UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

October 16, 2018

Date of Report

 

MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 001-37939 45-4497941
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

5 West Forsyth Street

Suite 200

Jacksonville, FL

  32202
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(904) 516-5436

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

TapImmune Inc.

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

 

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

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company  ¨

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introductory Note

 

On October 17, 2018, TapImmune Inc., a Nevada corporation (“TapImmune” or the “Company”), completed its business combination with Marker Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held Delaware corporation (“Marker”) dedicated to the development of adoptive non-gene modified T cell therapies for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, in accordance with the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of May 15, 2018 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Timberwolf Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), and Marker. On October 17, 2018, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub was merged with and into Marker (the “Merger”), with Marker being the surviving corporation and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. In connection with the Merger, the Company changed its name to Marker Therapeutics, Inc., and Marker changed its name to Marker Cell Therapy, Inc.

 

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Securities Purchase Agreements

 

On October 17, 2018, concurrent with the completion of the Merger, the Company issued to certain accredited investors in a private placement transaction (the “Financing”), an aggregate of 17,500,000 shares of its common stock, and warrants to purchase 13,437,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share with a five-year term, for aggregate proceeds of $70 million pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreements, dated June 8, 2018, by and among the Company and certain accredited investors (the “Securities Purchase Agreements”). Upon consummation of the Financing, and as a condition to the Securities Purchase Agreements, the Company is, among other things, obligated to file a resale registration statement with the SEC within 15 days following completion of the Financing.

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

In connection with the Merger Agreement, described below under Item 2.01, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement with the former Marker stockholders (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, if the Company registers any shares of Company common stock for resale pursuant to the Financing transaction occurring concurrently with the Merger, the former Marker stockholders will have the right to include in the registration statement their Company common stock issued or issuable to such stockholders pursuant to the Merger.

 

Board Designation and Observer Rights

 

In connection with the Financing, one of the private placement investors, New Enterprise Associates 16, L.P. (“NEA”), was granted the right to designate either a board observer or a board member to our board of directors. The Board Observer and Director Nomination Agreement (the “Board Agreement”) provided NEA with the designation right until either (i) a Change of Control Transaction, or (ii) NEA ceases to own less than 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. NEA has elected to initially designate Ali Behbahani as its board observer. In addition, another investor in the Financing, Aisling Capital IV, LP (“Aisling”), was granted the right to designate a board observer, so long as Aisling holds at least 70% of the number of shares of common stock purchased in the Financing.

 

Voting and Lock-Up Agreements

 

As previously disclosed, on May 15, 2018, in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, TapImmune’s directors and executive officers, entered into voting and lock-up agreements with Marker, and (ii) certain Marker stockholders entered into voting and lock-up agreements with TapImmune.

 

The voting and lock-up agreements provided, among other things, that the parties to the agreements would vote in favor of the Merger and the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. In addition, the voting and lock-up agreements restricted the transfer of shares of TapImmune and Marker capital stock held by the respective signatory stockholders prior to the closing of the Merger, and each such stockholder is also subject to a 180-day lock-up on the sale of shares of capital stock of the Company, which period began upon consummation of the Merger.

 

The TapImmune directors and executive officers that entered into the voting and lock-up agreements are Peter Hoang, Dr. Glynn Wilson, Michael J. Loiacono, Sherry Grisewood, David Laskow-Pooley, Mark Reddish, Joshua Silverman and Frederick Wasserman.

 

 

 

 

The Marker stockholders that entered into voting and lock-up agreements are John R. Wilson, Juan F. Vera, Ann M. Leen, Salt Free LP, Helen E. Heslop, and Baylor College of Medicine.

 

The foregoing description of the (i) Securities Purchase Agreements; (ii) Registration Rights Agreement; (iii) Observer Agreement (iv) Voting and Lock Up Agreement between Marker and TapImmune; and (v) Voting and Lock Up Agreement between TapImmune and Marker are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Securities Purchase Agreements, Registration Rights Agreement, Observer Agreement, Voting and Lock Up Agreement between Marker and TapImmune and Voting and Lock Up Agreement between TapImmune and Marker which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 4.1 and 4.2, respectively and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

On October 17, 2018, the Merger was consummated in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement. At the effective time of the Merger, the Marker stockholders received (i) an aggregate of 13,914,255 shares of TapImmune’s common stock which equaled the number of shares of TapImmune common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, and (ii) an aggregate of 5,046,003 warrants, at an exercise price of $2.99 per share with a five-year term, which equaled the number of TapImmune warrants and stock options issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger.

 

After taking into account the issuance of shares in the Financing described above, immediately following the effective time of the Merger, the pro forma ownership of the issued and outstanding shares of TapImmune common stock on a fully diluted basis (assuming all issued and outstanding warrants and options are exercised) will be approximately as follows: Marker’s former stockholders 27.5%, TapImmune’s stockholders prior to the Merger 27.5%, and the private placement stockholders 45%. Following the completion of the Merger and the Financing, there were 45,328,510 issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

The issuance of the shares of Company common stock to the former stockholders of Marker in connection with the Merger and related transactions was approved by the Company’s stockholders at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2018 Annual Meeting”) held on October 16, 2018. 

 

In connection with the Merger, the Company filed an amendment to its articles of incorporation in Nevada to increase the authorized shares of common stock from 41,666,667 shares to 150,000,000 shares and to change the Company’s name to Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (“Certificate of Amendment”). The Company then reincorporated from a Nevada corporation to a Delaware corporation and filed its certificate of incorporation in Delaware. Finally, a certificate of merger was filed in Delaware to merge Marker Cell Therapy, Inc. (f/k/a Marker Therapeutics, Inc.) with and into Merger Sub, with Marker Cell Therapy, Inc. being the surviving corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The name change, reincorporation and Merger were all effective as of October 17, 2018. Beginning as of the market open on October 18, 2018, shares of the Company’s common stock will commence trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the new ticker symbol “MRKR” and will have a new CUSIP number, 57055L 107.

 

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, which was previously filed as Annex A to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on September 14, 2018 (the “Definitive Proxy Statement”), which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

To the extent required by Item 3.02 of Form 8-K, the disclosure in Item 1.01 and Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.02.      Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

On October 17, 2017, effective at the effective time of the Merger, the following TapImmune directors, Glynn Wilson, Mark Reddish, Sherry Grisewood and Joshua Silverman, resigned from the Company’s board of directors, and John Wilson, Juan Vera and David Eansor were appointed to the Company’s board of directors. Accordingly, at and immediately after the effective time of the Merger, the directors serving on the board of directors of the Company are: Peter Hoang, David-Laskow-Pooley, Frederick Wasserman, John Wilson, Juan Vera and David Eansor. Mr. Wasserman was designated as Chairman of the newly constituted board. Along with Mr. Wasserman and Mr. Laskow-Pooley, each of Messrs. Wilson and Eansor were determined to be independent under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2). Dr. Juan Vera is anticipated to serve the Company as our Chief Development Officer, and as such was not considered to be independent.

 

 

 

 

The resignation of directors from the Company’s board of directors was not due to a disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its operations, policies or practices. At the time of their resignation, Ms. Grisewood served on the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (the “Audit Committee”), Mr. Reddish and Ms. Grisewood served on the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors (the “Compensation Committee”), and Mr. Reddish served on the nominating and governance committee of the Company’s board of directors (the “Nominating and Governance Committee”).

 

As a result of, and at the effective time, of the Merger, the board approved changes to its existing committee membership. Messrs. Wasserman, Laskow-Pooley and Eansor were appointed to the Audit Committee. The board determined that each of Messrs. Wasserman, Laskow-Pooley and Eansor satisfied the financial literacy requirements under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(c)(2)(A)(iv) and that Mr. Wasserman is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, replacing Ms. Grisewood. Messrs. Wilson, Laskow-Pooley and Wasserman were appointed to the Compensation Committee with Mr. Laskow-Pooley continuing to serve as the Chair thereof. In accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(d)(2)(A), the board determined that none of Messrs. Wilson, Laskow-Pooley and Wasserman has a relationship to the Company which is material to the director’s ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a Compensation Committee member. Messrs. Wilson and Eansor were appointed to join Mr. Wasserman to serve on the Nominating and Governance Committee with Mr. Wilson designated to serve as the Chair thereof. Information regarding the background of each of the three newly appointed directors is as follows:

 

John Wilson .   Since 1996, Mr. Wilson has been the CEO of Wilson Wolf Manufacturing Corporation, which designs, developments and manufactures products for the field of biotechnology, including cell culture devices and bioreactors. Mr. Wilson is the co-inventor of the G-Rex® cell culture platform, which is used for the large-scale production of T cells. Mr. Wilson has over 30 years of experience in the design, development and manufacture of products for the field of biotechnology, including cell culture devices and bioreactors. Mr. Wilson has obtained over 50 related patents with numerous patents currently pending. Mr. Wilson is a co-founder of Marker, and since 2015, has served as Marker’s CEO. Effective upon consummation of the Merger, Mr. Wilson will resign as an officer of Marker. Mr. Wilson is also a co-founder of ViraCyte, LLC, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing cellular immunotherapies for severe viral infections, and since 2013 has served as its Managing Director. Prior to co-founding Wilson Wolf Manufacturing, Marker and ViraCyte, Mr. Wilson was a principal mechanical engineer at Cellex Biosciences (now The Cell Culture Company) where he contributed to the world’s first commercially available fully-automated hollow fiber bioreactor cell culture system. Mr. Wilson has a BA in Business Administration and a BA in Economics from Hamline University in Minnesota, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.

 

Juan F. Vera, MD .   Dr. Vera was trained as a medical surgeon, and since 2004 has been in different positions at the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy (CAGT) at the Baylor College of Medicine, first as a postdoctoral associate from 2004 to 2008, an instructor from 2009 to 2010, an Assistant Professor from 2011 to 2014 and an Associate Professor from 2015 to present. While at the CAGT, he has worked extensively on developing novel T cell therapies and optimizing manufacturing processes for clinical applications at the CAGT. In collaboration with Wilson Wolf Manufacturing Corporation, he has been instrumental in the design and testing of the G-Rex® cell culture platform and pioneered its use for the large-scale production of T cells. Dr. Vera is also a co-founder of Marker as well as ViraCyte, LLC, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing cellular immunotherapies for severe viral infections. Dr. Vera has extensive expertise in developing and streamlining therapeutic candidates from the research bench to the cGMP facility while ensuring robust production and scalability. Dr. Vera has previously collaborated with Celgene and Bluebird Bio in developing novel CAR T cell therapies. He has also been the recipient of different prestigious awards including the Idea Development Award from the Department of Defense and Mentored Research Scholar Award from the American Cancer Society. Dr. Vera received his MD from the University El Bosque in Bogota, Colombia.

 

David Eansor .   Since April 2015, Mr. Eansor has been Senior Vice President of the Biotech Division of Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH), a leading developer and manufacturer of high quality purified proteins — notably cytokines and growth factors, antibodies, immunoassays, as well as biologically active small molecule compounds. He has P&L responsibility for the largest division of Bio-Techne which includes the R&D Systems, Novus and Tocris brands of assays, proteins, antibodies, small molecules and cell culture products. From 2013 to 2015, Mr. Eansor was Senior Vice President of Novus Biologicals, which was acquired by Bio-Techne in July 2014. Prior to joining Novus Biologicals, Mr. Eansor was the President of the Life Science Research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific from 1996 to 2010, and then was promoted to serve as the President of the Bioscience Division of Thermo Fisher from 2010 to 2013. Mr. Eansor has a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Western Ontario, a Bachelor of Commerce in General Business and Economics, and an MBA from the University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

 

 

 

 

Consistent with the Company’s Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Eansor have each been granted 12,500 stock options under the Company’s 2014 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). Dr. Vera, as an expected employee director, was not granted any options upon his joining the Company’s board of directors.

 

In connection with the Merger, each director has entered into, or will enter into, an indemnification agreement with the Company, dated and effective as of October 17, 2018.

 

Item 5.07. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

On October 16, 2018, the Company held an annual meeting of its stockholders at which the following items were voted on.

 

(1) Approval of the issuance of Company common stock and warrants to purchase common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

 

Votes   Votes        
Cast For   Cast Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes
7,988,599   32,375   88,612   3,031,318

 

(2) Approval of the issuance of Company common stock and warrants to purchase common stock pursuant to the private placement transaction.

 

Votes   Votes        
Cast For   Cast Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes
7,949,832   64,178   95,576   3,031,318

 

(3) Approval of two separate proposals to amend the Company’s articles of incorporation to:

 

(a) increase the number of authorized shares of Company Common Stock from 41,666,667 to 150,000,000; and

 

Votes   Votes        
Cast For   Cast Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes
7,957,520   59,191   123,997   3,031,318

 

(b) change the name of the Company to “Marker Therapeutics, Inc.”

 

Votes   Votes        
Cast For   Cast Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes
7,989,414   22,218   97,954   3,031,318

 

(4) Approval of the issuance of the reincorporation of the Company from a Nevada corporation to a Delaware corporation.

 

Votes   Votes        
Cast For   Cast Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes
7,996,383   21,867   91,336   3,031,318

 

(5) Approval of an increase in the number of authorized shares under the Company’s 2014 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, as amended by 6,616,666 shares from 1,383,334 to 8,000,000 shares.

 

Votes   Votes        
Cast For   Cast Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes
7,919,873   90,666   99,047   3,031,318

 

 

 

 

(6) Approval of the election of Directors.

 

    Votes     Votes        
    Cast For     Withheld     Broker Non-Votes  
Glynn Wilson*     7,985,372       124,164       3,031,318  
Peter Hoang     8,001,975       124,164       3,031,318  
Mark Reddish*     7,930,085       179,451       3,031,318  
Sherry Grisewood*     7,985,539       123,997       3,031,318  
David Laskow-Pooley     7,983,597       125,938       3,031,318  
Frederick Wasserman     7,999,154       109,982       3,031,318  
Joshua Silverman*     7,975,446       134,090       3,031,318  

 

* Although re-elected at the Company’s annual meeting, the following day in connection with the closing of the Merger, the resignation of these directors became effective and three new directors were appointed to fill three of the vacancies. See Item 5.02 above.

 

(7) Approval, on non-binding advisory basis, of the Company’s fiscal 2017 executive compensation.

 

Votes   Votes        
Cast For   Cast Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes
7,939,187   55,270   115,129   3,031,318

 

(8) Ratification of the appointment of Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

 

Votes   Votes    
Cast For   Cast Against   Abstentions
10,982,648   31,092   127,164

 

(9) Approval of the proposal to adjourn the 2018 Annual Meeting, if necessary, if a quorum is present, to solicit additional proxies, in the event that there are not sufficient votes at the time of the 2018 Annual Meeting to approve items 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4 or 5 above.

 

Votes   Votes    
Cast For   Cast Against   Abstentions
10,653,632   135,639   119,424

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

 

Amendment to 2014 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan

 

An Amendment to the Company’s 2014 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, as amended (the “Amendment”) was approved by the Company’s stockholders at the annual meeting. The Amendment increased the shares authorized to be issued thereunder from 1,383,334 by 6,616,666 shares to a total of 8,000,000 shares. The foregoing description of the Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amendment filed as Exhibit 4.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Press Release

 

On October 17, 2018, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of the Merger and the Financing, the name change of the Company and the new trading symbol. The press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and the contents of the press release are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a) Financial statements of businesses acquired.

 

The financial statements required by this Item 9.01(a) will be filed by amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K not later than 71 calendar days after the date on which this Current Report on Form 8-K is required to be filed.

 

 

 

 

(b) Pro forma financial information.

 

The pro forma financial information required by this Item 9.01(b) will be filed by amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K not later than 71 calendar days after the date on which this Current Report on Form 8-K is required to be filed.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Number   Description
2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of May 15, 2018 (incorporated by reference as Annex A to the Definitive Proxy Statement filed on September 14, 2018).
     
3.1   Certificate of Amendment filed in Nevada to increase authorized shares and name change.
     
3.2   Articles of Conversion (Nevada).
     
3.3   Certificate of Conversion (Delaware).
     
3.4   Certificate of Incorporation (Delaware).
     
3.5   Certificate of Merger (Delaware).
     
3.6   Bylaws of Marker Therapeutics, Inc.
     
4.1   Voting and Lock-Up Agreement between Marker Therapeutics, Inc. and TapImmune stockholders party thereto (incorporated by reference as Annex D-1 to the Definitive Proxy Statement filed on September 14, 2018).
     
4.2   Voting and Lock-Up Agreement between TapImmune Inc. and Marker stockholders party thereto (incorporated by reference as Annex D-2 to the Definitive Proxy Statement filed on September 14, 2018).
     
4.3   2014 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, as amended through August 29, 2017 (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 4.1 to the Form S-8 Registration Statement (No. 333-223900) filed on March 3, 2018
     
4.4   Amendment to the 2014 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, as amended through August 29, 2017.
     
10.1   Form of Securities Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2018).
     
10.2   Form of Registration Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference as Annex E to the Definitive Proxy Statement filed on September 14, 2018).
     
10.3   Board Observer and Director Nomination Agreement with New Enterprise Associates, Inc.
     
99.1   Press Release dated October 17, 2018.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

Date:  October 17, 2018 By: /s/Michael Loiacono
  Name: Michael Loiacono
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation

For Nevada Profit Corporations

(Pursuant to NRS 78.385 and 78.390 – After Issuance of Stock)

 

1. Name of corporation:

 

TapImmune Inc.

 

2. The articles have been amended as follows: (provide article numbers, if available)

 

1 The name of the Corporation is hereby amended to “Marker Therapeutics, Inc.”

 

3: The number of authorized shares is 150,000,000 shares of common stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the terms of which are to be determined at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors), each class with a par value of $0.001.

 

3.           The vote by which the stockholders holding shares in the corporation entitling them to exercise at least a majority of the voting power or such greater proportion of the voting power as may be required in the case of a vote by classes or series, or as may be required by the provisions of the articles of incorporation* have voted in favor of the amendment is 7,957,520

 

4. Effective date and time of filing: (optional)   Date: 10/17/2018           Time: 0:01 am
  (must not be later than 90 days after the certificate if filed)

 

5. Signature: (required)

 

/s/Peter Hoang  
Signature of Officer

 

*If any proposed amendment would alter or change any preference or any relative or other right given to any class or series of outstanding shares, then the amendment must be approved by the vote, in addition to the affirmative vote otherwise required, of the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of each class or series affected by the amendment regardless to limitations or restrictions on the voting power thereof.

 

IMPORTANT: Failure to include any of the above information and submit with the proper fees may cause this filing to be rejected.

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

BARBARA K. CEGAVSKE

Secretary of State

202 North Carson Street
Carson City, Nevada 89701-4201
(775) 684-5708

Website: www.nvsos.gov

 

Articles of Conversion

(PURSUANT TO NRS 92A.205)

Page 1

 

 

USE BLACK INK ONLY - DO NOT HIGHLIGHT ABOVE SPACE IS FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

 

PLEASE NOTE: The charter document for the resulting entity must be submitted/filed simultaneously with the articles of conversion.

 

Articles of Conversion

(Pursuant to NRS 92A.205)

 

1. Name and jurisdiction of organization of constituent entity and resulting entity:

 

Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

Name of constituent entity

 

 

Nevada

Jurisdiction

Corporation

Entity type

 

and,

 

Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

Name of resulting entity

 

 

Delaware

Jurisdiction

Corporation

Entity type *

 

2. A plan of conversion has been adopted by the constituent entity in compliance with the law of the jurisdiction governing the constituent entity.

 

3. Location of plan of conversion: (check one)

 

x     The entire plan of conversion is attached to these articles.

 

¨     The complete executed plan of conversion is on file at the registered office or principal place of business of the resulting entity.

 

¨     The complete executed plan of conversion for the resulting domestic limited partnership is on file at the records office required by NRS 88.330.

 

* corporation, limited partnership, limited-liability limited partnership, limited-liability company or business trust .

 

This form must be accompanied by appropriate fees. Nevada Secretary of State 92A Conversion Page 1
  Revised: 1-5-15

 

 

 

 

BARBARA K. CEGAVSKE

Secretary of State

202 North Carson Street

Carson City, Nevada 89701-4201

(775) 684-5708

Website: www.nvsos.gov

 

Articles of Conversion

(PURSUANT TO NRS 92A.205)

Page 2

 

 

USE BLACK INK ONLY - DO NOT HIGHLIGHT ABOVE SPACE IS FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

 

4. Forwarding address where copies of process may be sent by the Secretary of State of Nevada (if a foreign entity Is the resulting entity In the conversion):

 

Attn: Peter Hoang, Chief Executive Officer

 

c/o: Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

5 West Forsyth Street, Suite 200

Jacksonville, FL 32202

 

5. Effective date and time of filing: (optional) (must not be later than 90 days after the certificate is filed)

 

Date:                 10/17/2018                                  Time:                  0:05 am

 

6. Signatures - must be signed by:

 

1.  If constituent entity is a Nevada entity: an officer of each Nevada corporation; all general partners of each Nevada limited partnership or limited-liability limited partnership; a manager of each Nevada limited-liability company with managers or one member if there are no managers; a trustee of each Nevada business trust a managing partner of a Nevada limited-liability partnership (a.k.a. general partnership governed by NRS chapter 87).

 

2.  If constituent entity is a foreign entity: must be signed by the constituent entity in the manner provided by the law governing it.

 

  Marker Therapeutics, Inc.
  Name of constituent entity

 

/s/ Peter Hoang   Chief Executive Officer   10/16/2018
Signature   Title   Date

 

·   Pursuant to NRS 92A.205(4) if the conversion takes effect on a later date specified in the articles of conversion pursuant to NRS 92A.240, the constituent document filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to paragraph (b) subsection 1 must state the name and the jurisdiction of the constituent entity and that the existence of the resulting entity does not begin until the later date. This statement must be Included within the resulting entity's articles.

 

FILING FEE: $350.00

 

IMPORTANT: Failure to include any of the above Information and submit with the proper fees may cause this filing to be rejected.

 

This form must be accompanied by appropriate fees. Nevada Secretary of State 92A Conversion Page 2
  Revised: 1-5-15

 

 

 

 

Annex A

 

PLAN OF CONVERSION

OF

MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC., A NEVADA CORPORATION

INTO

MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION

 

This Plan of Conversion (this "Plan of Conversion"), dated as of October 17, 2018, provides for the conversion of Marker Therapeutics, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Converting Corporation"), into Marker Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Converted Corporation"), pursuant to Section 92A.120 and 92A.250 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, as amended (the "NRS"), and Section 265 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL").

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Converting Corporation and Marker Cell Therapy, Inc., a Delaware corporation formerly known as Marker Therapeutics, Inc. ("MCT") entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated May 15, 2018 (the "Merger Agreement"; capitalized terms used but not defined in this Plan of Conversion shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement), pursuant to which (and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Converting Corporation will be merged with and into MCT, with MCT continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Converting Corporation;

 

WHEREAS, it is a condition to the closing of the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement that the Converting Corporation has effected the Conversion (as hereinafter defined);

 

WHEREAS, the Converting Corporation intends for (i) the Conversion (as defined below) to be treated as a "reorganization" under Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code, and (ii) this Plan of Conversion to constitute a "plan of reorganization" within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-2(g);

 

WHEREAS, the Conversion and the form, terms and provisions of this Plan of Conversion have been authorized, approved and adopted by the Board of Directors of the Converting Corporation;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Converting Corporation has submitted this Plan of Conversion to the stockholders of the Converting Corporation for approval; and

 

WHEREAS, this Plan has been authorized, approved and adopted by the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stockholders of the Converting Corporation.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Converting Corporation hereby adopts this Plan as follows:

 

1.           Conversion; and Continuing Existence. Immediately prior to the Effective Time on the Closing Date, in accordance with this Plan of Conversion, the DGCL and the NRS, the Converting Corporation shall convert into a Delaware corporation, with the Converted Corporation as the resulting corporation (the "Conversion"), and the existence of the Converting Corporation shall continue in the organizational form of the Converted Corporation. The Converted Corporation shall be incorporated, formed and organized as a Delaware corporation pursuant to the DGCL. Notwithstanding Section 106 of the DGCL, the existence of the Converted Corporation shall be deemed to have commenced on the date the Converting Corporation commenced its existence in the State of Nevada.

 

2.           Conditions. The Conversion is conditioned upon this Plan of Conversion being approved by the stockholders of the Converting Corporation in accordance with the requirements of the NRS and DGCL which approval has been obtained.

 

 

 

 

3.           Filings. Upon the terms and subject to the provisions of this Plan of Conversion, immediately prior to the Effective Time on the Closing Date, the Converting Corporation shall cause the Conversion to be consummated by:

 

a.    executing and filing (or causing the execution and filing of) Articles of Conversion pursuant to Sections 92A.205 and 92A.250 of the NRS, substantially in the form of exhibit A hereto (the "Articles of Conversion") with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada;

 

b.    executing and filing (or causing the execution and filing of) a Certificate of Conversion pursuant to Sections 103 and 265 of the DGCL, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto (the "Certificate of Conversion") with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; and

 

c.    executing and filing (or causing the execution and tiling of) a Certificate of incorporation of the Converted Corporation, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto (the "Certificate of Incorporation") with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 

4.           Conversion Effective Time. The Conversion shall become effective at the later of the time the Articles of Conversion, Certificate of Conversion and Certificate of Incorporation are duly filed or at such later date and time as MCT and the Converting Corporation shall agree in writing and shall specify in the Certificate of Conversion and the Articles of Conversion (the time the Conversion becomes effective being the "Conversion Effective Time").

 

5.           Effect of the Conversion. The Conversion shall have the effects set forth in this Plan of Conversion, the Merger Agreement and in the relevant provisions of the DGCL and NRS. Pursuant to Section 265(f) of the DGCL, upon the Conversion Effective Time the Converted Corporation shall for all purposes of the law of the State of Delaware be deemed to be the same entity as the Converting Corporation. Upon the Conversion Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion, for all purposes of the laws of the State of Delaware, all of the rights, privileges and powers of the Converting Corporation, all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to the Converting Corporation, as well as all other things and causes of action belonging to the Converting Corporation existing immediately prior to the Conversion Effective Time, shall remain vested in the Converted Corporation and shall be the property of the Converted Corporation and the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in the Converting Corporation existing immediately prior to the Conversion Effective Time shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the Conversion, but shall vest in the Converted Corporation. Upon the Conversion Effective Time, all rights of creditors and all liens upon the property of the Converting Corporation shall be preserved unimpaired, limited to the property affected by such liens at the time of the Conversion becoming effective, and all debts, contracts, liabilities, obligations and duties of the Converting Corporation shall thenceforth attach to the Converted Corporation and may be enforced against it to the same extent as they had been incurred or contracted by it.

 

6.           Conversion of Capital Stock. At the Conversion Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any action on the part of the Converting Corporation, Converted Corporation, the holders or any shares of capital stock of the Converting Corporation or any other person:

 

a.    Each share of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Converting Corporation ("Converting Corporation Common Stock") issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Conversion Effective Time shall thereupon be converted into and become one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Converted Corporation ("Converted Corporation Common Stock"). As of the Conversion Effective Time, all such shares of Converting Corporation Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and shall thereafter only represent shares of Converted Corporation Common Stock.

 

b.    Each option to acquire shares of Converting Corporation Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Conversion Effective Time shall thereupon be converted into and become an equivalent option to acquire the same number of shares of Converted Corporation Common Stock, upon the same terms and conditions (including the vesting schedule and exercise price per share applicable to each such option) as were in effect immediately prior to the Conversion Effective Time.

 

 

 

 

c.    Each warrant or other right to acquire shares of Converting Corporation Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Conversion Effective Time shall thereupon be converted into and become an equivalent warrant or other right to acquire the same number of shares of Converted Corporation Common Stock, upon the same terms and conditions (including the vesting schedule and exercise price per share applicable to each such warrant or other right) as were in effect immediately prior to the Conversion Effective Time.

 

There are no shares of Preferred Stock of the Converting Corporation issued and outstanding.

 

7.           Stock Certificates. From and after the Conversion Effective Time, all of the outstanding certificates that prior to that time represented shares of the Converting Corporation Common Stock shall be deemed for all purposes to evidence ownership of and to represent shares of Converted Corporation Common Stock. The registered owner on the books and records of the Converted Corporation or its transfer agent of any such outstanding stock certificate shall, until such certificate shall have been surrendered for transfer or conversion or otherwise accounted for to the Converted Corporation or its transfer agent, have and be entitled to exercise any voting and other rights with respect to and to receive any dividend and other distributions upon the shares of the Converted Corporation evidenced by such outstanding certificate as provided above.

 

8.           Effect on employee Benefit, Equity Incentive or Other Similar Plans. Upon the Conversion Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Corporation or its stockholders, each employee benefit plan, equity incentive plan or other similar plan to which the Converting Corporation is a party shall continue to be a plan of the Converted Corporation. To the extent that any such plan provides for the issuance of Converting Corporation Common Stock, upon the Conversion Effective Time, such plan shall be deemed to provide for the issuance of Converted Corporation Common Stock.

 

9.           Bylaws. At the Conversion Effective Time, the bylaws of the Converted Corporation shall be as set forth on Exhibit D hereto and shall be the bylaws of the Converted Corporation until thereafter amended in accordance with its terms, the certificate of incorporation of the Converted Corporation and as provided by applicable law.

 

10.          Directors and Officers. The directors and officers of the Converting Corporation immediately prior to the Conversion Effective Time shall be the directors and officers of the Converted Corporation until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified.

 

11.          Governing Law. This Plan of Conversion shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and, so far as applicable, the conversion provisions of the NRS.

 

12.          Copy of Plan of Conversion. After the Conversion, a copy of this Plan of Conversion will be kept on file at the offices of the Converted Corporation, and any stockholder of the Converted Corporation (or former stockholder of the Converting Corporation) may request a copy of this Plan of Conversion at no charge at any time.

 

13.          Abandonment. At any time before the Conversion Effective Time, this Plan of Conversion may be terminated and the Conversion may be abandoned for any reason whatsoever by the Board of Directors of the Converting Corporation (with the prior written consent of MCT), notwithstanding the approval of this Plan of Conversion by the stockholders of the Converting Corporation. In the event of termination of this Plan of Conversion, this Plan of Conversion shall become void and of no further r force or effect.

 

14.         Amendment. The Board of Directors of the Converting Corporation (with the prior written consent of MCT) may amend this Plan of Conversion at any time prior to the filing of a Certificate of Conversion with the Delaware Secretary of State or the Articles of Conversion with the Nevada Secretary of State.

 

15.          Tax Treatment. The Converting Corporation intends for (i) the Conversion (as defined below) to be treated as a "reorganization" under Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code, and (ii) this Plan of Conversion to constitute a "plan of reorganization" within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-2(g).

 

 

 

 

16.          Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Plan of Conversion shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than as expressly provided herein.

 

17.          Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Plan will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Plan is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Plan.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby causes this Plan of Conversion to be duly executed as of the date hereof .

 

  MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC., a Nevada corporation

 

  By: /s/Peter L. Hoang
  Name: Peter L. Hoang
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A to Plan of Conversion

 

Form of Articles of Conversion (Nevada)

 

 

 

 

BARBARA K. CEGAVSKE

Secretary of State

202 North Carson Street
Carson City, Nevada 89701-4201
(775) 684-5708

Website: www.nvsos.gov

 

Articles of Conversion

(PURSUANT TO NRS 92A.205)

Page 1

 

 

USE BLACK INK ONLY - DO NOT HIGHLIGHT ABOVE SPACE IS FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

 

PLEASE NOTE: The charter document for the resulting entity must be submitted/filed simultaneously with the articles of conversion.

 

Articles of Conversion

(Pursuant to NRS 92A.205)

 

1. Name and jurisdiction of organization of constituent entity and resulting entity:

 

Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

Name of constituent entity

 

 

Nevada

Jurisdiction

Corporation

Entity type *

 

and,

 

Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

Name of resulting entity

 

 

Delaware

Jurisdiction

Corporation

Entity type

 

2. A plan of conversion has been adopted by the constituent entity in compliance with the law of the jurisdiction governing the constituent entity.

 

3. Location of plan of conversion: (check one)

 

x     The entire plan of conversion is attached to these articles.

 

¨     The complete executed plan of conversion is on file at the registered office or principal place of business of the resulting entity.

 

¨     The complete executed plan of conversion for the resulting domestic limited partnership Is on file at the records office required by NRS 88.330.

 

* corporation, limited partnership, limited-liability limited partnership, limited-liability company or business trust .

 

This form must be accompanied by appropriate fees. Nevada Secretary of State 92A Conversion Page 1
  Revised: 1-5-15

 

 

 

 

BARBARA K. CEGAVSKE

Secretary of State

202 North Carson Street

Carson City, Nevada 89701-4201

(775) 684-5708

Website: www.nvsos.gov

 

Articles of Conversion

(PURSUANT TO NRS 92A.205)

Page 2

 

 

USE BLACK INK ONLY - DO NOT HIGHLIGHT ABOVE SPACE IS FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

 

4. Forwarding address where copies of process may be sent by the Secretary of State of Nevada (if a foreign entity is the resulting entity in the conversion):

 

Attn: Peter Hoang, Chief Executive Officer

 

c/o: Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

5 West Forsyth Street, Suite 200

Jacksonville, FL 32202

 

5. Effective date and time of filing: (optional) (must not be later than 90 days after the certificate is filed)

 

Date:                 10/17/2018                                  Time:                  0:05 am

 

6. Signatures - must be signed by:

 

1.  If constituent entity is a Nevada entity: an officer of each Nevada corporation; all general partners of each Nevada limited partnership or limited-liability limited partnership; a manager of each Nevada limited-liability company with managers or one member if there are no managers; a trustee of each Nevada business trust; a managing partner of a Nevada limited-liability partnership (a.k.a. general partnership governed by NRS chapter 87).

 

2.  If constituent entity is a foreign entity: must be signed by the constituent entity in the manner provided by the law governing it.

 

  Marker Therapeutics, Inc.
  Name of constituent entity

 

  Chief Executive Officer   10/16/2018
Signature   Title   Date

 

·   Pursuant to NRS 92A.205(4) if the conversion takes effect on a later date specified in the articles of conversion pursuant to NRS 92A.240, the constituent document filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to paragraph (b) subsection 1 must state the name and the jurisdiction of the constituent entity and that the existence of the resulting entity does not begin until the later date. This statement must be included within the resulting entity's articles.

 

FILING FEE: $350.00

 

IMPORTANT: Failure to include any of the above information and submit with the proper fees may cause this filing to be rejected.

 

This form must be accompanied by appropriate fees. Nevada Secretary of State 92A Conversion Page 2
  Revised: 1-5-15

 

 

 

 

Exhibit B to Plan of Conversion

 

Form of Certificate of Conversion (Delaware)

 

 

 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION

FROM A NON-DELAWARE CORPORATION

TO A DELAWARE CORPORATION

PURSUANT TO SECTION 265 OF THE

DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

 

FIRST : The jurisdiction where the Non-Delaware Corporation first formed is Nevada.

 

SECOND: The jurisdiction immediately prior to filing this Certificate is Nevada.

 

THIRD: The date the Non-Delaware Corporation first formed is October 22, 1991.

 

FOURTH: The name of the Non-Delaware Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate is Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

 

FIFTH : The name of the Corporation as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation is Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

 

SIXTH: The effective date and time of this Certificate shall be October 17, 2018 at 3:05 a.m. EDT.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned being duly authorized to sign on behalf of the converting Non-Delaware Corporation has executed this Certificate on the 16th day of October, 2018.

 

  MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC.,
  a Nevada corporation

 

  By:  
    Name: Peter L. Hoang
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

Exhibit C to Plan of Conversion

 

Form of Certificate of Incorporation

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

The undersigned, a natural person (the “Incorporator”), for the purpose of organizing a corporation to conduct the business and promote the purposes hereinafter stated, under the provisions and subject to the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware hereby certifies that:

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of the Corporation is “Marker Therapeutics, Inc.” (hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

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

 

ARTICLE III

 

The nature of the business or purposes for which the Corporation is organized is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).

 

ARTICLE IV

 

A.            Authorization of Stock . The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares that the Corporation is authorized to issue is One Hundred Fifty Five Million (155,000,000) shares, consisting of (i) One Hundred Fifty Million (150,000,000) shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, and (ii) Five Million (5,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share.

 

B.            Common Stock . The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to and imposed on the Common Stock are as set forth below in this Article IV(B).

1.           General . The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Common Stock are subject to and qualified by the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock of any series as may be designated by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) upon any issuance of the Preferred Stock of any series.

 

 

 

 

2.           Voting Rights . The holder of each share of Common Stock shall have the right to one vote for each such share, and shall be entitled to notice of any stockholders’ meeting in accordance with the Bylaws of the Corporation, and shall be entitled to vote upon such matters and in such manner as may be provided by law; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation or pursuant to the DGCL. The number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

 

3.           Dividends . Subject to the prior rights of holders of all classes of stock at the time outstanding having prior rights as to dividends, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of any assets of the Corporation legally available therefor, any dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

4.           Liquidation . The holders of the Common Stock will be entitled to share ratably, on the basis of the number of shares of Common Stock then held by each such holder, in all distributions to the holders of the Common Stock in any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

 

5.           Redemption . The Common Stock is not redeemable at the option of the holder.

 

C.            Preferred Stock . The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issue of all or any of the shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designation, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other rights and such qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such shares and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series shall be decreased in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation, in furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, repeal, alter, amend and rescind any or all of the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

The number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be determined in the manner set forth in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

Article vii

 

The directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation so provide.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

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

 

ARTICLE IX

 

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

 

Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article X shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director, officer, employee, agent or other person existing at the time of, or increase the liability of any such person with respect to any acts or omissions of such person occurring prior to, such amendment, repeal or modification.

 

 

 

 

The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or was servicing at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity, against any liability asserted against the person and incurred by the person in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power or the obligation to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article X or the DGCL.

 

ARTICLE X

 

To the fullest extent provided by law, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If the DGCL is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article XI to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as so amended.

 

Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article XI shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of, or increase the liability of any director of the Corporation with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to, such amendment, repeal or modification.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation; (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by, or any other wrongdoing by, any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders; (3) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation; (4) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, or (5) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XII.

 

If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of this Article XII is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce this Article XII (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

 

 

 

 

If any provision or provisions of this Article XII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article XII (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article XII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

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

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

The name and the mailing address of the Incorporator are as follows:

 

Name   Mailing Address
     
Peter Hoang  

Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

5 West Forsyth Street, Suite 200

Jacksonville, FL 32202

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

The effective date and time of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be October 17, 2018 at 3:05 a.m. EDT.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

 

 

 

I, the undersigned, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the DGCL, do make, file and record this Certificate of Incorporation, hereby acknowledging, declaring and certifying that this Certificate of Incorporation is my act and deed and that the facts herein stated are true, and have accordingly hereunto set my hand this 16th day of October, 2018.

 

   
Peter Hoang
Incorporator

 

 

 

 

Exhibit D to Plan of Conversion

 

Form of Bylaws

 

 

 

 

BYLAWS

OF

MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

(A Delaware Corporation)

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I OFFICES 4
     
1.1 Registered Office 4
     
1.2 Offices 4
     
ARTICLE II STOCKHOLDERS AND MEETING THEREOF 4
     
2.1 Place of Meetings 4
     
2.2 Annual Meetings . 4
     
2.3 Special Meetings 4
     
2.4   Notice of Meeting 4
     
2.5 Fixing a Record Date 4
     
2.6 Stockholders’ Records 5
     
2.7 Business Transacted at Special Meeting 5
     
2.8 Quorum; Meeting Adjournment; Presence by Remote Means 5
     
2.9 Voting 5
     
2.10 Number of Votes Per Share 5
     
2.11 Action by Written Consent of Stockholders 6
     
2.12 Nominations and Proposals of Business 6
     
2.13 Postponement and Cancellation of Meeting 10
     
ARTICLE III DIRECTORS 10
     
3.1 Board Authority 10
     
3.2 Number of Directors 10
     
3.3 Election of Directors 10
     
3.4 Removal or Resignation of Directors 10
     
3.5 Vacancies 10
     
3.6 Place of Meetings 10
     
3.7 Telephonic Meetings 11
     
3.8 Regular Meetings 11
     
3.9 Special Meetings 11
     
3.10 Quorum 11
     
3.11 Action Without a Meeting 11
     
3.12 Committees 11
     
3.13 Minutes of Committee Meetings 12
     
3.14 Compensation of Directors 12
     
ARTICLE IV NOTICES 12
     
4.1 Notice 12
     
4.2 Waiver of Notice 12
     
4.3 Electronic Notice 12
     
ARTICLE V OFFICERS 13
     
5.1 Required and Permitted Officers 13

 

  2  

 

 

5.2 Appointment of Required Officers 13
     
5.3 Appointment of Permitted Officers 13
     
5.4 Officer Compensation 13
     
5.5 Removal; Resignation; Vacancies 13
     
5.6 President 13
     
5.7 Vice President 13
     
5.8 Secretary and Assistant Secretary 13
     
5.9 Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer 14
     
5.10 Delegation of Authority 14
     
ARTICLE VI CERTIFICATE OF STOCK 14
     
6.1 Stock Certificates 14
     
6.2 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates 14
     
6.3 Transfer of Stock 14
     
6.4 Registered Stockholders 14
     
ARTICLE VII GENERAL PROVISIONS 15
     
7.1   Dividends 15
     
7.2 Reserve for Dividends 15
     
7.3 Checks 15
     
7.4 Fiscal Year 15
     
7.5 Corporate Seal 15
     
7.6 Inconsistencies 15
     
7.7 Severability 15
     
ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION 15
   
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS 16
   
ARTICLE X LOANS TO OFFICERS 16
   
ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS 17

 

  3  

 

 

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

 

1.1            Registered Office . The registered office of Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware shall be established and maintained at the office of The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, County of New Castle, and The Corporation Trust Company shall be the registered agent of the Corporation in charge thereof.

 

1.2            Offices . The Corporation shall also have and maintain an office or principal place of business at such place as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, and may also have 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

STOCKHOLDERS AND MEETINGS THEREOF

 

2.1            Place of Meetings . Meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211 of the Delaware General Corporations Law (“DGCL”).

 

2.2            Annual Meetings . Annual meetings of stockholders shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which they shall elect a Board of Directors by a plurality vote, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

 

2.3            Special Meetings . Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), may be called by (i) the Chairman of the Board of Directors; (ii) the Chief Executive Officer; or (iii) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of Directors for adoption).

 

2.4            Notice of Meeting . Written notice of any stockholder meeting stating the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting), the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not fewer than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting.

 

2.5            Fixing a 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 to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, 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 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.

 

  4  

 

 

2.6            Stockholders’ Records . The officer who has 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 the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address (but not the electronic address or other electronic contact information) of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

 

2.7            Business Transacted at Special Meeting . Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.

 

2.8            Quorum; Meeting Adjournment; Presence by Remote Means .

 

(a)           Quorum; Meeting Adjournment . The holders of one-third of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. 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.

 

(b)           Presence by Remote Means . If authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:

 

(1)         participate in a meeting of stockholders; and

 

(2)         be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (i) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxyholder, (ii) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (iii) if any stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

 

2.9            Voting . When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting other than the election of directors, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the statutes, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. All elections of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast.

 

2.10          Number of Votes Per Share . Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote by such stockholder or by proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted on after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

 

  5  

 

 

2.11          Action by Written Consent of Stockholders.

 

(a)           Action by Written Consent of Stockholders. Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken, is signed in a manner permitted by law by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the 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. Written stockholder consents shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent in the manner permitted by law and shall be delivered to the Corporation as provided in subsection (b) below. No written consent shall be effective to take the action set forth therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the Corporation in the manner provided above, written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take the action set forth therein are delivered to the Corporation in the manner provided above.

 

(b)           Electronic Consent . An electronic transmission consenting to an action to be taken and transmitted by a stockholder or proxyholder, or a person or persons authorized to act for a stockholder or proxyholder, shall be deemed to be written, signed and dated for the purposes of this section, provided that any such electronic transmission sets forth or is delivered with information from which the Corporation can determine (1) that the electronic transmission was transmitted by the stockholder or proxyholder or by a person or persons authorized to act for the stockholder or proxyholder and (2) the date on which such stockholder or proxyholder or authorized person or persons transmitted such electronic transmission. The date on which such electronic transmission is transmitted shall be deemed to be the date on which such consent was signed. No consent given by electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been delivered until such consent is reproduced in paper form and until such paper form is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a corporation’s registered office shall be made by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations on delivery, consents given by electronic transmission may be otherwise delivered to the principal place of business of the Corporation or to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded if, to the extent and in the manner provided by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

(c)           Notice of Action . Prompt notice of any action taken pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be provided to the stockholders in accordance with Section 228(e) of the DGCL.

 

2.12          Nominations and Proposals of Business .

 

(a)          Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and proposals for other business to be transaction by the stockholders at an annual meeting of stockholders may be made (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice with respect to such meeting (or any supplement thereto), (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or (iii) by any stockholder of record of the Corporation who (A) was a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice contemplated in Section 2.12(b), (B) is entitled to vote at such meeting and (C) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.12. Subject to Section 1.2(i) and except as otherwise required by law, clause (iii) of this Section 2.12(a)shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or propose other business (other than nominations and proposals properly brought pursuant to applicable provisions of federal law, including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended from time to time, he “Act”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder) before an annual meeting of stockholders.

 

(b)          Except as otherwise required by law, for nominations or proposals to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 2.12(a), (i) the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation with the information contemplated by Section 2.12(c) including, where applicable, delivery to the Corporation of timely and completed questionnaires as contemplated by Section 2.12(c), and (ii) the business must be a proper matter for stockholder action under the DGCL. The notice requirements of this Section 2.12 shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder with respect to business other than a nomination if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his, her or its intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Act and such stockholder’s proposal has been included in a proxy statement prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting.

 

  6  

 

 

(c)          To be timely for purposes of Section 2.12(b), a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation on a date (i) not later than the close of business on the 90 th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120 th day prior to the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting or (ii) if there was no annual meeting in the prior year or if the date of the current year’s annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting, not earlier than the close of business on the 120 th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the 90 th day prior to such annual meeting or (y) 10 days after the day on which the date of the current year’s annual meeting is first disclosed in a public announcement. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the delivery of such notice.

 

Such notice form a stockholder must state (i) as to each nominee that the stockholder proposed for election or reelection as a director: (A) All information relating to such nominee that would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of such nominee as a director pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Act, including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and serving as a director if elected, and (B) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary arrangements, agreements or understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationship, if any, between or concerning such stockholder, and Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below) or any of their respective affiliates or associates, on the one hand, and the proposed nominee or any of his or her affiliates or associates, on the other hand; (ii) as to each proposal that the stockholder seeks to bring before the meeting, a brief description of such proposal, the reasons for making the proposal at the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment) and any material interest that the stockholder has in the proposal; and (iii) (A) the name and address of the stockholder giving the notice and the Stockholder Associated Persons, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, (B) the class (and, if applicable, series) and number of shares of stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially or of record by the stockholder, (C) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class (or, if applicable, series) of shares of stock of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class (or, if applicable, series) of shares of stock of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise (each a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of stock of the Corporation of the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, (D) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person has a right to vote any securities of the Corporation, (E) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is a general partner or beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, an interest in a general partner, (F) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of the shares of stock of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, (G) any other information relating to such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in an election contest pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, (H) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, (I) a certificate as to whether or not the stockholder and all Stockholder Associated Persons have complied with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements in connection with the stockholder’s and each Stockholder Associated Person’s acquisitions of shares of capital stock or other securities of the Corporation and the stockholder’s and each Stockholder Associated Person’s acts or omissions as a stockholder (or beneficial owner of securities ) of the Corporation, and (J) whether either the stockholder intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of a proposal, at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders of the Corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder to be sufficient to elect such nominee or nominees or otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination.

 

  7  

 

 

For purposes of these bylaws, a “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder means (i) any “affiliate” or “associate” (as those terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Act) of such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of any capital stock or other securities of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder, (iii) any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with any such Stockholder Associated Person referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above, and (iv) any person acting in concert in respect of any matter involving the Corporation or its securities with either such stockholder or any beneficial owner of any capital stock or other securities of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder.

 

In addition, in order for a nomination to be property brought before an annual or special meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 2.12(a), subject to Section 2.12(i), any nominee proposed by a stockholder shall complete a questionnaire in a form provided by the Corporation, and deliver a signed copy of such completed questionnaire to the Corporation within 10 days of the date that the Corporation makes available to the stockholder seeking to make such nomination or such nominee the form of such questionnaire and shall deliver a written and signed statement that such person (i) is not and will not become a party to (A) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or questions (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or (B) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (ii) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with the service or action as a director of the Corporation that has not been disclosed in the notice required by this Section 2.12, and (iii) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person, entity or group on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed codes of ethics and conduct, corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of the nominee. The information required to be included in a notice pursuant to this Section 2.12(c) shall be provided as of the date of such notice and shall be supplemented by the stockholder not later than 10 days after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting to disclose any changes to such information as of the record date. If any of the facts set forth in any notice provided pursuant to this Section 2.12(c) change between the date that such notice is sent and the date of the annual meeting to which such notice pertains, the stockholder must deliver to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, by the earlier of (i) the close of business on the date that is five days after the event giving rise to such change, or (ii) the commencement of such annual meeting, a supplemental notice providing such revised information. The information required to be included in a notice pursuant to this Section 2.12(c) shall not include any ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is directed to prepare and submit the notice required by this Section 2.12(c) on behalf of a beneficial owner of the shares held of record by such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who is not otherwise affiliated or associate with such beneficial owner. For purposed of these bylaws, “beneficial ownership” shall be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgate under the Act.

 

  8  

 

 

(d)          Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, Section 2.12(c) and applicable law, only persons nominated in accordance with procedures stated in this Section 2.12 shall be eligible for election as and to serve as members of the Board of Directors and the only business that shall be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders is the business that has been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.12. The chairman of the meting shall have the power and the duty to determine whether a nomination or any proposal has been made according to the procedure stated in this Section 2.12 and, if any nomination or proposal does not comply with this Section 2.12, unless otherwise required by law, the nomination or proposal shall be disregarded.

 

(e)          For purposes of this Section 2.12, “public announcement” means disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable news service or in a document publicly filed or furnished by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Act.

 

(f)          Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12, a stockholder shall also comply with applicable requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth in this Section 2.12. Nothing in this Section 2.12 shall affect any rights, if any, of stockholders to request inclusion of nominations or proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to applicable provisions of federal law, including the Act.

 

(g)          Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business or does not provide the information required by Section 2.12(c), including any required supplement thereto, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 2.12, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

 

(h)          Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or (2) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 2.12 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.12. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice required by Section 2.12(b) shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120ths day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the 90 th day prior to such meeting or (y) the 10 th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

  9  

 

 

(i)          All provisions of this Section 2.12 are subject to, and nothing in this Section 2.12 shall in any way limit the exercise, or the method or timing of the exercise of, the rights of any person granted by the Corporation to nominate directors.

 

2.13          Postponement and Cancellation of Meeting. Any previously scheduled annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be postponed, and any previously scheduled annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be canceled, by resolution of the Board of Directors upon public notice given prior to the time previously scheduled for such meeting.

 

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

 

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

 

3.2            Number of Directors . The number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors, provided that the Board of Directors shall consist of at least one (1) member. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.

 

3.3            Election of Directors . Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders. Each director shall serve until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders.

 

3.4            Removal or Resignation of Directors . Unless otherwise provided by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. However, whenever a director has been elected by a voting group of stockholders, only the stockholders from that voting group may participate in the vote to remove him or her, and such vacancy may be filled only by the stockholders of that voting group. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice, including by electronic transmission, to the Corporation.

 

3.5            Vacancies . Unless otherwise provided by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election and until their successors are duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced. If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute. If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship, the directors then in office shall constitute less than a majority of the whole Board of Directors (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least ten percent (10%) of the total number of the shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace the directors chosen by the directors then in office.

 

3.6            Place of Meetings . The Board of Directors of the Corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware.

 

  10  

 

 

3.7            Telephonic Meetings . Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, members of the Board of Directors or any committee designated by the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee, by means of conference telephone or other means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

3.8            Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

3.9            Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer upon notice to each director; special meetings shall be called by the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer in like manner and on like notice on the written request of two (2) directors unless the Board of Directors consists of only one director, in which case special meetings shall be called by the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer in like manner and on like notice on the written request of the sole director. Notice of any special meeting shall be given to each director at his or her business or residence in writing by mail or delivered personally by hand, or by facsimile transmission, telephone communication or electronic transmission (provided, with respect to electronic transmission, that the director has consented to receive the form of transmission at the address to which it is directed). If mailed, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when deposited in the United States mails so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, at least five (5) days before such meeting. If by facsimile transmission or other electronic transmission, such notice shall be transmitted at least twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting. If by telephone, the notice shall be given at least twelve (12) hours prior to the time set for the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice of such meeting, except for amendments to these bylaws as provided under Section 9.1 of Article VIII hereof. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present (except as otherwise provided by law) or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in writing, either before or after such meeting.

 

3.10          Quorum . At all meetings of the Board of Directors a majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and any act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be an act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

 

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

 

3.12          Committees . The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.

 

In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it, but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters: (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any provision of these bylaws.

 

  11  

 

 

3.13          Minutes of Committee Meetings . Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.

 

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

 

ARTICLE IV

NOTICES

 

4.1            Notice . Unless otherwise provided in these bylaws, whenever, under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these bylaws, notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing (i) by mail, addressed to such director or stockholder, at his or her address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail; or (ii) by electronic transmission as provided in Section 4.3 of these bylaws.

 

4.2            Waiver of Notice . Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. Attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice except attendance for the sole purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

4.3            Electronic Notice .

 

(a)           Electronic Transmission . Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders and directors, any notice to stockholders or directors given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder or director to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder or director by written notice to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (2) such inability becomes known to the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Corporation or to the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

 

(b)           Effective Date of Notice . Notice given pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be deemed given: (1) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder or director has consented to receive notice; (2) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder or director has consented to receive notice; (3) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder or director of such specific posting, upon the later of (i) such posting and (ii) the giving of such separate notice; and (4) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder or director. An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

(c)           Form of Electronic Transmission . For purposes of these bylaws, “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

 

  12  

 

 

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

 

5.1            Required and Permitted Officers . The officers of the Corporation shall include, if and when designated by the Board of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer and/or a President, a Chief Financial Officer, a Treasurer and a Secretary. The Board of Directors may elect from among its members a Chairman of the Board and a Vice-Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors may also choose one or more vice-presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, and such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws otherwise provide.

 

5.2            Appointment of Required Officers . The Board of Directors at its first meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders shall choose a Chief Executive Officer and/or a President, a Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and a Secretary.

 

5.3            Appointment of Permitted Officers . The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

5.4            Officer Compensation . The salaries of all officers and agents of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

 

5.5            Removal; Resignation; Vacancies . Subject to the rights, if any of an officer under any contract or employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice to the Corporation in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board of Directors or to the Chairman of the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors.

 

5.6            President . Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Subject to the provisions of these bylaws and the direction of the Board of Directors, he or she shall have the responsibility for the general management and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties and have all powers that are commonly incident to the office of chief executive or which are delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors. He or she shall have the power to sign all stock certificates, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation that are authorized and shall have general supervision and direction of all of the other officers, employees and agents of the Corporation.

 

5.7            Vice President . Each Vice President shall have the powers and duties delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or the President. One Vice President may be designated by the Board of Directors to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of the President’s absence or disability.

 

5.8            Secretary and Assistant Secretary . The secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Corporation and of the Board of Directors in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. He or she shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, under whose supervision he or she shall be. He or she shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and he or she, or an assistant secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such assistant secretary. The Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by his or her signature. The assistant secretary shall, in the absence of the secretary or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

  13  

 

 

5.9            Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer . The Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the Corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the Corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to this or her office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors of the President shall designate from time to time. The President may direct the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to his or her office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.

 

5.10          Delegation of Authority . The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

 

ARTICLE VI

CERTIFICATE OF STOCK

 

6.1            Stock Certificates . Shares of capital stock of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, as provided in the DGCL. Stock certificates shall be signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, (i) the Chairman of the Board (if any) or the Vice Chairman of the Board (if any), the President or a Vice President, and (ii) the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Chief Financial Officer, certifying the number of shares owned by such stockholder. Any signature on a certificate may be by facsimile.

 

If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualification, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, provided that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

6.2            Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates . The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

6.3            Transfer of Stock . Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

 

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

 

  14  

 

 

ARTICLE VII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

7.1            Dividends . Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, if any, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.

 

7.2            Reserve for Dividends . Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their sole discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purposes as the directors think conducive to the interests of the Corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

7.3            Checks . All checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

 

7.4            Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

7.5            Corporate Seal . The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal having inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware.” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or otherwise reproduced.

 

7.6            Inconsistencies . If any provision of these bylaws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, the DGCL or any other applicable law, the provision of these bylaws shall not be given any effect to the extent of the inconsistency, but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.

 

7.7            Severability . If any provision or provisions of these bylaws shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (1) the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions of these bylaws (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (2) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of these bylaws (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable.

 

ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION

 

The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent authorized under the laws of the State of Delaware, as those laws may be amended and supplemented from time to time, indemnify any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of being a director or officer of the Corporation or a predecessor corporation or a director or officer of another corporation, if such person served in such position at the request of the Corporation; provided, however, that the Corporation shall indemnify any such director or officer in connection with a proceeding initiated by such director or officer only if such proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The indemnification provided for in this Section 8.1 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under these bylaws, agreement or vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacities and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The Corporation’s obligation to provide indemnification under this Section 8.1 shall be offset to the extent of any other source of indemnification or any otherwise applicable insurance coverage under a policy maintained by the Corporation or any other person.

 

Expenses incurred by a director or officer of the Corporation in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation (or was serving at the Corporation’s request as a director or officer of another corporation) shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized by relevant sections of the DGCL. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not be required to advance such expenses to an agent who is a party to an action, suit or proceeding brought by the Corporation and approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation that alleges willful misappropriation of corporate assets by such agent, disclosure of confidential information in violation of such agent’s fiduciary or contractual obligations to the Corporation or any other willful and deliberate breach in bad faith of such agent’s duty to the Corporation or its stockholders.

 

  15  

 

 

The foregoing provisions of this Section 8.1 shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each director or officer who serves in such capacity at any time while this bylaw is in effect, and any repeal or modification thereof shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts.

 

The Board of Directors in its sole discretion shall have power on behalf of the Corporation to indemnify any person, other than a director or officer, made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she, his or her testator or intestate, is or was an officer or employee of the Corporation.

 

The Corporation may purchase and 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 incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

To assure indemnification under this Section 8.1 of all directors, officers and employees who are determined by the Corporation or otherwise to be or to have been “fiduciaries” of any employee benefit plan of the Corporation that may exist from time to time, Section 145 of the DGCL shall, for the purposes of this Section 8.1, be interpreted as follows: an “other enterprise” shall be deemed to include such an employee benefit plan, including without limitation, any plan of the Corporation that is governed by the Act of Congress entitled “Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,” as amended from time to time; the Corporation shall be deemed to have requested a person to serve the Corporation for purposes of Section 145 of the DGCL, as administrator of an employee benefit plan where the performance by such person of his or her duties to the Corporation also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, such person to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to such Act of Congress shall be deemed “fines.”

 

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

 

These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, or new bylaws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors, when such power is conferred upon the Board of Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation at any regular meeting of the stockholders or of the Board of Directors, or at any special meeting of the stockholders or the Board of Directors if notice of such alteration, amendment repeal or adoption of new bylaws be contained in the notice of such special meeting. If the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws is conferred upon the Board of Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation, it shall not divest or limit the power of the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.

 

ARTICLE X

LOANS TO OFFICERS

 

The Corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the Corporation or of its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who is a director of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the Corporation. The loan, guarantee or other assistance may be with or without interest and may be unsecured or secured in such manner as the Board of Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the Corporation. Nothing in these bylaws shall be deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the Corporation at common law or under any statute.

 

  16  

 

 

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation; (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by, or any other wrongdoing by, any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders; (3) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation; (4) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, or (5) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

 

  17  

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY OF

 

MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected and acting Secretary of Marker Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and that the bylaws attached hereto constitute the bylaws of said Corporation as duly adopted by Action by Written Consent of the Board of Directors on May 14, 2018.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned has hereunto subscribed his name this 16th day of October, 2018.

 

   
  Michael Loiacono,
  Secretary

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.3

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION

FROM A NON-DELAWARE CORPORATION

TO A DELAWARE CORPORATION

PURSUANT TO SECTION 265 OF THE

DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

 

FIRST :  The jurisdiction where the Non-Delaware Corporation first formed is Nevada.

 

SECOND :  The jurisdiction immediately prior to filing this Certificate is Nevada.

 

THIRD :  The date the Non-Delaware Corporation was first formed is October 22, 1991.

 

FOURTH :  The name of the Non-Delaware Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate is Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

 

FIFTH :  The name of the Corporation as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation is Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

 

SIXTH :  The effective date and time of this Certificate shall be October 17, 2018 at 3:05 a.m. EDT.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned being duly authorized to sign on behalf of the converting Non-Delaware Corporation has executed this Certificate on the 16th day of October, 2018.

 

  MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC.,
  a Nevada corporation

 

  By: /s/Peter L. Hoang
  Name:  Peter L. Hoang
  Title:  Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

The undersigned, a natural person (the “Incorporator”), for the purpose of organizing a corporation to conduct the business and promote the purposes hereinafter stated, under the provisions and subject to the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware hereby certifies that:

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of the Corporation is “Marker Therapeutics, Inc.” (hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

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

 

ARTICLE III

 

The nature of the business or purposes for which the Corporation is organized is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).

 

ARTICLE IV

 

A.            Authorization of Stock . The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares that the Corporation is authorized to issue is One Hundred Fifty Five Million (155,000,000) shares, consisting of (i) One Hundred Fifty Million (150,000,000) shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, and (ii) Five Million (5,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share.

 

B.            Common Stock . The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to and imposed on the Common Stock are as set forth below in this Article IV(B).

 

1.     General . The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Common Stock are subject to and qualified by the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock of any series as may be designated by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) upon any issuance of the Preferred Stock of any series.

 

 

 

 

2.     Voting Rights . The holder of each share of Common Stock shall have the right to one vote for each such share, and shall be entitled to notice of any stockholders’ meeting in accordance with the Bylaws of the Corporation, and shall be entitled to vote upon such matters and in such manner as may be provided by law; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation or pursuant to the DGCL. The number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

 

3.     Dividends . Subject to the prior rights of holders of all classes of stock at the time outstanding having prior rights as to dividends, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of any assets of the Corporation legally available therefor, any dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

4.     Liquidation . The holders of the Common Stock will be entitled to share ratably, on the basis of the number of shares of Common Stock then held by each such holder, in all distributions to the holders of the Common Stock in any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

 

5.     Redemption . The Common Stock is not redeemable at the option of the holder.

 

C.            Preferred Stock . The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issue of all or any of the shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designation, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other rights and such qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such shares and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series shall be decreased in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock.

 

  2  

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation, in furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, repeal, alter, amend and rescind any or all of the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

The number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be determined in the manner set forth in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

Article vii

 

The directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation so provide.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

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

 

ARTICLE IX

 

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

 

Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article X shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director, officer, employee, agent or other person existing at the time of, or increase the liability of any such person with respect to any acts or omissions of such person occurring prior to, such amendment, repeal or modification.

 

The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or was servicing at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity, against any liability asserted against the person and incurred by the person in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power or the obligation to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article X or the DGCL.

 

  3  

 

 

ARTICLE X

 

To the fullest extent provided by law, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If the DGCL is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article XI to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as so amended.

 

Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article XI shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of, or increase the liability of any director of the Corporation with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to, such amendment, repeal or modification.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation; (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by, or any other wrongdoing by, any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders; (3) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation; (4) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, or (5) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XII.

 

If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of this Article XII is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce this Article XII (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

 

If any provision or provisions of this Article XII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article XII (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article XII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

  4  

 

 

ARTICLE XII

 

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

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

The name and the mailing address of the Incorporator are as follows:

 

Name Mailing Address
   
Peter Hoang

Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

5 West Forsyth Street, Suite 200

Jacksonville, FL 32202

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

The effective date and time of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be October 17, 2018 at 3:05 a.m. EDT.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

  5  

 

 

I, the undersigned, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the DGCL, do make, file and record this Certificate of Incorporation, hereby acknowledging, declaring and certifying that this Certificate of Incorporation is my act and deed and that the facts herein stated are true, and have accordingly hereunto set my hand this 16th day of October, 2018.

 

   
Peter Hoang
Incorporator

 

[Signature Page to Certificate of Incorporation of

Marker Therapeutics, Inc.]

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.4

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

The undersigned, a natural person (the “Incorporator”), for the purpose of organizing a corporation to conduct the business and promote the purposes hereinafter stated, under the provisions and subject to the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware hereby certifies that:

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of the Corporation is “Marker Therapeutics, Inc.” (hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

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

 

ARTICLE III

 

The nature of the business or purposes for which the Corporation is organized is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).

 

ARTICLE IV

 

A.           Authorization of Stock . The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares that the Corporation is authorized to issue is One Hundred Fifty Five Million (155,000,000) shares, consisting of (i) One Hundred Fifty Million (150,000,000) shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, and (ii) Five Million (5,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share.

 

B.            Common Stock . The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to and imposed on the Common Stock are as set forth below in this Article IV(B).

 

1.     General . The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Common Stock are subject to and qualified by the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock of any series as may be designated by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) upon any issuance of the Preferred Stock of any series.

 

 

 

 

2.     Voting Rights . The holder of each share of Common Stock shall have the right to one vote for each such share, and shall be entitled to notice of any stockholders’ meeting in accordance with the Bylaws of the Corporation, and shall be entitled to vote upon such matters and in such manner as may be provided by law; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation or pursuant to the DGCL. The number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

 

3.     Dividends . Subject to the prior rights of holders of all classes of stock at the time outstanding having prior rights as to dividends, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of any assets of the Corporation legally available therefor, any dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

4.     Liquidation . The holders of the Common Stock will be entitled to share ratably, on the basis of the number of shares of Common Stock then held by each such holder, in all distributions to the holders of the Common Stock in any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

 

5.     Redemption . The Common Stock is not redeemable at the option of the holder.

 

C.            Preferred Stock . The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issue of all or any of the shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designation, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other rights and such qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such shares and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series shall be decreased in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock.

 

  2  

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation, in furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, repeal, alter, amend and rescind any or all of the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

The number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be determined in the manner set forth in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

Article vii

 

The directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation so provide.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

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

 

ARTICLE IX

 

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

 

Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article X shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director, officer, employee, agent or other person existing at the time of, or increase the liability of any such person with respect to any acts or omissions of such person occurring prior to, such amendment, repeal or modification.

 

The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or was servicing at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity, against any liability asserted against the person and incurred by the person in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power or the obligation to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article X or the DGCL.

 

  3  

 

 

ARTICLE X

 

To the fullest extent provided by law, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If the DGCL is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article XI to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as so amended.

 

Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article XI shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of, or increase the liability of any director of the Corporation with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to, such amendment, repeal or modification.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation; (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by, or any other wrongdoing by, any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders; (3) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation; (4) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, or (5) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XII.

 

If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of this Article XII is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce this Article XII (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

 

If any provision or provisions of this Article XII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article XII (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article XII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

  4  

 

 

ARTICLE XII

 

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

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

The name and the mailing address of the Incorporator are as follows:

 

Name   Mailing Address
     
Peter Hoang  

Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

5 West Forsyth Street, Suite 200

Jacksonville, FL 32202

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

The effective date and time of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be October 17, 2018 at 3:05 a.m. EDT.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

  5  

 

 

I, the undersigned, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the DGCL, do make, file and record this Certificate of Incorporation, hereby acknowledging, declaring and certifying that this Certificate of Incorporation is my act and deed and that the facts herein stated are true, and have accordingly hereunto set my hand this 16th day of October, 2018.

 

/s/Peter Hoang  
Peter Hoang
Incorporator

 

[Signature Page to Certificate of Incorporation of
Marker Therapeutics, Inc.]

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.5

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

MERGING

 

TIMBERWOLF MERGER SUB, INC.

A DELAWARE CORPORATION

 

WITH AND INTO

 

MARKER CELL THERAPY, INC.,

A DELAWARE CORPORATION

 

 

 

Pursuant to Section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

 

 

The undersigned corporation, Marker Cell Therapy, Inc., hereby certifies that:

 

1.          The names and states of incorporation of each constituent corporation is: Timberwolf Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Disappearing Corporation”) and Marker Cell Therapy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Surviving Corporation”).

 

2.          An Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated May 15, 2018 (the “Merger Agreement”), setting forth the terms and conditions of the merger of the Disappearing Corporation with and into the Surviving Corporation (the “Merger”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by the Disappearing Corporation and by the Surviving Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

3.          The surviving corporation of the Merger shall be Marker Cell Therapy, Inc., a Delaware corporation. The name of the Surviving Corporation of the Merger shall be “Marker Cell Therapy, Inc.”

 

4.          The Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall be restated in its entirety to read as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto, and shall continue in full force and effect until thereafter amended in accordance with the DGCL.

 

5.          The Merger is to become effective on October 17, 2018 at an effective time of 3:10 a.m. EDT.

 

6.          The Agreement of Merger is on file at 5 West Forsyth Street, Suite 200, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, the place of business of the Surviving Corporation.

 

7.          A copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished by the surviving corporation on request, without cost, to any stockholder of the Disappearing Corporation or the Surviving Corporation.

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and subscribed to this Certificate of Merger on behalf of Marker Cell Therapy, Inc. as its authorized officer and hereby affirms, under penalty of perjury, that this Certificate of Merger is the act and deed of such corporation and that the facts stated herein are true.

 

DATED: October 16, 2018

 

Marker Cell Therapy, Inc.

 

  By: /s/ John Wilson
  Name: John Wilson
  Title: CEO and President

 

[Signature Page to Certificate of Merger]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

MARKER CELL THERAPY, INC.

 

FIRST:               The name of the corporation is Marker Cell Therapy, Inc..

 

SECOND:          The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1675 South State St., Ste. B, Dover, Delaware 19901, located in the county of Kent. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is Capitol Services, Inc.

 

THIRD:              The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “ DGCL ”).

 

FOURTH:          The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 1,000. All shares shall be Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, and are to be of one class.

 

FIFTH:               Unless and except to the extent that the by-laws of the Corporation (the “ By-laws ”) shall so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written ballot.

 

SIXTH:              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 Article Sixth 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.

 

SEVENTH:        The following indemnification provisions shall apply to the persons enumerated below

 

1.           Right to Indemnification of Directors and Officers . The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (an “ Indemnified 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 such person, or a person for whom such person 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 Indemnified Person in such Proceeding. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 3 of this Article Seventh, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify an Indemnified Person in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Indemnified Person only if the commencement of such Proceeding (or part thereof) by the Indemnified Person was authorized in the specific case by the board of directors of the Corporation.

 

 

 

 

2.           Prepayment of Expenses of Directors and Officers . The Corporation shall pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that, to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Indemnified Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article Seventh or otherwise.

 

3.           Claims by Directors and Officers . If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article Seventh is not paid in full within thirty (30) days after a written claim therefor by the Indemnified Person has been received by the Corporation, the Indemnified Person may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Indemnified Person is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law.

 

4.           Indemnification of Employees and Agents . The Corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding by reason of the fact that such person, or a person for whom such person is the legal representative, is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation or, while an employee or agent 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, limited liability company, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expense (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding. The ultimate determination of entitlement to indemnification of persons who are non-director or officer employees or agents shall be made in such manner as is determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify a person in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such person if the Proceeding was not authorized in advance by the Board of Directors.

 

5.           Advancement of Expenses of Employees and Agents . The Corporation may pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an employee or agent in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

6.           Non-Exclusivity of Rights . The rights conferred on any person by this Article Seventh shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the certificate of incorporation, these by-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

  2  

 

 

7.           Other Indemnification . The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer or employee of another Corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, organization or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other Corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, organization or other enterprise.

 

8.           Insurance . The Board of Directors may, to the full extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists, or may hereafter be amended from time to time, authorize an appropriate officer or officers to purchase and maintain at the Corporation’s expense insurance: (a) to indemnify the Corporation for any obligation which it incurs as a result of the indemnification of directors, officers and employees under the provisions of this Article Seventh; and (b) to indemnify or insure directors, officers and employees against liability in instances in which they may not otherwise be indemnified by the Corporation under the provisions of this Article Seventh.

 

9.           Amendment or Repeal . Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article Seventh shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification. The rights provided hereunder shall inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Person and such person’s heirs, executors and administrators.

 

EIGHTH:            Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum (an “ Alternative Forum Consent ”) , the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation's stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of the Corporation arising out of or relating to any provision of the DGCL or the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation or the Corporation's By-laws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the State of Delaware, except for, as to each of (i) through (iv) above, any claim as to which the Court of Chancery determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, or for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. If any provision or provisions of this Article Eighth shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article Eighth (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article Eighth containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Failure to enforce the foregoing provisions would cause the Corporation irreparable harm and the Corporation shall be entitled to equitable relief, including injunctive relief and specific performance, to enforce the foregoing provisions. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article Eighth. The existence of any prior Alternative Forum Consent shall not act as a waiver of the Corporation's ongoing consent right as set forth above in this Article Eighth with respect to any current or future actions or claims.

 

  3  

 

 

NINTH:               In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the board of directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the By-laws or adopt new By-laws without any action on the part of the stockholders; provided that any By-law adopted or amended by the board of directors, and any powers thereby conferred, may be amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders.

 

TENTH:              The Corporation shall have the right, subject to any express provisions or restrictions contained in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”) or the By-laws, from time to time, to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation in any manner now or hereafter provided by law, and all rights and powers of any kind conferred upon a director or stockholder of the Corporation by the Certificate of Incorporation or any amendment thereof are conferred subject to such right.

 

  4  

 

Exhibit 3.6

 

BYLAWS

OF

MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

(A Delaware Corporation)

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I OFFICES 4
     
1.1 Registered Office 4
     
1.2 Offices 4
     
ARTICLE II STOCKHOLDERS AND MEETING THEREOF 4
     
2.1 Place of Meetings 4
     
2.2 Annual Meetings . 4
     
2.3 Special Meetings 4
     
2.4   Notice of Meeting 4
     
2.5 Fixing a Record Date 4
     
2.6 Stockholders’ Records 5
     
2.7 Business Transacted at Special Meeting 5
     
2.8 Quorum; Meeting Adjournment; Presence by Remote Means 5
     
2.9 Voting 5
     
2.10 Number of Votes Per Share 6
     
2.11 Action by Written Consent of Stockholders 6
     
2.12 Nominations and Proposals of Business 6
     
2.13 Postponement and Cancellation of Meeting 10
     
ARTICLE III DIRECTORS 10
     
3.1 Board Authority 10
     
3.2 Number of Directors 10
     
3.3 Election of Directors 10
     
3.4 Removal or Resignation of Directors 10
     
3.5 Vacancies 10
     
3.6 Place of Meetings 10
     
3.7 Telephonic Meetings 11
     
3.8 Regular Meetings 11
     
3.9 Special Meetings 11
     
3.10 Quorum 11
     
3.11 Action Without a Meeting 11
     
3.12 Committees 11
     
3.13 Minutes of Committee Meetings 12
     
3.14 Compensation of Directors 12
     
ARTICLE IV NOTICES 12
     
4.1 Notice 12
     
4.2 Waiver of Notice 12
     
4.3 Electronic Notice 12
     
ARTICLE V OFFICERS 13
     
5.1 Required and Permitted Officers 13

 

  2  

 

 

5.2 Appointment of Required Officers 13
     
5.3 Appointment of Permitted Officers 13
     
5.4 Officer Compensation 13
     
5.5 Removal; Resignation; Vacancies 13
     
5.6 President 13
     
5.7 Vice President 13
     
5.8 Secretary and Assistant Secretary 13
     
5.9 Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer 14
     
5.10 Delegation of Authority 14
     
ARTICLE VI CERTIFICATE OF STOCK 14
     
6.1 Stock Certificates 14
     
6.2 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates 14
     
6.3 Transfer of Stock 14
     
6.4 Registered Stockholders 15
     
ARTICLE VII GENERAL PROVISIONS 15
     
7.1   Dividends 15
     
7.2 Reserve for Dividends 15
     
7.3 Checks 15
     
7.4 Fiscal Year 15
     
7.5 Corporate Seal 15
     
7.6 Inconsistencies 15
     
7.7 Severability 15
     
ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION 15
     
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS 16
     
ARTICLE X LOANS TO OFFICERS 17
     
ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS 17

 

  3  

 

 

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

 

1.1            Registered Office . The registered office of Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware shall be established and maintained at the office of The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, County of New Castle, and The Corporation Trust Company shall be the registered agent of the Corporation in charge thereof.

 

1.2             Offices . The Corporation shall also have and maintain an office or principal place of business at such place as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, and may also have 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

STOCKHOLDERS AND MEETINGS THEREOF

 

2.1            Place of Meetings . Meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211 of the Delaware General Corporations Law (“DGCL”).

 

2.2            Annual Meetings . Annual meetings of stockholders shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which they shall elect a Board of Directors by a plurality vote, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

 

2.3            Special Meetings . Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), may be called by (i) the Chairman of the Board of Directors; (ii) the Chief Executive Officer; or (iii) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of Directors for adoption).

 

2.4             Notice of Meeting . Written notice of any stockholder meeting stating the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting), the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not fewer than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting.

 

2.5            Fixing a 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 to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, 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 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.

 

  4  

 

 

2.6            Stockholders’ Records . The officer who has 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 the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address (but not the electronic address or other electronic contact information) of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

 

2.7            Business Transacted at Special Meeting . Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.

 

2.8            Quorum; Meeting Adjournment; Presence by Remote Means .

 

(a)       Quorum; Meeting Adjournment . The holders of one-third of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. 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.

 

(b)       Presence by Remote Means . If authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:

 

(1)         participate in a meeting of stockholders; and

 

(2)         be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (i) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxyholder, (ii) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (iii) if any stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

 

2.9            Voting . When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting other than the election of directors, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the statutes, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. All elections of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast.

 

  5  

 

 

2.10          Number of Votes Per Share . Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote by such stockholder or by proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted on after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

 

2.11          Action by Written Consent of Stockholders.

 

(a)       Action by Written Consent of Stockholders. Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken, is signed in a manner permitted by law by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the 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. Written stockholder consents shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent in the manner permitted by law and shall be delivered to the Corporation as provided in subsection (b) below. No written consent shall be effective to take the action set forth therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the Corporation in the manner provided above, written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take the action set forth therein are delivered to the Corporation in the manner provided above.

 

(b)       Electronic Consent . An electronic transmission consenting to an action to be taken and transmitted by a stockholder or proxyholder, or a person or persons authorized to act for a stockholder or proxyholder, shall be deemed to be written, signed and dated for the purposes of this section, provided that any such electronic transmission sets forth or is delivered with information from which the Corporation can determine (1) that the electronic transmission was transmitted by the stockholder or proxyholder or by a person or persons authorized to act for the stockholder or proxyholder and (2) the date on which such stockholder or proxyholder or authorized person or persons transmitted such electronic transmission. The date on which such electronic transmission is transmitted shall be deemed to be the date on which such consent was signed. No consent given by electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been delivered until such consent is reproduced in paper form and until such paper form is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a corporation’s registered office shall be made by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations on delivery, consents given by electronic transmission may be otherwise delivered to the principal place of business of the Corporation or to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded if, to the extent and in the manner provided by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

(c)       Notice of Action . Prompt notice of any action taken pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be provided to the stockholders in accordance with Section 228(e) of the DGCL.

 

2.12          Nominations and Proposals of Business .

 

(a)      Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and proposals for other business to be transaction by the stockholders at an annual meeting of stockholders may be made (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice with respect to such meeting (or any supplement thereto), (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or (iii) by any stockholder of record of the Corporation who (A) was a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice contemplated in Section 2.12(b), (B) is entitled to vote at such meeting and (C) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.12. Subject to Section 1.2(i) and except as otherwise required by law, clause (iii) of this Section 2.12(a)shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or propose other business (other than nominations and proposals properly brought pursuant to applicable provisions of federal law, including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended from time to time, he “Act”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder) before an annual meeting of stockholders.

 

  6  

 

 

(b)     Except as otherwise required by law, for nominations or proposals to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 2.12(a), (i) the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation with the information contemplated by Section 2.12(c) including, where applicable, delivery to the Corporation of timely and completed questionnaires as contemplated by Section 2.12(c), and (ii) the business must be a proper matter for stockholder action under the DGCL. The notice requirements of this Section 2.12 shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder with respect to business other than a nomination if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his, her or its intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Act and such stockholder’s proposal has been included in a proxy statement prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting.

 

(c)     To be timely for purposes of Section 2.12(b), a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation on a date (i) not later than the close of business on the 90 th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120 th day prior to the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting or (ii) if there was no annual meeting in the prior year or if the date of the current year’s annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting, not earlier than the close of business on the 120 th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the 90 th day prior to such annual meeting or (y) 10 days after the day on which the date of the current year’s annual meeting is first disclosed in a public announcement. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the delivery of such notice.

 

Such notice form a stockholder must state (i) as to each nominee that the stockholder proposed for election or reelection as a director: (A) All information relating to such nominee that would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of such nominee as a director pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Act, including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and serving as a director if elected, and (B) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary arrangements, agreements or understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationship, if any, between or concerning such stockholder, and Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below) or any of their respective affiliates or associates, on the one hand, and the proposed nominee or any of his or her affiliates or associates, on the other hand; (ii) as to each proposal that the stockholder seeks to bring before the meeting, a brief description of such proposal, the reasons for making the proposal at the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment) and any material interest that the stockholder has in the proposal; and (iii) (A) the name and address of the stockholder giving the notice and the Stockholder Associated Persons, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, (B) the class (and, if applicable, series) and number of shares of stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially or of record by the stockholder, (C) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class (or, if applicable, series) of shares of stock of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class (or, if applicable, series) of shares of stock of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise (each a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of stock of the Corporation of the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, (D) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person has a right to vote any securities of the Corporation, (E) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is a general partner or beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, an interest in a general partner, (F) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of the shares of stock of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, (G) any other information relating to such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in an election contest pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, (H) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, (I) a certificate as to whether or not the stockholder and all Stockholder Associated Persons have complied with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements in connection with the stockholder’s and each Stockholder Associated Person’s acquisitions of shares of capital stock or other securities of the Corporation and the stockholder’s and each Stockholder Associated Person’s acts or omissions as a stockholder (or beneficial owner of securities ) of the Corporation, and (J) whether either the stockholder intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of a proposal, at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders of the Corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder to be sufficient to elect such nominee or nominees or otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination.

 

  7  

 

 

For purposes of these bylaws, a “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder means (i) any “affiliate” or “associate” (as those terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Act) of such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of any capital stock or other securities of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder, (iii) any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with any such Stockholder Associated Person referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above, and (iv) any person acting in concert in respect of any matter involving the Corporation or its securities with either such stockholder or any beneficial owner of any capital stock or other securities of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder.

 

In addition, in order for a nomination to be property brought before an annual or special meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 2.12(a), subject to Section 2.12(i), any nominee proposed by a stockholder shall complete a questionnaire in a form provided by the Corporation, and deliver a signed copy of such completed questionnaire to the Corporation within 10 days of the date that the Corporation makes available to the stockholder seeking to make such nomination or such nominee the form of such questionnaire and shall deliver a written and signed statement that such person (i) is not and will not become a party to (A) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or questions (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or (B) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (ii) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with the service or action as a director of the Corporation that has not been disclosed in the notice required by this Section 2.12, and (iii) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person, entity or group on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed codes of ethics and conduct, corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of the nominee. The information required to be included in a notice pursuant to this Section 2.12(c) shall be provided as of the date of such notice and shall be supplemented by the stockholder not later than 10 days after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting to disclose any changes to such information as of the record date. If any of the facts set forth in any notice provided pursuant to this Section 2.12(c) change between the date that such notice is sent and the date of the annual meeting to which such notice pertains, the stockholder must deliver to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, by the earlier of (i) the close of business on the date that is five days after the event giving rise to such change, or (ii) the commencement of such annual meeting, a supplemental notice providing such revised information. The information required to be included in a notice pursuant to this Section 2.12(c) shall not include any ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is directed to prepare and submit the notice required by this Section 2.12(c) on behalf of a beneficial owner of the shares held of record by such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who is not otherwise affiliated or associate with such beneficial owner. For purposed of these bylaws, “beneficial ownership” shall be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgate under the Act.

 

  8  

 

 

(d)     Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, Section 2.12(c) and applicable law, only persons nominated in accordance with procedures stated in this Section 2.12 shall be eligible for election as and to serve as members of the Board of Directors and the only business that shall be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders is the business that has been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.12. The chairman of the meting shall have the power and the duty to determine whether a nomination or any proposal has been made according to the procedure stated in this Section 2.12 and, if any nomination or proposal does not comply with this Section 2.12, unless otherwise required by law, the nomination or proposal shall be disregarded.

 

(e)     For purposes of this Section 2.12, “public announcement” means disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable news service or in a document publicly filed or furnished by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Act.

 

(f)      Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12, a stockholder shall also comply with applicable requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth in this Section 2.12. Nothing in this Section 2.12 shall affect any rights, if any, of stockholders to request inclusion of nominations or proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to applicable provisions of federal law, including the Act.

 

(g)     Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business or does not provide the information required by Section 2.12(c), including any required supplement thereto, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 2.12, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

 

(h)     Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or (2) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 2.12 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.12. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice required by Section 2.12(b) shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120ths day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the 90 th day prior to such meeting or (y) the 10 th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

  9  

 

 

(i)       All provisions of this Section 2.12 are subject to, and nothing in this Section 2.12 shall in any way limit the exercise, or the method or timing of the exercise of, the rights of any person granted by the Corporation to nominate directors.

 

2.13          Postponement and Cancellation of Meeting. Any previously scheduled annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be postponed, and any previously scheduled annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be canceled, by resolution of the Board of Directors upon public notice given prior to the time previously scheduled for such meeting.

 

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

 

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

 

3.2            Number of Directors . The number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors, provided that the Board of Directors shall consist of at least one (1) member. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.

 

3.3            Election of Directors . Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders. Each director shall serve until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders.

 

3.4            Removal or Resignation of Directors . Unless otherwise provided by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. However, whenever a director has been elected by a voting group of stockholders, only the stockholders from that voting group may participate in the vote to remove him or her, and such vacancy may be filled only by the stockholders of that voting group. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice, including by electronic transmission, to the Corporation.

 

3.5            Vacancies . Unless otherwise provided by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election and until their successors are duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced. If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute. If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship, the directors then in office shall constitute less than a majority of the whole Board of Directors (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least ten percent (10%) of the total number of the shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace the directors chosen by the directors then in office.

 

3.6            Place of Meetings . The Board of Directors of the Corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware.

 

  10  

 

 

3.7            Telephonic Meetings . Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, members of the Board of Directors or any committee designated by the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee, by means of conference telephone or other means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

3.8            Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

3.9            Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer upon notice to each director; special meetings shall be called by the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer in like manner and on like notice on the written request of two (2) directors unless the Board of Directors consists of only one director, in which case special meetings shall be called by the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer in like manner and on like notice on the written request of the sole director. Notice of any special meeting shall be given to each director at his or her business or residence in writing by mail or delivered personally by hand, or by facsimile transmission, telephone communication or electronic transmission (provided, with respect to electronic transmission, that the director has consented to receive the form of transmission at the address to which it is directed). If mailed, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when deposited in the United States mails so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, at least five (5) days before such meeting. If by facsimile transmission or other electronic transmission, such notice shall be transmitted at least twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting. If by telephone, the notice shall be given at least twelve (12) hours prior to the time set for the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice of such meeting, except for amendments to these bylaws as provided under Section 9.1 of Article VIII hereof. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present (except as otherwise provided by law) or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in writing, either before or after such meeting.

 

3.10          Quorum . At all meetings of the Board of Directors a majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and any act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be an act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

 

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

 

3.12          Committees . The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.

 

In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it, but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters: (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any provision of these bylaws.

 

  11  

 

 

3.13          Minutes of Committee Meetings . Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.

 

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

 

ARTICLE IV

NOTICES

 

4.1            Notice . Unless otherwise provided in these bylaws, whenever, under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these bylaws, notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing (i) by mail, addressed to such director or stockholder, at his or her address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail; or (ii) by electronic transmission as provided in Section 4.3 of these bylaws.

 

4.2            Waiver of Notice . Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. Attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice except attendance for the sole purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

4.3            Electronic Notice .

 

(a)       Electronic Transmission . Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders and directors, any notice to stockholders or directors given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder or director to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder or director by written notice to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (2) such inability becomes known to the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Corporation or to the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

 

(b)      Effective Date of Notice . Notice given pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be deemed given: (1) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder or director has consented to receive notice; (2) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder or director has consented to receive notice; (3) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder or director of such specific posting, upon the later of (i) such posting and (ii) the giving of such separate notice; and (4) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder or director. An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

(c)      Form of Electronic Transmission . For purposes of these bylaws, “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

 

  12  

 

 

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

 

5.1            Required and Permitted Officers . The officers of the Corporation shall include, if and when designated by the Board of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer and/or a President, a Chief Financial Officer, a Treasurer and a Secretary. The Board of Directors may elect from among its members a Chairman of the Board and a Vice-Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors may also choose one or more vice-presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, and such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws otherwise provide.

 

5.2            Appointment of Required Officers . The Board of Directors at its first meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders shall choose a Chief Executive Officer and/or a President, a Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and a Secretary.

 

5.3            Appointment of Permitted Officers . The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

5.4            Officer Compensation . The salaries of all officers and agents of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

 

5.5            Removal; Resignation; Vacancies . Subject to the rights, if any of an officer under any contract or employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice to the Corporation in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board of Directors or to the Chairman of the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors.

 

5.6            President . Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Subject to the provisions of these bylaws and the direction of the Board of Directors, he or she shall have the responsibility for the general management and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties and have all powers that are commonly incident to the office of chief executive or which are delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors. He or she shall have the power to sign all stock certificates, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation that are authorized and shall have general supervision and direction of all of the other officers, employees and agents of the Corporation.

 

5.7            Vice President . Each Vice President shall have the powers and duties delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or the President. One Vice President may be designated by the Board of Directors to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of the President’s absence or disability.

 

5.8            Secretary and Assistant Secretary . The secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Corporation and of the Board of Directors in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. He or she shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, under whose supervision he or she shall be. He or she shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and he or she, or an assistant secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such assistant secretary. The Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by his or her signature. The assistant secretary shall, in the absence of the secretary or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

  13  

 

 

5.9            Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer . The Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the Corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the Corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to this or her office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors of the President shall designate from time to time. The President may direct the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to his or her office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.

 

5.10          Delegation of Authority . The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

 

ARTICLE VI

CERTIFICATE OF STOCK

 

6.1            Stock Certificates . Shares of capital stock of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, as provided in the DGCL. Stock certificates shall be signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, (i) the Chairman of the Board (if any) or the Vice Chairman of the Board (if any), the President or a Vice President, and (ii) the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Chief Financial Officer, certifying the number of shares owned by such stockholder. Any signature on a certificate may be by facsimile.

 

If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualification, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, provided that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

6.2            Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates . The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

6.3            Transfer of Stock . Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

 

  14  

 

 

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

 

ARTICLE VII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

7.1             Dividends . Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, if any, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.

 

7.2            Reserve for Dividends . Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their sole discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purposes as the directors think conducive to the interests of the Corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

7.3            Checks . All checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

 

7.4            Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

7.5            Corporate Seal . The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal having inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware.” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or otherwise reproduced.

 

7.6            Inconsistencies . If any provision of these bylaws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, the DGCL or any other applicable law, the provision of these bylaws shall not be given any effect to the extent of the inconsistency, but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.

 

7.7            Severability . If any provision or provisions of these bylaws shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (1) the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions of these bylaws (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (2) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of these bylaws (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable.

 

ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION

 

The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent authorized under the laws of the State of Delaware, as those laws may be amended and supplemented from time to time, indemnify any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of being a director or officer of the Corporation or a predecessor corporation or a director or officer of another corporation, if such person served in such position at the request of the Corporation; provided, however, that the Corporation shall indemnify any such director or officer in connection with a proceeding initiated by such director or officer only if such proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The indemnification provided for in this Section 8.1 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under these bylaws, agreement or vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacities and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The Corporation’s obligation to provide indemnification under this Section 8.1 shall be offset to the extent of any other source of indemnification or any otherwise applicable insurance coverage under a policy maintained by the Corporation or any other person.

 

  15  

 

 

Expenses incurred by a director or officer of the Corporation in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation (or was serving at the Corporation’s request as a director or officer of another corporation) shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized by relevant sections of the DGCL. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not be required to advance such expenses to an agent who is a party to an action, suit or proceeding brought by the Corporation and approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation that alleges willful misappropriation of corporate assets by such agent, disclosure of confidential information in violation of such agent’s fiduciary or contractual obligations to the Corporation or any other willful and deliberate breach in bad faith of such agent’s duty to the Corporation or its stockholders.

 

The foregoing provisions of this Section 8.1 shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each director or officer who serves in such capacity at any time while this bylaw is in effect, and any repeal or modification thereof shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts.

 

The Board of Directors in its sole discretion shall have power on behalf of the Corporation to indemnify any person, other than a director or officer, made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she, his or her testator or intestate, is or was an officer or employee of the Corporation.

 

The Corporation may purchase and 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 incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

To assure indemnification under this Section 8.1 of all directors, officers and employees who are determined by the Corporation or otherwise to be or to have been “fiduciaries” of any employee benefit plan of the Corporation that may exist from time to time, Section 145 of the DGCL shall, for the purposes of this Section 8.1, be interpreted as follows: an “other enterprise” shall be deemed to include such an employee benefit plan, including without limitation, any plan of the Corporation that is governed by the Act of Congress entitled “Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,” as amended from time to time; the Corporation shall be deemed to have requested a person to serve the Corporation for purposes of Section 145 of the DGCL, as administrator of an employee benefit plan where the performance by such person of his or her duties to the Corporation also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, such person to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to such Act of Congress shall be deemed “fines.”

 

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

 

These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, or new bylaws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors, when such power is conferred upon the Board of Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation at any regular meeting of the stockholders or of the Board of Directors, or at any special meeting of the stockholders or the Board of Directors if notice of such alteration, amendment repeal or adoption of new bylaws be contained in the notice of such special meeting. If the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws is conferred upon the Board of Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation, it shall not divest or limit the power of the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.

 

  16  

 

 

ARTICLE X

LOANS TO OFFICERS

 

The Corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the Corporation or of its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who is a director of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the Corporation. The loan, guarantee or other assistance may be with or without interest and may be unsecured or secured in such manner as the Board of Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the Corporation. Nothing in these bylaws shall be deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the Corporation at common law or under any statute.

 

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation; (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by, or any other wrongdoing by, any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders; (3) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation; (4) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, or (5) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

 

  17  

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY OF

 

MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected and acting Secretary of Marker Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and that the bylaws attached hereto constitute the bylaws of said Corporation as duly adopted by Action by Written Consent of the Board of Directors on May 14, 2018.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned has hereunto subscribed his name this 16th day of October, 2018.

 

  /s/ Michael Loiacono
  Michael Loiacono,
  Secretary

 

  18  

 

Exhibit 4.4

 

AMENDMENT TO

TAPIMMUNE INC.

2014 OMNIBUS STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN,

AS AMENDED THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2017

 

WHEREAS, the 2014 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan (the “Plan”) was originally adopted by the Company and approved by the stockholders on August 29, 2017;

 

WHEREAS , on May 14, 2018, the Board of Directors approved an amendment to increase the shares authorized and available under the Plan by 6,616,666 shares (the “Amendment”) and authorized the submission of the Amendment to the stockholders for approval; and

  

WHEREAS, on August 29, 2017, the stockholders approved the Amendment to the Plan at the Company’s annual meeting and the shares authorized under the Plan were increased by 6,616,666 shares from 1,383,334 shares to 8,000,000.

 

NOW THEREFORE, Section 3.a titled “Scope of the Plan” is amended as follows:

 

The reference to “1,383,334” is replaced with “8,000,000”, to reflect the approved increase in the shares reserved under the Plan.

 

All other terms and conditions of the Plan remain in full force and effect.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company has caused its duly authorized officer to sign this Amendment to the TapImmune Inc. 2014 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan on its behalf.

 

  TAPIMMUNE INC.

 

   
  Michael Loiacono, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

BOARD OBSERVER AND DIRECTOR NOMINATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS BOARD OBSERVER AND DIRECTOR NOMINATION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of October 17, 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”), between MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC., a Delaware corporation formerly known as TapImmune Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “ Company ”), and NEW ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATES, INC. (the “ Shareholder ”). Unless otherwise specified herein, all of the capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section 3 hereof.

 

WHEREAS , effective as of the Effective Date, the Shareholder has purchased 5,000,000 shares of common stock, par value, $0.001 per share, of the Company (“ Common Stock ”) in a private placement of the Company with a group of institutional investors for an aggregate of 17,500,000 shares of Common Stock; and

 

WHEREAS , the Company has agreed to permit the Shareholder, for so long as the Shareholder Beneficially Owns at least 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock, par value, $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “ Company Shares ”), to have the right to designate one person as a board observer or to designate one person for nomination for election to the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1.              Board Observer and Nominee to Board of Directors .

 

(a)          Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, from and after the Effective Date and until a Termination Event (as defined below) shall have occurred, the Shareholder shall have the right, effective immediately, to designate one person to be either (i) appointed as a board observer (“ Board Observer ”), or (ii) appointed or nominated, as the case may be, for election to the Board (including any successor, each, a “ Nominee ”). The Shareholder shall exercise these rights, in its sole discretion, from time to time by providing written notice to the Company. Ali Behbahani is hereby designated by the Shareholder to serve as a Board Observer, effective as of the Effective Date.

 

(b)          If the Shareholder has elected to designate one Board Observer, the Board Observer shall have the right to attend and participate in all meetings of the Board in a non-voting capacity, and the Company shall provide such Board Observer copies of all notices, consents, minutes and other materials, financial or otherwise, which the Company provides to the Board, provided , however , that if the Board Observer does not, upon the written request of the Company, before attending any meetings of the Board, execute and deliver to the Company an agreement to abide by all Company policies applicable to members of the Board and a confidentiality agreement reasonably acceptable to the Company, the Board Observer may be excluded from access to any material or meeting or portion thereof if the Board determines in good faith, upon advice of counsel, that such exclusion is reasonably necessary to protect highly confidential proprietary information of the Company or confidential proprietary information of third parties that the Company is required to hold in confidence, or for other similar reasons. The Shareholder may revoke the designation of any person as the Board Observer at any time upon written notice to the Company after which the Shareholder shall be entitled to designate a replacement Board Observer.

 

 

 

 

(c)          A Board Observer shall serve under the terms of the Board Observer and Indemnification Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 1 with such changes as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Board Observer.

 

(d)          At the sole discretion of the Shareholder, from and after the Effective Date and until a Termination Event shall have occurred, in lieu of designating a Board Observer, the Shareholder shall have the right to designate a Nominee to serve as a member of the Board. If the Shareholder provides written notice to the Company that it is exercising its right to designate a Nominee, the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, take all necessary and desirable actions within its control (including, without limitation, increasing the size of the Board, calling special meetings of the Board and the shareholders of the Company and recommending, supporting and soliciting proxies) to allow the Nominee to serve as a member of the Board. Such actions shall include ensuring that: (i) the Nominee is included in the Board’s slate of nominees to the shareholders of the Company for each election of Directors; and (ii) the Nominee is included in the proxy statement prepared by management of the Company in connection with soliciting proxies for every meeting of the shareholders of the Company called with respect to the election of members of the Board, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written resolution of the shareholders of the Company or the Board with respect to the election of members of the Board.

 

(e)          If the Shareholder designates a Nominee to serve as a member of the Board, and such Nominee is thereafter appointed or elected to the Board, then the right of the Shareholder to appoint a Board Observer shall automatically terminate so long as the Nominee is serving as a member of the Board. If NEA has designated a person as a Board Observer, and thereafter designates a different person as a Nominee who becomes a member of the Board, then such person designated as Board Observer may continue in such capacity on an “at will” basis, until such time as the Board takes an affirmative action to remove such person as a Board Observer at the Board’s sole discretion.

 

(f)          Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to cause to be nominated for election to the Board or recommend to the stockholders the election of any Nominee: (i) who fails to submit to the Company on a timely basis such questionnaires as the Company may reasonably require of its directors generally and such other information as the Company may reasonably request in connection with the preparation of its filings under the Securities Laws; (ii) if the Board or the nominating committee (if any) determines in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel, that such action would constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties or applicable Law or violate the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation; or (iii) unless such Nominee meets the Board’s reasonable standards for Directors generally and complies with the Board’s policies applicable to all Directors (it being understand that such Nominee shall not be required by the Board to be independent of the Company);  provided however , that, the Company shall promptly notify the Shareholder of the occurrence of such event and permit the Shareholder to provide an alternate Nominee sufficiently in advance of any Board action or any meetings of the Company’s shareholders called for the purpose of electing members of the Board, but in no event shall the Company be obligated to postpone, reschedule or delay any scheduled meeting of the Company’s shareholders with respect to such election of members of the Board.

 

  2  

 

 

(g)          If a vacancy occurs, or a Nominee fails to be elected, in either case because of the death, disability, disqualification, resignation or removal of a Nominee or for any other reason, the Shareholder shall be entitled to designate such person’s successor, and the Company shall, within ten (10) days of such designation, take all necessary and desirable actions within its control such that such vacancy shall be filled with such successor Nominee, it being understood that any such successor designee shall serve the remainder of the term of the director whom such designee replaces. The Shareholder shall not be obligated to designate a director Nominee pursuant to this Agreement but the failure to do so shall not constitute a waiver of its rights hereunder.

 

(h)          The Company shall pay the reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by each Board Observer or Nominee in connection with his or her services provided to or on behalf of the Company, including attending meetings (including committee meetings) or events attended on behalf of the Company at the Company’s request.

 

(i)          The Company shall (i) purchase directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in an amount determined by the Board to be reasonable and customary and (ii) for so long as any Board Observer serves in such capacity, or a Nominee nominated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement serves as a member of the Board, maintain such coverage with respect to such members of the Board and/or Board Observer.

 

(j)          For so long as any Nominee serves as a member of the Board, the Company shall not amend, alter or repeal any right to indemnification or exculpation covering or benefiting any Nominee nominated pursuant to this Agreement as and to the extent consistent with applicable law, including but not limited to any provisions of the Company Charter (whether such right is contained in the Company Charter or another document) (except to the extent such amendment or alteration permits the Company to provide broader indemnification or exculpation rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto).

 

Section 2.             Termination . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon (i) a Change of Control Transaction, or (ii) the Shareholder (together with its Affiliates and permitted assignees) ceases to Beneficially Own less than 2,500,000 Company Shares (“ Termination Event ”), then this Agreement shall expire and terminate automatically; provided , however , that Sections 1(h) , (i) , and (j) and Sections 11 and 12 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 3.             Definitions .

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first Person.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

  3  

 

 

Beneficially Own ” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Board ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Board Observer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(a) .

 

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by applicable law to close.

 

Change of Control Transaction ” means a merger, consolidation or other similar transaction or series of transactions to which the Company is a party, regardless of whether the Company is the surviving Person in such transaction, pursuant to which the holders of shares of Common Stock immediately prior to such transaction (including for this purpose the Shares issuable on conversion of notes and exercise of options and warrants ) represent less than 50% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately following such transaction.

 

Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Company Shares ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Company Charter ” means the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as in effect at the Effective Date, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Nominee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(a) .

 

Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Shareholder ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Termination Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3 .

 

Transfer ” means any sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition of (whether with or without consideration and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law) of Company Shares.

 

Section 4.             Assignment; Benefit of Parties; Transfer . This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, legal representatives and assignees for the uses and purposes set forth and referred to herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Shareholder. Nothing herein contained shall confer or is intended to confer on any third party or entity that is not a party to this Agreement any rights under this Agreement.

 

  4  

 

 

Section 5.             Remedies . The Company and the Shareholder shall be entitled to enforce their rights under this Agreement specifically, to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in their favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that a breach of this Agreement would cause irreparable harm and money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any such breach and that, in addition to other rights and remedies hereunder, the Company and the Shareholder shall be entitled to specific performance and/or injunctive or other equitable relief (without posting a bond or other security) from any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction in order to enforce or prevent any violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 6.             Notices . Any notice provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be either personally delivered, or mailed first class mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) or sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) to the Company and the Shareholder at the addresses set forth below. Notices shall be deemed to have been given hereunder when delivered personally, three days after deposit in the U.S. mail and one day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier service.

 

(a) If to the Company:

 

Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

5 W. Forsyth Street, Suite 200

Jacksonville FL 32202

Attention: CEO

 

with a copy to:

 

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

700 Milam, Suite 1400

Houston TX 77002

Attention: Paul Pryzant

 

(b) If to the Shareholder:

 

New Enterprise Associates, Inc.

5425 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 800

Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Attention: Ali Behbahani

 

with a copy to:

 

New Enterprise Associates, Inc.

5425 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 800

Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

 

  5  

 

 

Section 7.             Adjustments . If, and as often as, there are any changes in the Common Stock by way of stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or sale, or by any other means, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions of this Agreement, as may be required, so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to the Company Shares as so changed.

 

Section 8.             No Third-Party Beneficiaries . Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended or shall be construed to confer upon, or give to, any person or entity other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns any remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or any terms, covenants or conditions hereof, and all of the terms, covenants, conditions, promises and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

Section 9.              Further Assurances . Each of the parties hereby agrees that it will hereafter execute and deliver any further document, agreement, instruments of assignment, transfer or conveyance as may be necessary or desirable to effectuate the purposes hereof.

 

Section 10.           Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and may be delivered by means of facsimile or electronic transmission in portable document format, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and shall be binding upon the party who executed the same, but all of such counterparts shall constitute the same agreement.

 

Section 11.            Governing Law . All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

 

Section 12.            Mutual Waiver of Jury Trial . THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT. ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING WHATSOEVER BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE TRIED IN A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY A JUDGE SITTING WITHOUT A JURY.

 

Section 13.            Complete Agreement; Inconsistent Agreements . This Agreement represents the complete agreement between the parties hereto as to all matters covered hereby and supersedes any prior agreements or understandings between the parties.

 

Section 14.             Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

  6  

 

 

Section 15.            Amendment and Waiver . Except as otherwise provided herein, no modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective against the Company or the Shareholder unless such modification is approved in writing by the Company and the Shareholder. The failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

 

Section 16.            Enforcement . Each of the parties hereto covenant and agree that the disinterested Directors of the Board have the right to enforce, waive or take any other action with respect to this Agreement on behalf of the Company.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

  7  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as a deed on the day and year first above written.

 

  Company :
   
  Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a TapImmune Inc.)

 

  By: /s/ Peter Hoang
  Peter Hoang, CEO

 

Signature Page to Board Observer and Director Nomination Agreement

 

 

 

 

  Shareholder :
   
  New Enterprise Associates 16, L.P.
  By: NEA Partners 16, L.P.
  By: NEA 16 GP, LLC

 

  By: /s/ Louis Citron
  Louis Citron, Chief Legal Officer

 

Signature Page to Board Observer and Director Nomination Agreement

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 1

 

BOARD OBSERVER AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This Board Observer and Indemnification Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of October 17, 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”), between MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC., a Delaware corporation formerly known as TapImmune, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “ Company ”), and ALI BEHBAHANI (“ Observer ”).

 

WHEREAS , pursuant to a Board Observer and Director Nomination Agreement (the “ Nomination Agreement ”) dated as of the Effective Date between the Company and New Enterprise Associates, Inc. (the “ Shareholder ”), the Shareholder has the right to designate a non-voting observer who will be entitled to attend and participate in all meetings of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”), with such further rights and upon such further restrictions as set forth in the Nomination Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS , the Shareholder has appointed Observer as the non-voting observer pursuant to the Nomination Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing, and in accordance with the terms of the Nomination Agreement, the Company and Observer hereby agree as follows:

 

1.             Board Observer Rights .

 

(a)          The Company agrees that it will invite Observer to attend, in a non-voting observer capacity, all meetings of the Board for the purposes of permitting Observer to have current information with respect to the affairs of the Company and the actions taken by the Board and Observer to provide input and advice with respect thereto (the “ Approved Purposes ”). Observer shall have the right to be heard at any such meeting, but in no event shall Observer: (i) be deemed to be a member of the Board; (ii) have the right to vote on any matter under consideration by the Board or otherwise have any power to cause the Company to take, or not to take, any action; or (iii) except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, have or be deemed to have, or otherwise be subject to, any duties (fiduciary or otherwise) to the Company or its stockholders or any duties (fiduciary or otherwise) otherwise applicable to the directors of the Company.  As a non-voting observer, Observer will also be provided (concurrently with delivery to the directors of the Company and in the same manner delivery is made to them) copies of all notices, minutes, consents, and all other materials or information (financial or otherwise) that are provided to the directors with respect to a meeting or any written consent in lieu of meeting (except to the extent Observer has been excluded therefrom pursuant to clause (c) below).

 

(b)          If a meeting of the Board is conducted via telephone or other electronic medium (e.g., videoconference), Observer may attend such meeting via the same medium; provided , however , that it shall be a material breach of this Agreement by Observer to provide any other person access to such meeting without the Company’s express prior written consent (which consent may be by e-mail).

 

(c)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may exclude Observer from access to any material or meeting or portion thereof if: (i) the Board concludes in good faith, upon advice of the Company’s counsel, that such exclusion is reasonably necessary to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the Company and such counsel; provided , however , that any such exclusion shall apply only to such portion of the material or such portion of the meeting which would be required to preserve such privilege and not to any other portion thereof; or (ii) such portion of a meeting is an executive session limited solely to independent director members of the Board, independent auditors and/or legal counsel, as the Board may designate, and Observer (assuming Observer were a member of the Board) would not meet the then-applicable standards for independence adopted by the NASDAQ Capital Market, or such other exchange on which the Company’s securities are then traded.

 

 

 

 

(d)          The Company shall reimburse Observer for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Observer in connection with attendance at Board meetings. All reimbursements payable by the Company pursuant to this Section 1(d) shall be paid to Observer in accordance with the Company’s policies and practices with respect to director expense reimbursement then in effect; provided , however, that any such reimbursement shall be paid to Observer no later than comparable compensation or reimbursement is paid to the members of the Board.

 

(e)          The rights described in this Section 1 shall terminate upon: (i) the occurrence of a Termination Event as defined in the Nomination Agreement; (ii) any material violation of the terms of this Agreement by Observer which (A) remains uncured within ten business days after receipt of notice thereof, or (B) if such violation is not subject to cure, directly causes harm to the Company in the Board’s sole and absolute discretion; or (iii) the death or disability of Observer.

 

2.             Confidential Treatment of Company Confidential Information .

 

(a)          In consideration of the Company’s disclosure to Observer of information which is not publicly available concerning the Company for the Approved Purposes, Observer agrees that this Agreement will apply to all information, in any form whatsoever, disclosed or made available to Observer concerning the Company, its affiliates and/or the Approved Purposes (“ Confidential Information ”).

 

(b)          Except as otherwise provided herein, Observer agrees: (i) to hold Confidential Information in strict confidence; (ii) not to disclose Confidential Information to any third parties; and (iii) not to use any Confidential Information for any purpose except for the Approved Purposes. Observer may disclose the Confidential Information to the Shareholder and its responsible agents, advisors, affiliates and representatives with a bona fide need to know (“ Representatives ”), but only to the extent necessary for the Approved Purposes. Observer agrees to instruct all such Representatives not to disclose such Confidential Information to third parties without the prior written permission of the Company. Observer will, at all times, remain liable under the terms of this Agreement for any unauthorized disclosure or use by any of its Representatives of Confidential Information provided to such Representatives by Observer.

 

3.             Exempted Disclosure . The foregoing restriction on the use and nondisclosure of Confidential Information will not include information which: (i) is, or hereafter becomes, through no act or failure to act on the part of Observer, generally known or available to the public; (ii) was acquired by Observer before receiving such information from the Company, without restriction as to use or disclosure; (iii) is hereafter furnished to Observer by a third party, without, to Observer’s knowledge, restriction as to use or disclosure; (iv) such information was independently developed by Observer; or (v) is required or requested to be disclosed pursuant to judicial, regulatory or administrative process or court order, provided , that to the extent permitted by law, rule or regulation and reasonably practicable under the circumstances, Observer gives the Company prompt notice of such required disclosure so that the Company may challenge the same.

 

4.             Return of Confidential Information . Following the termination of the rights of Observer described in Section 1 and upon request of the Company, Observer will promptly: (i) return to the Company all physical materials containing or consisting of Confidential Information and all hard copies thereof; and (ii) destroy all electronically stored Confidential Information in Observer’s possession or control. Observer may retain in his confidential files one copy of any item of Confidential Information in order to comply with any legal, compliance or regulatory requirements. Any Confidential Information that is not returned or destroyed, including, without limitation, any oral Confidential Information, and all notes, analyses, compilations, studies or other documents prepared by or for the benefit of Observer from such information, will remain subject to the confidentiality obligations set forth in this Agreement indefinitely.

 

  2  

 

 

5.             Disclaimer . All Confidential Information is provided to Observer “AS IS” and the Company does not make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the Confidential Information or any component thereof. The Company will have no liability to Observer resulting from the reliance on the Confidential Information by Observer or any third party to whom such Confidential Information is disclosed.

 

6.             Company Ownership of Confidential Information . Observer acknowledges that all of the Confidential Information is owned solely by the Company (or its licensors) and that the unauthorized disclosure or use of such Confidential Information would cause irreparable harm and significant injury, the degree of which may be difficult to ascertain. Therefore, in the event of any breach of this Agreement, the Company is entitled to seek all forms of equitable relief (including an injunction and order for specific performance), in addition to all other remedies available at law or in equity.

 

7.             Observer and Representative Compliance with Securities Laws . Observer agrees that the Confidential Information is given in confidence in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and Observer will not take any action relating to the securities of the Company which would constitute insider trading, market manipulation, or any other violation of applicable securities law. Observer agrees to instruct all of his Representatives to whom he discloses Confidential Information that they may not take any action relating to the securities of the Company which would constitute insider trading, market manipulation, or any other violation of applicable securities law.

 

8.             Indemnity . The Company will indemnify and hold harmless Observer from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses to which Observer may become subject, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of, relate to, or are based upon Observer’s designation or attendance as a non-voting observer at meetings of the Board, Observer’s receipt of materials or information under this Agreement, or Observer’s exercise of his rights under this Agreement. The Company will pay or reimburse Observer for such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses as they are incurred, including, without limitation, for amounts incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action. In furtherance of the rights set forth in this Section 8, the Company agrees that it will enter into an Indemnification Agreement with Observer, which shall be on the form of the Indemnification Agreement provided to each of the members of the Board.

 

9.             Insurance . For the duration of Observer’s appointment as Observer of the Company, and thereafter for the duration of the applicable statute of limitations, the Company shall cause to be maintained in effect a policy of liability insurance coverage for Observer against liability that may be a Company shall provide Observer or his counsel with a copy of all directors’ liability insurance applications, binders, policies, declarations, endorsements, and other related materials. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, but shall not be required to, 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 satisfy its obligations to indemnify and advance expenses pursuant to this Agreement.

 

  3  

 

 

10.            Governing Law . All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

 

11.            Notices . Any notice provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be either personally delivered, or mailed first class mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) or sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) to the Company and the Observer at the addresses set forth below. Notices shall be deemed to have been given hereunder when delivered personally, three days after deposit in the U.S. mail and one day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier service.

 

If to the Company:

 

Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

5 W. Forsyth Street, Suite 200

Jacksonville FL 32202

Attention: CEO

 

with a copy to:

 

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

700 Milam, Suite 1400

Houston TX 77002

Attention: Paul Pryzant

 

If to the Observer:

 

Ali Behbahani

New Enterprise Associates, Inc.

5425 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 800

Chevy Chase, MD 20815

 

with a copy to:

 

New Enterprise Associates, Inc.

5425 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 800

Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

 

12.            Entire Agreement . This Agreement, together with the Nomination Agreement, constitutes the complete and exclusive statement regarding the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and communications, oral or written, between the parties regarding the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

  4  

 

 

13.            Term . The provisions of Section 1 hereof shall terminate and be of no further force or effect pursuant to Section 1(e) hereof. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 13 , the provisions of Sections 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 and this Section 13 shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows. ]

 

  5  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned have hereto executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  Company :
   
  Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a TapImmune Inc.)

 

  By:  
  Peter Hoang, CEO

 

  Observer :

 

   
  Ali Behbahani

 

Signature Page to Board Observer and Indemnification Agreement

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

TAPIMMUNE AND MARKER THERAPEUTICS ANNOUNCE SUCCESSFUL CLOSING OF
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED MERGER AND FINANCING

 

· TapImmune Inc. changes name to Marker Therapeutics, Inc.
· To Commence Trading on NASDAQ Capital Market on Thursday, October 18, 2018 under Ticker Symbol “MRKR”
· Completes $70 million in concurrent private placement
· Company to Ring NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell

 

Jacksonville, FL, October 17, 2018 —TapImmune Inc. (NASDAQ: TPIV), today announced the closing of the previously announced merger with privately-held Marker Therapeutics, Inc. In connection with the merger, TapImmune Inc. changed its name to Marker Therapeutics, Inc., and reincorporated from Nevada into Delaware. The combined company will focus on the continued development and commercialization of T cell therapies. Beginning Thursday, October 18, 2018, the Company’s stock will begin trading under the new ticker symbol “MRKR” on the Nasdaq Capital Market and will have a new CUSIP number, 57055L 107.

 

“The closing of this merger marks a significant milestone, since the combined company is well-positioned to become a leader in cancer immunotherapy, with potentially transformative therapies,” said Peter L. Hoang, CEO of Marker Therapeutics, Inc. “The combined company will have exponentially superior capabilities and resources than either company had alone. With the transaction completed, we can now push our clinical trials forward more efficiently with the full resources available to the combined company. We are confident that our therapies can fundamentally improve therapeutic outcomes for patients with life-threatening diseases, and drive life-changing results for patients suffering from a variety of terrible cancers.”

 

Mr. Hoang continued, “In connection with the merger, we welcome to our Board of Directors, John Wilson, Dr. Juan Vera and David Eansor, whose participation and future contributions will enhance the future prospects of the combined company.”

 

“This merger provides Marker’s unique and highly promising T cell therapies with an excellent combination of financial support, management capacity, and scientific expertise that is expected to expedite a fundamental change in the lives of cancer patients,” said John Wilson, CEO of the former Marker Therapeutics, Inc., which changed its name to Marker Cell Therapy, Inc. in connection with the merger. “Our belief that this merger provides the best path forward has been reinforced by events surrounding the transaction, including the significant capital contribution made by highly discerning healthcare investors, led by New Enterprise Associates, the exclusive license with Baylor College of Medicine that will allow us to leverage the vast capabilities of their Center for Cell and Gene Therapy going forward, and by the willingness of Dr. James Allison (2018 Nobel Prize of Medicine recipient) and Dr. Padmanee Sharma (2018 Coley Award in Tumor Immunology recipient) to join our internationally acclaimed founders (Drs. Malcolm Brenner, Cliona Rooney, and Helen Heslop) on Marker’s Scientific Advisory Board.”

 

As a result of the merger, 13,914,255 shares of common stock of the Company, and warrants to purchase 5,046,003 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.99 per share with a five-year term, were issued to the prior stockholders of the former Marker Therapeutics, Inc., which will become a subsidiary of the combined company and renamed Marker Cell Therapy, Inc.

 

Concurrent with the merger, the Company closed on the previously announced private placement financing (the “Financing”). The aggregate offering size, before deducting the placement agent fees and other offering expenses, was $70 million. The Company issued 17,500,000 shares of its common stock and issued warrants to purchase 13,125,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share that will be exercisable for a period of five years. The closing of the merger and the Financing were subject to the approval of TapImmune’s stockholders as required by NASDAQ Stock Market Rules. TapImmune’s stockholders approved the issuance of the merger and Financing shares and warrants at TapImmune’s annual meeting which occurred on October 16, 2018.

 

 

 

 

The Financing proceeds will be used to advance the combined company’s novel T cell therapies into multiple Phase 2 clinical studies, build out infrastructure to support clinical and manufacturing capabilities, and other corporate and general purposes.

 

Piper Jaffray & Co. served as sole lead placement agent for the private placement, and Nomura Securities International, Inc. served as co-placement agent and exclusive financial advisor in conjunction with the merger.

 

The securities issued in the merger and sold in the Financing (together the “Securities”) have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. The Company has agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering the resale of the Securities, including the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants. If any of the Securities are unable to be included on the initial registration statement, the Company has agreed to file subsequent registration statements until all the Securities have been registered.

 

As a result of the closing of the merger and the Financing, the former Marker stockholders, after taking into account the issuance of shares in the Financing occurring concurrently with the merger, now own, on a fully-diluted basis (assuming the exercise of all outstanding warrants and options), approximately 27.5%, and TapImmune’s current stockholders now own approximately 27.5%, of the Company’s common stock.

 

Frederick Wasserman, who was appointed Chairman of Marker’s Board upon closing of the merger said, “The completion of the merger and financing provide a strong foundation for Marker’s future growth initiatives. We are now better positioned to develop new therapies for patients and create value for our shareholders.” Mr. Wasserman continued and noted, “We look forward to working with our three new directors who are joining our Board. We also wish to recognize our former board members who left the Board in connection with the merger (Glynn Wilson, Sherry Grisewood, Mark Reddish and Joshua Silverman) for their many contributions in helping the Company reach this milestone event.”

 

The Company will be relocating its corporate headquarters to Houston, Texas to facilitate its collaboration with the research team at the Baylor College of Medicine. In conjunction with its move, the Company plans to open a facility in Houston to conduct its operations and oversee its clinical trials.

 

President & Chief Executive Officer Peter L. Hoang, accompanied by the senior management team and Board of Directors, will ring the Nasdaq Closing Bell to mark the end of trading for today, October 17 th .

 

The ceremony, which will take place between 3:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time, will stream live online at https://new.livestream.com/nasdaq/live .

 

About Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly TapImmune Inc.)

 

We are a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company specializing in the development of next-generation T cell-based immunotherapies for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumor indications. Marker’s cell therapy technology is based on the selective expansion of non-engineered, tumor-specific T cells that recognize tumor associated antigens (i.e. tumor targets) and kill tumor cells expressing those targets. Once infused into patients, this population of T cells attacks multiple tumor targets and acts to activate the patient’s immune system to produce broad spectrum anti-tumor activity. Because Marker does not genetically engineer its T cells, when compared to current engineered CAR-T and TCR-based approaches, its products (i) are significantly less expensive and easier to manufacture, (ii) appear to be markedly less toxic, and (iii) are associated with meaningful clinical benefit. As a result, Marker believes its portfolio of T cell therapies has a compelling therapeutic product profile, as compared to current gene-modified CAR-T and TCR-based therapies.

 

Marker is also advancing a number of innovative peptide- and gene-based immuno-therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and metastatic disease, including our Folate Receptor Alpha program (TPIV200) for breast and ovarian cancers and our HER2/neu+ peptide antigen program (TPIV100/110) in Phase II clinical trials. In parallel, we are developing a proprietary DNA expression technology named PolyStart™ to improve the ability of the cellular immune system to recognize and destroy diseased cells.

 

 

 

 

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

 

This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this news release concerning the Company’s expectations, plans, business outlook or future performance, and any other statements concerning assumptions made or expectations as to any future events, conditions, performance or other matters, are “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements are by their nature subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those stored in such statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to any in ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the merger and the financing as well as the risks set forth in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K, 10-Q and other SEC filings which are available through EDGAR at www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements.

 

CONTACTS:

 

Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.

Joshua Drumm, Ph.D. (Investors)

(212) 375-2664

jdrumm@tiberend.com

 

David Schemelia (Media)

(212) 375-2686

dschemelia@tiberend.com

 

Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

Aaron Santos

(904) 862-6490 ext. 102

asantos@markertherapeutics.com