violation of federal anti-money laundering laws, including without limitation the Bank Secrecy Act (31 U.S.C. 5311 et seq.), the United States Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 or the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(c)           When requested by the Company, the Lender will provide any and all additional information deemed reasonably necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations concerning money laundering and similar activities.

 

5.            Defaults and Remedies .

 

5.1            Events of Default . The following events shall be considered Events of Default with respect to each Note:

 

(a)           The Company shall default in the payment of any part of the principal or unpaid accrued interest on the Note when due;

 

(b)           The Company shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due, or shall file a voluntary petition for bankruptcy, or shall file any petition or answer seeking for itself any reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, dissolution or similar relief under any present or future statute, law or regulation, or shall file any answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against the Company in any such proceeding, or shall seek or consent to or acquiesce in the appointment of any trustee, receiver or liquidator of the Company, or of all or any substantial part of the properties of the Company, or the Company or its respective directors or majority stockholders shall take any action looking to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company;

 

(c)          Within thirty (30) days after the commencement of any proceeding against the Company seeking any bankruptcy reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any present or future statute, law or regulation, such proceeding shall not have been dismissed, or within thirty (30) days after the appointment without the consent or acquiescence of the Company of any trustee, receiver or liquidator of the Company or of all or any substantial part of the properties of the Company, such appointment shall not have been vacated; or

 

(d)          Any other Event of Default under the terms of the Note.

 

 

 

  

5.2            Remedies . Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 5.1 hereof, at the option and upon the declaration of the Lender, the entire unpaid principal and accrued and unpaid interest on such Note shall, without presentment, demand, protest, or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, be forthwith due and payable, and such holder may, immediately and without expiration of any period of grace, enforce payment of all amounts due and owing under such Note and exercise any and all other remedies granted to it at law, in equity or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon an Event of Default, Lender shall have the right, but not the obligation, to receive Equity Interests in exchange for outstanding debt and equity in lieu of any other of its remedies upon an Event of Default. If Lender chooses to receive Equity Interests upon an Event of Default, Lender shall waive any other rights or remedies under the Note.

 

6.            Miscellaneous.

 

6.1            Successors and Assigns . Except as otherwise provided herein, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties, provided, however, that the Company may not assign its obligations under this Agreement without the written consent of the Lender. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

 

6.2            Governing Law . This Agreement and the Note shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflicts of laws principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. Any action brought by either party against the other concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be brought only in the state courts of California or in the federal courts located in the San Diego, California.

 

6.3            Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Reproductions (facsimile, photographic, pdf, or otherwise) of this Agreement may be made and relied upon to the same extent as an original.

 

6.4            Notices . All notices and other communications given or made pursuant hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (i) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (ii) when sent by confirmed electronic mail or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, if not so confirmed, then on the next business day, (iii) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid , or (iv) one ( 1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. AH communications shall be sent to the respective parties at the addresses set forth in the Preamble (or at such other addresses as shall be specified by notice given in accordance with this Section 6.5), with a copy to Elliot Lutzker, Esq., Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, 605 Third Avenue, 34th Floor, New York, New York 10158, Facsimile (212) 286-1884.

 

6.5            Expenses. If any action at law or in equity is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled

 

6.6            Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers . This Agreement and the Note and the other documents delivered pursuant hereto constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof and thereof. Any term of this Agreement or the Note may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement or the Note may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), with the written consent of the Company and the Lender. Any waiver or amendment effected in accordance with this Section 6.6 shall be binding upon each party to this Agreement and any holder of the Note purchased under this Agreement at the time outstanding and each future holder of the Note.

 

 

 

  

6.7            Severability . If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement and the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

6.8            Exculpation among Lender. The Lender acknowledges that it is not relying upon any person, firm, corporation, member, or manager, other than the Company and its officers and members in their capacities as such, in making its investment or decision to invest in the Company.

 

6.9            Further Assurance . From time to time, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Lender such additional documents and shall provide such additional information to the Lender as he may reasonably require to carry out the terms of this Agreement and the Note and any agreements executed in connection herewith or therewith, or to be informed of the financial and business conditions and prospects of the Company.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:  
   
GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, LLC  
   
By:    
     
Name: Michael Favish  
Title:  Chief Executive Officer and Manager
   
LENDER:  
   
   
Edward Grier  

 

 

  

Exhibit 4.2

 

EXHIBIT A

 

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$500,000.00 May l, 2015

 

For value received, GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, LLC, a California limited liability company, having an address at 15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92128 (the " Borrower "), hereby promises to pay to the order of EDWARD B. GRIER III, (the " Lender "), at such address or at such other place as the holder hereof may from time to time appoint in writing, in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available funds, the principal sum of FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND ($500,000) Dollars (the "Loan"). The Loan shall be due and payable on the earlier of (i) May 1, 2017 (the "Maturity Date"), or (ii) any other date on which any principal amount of this Note is declared to be, or becomes, due and payable pursuant to its terms prior to the Maturity Date (the ''Default Date"). This Note shall be convertible into Equity Interests (as defined below) in the Borrower, subject to the terms set forth below.

 

This Note (the " Note" ) is being issued to evidence an unsecured loan to the Borrower for working capital purposes and to fund the costs of becoming a public company subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC "). This Loan shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the Note Purchase Agreement by and between the Borrower and the Lender, dated the date hereof (the "Note Purchase Agreement"), which is deemed incorporated by reference herein.

 

In consideration of the granting of the Loan evidenced by this Note, the Borrower hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.           Interest Rate . This is a fixed rate Note. Interest shall accrue at the rate of five percent (5%) per annum, and shall accrue on the unpaid principal amount of this Note from the date hereof until all sums under this Note are paid in full, but shall not be payable until the earlier of the Maturity Date or the date on which the Company has effected a Going Public Event (as defined below). Interest shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed, as applicable, and divided by a 365/366 day factor.

 

2.           Payments . For purposes hereof, the term Business Day shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banks are required or permitted to be closed in the State of California. If payment to be made hereunder (principal, interest, expenses or otherwise) becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the due date shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and interest thereon shall be payable at the applicable interest rate provided for herein during such extension. Interest under this Note will continue to accrue until payment is actually received or the Note is converted into Equity Interests. Payments may be applied in any order in the sole discretion of Lender but, prior to the Maturity Date or an Event of Default, whichever should come first, payments shall be applied first (in the following order) to past due interest, expenses, late charges and principal, then (in the following order) to current interest, expenses, late charges and principal, and last to remaining principal.

 

3.           Form of Payment . At the option of the Lender, the principal amount of this Note shall be payable to Lender in cash or equity interests (the "Equity Interests ") in the Borrower on the Maturity Date or the Default Date, if applicable, unless converted into equity in accordance with the terms of Section 7 or Section 8 below. At the option of the Lender, the amount of interest and principal payable to the Lender under this Note upon an Event of Default or on the Maturity Date or the Conversion Date (as defined below in Section 8.3) may be paid by either (a) cash or (b) Equity Interests of the Borrower based upon a $10,000,000 valuation of the Borrower excluding the Loan or any capital contributions or additional financings (the " Additional Financings ") of the Borrower between the date of this Note and the date of issuance of the Equity Interests (the "Issuance Date ") which, in tum, would dilute the Equity Interests issuable to the Lender. If the Borrower remains a limited liability company on the Issuance Date, then the Equity Interests shall consist of membership interests of the Borrower under the terms of the operating agreement of the Borrower effective on the Issuance Date. If the Borrower is a corporation on the Issuance Date, then the Equity Interests shall be comprised of shares of common stock of the Borrower. If the Lender elects to receive Equity Interests to satisfy its obligations under the Note, Borrower shall take at all times such corporate action as shall be necessary in order that Borrower may valid ly and legally issue fully paid non- assessable Equity Interests in accordance with the provisions of this Article 3.

 

 

 

 

 

4.           Prepayment . The Borrower may not prepay any part of the Loan prior to the Maturity Date without the consent of the Lender.

 

5.           Warranties and Representations . Borrower represents and warrants that (a) it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its organization; (b) the execution, issuance and delivery of this Note by the Borrower are within its organizational powers and have been duly authorized, and the Note is valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms, and is not in violation of law or of the terms of the Borrower's organizational documents and does not result in the breach of or constitute a default under any indenture, agreement or undertaking to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or its property may be bound or affected; (c) no authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Note, except those as have been obtained; and (d) no Event of Default (as hereinafter defined) has occurred and no event has occurred which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

 

6.           Event of Default.

 

The occurrence of any of the following events of default ( "Event of Default "), unless timely cured as set forth herein, shall, at the option of the Lender hereof, make all sums of principal and interest then remaining unpaid hereon and all other amounts payable hereunder immediately due and payable, upon written notice, however, without presentment, demand or protest all of which hereby are expressly waived, except as set forth below:

 

6.1            Failure to Pay Principal or Interest . The Borrower fails to pay principal and interest or any other sum due under this Note as and when the same becomes due and payable.

 

6.1            Breach of Covenant . The Borrower breaches any material covenant or other material term or condition of this Note, in any material respect and such breach, if subject to cure, continues for a period of twenty (20) Business Days after written notice to the Borrower from the Lender.

 

6.2            Breach of Representations and Warranties . Any material representation or warranty of the Borrower made herein, or in any agreement, statement or certificate given in writing pursuant hereto or in connection therewith shall be false or misleading in any material respect as of the date made and which has a material adverse effect on the Borrower, its assets, business operations or its ability to pay this Note in full.

 

6.3            Receiver or Trustee . The Borrower shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver or trustee for all or for a substantial part of its property or business; or such a receiver or trustee shall otherwise be appointed.

 

6.4            Bankruptcy . Bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or liquidation proceedings or other proceedings or relief under any bankruptcy law or any law, or the issuance of any notice in relation to such event, for the relief of debtors, shall be instituted by or against the Borrower and if instituted against Borrower is not dismissed within sixty (60) days of initiation.

 

6.5            Insolvency . Borrower admits its inability to pay its debts as they mature.

 

6.6            Cross Default . A default by Borrower of a material term, covenant, warranty or undertaking of any other agreement to which Borrower and the Lender are parties, or agreement made by Borrower in favor of holder, or the occurrence of any default under such other agreement which is not cured after any required notice and/or cure period and which default may materially adversely affect such Borrower's ability to pay this Note or satisfy its liability under any other obligation to the Lender or the occurrence of an " Event of Default " under any such other agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

7.           Suits for Enforcement and Remedies; Default Interest .

 

If any one or more Events of Default shall occur and be continuing, the principal amount of this Note shall bear similar interest at the annual rate (the " Default Rate ") of ten percent (10%) interest until paid (the " Default Date ").

 

The Lender may send written notice of default to the Borrower at any time after the Maturity Date, or earlier upon an Event of Default. However, regardless of whether the Lender sends written notice of default to Borrower, the Note shall bear interest at the Default Rate as set forth above.

 

Upon an Event of Default, the Lender may proceed to (i) protect and enforce Lender's rights either by suit in equity or by action at law, or both, whether for the specific performance of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Note, the Note Purchase Agreement or in any agreement or document referred to herein or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Note or in any agreement or document referred to herein, (ii) enforce the payment of this Note, or (iii) enforce any other legal or equitable right of the holder of this Note or the Note Purchase Agreement. No right or remedy herein or in any other agreement or instrument conferred upon the Lender is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and each and every such right or remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Note, upon an Event of Default, Lender shall have the right, but not the obligation, to receive the outstanding principal and interest under this Note as of the Event of Default in the form of Equity Interests pursuant to the terms of Section 3 hereunder, in lieu of its other remedies under this Note. If Lender chooses to receive Equity Interests upon an Event of Default, Lender shall deliver the original copy of this Note to Borrower for cancellation upon the issuance of the Equity interests, and Lender shall waive any other rights or remedies under this Note.

 

8.           Conversion and Exchange .

 

8.1           Borrower will use its reasonable best efforts to effect a Going Public Event; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be subject to any liability (other than as set forth under this Note) if a Going Public Event has not occurred on or before the Maturity Date.

 

8.2           A Going Public Event shall be the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(a) The registration of any class of securities of the Borrower pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (a " 33 Act Registration ");

 

(b) The registration of any class of securities of the Borrower pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (a " 34 Act Registration ");

 

(c) The merger by and between the Borrower and an entity subject to the reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (a "Reporting Company"), including both shell and non-shell companies; provided, however, that the Borrower and its equity holders must receive 50% or more of the equity interest in the Reporting Company immediately after the merger (a " Public Merger ").

 

 

 

  

8.3           Within ten (10) Business Days after the occurrence of a Going Public Event (the " Conversion Date "), in exchange for the outstanding principal due under this Note, the Borrower shall issue Equity Interests to the Lender valued at $500,000, based upon a pre-money $ 10,000,000 valuation of the Borrower, excluding this Loan or any Additional Financings between the date of this Note and the date the Going Public Event. The accrued interest as of the Conversion Date shall be payable in the form of cash or additional Equity Interests at the option of Lender in accordance with Section 3 hereunder. By way of example, if there are no Additional Financings, the Equity Interests issuable to Borrower for the principal alone shall be equal to $500,000 divided by the sum of the $10,000,000 valuation of the Borrower plus the $500,000 Loan, or a 4.76% Equity Interest. If the Going Public Event is a Public Merger, then the $10,000,000 valuation shall only apply to the consideration that the Borrower and its equity holders receive in connection with the Public Merger. The issuance of Equity Interests to Lender upon a Going Public Event under this Section 8.3 and the satisfaction of accrued interest shall satisfy all of Borrower' s debts and obligations under this Note and no additional amount shall be payable to Lender on the Maturity Date.

 

8.4           Borrower shall at all times keep available out of its authorized but unissued Equity Interests, sufficient Equity Interests to effect the conversion of the Equity Interests deliverable upon conversion of the entire principal amount of this Note, and accrued unpaid interest thereon, at the time outstanding. Borrower shall take at all times such corporate action as shall be necessary in order that Borrower may validly and legally issue fully paid non-assessable Equity Interests in accordance with the provisions of this Article 8.

 

8.5           If the Equity Interests issuable upon the conversion of this Note shall be changed into the same or a different number of shares of any class or classes of securities, whether by capital reorganization, reclassification or otherwise, then and in each such event the holder of this Note shall have the right thereafter to exchange this Note into the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities and property receivable upon such reorganization, reclassification or other change, by the holder of the quantity of Equity Interests into which this Note might have been conve1ted immediately prior to such reorganization, reclassification or change, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

 

9.           Registration Rights.

 

If at any time between the Conversion Date and seven (7) years after the Conversion Date, the Borrower holds Equity Interests and the Company does not have an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of '1933, as amended (the " Securities Act "), covering all of the Equity Interests, and the Borrower shall determine to prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement relating to an offering for its own account or the account of others under the Securities Act of any of its equity securities, other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8 (each as promulgated under the Securities Act) or their then equivalents relating to equity securities to be issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business or equity securities issuable in connection with the stock option or other employee benefit plans, then the Borrower shall send to the Lender a written notice of such determination and, if within fifteen (15) days after the date of such notice, the Lender shall so request in writing, the Borrower shall include in such registration statement all or any part of such Equity Interests the Lender to be registered, subject to customary underwriter cutbacks applicable to all holders of registration rights on a pro rata basis, provided that if at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any securities and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, the Lender shall determine for any reason not to register or to delay registration of such securities, the Lender may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to the Borrower thereupon, (i) in the case of a determination not to register, shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Equity Interests in connection with such registration, and (ii) in the case of a determination to delay registering, shall be permitted to delay registering any Equity Interests being registered pursuant to this Section 9 for the same period as the delay in registering such other securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the registration rights under this Section 9 shall not apply to any registration statement effecting a 33 Act Registration, but shall apply to a registration statement under the Securities Act filed by the Borrower after a 34 Act Registration. In addition, this Section 9 shall not eliminate the Borrower's requirement s under the Note Purchase Agreement to maintain its filings under the Exchange Act current to enable sales under Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The Borrower shall not be required to register any Equity Interests pursuant to this Section 9 that are the subject of a then effective registration statement.

 

 

 

 

 

10.         Unconditional Obligation; Fees. Other .

 

10.1         The obligations to make the payment provided for in this Note are absolute and unconditional and not subject to any defense, set-off, counterclaim, rescission, recoupment or adjustment whatsoever.

 

10.2         If, following the occurrence of an Event of Default, Lender shall seek to enforce the collection of any amount of principal of and/or interest on this Note, there shall be immediately due and payable from Borrower, in addition to the then unpaid principal of, and accrued unpaid interest on, this Note, all costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection therewith, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements.

 

10.3         This Note may not be modified or discharged (other than by payment or exchange) except by a writing duly executed by Borrower and Lender.

 

10.4         Borrower hereby expressly waives demand and presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, protest, notice of protest, bringing of suit, and diligence in taking any action to collect amounts called for hereunder, and shall be directly and primarily liable for the payment of all sums owing and to be owing hereon, regard less of and without any notice, diligence, act or omission with respect to the collection of any amount called for hereunder or in connection with any right, lien, interest or property at any and all times which Lender had or is existing as security for any amount called for hereunder.

 

11.        Restriction on Transfer .

 

This Note has been acquired for investment, and this Note has not been registered under the securities laws of the United States of America or any state thereof. Accordingly, no interest in this Note may be offered for sale, sold or transferred in the absence of registration and qualification of this Note, under applicable federal and state securities laws or an opinion of counsel of Lender reasonably satisfactory to the Lender that such registration and qualification are not required.

 

12.          Miscellaneous .

 

12.1          Modifications; Waivers. No modification or waiver of any provision of this Note shall be effective unless such modification or waiver shall be in writing and signed by Lender, and the same shall then be effective only for the period and on the conditions and for the specific instances specified in such writing. No failure or delay by the Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any rights, power or privilege.

 

12.2          Notices. All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals, and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and, unless otherwise specified herein, shall be: (i) personally served; (ii) deposited in the mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; (iii) delivered by reputable air courier service with charges prepaid; or (iv) transmitted by hand delivery, telegram, or confirmed facsimile, addressed as set forth below or to such other address as such party shall have specified most recently by written notice. Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be deemed effective:(a) upon hand delivery, e-mail, or delivery by facsimile, with accurate confirmation generated by the transmitting facsimile machine, at the address or number designated below (if delivered on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received), or the first business day following such delivery (if delivered other than on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received); or (b) on the second business day following the date of mailing by express courier service, fully prepaid, addressed to such address, or upon actual receipt of such mailing, whichever shall first occur. The addresses for such communications shall be: (x) if to the Borrower to the address set forth above in the Preamble; with a copy to Elliot Lutzker, Esq., Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, 605 Third Avenue, 34th Floor, New York, New York 10158, Telecopier (212) 286-1 884, and (y) if to the Lender, to the address set forth above in the Preamble.

 

 

 

 

12.3          Amendment Provision . The term "Note" and all references thereto, as used throughout this instrument, shall mean this instrument as originally executed, or if later amended or supplemented, then as so amended or supplemented.

 

12.4          Non-Assignability . The Borrower may not delegate its obligations under this Note and such attempted delegations shall be null and void. The Lender may not assign, pledge or otherwise transfer this Note without the prior written consent of the Borrower which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This Note inures to the benefit of Lender, its successors and its assignee of this Note and binds the Borrower, and its successors and assigns, and the terms "Lender" and "Borrower" whenever occurring herein shall be deemed and construed to include such respective successors and assigns. Any assignment or transfer made in violation of this Section 12.4 or Section 11 hereunder shall be void ab initio.

 

12.5          Governing Law . This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. Any action brought by either party against the other concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be brought only in the state courts of California or in the federal courts located in San Diego, California. Both parties and the individual signing this Note on behalf of the Borrower agrees to submit to the personal jurisdiction of such courts. The parties to this Agreement hereby irrevocably waive any objection to jurisdiction and venue in any action instituted hereunder and shall not assert any defense based on lack of jurisdiction or venue or based upon forum non conveniens. The parties executing this Agreement and the other agreements referred to herein or delivered in connection herewith on behalf of the Borrower agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of such courts and hereby irrevocably waive trial by jury. The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the other party its reasonable attorneys' fees, costs and expenses. In the event that any provision of this Note is invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform with such statute or rule of law. Any such provision which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall not affect the validity or unenforceability of any other provision of this Note. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed or operate to preclude the Lender from bringing suit or taking other legal action against the Borrower in any other jurisdiction where the Borrower hold assets to collect on the Borrower's obligations to the Lender, to realize on any collateral or any other security for such obligations, or to enforce a judgment in another court in favor of the Lender.

 

12.6          WAIVER . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 12.6.

 

12.7          Successors and Assigns. This Note shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Lender, all future holders of this Note and their respective successors and assigns, except that Borrower may not assign, delegate or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Note (other than in connection with a dissolution or a transaction involving a merger or consolidation, in each case otherwise permitted by this Agreement) without the prior written consent of the Lender.

 

12.8          Maximum Payments .  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to establish or require the payment of a rate of interest or other charges in excess of the maximum permitted by applicable law. In the event that the rate of interest required to be paid or other charges hereunder exceed the maximum permitted by such law, any payments in excess of such maximum shall be credited against amounts owed by the Borrower to the Lender and thus refunded to the Borrower.

 

 

 

 

12.9          Construction . Each party acknowledges that its legal counsel participated, or was afforded the opportunity to participate, in the preparation of this Note and, therefore, stipulates that the rule of construction that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be applied in the interpretation of this Note to favor any party against the other.

 

12.10          Counsel . Borrower acknowledges that it has been advised to consult with an attorney with respect to negotiations of and decisions to enter into the Loan prior to its execution.

 

12.11          Information . Borrower shall furnish to the Lender all information relevant to the Borrower's obligations under this Agreement and all material or information reasonably requested by the Lender.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has caused this Promissory Note to be signed in its name by an authorized officer as of the date first above written.

 

  GUARDION LIFE SCIENCES LLC  
     
  /s/: Michael Favish  
  Name:  Michael Favish  
  Title: Chief Executive Officer and Manager  

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.3

 

AMENDMENT

 

This amendment (the "A mendment " ) to Convertible Promissory Note, dated May 1, 2015 (the "Note") is made and ente red into as of the 30 th day of November, 2015, by and between Guardian Health Sciences , Inc. ("Guardian") (f/k/a Guardian Health Sciences , LLC) a n d Edward Grier, III (the "Lender"), to clarify ri g ht s granted to the Lender at the time of execution of t he Note .

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of th e mutual prem i ses and covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration , the rec e ipt and sufficiency of wh ich are a ll hereby acknowledged by each of the parties hereto , the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Amendment to Section 3 of the Note. Section 3 is hereby amended and res tated as follows:

 

Form of Payment. At the option of the Lender, the principal amoun t of this Note s hall be payable to Lender in cash or equity inter ests of the Borrower or common stock if Borrower is converted to a corporat ion (the "Eq u ity Interest s") in the Borrower on the Maturity Date or the Default Date , if applicable, unless converted into equity in accordance with the terms of Section 7 or 8 below. At the option of the Lender, the amount of interest and principal payable to the Lender under this Note upon an Event of Default or on the Maturity Date or upon conversion , except upon a Going Public Event (as each term i s defin e d below in Section 8.3) may be paid by e ither (a) cash or (b) Equity Int erests based upon a $10,000 , 000 valuat ion of the Borrower exclud in g the Loan, but includin g any and all original i ss uance s of co mmon stock (the " Additional Financings") by the Borrower between th e date of this Note and the date of a Goin g Public Event which, if ex clud ed, would otherwise dilute the Equity Interests issuable to the Lender. If the Borrower remains a limited li abil it y company on the I ssuance Date , then the Equity Interests s hall consist of membership interests of the Borrower under the terms of the operating agreement of the Borrower effective on the I ss uance Date. If the Borrower has converted to a corporat ion, then, th e Equity Inter ests s h a ll be comprised of sha r es of common stock of the Borrow e r . The Borrower s hall take at a ll times such corpora te action as shall be neces sa ry in order th at Borro w er m ay va lidl y and le ga lly issue fully paid non-asses s able shares of common stock in accordance with the pro v isions of this Article 3 . If the Lender e l ects to receive Equ ity Intere s ts to sat i sfy i ts o b li ga tions und er the No t e, Borrower sha ll take at all times s uch corporate action as shall be necessar y in order that Borrower may validly and l ega ll y issue fully paid non-as sessab le Equity Intere sts in accordance with the provisions o f this Article 3 .

 

2. Amendment to Section 8.3 of the Note . Section 8.3 i s hereb y amended and re s tated as follow s:

 

Within ten (10) Bu s in ess Days after the occurrence o f a Going Public E v ent ( the "Con ve rsion Date ") , in exc h a nge for the outstanding principal due und e r t hi s Note, the Borrower shall issue Equity Interests to the Lender valued at $500,000, based upon a pre-money $10,000,000 valuation of the Borrower, excluding this Loan provided, however, that the Lender is hereby granted anti-dilution protection for all Additional Financings (as defined above), from the date of the Note up to, but not including, the date of the Going Public Event. Upon the date of the Going Public Event, all anti-dilution rights granted to the Lender shall cease in their entirety. Thereafter, any shares of common stock issued upon exercise of then outstanding options, warrants, notes or any other derivative securities shall not result in the issue of any additional shares of common stock or other equity to the Lender. The starting number of Equity Interests used for this anti - dilution protection calculation shall be the "Total Units," as of April 9 , 2015 , shown on the attached Exhibit 1. The accrued interest as of the Conversion Date shall be payab l e in the form of cash or additional Equity Interests at the option of Lender in accordance with Section 3 hereunder. By way of example, if there are no Additional Financings, the Equity Interests issuable to Lender for the principal alone shall, in any event, be equal to $500,000 divided by the sum of the $10,000,000 valuation of the Borrower plus the $500,000 Loan , or a 4.76 % Equity Interest. By way of further example , if $5 million of Additional Financings occur, the Lender's Equity Interest percentage ownership in the Lender shall remain at 4.76%, at no additional cost, after taking into account the Equity Interests issued and outstanding from the $5 million of Additional Financings , through the issuance of additional Equit y Interests to the Lender. If the Going Public Event is a Public Merger, then the $10 , 000 , 000 valuation shall only apply to the consideration that the Borrower and its equity holders receive in connection with the Public Merger. The issuance of Equity Interests to L e nd e r upon a Going Public Event under this Section 8.3 and the sa t i s faction of accrued interest shall satisfy all of Borrower ' s debts and obligations under this Note a nd no additional amount shall be payable to Lender on the Maturity Date.

 

 

 

 

3.           Governing Law .            This Amendment shall be governed by , and construed in accordance with, the provisions set forth in the Agreement.

 

4.           No Further Amendments . Except as set forth herein, all r e ference s t o the Note shall mean and refer to the Note, as amended by this Amendmen t.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW

  

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have e x ecuted thi s Amendment and made it effective , as of the date first above written .

 

  GU ARDION HEAL TH SCIE N CES , INC.
     
  By /s/: Michael Favish
  Name: Michael F a v ish
  Title: Chief Executive Offic e r

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 1

 

Guard i an Health Sciences , LLC CAP

TABLE

 

FULLY DILUTED CALCULATION (as of Apri l 9, 2015):
Stak e hold e r   Total Units     % Owned  
             
Michae l Favish     5,500,000       33.33 %
Leo n K r aj i an     1,599,182       9.69 %
C hri stophe r Scangas     1,656,355       10.04 %
J effrey Morris     1,247,500       7.56 %
Soden Estate     125,000       0.76 %
In vesto r s (2009 - 2 015 Equity)     2,224,297       13.48 %
In vesto r s (2 0 09 - 2 015 Ma n da t ory Conversio n No t e)     2,893,220       17.53 %
Ma n agement/Scientist Poo l     1,255,000       7.61 %
      16,500,554       100.00 %

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.4

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$100,000 November 30, 2015

 

For value received, GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC, a Delaware corporation, having an address at 15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92128 (the "Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of EDWARD B. GRIER III, (the "Lender"), at such address or at such other place as the holder hereof may from time to time appoint in writing, in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available funds, the principal sum of One Hundred Thousand ($100,000) Dollars (the "Loan"). The Loan shall be due and payable on the earlier of (i) May 31st 2016 (the "Maturity Date"), or (ii) any other date on which any principal amount of this Note is declared to be, or becomes, due and payable pursuant to its terms prior to the Maturity Date (the "Default Date"), or (iii) upon Borrower's receipt of an aggregate One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) from its private placement with Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc. or any other equity placement that generates gross proceeds of at least $1,000,000 ("PPM Repayment Date").

 

This Note (the "Note") is being issued to evidence an unsecured loan to the Borrower for working capital purposes and to fund the costs of becoming a public company subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

 

In consideration of the granting of the Loan evidenced by this Note, the Borrower hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.           Interest Rate . This is a fixed rate Note. Interest shall accrue at the rate of five percent (5%) per annum, and shall accrue on the unpaid principal amount of this Note from the date hereof until all sums under this Note are paid in full, but shall not be payable until the earlier of the Maturity Date, the Default Date or the PPM Repayment Date. Interest shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed, as applicable, and divided by a 365/366 day factor.

 

2.           Payments. For purposes hereof, the term Business Day shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banks are required or permitted to be closed in the State of California. If payment to be made hereunder (principal, interest, expenses or otherwise) becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the due date shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and interest thereon shall be payable at the applicable interest rate provided for herein during such extension. Interest under this Note will continue to accrue until payment is actually received or the Note. Payments may be applied in any order in the sole discretion of Lender but, prior to the Maturity Date or an Event of Default, whichever should come first, payments shall be applied first (in the following order) to past due interest, expenses, late charges and principal, then (in the following order) to current interest, expenses, late charges and principal, and last to remaining principal.

 

3.           Form of Paymen t. The principal amount and accrued interest of this Note shall be payable in cash to Lender on the Maturity Date, or the PPM Repayment Date or the Default Date, if applicable.

 

4.           Prepayment . The Borrower may not prepay any part of the Loan prior to the Maturity Date.

 

5.           Warranties and Representations . Borrower represents and warrants that: (a) it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its organization; (b) the execution, issuance and delivery of this Note by the Borrower are within its organizational powers and have been duly authorized, and the Note is valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms, and is not in violation of law or of the terms of the Borrower's organizational documents and does not result in the breach of or constitute a default under any indenture, agreement or undertaking to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or its property may be bound or affected; (c) no authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Note, except those as have been obtained; and (d) no Event of Default (as hereinafter defined) has occurred and no event has occurred which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

 

 

 

  

6.           Event of Default.

 

The occurrence of any of the following events of default (" Event of Default "), unless timely cured as set forth herein, shall, at the option of the Lender hereof, make all sums of principal and interest then remaining unpaid hereon and all other amounts payable hereunder immediately due and payable, upon written notice, however, without presentment, demand or protest all of which hereby are expressly waived, except as set forth below:

 

6.1           Failure to Pay Principal or Interest. The Borrower fails to pay principal and interest or any other sum due under this Note as and when the same becomes due and payable.

 

6.2           Breach of Covenant. The Borrower breaches any material covenant or other material term or condition of this Note, in any material respect and such breach, if subject to cure, continues for a period of twenty (20) Business Days after written notice to the Borrower from the Lender.

 

6.3           Breach of Representations and Warranties. Any material representation or warranty of the Borrower made herein, or in any agreement, statement or certificate given in writing pursuant hereto or in connection therewith shall be false or misleading in any material respect as of the date made and which has a material adverse effect on the Borrower, its assets, business operations or its ability to pay this Note in full.

 

6.4           Receiver or Trustee. The Borrower shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver or trustee for all or for a substantial part of its property or business; or such a receiver or trustee shall otherwise be appointed.

 

6.5           Bankruptcy. Bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or liquidation proceedings or other proceedings or relief under any bankruptcy law or any law, or the issuance of any notice in relation to such event, for the relief of debtors, shall be instituted by or against the Borrower and if instituted against Borrower is not dismissed within sixty (60) days of initiation.

 

6.6           Insolvency. Borrower admits its inability to pay its debts as they mature.

 

6.7           Cross Default. A default by Borrower of a material term, covenant, warranty or undertaking of any other agreement to which Borrower and the Lender are parties , or agreement made by Borrower in favor of holder, or the occurrence of any default under such other agreement which is not cured after any required notice and/or cure period and which default may materially adversely affect such Borrower's ability to pay this Note or satisfy its liability under any other obligation to the Lender or the occurrence of an "Event of Default" under any such other agreement.

 

7.           Suits for Enforcement and Remedies; Default Interest .

 

If any one or more Events of Default shall occur and be continuing, the principal amount of this Note shall bear similar interest at the annual rate (the "Default Rate") of ten percent (10%) interest until paid (the "Default Date").

 

The Lender may send written notice of default to the Borrower at any time after the Maturity Date, or earlier upon an Event of Default. However, regardless of whether the Lender sends written notice of default to Borrower, the Note shall bear interest at the Default Rate as set forth above.

 

Upon an Event of Default, the Lender may proceed to (i) protect and enforce Lender's rights either by suit in equity or by action at law, or both, whether for the specific performance of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Note or in any agreement or document referred to herein or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Note or in any agreement or document referred to herein, (ii) enforce the payment of this Note, or (iii) enforce any other legal or equitable right of the holder of this Note. No right or remedy herein or in any other agreement or instrument conferred upon the Lender is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and each and every such right or remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise.

 

 

 

  

8.           Unconditional Obligation; Fees, Other .

 

8.1           The obligations to make the payment provided for in this Note are absolute and unconditional and not subject to any defense, set-off, counterclaim, rescission, recoupment or adjustment whatsoever.

 

8.2           If, following the occurrence of an Event of Default, Lender shall seek to enforce the collection of any amount of principal of and/or interest on this Note, there shall be immediately due and payable from Borrower, in addition to the then unpaid principal of, and accrued unpaid interest on, this Note, all costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection therewith, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements.

 

8.3           This Note may not be modified or discharged (other than by payment or exchange) except by a writing duly executed by Borrower and Lender.

 

8.4           Borrower hereby expressly waives demand and presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, protest, notice of protest, bringing of suit, and diligence in taking any action to collect amounts called for hereunder, and shall be directly and primarily liable for the payment of all sums owing and to be owing hereon, regardless of and without any notice, diligence, act or omission with respect to the collection of any amount called for hereunder or in connection with any right, lien, interest or property at any and all times which Lender had or is existing as security for any amount called for hereunder.

 

9.           Restriction on Transfer .

 

This Note has been acquired for investment, and this Note has not been registered under the securities laws of the United States of America or any state thereof. Accordingly, no interest in this Note may be offered for sale, sold or transferred in the absence of registration and qualification of this Note, under applicable federal and state securities laws or an opinion of counsel of Lender reasonably satisfactory to the Lender that such registration and qualification are not required.

 

10.          Miscellaneous .

 

10.1           Modifications: Waivers. No modification or waiver of any provision of this Note shall be effective unless such modification or waiver shall be in writing and signed by Lender, and the same shall then be effective only for the period and on the conditions and for the specific instances specified in such writing. No failure or delay by the Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any rights, power or privilege.

 

10.2           Notices. All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals, and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and, unless otherwise specified herein, shall be: (i) personally served; (ii) deposited in the mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; (iii) delivered by reputable air courier service with charges prepaid; or (iv) transmitted by hand delivery, telegram, or confirmed facsimile, addressed as set forth below or to such other address as such party shall have specified most recently by written notice. Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be deemed effective: (a) upon hand delivery, e-mail, or delivery by facsimile, with accurate confirmation generated by the transmitting facsimile machine, at the address or number designated below (if delivered on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received), or the first business day following such delivery (if delivered other than on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received); or (b) on the second business day following the date of mailing by express courier service, fully prepaid, addressed to such address, or upon actual receipt of such mailing, whichever shall first occur. The addresses for such communications shall be: (x) if to the Borrower to the address set forth above in the Preamble; with a copy to Elliot Lutzker, Esq., Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, 605 Third Avenue, 34th Floor, New York, New York 10158, Telecopier (212) 286-1884, and (y) if to the Lender, to the address set forth above in the Preamble.

 

 

 

  

10.2         Amendment Provision. The term “Note” and all references thereto, as used throughout this instrument, shall mean this instrument as originally executed, or if later amended or supplemented, then as so amended or supplemented.

 

10.4         Non-Assignability. The Borrower may not delegate its obligations under this Note and such attempted delegations shall be null and void. The Lender may not assign, pledge or otherwise transfer this Note without the prior written consent of the Borrower which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This Note inures to the benefit of Lender, its successors and its assignee of this Note and binds the Borrower, and its successors and assigns, and the terms "Lender" and "the Borrower" whenever occurring herein shall be deemed and construed to include such respective successors and assigns. Any assignment or transfer made in violation of this Section 12.4 or Section 11 hereunder and shall be void ab initio.

 

10.5         Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts of laws principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. Any action brought by either party against the other concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be brought only in the state or federal courts of Delaware. Both parties and the individual signing this Note on behalf of the Borrower agrees to submit to the personal jurisdiction of such courts. The parties to this Agreement hereby irrevocably waive any objection to jurisdiction and venue in any action instituted hereunder and shall not assert any defense based on lack of jurisdiction or venue or based upon forum non conveniens. The parties executing this Agreement and the other agreements referred to herein or delivered in connection herewith on behalf of the Borrower agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of such courts and hereby irrevocably waive trial by jury. The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the other party its reasonable attorneys' fees, costs and expenses. In the event that any provision of this Note is invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform with such statute or rule of law. Any such provision which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall not affect the validity or unenforceability of any other provision of this Note. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed or operate to preclude the Lender from bringing suit or taking other legal action against the Borrower in any other jurisdiction where the Borrower hold assets to collect on the Borrower's obligations to the Lender, to realize on any collateral or any other security for such obligations, or to enforce a judgment in another court in favor of the Lender.

 

10.6         WAIVER. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 10.6.

 

10.7         Successors and Assigns. This Note shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Lender, all future holders of this Note and their respective successors and assigns, except that Borrower may not assign, delegate or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Note (other than in connection with a dissolution or a transaction involving a merger or consolidation, in each case otherwise permitted by this Agreement) without the prior written consent of the Lender.

 

 

 

  

10.8         Maximum Payments. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to establish or require the payment of a rate of interest or other charges in excess of the maximum permitted by applicable law. In the event that the rate of interest required to be paid or other charges hereunder exceed the maximum permitted by such law, any payments in excess of such maximum shall be credited against amounts owed by the Borrower to the Lender and thus refunded to the Borrower.

 

12.9         Construction. Each party acknowledges that its legal counsel participated, or was afforded the opportunity to participate, in the preparation of this Note and, therefore, stipulates that the rule of construction that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be applied in the interpretation of this Note to favor any party against the other.

 

12.10         Counsel. Borrower acknowledges that it has been advised to consult with an attorney with respect to negotiations of and decisions to enter into the Loan prior to its execution.

 

12.11         Information. Borrower shall furnish to the Lender all information relevant to the Borrower's obligations under this Agreement and all material or information reasonably requested by the Lender.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has caused this Promissory Note to be signed in its name by an authorized officer as of the date first above written.

 

  GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, LLC  
     
  By: /s/: Michael Favish  
  Name: Michael Favish  
  Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.5

 

THIS WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER TH E SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 , AS AMENDED (THE " SECURITIES ACT"), OR QUALIFIED UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, PLEDGED , HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED UNLESS ( I) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT COVERING SUCH SHARES IS EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND IS QUALIFIED UNDER APPLICABLE STATE LAW OR (II) THE TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER APPLICABLE STATE LAW AND , IF THE CORPORATION REQUESTS, AN OPINION SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION TO SUCH EFFECT HAS BEEN RENDERED BY COUNSEL.

 

WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

 

Original Issue Date: November 30 th   2015 Warrant No. 2015 __

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED , GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC., a Del aware corporation (including any successor, the "Company"), hereby certifies EDWARD B . GRIER, III, as of the date hereof and after the date hereof, is entitled to purchase from the Company, as of the date hereof , up to a total of One Hundred Thousand (100,000) shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the "Common Stock " ) , of the Company (each such share, a " Warran t Share " and all such shares, the "Warrant Shares " ) at an exercise price per share equal to T we nt y -Five Cents ($0.25) per s hare subject to the terms , conditions and adjustments set forth below in this Warrant.

 

1.         Definitions . As used in this Warrant, the following terms ha v e the respective meanin gs set forth below:

 

" Board " means the board of directors of the Company.

 

" B usiness Day " means any day, except a Saturday, Sunday or le ga l holida y on which banking institutions in the city of New York , New York , are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

" Common Stock " means the common stock, par value $0.001 per s hare, of the Company, and any capital s tock into which such Co mmon Stock shall have been converted, exchanged or reclassified following the Original I ss ue D a te.

 

"Company " has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Warrant.

 

"Convertible Securities " means any securities (directly or indirectly) convertibl e into or exchangeable for Common Stock , but excluding Options.

 

" Exercise Date " means, for any given exercise of this Warrant , the date on which the conditions to such exercise as set forth in Section 3 shall have been satisfied at or prior to 5:00 p.m., San Diego, California time, on a Business Day, including , without limitation, the receipt by the Company of the Exercise Agreement, this Warrant and the Exercise Price.

 

" Exercise Agreement " means an Exercise Agreement in the form attached to this Warrant as Exhibit A .

 

" Exerc ise Period " has the meaning set forth in Section 2 .

 

" Exe rcise Price " has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Warrant.

 

 

 

 

" Fa ir Market Value " means , as of any particular date, the "Fair Market Value" of the Common Stock shall be: (a) if at any time the Common Stock is not listed on any domestic sec urities exchange or quoted on the OTCQB or similar quotation system or association, the fair market value per share as determined by mutual consent of the parties, or absent that, by an independen t third-party appraisal, (b) if the Common Stock is li sted on any domestic securities exchange or quoted on the OTCQB or similar quotation system: (1) the volume weighted average of the closing sales prices of the Common Stock for such day on all domestic securities exchanges on which the Common Stock may at the time be listed; (2) if there have been no sales of the Common Stock on any such exchange on any such day , the average of the highes t bid and lowe st asked prices for the Common Stock on all such exchanges at the end of suc h day; (3) if on any such day the Common Stock is not li sted on a domestic securities exchange, the closing sales price of the Common Stock as quoted on the OTCQB or similar quotation syste m or association for such day; or (4) if there hav e been no sales of the Common Stock on the OTCQB or similar quotation system or association on such day , the average of the hi g hest bid and l owest asked price s for the Common Stock quot ed on the OTCQB or similar quotation system or association at the end of such day; in each case, averaged over twenty (20) consecutive Business Days ending on the Business Day imm ed iately prior to the day as of wh ich "Fa ir Market Value" i s being determined; provided, that if the Common Stock is lis te d on any domest i c secur iti es exchange, the term "B u s ine ss Day" as used in thi s sentence means Business Days on which such exchange i s open for trading.

 

"Holder " has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Warrant.

 

" Opt ion s " means any warra nt s or other rights or options to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock or Convertible Securities .

 

" Origi n a l I ss ue Date " has the meaning set forth on the cover page to this Warrant.

 

" Pe r so n " means any individual , sole proprietorship, partnership, limited li ability compa n y, corporation, joint venture, trust, incorporated organization or government or department or agency thereof.

 

" Securities Act " has the meaning set forth in the legend endorsed on the cover page of this Warrant.

 

" Tra ding D ay" means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.

 

" Trad ing Market " means the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE MKT, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the OTCQX and OTCQB.

 

" Volume Weighted Average Price " means , for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then list ed or quoted for trading as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a . m . (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m . (New York City time) (b) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on the OTC Venture Market (OTCQB) and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the OTC Pink (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to i ts functions of reporting prices) , the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported; or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

"Warrant " means this Warrant and all warrants issued upon division or combination of , or in subst itution for, this Warrant.

 

"Warrant Shares " means the shares of Common Stock which may be purchased pursuant to this Warrant.

 

 

 

 

2 .             Term of Warrant . Subject to th e terms and conditions of t hi s Warrant, beginning on the date of issuance and then at any time or from time to time after the date hereof and prior to 5:00 p.m., San Diego, California time , on the three (3) year anniversary of the date h ereof, if such day is not a Business Day, on the next preceding Business Day (the "Exerc i se Period"), the Holder of this Warrant may exercise this Warrant for all or any part of the Warrant Shares pu r chasab le hereunder.

 

3.              Exercise of Warrant.

 

(a)           Exercise Proc edure . This Warrant may be exercised from time to time on any Business Day during the Exercise Period , for all or any part of the unexercised Warrant Shares , upon:

 

(i)         s urr ender of this Warrant to the Company at its then p rinci pa l executive offices (or an indemnification in accordance with Section 8 in the case of the l oss, theft , destruction or mutilation of this Warrant) , together with a duly completed (including spec ifyin g the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is being exercised) and executed Exercise Agreement; and

 

(ii)         payment to the Company of the Exercise Price m accordance with Section 3(b).

 

(b)            Payment of the Aggregate Exercise Price . Payment of th e Aggregate Exercise Price shall be made by delivery to the Company of a certified or official bank check payable to the order of the Company or by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by the Company, in the amount of such Aggregate Exercise Price.

 

(c)            Delivery of Stock Certificates . Upon receipt b y the Company of the Exercise Agreement, surrender of this Warrant and payment of the Aggregate Exercise Price (in accordance with Section 3(b) ), the Company shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable, and in any event within ten (10) Business Days thereafter , execute (or cause to be executed) and deliver (or cause to be delivered) to the Holder a certificate or certificate s representing the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, together with cash in lieu of any fraction of a share, as provided in S ection 3(d). The stock certificate or certificates so delivered shall be, to the extent possible, in such denomination or denominations as the exerci s ing Hold er s hall reasonabl y request in the Exercise Agreement and shall be registered in the name of the Holder or , subject to compliance with Section 6 , such other Person's name as shall be designated in the Exercise Agreement. This Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised and such certificate or certificates of Warrant Shares shall be deemed to hav e been issued, and t he Holder or (subject to compliance with Section 6 ) any other Person so designated to be named therein shall b e deemed to have become a holder of record of such Warrant Shares for all purposes, as of the Exe rci se Date.

 

(d)           Fractional Shares . The Company shall not be r e quired to issue a fractional Warrant Share upon exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a Warrant Share that th e Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise , the Company shall pay to s uch Holder an amount in cash (by delivery of a certified or official bank check or by wire transfer of immediatel y available funds) equal to the product of (i) such fraction multiplied by (ii) the Fair Market Value of one Warrant Share on the Exercise Date.

 

 

(e)           Delivery of New Warrant . Unless the purchase rights r eprese nted by this Warrant s h a ll have ex pir ed or shall have been fully exercised, the Company shall, at the time of delivery of the certificate or certificates representing the Warrant Shares being i ss ued in accordance wit h Section 3(c) hereof , d e li ve r to the Holder a new W arra nt evidencing the rights of t he Holder to purchase th e unexpir ed and unexercised Warrant Shares called for b y this Warrant. Such new Warrant shall in all other respects be id e ntical to this Warrant.

 

(f)            Valid Issuance o f Warrant and Warrant Shares; Pa y ment of Taxes . With re s p ect to the exercise of thi s Warrant, the Company h e r e b y represents , covenants a nd agrees th at:

 

 

 

 

(i)        This Warrant i s, and a n y Warrant is s ued in s ub st itu t i on for or replacement of this Warrant s h a ll be , upon is sua nce , duly a uthori ze d and validly issued.

 

(ii)         All Warrant Shar es issuable upon the exe rci se of this Warr ant in compliance with the terms of this Warrant s h a ll be , upon issuance , and the Company shall take all s uch actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that such Warrant Share s are, va lidl y i ss ued , fully paid and non-a ssessa ble , i ss ued without violation of any pre - emptive or s imil a r ri g hts of any stockholder of the Company a nd free and clear of all ta x e s, liens and charges.

 

(iii)         The Company s hall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause th e Warrant Shares, immediatel y upon such exercise, to be listed o n any do me s ti c sec uriti es exc han ge upon w hich shar e s of Common St ock or other sec ur it ie s constituting Warrant Shares are li s ted a t the time of such exercise.

 

(iv)         The Company s hall pay all expenses in connection with , and a ll taxes and other gove rnm e ntal charges that may be imp ose d with respect to, t he issuance or delivery of Warrant Shares upon exercise of this W ar rant ; pro v ided , that th e Company s h all n ot be required t o pay any tax or governmental charge that m ay be imposed with respect to a n y app li cab l e withholding or the issuance or d e liv e ry of the Warrant Shares to th e H o l der o r to any other Person permitted to receiv e Warrant Shar es upon exercise of this W arrant, and no s u c h issuance o r d e l ivery s h a ll be made unl ess a nd until th e Ho ld e r or s uch Per son has paid t o the Co mp a n y the amo unt of any such ta x, or h as es t a bli s h e d to the satisfac tion of the Company that s uch tax h as been p a id .

 

(g)           Co nditional Exercise . Notwithstanding any other provision of t hi s Warrant , if an exe r c i se of a n y portion of thi s W arrant i s t o b e mad e in connection wit h a public offering or a Sale Eve nt , such exercise m ay at the electio n of the Holder be conditio n e d up on the consummation of such transaction , in wh ich case s uch exercise sha ll n ot be deemed to be effec ti ve until immediatel y prior to th e consummation o f such transaction.

 

(h)           Reserva ti on of Shares . Durin g the Exe rci se P e riod, the Co mp a n y s h a ll at a ll times reserve and keep ava ilable out of it s a utho r i ze d but unis s ued Common St ock o r other securities constituting Warrant Shares, solely for the purpo se of i ss u a nce upon th e exerc i se of this Warrant , th e m ax imum number of W a rrant Shar es i ss uabl e upon th e exercise of thi s Warrant , and t h e par va lu e pe r Warrant Share s hall a t a ll times be l ess than or equa l to the app licabl e Exerc i se Price. The Co mpan y s h a ll n ot incr ease t h e p a r va lue of a n y Warrant Sh ares r ece i vab l e up o n the exercise of this Warrant above th e Exerc i se Pri ce th e n in e ffe ct, and sha ll t ake a ll s u c h ac ti o n s as may be n ecessary or appropriate in order t ha t the Co mpan y m ay val idl y and legall y i ssue fu ll y paid and n o n-a ssess abl e s h a r es of Common Stock up o n the exercise of this Warrant.

 

4.             Adjustment to Exercise Price and Number of Warrant Shares. T h e Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Shares i ss uable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 4 .

 

(a)          Ad ju s tment to Exercise Price and Warrant Shares Upon Dividend, Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock . If the Com pany s hall , at any time or from time to tim e after the date hereo f (i) pay a dividend or make any other di s tribution upon the Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company pa ya ble in shares of Common Stock or i n Options o r Convertible Securities, or (ii) s ubdivide ( by any stock split, recapitali za tion or otherwise) its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of s hares , th en the Exerc i se Price in effect immediately prior to any s uch dividend, distribution or subdivision shall be proportionately reduced and the numb e r of Warrant Shares i ss uabl e upon exercise of this Warrant s hall be proportionately increased. If the Company at any time combines ( b y combination , rever se stock split or otherwise) it s outstanding s hare s of Common Stock into a s maller number of shares, the Exe rcise Price in effect imm ed iat e l y prior to such combination shall be proportionately increased and the numb e r of Warrant Shares i ssua ble upon exercise o f this Warrant shall be proportionatel y decreased. Any adjustment under this Section 4(a) s h all become effective concurrent at the time s uch di v idend , subdivision or combination becomes effective.

 

 

 

 

(b)          Adjustment to Exercise Pric e and Warrant S hare s Upon Reorganization, Reclassification, Consolidation or Mer ger. After th e date h ereof , in the event of any ( i ) capita l reorganization of the Company , (ii) reclassification of the stock of the Company (other than (x) a change in par va lu e, from par value to no par value, or from no par va lu e to par value , or (y) as a result of a stock dividend or s ubdivi s ion , split-up or combination of s h ares), (iii) consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another P erso n , (iv) sale of a ll or s ub stantia ll y all of the Company's assets to another Per son or (v) other similar transaction (other th an any s u c h transaction covered b y Section 4(a)) , in each case which ent itle s the hold ers of Common Stock to receive (either directly or upon s ub sequent liquid atio n) stock, securities or assets with respect to or in exchange fo r Common Stock, eac h Warrant sha ll , immediately after s u ch reorganization, reclassification , consolidation , mer ge r , sa l e or s imilar transaction, remain outstanding and shall thereafter , in li eu of or in addition to (as t he case may be) the numb er of Warrant Shares then exercisab l e under this Warrant, be exerc isable for the kind and numb er of shares of stock or other securities or assets of the Company or of the s u ccessor Person resulting from such transaction to which th e Holder would have been e nti tled upon such reorgani z at ion , reclassification, consolida tio n , mer ger , sa l e or s imilar transaction if the Holder h ad exercised t hi s Warrant in full imm ediate l y prior to the time of such reorgani z ation, reclassification, consolidation, m erger, sa l e or simi lar transaction a nd acquired the app lic a ble numb er of Warrant Shares then i ss u ab le hereunder as a result of such exercise; and, in such case, approp ri ate adjustment (in form and s ub stance determined by the Board in i t s reasonable discretion) shall be m ade wit h respect to the Holder's rights und er this Warrant to insure t hat the provisions of this Section 4 h ereof sha ll thereafter be app lic ab l e, as ne ar l y as po ss ibl e, to t hi s Warrant in relation to any s har es of sto ck , securities or asse t s thereafter acquirab l e upon exercise of this Warrant (including , in the case of any consolidation, mer ger, sa l e or si milar transact i on in which the s u ccessor or purchasing P erso n i s ot h er th an the Company, an immediate adjustment in the Exerc i se Pric e to the val u e per share for th e Com m o n Stock reflecte d by t he terms of such conso lidation , merger, s ale or s imil ar tran sact ion , and a corresponding immediate adj u stment to the numb er of Warrant Share s acq uirabl e upon exercise of this Warrant without regard to any limitation s or restrictions o n exercise, if the value so reflected i s le ss than the Exercise Price in effect imm e di a t e ly prior to s uch consolidation, merger , sale or sim il ar tran sac ti on) . The provisions of this Section 4(b) s hall similarly apply to successive re organ i za tion s, recla ss ifi ca tion s, consolidations , m e r gers, sa le s or simi l ar transaction s. Subject to Section 4, the Co mp a ny s hall n ot effect any s u c h reor ga ni za tion , r e clas s ification , con s olidati o n , merger , sa l e or si milar tran sac tion unless , prior to th e consummation thereof, the s ucce sso r P erson (if other than the Co mpan y) resulting from such reor ganizat ion , r e classification , consolidation , merger , sale or si mil ar transac tion , s hall ass um e, b y wr itt e n in st rument su b stantia ll y si mil ar in fo rm and s ub s tance to this Warrant , the o bli gat ion t o deliver to th e Ho l der s u c h shares of stock, securities o r assets wh ich , in accordance wi th the foregoi n g provisions , s uch H ol d er shall be entit led to receive up o n exe r cise of thi s Warrant. With res p ec t to an y c orporate event or other tra n saction contemplated b y the provisions of this Section 4(b) , the Holder shall have the right to elect p ri or to the co n s ummation of s uch e ve nt or tra n sact i o n , to g ive effect to the exercise rights contai n ed in Section 3 in s tead of giving effect to the provisions co ntained in t hi s Section 4(b) w ith respect to this W a rrant.

 

(c)           Certain Eve nt s . If any event of th e typ e contemplated by the prov i s i ons of this Section 4 but not expre ss ly pro v id e d for by s u c h pro v i s ion s o c c urs, then t h e Board shall ma k e an ap pr op riate ad ju st m e nt in the Exerc i se Price and th e number of Warrant Shares issuable u pon exercise o f this Warran t so as to protect the r i g ht s of the Holder in a manner consistent w i th t h e provisions of this Se ct ion 4 ; provided , t h a t no s uch adj u st m e nt pursuant to this Section 4(c) sha ll increase th e Exerc i se Price o r d ec r ease t he numb er of Warrant Shares issuable as otherwise dete rmin e d pur suan t t o thi s Secti o n 4 .

 

 

 

 

(d)          Certificate as to Adjustment.

 

(i)         As promptly as r easo n ab l y practicab l e following any adjustme n t of the Exe rci se Price that re s ults in an incr ease or decrease of the Exerc is e Pric e of $0.01 or mor e, but in a n y eve nt not l ater than t e n ( 10) Business Days th erea ft e r , the Compa n y s h all furnish to th e Ho ld er a certificate of an exec ut ive office r sett in g forth in rea so n ab le d etai l s u c h adjustme nt and the facts up on w hi c h i t i s b ased and cert if yi n g the ca lcul a ti o n ther eof.

 

(e)           No ti ces . In th e event:

 

(i)         that th e Company s h all take a reco rd of the h o l der s of i ts Common Stock (or other capita l stock or sec uriti es at th e time issuab l e upon exercise of the Warrant ) for the pu rpose of ent itling or enabling t hem to r eceive any dividend or other distribution; or

 

(ii)        of any capital reorganization of the Company, any reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company, any consolidation or merger of the Company with or int o another Person , or sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets to another Person; or

 

(iii)        of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquida tion or winding-up of the Company

 

then, and in each such case, the Company shall send or cause to be sent to the Holder at least twenty (20) days prior to the applicable record date or the applicable expected effective date, as the case may be, for the event, a written notice specifying, as the ca se may be, (A) the record date for such dividend, distribution or other right or action, and a description of such dividend, distribution or other right, o r (B) the effective date on which such reorganization, recla ssifica tion, consolidation, merger, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is proposed to take place, and the date , if any is to be fixed , as of which the books of the Company shall close or a record shall be taken with respect to which the holders of record of Common Stock (or such other capital stock or secu ritie s at the time issuable upon exercise of the Warrant) s h all be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock (or such other capital stock or securities) fo r securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation , merger, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, and the amount per share and character of such exchange applicable to the Warrant and the Warrant Shares.

 

5.            Restrictions on Exercise . Notwithstanding anything in this Warrant to the contrary, this Warrant may not be exercised if the i ss uance of Warrant Shares upon such exercise or i f the method of payment for such Warrant Shares would constitute a vio l ation of a ny app lic ab le laws or regulations, including, without limitation, applicable federal and state securit ie s l aws and r egu lation s . The Company may requir e Holder to m ake any repre sentat i ons and warranties to the Company as may be required by any app lic ab le law or re g ulation (including, without limitation, applicable federal and state securities l aws and regu lation s) before allow in g this Warrant to be exerc i se d . Without limitin g the genera lit y of the foregoing, Warrant Shares is sued upon exercise of this Warrant m ay not be issued in the name of any Person ot h er than Holder unless the transfer conditions referred to in the l egend en d orsed on the cover page of this Warrant have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Company. In add iti on, no Warrant Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Warrant unless such issuance and such exercise comply with all relevant requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock may th e n be li sted .

 

6.            Transfer of Warrant . Subject to the transfer restrictions and conditions referred to in the l egend endorsed on the cover page of this Warrant, this Warrant and all r i ghts hereunder are transferable, in w hole or in part, by the Holder without charge to the Holder , upon surrender of this Warrant to the Company at it s then principal executive offices wit h a properly comple ted and duly executed Assignment in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, to ge ther w i th funds suffic i ent to pay a n y transfer taxes described in Section 3(f)(iv) in connection w ith the making of such transfer. Upon such compliance, surrender and delivery and , if required , such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees and in the denominations specified in s uch instrument of assignment, and sha ll issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant , if any, not so assigned and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled.

 

 

 

 

7.            Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder; Limitations on Liability . Prior to the i ss uance to the Holder of the Warrant Shares to which the Holder is then entitled to receive upon the due exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall not be entitled to vote or recei ve dividends o r be deemed the holder of shares of capital stock of the Company for any purpo se, nor shall anything contained in this Warrant be construed to confer upon the Holder, as such , any of the righ ts of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote, give or withhold consent to any corporate action (whether any reorganization, issue of stock, reclassification of stock, consolidation, merger , conveyance or otherwise), receive notice of meetings, receive dividends or s ub scription rights , or otherwi se. In addition, nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as imposing any liabilities on the Holder to purchase any securities (upon exercise of this Warrant or otherwise) or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liabiliti es are asserted b y the Company or by creditors of the Company.

 

8.            Replacement on Loss ; Division and Combination.

 

(a)         Replacement of Warrant on Loss . Upon receipt of ev id ence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or muti lat ion of th i s Warrant and upon delivery of an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Company and, in case of mutilation , upon surrender of such Warrant for cancellation to the Company, the Company at its ow n expense s hall execute and deliver to the Holder, in lieu hereof , a new Warrant o f like tenor and exercisable for an equivalent number of Warrant Shares as th e Warrant so lo s t, stolen, mu tilated or destroyed; provided , that, in the case of mutilation , no indemnit y sha ll be required if this Warrant in identifiable form is surre nder e d to the Company for cancellation.

 

(b)         Division and Combination of Warrant . Subject to compliance w ith the applicable provisions of this Warrant as to any transfer or other assignment t hat may be involved in s uch division or combination, this Warrant may be divided or, following any such division of this Warrant , subsequently combined with other Warrants, upon the surrender of this Warrant or Warrants to the Company at it s then principal executive offices, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in wh ich new Warrants are to b e issued, s i gned by the respectiv e Holders. Subject to compliance with the app licable provisions of this Warrant as to an y transfer or assignment that may be in vo l ved in such division or combinat ion , t he Company sha ll at its own expense execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for t he Warrant or Warrants so surrendered in accordance with such notice. Such new Warrant or Warrants shall be of like t e nor to the surrendered Warrant or Warrants and shall be exercisable in the aggregate for an equivalent number of Warrant Shares as the Warrant or Warrants s o surrendered in accordance w ith such notice.

 

9.            Compliance with the Securities Act .

 

(a)           Agreement to Comply with the Securities Act; Legend . The Holder, by acceptance of this Warrant, agrees to comply in a ll respects with the provisions of this S ection 9 and the restrictive l egend requirements set forth on the face of this Warrant and further agrees that that Holder s h a ll not offer, sell or otherwise dispose of this Warrant or any Warrant Shares to be issued upon exercise hereof except under circumstances that will not result in a violation o f the Securities Act or applicable state or federal securities la ws. This Warrant and all Warran t Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant (un le ss registered under the Securities Act) shall be stamped or imprinted with a l egend in substan tiall y the following form:

 

"THIS WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 , AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR QUALIFIED UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED UNLESS (I) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT COVERING SUCH SHARES IS EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND IS QUALIFIED UNDER APPLICABLE STATE LAW OR (II) THE TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREM EN TS UNDER THE SECURITI E S ACT AND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREM ENT S UNDER APPLICABLE STATE LAW AND, IF THE CORPORAT ION REQUESTS , AN OPINION SATISFACTORY TO TH E CORPORATION TO SUCH EFFECT HAS BEEN RENDERED BY COUNSEL."

 

 

 

 

(b)          Representations of the Holder . In connection with the issuance of this Warrant and each exercise of this Warrant , the Holder specifica ll y represents, as of the Original I ssue Date and each Exercise Date, to the Company as fo llow s:

 

(i)         Th e Holder is an "accredited investor " as defined in Rule 50 1 o f Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. The Holder is acquiring this Warrant and a ll Warrant Shares issued upon exercise hereof for investment for its own account and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection w i th, the public sale or distribution of this Warrant or the Warrant Shares , except pursu a nt to sa le s registered or exempted under the Securiti es Act.

 

(ii)         The Holder understands and acknow l edges that this Warran t and the Warrant Shares to be issued upon exercise hereof are "res tri cted securities" under the federal securities l aws in asmuch as they are being acqu ir ed from the Company in a tran sac tion not involving a public offering and that , under such l aws and app lic ab l e regulations , such securities may be resold without registration under the Securities Act only in certain limited circumstances. In addition, the Holder represents t h at it is fami liar with Rule 144 under the Securities Ac t, as presently in effect, and under stands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities Act.

 

(iii)         The Holder acknowledges that it can bear the economic and financial risk of it s investment for an indefinite period , and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it i s capable of eva luatin g the merits and ri sks of the investment in the Warrant and the Warrant Shares. Subject to Section 9(b)(iv), the Holder has had an opportunity to ask questions and recei ve answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Warrant and the business, properties, prospect s and financial condition of the Company.

 

(iv)         The Holder acknowledges and agrees that neither the Company, nor any office r , director, employee nor representative of the Company, nor any other Person has made or is making any representations or warranties of any kind or nature whatsoever , express or implied , beyond those expressly given by the Co mpan y in this Warrant.

 

10.           Warrant Register . The Company s hall keep and properl y maintain at its principal executive offices books for the registration of this Warrant and any tra n sfers of this Warrant. The Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name the Warrant i s registered on such register as the Holder thereof for a ll purposes , and the Company sha ll not b e affected by any notice to the contrary, except any assignment, division, combination or other transfer of the Warrant effected in accordance wit h the provisions of this Warrant.

 

11.            Registration Rights . If at any time while this Warrant i s issued and outstanding , and/or if this Warrant is exercised before the end of the Exercise Period (the "Piggy-Back Period"), the Borrower proposes to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement relating to an offering for its own acco unt o r the account o f others under the Securities Act of any of its securi tie s (ot h er than a Registration Statement on Form S -4 or Form S-8 (or their equ i valents at s uch time) relating to securities to be issued sole l y in connection with any acqu i s iti o n of any entity or busines s o r eq ui ty securit ie s i ss uable in connection w ith stock option or other employee benefit plans) , the Borrower sha ll includ e the Warrant Shar es on such Registration Statement. At all times afte r becoming a reporting company w ith the Securitie s and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in the event there is not an effective Registration Statement , which covers the Warrant Shares , the Company s hall us e its best efforts to maintain its reporting requirements with the SEC on a timel y basis , in order to effect a Rule 144 sa l e at the request of the Holder of this Warrant.

 

 

 

 

12.          Notices. All notices , requests, consents , c laims , demands, waivers and other communications hereunder sha ll be in wr i ting an d s hall be deemed to have been given: (a) when deli ve red b y hand (with written confirmation of r eceipt); (b) when received by the addressee if sen t by a nationally recognized overnight courier (rece ip t requested); (c) on the date sent by e mail of a PDF (or simi lar electronic format) document (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal bu s ines s hours of the recipient , and on the next Business D ay if sent after normal business hour s of the recipient ; or ( d) on the fourt h day after the date mailed , b y USPS certified or registered mail , return receipt requested, postage prepaid . Such communications must be sent to the respective parties at the addresses indicated below (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 12).

 

If to the Company: Guardian Health Sciences, Inc .
  15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200
  San Diego, California 92128
  Attention: Michael Favish ,
  Chief Exec uti ve Officer
  Telephone: (858) 605-9055
   
If to the Holder to his/her/its Edward B. Grier, III:
registered address  

 

13.           Cumulative Remedies . The rights and remedies provided in this Warrant are cumulative and are not ex clusiv e of, and are in addition to and not in substitution for, any other rights or remedies available at law , in equity or otherwise.

 

14.           Equitable Relief . Each of the Company and the Holder acknowledges that a br each or threatened breach by such party of any of its obligations under this Warrant would g i ve rise to irreparable harm to the other party hereto for which monetary damages would not be an adequate remedy and her eby agrees that in the event of a breach or a threatened b reach by such party of any such obligations, the other party hereto sha ll , in addition to any and all other r i ghts and remedies that may b e available to it in re spect of such breach, be entitled to equitab le relief , including a restraining order, an injunction , specific performance and any other relief that may be available from a court of competent juri sdict ion .

 

15.           Entire Agreement . This Warrant, constitutes the so l e and e ntir e agreement of the parties to this Warrant wit h respect to the s ubje ct matter contained her e i n, and supersedes all prior and conte mporaneous und ers tandin gs and agreements , both written and ora l , with respect to s uc h su bj ect matter.

 

16.           Successor and Assigns . This Warrant and the rights evidenced hereby s hall be binding upon and sha ll inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the successors of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of the Holder. Such successors and/or permitted assigns of the Holder s hall be deemed to b e a Holder for a ll purposes her eunder.

 

 

 

 

17.           No Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Warrant is for the so le benefit of the Company and the Holder and their respective successors and, in the case of the Holder, permitted assigns and nothing herein , express or impli ed, is intended to or sha ll confer upon a n y other Person an y legal or equitable right , benefit or r e med y of any natur e whatsoever, under or by reason of this Warrant.

 

18.           Headings . The heading s in this Warrant a re for reference only and sha ll not affect t h e int e rpretation of this Warrant.

 

19.           Amendment and Modification; Waiver . This Warrant may only be a mend ed, modified or s upplemented by an agreement in w ritin g signed b y each party hereto. No wa i ver by the Company or the Holder of any of th e provisions hereof shall be effective unl ess ex p lic itl y set forth in writing and signed by the party so waiv ing. No waiver by any party s h all operate or be construed as a waive r in respect of any failure , breach or default not expressly identified b y such w ritten wa i ve r, w heth er of a simi l ar or different character, and whether occurring be fore or after th a t wa i ve r. No failure to exercise, or delay in exerc i s in g, any rights, remedy, power or privilege a ris i n g from this Warrant s hall operate or be const ru ed as a wa i ver thereof; nor shall any s in g l e or partial exe rci se of any right, r e m e d y, power or privilege hereunder p r ecl u de any ot h er or further exercise thereof or the exe rci se of any ot h er ri g ht, remedy , power o r pri v il ege.

 

20.           Severability . If a n y t e rm or provision of this Warrant i s in val i d , ill ega l or unenforceable in any juri s diction , suc h invalidity, illeg a lit y or unen forcea bilit y s h a ll n ot affect any other term o r provision of thi s Warrant or in va lid ate or rend er un enfo rc ea ble suc h term or provision in any ot her juri sdic tion.

 

21.           Governing Law . This Warrant s h a ll be governed by a nd construed in acco rd ance w i th the in terna l law s of the State of Delaware wit hout g i ving effect t o any choice or confl i c t of law provis ion or rul e (whe th e r of the State of Delaware o r any other jurisdict i on) that would ca u se the applicat i o n of la ws of any juri sd iction ot h er than those of the State of D elaware.

 

22.           Submission to Jurisdiction . Any l ega l su it , act i on or proceed in g aris in g out of or based upon thi s Warrant or th e t ransact i ons contemplated h e r eby may b e institu te d in the fe deral co u rts of the United States of America or the courts of th e State of Delaware in each case l ocated in t h e Delaware , and eac h p arty irrevocably s ub m it s t o th e excl u s iv e jurisdiction of such courts in any s u c h su it , act ion or proceeding. Service of process, summons, notice or other document by certified or regi s t e r ed mail to s u c h party ' s ad dres s se t for th herein sha ll be effective service of process for any su it , actio n o r ot h e r proceeding brought in any such court . The part i es irr evocab l y a nd unconditionally waive a n y ob j ection to t h e l ay i ng of venue of any suit, action or any proceeding in s u ch co urt s and irrevocab l y wa i ve a nd agree n ot to plead or claim in any such court that any s uc h su it , actio n or proceeding brou g ht in any such court h as been brou g h t in an inc o n ve nient forum.

 

23.           Waiver of Jury Trial . Eac h party acknow l edges and ag r ees tha t any contro versy w hi ch may arise under thi s Warrant i s lik e l y to in vo l ve comp li cated and d i fficu l t is s u es and, t h erefo r e , to t h e fu ll es t exte nt perm i tted by l aw, eac h s u c h party i rrevocab l y and uncond iti ona ll y wa i ves any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any legal action arising out of or relating to this Warrant or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

24.           Counterparts. This Wa1Tant may be executed in counterparts , each o f which shall b e deemed an original , but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Warrant delivered b y facsimile, e-mail or other means of e lectroni c transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as de l ivery of an original s igned cop y of this Warrant.

 

 

 

 

25.           No Strict Construction . This Warrant shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against t he party drafting an instrument or causing any instrument to be drafted.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company has duly executed thi s Warran t on t h e Origi n al Issue Date.

 

  GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC.
   
  By: /s/:Michael Favish
  Name: Michael Favish
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

EXERCISE AGREEMENT

 

TO: GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC.

 

(1)        The        undersigned         Holder        hereby         exercises        the        right        to         purcha se

            shares of Common Stock of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant , and tenders herewith payment of the aggregate Exe rcise Price. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respec tive meanings se t forth in the Warrant.

 

(2)        The Holder pays the Aggregate Exercise Price pursuant to:

 

            Section 3(b) with respect to___________________ shares of Common Stock and the Holder is herewith paying a sum of $          to        the          Company in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.

 

The undersigned Holder represents that it is acquiring the s hares upon exercise of the Warrant for its own account and not with a view toward, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution of those shares, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted unde r the Securities Act of 1933 , as amended (the " Securities Act " ), and that as of the date hereof, the undersigned is an " accredited investor " as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regul at ion D promul ga ted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under t he Securities Act.

 

Name of Holder:  

 

Signature of Holder:  

 

Name of Authorized
Signatory (if an e ntity):  

 

Title of Authorized
Signator y ( if an entity):    

 

Dated:    

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

ASSIGNMENT

(To Be Signed Only On Transfer Of Warrant)

 

For value received, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns, and transfers unto the person(s) named below under the heading "Transferees" the right represented by the within Warrant to purchase shares of Common Stock of GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC. into which the within Warrant relates specified under the headings "Number of Warrants Transferred," respectively, opposite the name(s) of such person(s) and appoints each and any officer of the Corporation as attorney to transfer the undersigned's respective right on the register of warrants maintained by the Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Transferees   Address   Number of Warrants
Transferred
         
       
         
         
         
         

 

Dated:      
    (Signature must conform to name of Holder as
    specified on the face of the Warrant)

 

      Address:    

     
     
     
     
     
    Signature Guarantee

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
[TRANSFEREE]

 

   
(Name)  

 

The signature of the Holder to this Assignment must correspond exactly with the name of the Holder as set forth on the face of the Warrant in every particular and the signature must be guaranteed by a U.S. chartered bank or by a medallion signature guarantee from a member of a recognized Signature Medallion Guarantee Program.

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

INDUSTRIAL LEASE

 

This INDUSTRIAL LEASE (“Lease”) is made as of the 24 th day of October, 2012 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Cal-Sorrento, Ltd., a California limited partnership (“Landlord”), and Guardion Health Sciences, LLC, a California limited liability company (“Tenant”).

 

1. PREMISES

 

Landlord leases to Tenant and Tenant leases from Landlord, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, that certain real property situated in the County of San Diego, State of California, commonly known as Suite 200, 15150 Avenue of Science, San Diego, California,. Said real property, including the land and all improvements therein, is herein called “the Premises”, and are as detailed on Exhibit A. The Premises are part of that certain “Project” which includes an industrial building containing approximately 39,908 rentable square feet (“Building”), the exclusive and non-exclusive parking areas and driveways within the Project or serving the Building, other improvements located within the Project, and the parcel(s) of land on which the Building and the other improvements are located (“Land”).

 

2. POSSESSION AND LEASE COMMENCEMENT

 

The scheduled commencement date for the payment of rent under the Lease is March 1, 2013, (“Rent Commencement Date”). Landlord shall use best efforts to provide access to Tenant to construct the tenant improvements as set forth in the Leasehold Improvements Agreement attached as Exhibit B on or before December 1, 2012. However, if for any reason Landlord cannot deliver possession of the Premises to Tenant on the dates scheduled, Landlord shall not be subject to any liability therefore, nor shall Landlord be in default hereunder nor shall such failure affect the validity of this Lease. Tenant agrees to accept possession of the Premises at such time as the Landlord tenders possession of the Premises to Tenant, which date shall then be deemed the “Commencement Date.” Tenant has inspected and accepts the Premises in its present condition, broom cleaned, and “as is”. Tenant represents that the Premises and improvements existing thereon are in good order, condition and repair as of the Commencement Date. Tenant further acknowledges that no representations as to the condition or repair of the Premises nor promises to alter, remodel or improve the Premises have been made by Landlord or any agents of Landlord unless such are expressly set forth in this Lease. Landlord shall be responsible, at Landlord’s sole cost and expense, for completion of any and all alterations and/or repairs to the Premises, the Building and/or the Project that are required to comply with applicable laws including, without limitation, laws and regulations pertaining to (i) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., as amended (“ADA”); (ii) Hazardous Materials, as defined in Paragraph 3 7 of this Lease; and (iii) applicable building codes and regulations, in effect as of the Commencement Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant shall be responsible, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, for any and all alterations and/or repairs to the Premises and the portions of the Building and Project exclusively occupied by Tenant that are required to comply with any Regulation (as defined in Paragraph 4.C. below) becoming effective following the Commencement Date so long as Tenant’s actions or inaction caused said need for compliance. Compliance requirements triggered by Landlord or other Tenants in the Building shall be borne by Landlord at Landlord’s sole expense.

 

3. TERM

 

A.           Initial Term. The term of this Lease (“Term”) shall commence on the Commencement Date and continue in full force and effect through and until the Expiration Date, as defined below, or until this Lease is terminated as otherwise provided herein. To the extent that the actual Commencement Date is the first day of a calendar month, then the Expiration Date shall be the date immediately proceeding the date which is sixty-five (65) months after the Commencement Date. Otherwise, the Expiration Date shall be the last day of the sixty-fifth (65) month after the Commencement Date (“Expiration Date”).

 

 

 

 

B.           Option To Renew. Provided that Tenant is not then in default under this Lease after the lapse of any applicable cure periods, and provided further that Tenant is then in full occupancy of the Premises, Tenant shall have one (1) option (“Option”) to extend the Term of this Lease for the Premises for an additional period of five (5) years (“Option Term”) on all of the same terms and conditions of this Lease, except as otherwise expressly provided below. Tenant may exercise the Option by delivering written notice to Landlord of its intention to so extend the Tenn of this Lease no earlier than twelve (12) months prior to the end of the applicable term and no later than six (6) months prior to the end of the applicable term. Base Rent payable during the Option Tenn shall be equal to the then-prevailing market rate (“Market Rate”) for comparable space in San Diego County, taking into account the length of the term, tenant improvements, operating expense calculations, , and other concessions being granted to tenants in such market. Concurrently with Tenant’s notice of its exercise of an Option, Tenant shall provide Landlord with Tenant’s good faith calculation of the Market Rate, which shall be deemed Tenant’s offer of the Market Rate. On or prior to the date which is thirty (30) days after delivery of Tenant’s offer of the Market Rate, Landlord shall either (a) accept Tenant’s offer or (ii) reject Tenant’s offer and provide Tenant with Landlord’s own good faith calculation of the Market Rate. If Landlord and Tenant are unable to reach agreement within thirty (30) days following delivery of Landlord’s counter offer of the Market Rate to Tenant, Landlord and Tenant shall each select an independent arbitrator who shall by profession be a commercial real estate broker/agent who shall have been active over the past five (5) year period in the leasing of industrial properties in San Diego County. The two (2) brokers or agents shall select a third, similarly qualified broker or agent (“Arbitrator”) to determine the Market Rate pursuant to the definition provided above in this Paragraph 3. B. The determination by the Arbitrator shall be limited to the sole issue of whether Landlord’s or Tenant’s offered Market Rate for the Premises (as provided above) is closest to the actual Market Rate for the Premises as determined by the Arbitrator, taking into account the definition of the Market Rate provided above. Such determination shall be made by the Arbitrator within five (5) business days after his or her appointment. The decision of the Arbitrator shall be binding on Landlord and Tenant. The costs of the Arbitrator shall be shared equally by Landlord and Tenant.

 

4. USE

 

A.           General. Tenant shall use the Premises for administrative office, warehousing and any other legally permitted use under the existing zoning (“Permitted Use”) and for no other purpose. Except as expressly set forth in this Lease, Tenant and its employees, agents, customers, visitors, invitees, licensees, contractors, assignees and subtenants (each, a “Tenant Party” and collectively, “Tenant Parties”) shall have the nonexclusive right to use, in common with other parties occupying the Project, driveways and other common areas of the Project, subject to the terms of this Lease and such rules and regulations as Landlord may prescribe from time to time. Landlord reserves the right, without notice or liability to Tenant, and without the same constituting an actual or constructive eviction, to (i) alter or modify the common areas from time to time, including the location and configuration thereof, and the amenities and facilities which Landlord may determine to provide from time to time, provided that such alterations or modifications will be of a quality and style at least equal to the prior arrangements, and (ii) sell portions of the Project, including the Land, or to purchase additional land and add such land to the Project. Such addition to the Project shall not constitute or otherwise result in an increase in annual operating expenses or other pass-through costs to Tenant, whether reflected in the tax basis or not.

 

B.           Limitations. Tenant shall not permit any odors, smoke, dust, gas, substances, noise or vibrations to emanate from the Premises or from any portion of the common areas as a result of Tenant’s or any Tenant Party’s use thereof, nor take any action which would constitute a nuisance or would disturb, obstruct or endanger any other tenants or occupants of the Project or elsewhere, or interfere with their use of their respective premises or common areas. Tenant shall not use or allow the Premises to be used for any immoral, improper or unlawful purpose, nor shall Tenant cause, maintain or permit any nuisance in, on or about the Premises. Tenant shall not commit or suffer the commission of any waste in, on or about the Premises. Tenant shall not allow any sale by auction upon the Premises, or place any loads upon the floors, walls or ceilings that could endanger the structure, or place any harmful substances in the drainage system of the Project. No waste, materials or refuse shall be dumped upon or permitted to remain outside the Premises except in trash containers placed inside exterior enclosures designated for that purpose by Landlord. Landlord shall be responsible to enforce the limitations set forth herein, however Landlord shall not be responsible to Tenant for the non-compliance by any other tenant or occupant of the Project with any of the above-referenced rules or any other terms or provisions of such tenant’s or occupant’s lease or other contract.

 

 

 

 

C.           Compliance with Regulations. Tenant shall at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, promptly comply with all existing or future applicable municipal, state and federal and other governmental statutes, rules, requirements, regulations, laws and ordinances, including zoning ordinances and regulations, and covenants, easements and restrictions of record governing and relating to the use, occupancy or possession of the Premises, to Tenant’s use of the common areas, or to the use, storage, generation or disposal of Hazardous Materials (collectively “ Regulations ”). Tenant shall, at its sole cost and expense, obtain any and all licenses or permits necessary for Tenant’s use of the Premises. Tenant shall, at its sole cost and expense, promptly comply with the requirements of any board of fire underwriters or other similar body now or hereafter constituted. Tenant shall not do or permit anything to be done in, on, under or about the Project or bring or keep anything which will in any way increase the rate of any insurance upon the Premises, Project or upon any contents therein or cause a cancellation of said insurance or otherwise affect said insurance in any manner. Notwithstanding any provision of this Paragraph 4.C to the contrary, Tenant shall not be in breach of this Lease in the event that Landlord’s insurance premium increases as a direct result of Tenant’s use of the Premises, provided that Tenant pays the incremental increase in such premium which is directly attributable to Tenant’s use of the Premises following delivery of reasonable evidence thereof to Tenant from Landlord. Tenant shall indemnify, defend (by counsel reasonably acceptable to Landlord), protect and hold Landlord harmless from and against any loss, cost, expense, damage, attorneys’ fees or liability arising out of the failure of Tenant to comply with any Regulation. Tenant’s obligations pursuant to the foregoing indemnity shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

 

5. RENT

 

A.           Base Rent. Tenant’s obligation to make rental payments to Landlord will commence on the Rent Commencement Date and Tenant shall pay to Landlord and Landlord shall receive, without notice or demand throughout the Term, Base Rent as follows ( “Base Rent” ):

 

Period (following Rent Commencement   Monthly Base     Monthly Base Rent Per  
Date)   Rent     Rentable Square Foot  
Months 1-12   $ 9,028.70     $ 0.94  
Months 13 - 24   $ 9,316.85     $ 0.97  
Months 25 - 36   $ 9,605.00     $ 1.00  
Months 37 - 48   $ 9,893.15     $ 1.03  
Months 49-60   $ 10,181.30     $ 1.06  
Months 61-65   $ 10,469.45     $ 1.09  
                 
Rentable Square Feet     9,605          

 

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, provided that Tenant is not then in default beyond any applicable notice or cure periods under any of the terms and conditions of this Lease or the Leasehold Improvements Agreement, Base Rent shall abate for total of five (5) months, realized in months 2, 3, 4, 13 and 25 of the Term, for a total Base Rent abatement equal to $46,007.95. In the event that Tenant is in breach under any of the terms and conditions of this Lease resulting in a termination of this Lease, in addition to any other rights or remedies available to Landlord, Tenant shall repay to Landlord all such unamortized abated Base Rent.

 

Base Rent shall be payable in monthly installments in advance on or before the first day of each calendar month, in lawful money of the United States, without deduction or offset whatsoever (except as specifically set forth in this Lease), to Landlord at 10951 Sorrento Valley Road, 1-C, San Diego, California 92121, or to such other place as Landlord may from time to time designate in writing. Base Rent for the first full month of the Term shall be paid by Tenant upon Tenant’s execution of this Lease. Base Rent shall be net of all utility services to the Premises, which shall be contracted for by Tenant and paid directly to the applicable service provider as provided in Paragraph 15 below. If the obligation for payment of any portion of Base Rent commences on a day other than the first day of a month, then Base Rent shall be prorated and the prorated installment shall be paid on the first day of the calendar month next succeeding the Rent Commencement Date. The Base Rent payable by Tenant hereunder is subject to adjustment as provided elsewhere in this Lease, as applicable.

 

 

 

 

B.           Additional Rent. All monies other than Base Rent required to be paid by Tenant hereunder, including, but not limited to, Tenant’s Proportionate Share of Common Area Operating Expenses, as defined below, charges to be paid by Tenant under Paragraph 15, the interest and late charge described in Paragraphs 26.D. and E., and any monies spent by Landlord pursuant to Paragraph 30, shall be considered additional rent (“Additional Rent”). “Rent” shall mean Base Rent and Additional Rent.

 

C.            As Additional Rent, Tenant shall pay to Landlord monthly commencing on the Rent Commencement Date, and thereafter on the first day of each successive month, Tenant’s Proportionate Share (as defined below) of the annual Common Area Expenses (as defined below) during each calendar year of the term of the Lease. Common Area Operating Expenses means all expenses, costs, and amounts of every kind or nature that Landlord pays or incurs because of or in connection with the ownership, operation, management, maintenance, or repair of the Building or the Project (which includes the land and any parking areas). Common Area Operating Expenses include, without limitation, the following amounts paid or incurred relative to the Building or the Project: (a) The operation, repair, replacement, and maintenance, in neat, clean, good order and condition of the following (i) All common areas and common area improvements, including, loading and unloading areas, trash areas, roadways, parkways, walkways, driveways, landscaped areas, bumpers, irrigation systems, common area lighting facilities, fences and gates, elevators, , exterior walls of the buildings, building systems and roof drainage systems; (ii) Exterior signs and any tenant directories; (iii) Fire sprinkler systems, as applicable; and (iv) All other areas and improvements that are within the exterior boundaries of the Project but outside the Premises and/or any other space occupied by a tenant; (b) the cost of water, gas, electricity and telephone to service the common areas; (c) The cost of trash disposal, pest control services, property management, security services, owners’ association dues and fees, the cost to repaint the exterior of any structures and the costs of any environmental inspections; (d) Reserves set aside for maintenance, repair and/or replacement of common area improvements and equipment; (e) Real Property Taxes, as defined below; (t) The cost of the premiums for the insurance maintained by Landlord on the Project; (g) Any deductible portion of an insured loss concerning the Building or the common areas; (h) Auditor’s, accountants’, attorneys’ fees and costs related to the operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of the Project; (i) The cost of any capital improvement to the Building or the Project not the responsibility of Tenant, provided, however, that Landlord shall allocate the cost of any such capital improvement over the useful life of the improvement; and (g) The cost of any other services to be provided by Landlord under this Lease, as applicable. Common Area Operating Expenses shall not include any expenses paid by any tenant of the Project directly to third parties, or as to which Landlord is otherwise reimbursed by any third party, other tenant, or insurance proceeds. Any of the foregoing Common Area Operating Expenses that are specifically attributable to the Premises, or to the premises of another tenant at the Project, shall be allocated entirely to the Tenant, or such other tenant, as applicable. Any of the foregoing Common Area Operating Expenses not so allocatable shall be equitably allocated by Landlord to all buildings in the Project. The inclusion of specific expenses within the definition of Common Operating Expenses in this paragraph shall not be deemed to impose an obligation upon Landlord to either have said improvements or facilities or to provide those services.

 

D.            “Tenant’s Proportionate Share” means a fraction, the numerator of which is the total aggregate rentable square feet in the Premises, and the denominator of which is the total aggregate rentable square feet in the Building. As of the Rent Commencement Date, the Tenant’s Proportionate Share will be 24.07%. Tenant’s Proportionate Share shall not increase as the result of the Building or Premises being remeasured.

 

E.            “Real Property Taxes” means and refers to all federal, state, county, or local government or municipal taxes, fees, charges, or other impositions of every kind or nature, whether general, special, ordinary, or extraordinary imposed in connection with the Project, the Building, or the Land. Real Property Taxes include taxes, fees, and charges such as real property taxes, general and special assessments, transit taxes, leasehold taxes, and taxes based on the receipt of rent (including gross receipts or sales taxes applicable to the receipt of rent, unless required to be paid by Tenant), and personal property taxes imposed on fixtures, machinery, equipment, apparatus, systems, appurtenances, and other personal property used in connection with the Project or the Building, as the case may be along with reasonable legal and other professional fees, costs and disbursements incurred in connection with proceedings to contest, determine or reduce real property taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall be excluded from Taxes: (y) all excess profits taxes, franchise taxes, gift taxes, capital stock taxes, inheritance and succession taxes, estate taxes, federal, state, and local income taxes, and other taxes applied or measured by Landlord’s general or net income (as opposed to rents, receipts, or income attributable to operations at the Building), and (z) personal property taxes attributable to property owned or installed by or for other tenants of the Project or Building.

 

 

 

 

F.            “Expense Year” means each calendar year in which any portion of the Term falls, through and including the calendar year in which the Lease Term expires.

 

G.           Payment. Tenant’s Proportionate Share Of Common Area Operating Expenses is payable monthly on the same day as the Base Rent is due under this Lease. The amount of such payments shall be based on Landlord’s estimate of the annual Common Area Operating Expenses. Within 60 days after written request (but no more than once each year) Landlord shall deliver to Tenant a reasonably detailed statement showing Tenant’s Proportionate Share of the actual Common Area Operating Expenses for the preceding year. If Tenant’s payments during such year exceed Tenant’s Proportionate Share of the Common Area Operating Expenses for the preceding year, Landlord shall credit the amount such over-payment against Tenant’s future payments. If Tenant’s payments during such year were less than Tenant’s Proportionate Share of the Common Area Operating Expenses for the preceding year, Tenant shall pay to Landlord the amount of the deficiency within 30 days after delivery by Landlord to Tenant of the statement. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Lease, Tenant’s Proportionate Share of Common Area Operating Expenses shall not increase in any one year by more than 8 percent of Tenant’s Proportionate Share of Common Area Operating Expenses in the prior year.

 

H.           Landlord’s Books and Records. No more than once per year, and upon at least five business days’ notice to Landlord, Tenant may request an opportunity to inspect and audit Landlord’s records and supporting documentation regarding Common Area Operating Expenses. Such inspection and audit must be conducted by an independent certified public accountant within 18 months of the date Tenant received a statement of such expenses and shall be at Tenant’s sole cost and expense. If it is determined as a result of Tenant’s timely audit of Landlord’s records that Tenant was overcharged, such overcharge shall entitle Tenant to a credit against its next payment of Rent in an amount equal to the amount Tenant was overcharged. If it is determined as a result of Tenant’s timely audit of Landlord’s records, or otherwise, that Tenant was undercharged, Tenant shall, within thirty days of written demand, pay such undercharge to Landlord.

 

I.           Net Rent. This is a so-called “pure net” or “triple net” lease, and the Base Rent provided for herein is intended to be received in its entirety by Landlord without deduction, set-off, charge or other diminution in any way.

 

6. PARKING

 

A.            Subject to the remaining provisions of this Paragraph, Landlord grants to Tenant (for the benefit of Tenant and Tenant’s invitees) the right to the non-exclusive use of the parking area within the boundaries of and serving the Project (the “Parking Area”). Tenant’s use of the Parking Area shall be subject to such reasonable, non-discriminatory rules as Landlord may, in its sole discretion, adopt from time to time with respect to the Parking Area, including without limitation: (i) rules limiting tenants of the Project (including, without limitation, Tenant) to the use of, or excluding the use of, certain parking spaces or certain portions of the Parking Area, in order to maintain the availability of accessible parking spaces for clients, guests, and invitees of tenants of the Project, and (ii) rules limiting tenants of the Project (including without limitation Tenant) to the use of a restricted number of parking spaces or a restricted area. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant shall be entitled throughout the Term and any extension of the Term to the exclusive use of four (4) reserved parking spaces directly behind the warehouse rollup door to the Premises free of charge.

 

B.            As of the Commencement Date, the parking ratio within the Project applicable to Tenant will be 3.6 spaces per 1,000 rentable square feet of space within the Premises. The foregoing parking ratio includes all spaces within the Project, including covered, uncovered, reserved, unreserved, handicapped, and visitor parking spaces, and such parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis along with all other tenants and invitees, and at no charge. Tenant shall be entitled to a minimum of an undivided non-exclusive 30 parking spaces at no additional charge.

 

 

 

 

7. INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

A.           Landlord’s Insurance. All insurance maintained by Landlord shall be for the sole benefit of Landlord and under Landlord’s sole control.

 

(1)         Property Insurance. Landlord agrees to maintain property insurance insuring the Project against damage or destruction due to risk including fire, vandalism, and malicious mischief in an amount not less than the replacement cost thereof, in the form and with deductibles and endorsements as selected by Landlord. At its election, Landlord may instead (but shall have no obligation to) obtain “all risk” coverage, and may also obtain earthquake, pollution, and/or flood insurance in amounts selected by Landlord.

 

(2)         Optional Insurance. Landlord, at Landlord’s option, may also (but shall have no obligation to) carry (i) insurance against loss of rent, in an amount equal to the amount of Base Rent and Additional Rent that Landlord could be required to abate to all Project tenants in the event of condemnation or casualty damage for a period of twelve (12) months; and (ii) liability insurance and such other insurance as Landlord may deem prudent or advisable, including, without limitation, liability insurance in such amounts and on such terms as Landlord shall determine. Landlord shall not be obligated to insure, and shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any damage to, any furniture, machinery, goods, inventory or supplies, or other personal property or fixtures which Tenant may keep or maintain in the Premises, or any leasehold improvements, additions or alterations within the Premises.

 

B.           Tenant’s Insurance. Tenant shall procure at Tenant’s sole cost and expense and keep in effect from the date of this Lease and at all times until the end of the Term the following:

 

(1)         Property Insurance. Insurance on all personal property and fixtures of Tenant and all improvements, additions or alterations made by or for Tenant to the Premises on an “all risk” basis, insuring such property for the full replacement value of such property.

 

(2)         Liability Insurance. Commercial General Liability insurance covering bodily injury and property damage liability occurring in or about the Premises or arising out of the use and occupancy of the Premises and the Project, and any part of either, and any areas adjacent thereto, and the business operated by Tenant or by any other occupant of the Premises. Such insurance shall include contractual liability coverage insuring all of Tenant’s indemnity obligations under this Lease. Such coverage shall have a minimum combined single limit of liability of at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), and a minimum general aggregate limit of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00), with an “Additional Insured - Managers or Lessors of Premises Endorsement” and the “Amendment of the Pollution Exclusion Endorsement.” All such policies shall be written to apply to all bodily injury (including death), property damage or loss, personal and advertising injury and other covered loss, however occasioned, occurring during the policy term, shall be endorsed to add Landlord and any party holding an interest to which this Lease may be subordinated as an additional insured, and shall provide that such coverage shall be “primary” and non-contributing with any insurance maintained by Landlord, which shall be excess insurance only. Such coverage shall also contain endorsements including employees as additional insureds if not covered by Tenant’s Commercial General Liability Insurance. All such insurance shall provide for the severability of interests of insureds; and shall be written on an “occurrence” basis, which shall afford coverage for all claims based on acts, omissions, injury and damage, which occurred or arose (or the onset of which occurred or arose) in whole or in part during the policy period.

 

(3)         Workers’ Compensation and Employers’ Liability Insurance. Workers’ Compensation Insurance as required by any Regulation, and Employers’ Liability Insurance in amounts not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) each accident for bodily injury by accident; One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) policy limit for bodily injury by disease; and One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) each employee for bodily injury by disease.

 

(4)         Commercial Auto Liability Insurance. Commercial auto liability insurance with a combined limit of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) for bodily injury and property damage for each accident. Such insurance shall cover liability relating to any auto (including owned, hired and non-owned autos).

 

 

 

 

(5)         Alterations Requirements . In the event Tenant shall desire to perform any Alterations (as defined in Paragraph 12 below), Tenant shall deliver to Landlord, prior to commencing such Alterations (i) evidence satisfactory to Landlord that Tenant carries “builder’s risk” insurance covering construction of such Alterations in an amount and form approved by Landlord, (ii) such other insurance as Landlord shall reasonably require, and (iii) a lien and completion bond or other security in form and amount satisfactory to Landlord, provided that no lien or completion bond or other security shall be required if (a) the total cost of the Alterations does not exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000), (b) Tenant is not then in default under this Lease, and (c) the requirements provided in this Paragraph 8.B(5)(i)-(ii) are satisfied.

 

(6)         General Insurance Requirements . All coverages described in this Paragraph 7.B shall be endorsed to (i) provide Landlord with thirty (30) days’ notice of cancellation or change in terms; and (ii) waive all rights of subrogation by the insurance carrier against Landlord. If at any time during the Term the amount or coverage of insurance which Tenant is required to carry under this Paragraph 7.B is, in Landlord’s reasonable judgment, materially less than the amount or type of insurance coverage typically carried by owners or tenants of properties located in the general area in which the Premises is located which are similar to and operated for similar purposes as the Premises or if Tenant’s use of the Premises should change with or without Landlord’s consent, Landlord shall have the right to require Tenant to increase the amount or change the types of insurance coverage required under this Paragraph 7.B. All insurance policies required to be carried by Tenant under this Lease shall be written by companies rated A X or better in Best’s Insurance Guide and authorized to do business in the State of California. In any event, the total deductible amounts under any insurance policies required to be carried by Tenant under this Lease shall not exceed Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) per occurrence. Tenant shall deliver to Landlord on or before the Commencement Date, and thereafter at least thirty (30) days before the expiration dates of the expired policies, certified copies of Tenant’s insurance policies, or a certificate evidencing the same issued by the insurer thereunder; and, if Tenant shall fail to procure such insurance, or to deliver such policies or certificates, Landlord may, at Landlord’s option and in addition to Landlord’s other remedies in the event of a default by Tenant hereunder, procure the same for the account of Tenant, and the cost thereof shall be paid to Landlord as Additional Rent.

 

C.           Mutual Indemnification . Except to the extent of Tenant’s comparative negligence or willful misconduct, Tenant shall indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless the Project, Landlord and its principals, members, managers and Landlord’s master and ground lessor, partners, and lenders, from and against any and all claims, loss of rents and/or damages, liens, judgments, penalties, attorneys’ and consultants’ fees, expenses and/or liabilities arising from third party actions (collectively, “ Claims ”) arising out of, involving, or in connection with, the use of the Premises by Tenant or Tenant’s employees, agents, contractors, representatives, licensees, or invitees. If any action or proceeding is brought against Landlord by reason of any of the foregoing matters, Tenant shall upon notice defend the same at Tenant’s expense by counsel reasonably satisfactory to Landlord and Landlord shall cooperate with Tenant in such defense. Landlord need not have first paid any such claim in order to be defended or indemnified. Except to the extent of Tenant’s comparative negligence or willful misconduct, Landlord shall indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless the Premises, Tenant, its officers, directors, employees and agents (“ Lessee Parties ”) from and against any and all third party Claims arising out of, involving, or in connection with Landlord’s ownership and operation of the Project. If any action or proceeding is brought against Tenant or a Lessee Party by reason of any of the foregoing matters, Landlord shall upon notice defend the same at Landlord’s expense by counsel reasonably satisfactory to Tenant (unless counsel is selected by an applicable insurance carrier) and Tenant shall cooperate with Landlord in such defense. Tenant need not have first paid any such claim in order to be defended or indemnified..

 

8. WAIVER OF SUBROGATION

 

Landlord and Tenant each waives any claim, loss or cost it might have against the other for any injury to or death of any person or persons, or damage to or theft, destruction, loss, or loss of use of any property (“ Loss ”), to the extent the same is insured against (or is required to be insured against under the terms hereof) under any property damage insurance policy covering the Project, the Premises, Landlord’s or Tenant’s fixtures, personal property, leasehold improvements, or business, regardless of whether the negligence of the other party caused such Loss. This release shall apply between the parties and shall apply to any claims under or through either of the parties as a result of any asserted right of subrogation. The policies of property insurance required by this Lease shall include a clause or endorsement waiving the insurer’s right of subrogation against the other party. To the extent that either party self-insures for its insurance obligations, such party shall be treated as an independent third party insurer with full waiver of subrogation.

 

 

 

 

9. LANDLORD’S REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

 

Landlord shall maintain (i) the Project in good repair, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and (ii) the roof of the Building, any and all roof support structures (except the roof membrane) of the Building, the foundation of the Building, all structural and load-bearing walls of the Building, the electrical, plumbing, sprinkler, or fire/life-safety systems serving the Premises, and the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (“ HVAC ”) systems serving the Premises, (collectively, Structural Components ”). Tenant shall immediately, upon realization, give Landlord written notice of any defect or need of repairs in such components of the Project for which Landlord is responsible, after which Landlord shall have a reasonable opportunity (i.e., no less than ten (10) business days) and the right to enter the Premises at all reasonable times to repair same. Landlord’s liability with respect to any defects, repairs, or maintenance for which Landlord is responsible under any of the provisions of this Lease shall be limited to the cost of such repairs or maintenance, and there shall be no abatement of rent and no liability of Landlord by reason of any injury to or interference with Tenant’s business arising from the making of repairs, alterations or improvements in or to any portion of the Premises, or the Project or to fixtures, appurtenances or equipment in the Project, except as provided in Paragraph 24 below.

 

No later than February 1, 2012, Lessor agrees to replace the HVAC units (same capacity/tonnage as existing six (6) units) subject to Lessee’s HVAC needs but not to exceed the six (6) air conditioning units that service the Premises. This does not include any new duct work or other equipment. The exact location for the units to be determined based on the new floor plan for the Premises.

 

10. TENANT’S REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

 

Tenant shall at all times during the Term at Tenant’s expense maintain all non-Structural Components of the Premises (including the portions of the Building within the Premises), and any other portions of the Project as are within the exclusive control of Tenant in a good, clean and secure condition and promptly make all necessary repairs and replacements, as reasonably determined by Landlord, including but not limited to, all workmanship of the same character, kind and quality as the original. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, and with the exception of the HVAC servicing the server room (for which Tenant shall be solely responsible) Tenant shall not be responsible for replacement of any HVAC units or other mechanical equipment whether specific to the Premises or not (except to the extent Tenant is responsible for Tenant’s Proportionate Share of Common Area Operating Expenses), nor any repairs of the same which exceed $1,000.00 per occurrence or $5,000.00 in aggregate over the Term of the Lease. If any maintenance performed by Tenant affects the Building’s electrical, plumbing, sprinkler, or fire/life-safety systems, Tenant shall use only those contractors used by Tenant for tenant improvements or Landlord in the Building for work on such systems, unless such use is impracticable as in the case of a life threatening situation. Any work performed by or on behalf of Tenant shall be performed in accordance with the provisions of this Lease governing repairs and alterations by Tenant. Tenant shall at Tenant’s expense also perform regular removal of trash and debris. If Tenant uses rail and if required by the railroad company, Tenant agrees to sign a joint maintenance agreement governing the use of the rail spur, if any. Tenant shall, at Tenant’s expense, enter into a regularly scheduled preventative maintenance/service contract for the HVAC system servicing the Premises and shall provide a copy to Landlord promptly following the Commencement Date. In the event that Tenant does not comply with the foregoing obligation, Landlord shall have the right to enter into a scheduled preventative maintenance/service contract for the HVAC system following five (5) days notice to Tenant in which event the cost of such contract, together with an administrative fee not to exceed the lesser of five percent (5%) of such contract amount or five hundred dollars ($500.00), shall be billed to Tenant and shall be payable as Additional Rent under this Lease. Nothing herein shall expressly or by implication render Tenant Landlord’s agent or contractor to effect any repairs or maintenance required of Tenant under this Paragraph 11, as to all of which Tenant shall be solely responsible.

 

 

 

 

11. ALTERATIONS

 

A.            Tenant shall not make, or allow to be made, any alterations, physical additions, improvements or partitions, including without limitation the attachment of any fixtures or equipment, in, about or to the Premises (“Alterations”) without obtaining the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld with respect to proposed Alterations which: (a) comply with all applicable Regulations; (b) are, in Landlord’s opinion, compatible with the Project and its building systems (e.g., mechanical, electrical, fire/life-safety, plumbing, and HVAC system or systems) or its Structural Components, and will not cause the Project or such systems to be required to be modified to comply with any Regulations (including, without limitation, the ADA); and (c) will not interfere with the use and occupancy of any other portion of the Project by any other tenant or its invitees. Specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Landlord shall have the right of written consent for all plans and specifications for the proposed Alterations, construction means and methods, all appropriate permits and licenses, any contractor or subcontractor to be employed on the work of Alterations, and the time for performance of such work, and may impose rules and regulations for contractors and subcontractors performing such work. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Paragraph 11. A, Tenant may make any Alterations that (i) do not adversely affect the building systems (e.g., mechanical, electrical, fire/life-safety, plumbing, and HVAC system or systems) or the Structural Components of the Building, and (ii) cost less than Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) in each instance, without Landlord’s prior consent, provided that Tenant delivers notice to Tenant not less than thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of construction of any such Alterations. Tenant shall also supply to Landlord any documents and information reasonably requested by Landlord in connection with Landlord’s consideration of a request for approval hereunder. Tenant shall cause all Alterations to be accomplished in a good and workmanlike manner, and to comply with all applicable Regulations and Paragraph 26 hereof. Tenant shall at Tenant’s sole expense, perform any additional work required under applicable Regulations due to the Alterations hereunder. No review or consent by Landlord of or to any proposed Alteration or additional work shall constitute a waiver of Tenant’s obligations under this Paragraph 11. Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for all costs which Landlord may incur in connection with granting approval to Tenant for, or reviewing a notice in connection with, any such Alterations, including any costs or expenses which Landlord may incur in electing to have outside architects and engineers review said plans and specifications. All such Alterations shall remain the property of Tenant until the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, at which time they shall be and become the property of Landlord; provided, however, that Landlord may, at Landlord’s option, require that Tenant, at Tenant’s expense, remove any or all Alterations made by Tenant and restore the Premises by the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, to their condition existing prior to the construction of any such Alterations. All such removals and restoration shall be accomplished in a good and workmanlike manner so as not to cause any damage to the Premises or Project whatsoever. If Tenant fails to remove such Alterations or Tenant’s trade fixtures or furniture or other personal property, Landlord may keep and use them or remove any of them and cause them to be stored or sold in accordance with applicable law, at Tenant’s sole expense. Tenant shall be responsible for and shall pay prior to delinquency any taxes or governmental service fees, possessory interest taxes, fees or charges in lieu of any such taxes, capital levies, or other charges imposed upon, levied with respect to or assessed against its fixtures or personal property, on the value of Alterations within the Premises, and on Tenant’s interest pursuant to this Lease, or any increase in any of the foregoing based on such Alterations. To the extent that any such taxes are not separately assessed or billed to Tenant, Tenant shall pay the amount thereof as invoiced to Tenant by Landlord.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at Landlord’s option (but without obligation), all or any portion of the Alterations shall be performed by Landlord for Tenant’s account and Tenant shall pay Landlord’s estimate of the cost thereof (including a reasonable charge for Landlord’s overhead and profit) prior to commencement of the work. In addition, at Landlord’s election and notwithstanding the foregoing, however, Tenant shall pay to Landlord the cost of removing any such Alterations and restoring the Premises to their original condition such cost to include a reasonable charge for Landlord’s overhead and profit as provided above, and such amount may be deducted from the Security Deposit or any other sums or amounts held by Landlord under this Lease.

 

B.            In compliance with Paragraph 26 hereof, at least ten (10) business days prior to beginning construction of any Alteration, Tenant shall give Landlord written notice of the expected commencement date of that construction to permit Landlord to post and record a notice of non-responsibility. Upon substantial completion of construction, if the law so requires, Tenant shall cause a timely notice of completion to be recorded in the office of the recorder of the county in which the Project is located.

 

 

 

 

12. SIGNS

 

A.           General. Tenant shall not place, install, affix, paint or maintain any signs, notices, graphics or banners whatsoever or any window decor which is visible in or from public view or corridors, the common areas or the exterior of the Premises or the Project, in or on any exterior window or window fronting upon any common areas or service area or upon any truck doors or man doors without Landlord’s prior written approval, which Landlord shall not unreasonably withhold; provided that if and to the extent that Tenant is in full occupancy of the Premises, Tenant’s name shall be included in any Project-standard directory signage at Tenant’s cost. Tenant’s signs shall be constructed, installed, maintained and removed at Tenant’s sole cost and expense and in accordance with Landlord’s signage program, the rules and regulations of the Project and all applicable Regulations. Tenant shall (i) maintain full replacement value property insurance for any and all sign structures constructed by Tenant and (ii) reimburse Landlord for any and all costs or expenses related to Tenant’s signs to the extent paid by Landlord, including cost for electricity service used for Tenant’s signs and any fee charged by or to Landlord for maintaining such signs, which costs, expenses and/or fees shall constitute Additional Rent hereunder. Any installation of signs, notices, graphics or banners on or about the Premises or Project approved by Landlord shall be subject to any Regulations and to any other requirements imposed by Landlord. Tenant shall remove all such signs or graphics, and repair any resulting damage to the Premises or Project on or prior to the expiration or any earlier termination of this Lease. Such installations and removals shall be made at Tenant’s sole cost and expense and in such manner as to avoid injury to or defacement of the Premises or Project and any other improvements contained therein, and Tenant shall repair any injury or defacement including without limitation discoloration caused by such installation or removal. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, Landlord may elect to retain any or all of Tenant’s signage upon the termination or expiration of this Lease by delivering written notice to Tenant not less than ten ( 10) days prior to expiration of the Term.

 

B.           Specific. Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph, on or before the Commencement Date: (i) Landlord shall it its sole expense refurbish the main street side monument sign for the Project, and Tenant shall at is sole expenses be entitled to building standard monument signage in said monument sign; (ii) Landlord shall redesign and/or refurbish, in order to direct deliveries and visitor traffic appropriately, the small monument sign adjacent to the Building; and (iii) Tenant shall be allowed to install building signage above the entrance to the Premises at Tenant’s sole expense and subject to standard signage criteria of Landlord.

 

13. INSPECTION/POSTING NOTICES

 

After reasonable notice but in no event less than 24 hour written notice, except in emergencies where no such notice shall be required, Landlord and Landlord’s agents and representatives, shall have the right to enter the Premises to inspect the same, to clean, to perform such work as may be permitted or required hereunder, to make repairs, improvements or alterations to the Premises or Project or to other tenant spaces therein, to deal with emergencies, to post such notices as may be permitted or required by law to prevent the perfection of liens against Landlord’s interest in the Project or to exhibit the Premises to prospective tenants, purchasers, encumbrances or to others, or for any other purpose as Landlord may deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that Landlord shall use reasonable efforts not to unreasonably interfere with Tenant’s business operations. Tenant shall not be entitled to any abatement of Rent by reason of the exercise of any such right of entry and Landlord agrees to make reasonable efforts to avoid any such interruption or interference. Tenant waives any claim for damages for any injury or inconvenience to or interference with Tenant’s business, any loss of occupancy or quiet enjoyment of the Premises, and any other loss occasioned thereby. Landlord shall at all times have and retain a key with which to unlock all of the doors in, upon and about the Premises, excluding Tenant’s vaults and safes or special security areas, and Landlord shall have the right to reasonably use any and all means which Landlord may deem necessary or proper to open said doors in an emergency, in order to obtain entry to any portion of the Premises, and any entry to the Premises or portions thereof obtained by Landlord by any of said means, or otherwise, shall not be construed to be a forcible or unlawful entry into, or a detainer of, the Premises, or an eviction, actual or constructive, of Tenant from the Premises or any portions thereof. At any time within six (6) months prior to the expiration of the Term or following any earlier termination of this Lease or agreement to terminate this Lease, Landlord shall have the right to erect on the Premises or Project a suitable sign indicating that the Premises are available for lease.

 

 

 

 

14. SERVICES AND UTILITIES

 

A.            Tenant shall (where practicable) contract for and pay directly when due, for all water, gas, heat, light, power, telephone, sewer, sprinkler charges, cleaning, janitorial, waste disposal and other utilities and services used on or from the Premises, together with any taxes, penalties, surcharges or the like pertaining thereto, and maintenance charges for utilities and shall furnish all electric light bulbs, ballasts and tubes. If any such services are not separately billed or metered to Tenant, Tenant shall pay an equitable proportion, as determined in good faith by Landlord, of all charges billed or metered with other premises. All sums payable under this Paragraph 14 shall constitute Additional Rent hereunder.

 

B.            Tenant acknowledges that Tenant has inspected and accepts the water, electricity, and other utilities and services being supplied or furnished to the Premises as of the date Tenant takes possession of the Premises, if any, as being sufficient in their present condition, “as is,” for the Permitted Use, and for Tenant’s intended operations in the Premises. Landlord shall have no obligation to provide electricity to the Premises. Tenant agrees to cooperate fully with Landlord and to abide by all of the regulations and requirements which Landlord may reasonably prescribe for the proper functioning and protection of the Project’s electrical systems.

 

C.            Tenant shall not without written consent of Landlord use any apparatus, equipment or device in the Premises that will require additions or alterations to or interfere with the Project power distribution systems; nor connect with electric current, except through existing electrical outlets in the Premises. Tenant shall pay directly to Landlord upon demand the cost of all such additional resources, energy, utility service and meters (and of installation, maintenance and repair thereof and of any additional circuits or other equipment necessary to furnish any additional resources, energy, utility or service). Landlord may add to the separate or metered charge a recovery of additional expense incurred in keeping account of the excess water, electric current or other resource so consumed. Except as specifically set forth below, Landlord shall in no case be liable for any damages directly or indirectly resulting from nor shall the Rent or any monies owed Landlord under this Lease herein reserved be abated by reason of: (a) the installation, use or interruption of use of any equipment used in connection with the furnishing of any such utilities or services, or any change in the character or means of supplying or providing any such utilities or services or any supplier thereof; (b) the failure to furnish or delay in furnishing any such utilities or services when such failure or delay is caused by acts of God or the elements, labor disturbances of any character, or otherwise, or because of any interruption of service due to Tenant’s use of water, electric current or other resource in excess of that being supplied or furnished for the use of the Premises as of the date Tenant takes possession of the Premises; or (c) the inadequacy, limitation, curtailment, rationing or restriction on use of water, electricity, gas or any other form of energy or any other service or utility whatsoever serving the Premises or Project otherwise; or (d) the partial or total unavailability of any such utilities or services to the Premises or the Project or the diminution in the quality or quantity thereof, whether by Regulation or otherwise; or (e) any interruption in Tenant’s business operations as a result of any such occurrence; nor shall any such occurrence constitute an actual or constructive eviction of Tenant or a breach of an implied warranty by Landlord. Landlord shall further have no obligation to protect or preserve any apparatus, equipment or device installed by Tenant in the Premises, including without limitation by providing additional or after-hours heating or air conditioning. Landlord shall be entitled to cooperate voluntarily and in a reasonable manner with the efforts of national, state or local governmental agencies or utility suppliers in reducing energy or other resource consumption. The obligation to make services available hereunder shall be subject to the limitations of any such voluntary, reasonable program. In addition, Landlord reserves the right to change the supplier or provider of any such utility or service from time to time. Landlord may, but shall not be obligated to, upon notice to Tenant, contract with or otherwise obtain any electrical or other such service for or with respect to the Premises or Tenant’s operations therein from any supplier or provider of any such service. Tenant shall cooperate with Landlord and any supplier or provider of such services designated by Landlord from time to time to facilitate the delivery of such services to Tenant at the Premises and to the Project, including without limitation allowing Landlord and Landlord’s suppliers or providers, and their respective agents and contractors, reasonable access to the Premises for the purpose of installing, maintaining, repairing, replacing or upgrading such service or any equipment or machinery associated therewith.

 

 

 

 

15. SUBORDINATION

 

Without the necessity of any additional document being executed by Tenant for the purpose of effecting a subordination, this Lease shall be and is hereby declared to be subject and subordinate at all times to: (a) all ground leases or underlying leases which may now exist or hereafter be executed affecting the Premises and/or the land upon which the Premises and Project are situated, or both; and (b) any mortgage or deed of trust which may now exist or be placed upon the, the Project and/or the Land, or said ground leases or underlying leases, or Landlord’s interest or estate in any of said items which is specified as security. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Landlord shall have the right to subordinate or cause to be subordinated any such ground leases or underlying leases or any such liens to this Lease. If any ground lease or underlying lease terminates for any reason or any mortgage or deed of trust is foreclosed or a conveyance in lieu of foreclosure is made for any reason, Tenant shall, notwithstanding any subordination, attom to and become the Tenant of the successor in interest to Landlord provided that Tenant shall not be disturbed in its possession under this Lease by such successor in interest so long as Tenant is not then in default under this Lease. Within thirty (30) days after written request by Landlord, Tenant shall execute and deliver any additional documents evidencing Tenant’s attomment or the subordination of this Lease with respect to any such ground leases or underlying leases or any such mortgage or deed of trust, in a form consistent with this Lease, subject to such non disturbance requirement. Landlord shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a subordination, nondisturbance and attomment agreement for the benefit of Tenant reflecting the foregoing from any ground landlord, mortgagee or beneficiary, at Tenant’s expense, subject to such other terms and conditions as the ground landlord, mortgagee or beneficiary may require. With respect to any mortgage or deed of trust encumbering the Building, Project or Land as of the Commencement Date, Landlord shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the holder of such encumbrance to agree (in a form required by the holder of such encumbrance) that so long as Tenant is not then in default of its obligations under this Lease, this Lease will not be terminated and Tenant’s possession of the Premises will not be disturbed by the termination or foreclosure, or proceedings for enforcement, of such encumbrance.

 

16. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

At the written request of Landlord relative to the financing or disposition of the Project, Tenant shall provide to Landlord Tenant’s current financial statements or other information discussing financial worth of Tenant, which Landlord shall use solely for purposes of this Lease and in connection with the ownership, management, financing and disposition of the Project. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, Tenant shall not be obligated to provide its financial statements or other financial information more than one (1) time within a period of twenty-four (24) months.

 

17. ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE

 

Tenant agrees from time to time, within thirty (30) days after written request from Landlord, to deliver to Landlord, or Landlord’s designee, an estoppel certificate stating that this Lease is in full force and effect, that this Lease has not been modified (or stating all modifications, written or oral, to this Lease), the date to which Rent has been paid, the unexpired portion of this Lease, that there are no current defaults by Landlord or Tenant under this Lease (or specifying any such defaults), that the leasehold estate granted by this Lease is the sole interest of Tenant in the Premises and/or the land at which the Premises are situated, and such other matters pertaining to this Lease as may be reasonably requested by Landlord or any mortgagee, beneficiary, purchaser or prospective purchaser of the or Project or any interest therein. Failure by Tenant to execute and deliver such certificate shall constitute an acceptance of the Premises and acknowledgment by Tenant that the statements included in this Lease are true and correct without exception. Landlord and Tenant intend that any statement delivered pursuant to this Paragraph may be relied upon by any mortgagee, beneficiary, purchaser or prospective purchaser of the Project or any interest therein. The parties agree that Tenant’s obligation to furnish such estoppel certificates in a timely fashion is a material inducement for Landlord’s execution of this Lease, and shall be an event of default (without any cure period that might be provided under Paragraph 26.A (3) of this Lease) if Tenant fails to fully comply or makes any purposeful material misstatement in any such certificate.

 

 

 

 

18. PREPAID RENT & SECURITY DEPOSIT

 

Tenant agrees to deposit with Landlord upon execution of this Lease prepaid Base Rent for months 1, 5, 14, 26, and 37 of this Lease, totaling $36,979.25 and shall also deposit $10,469.65, which latter sum shall be held and owned by Landlord, without obligation to pay interest, as security for the performance of Tenant’s covenants and obligations under this Lease (“Security Deposit”) . The Security Deposit is not an advance rental deposit or a measure of damages incurred by Landlord in case of Tenant’s default. Upon the occurrence of any event of default by Tenant, Landlord may from time to time, without prejudice to any other remedy provided herein or by law, use such fund as a credit to the extent necessary to credit against any arrears of Rent or other payments due to Landlord hereunder, and any other damage, injury, expense or liability caused by such event of default, and Tenant shall pay to Landlord, within ten (10) days of demand, the amount so applied in order to restore the Security Deposit to its original amount. Although the Security Deposit shall be deemed the property of Landlord, any remaining balance of such deposit shall be returned by Landlord to Tenant at such time after termination of this Lease (but in no event greater than sixty (60) days) that all of Tenant’s obligations under this Lease have been fulfilled, reduced by such amounts as may be required by Landlord to remedy defaults on the part of Tenant in the payment of Rent or other obligations of Tenant under this Lease, to repair damage to the Premises or Project caused by Tenant or any Tenant Parties and to clean the Premises. Landlord is hereby granted a security interest in the Security Deposit in accordance with applicable provisions of the California Commercial Code. Landlord may use and commingle the Security Deposit with other funds of Landlord.

 

19. LIMITATION OF TENANT’S REMEDIES

 

The obligations and liability of Landlord to Tenant for any default by Landlord under the terms of this Lease are not personal obligations of Landlord or of the individual or other partners of Landlord or its or their partners, directors, officers, or shareholders, and Tenant agrees to look solely to Landlord’s interest in the Project (including rents, issues, profits, proceeds, and other income arising from the Project) for the recovery of any amount from Landlord, and shall not look to other assets of Landlord nor seek recourse against the assets of the individual or other partners of Landlord or its or their partners, directors, officers or shareholders. Any lien obtained to enforce any such judgment and any levy of execution thereon shall be subject and subordinate to any lien, mortgage or deed of trust on the Project. Under no circumstances shall Tenant have the right to offset against or recoup Rent or other payments due and to become due to Landlord hereunder except as expressly provided in this Lease, which Rent and other payments shall be absolutely due and payable hereunder in accordance with the terms hereof. In no case shall Landlord be liable to Tenant for any lost profits, damage to business, or any form of special, indirect or consequential damage on account of any breach of this Lease or otherwise, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Lease.

 

20. ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING

 

A.           Assignment And Subletting

 

(1)         General. This Lease has been negotiated to be and is granted as an accommodation to the Original Tenant. Accordingly, this Lease is personal to the Original Tenant, and Tenant’s rights granted hereunder do not include the right to assign this Lease or sublease the Premises, or to receive any excess, either in installments or lump sum, over the Rent which is expressly reserved by Landlord as hereinafter provided, except as otherwise expressly hereinafter provided. Tenant shall not assign or pledge this Lease or sublet the Premises or any part thereof, whether voluntarily or by operation of law, or permit the use or occupancy of the Premises or any part thereof by anyone other than Tenant, or suffer or permit any such assignment, pledge, subleasing or occupancy, without Landlord’s prior written consent except as provided herein. If Tenant desires to assign this Lease or sublet any portion of the Premises exceeding 25% of the total Premises, Tenant shall give Landlord written notice (“Transfer Notice”) at least sixty (60) days prior to the anticipated effective date of the proposed assignment or sublease, which shall contain all of the information reasonably requested by Landlord to address Landlord’s decision criteria specified hereinafter. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, Tenant may assign this Lease or sublease all or any part of the Premises at any time without Landlord’s consent to (a) any Affiliate (as defined below) or any entity that owns or is owned by an Affiliate; (b) any entity acquiring substantially all of the assets of Tenant; or (c) another entity in connection with the merger of Tenant with such entity, provided that (x) such transaction is not a subterfuge to avoid the obligations of this Lease; (y) such transferee may use the Premises only for the Permitted Use; and (z) such transferee has the comparable financial ability to meet the obligations of Tenant under this Lease (each, a “Permitted Transfer”). For purposes of this Lease, “Affiliate” shall mean any entity that acquires all or a part of Tenant, or that is acquired in whole or in part by Tenant, or that is controlled by (directly or indirectly) Tenant, or that controls (directly or indirectly) Tenant, or that is under common control with Tenant. For purposes of this definition, “control” shall mean the ownership of a majority of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation or other majority equity or control interest if the entity is not a corporation and the possession or power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policy of such corporation or such other entity.

 

 

 

 

(2)         Conditions of Landlord’s Consent. Landlord shall not unreasonably withhold its consent to a Transfer Notice. However, without limiting the other instances in which it may be reasonable for Landlord to withhold Landlord’s consent to an assignment or subletting, Landlord and Tenant acknowledge that it shall be reasonable for Landlord to withhold Landlord’s consent in the following instances: if the proposed assignee does not agree to be bound by and assume the obligations of Tenant under this Lease in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Landlord; the use of the Premises by such proposed assignee or subtenant would not be a Permitted Use or would violate any exclusivity or other arrangement which Landlord has with any other tenant or occupant or any Regulation or would significantly increase the occupancy density of the Building or the Project, or would otherwise result in an undesirable tenant mix for the Project as reasonably determined by Landlord; the proposed assignee or subtenant is not of sound financial condition as determined by Landlord in Landlord’s reasonable discretion; the proposed assignee or subtenant is a governmental agency; the proposed assignee or subtenant has been sued by prior landlords for breaching lease terms; the proposed assignee or subtenant is a person with whom Landlord is presently negotiating to lease space in the Project or is a present tenant of the Project; the assignment or subletting would entail any Alterations which would lessen the value of the leasehold improvements in the Premises; or Tenant is in default of any obligation of Tenant under this Lease, or Tenant has defaulted under this Lease on three (3) or more occasions during any twelve (12) months preceding the date that Tenant shall request consent. Failure by or refusal of Landlord to consent to a proposed assignee or subtenant shall not cause a termination of this Lease. At the option of Landlord, a surrender and termination of this Lease shall operate as an assignment to Landlord of some or all subleases or subtenancies. Landlord shall exercise this option by giving notice of that assignment to such subtenants on or before the effective date of the surrender and termination. In connection with each request for assignment or subletting, Tenant shall pay to Landlord all actual, out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by Landlord in reviewing such proposed transfer) or any mortgagee or ground lessor in approving each such request and effecting any such transfer, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

B.           Bonus Rent. INTENTIONALLY BLANK.

 

C.           Corporation. If Tenant is a corporation, a transfer of outstanding corporate shares by sale, assignment, bequest, inheritance, operation of law or other disposition (including such a transfer to or by a receiver or trustee in federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other proceedings, but excluding a transfer to a shareholder’s spouse or child provided that such transfer is not a subterfuge to avoid the obligations of this Lease) resulting in a change in the present control of such corporation or any of its parent corporations by the person or persons owning a majority of said corporate shares, shall constitute an assignment for purposes of this Lease.

 

D.           Unincorporated Entity. If Tenant is a partnership, joint venture, unincorporated limited liability company or other unincorporated business form, a transfer of the interest of persons, firms or entities responsible for managerial control of Tenant by sale, assignment, bequest, inheritance, operation of law or other disposition, so as to result in a change in the present control of said entity and/or of the underlying beneficial interests of said entity and/or a change in the identity of the persons responsible for the general credit obligations of said entity shall constitute an assignment for all purposes of this Lease.

 

E.           Liability. No assignment or subletting by Tenant, permitted or otherwise, shall relieve Tenant of any obligation under this Lease or alter the primary liability of the Tenant named herein for the payment of Rent or for the performance of any other obligations to be performed by Tenant, including obligations contained in Paragraph 24 with respect to any assignee or subtenant. Landlord may collect rent or other amounts or any portion thereof from any assignee, subtenant, or other occupant of the Premises, permitted or otherwise, and apply the net rent collected to the Rent payable hereunder, but no such collection shall be deemed to be a waiver of this Paragraph 20, or the acceptance of the assignee, subtenant or occupant as tenant, or a release of Tenant from the further performance by Tenant of the obligations of Tenant under this Lease. Any assignment or subletting which conflicts with the provisions hereof shall be void.

 

21. AUTHORITY

 

Landlord represents and warrants that it has full right and authority to enter into this Lease and to perform all of Landlord’s obligations hereunder and that all persons signing this Lease on its behalf are authorized to do. Tenant and the person or persons, if any, signing on behalf of Tenant, jointly and severally represent and warrant that Tenant has full right and authority to enter into this Lease, and to perform all of Tenant’s obligations hereunder, and that all persons signing this Lease on its behalf are authorized to do so.

 

 

 

 

22. CONDEMNATION

 

A.           Condemnation Resulting in Termination. If the whole or any substantial part of the Premises, or so much of the Premises as to render the balance of the Premises unusable, should be taken or condemned for any public use under any Regulation, or by right of eminent domain, or by private purchase in lieu thereof, and the taking would prevent or materially interfere with the Permitted Use of the Premises, either party shall have the right to terminate this Lease at its option. If any material portion of the Project is taken or condemned for any public use under any Regulation, or by right of eminent domain, or by private purchase in lieu thereof, Landlord may terminate this Lease at its option. In either of such events, the Rent shall be abated during the unexpired portion of this Lease, effective when the physical taking of said Premises shall have occurred.

 

B.           Condemnation Not Resulting in Termination. If a portion of the Project of which the Premises are a part should be taken or condemned for any public use under any Regulation, or by right of eminent domain, or by private purchase in lieu thereof, and the taking prevents or materially interferes with the Permitted Use of the Premises, and this Lease is not terminated as provided in Paragraph 22. A. above, the Rent payable hereunder during the unexpired portion of this Lease shall be reduced, beginning on the date when the physical taking shall have occurred, to such amount as may be fair and reasonable under all of the circumstances, but only after giving Landlord credit for all sums received or to be received by Tenant by the condemning authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Paragraph, if the temporary use or occupancy of any part of the Premises shall be taken or appropriated under power of eminent domain during the Term, this Lease shall be and remain unaffected by such taking or appropriation and Tenant shall continue to pay in full all Rent payable hereunder by Tenant during the Term; in the event of any such temporary appropriation or taking, Tenant shall be entitled to receive that portion of any award which represents compensation for the use of or occupancy of the Premises during the Term.

 

C.           Award. Landlord shall be entitled to (and Tenant shall assign lo Landlord) any and all payment, income, rent, award or any interest therein whatsoever which may be paid or made in connection with such taking or conveyance and Tenant shall have no claim against Landlord or otherwise for any sums paid by virtue of such proceedings, whether or not attributable to the value of any unexpired portion of this Lease, except as expressly provided in this Lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any compensation specifically and separately awarded Tenant for Tenant’s personal property, moving costs, or interruption of or damage to Tenant’s business, shall be and remain the property of Tenant.

 

D.           Intentionally Omitted

 

23. CASUALTY DAMAGE

 

A.           General. If the Premises or Project should be damaged or destroyed by fire, tornado, or other casualty (collectively, “Casualty”), Tenant shall give immediate written notice thereof to Landlord. Within thirty (30) days after Landlord’s receipt of such notice, Landlord shall notify Tenant whether in Landlord’s estimation material restoration of the Premises can reasonably be made within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of such notice and receipt of required permits for such restoration. Landlord’s reasonable determination shall be binding on Tenant.

 

B.           Within 180 Days. If the Premises or Project should be damaged by Casualty to such extent that material restoration can in Landlord’s estimation be reasonably completed within one hundred eighty ( 180) days after the date of such notice and receipt of required permits for such restoration, this Lease shall not terminate. Provided that insurance proceeds are received by Landlord to fully repair the damage, Landlord shall proceed to rebuild and repair the Premises diligently and in the manner determined by Landlord, except that Landlord shall not be required to rebuild, repair or replace any part of any Alterations which may have been placed on or about the Premises or paid for by Tenant. If the Premises are untenantable in whole or in part following such damage, the Rent payable hereunder during the period in which they are untenantable shall be abated proportionately, but only to the extent the Premises are unfit for occupancy. If, however, (i) any such repair is not commenced by Landlord following expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, or following demand by Landlord for possession of the Premises, shall not constitute a renewal of this Lease, and nothing contained in this Paragraph 24 shall waive Landlord’s right of reentry or any other right. Additionally, if upon expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, or following demand by Landlord for possession of the Premises, Tenant has not fulfilled its obligation with respect to repairs and cleanup of the Premises or any other Tenant obligations as set forth in this Lease, then Landlord shall have the right to perform any such obligations as it deems necessary at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, and any time required by Landlord to complete such obligations shall be considered a period of holding over and the terms of this Paragraph 24 shall apply. The provisions of this Paragraph 24 shall survive any expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

 

 

 

 

25. DEFAULT

 

A.           Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an event of default on the part of Tenant:

 

(1)         Abandonment. Abandonment or vacation of the Premises for a continuous period in excess of five (5) days.

 

(2)         Nonpayment of Rent. Failure to pay any installment of Rent or any other amount due and payable hereunder within ten (10) days after Landlord delivers notice to Tenant that the Rent or any other amount due and payable hereunder was not received by Landlord on the date due.

 

(3)           Other Obligations. Failure to perform any obligation, agreement or covenant under this Lease other than those matters specified in subparagraphs (1) and (2) of this Paragraph 25.A, and in Paragraphs 7, 15, 17 and 24, such failure continuing for fifteen (15) days after written notice of such failure, as to which time is of the essence.

 

(4)         General Assignment. A general assignment by Tenant for the benefit of creditors.

 

(5)         Bankruptcy. The filing of any voluntary petition in bankruptcy by Tenant, or the filing of an involuntary petition by Tenant’s creditors, which involuntary petition remains undischarged for a period of thirty (30) days. If under applicable law, the trustee in bankruptcy or Tenant has the right to affirm this Lease and continue to perform the obligations of Tenant hereunder, such trustee or Tenant shall, in such time period as may be permitted by the bankruptcy court having jurisdiction, cure all defaults of Tenant hereunder outstanding as of the date of the affirmance of this Lease and provide to Landlord such adequate assurances as may be necessary to ensure Landlord of the continued performance of Tenant’s obligations under this Lease.

 

(6)         Receivership. The employment of a receiver to take possession of substantially all of Tenant’s assets or the Premises, if such appointment remains undismissed or undischarged for a period of fifteen (15) days after the order therefore.

 

(7)           Attachment. The attachment, execution or other judicial seizure of all or substantially all of Tenant’s assets or Tenant’s leasehold of the Premises, if such attachment or other seizure remains undismissed or undischarged for a period of fifteen (15) days after the levy thereof.

 

(8)         Insolvency. The admission by Tenant in writing of its inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

B.           Remedies Upon Default.

 

(1)         Termination. In the event of the occurrence of any event of default, Landlord shall have the right to give a written termination notice to Tenant, and on the date specified in such notice, Tenant’s right to possession shall terminate, and this Lease shall terminate unless on or before such date all Rent in arrears and all costs and expenses incurred by or on behalf of Landlord hereunder shall have been paid by Tenant and all other events of default of this Lease by Tenant at the time existing shall have been fully remedied to the satisfaction of Landlord. At any time after such termination, Landlord may recover possession of the Premises or any part thereof and expel and remove therefrom Tenant and any other person occupying the same, including any subtenant or subtenants notwithstanding Landlord’s consent to any sublease, by any lawful means, and again repossess and enjoy the Premises without prejudice to any of the remedies that Landlord may have under this Lease, or at law or equity by any reason of Tenant’s default or of such termination. Landlord hereby reserves the right, but shall not have the obligation, to recognize the continued possession of any subtenant. The delivery or surrender to Landlord by or on behalf of Tenant of keys, entry codes, or other means to bypass security at the Premises shall not terminate this Lease.

 

 

 

 

(2)         Continuation After Default. Even though an event of default may have occurred, this Lease shall continue in effect for so long as Landlord does not terminate Tenant’s right to possession under Paragraph 25.B.(1) hereof. Landlord shall have the remedy described in California Civil Code Section 1951.4 (Landlord may continue this Lease in effect after Tenant’s breach and abandonment and recover Rent as it becomes due, if Tenant has the right to sublet or assign, subject only to reasonable limitations), or any successor code section. Accordingly, if Landlord does not elect to terminate this Lease on account of any event of default by Tenant, Landlord may enforce all of Landlord’s rights and remedies under this Lease, including the right to recover Rent as it becomes due. Acts of maintenance, preservation or efforts to lease the Premises or the appointment of a receiver under application of Landlord to protect Landlord’s interest under this Lease or other entry by Landlord upon the Premises shall not constitute an election to terminate Tenant’s right to possession.

 

(3)         Increased Security Deposit. If Tenant is in default under Paragraph 25.A. (2) hereof and such default remains uncured for ten (10) days after such occurrence or such default occurs more than three times in any twelve (12) month period, Landlord may require that Tenant increase the Security Deposit to the amount of two times the current month’s Rent at the time of the most recent default.

 

C.           Damages After Default. Should Landlord terminate this Lease pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 25.B.(1) hereof, Landlord shall have the rights and remedies of a Landlord provided by Section 1951.2 of the Civil Code of the State of California, or any successor code sections. Upon such termination, in addition to any other rights and remedies to which Landlord may be entitled under applicable law or at equity, Landlord shall be entitled to recover from Tenant: (1) the worth at the time of award of the unpaid Rent and other amounts which had been earned at the time of termination, (2) the worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid Rent and other amounts that would have been earned after the date of termination until the time of award exceeds the amount of such Rent loss that Tenant proves could have been reasonably avoided; (3) the worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid Rent and other amounts for the balance of the Term after the time of award exceeds the amount of such Rent loss that the Tenant proves could be reasonably avoided; and (4) any other amount and court costs necessary to compensate Landlord for all detriment proximately caused by Tenant’s failure to perform Tenant’s obligations under this Lease or which, in the ordinary course of things, would be likely to result therefrom. The “worth at the time of award” as used in (1) and (2) above shall be computed at the Applicable Interest Rate (defined below). The “worth at the time of award” as used in (3) above shall be computed by discounting such amount at the Federal Discount Rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco at the time of award. If this Lease provides for any periods during the Term during which Tenant is not required to pay Base Rent or if Tenant otherwise receives a Rent concession, then upon the occurrence of an event of default, Tenant shall owe to Landlord the full amount of such Base Rent or value of such Rent concession, plus interest at the Applicable Interest Rate, calculated from the date that such Base Rent or Rent concession would have been payable. Any damages payable under this Section 25.C shall be offset by any rental amounts received by Landlord from subsequent tenants of the Premises during the original Term, and Landlord will use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate the damages otherwise payable by Tenant pursuant to this section through the re-leasing of the Premises following any event that leads to damages under this Section.

 

D.           Late Charge. In addition to its other remedies, Landlord shall have the right without notice or demand to add to the amount of any payment required to be made by Tenant hereunder, and which is not paid and received by Landlord within ten (10) business days following delivery of notice from Landlord that such payment is delinquent pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Lease, an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the delinquent amount, or One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150), whichever amount is less, for each month or portion thereof that the delinquency remains outstanding to compensate Landlord for the loss of the use of the amount not paid and the administrative costs caused by the delinquency, the parties agreeing that Landlord’s damage by virtue of such delinquencies would be extremely difficult and impracticable to compute and the amount stated herein represents a reasonable estimate thereof. Landlord shall provide tenant with a written notice of delinquent Rent or any other amount payable by Tenant under this Lease twice. Upon the third delinquency, the late charge specified above in this Paragraph 25.D shall be automatic and applied without further notice. Any waiver by Landlord of any late charges or failure to claim the same shall not constitute a waiver of other late charges or any other remedies available to Landlord.

 

 

 

 

E.           Interest. Interest shall accrue on all sums not paid when due hereunder at the lesser of eight percent (8%) per annum or the maximum interest rate allowed by law (“Applicable Interest Rate”) from the due date until paid.

 

F.           Remedies Cumulative. All of Landlord’s rights, privileges and elections or remedies are cumulative and not alternative, to the extent permitted by law and except as otherwise provided herein.

 

G.           Replacement of Statutory Notice Requirements. When this Lease requires service of a notice, that notice shall replace rather than supplement any equivalent or similar statutory notice, including any notice required by California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161 or any similar or successor statute. When a statute requires service of a notice in a particular manner, service of that notice (or a similar notice required by this Lease) in the manner required by this Paragraph 25 shall replace and satisfy the statutory service-of-notice procedures, including those required by California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1162 or any similar or successor statute.

 

26. LIENS

 

Tenant shall at all times keep the Premises and the Project free from liens arising out of or related to work or services performed, materials or supplies furnished or obligations incurred by or on behalf of Tenant or in connection with work made, suffered or done by or on behalf of Tenant in or on the Premises or Project. If Tenant shall not, within ten ( 10) days following the imposition of any such lien, cause the same to be released of record by payment or posting of a proper bond, Landlord shall have, in addition to all other remedies provided herein and by law, the right, but not the obligation, to cause the same to be released by such means as Landlord shall deem proper, including payment of the claim giving rise to such lien. All sums paid by Landlord on behalf of Tenant and all expenses incurred by Landlord in connection therefore shall be payable to Landlord by Tenant on demand with interest at the Applicable Interest Rate as Additional Rent. Landlord shall have the right at all times to post and keep posted on the Premises any notices permitted or required by law, or which Landlord shall deem proper, for the protection of Landlord, the Premises, the Project and any other party having an interest therein, from mechanics’ and materialmen’s liens, and Tenant shall give Landlord not less than ten (10) business days prior written notice of the commencement of any work in the Premises or Project which could lawfully give rise to a claim for mechanics’ or materialmen’s liens to permit Landlord to post and record a timely notice of non-responsibility, as Landlord may elect to proceed or as the law may from time to time provide, for which purpose, if Landlord shall so determine, Landlord may enter the Premises. Tenant shall not remove any such notice posted by Landlord without Landlord’s consent, and in any event not before completion of the work which could lawfully give rise to a claim for mechanics’ or materialmen’s liens.

 

27. TRANSFERS BY LANDLORD

 

In the event of a sale or conveyance by Landlord of the Project or a foreclosure by any creditor of Landlord, the same shall operate to release Landlord from any liability upon any of the covenants or conditions, express or implied, herein contained in favor of Tenant, to the extent required to be performed after the passing of title to Landlord’s successor-in-interest; provided that such transferee shall have fully assumed and be liable for all obligations of this Lease to be performed by Landlord, including the return of any Security Deposit and the payment of any tenant improvement allowance. In such event, Tenant agrees to look solely to the responsibility of the successor-in-interest of Landlord under this Lease with respect to the performance of the covenants and duties of “Landlord” to be performed after the passing of title to Landlord’s successor-in-interest. This Lease shall not be affected by any such sale and Tenant agrees to attorn to the purchaser or assignee. Subject to the provisions of this Paragraph 27, Landlord’s successor(s)-in-interest shall not have liability to Tenant with respect to the failure to perform any of the obligations of “Landlord,” to the extent required to be performed prior to the date such successor(s)-in-interest became the owner of the Project.

 

 

 

 

party shall pay all costs incurred by the prevailing party including reasonable attorneys’ fees, to be fixed by the court, and said costs and attorneys’ fees shall be a part of the judgment in said action.

 

32. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

 

This Lease shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Landlord, its successors and assigns, and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Tenant, its successors, and to the extent assignment is approved by Landlord as provided hereunder, Tenant’s assigns.

 

33. FORCE MAJEURE

 

If performance by a party of any portion of this Lease is made impossible by any prevention, delay, or stoppage caused by strikes, lockouts, labor disputes, acts of God, inability to obtain services, labor, or materials or reasonable substitutes for those items, government actions, civil commotions, fire or other casualty, or other causes beyond the reasonable control of the party obligated to perform, performance by that party for a period equal to the period of that prevention, delay, or stoppage is excused. Tenant’s obligation to pay Rent, however, is not excused by this Paragraph 33.

 

34. SURRENDER OF PREMISES

 

Tenant shall, upon expiration or sooner termination of this Lease, surrender the Premises to Landlord in the same condition as existed on the Commencement Date, including, but not limited to, all interior walls cleaned, all holes in walls repaired, all carpets vacuumed, all HV AC equipment in operating order and in good repair, and all floors cleaned, and free of any Tenant-introduced marking or painting, all to the reasonable satisfaction of Landlord. Tenant shall remove all of its debris from the Project. At or before the time of surrender, Tenant shall comply with the terms of Paragraph 11.A hereof with respect to Alterations to the Premises and all other matters addressed in such Paragraph. If the Premises are not so surrendered at the expiration or sooner termination of this Lease, the provisions of Paragraph 24 hereof shall apply. All keys to the Premises or any part thereof shall be surrendered to Landlord upon expiration or sooner termination of the Term. Tenant shall give written notice to Landlord at least thirty (30) days prior to vacating the Premises and shall meet with Landlord for a joint inspection of the Premises at the time of vacating, but nothing contained herein shall be construed as an extension of the Term or as a consent by Landlord to any holding over by Tenant. In the event of Tenant’s failure to give such notice or participate in such joint inspection, Landlord’s inspection at or after Tenant’s vacating the Premises shall conclusively be deemed correct for purposes of determining Tenant’s responsibility for repairs and restoration. Any delay caused by Tenant’s failure to carry out its obligations under this Paragraph 34 beyond the term hereof, shall constitute holdover possession of Premises under Paragraph 24 hereof.

 

35. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

 

A.           General Restrictions. Tenant shall conduct its business and shall cause all Tenant Parties to act in such a manner as to (a) not release or permit the release of any Hazardous Material in, under, on or about the Premises or Project, or (b) not use, store, generate, treat, discharge, disperse, handle, manufacture, transport or dispose of (collectively, “Handle”) any Hazardous Materials (other than incidental amounts of customary cleaning and office supplies) in or about the Premises or Project in violation of any Regulation, including any applicable laws relating to Hazardous Materials, or Tenant’s Permitted Use of the Premises, without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent Landlord may withhold in its sole and absolute discretion (“Hazardous Materials Consent Requirements”). “Hazardous Materials” means any hazardous, explosive, radioactive or toxic substance, material or waste which is or becomes regulated by any local, state or federal governmental authority or agency, including, without limitation, any material or substance which is (i) defined or listed as a “hazardous waste,” “extremely hazardous waste,” “restricted hazardous waste,” “hazardous substance,” “hazardous material,” “pollutant” or “contaminant” under any Regulation, (ii) petroleum or petroleum derivative, (iii) a flammable explosive, (iv) a radioactive material or waste, (v) a polychlorinated biphenyl, (vi) asbestos or asbestos containing material, (vii) infectious waste, or (viii) a carcinogen.

 

 

 

  

not excuse Landlord from Landlord’s obligation of indemnification pursuant to this Paragraph 35.E. Landlord’s obligations pursuant to the foregoing indemnity shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

 

36. MISCELLANEOUS

 

A.           General. The term “Tenant” or any pronoun used in place thereof shall indicate and include the masculine or feminine, the singular or plural number, individuals, firms or corporations, and their respective successors, executors, administrators and permitted assigns, according to the context hereof.

 

B.           Time. Time is of the essence regarding this Lease and all of its provisions.

 

C.           Choice of Law. This Lease shall in all respects be governed by the laws of the State of California.

 

D.           Entire Agreement. This Lease and the following exhibits and attachments constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede all prior agreements and understandings related to the Premises, including all lease proposals, letters of intent and other documents: Exhibit A (Outline and Location of Premises), Exhibit B (Leasehold Improvements Agreement) and Exhibit C (Hazardous Materials Questionnaire).

 

E.           Modification. This Lease may not be modified except by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto. Tenant accepts the area of the Premises as specified in this Lease as the approximate area of the Premises for all purposes under this Lease, and acknowledges and agrees that no other definition of the area (rentable, usable or otherwise) of the Premises shall apply. Tenant shall in no event be entitled to a recalculation of the square footage of the Premises, rentable, usable or otherwise, and no recalculation, if made, irrespective of its purpose, shall reduce Tenant’s obligations under this Lease in any manner, including without limitation the amount of Base Rent payable by Tenant or Tenant’s Proportionate Share of the Project.

 

F.           Severability. If, for any reason whatsoever, any of the provisions hereof shall be unenforceable or ineffective, all of the other provisions shall be and remain in full force and effect.

 

G.           Recordation. Tenant shall not record this Lease or a short form memorandum hereof.

 

H.           Examination of Lease. Submission of this Lease to Tenant does not constitute an option or offer to lease and this Lease is not effective otherwise until execution and delivery by and to both Landlord and Tenant.

 

I.           Accord and Satisfaction. No payment by Tenant of a lesser amount than the total Rent due nor any endorsement on any check or letter accompanying any check or payment of Rent shall be deemed an accord and satisfaction of full payment of Rent, and Landlord may accept such payment without prejudice to Landlord’s right to recover the balance of such Rent or to pursue other remedies. All offers by or on behalf of Tenant of accord and satisfaction are hereby rejected in advance.

 

J.           Easements. Landlord may grant easements on the Project and dedicate for public use portions of the Project without Tenant’s consent; provided that no such grant or dedication shall materially interfere with Tenant’s Permitted Use of the Premises. Upon Landlord’s request, Tenant shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to Landlord documents, instruments, maps and plats necessary to effectuate Tenant’s covenants hereunder.

 

K.          Drafting and Determination Presumption. The parties acknowledge that this Lease has been agreed to by both the parties, that both Landlord and Tenant have consulted with attorneys with respect to the terms of this Lease and that no presumption shall be created against Landlord because Landlord drafted this Lease. Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Lease, with respect to any consent, determination or estimation of Landlord required or allowed in this Lease or requested of Landlord, Landlord’s consent, determination or estimation shall be given or made solely by Landlord in Landlord’s good faith opinion, whether or not objectively reasonable. If Landlord fails to respond to any request for its consent within the time period, if any, specified in this Lease, Landlord shall be deemed to have disapproved such request.

 

 

 

   

L.        Exhibits. The Exhibits, addenda and attachments attached hereto are hereby incorporated herein by this reference and made a part of this Lease as though fully set forth herein.

 

M.        No Light, Air or View Easement. Any diminution or shutting off of light, air or view by any structure which may be erected on lands adjacent to or in the vicinity of the Project shall in no way affect this Lease or impose any liability on Landlord.

 

N.        No Third Party Benefit. This Lease is a contract between Landlord and Tenant and nothing herein is intended to create any third party benefit.

 

O.        Quiet Enjoyment. Upon payment by Tenant of the Rent, and upon the observance and performance of all of the other covenants, terms and conditions on Tenant’s part to be observed and performed, Tenant shall peaceably and quietly hold and enjoy the Premises for the term hereby demised without hindrance or interruption by Landlord or any other person or persons lawfully or equitably claiming by, through or under Landlord, subject, nevertheless, to all of the other terms and conditions of this Lease. Landlord shall not be liable for any hindrance, interruption, interference or disturbance by other tenants or third persons, nor shall Tenant be released from any obligations under this Lease because of such hindrance, interruption, interference or disturbance.

 

P.        Counterparts. This Lease may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

 

Q.        Multiple Parties. If more than one person or entity is named herein as Tenant, such multiple parties shall have joint and several responsibility to comply with the terms of this Lease.

 

R.        Prorations. Any Rent or other amounts payable to Landlord by Tenant hereunder for any fractional month shall be prorated based on a month of 30 days. As used herein, the term “fiscal year” shall mean the calendar year or such other fiscal year as Landlord may deem appropriate.

 

S.        Broker. Tenant represents that it has dealt directly with and only with RED Strategies (“Tenant’s Broker”) as a broker in connection with this Lease. Tenant shall indemnify and hold Landlord and the Landlord Indemnities harmless from all claims of any other brokers claiming to have represented Tenant in connection with this Lease. Landlord agrees to indemnify and hold Tenant and the Tenant Parties harmless from all claims of any brokers claiming to have represented Landlord in connection with this Lease.

 

T.        Confidentiality. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Lease, except to the extent required by any applicable Securities and Exchange Commission requirements, or any applicable Federal or State securities laws (collectively, “Securities Laws”), Tenant agrees that neither Tenant nor its agents or any other parties acting on behalf of Tenant shall disclose any matters set forth in this Lease, or disseminate or distribute any information concerning the terms, details or conditions hereof to any person, firm or entity without obtaining the express written consent of Landlord and, if Tenant is required by the Securities Laws, or in connection with any judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, or pursuant to court order or discovery request, to disclose any information contained in this Lease, Tenant will give Landlord written notice of such requirement promptly upon Tenant becoming aware of same and in any event prior to making any disclosure pursuant thereto, and Tenant will provide such assistance in seeking a protective order or other appropriate relief as Landlord may reasonably request. If Landlord is unable to obtain a protective order or other remedy with respect to such disclosure, Tenant (or such other persons to whom such disclosure request or requirement applies) will disclose or otherwise furnish only the information legally required to be disclosed, as advised by legal counsel, and such disclosure shall be made only to the necessary and appropriate governmental entities. Landlord hereby agrees that the foregoing restriction shall not preclude Tenant from disclosing any matters set forth in this Lease to any agent, representative or employee of Tenant or to any current or prospective assignee, subtenant or lender of Tenant.

 

U.        Asbestos Notification. Intentionally omitted.

 

 

 

 

V.        Waiver of Redemption. Tenant hereby waives any and all rights conferred by California Civil Code Section 3275 and by California Code of Civil Procedure Sections ll74(c) and 1179 and any and all other laws and rules of law from time to time in effect during the term of this Lease providing that Tenant shall have any right to redeem, reinstate or restore this Lease following its termination by reason of Tenant’s breach.

 

37.   RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL

 

A.         Provided that Tenant has not committed an uncured Default (or if Tenant would be in Default but for the passage of time, the giving of notice or both), Landlord hereby grants to Tenant an ongoing right to lease any available “Second Generation Space” (as herein defined), upon and subject to the provisions and conditions of this Lease. As used in this Lease, the term “Second Generation Space” means space in the Building that has been built out and that has been previously leased and (or) occupied by a third party, and is located adjacent to the Premises.

 

B.         When Second Generation Space is available in the Building (“Available Second Generation Space”), Landlord will deliver a notice to the Tenant, providing that Tenant may accept the Available Second Generation Space on an “as-is” basis, with no right to improvements, and subject to all the terms and conditions of this Lease with the Base Rent to be calculated based on the additional space at the same rate then in effect (“Space Availability Notice”). Tenant shall have ten (10) business days to inform Landlord of its election to lease the Available Second Generation Space, upon and subject to the provisions and conditions of the Space Availability Notice. IfLessee declines or fails to respond within the time period described in this Paragraph, then Tenant shall have no further rights and Landlord shall have the right to lease the Second Generation Space to any third party.

 

38.   JURY TRIAL WAIVER

 

EACH PARTY HERETO (WHICH INCLUDES ANY ASSIGNEE, SUCCESSOR HEIR OR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF A PARTY) SHALL NOT SEEK A JURY TRIAL, HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY, AND HEREBY FURTHER WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE PROJECT IS LOCATED, AND AGREES AND CONSENTS TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE IN WHICH THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY HERETO AGAINST THE OTHER ON ANY MATTER WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS LEASE, THE RELATIONSHIP OF LANDLORD AND TENANT, TENANT’S USE OR OCCUPANCY OF THE PREMISES, OR ANY CLAIM OF INJURY OR DAMAGE, OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY REMEDY UNDER ANY STATUTE, EMERGENCY OR OTHERWISE, WHETHER ANY OF THE FOREGOING IS BASED ON THIS LEASE OR ON TORT LAW. EACH PARTY REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH LEGAL COUNSEL CONCERNING THE EFFECT OF THIS PARAGRAPH. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL SURVIVE THE EXPIRATION OR EARLIER TERMINATION OF THIS LEASE.

 

39.   NOTICE OF NON-RESPONSIBILITY

 

Lessor shall not be held liable for any monetary OR OTHER claims for materials or labor used in ANY remodeling OR construction being performed on the Premises by contractors or subcontractors hired by Lessee (“ALTERATIONS”).

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto have executed this Industrial Lease as of the Effective Date.

 

  LANDLORD:
     
  By: /s/ Steven Higgins
  Name: STEVEN HIGGINS
  Title: MANAGING PARTNER, Cal-Sorrento Ltd.

     
  TENANT:
     
  By: /s/ Michael Favish
  Name: MICHAEL FAVISH,
  Title: CEO

 

EXHIBIT A

 

OUTLINE AND LOCATION OF PREMISES

 

EXHIBIT B

 

LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS AGREEMENT

 

EXHIBIT C

 

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS QUESTIONNAIRE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit B

 

LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Leasehold Improvement Agreement shall set forth the terms and conditions relating to the construction of the leasehold improvements in the Premises. This Leasehold Improvement Agreement is essentially organized chronologically and addresses the issues of the construction of the Premises, in sequence, as such issues will arise during the actual construction of the Premises. All references in this Leasehold Improvement Agreement to Articles, Paragraphs or Sections of “this Lease” shall mean the relevant portion of the Multi-Tenant Industrial/Commercial Lease (Net) to which this Leasehold Improvement Agreement is attached as Exhibit B and of which this Leasehold Improvement Agreement forms a part, and all references in this Leasehold Improvement Agreement to Sections of “this Leasehold Improvement Agreement” shall mean the relevant portion of Sections I through 6 of this Leasehold Improvement Agreement.

 

1. Original Construction in the Premises.

 

1.1         Base, Shell and Core of the Premises in “as-is” Condition. The Base, Shell and Core as originally constructed shall be provided in its existing “as-is” condition.

 

2. Leasehold Improvements.

 

2.1         Leasehold Improvement Allowance. Lessee shall be entitled to a one-time allowance (the “Leasehold Improvement Allowance”) in the amount of up to Seventy Six Thousand Eight Hundred Forty and No/100 Dollars ($76,840.00) for the costs relating to the initial design and construction of Leasehold Improvements, which are permanently affixed to the Premises (the “Leasehold Improvements”). In no event shall Lessor be obligated to make disbursements pursuant to this Leasehold Improvement Agreement in a total amount, which exceeds the Leasehold Improvement Allowance.

 

2.2         Disbursement of the Leasehold Improvement Allowance. The Improvement Allowance shall be first utilized to pay for all Improvements. The Improvement Allowance shall be disbursed by Lessor within ten (10) days of Lessor’s receipt of a request for disbursement for completed work (each, a “Request for Disbursement”) from Lessee; provided, however, Lessee shall have the right to request that Lessor disburse proceeds from the Improvement Allowance in less than ten (I 0) days if, and only if, Lessee is offered any discount or savings in exchange for earlier payment. Lessor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy any request by Lessee for the disbursement of the proceeds of the Improvement Allowance less than ten (10) days after Lessor’s receipt of a Request for Disbursement. The following items shall be included with each Request for Disbursement: (i) invoices, for the immediately preceding payment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Lessee shall not have the right to request for disbursement more often than twice every calendar month unless otherwise authorized by Lessor. Each request for Disbursement shall be for work completed which is congruent with the agree upon scope of work further defined in paragraph 3.2 herein. Except as otherwise set forth in this Work Letter, the Improvement Allowance shall be disbursed by Lessor (each of which disbursements shall be made pursuant to Lessor’s disbursement process), only for the following items and costs (collectively, the “Improvement Allowance Items”):

 

2.2.1        Payment of any fees for a “Space Planner,” “Architect” or “Engineers,” and payment of any fees incurred by, and the cost of documents and materials supplied by, Lessor and Lessor’s consultants in connection with the preparation and review of any “Construction Drawings,” as that term is defined in Paragraph 3.1 of this Leasehold Improvement Agreement;

 

2.2.2        The payment of plan check, permit and license fees, if any, relating to construction of the Leasehold Improvements;

 

2.2.3        The cost of construction of the Leasehold Improvements, including, without limitation, testing and inspection costs, , hoisting and trash removal costs, and contractors’ fees and general conditions;

 

2.2.4        The cost of any changes in the Base, Shell and Core work when such changes are required by the Construction Drawings or scope of work as defined in paragraph 3.2 herein (including if such changes are due to the fact that such work is prepared on an unoccupied basis), such cost to include all direct architectural and/or engineering fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith;

 

 

 

 

2.2.5        The cost of any changes to the Construction Drawings, Leasehold Improvements or the Base, Shell and Core required by Code;

 

2.2.6        Sales and use taxes and Title 24 fees;

 

2.2.7        Intentionally omitted

 

2.2.8        All other costs to be expended in connection with the construction of the Leasehold Improvements.

 

3. Construction Drawings.

 

3.1         Final Space Plan. On or before the date set forth in Schedule I , attached hereto, Lessee and it’s contractor and/or architect shall prepare the final space plan for Leasehold Improvements in the Premises (collectively, the “ Final Space Plan ”) and shall deliver the Final Space Plan to Lessor for Lessor’s approval. The Final Space Plan shall include a layout and designation of all offices, rooms and other partitioning, their intended use, and equipment to be contained therein. If Lessor shall disapprove of any portion of the Final Space Plan, Lessor shall specify in writing to Lessee and the reasons for Lessor’s disapproval and the Lessee shall then revise the Final Space Plan and resubmit the Final Space Plan for Lessor’s approval within three (3) business days after Lessor’s disapproval thereof. This process shall continue until Lessor has approved the Final Space Plan.

 

3.2          Leasehold Improvements List/Scope of Work. The Improvement Allowance shall go towards all costs associated with the design, construction, and permits (if any) for the following:

 

· ¨     Installation of double glass door entry/new storefront

 

· ¨     Upgrade or addition of lighting in the office and warehouse as deemed necessary by Tenant

 

· Upgrade ceiling grid tiles in office area

 

· ¨      New paint throughout entire Premises - color choices to be determined by Tenant

 

· ¨      New carpet throughout all office areas

 

· VCT tile in remainder of warehouse area

 

· ¨     New enclosed reception area

 

· ¨      Internal access door to warehouse and removal of walls to open warehouse area(see diagram)

 

· ¨      Create new private office in the southeast comer of office area

 

· ¨      New access doors where needed from office area to “lab” and warehouse areas

 

· ¨     Extend first office in southwest comer and re-work drop ceiling to create expanded conference room

 

· Make existing server room smaller for bigger lab area

 

· Expand office in northeast comer into break room.

 

· Make all offices more sound proof with ceiling insulation.

 

· Associated electrical work consistent with the addition and relocation of walls

 

3.3         Other Terms . No changes, modifications or alterations in the Approved Final Space Plan may be made without the prior written consent of Lessor, provided that Lessor may reasonably withhold its consent, to any change in the Approved Working Drawings, if such change would directly or indirectly delay the payment of rent by Tenant.

 

4. Construction of the Leasehold Improvements.

 

4.1         Contractor . Lessee shall retain a licensed and fully insured contractor (the “ Contractor ”) to construct the Leasehold Improvements.

 

4.2         Intentionally omitted

 

 

 

 

4.3         Contractor’s Warranties and Guaranties. Lessor hereby assigns to Lessee all warranties and guaranties by Contractor relating to the Leasehold Improvements, and Lessee hereby waives all claims against Lessor relating to, or arising out of the construction of, the Leasehold Improvements. Such warranties and guaranties of Contractor shall guarantee that the Leasehold Improvements shall be free from any defects in workmanship and materials for a period of not less than one ( 1) year from the date of completion thereof, and Contractor shall be responsible for the replacement or repair, without additional charge, of the Leasehold Improvements that shall become defective within one (1) year after Substantial Completion of the Leasehold Improvements. The correction of such work shall include, without additional charge, all additional expenses and damages in connection with such removal or replacement of all or any part of the Lease Improvements.

 

4.3.1         Lessee’s Covenants. Lessee hereby indemnifies Lessor for any loss, claims, damages or delays arising from the actions of any contractor, subcontractor, architect or any other parties related to the Leasehold Improvements on the Premises or in the Building. Lessee, immediately after the Substantial Completion of the Improvements, shall have prepared and delivered to Lessor copy of the “as built” plans and specifications (including all working drawings) for the Leasehold Improvements.

 

5.         Completion of the Leasehold Improvements; Lease Commencement Date. In no way shall any delay or delays as a direct, indirect, partial, or total result from actions of Lessee or any contractor, subcontractor, architect or any other parties related to the Leasehold Improvements affect the Lease Commencement date, as set forth in Paragraph 2 of the Lease.

 

Then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Lease or this Leasehold Improvement Agreement and regardless of the actual date of the Substantial Completion of the Improvements, the Commencement Date shall be deemed to be the date the Commencement Date would have occurred if no Lessee Delays, as set forth above, had occurred. As used in the Lease and this Leasehold Improvement Agreement, the term “Substantial Completion” shall mean that the Leasehold Improvements have been substantially completed in accordance with this Leasehold Improvement Agreement except for finishing details of construction, decoration, mechanical, and other adjustments and other items of the type, none of which materially interfere with Lessee’s use or occupancy of the Premises for normal business operations.

 

6.         Lessee’s Lease Default.. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in the Lease, if an event of default as described in the Lease, or a default by Lessee under this Leasehold Improvement Agreement, has occurred at any time on or before the Substantial Completion of the Leasehold Improvements, then (i) in addition to all other rights and remedies granted to Lessor pursuant to the Lease, Lessor shall have the right to withhold payment of all or any portion of the Leasehold Improvement Allowance and/or Lessor may cause Contractor to cease the construction of the Premises (in which case, Lessee shall be responsible for any delay in the Substantial Completion of the Leasehold Improvements caused by such work stoppage), and (ii) all other obligations of Lessor under the terms of this Leasehold Improvement Agreement shall be forgiven until such time as such default is cured pursuant to the terms of the Lease.

 

7.         Code Requirements. Tenant shall be required to construct all leasehold improvements to current City of San Diego building codes and current ADA code requirements.

 

#

 

 

 

 

  F- 1  

 

 

 

 

  F- 2  

 

 

FIRST MODIFICATION TO LEASE

DATED OCTOBER 24, 2012

BY AND BETWEEN

CAL-SORRENTO LTD. , AS LESSOR AND

GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, LLC AS LESSEE

COVERING APPROXIMATELY 9,605 SQUARE FEET OF

INDUSTRIAL AND OFFICE SPACE LOCATED AT

15150 AVE OF SCIENCE STE 200, SAN DIEGO, CA 92128

 

Said Lease is hereby modified as followed:

 

1. The prepaid Base Rent shall be for months 1, 5, 14 and 26 totaling $36,979.25.

 

2. Lessee shall be entitled to a one-time allowance (the “Leasehold Improvement Allowance”) in the amount of up to Sixty Six Thousand Nine Hundred Forty Seven Dollars ($66,947.00). Said allowance shall be disbursed as described in Exhibit B of the Lease.

 

All other terms and conditions of said Lease shall remain the same.

 

CAL-SORRENTO LTD.   GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, LLC
         
BY:                      BY: /s/ Michael Favish
        Michael Favish, CEO
        Guardion Health Sciences, LLC
         
DATE: 12/4/12   DATE: 12/14/12

 

 

 

 

SECOND MODIFICATION TO LEASE

DATED OCTOBER 24, 2012

BY AND BETWEEN

CAL-SORRENTO LTD. , AS LESSOR AND

GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, LLC AS LESSEE

COVERING APPROXIMATELY 9,605 SQUARE FEET OF

INDUSTRIAL AND OFFICE SPACE LOCATED AT

15150 AVE OF SCIENCE STE 200, SAN DIEGO, CA 92128

 

Said Lease is hereby modified as followed:

 

1. Month #37 of rent in the amount of $9,893.15 will be abated along with months #2,#3,#4,#13 and #25 listed in said lease.

 

All other terms and conditions of said Lease and First Modification shall remain the same.

 

CAL-SORRENTO LTD.

    GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, LLC
         
BY:                       BY: /s/ Michael Favish
        Michael Favish, CEO
        Guardion Health Sciences, LLC
         
DATE: 12/5/12                   DATE: 12/5/12

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, LLC

 

RESTRICTED UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

THIS RESTRICTED UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of ______________, 2013 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Guardion Health Sciences, LLC, a California limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and _____________________________________ (“ Investor ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Investor wishes to purchase, and Company wishes to sell and issue, Units (as defined below) to Investor as provided for in this Agreement;

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

 

1.           Restricted Units Purchase .

 

(a)          Contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement and Investor’s delivery of the Purchase Price (as defined below), the Company will issue and sell to Investor ______________ Units of the Company (the “ Units ”) for an aggregate consideration of $_____________ (the “ Purchase Price ”). Payment for the Units in the amount of the Purchase Price shall be made to the Company promptly following execution of this Agreement by the delivery of cash or a check made out to the Company in immediately available funds.

 

(b)          All Units issued hereunder shall be deemed issued to Investor as fully paid and nonassessable, and Investor shall have all rights of a holder of Units with respect thereto pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Operating Agreement, as such agreement may be amended from time to time (the “ Operating Agreement ”). The term “Units,” in addition to the Units purchased pursuant to this Agreement, also refers to all securities received in replacement of the Units, as a Units dividend or as a result of any Units split, recapitalization, merger, reorganization, exchange or the like, and all new, substituted or additional securities or other properties to which Investor is entitled by reason of Investor’s ownership of the Units.

 

2.           Restrictions . Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Units are subject to a right of first refusal (“ Right of First Refusal ”) and other rights as set forth in the Operating Agreement, which Right of First Refusal is incorporated herein by reference irrespective of whether the Operating Agreement is amended at some future date to remove the Right of First Refusal therefrom, and that, except in compliance with such Right of First Refusal, neither Investor nor any person receiving the Units (or any portion thereof) by operation of law or other involuntary transfer shall sell, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise transfer any Units or any right or interest therein.

 

3.           Reserved .

 

4.           Investment Representations .

 

(a)          This Agreement is made in reliance upon the Investor’s representation to the Company, which by its acceptance hereof the Investor hereby confirms, that the Units to be received by him or her will be acquired for investment for his or her own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the sale or distribution of any part thereof, and that he or she has no present intention of selling, granting participation in, or otherwise distributing the same, but subject nevertheless to any requirement of law that the disposition of his or her property shall at all times be within his or her control.

 

(b)          The Investor understands that the Units are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ 1933 Act ”), on the basis that the sale provided for in this Agreement and the issuance of securities hereunder is exempt from registration under the 1933 Act pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof, and that the Company’s reliance on such exemption is predicated on the Investor’s representations set forth herein. The Investor realizes that the basis for the exemption may not be present if, notwithstanding such representations, the Investor has in mind merely acquiring the Units for a fixed or determinable period in the future, or for a market rise, or for sale if the market does not rise. The Investor does not have any such intention.

 

 

 

 

(c)          The Investor understands that the Units may not be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of without registration under the 1933 Act or an exemption therefrom, and that in the absence of an effective registration statement covering the Units or an available exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, the Units must be held indefinitely. In particular, the Investor is aware that the Units may not be sold pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 701 promulgated under the 1933 Act unless all of the conditions of the applicable Rules are met. Among the conditions for use of Rule 144 is the availability of current information to the public about the Company. Such information is not now available, and the Company has no present plans to make such information available. The Investor represents that, in the absence of an effective registration statement covering the Units, it will sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the Units only in a manner consistent with its representations set forth herein and then only in accordance with the provisions of Section 4(e) hereof.

 

(d)           Investor represents that he has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the sale of the Units and the business, properties, prospects and financial condition of the Company. Investor acknowledges that it is able to fend for itself, can bear the economic risk of this investment, and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Units. Investor acknowledges that any investment in the Units involves a high degree of risk, and represents that it is able, without materially impairing its financial condition, to hold the Units for an indefinite period of time and to suffer a complete loss of this investment.

 

(e)          The Investor agrees that in no event will it make a transfer or disposition of any of the Units (other than pursuant to an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act), unless and until (i) the Investor shall have notified the Company of the proposed disposition and shall have furnished the Company with a statement of the circumstances surrounding the disposition, and (ii) if requested by the Company, at the expense of the Investor or transferee, the Investor shall have furnished to the Company either (A) an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such transfer may be made without registration under the 1933 Act or (B) a “no action” letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission to the effect that the transfer of such securities without registration will not result in a recommendation by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission that action be taken with respect thereto. The Company will not require such a legal opinion or “no action” letter in any transaction in compliance with Rule 144.

 

(f)          The Investor represents and warrants to the Company that he or she is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 501 of Regulation D, as presently in effect and, for the purpose of Section 25102(f) of the California Corporations Code, he or she is excluded from the count of “purchasers” pursuant to Rule 260.102.13 thereunder.

 

5.           Legends; Stop Transfer .

 

(a)          All certificates for Units shall bear substantially the following legends:

 

THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933. THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THE SECURITIES UNDER SAID ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

 

THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE RESTRICTED BY THE TERMS OF THAT CERTAIN RESTRICTED UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE NAMED UNIT HOLDER. THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.

 

 

 

 

(b)          The certificates for Units shall also bear the following legend required by the Operating Agreement and any other legends required by applicable state corporate or securities laws:

 

THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTION AS PROVIDED IN THE OPERATING AGREEMENT OF THE COMPANY.

 

(c)          In addition, the Company shall make a notation regarding the restrictions on transfer of the Units in its books, and Units shall be transferred on the books of the Company only if transferred or sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act covering such Units or pursuant to and in compliance with the provisions of Section 4(e) hereof.

 

6.           Reserved .

 

7.           California Law . This agreement is to be construed in accordance with and governed by the internal laws of the State of California as permitted by Section 1646.5 of the California Civil Code (or any similar successor provision) without giving effect to any choice of law rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the internal laws of the State of California to the rights and duties of the parties.

 

8.           Notice . Any notice required to be given under the terms of this Agreement shall be addressed to the Company in care of its Managers at the office of the Company at 15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92128 (or such other address as may be indicated from time to time on the Company’s website as the Company’s main address or as otherwise provided to Investor), and any notice to be given to Investor shall be addressed to him at the address given by Investor beneath his signature to this Agreement, or such other address as either party to this Agreement may hereafter designate in writing to the other. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been duly given when enclosed in a properly sealed envelope or wrapper addressed as aforesaid, registered or certified and deposited (postage or registration or certification fee prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States.

 

9.           Successors . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor or successors of the Company. Where the context permits, “Investor” as used in this Agreement shall include Investor’s executor, administrator or other legal representative or the person or persons to whom Investor’s rights pass by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

 

10.          California Securities Law . THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO SUCH QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM THE QUALIFICATION BY SECTION 25100, 25102 OR 25105 OF THE CALIFORNIA CORPORATIONS CODE. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON SUCH QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE SALE IS SO EXEMPT.

 

*****

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Restricted Unit Purchase Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

COMPANY:
 
Guardion Health Sciences, LLC

 

By:    
  Michael Favish, Manager  

 

INVESTOR:  
   
Name of Investor  
   
   
Signature  
   
   
Name and Title of Party Signing on Behalf of an Entity Investor  
   
Address:  
   
   
   
   

 

BY MY SIGNATURE ABOVE, I REPRESENT THAT I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE TERMS OF THE COMPANY’S OPERATING AGREEMENT AND I AGREE TO BE BOUND BY EACH AND EVERY TERM AND CONDITION OF THE OPERATING AGREEMENT AS A MEMBER OF THE COMPANY UPON THE mutual EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

LOAN AGREEMENT

 

Loan #___

 

This Loan Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of _______________ (the “Effective Date”) between Guardion Health Sciences, Inc. (“GHS”) and Leon Krajian (the “LENDER”). Each hereinafter is referred to individually as a “Party” and both are referred to collectively as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, GHS wishes to borrow money from LENDER, and LENDER agrees to lend GHS money according to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, representations and warranties contained herein, and for other valuable consideration receipt of which is acknowledged, GHS and LENDER mutually agree as follows:

 

I. Loan . LENDER hereby agrees to lend GHS the total amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($___,000.00) hereunder (the “Loan”).

 

II. Interest . Interest on the Loan shall accrue at Twelve Percent (12%) per annum.

 

III. Repayment of Loan . GHS agrees to repay the loan plus accrued interest no later than Ninety (90) days from the date of this Loan.

 

IV. Warrant . As an inducement to lend, GHS shall grant in a separate document as of this date a warrant to purchase ____,000 of Common Stock of GHS at an exercise price of $0.25, which shall be immediately vested and exercisable over a period of three years.

 

V. Waiver . GHS expressly waives presentment, protest, demand, notice of dishonor, notice of nonpayment, notice of maturity, notice of protest, presentment for the purpose of accelerating maturity, and diligence in collection.

 

VI. Currency; Payments . All references herein to “dollars” or “$” are to U.S. dollars, and all payments of principal and interest of this Agreement shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available funds. If the date on which any such payment is required to be made pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement occurs on a Saturday or Sunday or legal holiday observed in the State of California, such payments shall be due and payable on the immediately succeeding date which is not a Saturday or Sunday or legal holiday so observed.

 

VII. Governing Law . The laws of the State of California shall govern this Agreement, without application of the principals of conflicts of laws. For purposes of jurisdiction and venue, this Agreement shall be deemed made and to be performed in San Diego County, California.

 

1  

 

  

VIII. Attorney Fees . In the event of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection therewith, including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees.

 

IX. Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding on the Parties and their respective successors and assigns. Neither Party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

X. Modifications . Only a written instrument signed by both Parties may modify this Agreement.

 

XI. Headings . The heading references herein are for convenience purposes only and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

XII. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of Lender and its successors and permitted assigns and shall be binding upon the undersigned and its successors and permitted assigns. As used herein, the term “Lender” shall mean and include the successors and permitted assigns of Lender.

 

XIII. Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, then such provision shall be disregarded and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

XIV. Entire Agreement . This Agreement and any attached exhibits set forth the entire understanding and agreement of the Parties and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, both oral and written, related thereto.

 

XV. Additional Post-Maturity Interest in the Form of a Warrant . In the event the Loan is not paid by the 90 th day, GHS shall grant on the 91 st day a warrant to purchase 1/10 th of the number of shares set forth in Section IV, Warrant, at an exercise price of $0.25 per shares, which shall be immediately vested and exercisable for a period of three (3) years. Each month thereafter, if the Loan is not paid in full, GHS shall grant, on the same day each month, an additional warrant to purchase 1/10 th of the number of shares set forth in Section IV, Warrant, at an exercise price of $0.25 per shares, which shall be immediately vested and exercisable for a period of three (3) years.

 

XVI. Continuation of Interest . In the event the Loan is not paid on the 90 th day, the Loan shall continue to accrue interest at the rate set forth in Section II, Interest, until paid in full.

 

XVII. Warrant Based on Interest . Upon repayment of the Loan, LENDER shall receive an additional warrant to purchase shares of Common Stock of GHS at $0.25 per share granted for the number of shares equivalent to the amount of post-maturity interest paid on the Loan upon repayment. Such warrant shall be immediately vested and exercisable for a period of three (3) years.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEROF, the authorized representatives of both Parties have read the foregoing document and agree and accept these terms as of the Effective Date.

 

LENDER   Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
    A Delaware corporation
     
Signature:     Signature:  
Print Name: Leon Krajian   Print Name: Michael Favish
      Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Date:     Date:
Address for notices:   Address for notices:
2158 Montgomery Avenue
Cardiff, CA  92007
  15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200
San Diego, CA  92128
Telephone:  (760) 271-6472   Telephone:  (858) 605-9055
Facsimile:   (201) 865-0175   Facsimile:   (858) 630-5543

 

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Exhibit 10.4

 

DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement (the “Agreement” ), dated as of September 17, 2015, is made by and between Guardion Health Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation, having an address at 15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92128 (the “Company” ), and _________________ (the “Indemnitee” ).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS Section 141 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “ DGCL ”) provides that the business and affairs of a corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of its board of directors (“ Board of Directors ”);

 

WHEREAS Section 142 of the DGCL provides that every corporation organized under the state of Delaware shall have such officers as shall be stated in the bylaws or in a resolution of the Board of Directors, and that a Delaware corporation may secure the fidelity of its officers;

 

WHEREAS by virtue of the managerial prerogatives vested in the directors of a Delaware corporation, and by virtue of the duties and obligations conferred upon officers of a Delaware corporation from the time of their appointment, directors and officers act as fiduciaries of a Delaware corporation and its stockholders;

 

WHEREAS in recognition of the need for corporations to be able to induce capable and responsible persons to accept positions in corporate management, Section 145 of the DGCL authorizes corporations to indemnify their directors and officers, and further authorizes corporations to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of their directors and officers;

 

WHEREAS both the Company and Indemnitee recognize the risk of actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) being asserted against a director or officer of the Company by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director or officer of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, in recognition of the need to provide Indemnitee with substantial protection against personal liability, in order to procure Indemnitee's service as a director or officer of the Company, as applicable, in order to enhance Indemnitee's ability to serve the Company in an effective manner, and in order to provide such protection pursuant to express contract rights (intended to be enforceable irrespective of, among other things, any amendment to the Company's certificate of incorporation or bylaws (collectively, the " Constituent Documents "), any change in the composition of the Board of Directors or any change in control or business combination transaction relating to the Company), the Company wishes to provide in this Agreement for the indemnification of, and the advancement of Expenses (as defined below) to, Indemnitee as set forth in this Agreement and, to the extent insurance is maintained, for the continued coverage of Indemnitee under the Company’s directors' and officers' liability insurance policies;

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee is, or will be, a director or officer of the Company, and his or her willingness to serve in such capacity is predicated, in substantial part, upon the Company’s willingness to indemnify him or her in accordance with the principles reflected above, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware, and upon the other undertakings set forth;

 

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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the Indemnitee's agreement to provide services to the Company, the parties agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

1.1 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

" Beneficial Owner " has the meaning given to the term "beneficial owner" in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the " Exchange Act ").

 

" Change in Control " means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

 

(a) any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the Company's then outstanding Voting Securities unless the change in 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;

 

(b) the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, unless immediately following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, all of the Beneficial Owners of the Voting Securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Securities of the entity resulting from such transaction;

 

(c) during any period of two consecutive years, not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (including for this purpose any new directors whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors; or

 

(d) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.

 

" Claim " means:

 

(a) any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, investigative or other, and whether made pursuant to federal, state or other law; or

 

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(b) any inquiry, hearing or investigation that the Indemnitee determines might lead to the institution of any such action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism.

 

" Delaware Court " shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.8 below.

 

" Disinterested Director " means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Claim in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

" Expenses " means any and all expenses, including attorneys' and experts' fees, court costs, transcript costs, travel expenses, duplicating, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, and all other costs and expenses incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness or participate in, any Claim. Expenses also shall include: (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Claim, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, and (ii) for purposes of Section 3 only, Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee's rights under this Agreement, by litigation or otherwise. However, Expenses shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

" Expense Advance " means any payment of Expenses advanced to Indemnitee by the Company pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof.

 

" Indemnifiable Event " means any event or occurrence, whether occurring on or after the date of this Agreement, related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer, as applicable, of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity or enterprise (collectively with the Company, " Enterprise ") or by reason of an action or inaction by Indemnitee in any such capacity (whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any Loss is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement), as long as Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the Company and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any Claim as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Delaware 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, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper .

 

" Independent Counsel " means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently performs, nor in the past five (5) years has performed, services for either: (i) the Company or Indemnitee (other than in connection with matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under similar agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Claim 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.

 

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" Losses " means any and all Expenses, damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties (whether civil, criminal or other), ERISA excise taxes, amounts paid or payable in settlement, including any interest, assessments, and all other charges paid or payable in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness or participate in, any Claim.

 

" Person " means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity and includes the meaning set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

" Standard of Conduct Determination " shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.6(b) below.

 

" Voting Securities " means any securities of the Company that vote generally in the election of directors.

 

ARTICLE II

SERVICES TO THE COMPANY

 

2.1 Services. Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director or officer, as applicable, of the Company for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or is no longer serving in such capacity. Indemnitee’s service as a director or officer of the Company, as applicable, is subject to the provisions of the Company’s Constituent Documents and applicable Delaware law. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment agreement between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or Enterprise) and Indemnitee.

 

ARTICLE III

INDEMNIFICATION

 

3.1 Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware in effect on the date hereof, or as such laws may from time to time hereafter be amended to increase the scope of such permitted indemnification, against any and all Losses if Indemnitee was or is or becomes a party to or participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or participant in, any Claim by reason of or arising in part out of an Indemnifiable Event, including, without limitation, Claims brought by or in the right of the Company, Claims brought by third parties, and Claims in which the Indemnitee is solely a witness.

 

3.2 Advancement of Expenses. Indemnitee shall have the right to advancement by the Company, prior to the final disposition of any Claim by final adjudication to which there are no further rights of appeal, of any and all Expenses actually and reasonably paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Claim arising out of an Indemnifiable Event. Indemnitee's right to such advancement is not subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct. Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, within fourteen (14) calendar days after any request by Indemnitee, the Company shall, in accordance with such request: (a) pay such Expenses on behalf of Indemnitee; (b) advance to Indemnitee funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses; or (c) reimburse Indemnitee for such Expenses. In connection with any request for Expense Advances, Indemnitee shall not be required to provide any documentation or information to the extent that the provision thereof would undermine or otherwise jeopardize attorney-client privilege. In connection with any request for Expense Advances, Indemnitee shall execute and deliver to the Company an undertaking to repay any amounts paid, advanced, or reimbursed by the Company for such Expenses to the extent that it is ultimately determined, following the final disposition of such Claim, that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification hereunder. Any obligation to repay any Expense Advances provided hereunder pursuant to a written undertaking by the Indemnitee shall be unsecured and no interest shall be charged thereon. The parties agree that for the purposes of any Expense Advances for which Indemnitee has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such Expense Advances that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitee's counsel as being reasonable shall be presumed conclusively to be reasonable.

 

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3.3 Indemnification for Expenses in Enforcing Rights. To the fullest extent allowable under applicable law, the Company shall also indemnify against, and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall advance to Indemnitee subject to and in accordance with Section 3.2 , any Expenses actually and reasonably paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action or proceeding by Indemnitee for: (a) indemnification or reimbursement or advance payment of Expenses by the Company under any provision of this Agreement, or under any other agreement or provision of the Constituent Documents now or hereafter in effect relating to Claims relating to Indemnifiable Events; and/or (b) recovery under any directors' and officers' liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification or insurance recovery, as the case may be. However, in the event that Indemnitee is ultimately determined not to be entitled to such indemnification or insurance recovery, as the case may be, then all amounts advanced under this Section 3.2 shall be repaid. Indemnitee shall be required to reimburse the Company in the event that a final judicial determination is made that such action brought by Indemnitee was frivolous or not made in good faith.

 

3.4 Partial Indemnity. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for a portion of any Losses in respect of a Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event but not for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

3.5 Notification and Defense of Claims.

 

(a) Notification of Claims. Indemnitee shall notify the Company in writing as soon as practicable of any Claim which could relate to an Indemnifiable Event or for which Indemnitee could seek Expense Advances, including a brief description (based upon information then available to Indemnitee) of the nature of, and the facts underlying, such Claim. The failure by Indemnitee to timely notify the Company hereunder shall not relieve the Company from any liability hereunder unless the Company's ability to participate in the defense of such claim was materially and adversely affected by such failure, except that the Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement with respect to any judicial award in a Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event if the Company was not given a reasonable and timely opportunity to participate at its expense in the defense of such action. If at the time of the receipt of such notice, the Company has directors' and officers' liability insurance in effect under which coverage for Claims related to Indemnifiable Events is potentially available, the Company shall give prompt written notice to the applicable insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable policies. The Company shall provide to Indemnitee a copy of such notice delivered to the applicable insurers, and copies of all subsequent correspondence between the Company and such insurers regarding the Claim, in each case substantially concurrently with the delivery or receipt thereof by the Company.

 

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(b) Defense of Claims. The Company shall be entitled to participate in the defense of any Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event at its own expense and, except as otherwise provided below, to the extent the Company so wishes, it may assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of any such Claim, the Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise for any Expenses subsequently directly incurred by Indemnitee in connection with Indemnitee's defense of such Claim other than reasonable costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below. Indemnitee shall have the right to employ its own legal counsel in such Claim, but all Expenses related to such counsel incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense shall be at Indemnitee's own expense; provided, however, that if: (i) Indemnitee's employment of its own legal counsel has been authorized by the Company; (ii) Indemnitee has reasonably determined that there may be a conflict of interest between Indemnitee and the Company in the defense of such Claim; (iii) after a Change in Control, Indemnitee's employment of its own counsel has been approved by the Independent Counsel; or (iv) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Claim, then Indemnitee shall be entitled to retain its own separate counsel (but not more than one law firm plus, if applicable, local counsel in respect of any such Claim) and all Expenses related to such separate counsel shall be borne by the Company.

 

(c) Procedure upon Application for Indemnification. In order to obtain indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request therefor, including in such request such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of the Claim. Indemnification shall be made insofar as the Company determines Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification in accordance with Section 3.6 below.

 

3.6 Determination of Right to Indemnification.

 

(a) Mandatory Indemnification; Indemnification as a Witness. To the extent that Indemnitee shall have been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event or any portion thereof or in defense of any issue or matter therein, including without limitation dismissal without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Losses relating to such Claim to the fullest extent allowable by law.

  

To the extent that Indemnitee's involvement in a Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event is to prepare to serve and serve as a witness, and not as a party, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Losses incurred in connection therewith to the fullest extent allowable by law and no Standard of Conduct Determination (as defined in Section 3.6(b) ) shall be required.

 

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(b) Standard of Conduct. To the extent that the provisions of Section 3.6(a) are inapplicable to a Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event that shall have been finally disposed of, any determination of whether Indemnitee has satisfied any applicable standard of conduct under Delaware law that is a legally required condition to indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder against Losses relating to such Claim and any determination that Expense Advances must be repaid to the Company (a " Standard of Conduct Determination ") shall be made as follows:

 

(i) if no Change in Control has occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even if less than a quorum of the Board of Directors; (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum; or (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion addressed to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; and

 

(ii) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, (A) if the Indemnitee so requests in writing, by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even if less than a quorum of the Board of Directors or (B) otherwise, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion addressed to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee.

 

The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall reimburse Indemnitee for, or advance to Indemnitee, within fourteen (14) calendar days of such request, any and all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in cooperating with the person or persons making such Standard of Conduct Determination.

 

(c) Making the Standard of Conduct Determination. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause any Standard of Conduct Determination required to be made as promptly as practicable. If the person or persons designated to make the Standard of Conduct Determination shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) calendar days after the later of (A) receipt by the Company of a written request from Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 3.5 (the date of such receipt being the " Notification Date ") and (B) the selection of an Independent Counsel, if such determination is to be made by Independent Counsel, then Indemnitee shall be deemed to have satisfied the applicable standard of conduct; provided that such thirty (30) calendar day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) calendar days, if the person or persons making such determination in good faith requires such additional time to obtain or evaluate information relating thereto. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement of Indemnitee to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of any Claim.

 

3.7 Payment of Indemnification. If, in regard to any Losses, Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 3.6(a) , no Standard Conduct Determination is legally required as a condition to indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder; or if, in regard to any Losses, Indemnitee has been determined or deemed pursuant to Section 3.6(b) to have satisfied the Standard of Conduct Determination, then the Company shall pay to Indemnitee, within five (5) calendar days after the later of (A) the Notification Date or (B) the earliest date on which the applicable criterion specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) is satisfied, an amount equal to such Losses.

 

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3.8 Selection of Independent Counsel for Standard of Conduct Determination. If a Standard of Conduct Determination is to be made by Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board of Directors, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him/her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If a Standard of Conduct Determination is to be made by Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee, and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either case, Indemnitee or the Company, as applicable, may, within five (5) calendar days after receiving written notice of selection from the other, deliver to the other 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 satisfy the criteria set forth in the definition of "Independent Counsel" in Article I , and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person or firm so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is properly and timely made and substantiated: (i) the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit; and (ii) the non-objecting party may, at its option, select an alternative Independent Counsel and give written notice to the other party advising such other party of the identity of the alternative Independent Counsel so selected, in which case the provisions of the two immediately preceding sentences, the introductory clause of this sentence and numbered clause (i) of this sentence shall apply to such subsequent selection and notice. If applicable, the provisions of clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to successive alternative selections. If no Independent Counsel that is permitted under the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.8 to make the Standard of Conduct Determination shall have been selected within ten (10) calendar days after the Company gives its initial notice pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 3.8 or Indemnitee gives its initial notice pursuant to the second sentence of this Section 3.8 , as the case may be, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (" Delaware Court ") to resolve any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other's selection of Independent Counsel and/or to appoint as Independent Counsel a person to be selected by the Court or such other person as the Court shall designate, and the person or firm with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person or firm so appointed will act as Independent Counsel. In all events, the Company shall pay all of the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel incurred in connection with the Independent Counsel’s determination pursuant to Section 3.6(b) .

 

3.9 Presumptions and Defenses.

 

(a) Indemnitee's Entitlement to Indemnification. In making any Standard of Conduct Determination, the person or persons making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee has satisfied the applicable standard of conduct and is entitled to indemnification, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption and establish that Indemnitee is not so entitled. Any Standard of Conduct Determination that is adverse to Indemnitee may be challenged by the Indemnitee in the Delaware Court. No determination by the Company (including by its directors or any Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not satisfied any applicable standard of conduct may be used as a defense to any legal proceedings brought by Indemnitee to secure indemnification or reimbursement or advance payment of Expenses by the Company hereunder or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct.

 

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(b) Reliance as a Safe Harbor. For purposes of this Agreement, and without creating any presumption as to a lack of good faith if the following circumstances do not exist, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have 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 if Indemnitee's actions or omissions to act are taken in good faith reliance upon the records of the Company, including its financial statements, or upon information, opinions, reports or statements furnished to Indemnitee by the officers or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in the course of their duties, or by committees of the Board of Directors or by any other Person (including legal counsel, accountants and financial advisors) as to matters Indemnitee reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failures to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnity hereunder.

 

(c) No Other Presumptions . For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any Claim by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, will not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any applicable standard of conduct or have any particular belief, or that indemnification hereunder is otherwise not permitted.

 

(d) Defense to Indemnification and Burden of Proof. It shall be a defense to any action brought by Indemnitee against the Company to enforce this Agreement (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for Losses incurred in defending against a Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event in advance of its final disposition) that it is not permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed. In connection with any such action or any related Standard of Conduct Determination, the burden of proving such a defense or that the Indemnitee did not satisfy the applicable standard of conduct shall be on the Company.

 

3.10 Exclusions from Indemnification . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to indemnify or advance funds to Indemnitee for Expenses or Losses with respect to proceedings initiated by Indemnitee, including any proceedings against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees and not by way of defense, except:

 

i) proceedings referenced in Section 3.3 above (unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee in such proceeding was not made in good faith or was frivolous);
ii) where the Company has joined in or the Board of Directors has consented to the initiation of such proceedings;
iii) if a final decision by a court of competent jurisdiction determines that such indemnification is prohibited by applicable law; or
iv) for the disgorgement of profits arising from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company in violation of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, or any similar successor statute.

 

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3.11 Settlement of Claims. The Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any threatened or pending Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event effected without the Company's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that if a Change in Control has occurred, the Company shall be liable for indemnification of the Indemnitee for amounts paid in settlement if an Independent Counsel has approved the settlement. The Company shall not settle any Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event in any manner that would impose any Losses on the Indemnitee without the Indemnitee's prior written consent.

 

3.12 Duration. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period that Indemnitee is a director or officer, as applicable, of the Company (or is serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, member, trustee or agent of another Enterprise) and shall continue thereafter: (i) so long as Indemnitee may be subject to any possible Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event (including any rights of appeal thereto); and (ii) throughout the pendency of any proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto) commenced by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret his or her rights under this Agreement, even if, in either case, he or she may have ceased to serve in such capacity at the time of any such Claim or proceeding.

 

3.13 Non-Exclusivity. The rights of Indemnitee hereunder will be in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the Constituent Documents, the DGCL, any other contract or otherwise (collectively, " Other Indemnity Provisions "); provided, however, that: (a) to the extent that Indemnitee otherwise would have any greater right to indemnification under any Other Indemnity Provision, Indemnitee will be deemed to have such greater right hereunder; and (b) to the extent that any change is made to any Other Indemnity Provision which permits any greater right to indemnification than that provided under this Agreement as of the date hereof, Indemnitee will be deemed to have such greater right hereunder.

 

3.14 Liability Insurance. For the duration of Indemnitee's service as a director or officer, as applicable, of the Company, and thereafter for so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any pending Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts (taking into account the scope and amount of coverage available relative to the cost thereof) to continue to maintain in effect policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance providing coverage that is at least substantially comparable in scope and amount to that provided by the Company's current policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance. In all policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance maintained by the Company, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are provided to the most favorably insured of the Company's directors and officers by such policy. Upon request, the Company will provide to Indemnitee copies of all directors' and officers' liability insurance applications, binders, policies, declarations, endorsements and other related materials.

 

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3.15 No Duplication of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment to Indemnitee in respect of any Losses to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise received payment under any insurance policy, the Constituent Documents, Other Indemnity Provisions or otherwise of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable by the Company hereunder.

 

3.16 Subrogation. In the event of payment to Indemnitee under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.


ARTICLE IV

MISCELLANEOUS

 

4.1 Amendments. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding unless in the form of a writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the waiver is sought, and no such waiver shall operate as a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. Except as specifically provided herein, no failure to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy hereunder, shall constitute a waiver thereof.

 

4.2 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors (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), assigns, spouses, heirs and personal and legal representatives. 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 substances 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.

 

4.3 Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable in the event that any of the provisions hereof (including any portion thereof) are held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or otherwise unenforceable, and the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

4.4 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand, against receipt, or mailed, by postage prepaid, certified or registered mail:

 

  If to Indemnitee:    
       
       

 

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  If to the Company:   Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.
    15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200
    San Diego, California 92128
    ATTN:  Michael Favish

 

Notice of change of address shall be effective only when given in accordance with this Section. All notices complying with this Section shall be deemed to have been received on the date of hand delivery or on the third business day after mailing.

 

4.5 Governing Law and Forum. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and to be performed in such state without giving effect to its principles of conflicts of laws. 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; and (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.

 

4.6 Headings. The headings of the sections and 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 or interpretation thereof.

 

4.7 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.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC.
     
     
  By:  
 

Name: Michael Favish 

  Title:  Chief Executive Officer
   
   
  INDEMNITEE
     
     
     
  Print Name:  

 

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Exhibit 23.2

 

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

To the Board of Directors

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

 

We consent to the inclusion in the foregoing Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated February 11, 2016, relating to the financial statements of Guardion Health Sciences, Inc. as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for the years then ended. We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus.

 

 

 

Weinberg & Company, P.A.

 

Los Angeles, California

February 11, 2016