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

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 6, 2019

 

Avenue Therapeutics, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

001-38114

(Commission File Number)

 

47-4113275

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

2 Gansevoort Street, 9 th  Floor
New York, New York 10014

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(781) 652-4500

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

  

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

 

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

 

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). x

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On November 12, 2018, Avenue Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”), a subsidiary of Fortress Biotech, Inc. (“Fortress”), entered into a Stock Purchase and Merger Agreement (the “SPMA”) with InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Buyer”) and Madison Pharmaceuticals Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Buyer, pursuant to which the Buyer intended to purchase, for $35 million, common stock representing 33.3% of the fully diluted capitalization of the Company (the “Stock Purchase Transaction” and “First Stage Closing”, respectively), and subsequently acquire the remaining issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company in a reverse subsidiary merger transaction (the “Merger Transaction” and “Second Stage Closing”, respectively), for aggregate consideration of $180 million (payable to all non-Buyer shareholders of the Company), subject to certain reductions. In the Merger Transaction, stockholders would also receive certain contingent value rights which represent the right to receive certain contingent cash payments upon the achievement of certain milestones relating to annual net sales and gross profit targets of IV Tramadol, pursuant to a contingent value rights agreement to be entered into between the Company and a rights agent upon the Second Stage Closing (the “CVR Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the SPMA, the Buyer will, at the Second Stage Closing, hold 100% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of the Company. The Company’s Form 8-K, filed on November 14, 2018, is herein incorporated by reference and further describes the SPMA and other ancillary agreements.

 

On February 8, 2019, the Company and the Buyer completed the First Stage Closing under the SPMA. In connection with the First Stage Closing, the Company received $35 million from the Buyer and the Buyer received 5,833,333 shares of the Company’s common stock, resulting in an ownership interest in the Company by the Buyer of 33.3% on a fully diluted basis. In connection with the Stock Purchase Transaction, the Company and the Buyer entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the issued shares, which is described further below.

 

The Company is filing this Form 8-K in connection with the completion of the First Stage Closing pursuant to the SPMA.

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

On February 8, 2019, the Company and Buyer entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “RRA”), pursuant to which, among other things, Buyer has the right to deliver to the Company a written notice requiring the Company to prepare and file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), a registration statement with respect to resales of some or all registrable securities held by the Buyer. The above description is only a summary of certain terms of the RRA and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the RRA which is filed with this Report on Form 8-K.

 

- 2 -

 

 

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

 

Effective February 8, 2019, Dr. Akhtar Samad and Michael S. Weiss each resigned as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). The foregoing resignations were not the result from any disagreement with the Company, or any matter related to the Company’s operations, policies or practices, the Company’s management or the Board. In connection with their resignations, the Board approved the acceleration and full vesting as of February 8, 2019, of 64,663 shares of restricted common stock of the Company (“Restricted Stock”) owned by Dr. Akhtar Samad and 24,663 shares of Restricted Stock owned by Michael S. Weiss.

 

Immediately thereafter, the Board elected Jaideep Gogtay and Nishant Saxena (the “Buyer Directors”) as new members of the Board pursuant to the SPMA. In connection with the execution and delivery of the SPMA, the Company, certain stockholders of the Company, including Fortress and the Buyer, entered into a stockholders agreement (the “Stockholders Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Buyer obtained the right to nominate three directors to the Company’s seven member Board, one of whom must qualify as an independent director, upon the closing of the Stock Purchase Transaction. At this time, the Buyer exercised its right to nominate two directors to the Board, Dr. Gogtay and Mr. Saxena (neither of which qualifies as an independent director). The Stockholders Agreement also entitles the Buyer to certain veto rights over certain Company actions. The above description is only a summary of certain terms and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Stockholders Agreement which is filed with this Report on Form 8-K.

 

Dr. Jaideep A. Gogtay, 52, completed his medical graduation (M.B., B.S) from Grant Medical College and Sir J J Group of Hospitals in Mumbai. He then completed his M.D, in Pharmacology from Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital. During his post graduate days, he worked as a lecturer in pharmacology. Since 1994, he has been working with Cipla Ltd. where he currently serves as Global Chief Medical Officer. He has closely been involved in the development and introduction of several drugs in various therapeutic fields, particularly HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases and respiratory diseases. He has worked on several clinical trials in the field of asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and infectious diseases. He was involved in setting up the Chest Research Foundation (CRF). This Foundation is now an independent research center dedicated to conducting research in the field of respiratory medicine.  He has participated and spoken at several national and international forums, and has been actively involved in educational activities. He was a member of the Association of Physicians of India guidelines 2005 on ‘Antiretroviral Therapy’ and has 40 publications and has presented at over 50 conferences. He has also participated in research methodology workshops with academic institutes.

 

- 3 -

 

 

Nishant Saxena, 42, is the Global Chief Strategy Officer of Cipla Ltd., one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in India with revenues of $2.3 Billion, over 23,000 employees and presence in over 80 countries. He was previously Regional Chief Financial Officer of Cipla South Africa. Prior to that, he was an award-winning entrepreneur and worked with Procter & Gamble Company (“P&G”), the consumer goods giant. As one of industry’s leading strategist in the pharmaceutical space, he has to his credit two awards: ‘Young CFO of the Year’ and ‘Best In Class High Performance Team’.  He brings more than 18 years of corporate experience in strategy, finance and leadership. He previously worked with P&G in M&A, Finance and General Management. He has worked as an expat in Japan, Philippines, Singapore and South Africa, has done short stints in Australia, Korea, and China, and was consistently rated a top performer. Nishant started the National Award-Winning Elements Akademia and was profiled as a “Leader-in-Making” (Business World), “Path-Breaker CEO” (Economic Times), “India’s Hottest Start-Ups” (Business Today) and “One of 50 Social Entrepreneurs Making India Better” (Outlook Business). He was recognized by the World Bank for high-impact social entrepreneurship and for training and placing more than 10,000 unskilled youth. He also sits on the board of two not-for-profit organizations: P&G Alumni Foundation and IIM Amritsar.

 

Effective February 8, 2019, the Board also appointed Joseph Vazzano as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Vazzano previously served as the Company’s Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller since August 2017. He will remain the principal financial officer of the Company.

 

Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Vazzano served as Assistant Corporate Controller at Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly-traded biotechnology company, which he joined in 2016, and where he helped grow the finance and accounting department during Intercept’s transition from a development-stage company to a fully integrated commercial organization. Prior to joining Intercept, Mr. Vazzano served as the Assistant Controller at Pernix Therapeutics, a publicly-traded specialty pharmaceutical company, where he successfully built an accounting and finance team after the closure of the South Carolina office location. From 2010 to 2015, he held various roles of increasing responsibility in finance and accounting at NPS Pharmaceuticals, a publicly-traded biotechnology company acquired by Shire Pharmaceuticals in 2015. He began his professional career with KPMG, LLP, where he served as a senior auditor. Mr. Vazzano has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Lehigh University and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New Jersey.

 

No family relationships exist between the Buyer Directors or Mr. Vazzano and any directors of the Company.

 

Additionally, except as described above, there are no arrangements between the Buyer Directors or Mr. Vazzano and any other person pursuant to which they were selected as directors or officers, respectively, nor are there any transactions to which Company is or was a participant and in which the Buyer Directors or Mr. Vazzano have a material interest subject to disclosure as a related party transaction under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

- 4 -

 

 

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

On February 8, 2019, the Board approved and adopted the amended and restated Bylaws of the Company, effective immediately (the “Bylaws”). The Board amended Section 3 of the Bylaws to include, among other things, the Buyer’s right to nominate the Buyer Directors and that the Buyer’s consent would be required to change the size of the Board.

 

The above description is a summary of the material changes to the Bylaws, and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Bylaws, which is filed with this Report on Form 8-K.

 

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

 

On February 6, 2019, the Company held a special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) to consider and vote on a proposal to approve and adopt the SPMA and the ancillary agreements thereto, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Stock Purchase Transaction and the Merger Transaction, and the appointment of a rights agent in connection with the CVR Agreement (the “SPMA Proposal”). At the Special Meeting, the stockholders approved the SPMA Proposal. The Company’s Form 8-K, filed on November 14, 2018, is herein incorporated by reference and further describes the SPMA and other ancillary agreements.

 

At the Special Meeting, the SPMA Proposal was approved by the majorities of the Company’s stockholders required under the Delaware General Corporation Law and pursuant to the SPMA. The final voting result with respect to the SPMA Proposal is described below. For more information on the proposal, see the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on December 21, 2018, as supplemented on January 25, 2019.

 

The vote with respect to the approval and adoption of the SPMA Proposal was as follows:

 

Shares For Against Abstain Broker Non-Votes
Common 7,617,271 70,450 53,356 0

 

In addition, holders of all of the Company’s issued and outstanding Class A Preferred Stock voted all of their preferred shares in favor of the SPMA Proposal.

 

- 5 -

 

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.      

 

(d)  Exhibits

 

Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
   
3.1 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Avenue Therapeutics, Inc.
   
10.1 Stock Purchase and Merger Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2018, by and between Avenue Therapeutics, Inc., InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Madison Pharmaceuticals Inc., incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2018.
   
10.2 Stockholders Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2018, by and between Avenue Therapeutics, Inc., Fortress Biotech, Inc., Dr. Lucy Lu, M.D. and InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc., incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2018.
   
10.3 Credit Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2018, by and between Avenue Therapeutics, Inc. and InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc., incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2018.
   
10.4 Guaranty, dated as of November 12, 2018, by and between Fortress Biotech, Inc. and InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc., incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2018.
   
10.5 Voting and Support Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2018, by and between Avenue Therapeutics, Inc., Fortress Biotech, Inc., Dr. Lucy Lu, M.D. and InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc., incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2018.
   
10.6 Waiver Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2018, by and between Avenue Therapeutics, Inc., Fortress Biotech, Inc. and InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc., incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2018.
   
10.7 Restrictive Covenant Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2018, by and between Fortress Biotech, Inc. and InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc., incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2018.
   
10.8 Indemnification Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2018, by and between Fortress Biotech, Inc. and InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc., incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2018.
   
10.9 Restrictive Covenant Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2018, by and between Dr. Lucy Lu, M.D. and InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc., incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2018.
   
10.10 First Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2018, by and between Avenue Therapeutics, Inc. and Dr. Lucy Lu, M.D., incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2018.
   
10.11 Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 8, 2019, by and between Avenue Therapeutics, Inc. and InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc.
   
10.12 Form of CVR Agreement

 

- 6 -

 

 

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.

 

  AVENUE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
  (Registrant)  
   
   
   
   
Date:  February 11, 2019 By:   /s/ Lucy Lu, M.D.                                                  
  Name:  Lucy Lu, M.D.
  Title:    President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

AVENUE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

I. CORPORATE OFFICES

  

1.1          Registered Office

 

The registered office of the corporation shall be in the City of Dover County of Kent, State of Delaware. The name of the registered agent of the corporation at such location is Incorporating Services, Ltd.

 

1.2          Other Offices

 

The board of directors may at any time establish other offices at any place or places where the corporation is qualified to do business.

 

II. MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

2.1          Place of Meetings

 

Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place, within or outside the State of Delaware, designated by the board of directors. The board of directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a 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 General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

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, participate in a meeting of stockholders, 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.

 

2.2          Annual Meeting

 

The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year on a date and at a time designated by the board of directors. In the absence of such designation, the annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the third Monday in April in each year at 1:00 p.m. However, if such day falls on a legal holiday, then the meeting shall be held at the same time and place on the next succeeding full business day. At the meeting, directors shall be elected and any other proper business may be transacted.

 

2.3          Special Meeting

 

Special meetings of the stockholders may be called, at any time for any purpose or purposes, by the board of directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, or by such person or persons duly designated by the board of directors whose powers and authority, as expressly provided in a resolution of the board of directors, include the power to call such meetings, but such special meetings may not be called by any other person or persons.

 

 

 

2.4          Notice of Stockholders' Meetings

 

(a)          Except to the extent otherwise required by law, all notices of meetings with stockholders shall be in writing and shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 2.5 of these bylaws not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. The notice shall specify the place, if any, date, and hour 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.

 

(b)          Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the corporation shall also be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (i) the corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the corporation in accordance with such consent, and (ii) 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, that the inadvertent failure to recognize such revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

 

(c)          Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the corporation shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the corporation, within sixty (60) days of having been given written notice by the corporation of its intention to send the single notice permitted under this subsection 2.4(c), shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.

 

(d)          Sections 2.4(b) and (c) shall not apply to any notice given to stockholders under Sections 164 (notice of sale of shares of stockholder who failed to pay an installment or call on stock not fully paid), 296 (notice of disputed claims relating to insolvent corporations), 311 (notice of meeting of stockholders to revoke dissolution of corporation), 312 (notice of meeting of stockholders of corporation whose certificate of incorporation has been renewed or revived) and 324 (notice when stock has been attached as required for sale upon execution process) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

2.5          Manner of Giving Notice; Affidavit of Notice

 

(a)          Written notice of any meeting of stockholders, if mailed, is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his, her or its address as it appears on the records of the corporation. 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 shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

(b)          Notice given pursuant to this Section 2.5(b) shall be deemed given: (i) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (ii) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (iii) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of such posting and the giving of such separate notice; and (iv) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. An affidavit of the secretary, an assistant secretary or 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.

 

2.6          Quorum

 

The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, 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 is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then 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 is present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.

 

 

 

2.7          Adjourned Meeting; Notice

 

When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these bylaws otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof, and 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, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

2.8          Voting

 

The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these bylaws, subject to the provisions of Sections 217 and 218 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners of stock and to voting trusts and other voting agreements).

 

Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.

 

2.9          Waiver of Notice

 

Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the General Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver or any waiver by electronic transmission of notice unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

 

2.10        Stockholder Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting

 

Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any action required by the General Corporation Law of Delaware to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of a corporation, or any action that may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. A telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission consenting to an action to be taken and transmitted by a stockholder, proxyholder or other 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 2.10, provided that any such telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission sets forth or is delivered with information from which the corporation can determine (a) that the telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission was transmitted by the stockholder, proxyholder or other authorized person or persons, and (b) the date on which such stockholder, proxyholder or other authorized person or persons transmitted such telegram, cablegram or electronic transmission. The date on which such telegram, cablegram or electronic transmission is transmitted shall be deemed to be the date on which such consent was signed. No consent given by telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been delivered until such consent is reproduced in paper form and until such paper form shall have been delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in this State, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the corporation's registered office shall be made by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations on delivery, consents given by telegram, cablegram or other 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, to the extent and in the manner provided by resolution of the board of directors of the corporation. Any copy, facsimile or other reliable reproduction of a consent in writing may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing for any and all purposes for which the original writing could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing.

 

 

 

Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing. If the action that is consented to is such as would have required the filing of a certificate under any section of the General Corporation Law of Delaware if such action had been voted on by stockholders at a meeting thereof, then the certificate filed under such section shall state, in lieu of any statement required by such section concerning any vote of stockholders, that written notice and written consent have been given as provided in Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

2.11        Record Date for Stockholder Notice; Voting; Giving Consents

 

In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to 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, in advance, a record date that 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.

 

If the board of directors does not so fix a record date:

 

(a)          the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held;

 

(b)          the record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the board of directors is necessary, shall be the day on which the first written consent is expressed; and

 

(c)          the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

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.

 

2.12        Proxies

 

Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him by a written proxy, signed by the stockholder and filed with the secretary of the corporation, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the stockholder's name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic transmission or otherwise) by the stockholder or the stockholder's attorney-in-fact. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212(e) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

 

 

2.13        List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote

 

The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of a 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 of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The corporation shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting: (a) 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 (b) 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 examined 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.

 

2.14        Stockholder Proposals

 

Effective upon the corporation's initial public offering of stock under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, any stockholder wishing to bring any other business before a meeting of stockholders, including, but not limited to, the nomination of persons for election as directors, must provide notice to the corporation not more than ninety (90) and not less than fifty (50) days before the meeting in writing by registered mail, return receipt requested, of the business to be presented by the stockholders at the stockholders' meeting. Any such notice shall set forth the following as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting: (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and, if such business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws of the corporation, the language of the proposed amendment; (b) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation's books, of the stockholder proposing such business; (c) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are beneficially owned by such stockholder; (d) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business; and (e) any material interest of the stockholder in such business. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.14, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.14. In the absence of such notice to the corporation meeting the above requirements, a stockholder shall not be entitled to present any business at any meeting of stockholders.

 

III. DIRECTORS

 

3.1          Powers

 

Subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware and any limitations in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws relating to action required to be approved by the stockholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the board of directors.

 

3.2          Number of Directors

 

The number of directors constituting the board of directors shall be not more than seven (7) but not less than one (1), and may be fixed or changed, within this minimum and maximum, by the stockholders or the board of directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as long as InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“ InvaGen ”) has the right to nominate the InvaGen Directors (as defined in Section 3.3 herein), the size of the board of directors may only be increased or decreased upon consent of an authorized officer of InvaGen (as confirmed in accordance with Section 12.4 of the SPMA).

 

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, Qualification and Term of Office of Directors

 

Except as provided in this Section 3.3 and in Section 3.4 of these bylaws, directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to hold office until the next annual meeting. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, wherein other qualifications for directors may be prescribed. Each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Each director shall be a natural person.

 

Elections of directors need not be by written ballot.

 

At any time that InvaGen beneficially owns at least 75% of the First Stage Shares (as defined in the SPMA), InvaGen shall have the right to nominate three members to the board of directors (each, an “ InvaGen Director ”), initially upon the closing of the Stock Purchase Transaction pursuant to that certain Stock Purchase and Merger Agreement by and among InvaGen, Madison Pharmaceuticals Inc. and the corporation dated November 12, 2018 (the “ SPMA ”), and thereafter at every annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation in which directors are generally elected, including at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on any action by written consent of the stockholders of the corporation relating to the election of directors generally.  At least one of the InvaGen Directors shall be “Independent” as determined by the board of directors pursuant to Rule 5605 of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“ Nasdaq ”) and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”).

 

(a)          The following procedures shall be followed with respect to the nomination of InvaGen Directors for election at annual meetings of stockholders of the corporation pursuant to this Section 3.3:

 

(i)          For purposes of determining whether InvaGen has a right to nominate an InvaGen Director pursuant to this Section 3.3 and for purposes of Article IX herein, the beneficial ownership of the common stock of the corporation shall be measured as of the record date for such annual meeting or written consent. If any change in the outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation shall occur, including by reason of any issuance (including upon exercise of warrants), reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a reverse stock split), or combination, exchange, readjustment of shares, consolidation, split, buy-back, repurchase, redemption, acquisition or similar transaction, or any stock dividend or distribution paid in stock, the calculation of beneficial ownership under this Section 3.3 and under Article IX herein shall be equitably adjusted to proportionately reflect such change.

 

(ii)         Each year, the corporation will notify InvaGen when it intends to hold its next corporation’s annual meeting of stockholders at least 120 days prior to such meeting. With respect to InvaGen’s nominees, at least 90 days prior to the corporation’s annual meeting of stockholders, InvaGen shall provide the corporation with the InvaGen’s nominees for the InvaGen Directors, along with any other information reasonably requested by the independent directors of the corporation pursuant to Rule 5605 of Nasdaq and the rules and regulations of the SEC (the “ Independent Directors ”) to evaluate the suitability of such candidates for directorship.

 

(iii)        Within 10 days of receiving InvaGen’s nominees for the InvaGen Directors in accordance with Section 3.3(a)(ii), the Independent Directors shall make a good faith and reasonable determination as to the suitability of InvaGen’s nominees for InvaGen Directors and shall notify InvaGen of its determination (and the determination of the board of directors as to whether at least one of the InvaGen nominees is “Independent” pursuant to Rule 5605 of Nasdaq and the rules and regulations of the SEC). If the Independent Directors do not notify InvaGen of their determination within the 10 day period specified above, then InvaGen’s nominees shall be deemed to be approved for purposes of Section 3.3(a)(iv) below. If InvaGen and the Independent Directors do not agree on the nominee(s) within 30 days after the Independent Directors raise an objection to an InvaGen Director nomination, the InvaGen Director(s) shall not be nominated by the corporation at such annual meeting. The Independent Directors may not disqualify a nominee except for the following: (i) commission of acts of misrepresentation, fraud, or dishonesty, (ii) commission of or pleading nolo contendere or guilty to, a crime involving fraud, any regulatory violation, dishonesty or any felony, (iii) the entry of an order of the SEC or other regulatory or self-regulatory body against the nominee; or (iv) if nominee is considered to be a “Bad Actor” as defined in Rule 506 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

 

 

(iv)         If the Independent Directors or any authorized committee thereof approves of InvaGen’s nominees for InvaGen Directors, the board of directors shall (1) nominate such nominees to be elected as directors and recommend that the stockholders vote to elect such nominees at the next annual meeting of stockholders at which directors will be generally elected and (2) in the case of InvaGen Directors designated pursuant to Section 3.3(a)(v) or Section 3.3(a)(vi), appoint the InvaGen Directors as members of the board of directors promptly to serve until the corporation’s next annual meeting of stockholders at which directors will be generally elected.

 

(v)          If any InvaGen nominee(s) is not appointed, nominated or elected by the stockholders, then as soon as practicable after the annual meeting, as applicable, InvaGen shall designate nominee(s) for such InvaGen Director(s) (subject to the limitations on the Independent Directors’ ability to raise an objection as specified in clause (iii) of this Section 3.3(a)), which nominee(s) shall be appointed as director(s) by the board of directors promptly after such designation.

 

(vi)         In the event an InvaGen Director resigns from the board of directors (or is otherwise incapable of serving on the board of directors), the remaining InvaGen Directors shall have the power to fill such vacancy. So long as the InvaGen Director replacement satisfies the criteria in Sections 3.3(a)(ii)-(iii), the board of directors shall vote in favor of such InvaGen Director replacement.

 

(b)          InvaGen Directors shall be as close as proportionally practicable, but at least one InvaGen Director shall be, represented on all committees of the board of directors and shall be appointed to such committees in accordance with Nasdaq and SEC rules. The chair of the corporation’s audit committee shall be selected by InvaGen out of the InvaGen Directors, provided that such person qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act, of 1934, as amended.

 

3.4          Resignation and Vacancies

 

Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or electronic transmission to the corporation. When one or more directors so resigns and the resignation is effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have the power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office as provided in this Section 3.4 in the filling of other vacancies.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws:

 

(a)          vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the stockholders having the right to vote as a single class may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director; and

 

(b)          whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes or series may be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected.

 

If at any time, by reason of death or resignation or other cause, the corporation should have no directors in office, then any officer or any stockholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a stockholder, or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of a stockholder, may call a special meeting of stockholders in accordance with the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, or may apply to the Court of Chancery for a decree summarily ordering an election as provided in Section 211 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

 

 

If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship, the directors then in office constitute less than a majority of the whole board (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), then 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 as aforesaid, which election shall be governed by the provisions of Section 211 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware as far as applicable.

 

3.5          Place of Meetings; Meetings by Telephone

 

The board of directors of the corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.

 

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 communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

3.6          First Meetings

 

The first meeting of each newly elected board of directors shall be held at such time and place as shall be fixed by the vote of the stockholders at the annual meeting and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly elected directors in order legally to constitute the meeting, provided a quorum shall be present. In the event of the failure of the stockholders to fix the time or place of such first meeting of the newly elected board of directors, or in the event such meeting is not held at the time and place so fixed by the stockholders, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the board of directors, or as shall be specified in a written waiver signed by all of the directors.

 

3.7          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.

 

3.8          Special Meetings; Notice

 

Special meetings of the board of directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairman of the board of directors, the president, any vice president, the secretary or any director.

 

Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered either personally or by mail, telex, facsimile, telephone or electronic transmission to each director, addressed to each director at such director's address and/or phone number and/or electronic transmission address as it is shown on the records of the corporation. If the notice is mailed, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) days before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is delivered personally or by telex, facsimile, telephone or electronic transmission, it shall be delivered by telephone or transmitted at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be communicated either to the director or to a person at the office of the director who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it to the director. The notice need not specify the purpose or the place of the meeting, if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the corporation. Notice may be delivered by any person entitled to call a special meeting or by an agent of such person.

 

 

 

3.9          Quorum

 

At all meetings of the board of directors, a majority of the authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the board of directors, except as 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, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

 

3.10        Waiver Of Notice

 

Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the General Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the directors, or meeting of a committee of directors, need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

 

3.11        Adjourned Meeting; Notice

 

If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the board of directors, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

 

3.12        Board Action by Written Consent 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 or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board of directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

3.13        Fees and 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 InvaGen Directors and any member of the board of directors designated by or affiliated with Fortress Biotech, Inc. shall not be compensated for his or her service on the board of directors, except to the extent such person is “Independent” as determined by the board of directors pursuant to Rule 5605 of Nasdaq and the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

3.14        Approval of Loans to Officers

 

Subject to compliance with applicable law, including without limitation any federal or state securities laws, 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 subsidiary, including any officer or employee who is a director of the corporation or its subsidiary, whenever, in the judgment of the directors, such loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guaranty 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 contained in this Section 3.14 shall be deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at common law or under any statute.

 

 

 

3.15        Removal of Directors

 

Unless otherwise restricted by statute, by the certificate of incorporation or by these bylaws, any director or the entire board of directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors; provided, that, whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock, or series thereof, are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, removal of any directors elected by such class or classes of stock, or series thereof, shall be by the holders of a majority of the shares of such class or classes of stock, or series of stock, then entitled to vote at an election of directors.

 

No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of such director's term of office.

 

3.16        Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the board of directors, a chairman of the board of directors. The chairman of the board of directors shall, if such a person is elected, preside at the meetings of the board of directors and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the board of directors, or as may be prescribed by these bylaws.

 

IV. COMMITTEES

 

4.1          Committees of Directors

 

The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole board of directors, designate one or more committees, with 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 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 or in the bylaws of the corporation, 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 that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the General Corporation Law of Delaware to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopt, amend or repeal any bylaws of the corporation.

 

4.2          Committee Minutes

 

Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when required.

 

4.3          Meetings and Action of Committees

 

Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and be held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article III of these bylaws, Section 3.5 (place of meetings and meetings by telephone), Section 3.7 (regular meetings), Section 3.8 (special meetings and notice), Section 3.9 (quorum), Section 3.10 (waiver of notice), Section 3.11 (adjourned meeting and notice), and Section 3.12 (board action by written consent without a meeting), with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the board of directors and its members; provided , however , that the time of regular meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the board of directors and that notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The board of directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.

 

 

 

V. OFFICERS

 

5.1          Officers

 

The officers of the corporation shall be a chief executive officer, a president, one or more vice presidents, a secretary and a treasurer. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the board of directors, a chairman of the board, one or more assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

 

5.2          Election of Officers

 

The officers of the corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5.3 of these bylaws, shall be chosen by the board of directors, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.

 

5.3          Subordinate Officers

 

The board of directors may appoint, or empower the president to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the board of directors may from time to time determine.

 

5.4          Removal and Resignation of Officers

 

Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of the majority of the board of directors at any regular or special meeting of the board of directors or by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the board of directors.

 

Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.

 

5.5          Vacancies in Offices

 

Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation shall be filled by the board of directors.

 

5.6          Chairman of the Board

 

The chairman of the board, if such an officer be elected, shall, if present, preside at meetings of the board of directors and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the board of directors or as may be prescribed by these bylaws. If there is no chief executive officer, then the chairman of the board shall also be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in Section 5.7 of these bylaws. The chairman of the board shall be chosen by the board of directors.

 

5.7          Chief Executive Officer

 

Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the board of directors to the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer of the corporation shall, subject to the control of the board of directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and the officers of the corporation. The chief executive officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and, in the absence or nonexistence of a chairman of the board, at all meetings of the board of directors at which he or she is present. The chief executive officer shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of chief executive officer of a corporation and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or these bylaws.

 

 

 

5.8          President

 

Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the board of directors to the chairman of the board or the chief executive officer, if there be such officers, the president shall, subject to the control of the board of directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and the officers of the corporation. In the absence or nonexistence of the chief executive officer, he or she shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and, in the absence or nonexistence of a chairman of the board and chief executive officer, at all meetings of the board of directors at which he or she is present. He or she shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of president of a corporation and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or these bylaws. The board of directors may provide in their discretion that the offices of president and chief executive officer may be held by the same person.

 

5.9          Vice Presidents

 

In the absence or disability of the chief executive officer and president, the vice presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the board of directors or, if not ranked, a vice president designated by the board of directors, shall perform all the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the president. The vice presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them by the board of directors, these bylaws, the president or the chairman of the board.

 

5.10        Secretary

 

The secretary or an agent of the corporation shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the corporation or such other place as the board of directors may direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of directors, committees of directors and stockholders. The minutes shall show the time and place of each meeting, whether regular or special (and, if special, how authorized and the notice given), the names of those present at directors' meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares present or represented at stockholders' meetings and the proceedings thereof.

 

The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the corporation or at the office of the corporation's transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the board of directors, a share register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of all stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.

 

The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and of the board of directors required to be given by law or by these bylaws. The secretary shall keep the seal of the corporation, if one be adopted, in safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or by these bylaws.

 

5.11        Treasurer

 

The treasurer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained earnings and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director.

 

The treasurer shall deposit all money and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositaries as may be designated by the board of directors. The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, shall render to the president and directors, whenever they request it, an account of all of his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or these bylaws.

 

 

 

5.12        Assistant Secretary

 

The assistant secretary, or, if there is more than one, the assistant secretaries in the order determined by the stockholders or board of directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) 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 or the stockholders may from time to time prescribe.

 

5.13        Representation of Shares of Other Corporations

 

The chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president, any vice president, the treasurer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this corporation, or any other person authorized by the board of directors or the chief executive officer, president or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of this corporation. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.

 

5.14        Authority and Duties of Officers

 

In addition to the foregoing authority and duties, all officers of the corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the corporation as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors or the stockholders.

 

VI. INDEMNITY

 

6.1          Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

The corporation shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, indemnify each of its directors and Officers against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding, arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the corporation. For purposes of this Section 6.1, a director or Officer of the corporation includes any person (a) who is or was a director or Officer of the corporation, (b) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, Officer manager, member, partner, trustee, or other agent of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (c) who was a director or Officer of a corporation that was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation. Such indemnification shall be a contract right and shall include the right to receive payment of any expenses incurred by the indemnitee in connection with any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, consistent with the provisions of applicable law as then in effect. The right of indemnification provided in this Section 6.1 shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may otherwise be entitled, and the provisions of this Section 6.1 shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of any person entitled to indemnity under this Section 6.1 and shall be applicable to proceedings commenced or continuing after the adoption of this Section 6.1, whether arising from acts or omissions occurring before or after such adoption. In furtherance, but not in limitation of the foregoing provisions, the following procedures, presumptions and remedies shall apply with respect to advancement of expenses and the right to indemnification under this Section 6.1.

 

(a)           Advancement of Expenses . All reasonable expenses incurred by or on behalf of the indemnitee in connection with any proceeding shall be advanced to the indemnitee by the corporation within twenty (20) days after the receipt by the corporation of a statement or statements from the indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such proceeding, unless, prior to the expiration of such twenty-day period, the board of directors shall unanimously (except for the vote, if applicable, of the indemnitee) determine that the indemnitee has no reasonable likelihood of being entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 6.1. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the expenses incurred by the indemnitee and, if required by law at the time of such advance, shall include or be accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnitee to repay the amounts advanced if it should ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such expenses pursuant to this Section 6.1.

 

 

 

(b)           Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification .

 

(i)          To obtain indemnification under this Section 6.1, an indemnitee shall submit to the secretary of the corporation a written request, including such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the indemnitee and reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the indemnitee is entitled to indemnification (the “Supporting Documentation”). The determination of the indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification shall be made not later than sixty (60) days after receipt by the corporation of the written request for indemnification together with the Supporting Documentation. The secretary of the corporation shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the board of directors in writing that the indemnitee has requested indemnification, whereupon the corporation shall provide such indemnification, including without limitation advancement of expenses, so long as the indemnitee is legally entitled thereto in accordance with applicable law.

 

(ii)         The indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification under this Section 6.1 shall be determined in one of the following ways: (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined), even though less than a quorum of the board of directors; (B) by a committee of such Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the board of directors; (C) by a written opinion of Independent Counsel (as hereinafter defined) if (x) a Change of Control (as hereinafter defined) shall have occurred and the indemnitee so requests or (y) a quorum of the board of directors consisting of Disinterested Directors is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, a majority of such Disinterested Directors so directs; (D) by the stockholders of the corporation (but only if a majority of the Disinterested Directors, if they constitute a quorum of the board of directors, presents the issue of entitlement to indemnification to the stockholders for their determination); or (E) as provided in paragraph (c) below.

 

(iii)        In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to paragraph (b)(ii) above, a majority of the Disinterested Directors shall select the Independent Counsel, but only an Independent Counsel to which the indemnitee does not reasonably object; provided , however , that if a Change of Control shall have occurred, the indemnitee shall select such Independent Counsel, but only an Independent Counsel to which the board of directors does not reasonably object.

 

(iv)        The only basis upon which a finding that indemnification may not be made is that such indemnification is prohibited by law.

 

(c)           Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings . Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 6.1, if a Change of Control shall have occurred, the indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Section 6.1 upon submission of a request for Indemnification together with the Supporting Documentation in accordance with paragraph (b)(i), and thereafter the corporation shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in reaching a contrary determination. In any event, if the person or persons empowered under paragraph (b)(ii) above to determine entitlement to indemnification shall not have been appointed or shall not have made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by the corporation of the request therefor together with the Supporting Documentation, the indemnitee shall be deemed to be entitled to indemnification and the indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification unless (A) the indemnitee misrepresented or failed to disclose a material fact in making the request for indemnification or in the Supporting Documentation or (B) such indemnification is prohibited by law. The termination of any proceeding described in this Section 6.1, or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, adversely affect the right of the indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that the indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner that the indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that the indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that the indemnitee's conduct was unlawful.

 

(d)           Remedies of Indemnitee .

 

(i)          In the event that a determination is made pursuant to paragraph (b)(ii) that the indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 6.1: (A) the indemnitee shall be entitled to seek an adjudication of his or her entitlement to such indemnification either, at the indemnitee's sole option, in (x) an appropriate court of the State of Delaware or any other court of competent jurisdiction, or (y) an arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association; (B) any such judicial proceeding or arbitration shall be de novo and the indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of such adverse determination; and (C) in any such judicial proceeding or arbitration the corporation shall have the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 6.1.

 

 

 

(ii)         If a determination shall have been made or is deemed to have been made, pursuant to paragraph (b)(ii) or (iii), that the indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the corporation shall be obligated to pay the amounts constituting such indemnification within five (5) days after such determination has been made or is deemed to have been made and shall be conclusively bound by such determination unless (A) the indemnitee misrepresented or failed to disclose a material fact in making the request for indemnification or in the Supporting Documentation, or (B) such indemnification is prohibited by law. In the event that: (X) advancement of expenses is not timely made pursuant to paragraph (a); or (Y) payment of indemnification is not made within five (5) days after a determination of entitlement to indemnification has been made or deemed to have been made pursuant to paragraph (b)(ii) or (iii), the indemnitee shall be entitled to seek judicial enforcement of the corporation's obligation to pay to the indemnitee such advancement of expenses or indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the corporation may bring an action, in an appropriate court in the State of Delaware or any other court of competent jurisdiction, contesting the right of the indemnitee to receive indemnification hereunder due to the occurrence of an event described in subclause (A) or (B) of this clause (ii) (a “Disqualifying Event”); provided, however, that in any such action the corporation shall have the burden of proving the occurrence of such Disqualifying Event.

  

(iii)        The corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceedings or arbitration commenced pursuant to this paragraph (d) that the procedures and presumptions of this Section 6.1 are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the corporation is bound by all the provisions of this Section 6.1.

 

(iv)        In the event that the indemnitee, pursuant to this paragraph (d), seeks a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce his or her rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Section 6.1, the indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the corporation, and shall be indemnified by the corporation against, any expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the indemnitee if the indemnitee prevails in such judicial adjudication or arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that the indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advancement of expenses sought, the expenses incurred by the indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication shall be prorated accordingly.

 

(e)           Definitions . For purposes of this Section 6.1:

 

(i)          “Change in Control” means a change in control of the corporation of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”), whether or not the corporation is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided that, without limitation, such a change in control shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule l3d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the corporation representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the corporation's then outstanding securities without the prior approval of at least a majority of the members of the board of directors in office immediately prior to such acquisition; (ii) the corporation is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other reorganization, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of which members of the board of directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the board of directors thereafter; or (iii) during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the board of directors (including for this purpose any new director whose election or nomination for election by the corporation's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the board of directors;

 

(ii)         “Disinterested Director” means a director of the corporation who is not a party to the proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by the indemnitee; and

 

 

 

(iii)        “Independent Counsel” means a law firm or a member of a law firm that neither presently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent: (A) the corporation or the indemnitee in any matter material to either such party or (B) any other party to the proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification under this Section 6.1. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing under such persons, relevant jurisdiction of practice, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the corporation or the indemnitee in an action to determine the indemnitee's rights under this Section 6.1.

 

(f)           Invalidity; Severability; Interpretation . If any provision or provisions of this Section 6.1 shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Section 6.1 (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Section 6.1 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Section 6.1 (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Section 6.1 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid; illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable. Reference herein to laws, regulations or agencies shall be deemed to include all amendments thereof, substitutions therefor and successors thereto.

 

6.2          Indemnification of Others

 

The corporation shall have the power, to the extent and in the manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, to indemnify each of its officers, employees and agents (other than directors) against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding, arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the corporation. For purposes of this Section 6.2, an officer, employee or agent of the corporation (other than a director) includes any person (a) who is or was an employee or agent of the corporation, (b) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, manager, member, partner, trustee, employee or other agent of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (c) who was an employee or agent of a corporation that was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.

 

6.3          Insurance

 

The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, manager, member, partner, trustee, employee or other agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him 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 him against such liability under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

VII. RECORDS AND REPORTS

 

7.1          Maintenance and Inspection of Records

 

The corporation shall, either at its principal executive office or at such place or places as designated by the board of directors, keep a record of its stockholders listing their names and addresses and the number and class of shares held by each stockholder, a copy of these bylaws as amended to date, accounting books and other records.

 

Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the corporation's stock ledger, a list of its stockholders and its other books and records and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a purpose reasonably related to such person's interest as a stockholder. In every instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the corporation at its registered office in Delaware or at its principal place of business.

 

 

 

Any records maintained by a corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account and minute books, may be kept on, or by means of, or be in the form of, any information storage device or method, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time. Any corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect such records pursuant to any provision of the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the General Corporation Law of Delaware. When records are kept in such manner, a clearly legible paper from or by means of the information storage device or method shall be admissible in evidence, and accepted for all other purposes, to the same extent as an original paper record of the same information would have been, provided the paper form accurately portrays the record.

 

7.2          Inspection by Directors

 

Any director shall have the right to examine the corporation's stock ledger, a list of its stockholders and its other books and records for a purpose reasonably related to his or her position as a director. The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with the exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether a director is entitled to the inspection sought. The court may summarily order the corporation to permit the director to inspect any and all books and records, the stock ledger and the stock list and to make copies or extracts therefrom. The burden of proof shall be upon the corporation to establish that the inspection such director seeks is for an improper purpose. The court may, in its discretion, prescribe any limitations or conditions with reference to the inspection, or award such other and further relief as the court may deem just and proper.

 

7.3          Annual Statement to Stockholders

 

The board of directors shall present at each annual meeting, and at any special meeting of the stockholders when called for by vote of the stockholders, a full and clear statement of the business and condition of the corporation.

 

VIII. GENERAL MATTERS

 

8.1          Checks

 

From time to time, the board of directors shall determine by resolution which person or persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness that are issued in the name of or payable to the corporation, and only the persons so authorized shall sign or endorse those instruments.

 

8.2          Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments

 

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

 

8.3          Stock Certificates; Partly Paid Shares

 

The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the board of directors of the corporation may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the corporation. Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the board of directors, every holder of stock represented by certificates and upon request every holder of uncertificated shares shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the corporation by the chairman or vice-chairman of the board of directors, or the president or vice president, and by the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of such corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The corporation shall not have power to issue a certificate in bearer form.

 

 

 

The corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly paid shares, and upon the books and records of the corporation in the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.

 

8.4          Special Designation on Certificates

 

If the corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the 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 shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided , however , that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that 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, the designations, the preferences, and the 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.

 

8.5          Lost Certificates

 

Except as provided in this Section 8.5, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the corporation and cancelled at the same time. The corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his or her legal representative, to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

8.6          Construction; Definitions

 

Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the Delaware General Corporation Law shall govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both a corporation and a natural person.

 

8.7          Dividends

 

The directors of the corporation, subject to any rights or restrictions contained in the certificate of incorporation, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of its capital stock pursuant to the General Corporation Law of Delaware. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the corporation's capital stock.

 

The directors of the corporation may set apart out of any of the funds of the corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation and meeting contingencies.

 

 

 

8.8          Fiscal Year

 

The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors and may be changed by the board of directors.

 

8.9          Seal

 

The corporation may adopt a corporate seal which may be altered as desired, and may use the same by causing it, or a facsimile thereof, to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

 

8.10        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 in its books.

 

8.11        Stock Transfer Agreements and Restrictions

 

The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

8.12        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.

 

IX. AMENDMENTS

 

The original or other bylaws of the corporation may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote; provided , however , that the corporation may, in its certificate of incorporation, confer the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws upon the directors; provided , further , that these bylaws shall not be amended or repealed without the prior consent of an authorized officer of InvaGen (as confirmed in accordance with Section 12.4 of the SPMA), (a) if the SPMA has not been terminated, until the Second Stage Closing (as defined therein), and (b) if the SPMA has been terminated, at any time that InvaGen beneficially owns at least 75% of the First Stage Shares. The fact that such power has been so conferred upon the directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power, nor limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.

 

X. DISSOLUTION

 

If it should be deemed advisable in the judgment of the board of directors of the corporation that the corporation should be dissolved, the board, after the adoption of a resolution to that effect by a majority of the whole board at any meeting called for that purpose, shall cause notice to be mailed to each stockholder entitled to vote thereon of the adoption of the resolution and of a meeting of stockholders to take action upon the resolution.

 

At the meeting a vote shall be taken for and against the proposed dissolution. If a majority of the outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote thereon votes for the proposed dissolution, then a certificate stating, among other things, that the dissolution has been authorized in accordance with the provisions of Section 275 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware and setting forth the names and residences of the directors and officers shall be executed, acknowledged, and filed and shall become effective in accordance with Section 103 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. Upon such certificate's becoming effective in accordance with Section 103 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, the corporation shall be dissolved.

 

 

 

Whenever all the stockholders entitled to vote on a dissolution consent in writing, either in person or by duly authorized attorney, to a dissolution, no meeting of directors or stockholders shall be necessary. The consent shall be filed and shall become effective in accordance with Section 103 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. Upon such consent's becoming effective in accordance with Section 103 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, the corporation shall be dissolved. If the consent is signed by an attorney, then the original power of attorney or a photocopy thereof shall be attached to and filed with the consent. The consent filed with the Secretary of State shall have attached to it the affidavit of the secretary or some other officer of the corporation stating that the consent has been signed by or on behalf of all the stockholders entitled to vote on a dissolution; in addition, there shall be attached to the consent a certification by the secretary or some other officer of the corporation setting forth the names and residences of the directors and officers of the corporation.

 

XI. CUSTODIAN

 

11.1        Appointment of a Custodian in Certain Cases

 

The Court of Chancery, upon application of any stockholder, may appoint one or more persons to be custodians and, if the corporation is insolvent, to be receivers, of and for the corporation when:

 

(a)          at any meeting held for the election of directors the stockholders are so divided that they have failed to elect successors to directors whose terms have expired or would have expired upon qualification of their successors;

 

(b)          the business of the corporation is suffering or is threatened with irreparable injury because the directors are so divided respecting the management of the affairs of the corporation that the required vote for action by the board of directors cannot be obtained and the stockholders are unable to terminate this division; or

 

(c)          the corporation has abandoned its business and has failed within a reasonable time to take steps to dissolve, liquidate or distribute its assets.

 

11.2        Duties of Custodian

 

The custodian shall have all the powers and title of a receiver appointed under Section 291 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, but the authority of the custodian shall be to continue the business of the corporation and not to liquidate its affairs and distribute its assets, except when the Court of Chancery otherwise orders and except in cases arising under Sections 226(a)(3) or 352(a)(2) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

AVENUE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

The undersigned hereby certifies that he is a duly elected, qualified and acting officer of AVENUE THERAPEUTICS, INC., and that the foregoing amended and restated bylaws, comprising 20 pages, were adopted as the bylaws of the corporation effective February 8, 2019, by the board of directors of the corporation pursuant to action of the board of directors by unanimous written consent, and were recorded in the minutes thereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand and affixed the corporate seal this 8 th day of February, 2019.

 

 

  /s/ Joseph Vazzano
  Joseph Vazzano, Secretary

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.11

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (as may be amended or modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of February 8, 2019 by and among Avenue Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc., a New York corporation (“ Buyer ”).

 

WHEREAS , the Company and Buyer entered into that certain Stock Purchase and Merger Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2018 (the “ SPMA ”); and

 

WHEREAS , in connection with the execution and delivery of the SPMA and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, the Company has agreed to grant Buyer certain registration rights as set forth below.

 

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

 

Section 1. Definitions

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the SPMA.   

 

Agent ” means the principal placement agent on an agented placement of Registrable Securities.

 

Automatic Shelf Registration Statement ” shall have the meaning specified in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

Prospectus ” means the prospectus or prospectuses included in any Registration Statement (including any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) and any prospectus subject to completion and a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement and by all other amendments and supplements to the prospectus, including post-effective amendments and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such prospectus or prospectuses.

 

Registrable Securities ” means the Common Shares and any Securities into which the Common Shares may be converted or exchanged pursuant to any merger, consolidation, sale of all or any part of its assets, corporate conversion or other extraordinary transaction of the Company, held by the Buyer (whether now held or hereafter acquired, and including any such Securities received by the Buyer upon the conversion or exchange of, or pursuant to such a transaction with respect to, other Securities held by the Buyer). As to any particular Registrable Securities, such Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities on the earliest to occur of: (a) the date on which a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such Registrable Securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such Registrable Securities shall have been sold, transferred or disposed of in accordance with such Registration Statement; (b) the date on which such Registrable Securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (c) any date on which Company counsel delivers a written opinion of counsel, which shall be in a form reasonably satisfactory to Buyer’s counsel, to the effect that such Buyer’s Registrable Securities are eligible for sale without registration pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act and without volume limitations or other restrictions on transfer thereunder; or (d) the date on which such Registrable Securities have been sold to a third party and all transfer restrictions and restrictive legends with respect to such Registrable Securities are removed upon the consummation of such sale.

 

 

 

 

Registration Statement ” means any registration statement filed by the Company with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act for a public offering and sale of the Common Shares or other securities of the Company, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement, including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all materials incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement (other than a registration statement (i) on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any successor form to Form S-4 or Form S-8 or in connection with any employee or director welfare, benefit or compensation plan, (ii) covering only Securities proposed to be issued in exchange for Securities or assets of another entity, (iii) in connection with an exchange offer or an offering of Securities exclusively to existing Security holders of the Company or its subsidiaries, (iv) relating to a transaction pursuant to Rule 145 of the Securities Act, (v) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity Securities of the Company, or (vi) solely for a dividend reinvestment plan).

 

Securities ” means capital stock, limited partnership interests, limited liability company interests, beneficial interests, warrants, options, notes, bonds, debentures, and other securities, equity interests, ownership interests and similar obligations of every kind and nature of any Person.

 

Shelf Registration Statement ” means a Registration Statement on Form S-3 or another appropriate form for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act.

 

Transfer ” means and includes the act of selling, giving, transferring, creating a trust (voting or otherwise), assigning or otherwise disposing of (other than pledging, hypothecating or otherwise transferring as security or any transfer upon any merger or consolidation) (and correlative words shall have correlative meanings); provided, however, that any transfer or other disposition upon foreclosure or other exercise of remedies of a secured creditor after an event of default under or with respect to a pledge, hypothecation or other transfer as security shall constitute a Transfer.

 

Underwriters’ Representative ” means the managing underwriter, or in the case of a co-managed underwriting, the managing underwriter designated as the Underwriters’ Representative by the co-managers.

 

WKSI ” shall mean a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

2  

 

 

Section 2. Registration Rights

 

(a)       Shelf Registrations . At any time and from time to time on or after the First Stage Closing, the Buyer may deliver to the Company a written notice (a “ Shelf Registration Notice ”) requiring the Company to prepare and file with the SEC a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to resales of some or all Registrable Securities by the Buyer. As promptly as practicable after receiving the Shelf Registration Notice, but in no event more than 45 days following receipt of such notice, the Company shall file with the SEC a Shelf Registration Statement covering all requested Registrable Securities and, unless such Shelf Registration Statement shall become automatically effective, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to become or be declared effective by the SEC for all of the Registrable Securities covered thereby as promptly as practicable following delivery of the Shelf Registration Notice (if it is not an automatically effective Shelf Registration Statement). To the extent the Company is a WKSI at the time that the Shelf Registration Statement is to be filed, the Company shall file an automatic Shelf Registration Statement which covers such Registrable Securities. The Company agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement (or a successor Registration Statement filed with respect to the Registrable Securities) continuously effective (including by filing a new Shelf Registration Statement if the initial Shelf Registration Statement expires) in order to permit the Prospectus forming a part thereof to be lawfully delivered and the Shelf Registration Statement useable for resale of the Registrable Securities, so long as there are any Registrable Securities outstanding (the “ Shelf Effectiveness Period ”).

 

(b)      Shelf Offerings. In the event of the termination of the SPMA following the First Stage Closing, and at any time thereafter during the Shelf Effectiveness Period, the Buyer may deliver to the Company a written notice (“ Shelf Offering Notice ”) requiring the Company to facilitate a “takedown” of Registrable Securities off of the Shelf Registration Statement (“ Shelf Offering ”). As promptly as reasonably practicable upon receipt of the Shelf Offering Notice, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate such a “takedown” by amending or supplementing the Prospectus related to the Shelf Registration Statement as may be reasonably requested by the Buyer and taking other actions contemplated by Section 3.1 that may be applicable to such Shelf Offering.

 

(c)       Non-Shelf Demand Registration. At any time and from time to time, if the Company has not effected or is not diligently pursuing a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) or the Company is not eligible to file a Shelf Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) shall cease to be effective, the Buyer may deliver to the Company a written notice (a “ Non-Shelf Demand Registration Notice ”) informing the Company that the Buyer requires the Company to register for resale some or all of such Buyer’s Registrable Securities (a “ Non-Shelf Demand Registration ”). Upon receipt of the Non-Shelf Demand Registration Notice, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC as promptly as practicable after receiving the Non-Shelf Demand Registration Notice, but in no event more than 45 days following receipt of such notice, a Registration Statement covering all requested Registrable Securities (the “ Non-Shelf Demand Registration Statement ”), and agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Non-Shelf Demand Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable following the filing thereof. The Company agrees to use reasonable efforts to keep any Non-Shelf Demand Registration Statement continuously effective (including the preparation and filing of any amendments and supplements necessary for that purpose) for a period of not less than 120 days (“ Minimum Effective Period ”).

 

3  

 

 

(d)      All offers and sales by the Buyer under a Non-Shelf Demand Registration Statement shall be completed within the period during which such Non-Shelf Demand Registration Statement remains effective and not the subject of any stop order, injunction or other order of the SEC. Upon notice that such Non-Shelf Demand Registration Statement is no longer effective, the Buyer will not offer or sell the Registrable Securities under the Non-Shelf Demand Registration Statement.

 

(e)      Neither the Company nor any stockholder of the Company (other than the Buyer) may include securities in any offering requested under Section 2 of this Agreement.

 

(f)       Underwritten Offerings. If any registration or offering pursuant to this Section 2 involves an underwritten offering (whether on a “firm,” “best efforts” or “all reasonable efforts” basis or otherwise), or an agented offering, the Buyer shall have the right to select the counsel representing the Buyer in such registration or offering, the underwriter or underwriters and manager or managers to administer such underwritten offering or the placement agent or agents for such agented offering.

 

Section 3. Additional Obligations of the Company and the Buyer

 

3.1 Obligations of the Company. When the Company is required to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities or facilitate or effect any offering pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement, the Company shall:

 

(a)      use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities within a reasonable time after the applicable Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC under all applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as the Buyer may reasonably request in writing, (ii) keep each such registration or qualification effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective pursuant to this Agreement, (iii) cooperate with the Buyer and the underwriters or Agents, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA or other applicable regulatory authorities, and (iv) to do any and all other similar acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the Buyer to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities in each such jurisdiction; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction as a foreign corporation or to register as a broker or dealer in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify or register but for this Agreement, (B) take any action that would cause it to become subject to any taxation in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be subject to such taxation or (C) take any action that would subject it to the general service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

 

(b)      promptly notify the Buyer of the receipt, and provide copies to the Buyer, of any comments or other correspondence from staff of the SEC with respect to any Registration Statement, and promptly respond to such comments (subject to Section 3.1(n) ) and provide copies of such responses to the Buyer;

 

(c)      as promptly as practicable, prepare and file with the SEC, if necessary, such amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document as may be necessary to cause or maintain the effectiveness of such Registration Statement for so long as such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the rules thereunder with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement and the instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company;

 

4  

 

 

(d)      in the event that any Registrable Securities included in a Registration Statement subject to, or required by, this Agreement remain unsold at the end of the period during which the Company is obligated to maintain the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, file a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement for the purpose of removing such securities from registered status;

 

(e)      furnish, without charge, to the Buyer such number of copies of the Registration Statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits, but excluding any documents to be incorporated by reference therein that are publicly available on the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“ EDGAR ”)), and the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus) in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act as the Buyer or any underwriter or Agent may reasonably request for use in and in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by the Buyer;

 

(f)      if a disposition of Registrable Securities takes the form of an underwritten or agented offering, any “bought deal” or block trade, promptly enter into customary agreements (including, in the case of an underwritten offering, underwriting agreements in customary form, and including provisions with respect to indemnification and contribution in customary form and consistent with the provisions relating to indemnification and contribution contained herein) and promptly take all other customary actions at such times as customarily occur in similar registered offerings in order to facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities and in connection therewith, including:

 

(i)          make such representations and warranties to the Buyer and the underwriters, if any, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers in similar underwritten offerings;

 

(ii)         obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer and the Underwriter’s Representative or Agent, if any) addressed to the Buyer and the underwriters, if any, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in sales of securities or underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by the Buyer and the lead managing underwriter, and the Company shall furnish to the Buyer a signed counterpart of any such legal opinion;

 

(iii)        obtain “cold comfort” letters and updates thereof from the Company’s independent certified public accountants addressed to the Buyer, if permissible, and the underwriters, if any, which letters shall be customary in form and shall cover matters of the type customarily covered in “cold comfort” letters to underwriters in connection with primary underwritten offerings, and the Company shall furnish to the Buyer a signed counterpart of any such comfort letter; and

 

(iv)        use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain executed lock-up agreements from the officers and directors of the Company and from the holders of more than 5% of the Company’s equity securities (who are, or whose associated persons are, bound by the Company’s insider trading policy), if requested by the underwriters for such time periods as the underwriters may reasonably request.

 

5  

 

 

(g)     promptly notify the Buyer: (i) when the Registration Statement, any pre-effective amendment, the Prospectus or any prospectus supplement related thereto or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed, and, with respect to the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation or threat of any proceedings for that purpose, and (iii) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose;

 

(h)     use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification under state securities or “blue sky” laws, and, if any such order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification under state securities or “blue sky” laws is issued, shall promptly use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order at the earliest possible moment (and shall provide the Buyer with prompt notice thereof);

 

(i)      after the filing of a Registration Statement and thereafter until the expiration of the period during which the Company is required to maintain the effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement as set forth in the applicable Sections above, promptly notify the Buyer: (i) of the existence of any fact of which the Company is aware or the happening of any event which has resulted in (A) the Registration Statement, as then in effect, containing an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make any statements therein not misleading, (B) the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement containing an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary to make any statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (C) the representations and warranties of or relating to the Company contained in any agreement for the sale of any Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement ceasing to be true and correct in any material respect and (ii) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement would be appropriate or required or that there exist circumstances not yet disclosed to the public which make further sales under such Registration Statement inadvisable pending such disclosure and post-effective amendment; and, if the notification relates to any event described in either of clauses (i) or (ii) of this Section 3.1(i), at the request of the Buyer, the Company shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the Prospectus and furnish to the Buyer a reasonable number of copies of such post-effective amendment or supplement or file any other required document so that (x) such Registration Statement shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (y) such Prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

6  

 

 

(j)      in the event that the Common Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed, and to maintain the listing of such Registrable Securities, on the national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are then listed and cause to be satisfied all requirements and conditions of such securities exchange to the listing or quoting of such securities that are reasonably within the control of the Company including registering the applicable class of Registrable Securities under the Exchange Act, if appropriate, and using commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration to become effective pursuant to the rules of the SEC in accordance with the terms hereof;

 

(k)      if requested by the Buyer during the offering of Registrable Securities, incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information concerning the Buyer or the intended method of distribution as the Buyer reasonably requests to be included therein and is reasonably necessary to permit the sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement, including information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other material terms of the offering;

 

(l)      make available to its stockholders, as soon as practicable but no later than 90 days following the end of the 12-month period beginning with the first month of the Company’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of each Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement an earnings statement satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;

 

(m)     make the Company’s executive officers available for customary presentations to investors to discuss the affairs of the Company at times that may be mutually and reasonably agreed upon (including to the extent customary, senior management participation in due diligence calls with the underwriters (or Agent) and their counsel and, in the case of any marketed underwritten offering, participation in any road show as reasonably requested by the lead managing underwriters for such offering), and provide the Buyer, the underwriters and their respective counsel, accountants and other advisors (the “ Inspectors ”) reasonable access to its books and records as shall be reasonably requested in order to conduct a reasonable due diligence investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any applicable Registration Statement; provided, that such Inspectors agree to keep such information confidential (subject to customary exceptions) unless the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such Registration Statement;

 

(n)      in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration Statement, Prospectus, any amendments or supplements thereto, and any other written communications with the SEC with respect thereto, (i) give the Buyer, the underwriters or Agent (if applicable) and their respective counsels the opportunity to review and provide comments on such Registration Statement, each Prospectus included therein or filed with the SEC, each amendment thereof or supplement thereto, and any other written communications with the SEC with respect thereto, (ii) fairly and in good faith consider such comments in any such documents prior to the filing thereof as the counsel to the Buyer or underwriters may reasonably request, and (iii) make available such of the Company’s representatives as shall be reasonably requested by the Buyer or any underwriter for discussion of such documents;

 

(o)      provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement from and after a date not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;

 

 

7  

 

 

(p)      cooperate with the Buyer to facilitate the timely delivery, preparation and delivery of certificates (or evidence of direct registration), with requisite CUSIP numbers, representing Registrable Securities to be sold;

 

(q)      to the extent the Company is a WKSI during the period in which this Agreement is in effect, use commercially reasonable efforts to take such actions as under its control to remain a WKSI and not become an ineligible issuer during the period when any Registration Statement remains in effect; and

 

(r)      take such other actions as are reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities included in each such registration.

 

Section 4. Indemnification; Contribution

 

4.1 Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer and each Person, if any, who controls the Buyer within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and any of their partners, members, officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors or representatives, as follows:

 

(a)      against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage, action, cost, judgment and expense whatsoever (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of attorneys and other professionals), as incurred, arising out of or based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) pursuant to which the Registrable Securities were registered under the Securities Act, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or in any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), including all documents incorporated therein by reference, (ii) the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (iii) any other violation or alleged violation by the Company (or any of its Affiliates) of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any state securities law, relating to a Registration Statement, Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto filed in accordance with this Agreement.

 

(b)      against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage, action, cost, judgment and expense whatsoever (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of attorneys and other professionals), as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; and

 

(c)      against any and all cost or expense whatsoever, as incurred (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of attorneys and other professionals), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing, defending against or participating in (as a witness or otherwise) any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any third party or governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, in each case whether or not a party, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under Sections 4.1(a) or 4.1(b) above;

 

8  

 

 

provided, however, that the indemnity provided pursuant to this Section 4.1 does not apply to the Buyer with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, action, cost, judgment or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in good faith reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Buyer expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or a Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), to the extent incorporated therein.

 

4.2 Indemnification by Buyer. The Buyer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and each of its directors and officers (including each director and officer of the Company who signed a Registration Statement), and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, solely with respect to information provided by the Buyer referred to in the proviso to this Section 4.2 , as follows:

 

(a)      against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage, action, cost, judgment and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) pursuant to which the Registrable Securities of the Buyer were registered under the Securities Act, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or in any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(b)      against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage, judgment and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Buyer; and

 

(c)      against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing, defending against or participating in (as a witness or otherwise) any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, in each case whether or not a party, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under Sections 4.2(a) or 4.2(b) above;

 

provided, however, that the indemnity provided pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall only apply with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, action, cost judgment or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in good faith reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Buyer expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), to the extent incorporated therein. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.2 , the Buyer and any permitted assignee shall not be required to indemnify the Company, its officers, directors or control persons with respect to any amount in excess of the amount of the total net proceeds to the Buyer or such permitted assignee, as the case may be, from sales of the Registrable Securities of the Buyer under the Registration Statement or Prospectus, as applicable, that is the subject of the indemnification claim.

 

9  

 

 

4.3 Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. An indemnified party hereunder shall give reasonably prompt notice to the indemnifying party of any action or proceeding commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify the indemnifying party (i) shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have under the indemnity agreement provided in Section 4.1 or 4.2 above, unless and only to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and the lack of notice by the indemnified party results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses, and (ii) shall not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided under Section 4.1 or 4.2 above and the contribution obligation provided in Section 4.4 below. If the indemnifying party so elects within a reasonable time after receipt of such notice, the indemnifying party may assume the defense of such action or proceeding at such indemnifying party’s own expense with counsel chosen by the indemnifying party and approved by the indemnified party, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that the indemnifying party will not settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any such action or proceeding without the written consent of the indemnified party unless such settlement, compromise or consent secures the unconditional release of the indemnified party and does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party; and provided, further, that, if the indemnified party reasonably determines that a conflict of interest exists where it is advisable for the indemnified party to be represented by separate counsel or that, upon advice of counsel, there may be legal defenses available to it which are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party (or in the situation where the indemnifying party fails to take reasonable steps necessary to defend diligently the action or proceeding within 20 Business Days after receiving notice from the indemnified party that the indemnified party believes the indemnifying party has failed to do so), then the indemnifying party shall not be entitled to assume such defense and the indemnified party shall be entitled to separate counsel at the indemnifying party’s expense, it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one such action, claim or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions, claims or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one additional firm of attorneys (together with appropriate local counsel) at any time for all such indemnified parties. If the indemnifying party is not entitled to assume the defense of such action or proceeding as a result of the second proviso to the preceding sentence, the indemnifying party’s counsel shall be entitled to conduct the indemnifying party’s defense and counsel for the indemnified party shall be entitled to conduct the defense of the indemnified party, it being understood that both such counsel will cooperate with each other to conduct the defense of such action or proceeding as efficiently as possible. If the indemnifying party is not so entitled to assume the defense of such action or does not assume such defense, the indemnifying party will not be liable for any settlement effected without the written consent of the indemnifying party, not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. If an indemnifying party is entitled to assume, and assumes, the defense of such action or proceeding in accordance with this paragraph, the indemnifying party shall not be liable for any fees and expenses of counsel for the indemnified party incurred thereafter in connection with such action or proceeding.

 

10  

 

 

4.4 Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 above is for any reason held to be unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction to any indemnified party although applicable in accordance with its terms, the Company and the Buyer shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages, actions, costs, judgments and expenses of the nature contemplated by such indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and the Buyer, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Buyer on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages, actions, costs, judgments or expenses. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or the indemnified party (and, with respect to Buyer, only written information expressly provided for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), to the extent incorporated therein), and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action.

 

The parties hereto agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4.4 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.4, the Buyer shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount that it would have been obligated to pay by way of indemnification if the indemnification provided for under Section 4.2 had been available under the circumstances.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any indemnifying party who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 4.4 , each Person, if any, who controls the Buyer within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and any of their partners, members, officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives, shall have the same rights to contribution as the Buyer, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed a Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

 

In addition, no Person shall be obligated to contribute hereunder for any amounts in payment for any settlement of any action or claim, effected without such Person’s written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

4.5 Survival . The indemnification and contribution provisions in this Section 4 shall be a continuing right and shall survive the registration and sale of any securities by any Person entitled to indemnification or contribution, as applicable hereunder, and the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

11  

 

 

Section 5. Registration Expenses

 

The Company shall pay all expenses incident to the performance by the Company of its registration obligations under Sections 2 and 3 above, including (i) all expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing and distribution of any Registration Statement and Prospectus and all amendments and supplements thereto, (ii) SEC and state securities registration, listing and filing fees, (iii) all fees and expenses of complying with securities or “blue sky” laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Buyer in connection with “blue sky” qualifications of the securities and determination of their eligibility for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions), (iv) all FINRA fees and fees of any applicable stock exchange, (v) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and fees and expenses for the independent certified public accountants retained by the Company (including the expenses or costs associated with the delivery of any opinions or comfort letters), (vi) all internal expenses of the Company (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties); (vii) the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company in connection with the preparation of any Registration Statement; and (viii) the fees and disbursements of counsel representing the Buyer registering Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement and/or participating in the offering, as applicable. The Buyer shall be responsible for the payment of any brokerage and sales commissions, fees and disbursements of the Buyer’s accountants and other advisors (other than legal counsel to the Buyer), and any transfer taxes relating to the sale or disposition of the Registrable Securities by the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement. The Company shall have no obligation to pay any other costs or expenses incurred by the Buyer, including underwriting discounts or selling commissions attributable to the Registrable Securities being sold by the Buyer thereof, which underwriting discounts or selling commissions shall be borne by the Buyer. In addition, in an underwritten offering, all selling stockholders and the Company shall bear the expenses of the underwriters, pro rata, in proportion to the respective amount of shares each sells in such offering.

 

Section 6. Rule 144 Compliance

 

The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to file as and when applicable, on a timely basis, all reports required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make and keep current public information available as specified in paragraph (c) of Rule 144 (or any successor rule) promulgated under the Securities Act. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take such further action as may be reasonably required from time to time to enable the Buyer to Transfer Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 or any other exemption from registration. Upon the request of the Buyer, the Company will deliver to the Buyer a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements and, if not, the specifics thereof, as well as any such other information as may be reasonably requested to allow the Buyer to sell its Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144. In connection with any Transfer of Registrable Securities by the Buyer pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, the Company shall cooperate with the Buyer to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing the Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any Securities Act legend, and enable certificates for such Registrable Securities to be for such number of shares and registered in such names as the Buyer may reasonably request at least five Business Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities hereunder or, if practicable, and at the request of the Buyer, have such Registrable Securities delivered electronically via DWAC through the Depository Trust Company.

 

12  

 

 

Section 7. Miscellaneous

 

7.1 Additional Agreements: Certain Transactions.

 

(a)      In the event that any Common Shares or other Securities are issued in respect of, or in exchange for, or in substitution of the Registrable Securities by reason of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, merger, consolidation, spin-off, partial or complete liquidation, share dividend, split-up, sale of assets, distribution to stockholders or combination of the shares or any other similar change in the Company’s capital structure, the Company agrees that appropriate adjustments shall be made to this Agreement to ensure that the Buyer has, immediately after consummation of such transaction, substantially the same rights from the Company or another issuer of Securities, as applicable, as it has immediately prior to the consummation of such issuance in respect of the Registrable Securities under this Agreement.

 

(b)      The Company shall not enter into any agreement with respect to the Company’s Securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Buyer under this Agreement, and no such agreement is currently in effect.

 

7.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes any and all prior agreements, negotiations, correspondence, undertakings, understandings and communications of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

7.3 Transaction Costs . Except as otherwise provided herein, the parties to this Agreement will pay their own costs and expenses (including legal, accounting and other fees) relating to this Agreement.

 

7.4 Modifications . Any amendment or modification to this Agreement, including this undertaking itself, shall only be valid if effected by an instrument or instruments in writing and shall be effective against each of the parties hereto that has signed such instrument or instruments. The parties agree that they jointly negotiated and prepared this Agreement and that this Agreement will not be construed against any party on the grounds that such party prepared or drafted the same.

 

7.5 Notices. Notices will be deemed to have been received (a) upon receipt of a registered letter, (b) three Business Days following proper deposit with an internationally recognized express overnight delivery service, or (c) in the case of transmission by email, as of the date so transmitted (or if so transmitted after normal business hours at the place of the recipient, on the Business Day following such transmission):

 

13  

 

 

If to the Company:

 

Avenue Therapeutics, Inc.

2 Gansevoort Street, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10014

Attn: Dr. Lucy Lu, M.D.

Email: llu@avenuetx.com

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Alston & Bird LLP

90 Park Avenue, 12th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Attn: Mark McElreath

Email: mark.mcelreath@alston.com

 

If to Buyer:

 

InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Site B, 7 Oser Ave.

Hauppauge, NY 11788c/o

A.S. Kumar, Esq.

Global General Counsel

Cipla Ltd.

Cipla House, Peninsula Business Park,

Ganapatrao Kadam Marg, Lower Parel West,

Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013, India

Email: as.kumar@cipla.com and cosecretary@cipla.com

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Site B, 7 Oser Ave.

Hauppauge, NY 11788

c/o

Nishant Saxena

Global Chief Strategy Officer

Cipla Ltd.

Cipla House, Peninsula Business Park,

Ganapatrao Kadam Marg, Lower Parel West,

Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013, India

Email: nishant.saxena@cipla.com

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004-1482

Attn: Kenneth A. Lefkowitz

Email: ken.lefkowitz@hugheshubbard.com

 

or to such other address as may be hereafter communicated in writing by the parties in a notice given in accordance with this Section 7.5 , which address shall then apply to the respective notice provisions of the SPMA and all other Ancillary Agreements.

 

7.6 Public Announcements. Except as required by Legal Requirements or by the requirements of any stock exchange on which the securities of a party hereto or any of its Affiliates are listed, no party to this Agreement will make, or cause to be made, any press release or public announcement in respect of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise communicate with any news media with respect to the foregoing without prior notification to the other parties, and the parties to this Agreement will consult with each other and cooperate as to the form, timing and contents of any such press release, public announcement or disclosure.

 

14  

 

 

7.7 Severability. Each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Legal Requirements, but if any provision of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable or invalid under applicable Legal Requirements, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such unenforceability or invalidity, and the parties will negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so that the unenforceable or invalid provision is replaced by such valid and enforceable provision which the parties consider, in good faith, to match as closely as possible the invalid or unenforceable provision and to achieve the same or a similar economic effect and to give effect to the parties’ original intent. The remaining provisions of this Agreement will continue to be binding and in full force and effect.

 

7.8 Assignment . No party hereto may assign, in whole or in part, or delegate all or any part of its rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party. Any assignment or delegation made without such consent will be void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer shall be entitled to (a) assign its rights under this Agreement to any one of its Affiliates, and (b) assign any or all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (in whole or in part) as collateral security in a financing transaction.

 

7.9 Governing Law . This Agreement and any claims or causes of action pursuant to it will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard for its principles of conflict of laws.

 

7.10 Specific Performance . Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other party would be irreparably damaged if the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their terms and that any breach of this Agreement and the non-consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by either party could not be adequately compensated in all cases by monetary damages alone. Accordingly, in addition to any remedy to which such other party may be entitled under Section 7.11 , provisional measures and injunctive relief necessary to protect the possibility of each party to seek specific performance from the other from the tribunal referred to in Section 7.11 can be sought from any court of competent jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto (i) agrees that it shall not oppose the granting of any such relief and (ii) hereby irrevocably waives any requirement for the security or posting of any bond in connection with any such relief (it is understood that clause (i) of this sentence is not intended to, and shall not, preclude any party hereto from litigating on the merits the substantive claim to which such remedy relates).

 

15  

 

 

7.11 Submission to Jurisdiction . Each of the parties hereto irrevocably agrees that any Proceeding with respect to this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder brought by any other party hereto or its successors or assigns shall be brought and determined exclusively in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or in the event (but only in the event) that such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, in the federal courts sitting in the State of Delaware. Each of the parties hereto agrees that mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided in Section 7.5 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable Legal Requirements, will be valid and sufficient service thereof. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submits with regard to any such action or proceeding for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, to the personal jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court or tribunal other than the aforesaid courts. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim, or otherwise, in any action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder: (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above named courts for any reason other than the failure to serve process in accordance with this Section 7.11 ; (b) any claim that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise); and (c) to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable Legal Requirements, any claim that (i) the suit, action or proceeding in such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper, or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

 

7.12 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LEGAL ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT  or the transactions contemplated hereby . EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT: (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER IN THE EVENT OF A LEGAL ACTION; (B) SUCH PARTY HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER; (C) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY; AND (D) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS  SECTION 7.12 .

 

7.13 Waiver . Any term or condition of this Agreement may be waived at any time by the party that is entitled to the benefit thereof, but no such waiver shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument duly executed by or on behalf of the party waiving such term or condition, and no waiver by any party of any default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, shall be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty, covenant or agreement hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any such prior or subsequent occurrence. No failure or delay of any party in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, and no waiver by any party of any term or condition of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a waiver of the same or any other term or condition of this Agreement on any future occasion.

 

7.14 Counterparts; Facsimile Signature . This Agreement may be executed in one (1) or more counterparts, by original or facsimile (or other such electronically transmitted) signature, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which will constitute one and the same instrument. Any party executing this Agreement by facsimile (or other such electronically transmitted) signature shall, upon request from another party hereto, promptly deliver to the requesting party an original counterpart of such signature.

 

16  

 

 

7.15 Rights Cumulative . All rights and remedies of each of the parties under this Agreement will be cumulative, and the exercise of one or more rights or remedies will not preclude the exercise of any other right or remedy available under this Agreement or applicable Legal Requirements.

 

7.16 Interpretation . (a) The words “hereof”, “herein”, and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (b) the words “date hereof,” when used in this Agreement, shall refer to the date set forth in the Preamble; (c) the terms defined in the singular have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa; (d) the terms defined in the present tense have a comparable meaning when used in the past tense, and vice versa; (e) any references herein to a specific Section or Article shall refer, respectively, to Sections or Articles of this Agreement; (f) wherever the word “include”, “includes”, or “including” is used in this Agreement, it shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (g) references herein to any gender includes each other gender; (h) the word “or” shall not be exclusive; (i) the headings herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof; (j) any references herein to any Governmental Authority shall be deemed to also be a reference to any successor Governmental Authority thereto; and (k) the parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and, in the event that an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as jointly drafted by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

 

7.17 Survival . This Section 7 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

17  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be duly executed on its behalf as of the date first herein above set forth.

 

  COMPANY:
   
  AVENUE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
   
  By: /s/ Lucy Lu, M.D.
   
  Name: Lucy Lu, M.D.
   
  Title: President & CEO  
   
  BUYER:
   
  INVAGEN PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
   
  By: /s/ Nikhil Lalwani
   
  Name: Nikhil Lalwani
   
  Title: CEO

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.12

 

FORM OF CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of [__] (as may be amended or modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is entered into by and between Avenue Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and [__],a [__] trust company as rights agent (as qualified in Section 1.1 below, the “ Rights Agent ”) in favor of the Holders (as defined in Section 1.1 ).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS , the Company, InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc., a New York corporation (“ Buyer ”), and Madison Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Buyer (“ Merger Sub ”), have entered into a Stock Purchase and Merger Agreement (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “ SPMA ”), dated as of November 12, 2018, pursuant to which Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the “ Merger ”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Buyer;

 

WHEREAS , pursuant to the SPMA, the Company has agreed to provide to initial Holders the right to receive contingent cash payments as hereinafter described; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing and the consummation of the transactions referred to above, the Company and Rights Agent agree, for the equal and proportionate benefit of the CVRs of all Holders (each as hereinafter defined), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the SPMA, as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS; CERTAIN RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

 

Section 1.1 Definitions . Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the SPMA. As used in this Agreement, the following terms will have the following meanings:

 

Aggregate Milestone Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b) .

 

Annualized ” means Net Sales generated by the Product during the applicable Stub Period divided by the number of days in the applicable Stub Period multiplied by the number of days in the calendar year during which the applicable Stub Period falls.

 

COGS ” means cost of goods sold, including expiry, obsolescence or short-dated Product costs and associated destruction cost, and other similar costs or provisions and reserves created therefor, and reserves or provisions created for expected depletion in the value of inventory, in each case, determined according to GAAP applied by the Company

 

CVRs ” means the rights of Holders (granted to initial Holders pursuant to Section 4.1(b) of the SPMA) to receive a contingent cash payment determined in accordance with Section 2.1 , subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the SPMA.

 

 

 

 

CVR Percentage ” means, with respect to a Holder as of the applicable date of determination, the quotient of (i) the number of CVRs held by such Holder, divided by (ii) the Fully Diluted Capitalization (excluding shares to be cancelled and retired in accordance with Section 4.1(a) of the SPMA) as of immediately prior to the Second Stage Closing.

 

CVR Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b) .

 

Deductions ” means any:

 

  (a) discounts of any type or nature, including retroactive price reductions, cash discounts, volume discounts, promotional discounts, chargebacks, allowances, rebates, returns and credits;
     
  (b) rejections, returns, credits, returned goods allowances and retroactive corrections, and other similar costs;
     
  (c) price adjustments, billing adjustments, shelf stock adjustments, promotional payments, and other similar allowances;
     
  (d) any credits or allowances granted to any wholesalers, retailers, distributors or other customers upon prompt payment;
     
  (e) administrative fee arrangements, reimbursements, and other payments of similar nature to wholesalers, distributors, buying groups, health care insurance carriers, pharmacy benefit management companies, health maintenance organizations, health care institutions or organizations, or any other customers;
     
  (f) redistribution center fees, information service agreement fees, and other fees of similar nature that are passed from any wholesalers, retailers, distributors or other customers;  
     
  (g) freight, shipping and insurance costs charged to a customer on an invoice;
     
  (h) costs of recalls, seizures or destruction of goods and other similar costs, whether voluntarily or pursuant to a request or order by a Governmental Authority;
     
  (i) failure-to-supply penalties;
     
  (j) compulsory payments and cash rebates related to sales of the Product paid to any Governmental Authority or pursuant to any Legal Requirement in connection with any health insurance program, compensation program, or similar program;
     
  (k) excise taxes, use taxes, sales taxes, value added taxes, goods and services taxes, custom duties, and any other Taxes or charges imposed by any Governmental Authority; or

 

2

 

 

  (l) any other deduction from gross sales to arrive at net sales as permissible under GAAP applied by the Company that has not been listed above.

 

DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company or any successor thereto.

 

GP Percentage ” means, with respect to any calendar year during the Initial Period that the Product generated at least $325 million in Net Sales, without duplication, (i) if the Product generated less than $400 million in Net Sales during such calendar year, 10%, (ii) if the Product generated between $400 million and $500 million in Net Sales during such calendar year, 12.5%, or (iii) if the Product generated more than $500 million in Net Sales during such calendar year, 15%.

 

Gross Profit ” means Net Sales generated by the Product in the calendar year or Stub Period, as applicable, minus the COGS associated with such Net Sales minus any royalties, license fees or similar amounts payable to third parties (including to Revogenex Ireland Limited, Zakłady Farmaceutyczne “POLPHARMA” S.A. or any of their Affiliates, successors or assigns) associated with such Net Sales, in each case, determined according to GAAP applied by the Company.

 

Holder ” means a Person entitled to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 4.1(b) of the SPMA or to whom a CVR was transferred in a Permitted Transfer and, in each case, in whose name a CVR is registered in the CVR Register at the applicable time.

 

Initial Period ” means the period commencing on the day following the Second Stage Closing Date and ending on December 31, 2028.

 

Majority Holders ” means, at the time of determination, Holders of at least a majority of the outstanding CVRs.

 

Milestone ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a)(1-2) .

 

Milestone Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b) .

 

Milestone Payment ” means, with respect to any Milestone, the amount a Holder is entitled to receive in respect of such Milestone in accordance with Section 2.4 .

 

Milestone Payment Date ” means no later than May 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year triggering such Milestone.

 

Milestone Period ” means the Initial Period or the Subsequent Period, as applicable.

 

Net Sales ” means total gross revenue actually received by the Company from sales by the Company of the Product to third parties generated in the United States less any Deductions to the extent related to the Product and taken, paid, accrued, allowed, included or allocated, based on the Company’s good faith estimates in calculating gross revenue with respect to the Product, in each case, determined according to GAAP applied by the Company, it being agreed that Net Sales shall exclude any Product transferred or disposed of for promotional or educational purposes.

 

3

 

 

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed by an authorized officer of the Company, in his or her capacity as such an officer, and delivered to the Rights Agent.

 

Permitted Transfer ” means a transfer of CVRs (a) upon death of a Holder by will or intestacy; (b) by instrument to an inter vivos or testamentary trust in which the CVRs are to be passed to beneficiaries upon the death of the trustee, (c) pursuant to a court order; (d) by operation of law (including by consolidation or merger) or without consideration in connection with the dissolution, liquidation or termination of any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity; or (e) in the case of CVRs payable to a nominee, from a nominee to a beneficial owner (and, if applicable, through an intermediary) or from such nominee to another nominee for the same beneficial owner, in each case to the extent allowable by DTC.  

 

Product ” means IV Tramadol / Tramadol hydrochloride solution for injection or infusion.

 

Rights Agent ” means the Rights Agent named in the first paragraph of this Agreement, until a successor Rights Agent will have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Agreement, and thereafter “Rights Agent” will mean such successor Rights Agent.

 

Shares ” means common shares of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, excluding any shares to be cancelled and retired in accordance with Section 4.1(a) of the SPMA and any Dissenting Shares.

 

Stub Period ” means the period during the year in which the Subsequent Period Net Sales Target was achieved commencing one day after the date on which the Subsequent Period Net Sales Target was achieved and ending on December 31 of such calendar year.

 

Subsequent Period Net Sales Target ” means $1.5 billion in aggregate Net Sales of the Product generated from and after the Initial Period.

 

Subsequent Period ” means the period commencing on January 1, 2029 and ending on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2036, and (ii) the date on which any Person (other than the Company or its Affiliates) has filed and received approval from the FDA for an Abbreviated New Drug Application or an FDA AP-rated 505(b)(2) NDA using the Product; provided that the date referred to in the foregoing clause (ii) shall be extended by up to six months to the extent that during such extension period there continues to remain only one Person (other than the Company or its Affiliates) that has filed and received approval from the FDA for an Abbreviated New Drug Application or an FDA AP-rated 505(b)(2) NDA using the Product.

 

4

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS

 

Section 2.1 CVRs . The CVRs represent the rights of Holders (granted to the initial Holders pursuant to the SPMA) to receive contingent cash payments pursuant to this Agreement. Each Holder shall be entitled to receive one CVR for each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time held by such Holder that is converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 4.1(b) of the SPMA.

 

Section 2.2 Nontransferable . The CVRs may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, encumbered or in any other manner transferred or disposed of, in whole or in part, other than through a Permitted Transfer. Any attempted sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, encumbrance or disposition of CVRs, in whole or in part, in violation of this Section 2.2 shall be void and of no effect.

 

Section 2.3 No Certificate; Registration; Registration of Transfer; Change of Address .

 

  (a) The CVRs will not be evidenced by a certificate or other instrument.
     
  (b) The Rights Agent shall keep a register (the “ CVR Register ”) for the purpose of registering CVRs and transfers of CVRs as herein provided. The CVRs shall be registered in the names and addresses of the Holder as set forth in the form the Company furnishes or causes to be furnished to the Rights Agent pursuant to Section 4.1 , and in a denomination equal to the number of Shares converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration. The CVR Register will initially show one position for the Rights Agent representing all Shares held by DTC on behalf of street holders held by such holders as of immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time. The Rights Agent hereby acknowledges the restrictions on transfer contained in Section 2.2 and agrees not to register a transfer which does not comply with Section 2.2 .
     
  (c) Subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in Section 2.2 , every request made to transfer a CVR must be in writing and accompanied by a written instrument of transfer and other requested documentation in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Rights Agent pursuant to its customary policies and guidelines, duly executed by the Holder thereof, the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, the Holder’s personal representative or the Holder’s survivor, and setting forth in reasonable detail the circumstances relating to the transfer. Upon receipt of such written notice, the Rights Agent shall, subject to its reasonable determination that the transfer instrument is in proper form and the transfer otherwise complies with the other terms and conditions of this Agreement (including the provisions of Section 2.2 ), register the transfer of the CVRs in the CVR Register. Any transfer of CVRs will be without charge (other than the cost of any Tax) to the applicable Holder. The Rights Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any action under any section of this Agreement that requires the payment by a Holder of a CVR of applicable Taxes or charges unless and until the Rights Agent is satisfied that all such Taxes or charges have been paid. All duly transferred CVRs registered in the CVR Register shall be the valid obligations of the Company and shall entitle the transferee to the same benefits and rights under this Agreement as those held immediately prior to the transfer by the transferor. No transfer of a CVR shall be valid until registered in the CVR Register.

 

5

 

 

 

  (d) A Holder may make a written request to the Rights Agent to change such Holder’s address of record in the CVR Register. The written request must be duly executed by the Holder. Upon receipt of such written notice, the Rights Agent will promptly record the change of address in the CVR Register.

 

Section 2.4 Payment Procedures; Notices .

 

  (a) Upon the occurrence of any of the following events listed below (the “ Milestone ” or “ Milestones ”), the Holders shall be entitled to certain payments in respect of their CVRs (to be paid in accordance with Section 2.4(b) ), subject to any deductions in accordance with Section 3.2(p) , as follows:

 

  1. During the Initial Period, upon the Product generating $325 million or more in Net Sales in a calendar year, each Holder shall be entitled to receive her, his or its CVR Percentage multiplied by an aggregate amount equal to the applicable GP Percentage multiplied by the Gross Profit generated by the Product during such calendar year. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Product generated less than $325 million in Net Sales in a particular calendar year, no payment will be made under this clause (1) towards the CVRs.
     
  2. If the Subsequent Period Net Sales Target is achieved after the Initial Period and during the Subsequent Period, then, (x) with respect to the calendar year in which the Subsequent Period Net Sales Target is achieved, if during the Stub Period the Product generated $100 million or more in Annualized Net Sales, then each Holder shall be entitled to receive her, his or its CVR Percentage multiplied by an aggregate amount equal to 20% of the Gross Profit generated by the Product with respect to such Stub Period and (y) during the remainder of the Subsequent Period, with respect to each calendar year after the calendar year in which the Subsequent Period Net Sales Target was achieved, upon the Product generating $100 million or more in Net Sales in such calendar year, each Holder shall be entitled to receive her, his or its CVR Percentage multiplied by an aggregate amount equal to 20% of the Gross Profit generated by the Product during such calendar year. If the Subsequent Period Net Sales Target is achieved during the Initial Period, then, during the Subsequent Period, upon the Product generating $100 million or more in Net Sales in a calendar year, each Holder shall be entitled to receive her, his or its CVR Percentage multiplied by an aggregate amount equal to 20% of the Gross Profit generated by the Product during such calendar year.  For the avoidance of doubt, no payment will be made towards the CVRs under this clause (2) if the Subsequent Period Net Sales Target was not achieved. For the avoidance of doubt, no payment will be made towards the CVRs under this clause (2) in any calendar year during the Subsequent Period in which Net Sales generated by the Product is less than $100 million, except as provided in clause (x) of this clause (2).  

 

6

 

 

  (b) If a Milestone occurs at any time prior to the expiration of its applicable Milestone Period, then, on or prior to the applicable Milestone Payment Date, the Company will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Rights Agent (i) written notice indicating that the Milestone has been achieved (the “ Milestone Notice ”) and that the Holders are entitled to receive the Milestone Payment and (ii) a wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Rights Agent in the aggregate amount equal to the Milestone Payment payable to all of the Holders with respect to such Milestone (the “ Aggregate Milestone Payment ”) in accordance with Section 2.4(a)(1-2) (as applicable). Such amounts shall be considered paid on the Milestone Payment Date if on such date the Rights Agent has received in accordance with this Agreement such applicable Aggregate Milestone Payment, and upon delivery of an Aggregate Milestone Payment to the Rights Agent, except as provided in the last sentence of this Section 2.4(b) , the Company shall have no liability or obligation with respect to such Milestone Payments to be made by the Rights Agent. After receipt of the wire transfer described in the foregoing sentence, the Rights Agent will promptly (and in any event, within five Business Days) pay (x) by one lump sum wire payment to DTC for any Holder who is a former street name holder of Shares and (y) for all other Holders, by check mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the address of each Holder set forth in the CVR Register or by other method of delivery as specified by the applicable Holder in writing to the Rights Agent (such amount in (x) and (y) together, an amount in cash equal to the Aggregate Milestone Payment) the Milestone Payment to each of the Holders. The Rights Agent shall hold the Aggregate Milestone Payment in a non-interest bearing account until such payment is made in accordance with the foregoing sentence. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Company be required to pay a Milestone Payment (or any portion thereof) with respect to any year, quarter or other period more than once and the Company shall not be required to pay a Milestone Payment if the Milestone occurs after the expiration of the applicable Milestone Period.  Any portion of an Aggregate Milestone Payment that remains undistributed to the Holders for six months after the Milestone Payment Date shall be delivered by the Rights Agent to the Company, upon demand, and any Holder shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment of such Milestone Payment, but shall have no greater rights against the Company than may be accorded to general unsecured creditors of the Company under applicable law.
     
  (c) The Company and the Rights Agent shall be entitled to deduct or withhold from the Milestone Payment, if payable, such amounts as may be required to be deducted or withheld with respect to the Milestone Payment or CVR under the Code, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or any other applicable provision of state, local or foreign law relating to Taxes, as may be reasonably determined by the Company or the Rights Agent. To the extent such amounts are so deducted or withheld, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes under this Agreement as having been paid.
     
  (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of Section 4.2(i) of the SPMA shall apply to this Agreement and are incorporated herein mutatis mutandis .

 

Section 2.5 No Voting, Dividends or Interest; No Equity or Ownership Interest in the Company .

 

  (a) The CVRs will not have any voting or dividend rights, and interest will not accrue on any amounts payable on the CVRs to any Holder.
     
  (b) The CVRs will not represent any equity or ownership interest in the Company, any constituent company to the Merger or any of their respective Affiliates.

 

7

 

 

Section 2.6 Ability to Abandon CVR . A Holder may at any time, at such Holder’s option, abandon all of such Holder’s remaining rights in a CVR by transferring such CVR to the Company or any of its Affiliates without consideration therefor. Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Company or any of its Affiliates from offering to acquire or acquiring any CVRs for consideration from the Holders, in private transactions or otherwise, in its sole discretion.

 

ARTICLE III

 

THE RIGHTS AGENT

 

Section 3.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities; Agency; Enforcement .

 

(a)          The Rights Agent will not have any liability for any actions taken or not taken in connection with this Agreement, except to the extent of its breach of this Agreement, willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence (each as determined by a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

 

(b)          Each Holder shall be deemed to have irrevocably appointed, authorized and directed [name of Rights Agent to be inserted] (and any successor in accordance with this Article III ) to act as the Rights Agent, and such Holder’s agent, representative, proxy and attorney-in-fact for the purpose of enforcing such Holder’s rights under this Agreement, and exercising, on behalf of all Holders, the rights and powers of the Holders hereunder and thereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Rights Agent shall have full power and authority, and is hereby directed, for and on behalf of the Holders, to take such action, and to exercise such rights, power and authority, as are authorized, delegated and granted to the Rights Agent hereunder in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, to give or receive any notices required or permitted to be given hereunder and thereunder, to accept service of process on behalf of any Holder, to execute and deliver, or hold in escrow and release, any exhibits or amendments to this Agreement or any other agreements, certificates, stock powers, statements, notices, approvals, extensions or waivers relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, to conduct or cease to conduct all claims of the Holders in connection with this Agreement and to settle all such claims on behalf of all Holders and exercise any and all rights that the Holders are permitted or required to do or exercise under this Agreement in connection with any claim against or by the Holders under this Agreement, in each case, by written direction of the Majority Holders. The appointment and agency created hereby is irrevocable, and shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest. Each Holder shall be deemed to have acknowledged and agreed that, as to all matters with respect to enforcement of such Holder’s rights under this Agreement, the Rights Agent shall act for and on behalf of such Holder and that the Company shall be entitled to rely solely on the Rights Agent as an authorized representative of the Holders with respect to any such matters concerning the Holders arising hereunder.

 

8

 

 

(c)           Enforcement . The Rights Agent may in its discretion proceed to and shall be entitled and empowered to protect and enforce its rights herein by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Rights Agent shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights. The Rights Agent may only proceed to and shall be entitled and empowered to protect and enforce the rights herein for the benefit of the Holders to the extent directed to by the Majority Holders in writing, provided that the Rights Agent shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Rights Agent, being advised by counsel, shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Rights Agent in good faith by its board of directors, the executive committee, or a committee of directors or authorized officers of the Rights Agent shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Rights Agent in personal liability or if the Rights Agent in good faith shall so determine that the actions or forbearances specified in or pursuant to such direction would be unduly prejudicial to the interests of Holders not joining in the giving of said direction.

 

Section 3.2 Certain Rights of Rights Agent . The Rights Agent undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations will be read into this Agreement against the Rights Agent. In addition:

 

  (a) the Rights Agent may rely and will be protected and held harmless by the Company in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
     
  (b) whenever the Rights Agent will deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Rights Agent may rely upon an Officer’s Certificate, which certificate shall be full authorization and protection to the Rights Agent, and the Rights Agent shall, in the absence of breach of this Agreement, bad faith, gross negligence or willful or intentional misconduct on its part, incur no liability and be held harmless by the Company for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate;
     
  (c) the Rights Agent may engage and consult with counsel of its selection and the written advice of such counsel or any opinion of counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall be held harmless by the Company in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
     
  (d) the permissive rights of the Rights Agent to do things enumerated in this Agreement will not be construed as a duty;
     
  (e) the Rights Agent will not be required to give any note or surety in respect of the execution of such powers or otherwise in respect of the premises;
     
  (f) the Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of, and shall be held harmless by the Company with respect to, any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only;

 

9

 

 

  (g) the Rights Agent will have no liability and shall be held harmless by the Company in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution and delivery hereof by the Rights Agent and the enforceability of this Agreement against the Rights Agent assuming the due execution and delivery hereof by the Company); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement;
     
  (h) the Company agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and hold the Rights Agent harmless against, any loss, liability, claim, demands, suits or expense arising out of or in connection with the Rights Agent’s obligations under this Agreement, including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of defending the Rights Agent against any claims, charges, demands, suits or loss incurred by the Rights Agent without negligence, bad faith or willful or intentional misconduct;
     
  (i) the Company agrees (i) to pay the fees and expenses of the Rights Agent in connection with this Agreement as agreed upon in writing by the Rights Agent and the Company on or prior to the date hereof and (ii) to reimburse the Rights Agent for all Taxes (other than withholding Taxes owed by Holders) and governmental charges, and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Rights Agent in the execution of this Agreement (other than Taxes imposed on or measured by the Rights Agent’s net income and franchise or similar Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income Taxes)) other than, in each case, amounts for which the Rights Agent is liable pursuant to Section 3.2(i) . The Rights Agent will also be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses paid or incurred by it in connection with the administration by the Rights Agent of its obligations under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement (including this Section 3.2 ), the Company will not be responsible to indemnify or hold the Rights Agent harmless against any loss, liability, claim, demands, suits or expense arising out of or in connection with the Rights Agent’s enforcement of the third party beneficiary rights of the Holders in accordance with the written direction of the Majority Holders (which shall be addressed solely by the Holders in accordance with clause (j) below);
     
  (j) the Rights Agent will be under no obligation to institute any claim, action, suit, audit, investigation or proceeding, or to take any other action likely to result in the incurrence of material expenses by the Rights Agent, unless the Majority Holders (on behalf of the Holders) will furnish the Rights Agent with reasonable security and indemnity for any loss, liability, claim, demands, suits, costs or expenses that may be incurred by it;
     
  (k) no provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it;

 

10

 

 

  (l) the Rights Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any event of which it was supposed to receive notice thereof hereunder, and the Rights Agent shall be fully protected and shall incur no liability for failing to take action in connection therewith, unless and until it has received such notice in writing;
     
  (m) the Rights Agent shall not be liable for consequential losses or damages under any provision of this Agreement or for any consequential damages arising out of any act or failure to act hereunder in the absence of breach of this Agreement, gross negligence, bad faith or willful or intentional misconduct on its part;
     
  (n) the Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorney or agents; and
     
  (o) except by written instruction to the Rights Agent as contemplated by this Agreement, (i) the Rights Agent shall neither be responsible for, nor chargeable with, knowledge of, nor have any requirements to comply with, the terms and conditions of any other agreement, instrument or document to which it is not a party, including the SPMA, nor shall the Rights Agent be required to determine if any Person or entity has complied with any such agreements, instruments or documents, nor (ii) shall any additional obligations of the Rights Agent be inferred from the terms of such agreements, instruments or documents even though reference thereto may be made in this Agreement.
     
  (p) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the sum of (1) any amount paid hereunder by the Company to the Rights Agent (other than any Milestone Payment), including any indemnification payments or the fees and expenses of, or charged by, the Rights Agent in connection with this Agreement, (2) any CVR Fees not covered by the foregoing clause (1), and (3) any amount referred to in clause (y)(C) of Section 4.1(b) of the SPMA shall be deducted from any Aggregate Milestone Payment payable by the Company hereunder and shall proportionally reduce the applicable Milestone Payment to be received by each Holder.

 

Section 3.3 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor .

 

  (a) The Rights Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Company specifying a date when such resignation will take effect, which notice will be sent at least sixty days prior to the date so specified but in no event will such resignation become effective until a successor Rights Agent has been appointed. The Company has the right to remove the Rights Agent at any time by specifying a date when such removal will take effect but no such removal will become effective until a successor Rights Agent has been appointed. Notice of such removal will be given by the Company to the Rights Agent, which notice will be sent at least sixty days prior to the date so specified.

 

11

 

 

  (b) If the Rights Agent provides notice of its intent to resign, is removed pursuant to Section 3.3(a) or becomes incapable of acting, the Company will as soon as is reasonably possible appoint a qualified successor Rights Agent who shall be a stock transfer agent of national reputation or the corporate trust department of a commercial bank. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of sixty days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent, then the incumbent Rights Agent may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. The successor Rights Agent so appointed will, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with Section 3.4 , become the successor Rights Agent.
     
  (c) The Company will give notice of each resignation and each removal of a Rights Agent and each appointment of a successor Rights Agent by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail to the Holders as their names and addresses appear in the CVR Register. Each notice will include the name and address of the successor Rights Agent. If the Company fails to send such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by a successor Rights Agent in accordance with Section 3.4 , the successor Rights Agent will cause the notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.
     
  (d) The Rights Agent will cooperate with the Company and any successor Rights Agent in connection with the transition of the duties and responsibilities of the Rights Agent to the successor Rights Agent, including transferring the CVR Register to the successor Rights Agent.

 

Section 3.4 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor . Every successor Rights Agent appointed hereunder will execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Rights Agent an instrument accepting such appointment and a counterpart of this Agreement, and thereupon such successor Rights Agent, without any further act, deed or conveyance, will become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the Rights Agent. On request of the Company or the successor Rights Agent, the retiring Rights Agent will execute and deliver an instrument transferring to the successor Rights Agent all the rights, powers and trusts of its retiring Rights Agent.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

COVENANTS

 

Section 4.1 List of Holders . The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Rights Agent in such form as the Company receives from its transfer agent (or other agent performing similar services for the Company), the names and addresses of the Holders within thirty Business Days of the Merger Effective Time. The CVRs shall be registered in the names and addresses of the Holder as set forth in the applicable letter of transmittal accompanying the Shares surrendered by the Holder thereof in connection with the Merger pursuant to the SPMA (or based on information in the books and records of the Company) and in a denomination equal to the number of Shares so surrendered or computed in accordance with the terms of the SPMA.

 

12

 

 

Section 4.2 Operation of the Business; Sales Efforts .

 

  (a) Each of the Rights Agent and the Holders shall be deemed to have acknowledged the absolute right of the Company, Buyer and their respective Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and other representatives to operate, manage and invest in the Company’s businesses in their sole discretion, and agree that the Company, Buyer, their respective Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and other representatives shall have no liability or obligation to the Rights Agent or any Holder with respect to any Milestone or Milestone Payment in connection with their operation of the businesses of the Company from and after the consummation of the Second Stage Closing, and such Persons shall not be obligated to maximize the Company’s ability to achieve any Milestone or pay any Milestone Payments. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company presently intends to base its decisions regarding operations of the businesses of the Company, including the investment and allocation of resources, on the basis of the strategic objectives of the Company and its Affiliates.  Each of the Rights Agent (by execution of this Agreement) and the Holders (by operation of the approval of the SPMA and the Ancillary Agreements by the stockholders of the Company) shall be deemed to have acknowledged that certain situations could arise where such decisions may adversely affect the Product’s Net Sales or Gross Profit.
     
  (b) The Company shall deploy, within 12 months after the initial commercial supply of the Product in the United States, 80 or more Reps whose aggregate time devotion to sales of the Product (or in the case of MSLs, customary activities of MSLs relating to the Product) shall be at least the equivalent of 80 Reps devoting at least 75% of their time (on an aggregate basis) to sales of the Product (or in the case of MSLs, customary activities of MSLs relating to the Product), it being agreed that, with respect to any time beyond such minimum aggregate time equivalent devotion requirement, such Reps may be deployed by the Company or its Affiliates for any other purpose, including sales of (or customary activities of MSLs with respect to) any other products.  The Company shall maintain such level of Reps (to be measured at 24 and 36 months after the initial commercial supply of the Product in the United States) until the date that is 36 months after the initial commercial supply of the Product in the United States.  The Company may satisfy its obligations in the preceding two sentences by using its own employees, employees of any of its Affiliates, consultants, independent contractors or through the services provided by contract sales organizations or other third parties (it being agreed that any royalties or license fees payable to such third parties shall not be taken into account when calculating Gross Profits).  For illustration purposes, the Company may satisfy the foregoing obligations by deploying (i) 120 Reps devoting, on average, 50% of their time to sales of the Product (or in the case of MSLs, customary activities of MSLs relating to the Product), it being agreed that they may devote, on average, 50% of their time to any other activity, including sales of (or in the case of MSLs, customary activities of MSLs with respect to) any other products and (ii) 180 Reps devoting, on average, one-third of their time to sales of the Product (or in the case of MSLs, customary activities of MSLs relating to the Product), it being agreed that they may devote, on average, two-thirds of their time to any other activity, including sales of (or in the case of MSLs, customary activities of MSLs with respect to) any other products.  Without limiting the foregoing, during the Milestone Periods, neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates shall take any action the sole purpose of which is to avoid the achievement of the Milestone or the payment of the Milestone Payments. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed as creating a joint venture or partnership between any of the parties hereto.  For purposes of this Agreement, (x) a “ Rep ” means a sales field representative or an MSL, and (y) an “ MSL ” means a medical science liaison.

 

13

 

 

Section 4.4 Compliance . The Rights Agent shall comply with all applicable Tax reporting requirements with respect to the Milestone Payments made pursuant to this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE V

 

AMENDMENTS

 

Section 5.1 Amendments without Consent of Holders .

 

  (a) Without the consent of any Holders or the Rights Agent, the Company, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more amendments hereto, for any of the following purposes, so long as, in the cases of clauses (ii) through (iv), such amendments do not, individually or in the aggregate, adversely affect the interests of the Holders, or adversely affect the rights, duties, responsibilities or protections of the Rights Agent:

 

  (i) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein;
     
  (ii) to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Company shall determine to be for the protection of the Holders;
     
  (iii) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement;
     
  (iv) as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that the CVRs are not subject to registration under any applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;
     
  (v) to evidence the succession of another Person as a successor Rights Agent and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants and obligations of the Rights Agent herein in accordance with Sections 3.3 and 3.4 ; or
     
  (vi) any other amendment hereto that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Agreement of any Holder.

 

14

 

 

 

  (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company and the Rights Agent may enter into any amendment that adversely affects, in any material respect, the Rights Agent’s own rights, duties, responsibilities or protections (whether for consideration or otherwise).
     
  (c) Without the consent of any Holders, the Company and the Rights Agent, in the Rights Agent’s sole and absolute discretion, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more amendments hereto to reduce the number of CVRs in the event any Holder agrees to transfer or renounce such Holder’s rights under this Agreement in accordance with Section 2.6 or Section 6.14 , respectively.
     
  (d) Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Rights Agent of any amendment pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.1 , the Company will mail (or cause the Rights Agent to mail) a notice thereof by first class mail to the Holders at their addresses as they appear on the CVR Register, setting forth in general terms the substance of such amendment; provided , that any failure to notify the Holders shall not affect the validity of such amendment (it being understood that any failure to notify the Holders shall not excuse the Rights Agent from its obligations under this Section 5.1(d) ).

 

Section 5.2 Amendments with Consent of Holders .

 

  (a) In addition to any amendment pursuant to Section 5.1 (which amendments pursuant to Section 5.1 may be made without the consent of the Holders), with the written consent of the Majority Holders, the Company and the Rights Agent may enter into one or more amendments hereto for the purpose of adding, eliminating or changing any provisions of this Agreement, even if such addition, elimination or change is adverse to the interest of the Holders.
     
  (b) Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Rights Agent of any amendment pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.2 , the Company will mail (or cause the Rights Agent to mail) a notice thereof by first class mail to the Holders at their addresses as they appear on the CVR Register, setting forth in general terms the substance of such amendment.

 

Section 5.3 Execution of Amendments . In executing any amendment permitted by this Article V , the Rights Agent will be entitled to receive, and will be fully protected in relying upon, an opinion of counsel selected by the Company stating that the execution of such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Agreement. The Rights Agent may, but is not obligated to, enter into any such amendment that affects the Rights Agent’s own rights, privileges, covenants or duties under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

Section 5.4 Effect of Amendments . Upon the execution of any amendment under this Article V , this Agreement will be modified in accordance therewith, such amendment will form a part of this Agreement for all purposes and every Holder will be bound thereby.

 

15

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 6.1  Entire Agreement . This Agreement (and as between the Company and the Holders, together with the SPMA) constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes any and all prior agreements, negotiations, correspondence, undertakings, understandings and communications of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed as creating a joint venture or partnership between any of the parties hereto.

 

Section 6.2  Transaction Costs . Except as otherwise provided herein, the parties to this Agreement will pay their own costs and expenses (including legal, accounting and other fees) relating to this Agreement.

 

Section 6.3  Modifications . Any amendment or modification to this Agreement, including this undertaking itself, shall only be valid if effected by an instrument or instruments in writing and shall be effective against each of the parties hereto that has signed such instrument or instruments. The parties agree that they jointly negotiated and prepared this Agreement and that this Agreement will not be construed against any party on the grounds that such party prepared or drafted the same.

 

Section 6.4 Notices . Notices will be deemed to have been received (a) upon receipt of a registered letter, (b) three Business Days following proper deposit with an internationally recognized express overnight delivery service, or (c) in the case of transmission by email, as of the date so transmitted (or if so transmitted after normal business hours at the place of the recipient, on the Business Day following such transmission):

 

If to the Company:

 

Avenue Therapeutics, Inc.

2 Gansevoort Street, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10014

c/o

InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Site B, 7 Oser Ave.

Hauppauge, NY 11788

c/o

A.S. Kumar, Esq.

Global General Counsel

Cipla Ltd.

Cipla House, Peninsula Business Park,

Ganapatrao Kadam Marg, Lower Parel West,

Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013, India

Email: as.kumar@cipla.com and cosecretary@cipla.com

 

16

 

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Site B, 7 Oser Ave.

Hauppauge, NY 11788

c/o

Nishant Saxena

Global Chief Strategy Officer

Cipla Ltd.

Cipla House, Peninsula Business Park,

Ganapatrao Kadam Marg, Lower Parel West,

Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013, India

Email: nishant.saxena@cipla.com

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004-1482

Attn: Kenneth A. Lefkowitz

Email: ken.lefkowitz@hugheshubbard.com

 

If to the Rights Agent:

 

[ l ]

[ l ]

[ l ]

Attn: [NAME]

Email: [#]

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

[ l ]

[ l ]

[ l ]

Attn: [NAME]

Email: [#]

 

The Rights Agent or the Company may specify a different address or facsimile number by giving notice in accordance with this Section 6.4 , which address shall then apply to the respective notice provisions of the SPMA and all other Ancillary Agreements.

 

Section 6.5 Notice to Holders . Where this Agreement provides for notice to Holders, such notice will be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at the Holder’s address as it appears in the CVR Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed herein for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder will affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Agreement provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Rights Agent, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver. In case it shall be impracticable to mail notice to the Holders of any event as required by any provision of this Agreement, then any method of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Rights Agent shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.

 

17

 

 

Section 6.6 Successors and Assigns .

 

  (a) This Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Company’s successors and assigns, and this Agreement shall not restrict the Company’s, any of its assignees’ or any of their respective successors’ ability to merge or consolidate, transfer or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any Person or otherwise directly or indirectly transfer or convey the Product to any Person. In the event of an assignment or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (including the Product), either (i) the Company’s assignee or transferee shall expressly assume by an instrument, supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Rights Agent, the due and punctual payment of any Aggregate Milestone Payments and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and obligations of this Agreement to be performed or observed by the Company or (ii) the Company shall agree to remain subject to its obligations hereunder, including payment of any Aggregate Milestone Payment.
     
  (b) Any Company successor or assignee permitted hereunder may thereafter assign any or all of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder in the same manner as the Company pursuant to this Section 6.6 .
     
  (c) The Rights Agent may not assign this Agreement, in whole or in part, or delegate all or any part of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the Company’s written consent. Any attempted assignment of this Agreement or any such rights in violation of this Section 6.6 shall be void ab initio and of no effect.

 

Section 6.7  Public Announcements . Except as required by Legal Requirements or by the requirements of any stock exchange on which the securities of a party hereto or any of its Affiliates are listed, no party to this Agreement will make, or cause to be made, any press release or public announcement in respect of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise communicate with any news media with respect to the foregoing without prior notification to the other parties, and the parties to this Agreement will consult with each other and cooperate as to the form, timing and contents of any such press release, public announcement or disclosure.

 

Section 6.8  Severability . Each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Legal Requirements, but if any provision of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable or invalid under applicable Legal Requirements, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such unenforceability or invalidity, and the parties will negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so that the unenforceable or invalid provision is replaced by such valid and enforceable provision which the parties consider, in good faith, to match as closely as possible the invalid or unenforceable provision and to achieve the same or a similar economic effect and to give effect to the parties’ original intent. The remaining provisions of this Agreement will continue to be binding and in full force and effect.

 

18

 

 

Section 6.9  Governing Law . This Agreement, the CVRs, and any claims or causes of action pursuant to it will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard for its principles of conflict of laws.

 

Section 6.10  Specific Performance . Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other party would be irreparably damaged if the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their terms and that any breach of this Agreement and the non-consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by either party could not be adequately compensated in all cases by monetary damages alone. Accordingly, in addition to any remedy to which such other party may be entitled under Section 6.11 , provisional measures and injunctive relief necessary to protect the possibility of each party to seek specific performance from the other from the tribunal referred to in Section 6.11 can be sought from any court of competent jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto (i) agrees that it shall not oppose the granting of any such relief and (ii) hereby irrevocably waives any requirement for the security or posting of any bond in connection with any such relief (it is understood that clause (i) of this sentence is not intended to, and shall not, preclude any party hereto from litigating on the merits the substantive claim to which such remedy relates).

 

Section 6.11  Submission to Jurisdiction .

 

  (a) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably agrees that any Proceeding with respect to this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder brought by any other party hereto or its successors or assigns, shall be brought and determined exclusively in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or in the event (but only in the event) that such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, in the federal courts sitting in the State of Delaware. Each of the parties hereto agrees that mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided in Section 6.4 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable Legal Requirements, will be valid and sufficient service thereof. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submits with regard to any such action or proceeding for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, to the personal jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court or tribunal other than the aforesaid courts. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim, or otherwise, in any action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder: (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above named courts for any reason other than the failure to serve process in accordance with this Section 6.11 ; (b) any claim that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise); and (c) to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable Legal Requirements, any claim that (i) the suit, action or proceeding in such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper, or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

 

19

 

 

  (b) All rights of action with respect to enforcement of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement for the benefit of any Holder may only be enforced by the Rights Agent upon the prior written direction of the Majority Holders to the Rights Agent, and any claim, action, suit, audit, investigation or proceeding instituted by the Rights Agent will be brought in its name as the Rights Agent and any recovery in connection therewith will be for the proportionate benefit of all the Holders, as their respective rights or interests may appear on the CVR Register.

 

Section 6.12  Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LEGAL ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT or the transactions contemplated hereby. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT: (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER IN THE EVENT OF A LEGAL ACTION; (B) SUCH PARTY HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER; (C) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY; AND (D) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS  SECTION 6.12 .

 

Section 6.13 Waiver . Any term or condition of this Agreement may be waived at any time by the party that is entitled to the benefit thereof, but no such waiver shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument duly executed by or on behalf of the party waiving such term or condition, and no waiver by any party of any default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, shall be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty, covenant or agreement hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any such prior or subsequent occurrence. No failure or delay of any party in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, and no waiver by any party of any term or condition of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a waiver of the same or any other term or condition of this Agreement on any future occasion.

 

20

 

 

Section 6.14 Benefits of Agreement . Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any Person other than the parties, any of their assignees, or any of their respective successors any legal or equitable right, benefit, remedy or claim of any nature under or by reason of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Holders and the Holders’ successors and assigns pursuant to a Permitted Transfer are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement, provided that the Holders and their successors and assigns pursuant to Permitted Transfers shall only be entitled to enforce their rights hereunder through written direction of the Majority Holders to the Rights Agent to act in accordance with Section 6.11(b) . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Holder or Holder’s successor or assign pursuant to a Permitted Transfer may agree to renounce, in whole or in part, its rights under this Agreement by written notice to the Rights Agent and the Company, which notice, if given, shall be irrevocable.

 

Section 6.15  Counterparts; Facsimile Signature . This Agreement may be executed in one (1) or more counterparts, by original or facsimile (or other such electronically transmitted) signature, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which will constitute one and the same instrument. Any party executing this Agreement by facsimile (or other such electronically transmitted) signature shall, upon request from another party hereto, promptly deliver to the requesting party an original counterpart of such signature.

 

Section 6.16  Rights Cumulative . All rights and remedies of each of the parties under this Agreement will be cumulative, and the exercise of one or more rights or remedies will not preclude the exercise of any other right or remedy available under this Agreement or applicable Legal Requirements.

 

Section 6.17  Interpretation . (a) The words “hereof”, “herein”, and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (b) the words “date hereof,” when used in this Agreement, shall refer to the date set forth in the Preamble; (c) the terms defined in the singular have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa; (d) the terms defined in the present tense have a comparable meaning when used in the past tense, and vice versa; (e) any references herein to a specific Section or Article shall refer, respectively, to Sections or Articles of this Agreement; (f) wherever the word “include”, “includes”, or “including” is used in this Agreement, it shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (g) references herein to any gender includes each other gender; (h) the word “or” shall not be exclusive; (i) the headings herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof; (j) any references herein to any Governmental Authority shall be deemed to also be a reference to any successor Governmental Authority thereto; and (k) the parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and, in the event that an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as jointly drafted by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

 

Section 6.18 Termination . This Agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect, and the parties hereto shall have no liability hereunder, upon the expiration of the Subsequent Period, provided , that if a Milestone has been achieved on or prior to such termination date, but the Milestone Payment has not been paid on or prior to such date, this Agreement shall not terminate until such Milestone Payment has been paid in full in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, this Section 6 shall survive any termination of this Agreement. Nothing in this Section 6 shall relieve or otherwise limit any party of liability for willful breach of this Agreement.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]

 

21

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

  AVENUE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
   
  By:  
  Name:
  Title:
   
  [ RIGHTS AGENT ]
   
  By:  
  Name:
  Title:

 

22