Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009

or

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from:              to             

Commission File Number 0-21937

 

 

CERUS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   68-0262011

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2411 Stanwell Drive

Concord, California 94520

(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

(925) 288-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES   x     NO   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES   ¨     NO   ¨

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

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES   ¨     NO   x

As of July 22, 2009, there were 32.6 million shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

CERUS CORPORATION

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I   FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
Item 1.   Financial Statements    3
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 2009, and December 31, 2008    3
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three and six months ended June 30, 2009, and 2008    4
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six months ended June 30, 2009, and 2008    5
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    6
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    19
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    29
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures    29
PART II   OTHER INFORMATION   
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings    29
Item 1A.   Risk Factors    29
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    42
Item 3.   Defaults upon Senior Securities    42
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    42
Item 5.   Other Information    42
Item 6.   Exhibits    42

 

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PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CERUS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

UNAUDITED

(in thousands)

 

     June 30,
2009
(Unaudited)
    December 31,
2008
(see Note 1)
 

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 7,790      $ 10,303   

Short-term investments

     5,072        12,275   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $60 and $180 at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively

     6,133        7,152   

Inventories

     9,755        11,109   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,108        1,204   
                

Total current assets

     29,858        42,043   

Non-current assets:

    

Property and equipment, net

     1,465        1,844   

Long-term investment in related party

     2,203        2,329   

Restricted cash

     315        315   

Other assets

     720        808   
                

Total assets

   $ 34,561      $ 47,339   
                

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 6,946      $ 7,963   

Accrued liabilities

     4,864        4,490   

Accrued restructuring

     361        —     

Deferred revenue

     659        445   
                

Total current liabilities

     12,830        12,898   

Non-current liabilities

    

Other non-current liabilities

     138        163   
                

Total liabilities

     12,968        13,061   

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

    

Stockholders’ equity

    

Preferred stock

     9,496        9,496   

Common stock

     33        33   

Additional paid-in capital

     411,533        410,444   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     47        212   

Accumulated deficit

     (399,516     (385,907
                

Total stockholders’ equity

   $ 21,593      $ 34,278   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 34,561      $ 47,339   
                

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CERUS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

UNAUDITED

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Revenue:

        

Product revenue

   $ 3,871      $ 4,030      $ 6,956      $ 8,882   

Government grants and cooperative agreement

     335        —          738        117   
                                

Total revenue

     4,206        4,030        7,694        8,999   

Cost of product revenue

     2,520        3,077        4,614        4,791   
                                

Gross profit

     1,686        953        3,080        4,208   

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

     1,625        2,670        3,637        5,454   

Selling, general and administrative

     5,409        7,439        11,510        14,540   

Restructuring

     129        —          841        —     
                                

Total operating expenses

     7,163        10,109        15,988        19,994   
                                

Loss from operations

     (5,477     (9,156     (12,908     (15,786

Other income (expense), net

     (735     209        (701     899   
                                

Net loss

   $ (6,212   $ (8,947   $ (13,609   $ (14,887
                                

Per share information:

        

Net loss per share – basic and diluted

   $ (0.19   $ (0.28   $ (0.42   $ (0.46

Weighted average common shares outstanding used for basic and diluted per share information:

        

Basic and diluted

     32,650        32,450        32,620        32,330   

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CERUS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

UNAUDITED

(in thousands)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008  

Operating activities:

    

Net loss

   $ (13,609   $ (14,887

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     370        258   

Gain on sales of fixed assets

     109        —     

Stock-based compensation

     1,046        1,029   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     1,019        435   

Inventories

     1,354        (4,427

Other assets

     310        1,051   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (668     (576

Accrued restructuring

     361        —     

Deferred revenue

     214        (1,444
                

Net cash used in operating activities

     (9,494     (18,561

Investing activities:

    

Purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements

     (100     (686

Purchases of short-term investments

     —          (2,285

Sales of short-term investments

     —          9,021   

Maturities of short-term investments

     7,038        13,990   
                

Net cash provided by investing activities

     6,938        20,040   

Financing activities:

    

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock, ESPP, and stock options

     43        1,216   

Payments on capital lease obligations

     —          (15

Issuance cost for credit facility

     —          (25

Proceeds from note payable

     —          125   
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     43        1,301   
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (2,513     2,780   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     10,303        19,625   
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 7,790      $ 22,405   
                

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CERUS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include those of Cerus Corporation and its subsidiary, Cerus Europe B.V., which are collectively referred to hereinafter as Cerus or the Company, after elimination of all intercompany accounts and transactions. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and pursuant to the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included, including normal recurring accrual adjustments and reclassifications. In connection with filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company adjusted the quarterly amounts originally reported in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 for inventory and other income (expense) and net loss per share – basic and diluted as of and for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008. The adjustment resulted from the translation of inventory into U.S. dollars. Operating results for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009, or for any future period.

These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2008, included in its 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The accompanying balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 has been derived from the Company’s audited financial statements as of that date.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, which are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Revenue

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the SEC’s published Staff Accounting Bulletin, or SAB, No. 104, “Revenue Recognition,” published by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF No. 00-21, “Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables,” as applicable. Revenue is recognized when (i) persuasive evidence of an agreement with the funding party exists; (ii) services have been rendered or product has been delivered; (iii) pricing is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collection is probable.

The Company’s main sources of revenues through June 30, 2009 were product revenue from sales of the INTERCEPT Blood System and United States government grants and awards.

Revenue related to product sales is generally recognized when the Company fulfills its obligations for each element of an agreement. For all INTERCEPT Blood System sales, the Company uses a binding purchase order and signed sales contract as evidence of written agreement. The Company sells the INTERCEPT Blood System directly to blood banks, hospitals, universities and government agencies, as well as to distributors in certain regions. Generally, the Company’s contracts with its customers do not provide for open return rights, except within a reasonable time after receipt of goods in the case of non-conforming product. Deliverables and the units of accounting vary according to the provisions of the purchase order or sales contract. For revenue arrangements with multiple elements, the Company evaluates whether the delivered elements have standalone value to the customer, whether the fair value of the undelivered elements is reliably determinable, and whether the delivery of the remaining elements is probable and within the Company’s control. When all of these conditions are met, the Company recognizes the revenue on the delivered elements. If these conditions are not met, the Company defers revenue until such time as all of the conditions have been met or all of the elements have been delivered. Consideration received is allocated to elements that are identified as discrete units of accounting based on the relative fair value method. At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had $0.7 million and $0.4 million of short-term deferred revenue on its condensed consolidated balance sheets, respectively. Freight costs charged to customers are recorded as a component of revenue under EITF 00-10, “Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs.” Value-added-taxes, or VAT, that the Company invoices to its customers and remits to governments, are recorded on a net basis, and are excluded from product revenue.

 

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Research and Development Expenses

The Company receives certain United States government grants that support the Company’s efforts in defined research projects. These grants generally provide for reimbursement of approved costs incurred as defined in the various grants. Revenue associated with these grants is recognized as costs under each grant are incurred. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or FAS, No. 2, “Accounting for Research and Development Expenses,” research and development expenses are charged to expense when incurred. Research and development expenses include salaries and related expenses for scientific personnel, payments to consultants, supplies and chemicals used in in-house laboratories, costs of research and development facilities, depreciation of equipment and external contract research expenses, including clinical trials, preclinical safety studies, other laboratory studies, process development and product manufacturing for research use.

The Company’s use of estimates in recording accrued liabilities for research and development activities (described previously in this Note under the heading “Use of Estimates”) affects the amounts of research and development expenses recorded and revenue recorded from development funding and government grants and collaborative agreements. Actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist principally of short-term money market instruments.

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or FAS, No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” the Company has classified all debt securities as available-for-sale at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Available-for-sale securities are carried at estimated fair value based on quoted market prices. The Company reports the amortization of any premium and accretion of any discount resulting from the purchase of debt securities as a component of interest income and other, net. The Company’s available-for-sale securities consist primarily of United States government agency securities and corporate debt securities.

Unrealized gains at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company reviews all of its marketable securities on a regular basis to evaluate whether any security has experienced an other-than-temporary decline in fair value. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairments on investments held in its portfolio. However, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company recognized losses totaling $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, associated with investments that had experienced an other-than-temporary decline in fair value. These investments primarily related to fixed income securities. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.

As of June 30, 2009, the Company also maintained a certificate of deposit for approximately $0.2 million with a domestic bank. The Company holds this certificate of deposit for any potential decommissioning resulting from the Company’s possession of radioactive material. The certificate of deposit is held to satisfy the financial surety requirements of the California Department of Health Services and is recorded within other long-term assets on its condensed consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. In addition, the Company has certain other bank guarantees for its international operations, totaling $0.1 million at both June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable.

Substantially all of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are maintained pursuant to the Company’s investment policy at a major financial institution of high credit standing. The Company monitors the financial credit worthiness of the issuers of its investments and limits the concentration in individual securities and type of investments that exist within its investment portfolio. All of the Company’s investments carry high credit quality ratings, in accordance with its investment policy. At June 30, 2009, the Company does not believe there is significant financial risk from non-performance by the issuers of the Company’s cash equivalents and short-term investments.

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables exist to the full extent of amounts presented in the condensed consolidated financial statements. On a regular basis, including the point of sale, the Company performs credit evaluations of its customers. Generally, the Company does not require collateral from its customers to secure accounts receivable. To the extent that the Company determines specific invoices or customer accounts may be uncollectible, the Company reserves against the accounts receivable on its balance sheet and records a charge on its statement of operations. At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company recorded allowances for potentially uncollectible accounts receivable of approximately $60,000 and $180,000, respectively. Actual collection losses may differ from management’s estimate, and such differences could be material to the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

 

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The Company had three customers each accounting for more than 10% of the Company’s outstanding trade receivables and aggregating approximately 49% of outstanding trade receivables at June 30, 2009. To date, the Company has not experienced collection difficulties from these customers.

Inventories

At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, inventory consisted of finished goods of INTERCEPT disposable kits, components thereof, UVA illumination devices, and certain replacement parts for the illumination devices. The Company’s supply chain for certain of these components, held as work-in-process on its condensed consolidated balance sheet, can take in excess of one year for production to be complete before the work-in-process is utilized in finished disposable kits. Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost, determined on a first in, first-out basis, or market value. Platelet and plasma system disposable kits generally have two-year lives from date of manufacture. The Company frequently reviews the composition of inventory in order to identify obsolete, slow-moving or otherwise unsalable items. To the extent unsalable items are observed and there is no alternative use, the Company will record a write-down to net realizable value in the period that the impairment is first recognized. At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had written down approximately $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively, associated with potentially obsolete or expiring product.

Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment is comprised of furniture, equipment, information technology hardware and software and is recorded at cost. At the time the property and equipment is ready for its intended use, it is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets (generally three to five years). Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the improvements.

The Company evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate carrying amounts of its long-lived assets may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances occur, the Company assesses recoverability by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through the undiscounted expected future cash flows. If the future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of these assets, the Company recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. The Company did not recognize impairment charges related to its long-lived assets during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 or 2008.

Long-Term Investment in Related Party

At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company held an approximate 13% interest in the voting securities of BioOne Corporation, or BioOne, and accounted for its investment in BioOne under the cost method. The Company regularly evaluates several criteria in determining whether or not it has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of BioOne. These criteria include but are not limited to: the availability and frequency of access to financial information of BioOne, majority shareholder mix in BioOne, and representation on BioOne’s board of directors. As a result of its evaluations, at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company accounted for its investment under the cost method, as it has concluded that predominant evidence exists to support this conclusion.

The Company’s investment in BioOne is included in long-term investments in related party on its condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company has been advised by BioOne that BioOne will need to raise additional capital to support its operations beyond the near term and that there may be third-party investor support for the financing. At June 30, 2009, and on an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates several criteria to determine whether or not facts and circumstances support the carrying value of its investment in BioOne. These criteria include, but are not limited to: third-party investor interest and participation in recent equity offerings at current pricing, business outlook of BioOne and available financial information. The Company periodically re-evaluates the carrying value of its investment in BioOne’s equity, and to the extent that the criteria used to support the carrying value change, the Company will need to reassess the recorded basis of its investment in BioOne.

Foreign Currency Remeasurement

The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiary is the United States Dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured in United States Dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured in United States Dollars using historical exchange rates. Revenues and expenses are remeasured using average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Remeasurements are recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations as a component of interest income and other, net.

 

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Stock-Based Compensation

The Company maintains an equity incentive plan to provide long-term incentives for employees, contractors, members of the Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board. The plan allows for the issuance of non-statutory and incentive stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, other stock-related awards, and performance awards that may be settled in cash, stock, or other property. The Company also maintains an employee stock purchase plan within the meaning of Section 423(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with FAS No. 123R, “Share Based Payment,” or FAS 123R. Under the fair value recognition provisions of FAS 123R, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period. To the extent that stock options contain performance criteria for vesting, stock-based compensation is recognized once the performance criteria are probable of being met.

The Company continues to apply the provisions of EITF 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services,” or EITF 96-18 for its non-employee stock-based awards. Under EITF 96-18, the measurement date at which the fair value of the stock-based award is measured is equal to the earlier of 1) the date at which a commitment for performance by the counter party to earn the equity instrument is reached or 2) the date at which the counter party’s performance is complete. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for the fair value of the vested portion of the non-employee awards in its condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Total stock-based compensation recognized on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations impacted net loss per common share for the three months ended June 30, 2009, and 2008, by $0.01 per common share and for the six months ended June 30, 2009, and 2008, by $0.03 per common share.

See Note 10 for further information regarding our stock-based compensation assumptions and expenses.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

FAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income,” or FAS 130, establishes the standards of reporting and displaying comprehensive income (loss) and its components in the condensed consolidated financial statements. The components of comprehensive income (loss) include net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). The Company’s only component of other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, and 2008 was unrealized gains or losses from the Company’s available-for-sale short-term investments. Other comprehensive income (loss) is reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes based upon FAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” or FAS 109 and FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” or FIN 48. Under FAS 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company did not have any recorded liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits at June 30, 2009, or December 31, 2008. The Company recognizes interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in its income tax expense. To date, the Company has not recognized any interest and penalties in its condensed consolidated statements of operations, nor has it accrued for or made payments for interest and penalties. The Company continues to carry a full valuation allowance on all of its deferred tax assets. The tax years 2004 through 2008 remain subject to examination by the taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share—Basic and Diluted

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share reflects the assumed conversion of all dilutive securities, such as options, restricted stock units and convertible preferred stock.

 

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The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the denominator used in the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Numerator:

        

Net loss

   $ (6,212   $ (8,947   $ (13,609   $ (14,887

Denominator:

        

Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     32,650        32,450        32,620        32,330   
                                

Net loss per common share – basic and diluted

   $ (0.19   $ (0.28   $ (0.42   $ (0.46

The table below presents stock options, convertible preferred stock and restricted stock units that are excluded from the diluted net income (loss) per common share due to their anti-dilutive effect (shares in thousands):

 

     2009    2008

Antidilutive securities – weighted average shares

   6,894    5,260

Guarantee and Indemnification Arrangements

The Company recognizes the fair value for guarantee and indemnification arrangements issued or modified by the Company after December 31, 2002, if these arrangements are within the scope of FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others,” or FIN 45. In addition, the Company monitors the conditions that are subject to the guarantees and indemnifications, as required under previously existing generally accepted accounting principles, in order to identify if a loss has occurred. If the Company determines it is probable that a loss has occurred, then any such estimable loss would be recognized under those guarantees and indemnifications. Some of the agreements of the Company contain provisions that provide for the indemnification of the counter-party to those agreements from damages and costs resulting from claims that the Company’s technology infringes the intellectual property rights of a third party or claims that the sale or use of the Company’s products have caused personal injury or other damage or loss. The Company has not received any such requests for indemnification under these provisions and has not been required to make material payments pursuant to these provisions.

The Company generally provides for a one-year warranty on certain of its INTERCEPT blood-safety products covering defects in materials and workmanship. The Company accrues costs associated with warranty obligations when claims become probable and estimable. There have been no warranty costs incurred through June 30, 2009. Accordingly, at June 30, 2009, the Company has not accrued for any potential future warranty costs.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company adopted the provisions of FAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” or FAS 157, on January 1, 2008, relating to its financial assets and liabilities. The carrying amounts of accounts receivables, accounts payable, and other accrued liabilities approximate their fair value due to the relative short-term maturities. The carrying amounts and fair value of the Company’s short term investments and long term investments in related parties are described in “Note 2. Financial Instruments” to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations,” or FAS 141(R). FAS 141(R) retains the fundamental requirements of Statement No. 141 to account for all business combinations using the acquisition method (formerly the purchase method) and for an acquiring entity to be identified in all business combinations. However, the new standard requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. The adoption of FAS 141(R) on January 1, 2009 did not have an effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements but may have an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements if and when the Company enters into a business combination.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position, or FSP, No. 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets,” or FSP 142-3. FSP 142-3 amends the factors an entity should consider in developing renewal or extension assumptions used in determining the useful life of recognized intangible assets under FAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. This new

 

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guidance applies prospectively to intangible assets that are acquired individually or with a group of other assets in business combinations and asset acquisitions. The Company adopted FSP 142-3 on January 1, 2009, however, adoption did not have an effect on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In November 2007, the EITF ratified a consensus on EITF Issue No. 07-1, “Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements,” or EITF 07-1, which requires participants in a collaboration to make separate disclosures regarding the nature and purpose of an arrangement, their rights and obligations under the arrangement, the accounting policy for the arrangement and the income statement classification and amounts arising from the arrangement between participants for each period an income statement is presented. EITF 07-1 became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2009. Adoption of EITF 07-1 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued three amendments to the fair value measurement, disclosure and other-than-temporary impairment standards:

 

   

FAS 157-4, “ Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions that are Not Orderly.

 

   

FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “ Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments.”

 

   

FAS 107 and APB 28-1, “ Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments.

FAS 157, “ Fair value Measurements ,” defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell the asset or transfer the liability in an orderly transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. FAS 157-4 provided additional guidance on identifying circumstances when a transaction may not be considered orderly.

FAS 157-4 provides a list of factors that a reporting entity should evaluate to determine whether there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability in relation to normal market activity for the asset or liability. When the reporting entity concludes there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, further analysis of the information from that market is needed and significant adjustments to the related prices may be necessary to estimate fair value in accordance with FAS 157.

FAS 157-4 clarifies that when there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, some transactions may not be orderly. In those situations, the entity must evaluate the weight of evidence to determine whether the transaction is orderly. It also provides a list of circumstances that may indicate that a transaction is not orderly. A transaction price that is not associated with an orderly transaction is given little, if any, weight when estimating fair value.

FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 clarifies the interaction of the factors that should be considered when determining whether a debt security is other–than-temporarily impaired. For debt securities, management must assess whether (a) it has the intent to sell the security and (b) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to its anticipated recovery. These steps are done before assessing whether the entity will recover the cost basis of the investment. Previously, this assessment required management to assert it has both the intent and the ability to hold a security for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery in fair value to avoid recognizing an other-than-temporary impairment. This change does not affect the need to forecast recovery of the value of the security through either cash flows or market price.

In instances when a determination is made that an other-than-temporary impairment exists but the investor does not intend to sell the debt security and it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the debt security prior to its anticipated recovery, FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 change the presentation and amount of the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in the income statement. The other-than-temporary impairment is separated into (a) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to a decrease in cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security (the credit loss) and (b) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income.

FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 amends FAS 107, “ Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. FAS 107-1 also amends APB Opinion No. 28, “ Interim Financial Reporting ,” to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods.

All three FASB Staff Positions discussed herein include substantial additional disclosure requirements. The effective date for these new standards is the same: interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted these standards at June 30, 2009 and the adoption did not have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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On May 28, 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events (“FAS 165”). Under FAS 165, companies are required to evaluate events and transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the date the financial statements are issued, or available to be issued in the case of non-public entities. FAS 165 requires entities to recognize in the financial statements the effect of all events or transactions that provide additional evidence of conditions that existed at the balance sheet date, including the estimates inherent in the financial preparation process. Entities shall not recognize the impact of events or transactions that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the balance sheet date but arose after that date. FAS 165 also requires entities to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. FAS 165 was effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted the provisions of FAS 165 for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, as required, and adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. See Note 14, “Subsequent Events,” to the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more detailed discussion.

On June 29, 2009, the FASB issued FAS 168 Accounting Standards Codification TM and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles – a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162 . FAS 168 establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification TM as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles. FAS 168 will be effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009, for most entities. On the effective date, all non-SEC accounting and reporting standards will be superceded. The Company will adopt FAS 168 for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009, as required, and adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Note 2. Financial Instruments

The Company measures and records certain financial assets at fair value on a recurring basis, including its available-for-sale short-term investments. The Company’s available-for-sale short-term investments consist of fixed income corporate bonds and United States government agency securities. The Company classifies investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase, as cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of money market funds, for which the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

At June 30, 2009, the fair values of certain of the Company’s financial assets were determined using the following inputs (in thousands):

 

Assets

        Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
     Total    (Level 1)    (Level 2)    (Level 3)

Money market funds (1)

   $ 4,528    $ 4,528    $ —      $ —  

Corporate bonds (2)

     2,459      —        2,459      —  

United States government agency securities (2)

     2,613      —        2,613      —  
                           
   $ 9,600    $ 4,528    $ 5,072    $ —  
                           

 

 

(1) Included in cash and cash equivalents on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.
(2) Included in short-term investments on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The Company classifies investments within Level 1 if quote prices are available in active markets. The Company classifies items in Level 2 if the investments are valued using observable inputs to quoted market prices, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. These investments include: United States government agencies and corporate bonds. Investments are held by a custodian who obtains investment prices from a third party pricing provider that uses standard inputs to models which vary by asset class. The Company did not hold financial assets and liabilities which were recorded at fair value in the Level 3 category, which defines that one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable, as of June 30, 2009.

 

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Note 3. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

The following is a summary of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments (in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2009
     Carrying Value    Unrealized Gain
(Loss)
   Fair Value

Cash and cash equivalents:

        

Cash

   $ 3,262    $ —      $ 3,262

Money Market funds

     4,528      —        4,528
                    

Total cash and cash equivalents

   $ 7,790    $ —      $ 7,790

Short-term investments

        

Corporate debt securities

   $ 2,441    $ 18    $ 2,459

United States government agency securities

     2,584      29      2,613
                    

Total short-term investments

   $ 5,025    $ 47    $ 5,072
                    
   $ 12,815    $ 47    $ 12,862
                    

 

     December 31, 2008
     Carrying Value    Unrealized Gain
(Loss)
   Fair Value

Cash and cash equivalents:

        

Cash

   $ 3,120    $ —      $ 3,120

Money Market funds

     7,183      —        7,183
                    

Total cash and cash equivalents

   $ 10,303    $ —      $ 10,303

Short-term investments

        

Corporate debt securities

   $ 8,741    $ 72    $ 8,813

United States government agency securities

     3,322      140      3,462
                    

Total short-term investments

   $ 12,063    $ 212    $ 12,275
                    
   $ 22,366    $ 212    $ 22,578
                    

 

     2009    2008

Due in one year or less

   $ 4,528    $ 7,183

Due greater than one year and less than three years

     5,072      12,275
             

Total

   $ 9,600    $ 19,458
             

Realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale investments and from other-than-temporary declines in market value are recorded in Interest income (expense) and other, net. Gross proceeds and the realized losses from the sale of available-for sale investments consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,    Six Months Ended June 30,
     2009    2008    2009    2008

Gross Proceeds

   $ —      $ 3,835    $ —      $ 4,585

Realized Loss Upon Sale

   $ —      $ 188    $ —      $ 277

Note 4. Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Work in progress

   $ 2,716    $ 3,750

Finished goods

     7,039      7,359
             
   $ 9,755    $ 11,109
             

 

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The Company’s inventories at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 consisted of finished goods of INTERCEPT disposable kits, components thereof, UVA illumination devices, and certain replacement parts for the illumination devices. The Company is responsible for supplying Fenwal, Inc. with certain components for assembly into finished INTERCEPT disposable kits. The Company accounts for these components as work-in-process until such time as the components are used in the production of finished INTERCEPT disposable sets. The Company’s work-in-process components are manufactured over a protracted length of time before being incorporated into the finished disposable kits. As a result, work-in-process costs accumulate for a period of time which can exceed one year.

Note 5. Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Accrued compensation and related

   $ 1,074    $ 636

Accrued inventory

     2,391      2,121

Accrued contract and other accrued expenses

     1,399      1,733
             
   $ 4,864    $ 4,490
             

Note 6. Restructuring

In March 2009, pursuant to the Board of Directors’ approval, the Company began implementing a plan to focus resources on commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System in Europe, to consolidate facilities, and to reduce its cost structure. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company incurred costs for one-time termination benefits for employee positions that were eliminated under the restructuring plan, consolidation of facility and related moving costs. Effected employees received severance consideration and continuation of benefits, as well as transition assistance. The Company anticipates continuing to implement its restructuring plan and incurring associated costs through the year ended December 31, 2009.

A summary of the Company’s restructuring costs is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Balance at
December 31, 2008
   Restructuring
Charge
   Cash Payments    Balance at
June 30, 2009

One-time termination benefits

   $ —      $ 712    $ 351    $ 361

Other

     —        129      129      —  
                           

Total

   $ —      $ 841    $ 480    $ 361
                           

Note 7. Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

The Company leases its office facilities and certain equipment under non-cancelable operating leases with initial terms in excess of one year that require the Company to pay operating costs, property taxes, insurance and maintenance. These facility leases generally contain renewal options and provisions adjusting the lease payments if those renewal options are exercised. The Company’s facility leases qualify as operating leases under FAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” and as such, are not included on its condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Royalties

The Company is obligated to pay royalties on certain INTERCEPT product sales based on a percentage of net sales generated. The royalty rates vary by product, with a rate of 10% of net sales for the platelet system, 3% for the plasma system, 5% for the red blood cells, or the red blood cell system, and 6.5% for illuminators. These royalties are recorded as part of cost of product revenue.

 

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Purchase Commitments

The Company is party to agreements with certain providers of INTERCEPT blood safety system components which the Company purchases and provides to Fenwal at no cost. Certain of these agreements require minimum purchase commitments from the Company.

Note 8. Credit Agreement

In June 2008, the Company entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or the Facility, which allowed the Company to borrow up to $10.0 million for working capital and general operating needs. In December 2008, the Company amended the terms of the Facility. The initial term of the Facility was one year. In June 2009, the Facility expired with no amount outstanding under the Facility.

Note 9. Stockholders’ Equity

Series B Preferred Stock

Fenwal holds 3,327 shares of the Company’s Series B preferred stock. The Series B preferred stock has no voting rights, except with respect to the authorization of any class or series of stock having preference or priority over the Series B preferred stock as to voting, liquidation or conversion or with respect to the determination of fair market value of non-publicly traded shares received by the holder of Series B stock in the event of a liquidation, or except as required by Delaware law. Fenwal may convert each share of Series B preferred stock into 100 shares of the Company’s common stock at any time. If all shares of Series B preferred stock were converted to common stock, 332,700 shares of common stock would be issued, which represents approximately 1% of the outstanding common stock of the Company at June 30, 2009. The Company has the right to redeem the Series B preferred stock prior to conversion for a payment of $9.5 million.

Note 10. Stock-Based Compensation

2008 Equity Incentive Plan

The Company maintains an equity compensation plan to provide long-term incentives for employees, contractors, and members of its Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board. The Company currently grants awards from its 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2008 Plan. The 2008 Plan allows for the granting of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, other stock-related awards, and performance awards which may be settled in cash, stock, or other property. The 2008 Plan has 3.6 million shares available for grant. Awards under the 2008 Plan generally have a maximum term of 10 years from the date the award is granted. Employee options granted under the 2008 Plan generally vest over four years. The 2008 Plan generally requires options to be granted at 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock subject to the option on the date of grant. Performance-based stock options granted under the 2008 Plan are limited to either 500,000 shares or $1.0 million, in the case of performance-based cash awards, per calendar year. As of June 30, 2009, the Company had granted a performance based stock option totaling 50,000 shares.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company also maintains an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the Purchase Plan. The Purchase Plan is intended to qualify as an employee stock purchase plan within the meaning of Section 423(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the Purchase Plan, the Company’s Board of Directors may authorize participation by eligible employees, including officers, in periodic offerings. The offering period for any offering can be no more than 27 months.

Restricted Stock Units

The Company has granted restricted stock units to the Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice Presidents, and Vice Presidents in accordance with the Bonus Plan for Senior Management of Cerus Corporation. Subject to each grantee’s continued employment, shares underlying the grants vest in three annual installments and are issuable at the end of the three-year vesting term.

Restricted stock unit grants made in connection with the Bonus Plan for Senior Management of Cerus Corporation are presented in the following table:

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

   Units granted    Grant date fair
value per unit
   Units vested at
June 30, 2009

2009

   —        —      —  

2008

   43,086    $ 6.99    —  

2007

   60,620      5.54    20,207

2006

   37,098      10.32    24,732
            

Total

   140,804       44,939
            

 

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Stock-based Compensation

The Company currently uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options and employee stock purchase plan shares. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price, as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. The variables used to calculate the fair value of stock-based payment awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model include the expected term of the grants, the Company’s expected stock price volatility, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, including forfeitures, the risk-free interest rate and expected dividends.

The Company does not recognize stock-based compensation on stock options that contain performance conditions, until such time as the performance criteria are probable of being achieved. As such, the Company had not recorded any such stock based compensation for the 50,000 share performance-based stock option granted.

Expected Term

The Company estimates the expected term of options granted using a variety of factors. Where possible, the Company estimates the expected term of options granted by analyzing employee exercise and post-vesting termination behavior. To make this estimation, the Company analyzes the population of options granted by discreet, homogeneous groups. If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient information to estimate the expected term for a particular group, it estimates the expected term of the options granted by taking the average of the vesting term and the contractual term of the option, as illustrated in SAB 107 and SAB 110. The expected term of employee stock purchase plan shares is the term of each purchase period.

Estimated Volatility

The Company estimates the volatility of its common stock by using historical volatility of its common stock. The Company has used significant judgment in making these estimates and will continue to monitor the availability of actively traded options on its common stock. If the Company determines that sufficient actively traded options on its common stock exist, it may consider a combination of historical and implied volatility, or solely implied volatility.

Estimated Forfeiture Rate

The Company estimates the forfeiture rate of options at the time of grant and revises those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeiture rates differ from those estimates. The Company uses historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures and records stock-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest. The Company estimates the historic pre-vesting forfeiture rates by groups that possess a degree of homogeneity regarding average time to vest and expected term. All stock-based payment awards are amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which are generally the vesting periods.

Risk-Free Interest Rate

The Company bases the risk-free interest rate that it uses in the option valuation model on United States Treasury zero-coupon issues with remaining terms similar to the expected term on the options.

Expected Dividend

The Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and therefore uses an expected dividend yield of zero in the option valuation model.

The assumptions used to value option grants for three and six months ended June 30:

 

             2009                   2008        

Expected term (in years)

   5.25-6.50   4.16-6.73

Volatility

   59.1%-84.1%   59.1%

Risk free interest rate

   2.80%-4.03%   4.03%

 

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The assumptions used to value employee stock purchase rights for the three and six months ended June 30:

 

             2009                   2008        

Expected term (in years)

   0.50   0.50

Volatility

   54.6%-78.8%   54.6%

Risk free interest rate

   2.0%-4.4%   4.4%

Total stock-based compensation recognized on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Option Grants and Stock Purchase Rights
     Three Months Ended June 30,    Six Months Ended June 30,
     2009    2008    2009    2008

Research and development

   $ 105    $ 97    $ 274    $ 297

Selling, general and administrative

     366      309      772      732
                           
   $ 471    $ 406    $ 1,046    $ 1,029
                           

Activity under the Company’s stock option plans is set forth below (in thousands except per share amounts):

 

     Number of
Options
Outstanding
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price per
Share ($)

Balances at December 31, 2008

   5,063      $ 10.27

Granted

   2,064        1.28

Cancelled

   (650     6.60

Exercised

   —       
            

Balances at June 30, 2009

   6,477      $ 7.77
        

Note 11. Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss comprises net loss and other comprehensive loss. Other comprehensive loss for all periods presented comprises unrealized holding gains on our available-for-sale securities, which are excluded from net loss and included as a component of stockholders’ equity. Comprehensive loss and its components are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Net loss:

        

As reported

   $ (6,212   $ (8,947   $ (13,609   $ (14,887

Other comprehensive loss:

        

Net unrealized gain/(loss) on available-for-sale securities

     (28     (7     (165     65   
                                

Comprehensive loss

   $ (6,240   $ (8,954   $ (13,774   $ (14,822

Note 12. Development and License Agreements

Agreements with BioOne

In April 2004, the Company made an investment in the common stock of BioOne, a privately held Japanese corporation. BioOne was formed in 2004 to develop technologies to improve the safety of blood products in Asia, and is funded by equity investments from Japanese venture capital firms, other corporations and individual investors.

Platelet Agreement

In June 2004, Baxter and the Company entered into an agreement with BioOne for commercialization of the INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets in parts of Asia. Under the terms of the agreement, BioOne is responsible, at its expense, for seeking regulatory approvals and will have exclusive rights to market and distribute the INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets in Japan, China, Taiwan,

 

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South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore, following their receipt of regulatory approval in each of those countries. In July 2004 and October 2004, Baxter and the Company each received up-front payments of $10.0 million from BioOne. The Company’s portion of the up-front payments was being deferred and recognized ratably as development funding over the development period. The agreement also provides for contingent milestone payments and royalties on future product sales, which would be shared equally by Fenwal (Baxter’s assignee) and the Company. The Company did not recognize any revenue under this agreement during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 or 2008.

Plasma Agreement

In December 2004, Baxter and the Company signed a letter of intent with BioOne to enter into a definitive agreement for commercialization of the INTERCEPT Blood System for plasma in parts of Asia. Under the letter of intent, the Company received a payment of $3.0 million from BioOne, which was recorded as deferred revenue as of December 31, 2004. A definitive agreement with BioOne for the plasma system was signed by Baxter and the Company in June 2005, and in December 2005 the Company received additional up-front payments of $2.0 million in cash and $5.0 million in BioOne’s equity, both of which were recorded upon receipt as deferred revenue and recognized over the remaining development period. In December 2006, the Company received a milestone payment from BioOne of $4.5 million in cash and $5.0 million in BioOne’s equity, both of which were in recognition of the Company’s receipt of a CE mark for the plasma system. The Company evaluates several criteria to determine the fair value of the equity received and to conclude whether or not the facts and circumstances support a fair value for revenue recognition and investment balance. These criteria include, but are not limited to: third-party investor interest and participation in recent equity offerings at current pricing, business outlook of BioOne, and available financial information. Based on this evaluation, the Company recognized the entire $5.0 million of equity received as revenue in December 2006. Since BioOne is a privately-held Japanese company, it is only obligated to provide the Company with annual financial information at the end of its fiscal year which ends in May. Therefore, although the Company used the best available information at the time, there was and can be no absolute assurance that facts and circumstances will not change in the future. The Company did not recognize any revenue under this agreement during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 or 2008.

Cooperative Agreements with the United States Armed Forces

Since February 2001, the Company has received awards under cooperative agreements with the Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity division of the Department of Defense. The Company received these awards in order to develop its pathogen inactivation technologies for the improved safety and availability of blood that may be used by the United States Armed Forces for medical transfusions. Under the conditions of the agreements, the Company is conducting research on the inactivation of infectious pathogens in blood, including unusual viruses, bacteria and parasites that are of concern to the United States Armed Forces. This funding also supports advanced development of the Company’s blood safety technologies. The Company recognized $0.3 million and $0.7 million of revenue under these agreements during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, and $0.0 and $0.1 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively. As of June 30, 2009, the Company has received a cumulative $31.7 million of cash payments from awards with the Department of Defense.

Note 13. Segment Information and Geographic Information

At June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company operated only one segment, blood safety. The Company’s chief executive officer is the chief operating decision maker who evaluates performance based on the net revenues and operating income (loss) of the blood safety segment.

During the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company had the following significant customers, listed as a percentage of product revenue:

 

Customer

   2009     2008  

Movaco, S.A.

   28   28

Establishment Francais du Sang

   19   11

Grifols Italia S.P.A.

   10   —     

Delrus Inc

   8   14

Fenwal

   —        15

During the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company also recognized government grants and cooperative agreement revenue which represented 10% and 1% of total revenue, respectively.

Note 14. Subsequent Events

Subsequent events have been evaluated through August 10, 2009, which is the date the financial statements were issued.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this report and the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of results that may occur in future periods.

This report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors.” These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about our ability to commercialize and achieve market acceptance of the INTERCEPT Blood Systems, the successful completion of our research, development and clinical programs, our ability to manage cost increases associated with pre-clinical and clinical development for the INTERCEPT Blood Systems, our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals of the INTERCEPT Blood Systems, our ability to protect our intellectual property and operate our business without infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others and our estimates regarding the sufficiency of our cash resources. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipate,” “will,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “plan,” and similar expressions intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, are based on assumptions, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that these statements will prove to be correct. We discuss many of these risks in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in greater detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors” under Part II, Item 1A below. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. You should read this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents that we incorporate by reference in and have filed as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

Overview

Since our inception in 1991, we have devoted substantially all of our efforts and resources to the research, development, clinical testing and commercialization of blood safety systems and, from 2001 until late 2007, immunotherapies for cancer and infectious disease. With the exception of the financial reporting effects of a non-recurring gain recognized in 2005, we have been generally unprofitable since inception and, as of June 30, 2009, had an accumulated deficit of approximately $399.5 million. Our INTERCEPT platelet system, or the “platelet system,” and our INTERCEPT plasma system, or the “plasma system,” have received CE marks and are being marketed in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and selected countries in other regions around the world. We have not yet received regulatory approvals for the platelet and plasma systems in the United States and other countries. The INTERCEPT red blood cell system, or the “red blood cell system,” is in early stage clinical development.

Our near-term capital requirements are dependent on various factors, including operating costs and working capital investments associated with commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System, costs associated with planning and conducting studies and clinical trials of our platelet and red blood cell systems, timing and magnitude of payments under grants from the United States government, and costs related to creating, maintaining and defending our intellectual property. Our long-term capital requirements will also be dependent on competitive developments and regulatory factors. Until we can generate a sufficient amount of product revenue and generate positive net cash flows from operations, meeting our long-term capital requirements is in large part subject to access to public and private equity and debt capital markets, as well as to additional collaborative arrangements with partners or government grants, augmented by cash generated from operations and interest income earned on the investment of our cash balances and short-term investments. We believe that our available cash balances will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements into 2010. We expect to prioritize continued commercialization of the platelet and plasma systems in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and in selected countries in other regions around the world over pursuit of regulatory approval of the platelet system in the United States and development and commercialization of the red blood cell system. We expect to continue efforts to establish an acceptable pathway for U.S. regulatory approval of the platelet system. We also expect to complete a Phase I clinical trial of the INTERCEPT red blood cell system in 2009. Further efforts to gain U.S. regulatory approval of the platelet system and significant development of the red blood cell system are dependent upon securing adequate additional funding to support such activities. We have begun implementing a restructuring plan to focus our resources, consolidate facilities and reduce our cost structure. We anticipate activities under the restructuring plan will continue throughout 2009.

We may borrow additional capital from institutional and commercial sources to fund future growth on terms that may include restrictive covenants, including covenants that restrict the operation of our business, liens on assets, high effective interest rates and repayment provisions that reduce cash resources and limit future access to capital markets. To the extent we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our stockholders may experience substantial dilution. To the extent that we raise additional funds through

 

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collaboration or partnering arrangements, we may be required to relinquish some of our rights to our technologies or rights to market and sell our products in certain geographies, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. Recently, the credit markets and the financial services industry have been experiencing a period of unprecedented turmoil and upheaval characterized by the bankruptcy, failure, collapse or sale of various financial institutions and an unprecedented level of intervention from the United States federal government. These events have generally made equity and debt financing more difficult to obtain. In addition, our independent registered public accountants have indicated that our recurring operating losses raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. This opinion may make it more difficult for us to raise funds when needed. As a result of these and other factors, we do not know whether additional capital will be available when needed, or that, if available, we will be able to obtain additional capital on reasonable terms. If we are unable to raise additional capital due to the recent disruptions to the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide or other factors, we will need to curtail planned development and commercialization activities.

Since February 2006, we have begun to recognize modest product revenue from the sale of our platelet and plasma systems in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and certain other countries around the world. Prior to initiating such commercial operations, our primary sources of revenue were milestone payments, development contracts and collaborative agreements and grants from United States government agencies, including the United States Armed Forces and the National Institutes of Health, or NIH. We must conduct significant research, development, preclinical and clinical evaluation, commercialization and regulatory compliance activities for our products that, together with anticipated general and administrative expenses, are expected to result in substantial losses at least until after our platelet and plasma systems gain widespread commercial acceptance in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and selected countries in other regions around the world. Our ability to achieve a profitable level of operations in the future will depend on our ability to successfully commercialize and achieve market acceptance of our blood safety products. We may never achieve a profitable level of operations.

Under the agreements with BioOne, we have received milestone payments in the past and may receive additional contingent milestone payments and royalties on future product sales.

We pay royalties to Fenwal on product sales, at rates of 10% of net sales for the platelet system, 3% for the plasma system, 5% for the red blood cell system, and 6.5% on sales of UVA illuminators. In December 2008, we amended and extended our manufacturing and supply agreement with Fenwal to include Fenwal’s manufacture of finished disposable kits for the platelet and plasma systems through December 31, 2013. Under the amended manufacturing and supply agreement, we pay Fenwal a set price per kit, which is established annually plus a fixed surcharge per kit. In addition, at the end of each year, volume driven manufacturing overhead will be paid or refunded if actual manufacturing volumes are lower or higher, respectively, than the annually estimated production volumes.

We are responsible for the commercialization and ongoing development of the platelet and plasma systems, except in parts of Asia, where BioOne is responsible for such commercialization. Subject to the availability of adequate funding from partners, government grants, and/or capital markets, we also anticipate continuing our expenditures in support of preclinical and clinical trials and device development of our red blood cell system over the next several years if we can attract financing from partners, government grants, and/or the capital markets.

In November 2007, we spun-off our immunotherapy business to Anza Therapeutics, Inc., or Anza. In exchange for contributed tangible and intangible assets, we received Preferred Stock representing an equity interest of approximately 20% of Anza’s preferred equity. Anza ceased its operations on March 31, 2009. The terms of sale provided Anza a right to redeem up to 1,000,000 of such shares for a nominal amount upon the failure to occur of certain circumstances relating to possible research grant funding from the DoD. We have been advised that, based upon such provision, Anza may seek to redeem 1,000,000 shares held by us. If such shares are redeemed by Anza, we would own fewer shares of Anza’s Preferred Stock, reducing our preferred equity interest to approximately 16.0% of Anza’s outstanding preferred equity. There is no assurance that the equity will have monetary value at such time we are allowed to sell it or that we will receive any proceeds upon liquidation or sale of Anza. We are evaluating whether Anza may redeem such shares in the present circumstances.

Because of the risks and uncertainties underlying Anza’s business we have not assigned a value to our ownership interest in Anza on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Prior to Anza ceasing operations in March 2009, we had provided certain transition services to Anza under terms of a transition services agreement under which Anza reimbursed us for our direct costs associated with providing such services. The transition services we were providing to Anza were generally ancillary in nature and did not involve Anza’s core business or any scientific research or development. We also sublet 14,800 square feet to Anza under a month-to-month sublease that expired on March 31, 2009.

Through June 30, 2009, in addition to the product revenues from sales of our platelet and plasma systems, we have recognized revenue from grants and cooperative agreements with the Armed Forces.

Critical Accounting Policies and Management Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, inventory valuation, accrued liabilities, non-cash stock compensation

 

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assumptions, and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form our basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe the following critical accounting policies require us to make significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements:

Revenue – Revenue is recognized when (i) persuasive evidence of an agreement with the funding party exists; (ii) services have been rendered or product has been delivered; (iii) pricing is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collection is probable.

Revenue related to product sales is generally recognized when we fulfill our obligations for each element of an agreement. For all sales of our INTERCEPT Blood System products, we use a binding purchase order and signed sales contract as evidence of a written agreement. We sell INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets and plasma directly to blood banks, hospitals, universities, government agencies, as well as to distributors in certain regions. Generally, our contracts with customers do not provide for open return rights, except within a reasonable time after receipt of goods in the case of non-conforming product. Deliverables and the units of accounting vary according to the provisions of each purchase order or sales contract. For revenue arrangements with multiple elements we evaluate whether the delivered elements have standalone value to the customer, whether the fair value of the undelivered elements is reliably determinable, and whether the delivery of the remaining elements is probable and within our control. When all of these conditions are met, we recognize the revenue on the delivered elements. If these conditions are not met, we defer revenue until such time as all of the conditions have been met or all of the elements have been delivered. Consideration received is allocated to elements that are identified as discrete units of accounting based on the relative fair market value method. Freight costs charged to customers are recorded as a component of revenue and value-added-taxes, or VAT, that we invoice to our customers and remit to governments are recorded on a net basis, which excludes such VAT from product revenue.

Revenue related to the cost reimbursement provisions under development contracts is recognized as the costs on the projects are incurred. We receive certain United States government grants and contracts that support research in defined research projects. These grants generally provide for reimbursement of approved costs incurred as defined in the various grants. Revenue associated with these grants is recognized as costs under each grant are incurred.

Revenue related to substantive at-risk milestones specified under development contracts is recognized as the milestones are achieved. To date, we have not received license fees or milestone payments that are refundable. To the extent that license fees or milestone payments that we have received are subject to future performance criteria, we recognize revenue ratably over the estimated term of the license or the development period. We have received up-front payments from collaboration agreements which are deferred and recognized over the period during which we estimate we are likely to have involvement. We have also received equity in two privately held companies in addition to cash as consideration for licensed rights or technologies. We evaluate several criteria to determine the fair value of the equity received and to conclude whether the facts and circumstances support a fair value for revenue recognition and the investment balance. These criteria include, but are not limited to, third-party investor interest and participation in recent equity offerings at current pricing, business outlook of the privately held company, and available financial information of the privately held company. The financial information we receive is generally only available on an infrequent basis. Although management uses the best available information at the time, there can be no absolute assurance that facts and circumstances will not change in the future. Should these facts and circumstances change, they may negatively impact our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Inventory – We own work-in-process inventory for certain components of INTERCEPT disposable kits, finished INTERCEPT disposable kits, illuminators, and certain replacement parts for our illuminators. Our supply chain for certain of these components, held as work-in-process on our condensed consolidated balance sheet, can take over one year to complete production before being utilized in finished disposable kits. Under our manufacturing agreement with Fenwal, our carrying value of INTERCEPT disposable kits is dependent on an annually set price. In addition, at the end of each year, volume driven manufacturing overhead is either paid or refunded by or to us if manufacturing volumes are higher or lower than the anticipated manufacturing volumes at the time the price is established. As a result, at each interim period, manufacturing overhead can fluctuate and requires us to use judgment in accruing the manufacturing overhead. In addition, we use judgment in determining whether the manufacturing overhead is a cost of our inventory and recoverable when product is sold. Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost, determined on a first in, first-out basis, or market value. Our platelet and plasma system disposable kits generally have a two-year shelf life from the date of manufacture. Illuminators and replacement parts do not have regulated expiration dates. We use significant judgment to analyze and determine if the composition of our inventory is obsolete, slow-moving, or unsalable and frequently review such determinations. Our limited history selling the INTERCEPT Blood System limits the amount of historical data we have to perform this analysis. Generally, we write-down specifically identified obsolete, slow-moving, or known unsalable inventory that has no alternative use, using a number of factors including product expiration dates, open and unfulfilled orders, and sales forecasts.

Accrued expenses – We record accrued liabilities for expenses related to certain contract research activities and development services, including those related to clinical trials, preclinical safety studies and external laboratory studies, as well as transition services and development activities being performed by third parties. Some of those accrued liabilities are based on estimates because billings for these activities may not occur on a timely basis consistent with the performance of the services. Specifically, accruals for clinical trials require us to make estimates surrounding costs associated with patients at various stages of the clinical trial, pass through costs to clinical sites, contract research organization costs including fees, database development, and reporting costs, among others.

 

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Stock-based compensation – We issue stock-based awards to our employees, members of our Board of Directors, our Scientific Advisory Board and certain contractors as strategic, long-term incentives. We recorded stock-based compensation expense for employee awards in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or FAS, No. 123R, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” or FAS 123R. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the grant-date fair value of a stock award. We continue to apply the provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunctions with Selling, Goods or Services,” for our non-employee stock-based awards. Under EITF 96-18, the measurement date at which the fair value of the stock-based award is measured is equal to the earlier of (i) the date at which a commitment for performance by the grantee to earn the equity instrument is reached or (ii) the date at which the grantee’s performance is complete. We recognize stock-based compensation expense for the fair value of the vested portion of the non-employee awards in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The Black-Scholes option pricing model calculates the grant-date fair value using certain variables. These variables are impacted by our stock price, award exercise behaviors, the risk free interest rate and our expected dividends and many of these variables require us to use significant judgment.

Expected Term. We estimate the expected term of options granted using a variety of factors. Where possible, we estimate the expected term of options granted by analyzing employee exercise and post-vesting termination behavior. To make this estimation, we analyze the population of options granted by discreet homogeneous groups. For those homogeneous groups where we are unable to obtain sufficient information to estimate the expected term in this manner, we estimate the expected term of the options granted by taking the average of the vesting term and the contractual term of the option, as illustrated in the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 and 110, “Share-Based Payment,” or SAB 107 and SAB 110. The expected term of employee stock purchase plan shares is the term of each offering period.

Estimated Forfeiture Rate . We estimate the forfeiture rate of options at the time of grant and revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. We use historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures and record stock-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest. We estimate the historic pre-vesting forfeiture rates by groups that possess a degree of homogeneity regarding average time to vest and expected term. All stock-based payment awards are amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which are generally the vesting periods.

Estimated Volatility . We estimate the volatility of our common stock by using historical volatility of our common stock. We have used significant judgment in making these estimates and we will continue to monitor the availability of actively traded options on our common stock. If we determine that sufficient actively traded options on our common stock exist, we may consider a combination of historical and implied volatility, or solely implied volatility.

Risk-Free Interest Rate . We base the risk-free interest rate that we use in the option valuation model on United States Treasury zero-coupon issues with remaining terms similar to the expected term on the options.

Expected Dividend . We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and therefore use an expected dividend yield of zero in the option valuation model.

If factors change and we utilize different assumptions in determining the grant-date fair value of stock compensation expense in the future, or if we utilize a different option pricing model in the future, then those results may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period and could materially affect our operating results. There is significant risk that the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the judgment we have used in ascertaining the variables will yield results that differ materially from the actual values realized upon the exercise, expiration, termination or forfeitures of the awards in the future. Historical results were utilized in deriving our variables, which may not be indicative of the future.

Income Taxes – Since our inception we have accumulated significant net operating losses and research and development credits that may be used in future periods to offset future taxable income. We currently estimate that we may not be able to utilize all of our deferred tax assets. In addition, we may not generate future taxable income prior to the expiration of our net operating loss carry forwards and research and development credits. Timing and significance of any estimated future taxable income is highly subjective and is beyond the control of management due to uncertainties in market conditions, economic environments in which we operate, and timing of regulatory approval of our products. We do not recognize tax positions that have a lower than 50% likelihood of being recognized upon review by a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. Use of a valuation allowance as described in Financial Accounting Standard 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” or FAS 109, is not an appropriate substitute for the derecognition of a tax position. We did not have any recorded liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits at June 30, 2009 or December 31, 2008. We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our income tax expense. To date, we have not recognized any interest and penalties in our statements of operations, nor have we accrued for or made payments for interest and penalties. We continue to carry a full valuation allowance on all of our deferred tax assets. Although we believe it more likely than not that a taxing authority would agree with our current tax positions, there can be no assurance that the tax positions we have taken will be substantiated by a taxing authority if reviewed.

 

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Results of Operations

Three and Six-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008

Revenue

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
         Six months ended
June 30,
            

(in thousands, except percentage)

   2009    2008    Change     2009    2008    Change  

Product revenue

   $ 3,871    $ 4,030    $ (159   (4 )%    $ 6,956    $ 8,882    $ (1,926   (22 )% 

Government grants and cooperative agreement

     335      —        335      —       738      117      621      531
                                                

Total revenue

   $ 4,206    $ 4,030    $ 176      4   $ 7,694    $ 8,999    $ (1,305   (15 )% 
                                                

Product revenue decreased $0.2 million to $3.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $4.0 million during the comparable period in the prior year. The decrease was largely due to the recognition in 2008 of $0.3 million in revenue deferred in 2007 relating to the sale of INTERCEPT units to customers in 2007. We anticipate product revenue for both the platelet and plasma systems will increase in future periods as the INTERCEPT Blood System gains market acceptance in geographies where commercialization efforts are underway. These quarterly results may not be indicative of INTERCEPT Blood System revenue in the future.

We recognized $0.3 million of revenue from government grants and cooperative agreements for the three months ended June 30, 2009. No such revenue was recognized for the comparable period in 2008. The revenue recognized during the three months ended June 30, 2009 related to an award with the United States Department of Defense relating to the research and development of the red blood cell system. We anticipate recognizing $1.0 million, the remainder of the award, throughout 2009 and possibly into 2010. We anticipate applying for new awards with the Department of Defense to the extent such awards become available. However, we can provide no assurance that should such awards become available, our bids will be accepted by the Department of Defense or at what funding levels.

Product revenue decreased $1.9 million to $7.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $9.0 million during the comparable period in the prior year. The decrease in product revenue was primarily due to the recognition in 2008 of $1.5 million in revenue originally deferred in 2007.

Government grant revenue increased by $0.6 million to $0.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $0.1 million during the comparable period in the prior year. The increase in government grant revenue was primarily due to an award with the Department of Defense, received in 2009 relating to the research and development of the red blood cell system.

Cost of Product Revenue

Our cost of product revenue consists of the cost of the INTERCEPT Blood System inventory sold, royalties payable to Fenwal for product sales, and certain order fulfillment costs. Inventory is accounted for on a first-in, first-out basis.

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
         Six months ended
June 30,
            

(in thousands, except percentage)

   2009    2008    Change     2009    2008    Change  

Cost of product revenue

   $ 2,520    $ 3,077    $ (557   (18 )%    $ 4,614    $ 4,791    $ (177   (4 )% 

Cost of product revenue decreased $0.6 million to $2.5 million during the three months ended June 30, 2009, from $3.1 million during the comparable period in the prior year. The decrease in cost of revenue was primarily due to the 2008 recognition of previously deferred cost of product revenue resulting from INTERCEPT units sold to customers in 2007. This increase was partially offset by an increase in the provision for obsolete slow-moving and scrapped inventory recorded in 2009 compared to 2008.

Similarly, cost of product revenue decreased $0.2 million to $4.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2009, from $4.8 million during the comparable period in the prior year. The decrease in cost of product revenue was due to the lower number of consumable units sold during the six months ended June 30, 2009, partially offset by an increase in the provision for obsolete slow-moving and scrapped inventory recorded in 2009 compared to 2008.

We anticipate our cost of product revenue will increase in the future as a result of increased product sales volume. Our realized gross margins are affected by various factors, including manufacturing and supply chain costs, the mix of product sold, and the mix of customers to whom product is sold. Generally, distributors receive wholesale pricing.

 

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Research and Development Expenses

Our research and development expenses include salaries and related expenses for our scientific personnel, non-cash stock based compensation, payments to consultants, costs to prepare and conduct preclinical and clinical trials, third-party costs for development activities, certain regulatory costs, and costs associated with our infrastructure, and laboratory chemicals and supplies.

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
         Six months ended
June 30,
            

(in thousands, except percentage)

   2009    2008    Change     2009    2008    Change  

Research and development

   $ 1,625    $ 2,670    $ (1,045   (39 )%    $ 3,637    $ 5,454    $ (1,817   (33 )% 

Research and development expenses decreased $1.0 million to $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009, from $2.7 million for the comparable period in 2008. Of our total research and development costs incurred, non-cash stock based compensation represented $0.1 million for each of the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008. The decrease in our research and development expenses during the three months ended June 30, 2009, compared to 2008 was the result of reduced research and development activities driven primarily by our March 2009 restructuring plan and the associated reduction in force.

Research and development expenses decreased $1.8 million to $3.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, from $5.5 million for the comparable period in 2008. Of our total research and development expenses incurred, non-cash stock based compensation represented $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008. The decrease in our research and development expenses during the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to 2008 was a result of the effect of our March 2009 restructuring and the associated reduction in force.

We anticipate our research and development spending will continue at approximately the current level and at times may increase as a result of ongoing and later stage preclinical and clinical trials, and as potential new products move from development to preclinical and clinical trials. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with research and development activities, including but not limited to, the time and cost involved in obtaining regulatory approval and subsequent launch of our platelet and plasma systems in the United States, and the development of the red blood cell system and other development activities, including risks and uncertainties that could impact the rate of progress of our development activities, we are unable to estimate with certainty the amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenditures that may ultimately be associated with our current and anticipated clinical trials and other research and development activities. We face numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the successful completion of our research and development projects, including the risks described in “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A below.

 

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Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general, and administrative expenses include salaries and related expenses for administrative personnel, non-cash stock based compensations, expenses for our commercialization efforts in Europe, expenses for accounting, tax, and internal control, legal and facility related expenses, and insurance premiums.

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
         Six months ended
June 30,
            

(in thousands, except percentage)

   2009    2008    Change     2009    2008    Change  

Selling, general, and administrative

   $ 5,409    $ 7,439    $ (2,030   (27 )%    $ 11,510    $ 14,540    $ (3,030   (21 )% 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased $2.0 million to $5.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009, from $7.4 million for the comparable period in 2008. Of these amounts, non-cash stock-based compensation represented $0.4 million and $0.3 million for each of the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Overall, the decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses from the three months ended June 30, 2009, was primarily due to the decreased personnel costs and lower marketing and public affairs costs driven primarily by our March 2009 restructuring plan and the associated reductions in force.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased $3.0 million to $11.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, from $14.5 million for the comparable period in 2008. Of the $11.5 million and $14.5 million of selling, general and administrative expenses recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, $0.8 million and $0.7 million was due to non-cash stock-based compensation recognized during the respective periods. Overall, the decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2009, was primarily due to the decreased personnel costs and lower marketing and public affairs costs driven primarily by our March 2009 restructuring plan and the associated reductions in force. We anticipate that selling, general, and administrative expenses will continue to decline in the near term, as we implement our restructuring plan and focus available resources on commercialization of the INTERCEPT Blood System in Europe.

Restructuring

Restructuring costs during three and six months ended June 30, 2009, include one-time termination benefits, facility consolidation and related moving costs.

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
         Six months ended
June 30,
           

(in thousands, except percentage)

   2009    2008    Change     2009    2008    Change  

Restructuring

   $ 129    $ —      $ 129    100   $ 841    $ —      $ 841    100

In March 2009, pursuant to the Board of Directors’ approval, we began implementing a plan to focus resources on commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System in Europe, to consolidate facilities, and to reduce our cost structure. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, we incurred costs for one-time termination benefits for employee positions that were eliminated under the restructuring plan. During the three months ended June 30, 2009, we also incurred costs associated with consolidating facilities and certain other costs associated with the restructuring plan. We anticipate continuing to implement our restructuring plan and incurring associated costs through the year ended December 31, 2009. Most costs accrued as one-time termination benefits as of March 31, 2009 were paid during the three months ended June 30, 2009. However, certain of these costs will be paid over an extended period of time, into 2010.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net consists of interest earned from our short-term investment portfolio, foreign exchange gain (loss), and other non-operating gains and losses.

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
         Six months ended
June 30,
            

(in thousands, except percentage)

   2009     2008    Change     2009     2008    Change  

Other Income (Expense), Net

   $ (735   $ 209    $ (944   (452 )%    $ (701   $ 899    $ (1,600   (178 )% 

Other income (expense), net was $0.7 million of expense for the three months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $0.2 million of income during the comparable period in 2008. The decrease was primarily due to the unfavorable foreign currency variations between the Euro and U.S. dollar, our functional currency, as well as the decline in interest income resulting from lower cash and short-term investment balances and lower yields on those balances. These decreases were partially offset by realized gains which we recognized upon maturity of

 

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certain investments in our portfolio. Interest income was $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The decrease in interest income was primarily due to lower cash and investment balances maintained during the three months ended June 30, 2009, compared to the comparable period in 2008.

Other income (expense), net was $0.7 million of expense for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $0.9 million of income during the comparable period in 2008. The decrease was primarily due to the unfavorable foreign currency variations between the Euro and U.S. dollar, our functional currency, as well as the decline in interest income resulting from lower cash and short-term investment balances and lower yields on those balances. These decreases were partially offset by realized gains which we recognized upon maturity of certain investments in our portfolio. Interest income was $0.2 million and $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The decrease in interest income was primarily due to lower cash and investment balances maintained during the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to the comparable period in 2008.

We expect to earn interest income at market rates in proportion to the marketable securities balances we maintain. We generally hold such investments until such time as we liquidate them to meet an operating cash need.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our sources of capital to date have primarily consisted of public offerings and private placements of equity securities, payments received under our partnering agreements, United States government grants and cooperative agreements, and, to a lesser degree and more recently, contribution from product sales net of expenses and interest income.

At June 30, 2009, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $12.9 million. Net cash used in operating activities was $9.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $18.6 million during the comparable period in 2008. The decrease in net cash used in operating activities was primarily due to changes in our operating assets and liabilities, notably decreases in our inventory and accounts receivable balances. Net cash provided by investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $6.9 million compared to $20.0 million during the comparable period in 2008. The decrease was primarily due to fewer purchases of short-term investments and maturities of short-term investments. Currently, as our investments mature, we have not reinvested the proceeds into similar investments, but have generally invested the proceeds in money market funds with original maturities less than 90 days. Net cash provided by financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $43,000 compared to cash provided by financing activities of $1.3 million for the same period in 2008. The decrease in cash provided from financing activities in the six months ended June 30, 2009 was primarily due to less cash received from the exercise of stock options. Working capital decreased to $17.0 million at June 30, 2009, from $29.1 million at December 31, 2008, primarily due to lower cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, inventory and accounts receivable balances.

Our near-term capital requirements are dependent on various factors, including operating costs and capital investments associated with commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System, costs associated with planning and conducting clinical trials of our red blood cell system, timing and magnitude of payments under grants from the United States government, and costs related to creating, maintaining and defending our intellectual property. Our long-term capital requirements will also be dependent on competitive developments and regulatory factors. Until we are able to generate a sufficient amount of product revenue and generate positive cash flows from operations, meeting our long-term capital requirements is in large part subject to access to public and private equity and debt capital markets, as well as to additional collaborative arrangements with partners or government grants, augmented by cash generated from operations and interest income earned on the investment of our cash balances and short-term investments. Although our independent registered public accountants have indicated that substantial doubt exists as to our ability to continue as a going concern, we believe that our available cash balances will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements into 2010, by which time we may need to raise additional capital. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could utilize our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect. We expect to prioritize continued commercialization of the platelet and plasma systems in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and in selected countries in other regions around the world over the pursuit of regulatory approval of the platelet system in the United States and development and commercialization of the red blood cell system. We expect to continue efforts to establish an acceptable pathway for U.S. regulatory approval of the platelet system. We also expect to complete a Phase I clinical trial of the INTERCEPT red blood cell system in 2009. Further efforts to gain U.S. regulatory approval of the platelet system and significant development of the red blood cell system are dependent upon securing adequate additional funding to support such activities. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the commercialization of the platelet and plasma systems, the time and cost involved in obtaining regulatory approval and subsequent launch of our platelet and plasma systems in the United States, and the development of the red blood cell system and other development activities, including risks and uncertainties that could impact the rate of progress of our development activities, we are unable to estimate with certainty the amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenditures that may ultimately be associated with our current and anticipated clinical trials and other research and development activities.

We may borrow additional capital from institutional and commercial sources to fund future growth on terms that may include restrictive covenants, including covenants that restrict the operation of our business, liens on assets, high effective interest rates and repayment provisions that reduce cash resources and limit future access to capital markets. To the extent we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our stockholders may experience substantial dilution. To the extent that we raise additional funds through collaboration or partnering arrangements, we may be required to relinquish some of our rights to our technologies or product, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. Recently, the credit markets and the financial services industry have been experiencing a period of unprecedented turmoil and upheaval characterized by the bankruptcy, failure, collapse or sale of various financial institutions and

 

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an unprecedented level of intervention from the United States federal government. As a result of these and other factors, we do not know whether additional capital will be available when needed, or that, if available, we will be able to obtain additional capital on terms reasonable to us or our stockholders. If we are unable to raise additional capital due to the recent disruptions to the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide or other factors, we will need to curtail planned development activities and commercialization activities.

Historically, we had received significant awards in funding under cooperative agreements with the Department of Defense, or DoD, for the INTERCEPT Blood System. Further funding awarded under federal grants and cooperative agreements for the INTERCEPT Blood Systems may decline when compared to historic levels. Any such funding is subject to the authorization of funds and approval of our research plans by various organizations within the federal government, including the United States Congress. The general economic environment, coupled with tight federal budgets, has led to a general decline in the amount of government funding. If we are unable to obtain Federal grant and cooperative agreement funding for future blood safety activities at levels similar to past funding, we may need to reduce our operating expenses, which would delay progress in some of our development programs.

In late October 2008 we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 to offer and sell up to $200.0 million of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, and/or debt securities. This shelf registration statement was declared effective by the SEC in December 2008. However, our ability to sell shares under this shelf registration statement may be limited due to applicable rules of the Securities Act. Consequently, any offering of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, and/or debt securities may need to be accompanied by a registration statement specific to the securities offered therein.

 

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Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Commitments

Our commitments are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Total    Less than
1 year
   1-3 years    4-5 years    After 5
years

Minimum purchase requirements

   $ 2,290    $ 1,018    $ 807    $ 465    $ —  

Operating leases

     3,443      1,231      1,480      732      —  

Other commitment

     80      22      45      13      —  
                                  

Total contractual obligations

   $ 5,813    $ 2,271    $ 2,332    $ 1,210    $ —  
                                  

Our minimum purchase commitments include certain components of our INTERCEPT blood safety system that we purchase from third party manufacturers and supply to Fenwal for use in manufacturing finished disposable kits.

Operating Leases

We lease our office facilities and certain equipment under non-cancelable operating leases with initial terms in excess of one year that require us to pay operating costs, property taxes, insurance and maintenance. These facility leases generally contain renewal options and provisions adjusting the lease payments if those renewal options are exercised. Our facility leases qualify as operating leases under FAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” and as such, are not included on our balance sheet.

Royalties

We are obligated to pay royalties on certain INTERCEPT product sales based on a percentage of net sales generated. The royalty rates vary by product, with rates of 10% of net sales for the platelet system, 3% for the plasma system, 5% for the red blood cell system, and 6.5% for UVA illuminators. As future product sales cannot be estimated, this royalty obligation is not included in the table above.

Credit Facility

In June 2008, we entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or the Facility, which allowed us to borrow up to $10.0 million to be used for working capital and general operating needs. The initial term of the Facility was one year. At June 30, 2009, the Facility expired with no amount outstanding.

Financial Instruments

We maintain an investment portfolio of various issuers, types and maturities. These securities are generally classified as available-for-sale and, consequently, are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Our investment policy is to manage our marketable securities portfolio to preserve principal and liquidity while maximizing the return on the investment portfolio to assist us in funding our operations. Unrealized gains at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, totaled $47,000 and $212,000 respectively.

We invest our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments in a variety of financial instruments, consisting primarily of high credit, high liquidity United States government agency securities, asset-backed securities, corporate debt securities, money market funds and interest-bearing accounts with financial institutions. We maintain portfolio liquidity by ensuring that the securities have active secondary or resale markets. Certain of the investments in our portfolio are subject to general market risk and more specifically fluctuations resulting from turmoil from recent disruptions in the United States mortgage industry and financial institutions. As a result, we recognized other than temporary impairments for certain investments in our portfolio totaling $0.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2008. There were no other-than-temporary impairments recognized during the three or six months ended June 30, 2009. The current global economic crisis has had, and may continue to have, a negative impact on the market values of the investments in our investment portfolio. There can be no assurance that the markets for these securities will not deteriorate further or that the institutions that these investments are with will be able to meet their debt obligations at the time we may need to liquidate such investments or until such time as the investments mature.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of June 30, 2009, we had no contractual arrangements that create potential material risk for us and are not recognized in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

During the six months ended June 30, 2009, there were no material changes to our market risk disclosures as set forth in Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer (who perform the functions of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) are responsible for establishing and maintaining “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) for our company. Based on their evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report, our Chief Executive Officer and our Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer (in their capacities as principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2009.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the controls are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, if any, within a company have been detected. Accordingly, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance, not absolute assurance, that the objectives of our disclosure control system are met and, as set forth above, our chief executive officer and chief accounting officer have concluded, that based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report, that our disclosure controls and procedures were sufficiently effective to provide reasonable assurance that the objective of our disclosure control system were met.

PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Risk Factors

In evaluating our business, you should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These risk factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements we have made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and those we may make from time to time. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition and operating results could be harmed. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently see as immaterial, may also harm our business.

If we fail to obtain the capital necessary to fund our future operations, we will need to curtail planned development or sales and commercialization activities.

Our near-term capital requirements are dependent on various factors, including operating costs and working capital investments associated with commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System, costs associated with planning and conducting studies and clinical trials of our platelet and red blood cell systems, timing and magnitude of payments under grants from the United States government, and costs related to creating, maintaining and defending our intellectual property. Our long-term capital requirements will also be dependent on competitive developments and regulatory factors. Until we are able to generate a sufficient amount of product revenue and generate positive net cash flows from operations, meeting our long-term capital requirements is in large part subject to access to public and private equity and debt capital markets, as well as to additional collaborative arrangements with partners or government grants, augmented by cash generated from operations and interest income earned on the investment of our cash balances and short-term investments. We believe that we will be able to sustain our operations at levels that will result in sufficient capital to meet our capital requirements into 2010. If our assumptions prove to be incorrect, we could consume our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect.

 

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We may borrow additional capital from institutional and commercial banking sources to fund future growth on terms that may include restrictive covenants, including covenants that restrict the operation of our business, liens on assets, high effective interest rates and repayment provisions that reduce cash resources and limit future access to capital markets. To the extent we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our stockholders may experience substantial dilution. To the extent that we raise additional funds through collaboration or partnering arrangements, we may be required to relinquish some of our rights to our technologies or rights to market and sell our products in certain geographies, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. Our ability to raise additional capital by issuing equity securities may be limited by the number of authorized shares of capital stock under our current certificate of incorporation. If we are not able to increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock, we will be limited in our ability to issue equity securities to raise capital. Our ability to raise additional capital may also be adversely impacted by current economic conditions, including the effects of the recent disruptions to the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide. In addition, our independent registered public accountants have indicated that our recurring operating losses raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. This opinion may make it more difficult for us to raise funds when needed. As a result of these and other factors, we do not know whether additional capital will be available when needed, or that, if available, we will be able to obtain additional capital on terms favorable to us or our stockholders. If we are unable to raise additional capital due to the recent disruptions to the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide or other factors, we will need to curtail planned development and commercialization activities. We expect to prioritize continued commercialization of the platelet and plasma systems in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and in selected countries in other regions around the world over pursuit of regulatory approval of the platelet system in the United States and development and commercialization of the red blood cell system.

Historically, we had received significant awards in funding under cooperative agreements with the DoD. Further funding awarded under Federal grants and cooperative agreements for the INTERCEPT Blood Systems may decline when compared to historic levels. It is subject to the authorization of funds and approval of our research plans by various organizations within the federal government, including the United States Congress. If we are unable to obtain Federal grant and cooperative agreement funding for future research and development activities at levels similar to past funding, we may need to reduce our operating expenses, which would delay progress in some of our development programs.

Our independent registered public accountants have indicated that our recurring operating losses raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.

Our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 were prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. The going concern basis of presentation assumes that we will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize our assets and discharge our liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. However, our independent registered public accountants have indicated that our recurring operating losses raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. We may be forced to reduce our operating expenses and raise additional funds to meet our working capital needs, principally through the additional sales of our securities or debt financings. However, we cannot guarantee that will be able to obtain sufficient additional funds when needed or that such funds, if available, will be obtainable on terms satisfactory to us. In the event that these plans cannot be effectively realized, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue as a going concern.

Prospective and existing customers may not adopt or may cease using the INTERCEPT Blood System due to our independent registered public accountants’ opinion which expressed doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Should this occur, it may in turn affect market acceptance and retention of customers. In addition, as a result of our independent registered public accountants’ opinion, we may face difficulties attracting and retaining key personnel, which may in turn affect our ability to successfully operate our business.

Our financial condition may make us unable to obtain additional funds through debt financings, which will impair our ability to continue as a going concern.

Our lack of sufficient revenues to meet our working capital needs has caused our financial condition to decline. As a result, we may be unable to raise additional funds through debt financings or, if we are able to raise such funds, we may not be able to do so on terms satisfactory to us. If we fail to generate operating income or raise additional funds through sales of our securities or debt financings, we may not be able to continue as a going concern. Moreover, key vendors may restrict the amount of credit they extend to us, which in turn may result in the consumption of cash sooner than we expect.

The restructuring of our operations could result in management distractions, operational disruptions and other difficulties.

In March 2009, our Board of Directors committed to a restructuring plan that included the dismissal of 31 employees, or approximately 30% of our workforce. Employees whose positions were eliminated in connection with this reduction may seek future employment with our competitors. Although all employees are required to sign a confidentiality agreement with us at the time of hire, we cannot assure you that the confidential nature of our proprietary information will be maintained in the course of such future employment. In addition, our ongoing restructuring efforts could divert the attention of our management away from our operations and harm our reputation. We cannot assure you that we will not undertake additional workforce reductions, that any of our restructuring efforts will be successful, or that we will be able to realize the cost savings and other anticipated benefits from our previous or future restructuring plans. In addition, if we continue to reduce our workforce, it may adversely impact our ability to continue our commercialization efforts with respect to the INTERCEPT Blood System in Europe or retain key employees.

 

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We have only a limited operating history, and we expect to continue to generate losses.

We may never achieve a profitable level of operations. Our development and selling, general, and administrative expenses have resulted in substantial losses each year since our inception with the exception of the year ended December 31, 2005. At June 30, 2009, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $399.5 million. Through June 30, 2009, we have only recognized modest revenue from product sales. The platelet and plasma systems are not yet approved in the United States or in many other countries around the world. The red blood cell system is in early stage clinical development and may never emerge from the clinical development stage as a marketed product. We may be required to reduce the sales price for our products in order to make our products economically attractive to our customers and to governmental and private payors, which may reduce or altogether eliminate our gross profit on sales. Pricing levels may differ widely from country to country, depending on economic, social and industry practices specific to each country. At our present low unit sales levels of the platelet and plasma systems, our costs to manufacture, distribute, market, sell, support and administer the systems are in excess of revenue. We may be unable to increase sales to a level sufficient to generate profit contribution. Because the contracts with large, public-sector customers, such as the EFS in France, for the INTERCEPT Blood System may not be confidential due to the public tender process, their terms may set contractual precedents that would not be acceptable to us if applied to contracts with our other customers. Historically, we received substantially all of our revenue from our agreements with our development partners and from federal research grants and cooperative agreements and were required to conduct significant research, development, clinical testing and regulatory compliance activities for each of these products. Contribution from product sales is unlikely to exceed the costs we incur in research, development, and commercialization of the INTERCEPT Blood System for the foreseeable future. We expect our losses to continue at least until the INTERCEPT Blood System is commercialized more broadly and achieves more significant market acceptance. To the extent that we are able to secure funding from partners or government agencies for the red blood cell system, costs of developing and testing the red blood cell system in later stage human clinical trials would extend the period during which we expect to operate at a loss.

Our investment portfolio may become impaired by further deterioration of the capital markets.

Our cash equivalent and short-term investment portfolio as of June 30, 2009 consisted primarily of high credit, high liquidity United States government agency securities, asset backed securities, corporate debt securities, money market funds and interest-bearing accounts with financial institutions. We follow an established investment policy and set of guidelines to monitor, manage and limit our exposure to interest rate and credit risk.

As a result of current adverse financial market conditions, investments in some financial instruments, such as structured investment vehicles, sub-prime mortgage-backed securities, auction rate securities and collateralized debt obligations, may pose risks arising from liquidity and credit concerns. We have limited holdings of these investments in our portfolio; however, the current disruptions in the credit and financial markets have negatively affected investments in many industries, including those in which we invest. We did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairments on our investment portfolio during the three or six months ended June 30, 2009. The current global economic crisis has had, and may continue to have, a negative impact on the market values of the investments in our investment portfolio. We cannot predict future market conditions or market liquidity and there can be no assurance that the markets for these securities will not deteriorate further or that the institutions that these investments are with will be able to meet their debt obligations at the time we may need to liquidate such investments or until such time as the investments mature.

The INTERCEPT Blood System may not achieve broad market acceptance.

We may encounter governmental and blood banking community resistance to commercial adoption for any or all of our products. Some potential customers may await further safety information or additional studies before choosing whether to adopt our products. In addition to blood banks, our direct customers, we must also address issues and concerns from broad constituencies involved in the healthcare system, from patients who may ultimately benefit from INTERCEPT-treated blood components, to transfusing physicians, hospitals, private and public sector payors, regulatory bodies and public health authorities. Any one of these constituencies may be able to delay or block adoption of the INTERCEPT Blood System. We may be unable to adequately demonstrate to these constituencies that the INTERCEPT Blood System is safe, efficacious and cost effective.

For logistical and financial reasons, the transfusion industry has not always integrated new technologies into its processes, even those with the potential to improve the safety of the blood supply, such as the INTERCEPT Blood System. Our products may require significant changes to our potential customers’ blood component collection methods, space and staffing requirements and potential customers may not believe that the benefits of using the INTERCEPT Blood System justify their cost. There is some loss of platelets as a result of our pathogen inactivation process. If the loss of platelets leads to increased costs, or our process requires changes in blood center or clinical regimens, customers may not adopt our platelet system. Certain studies have indicated that transfusion of conventionally prepared platelets may yield higher post-transfusion platelet counts (according to a measurement called “corrected count increment”) than transfusion of INTERCEPT-treated platelets. While studies also demonstrate that INTERCEPT-treated platelets retain therapeutic function comparable to conventional platelets, customers may choose not to adopt our platelet system due to considerations relating to corrected count increment.

Our products do not inactivate all known pathogens, and the inability of our systems to inactivate certain pathogens may limit their acceptance. For example, due to the biology of certain non-lipid enveloped viruses, including hepatitis A virus, our products have not been demonstrated to inactivate these viruses. In addition, for human parvovirus B-19, which is also a non-lipid-enveloped virus, our testing has not demonstrated a high level of inactivation. Although we have shown high levels of inactivation of a broad spectrum of lipid-enveloped viruses, some customers may choose not to adopt our products based on considerations concerning inability to inactivate, or limited inactivation, of certain non-lipid-enveloped viruses. In addition, since prions do not contain nucleic acid, our products do not inactivate prions. While transmission of prions has not been a major problem in blood transfusions, and we are not aware of any competing products that inactivate prions, the inability to inactivate prions may limit market acceptance of our products.

 

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We have conducted pre-clinical and clinical studies of our products in both in vivo and in vitro environments using well-established tests that are accepted by regulatory bodies. When an in vitro test was not generally available or not well-established, we conducted in vivo studies in mammalian models to predict human responses. Although we have no reason to believe that the in vitro and in vivo studies are not predictive of actual results in humans, we cannot be certain that the results of these in vitro and in vivo studies accurately predict the actual results in humans in all cases. To the extent that actual results in human patients differs from the results of our in vitro or in vivo testing, market acceptance of our products may be negatively impacted.

Furthermore, due to limitations of those tests, we cannot exclude that a sufficient quantity of pathogen or pathogens may still be present in active form which could present a risk of infection to the transfused patient. Such uncertainty may limit the market acceptance of our products.

Our products may not demonstrate economic value sufficient to offset their price, imposing a financial burden on the healthcare system that may limit market acceptance. We may need to develop new product configurations to address market needs, which may be technically challenging, expensive and negatively affect potential contribution from product sales. If customers experience operational or technical problems with the use of INTERCEPT Blood System products, market acceptance may be reduced. For example, if adverse events arise from incomplete inactivation of pathogens, improper processing or user error, or if testing of INTERCEPT-treated blood samples fails to reliably confirm pathogen inactivation, whether or not directly attributable to a shortcoming of the INTERCEPT Blood System, customers may refrain from purchasing the products. In addition, there is a risk that further studies we or our customers may conduct will show results inconsistent with previous studies. For example, the largest branch of the German Red Cross is planning to conduct an observational clinical study of use of our platelet system prior to implementing it in routine practice. If that customer is not satisfied with the results of the study, it may not purchase our products, and adoption of our product may also be adversely affected in other blood centers. We are also conducting a study to evaluate the use of INTERCEPT-treated platelets after storage for seven days. If that study does not demonstrate acceptable platelet activity and safety, market acceptance could be adversely affected. Should this happen, potential customers may delay or choose not to adopt our products, and existing customers may cease use of our products.

Market acceptance of our products may also be affected by blood center budgets and the availability of reimbursement from governments, managed care payors, such as insurance companies, or other third parties. In many cases, due to the structure of the blood products industry, we will have little control over budget and reimbursement discussions, which generally occur between blood centers and national or regional ministries of health and private payors. Even if a particular blood center is prepared to adopt the INTERCEPT Blood System, its hospital customers may not accept, or may not have the budget to purchase, INTERCEPT-treated blood products. Since our products do not eliminate the practice of screening donors or testing blood for pathogens prior to transfusion, some blood centers may not be able to afford to purchase our products. Furthermore, it is difficult to predict the reimbursement status of newly approved, novel medical device products. In certain foreign markets, governments have issued regulations relating to the pricing and profitability of medical products and medical products companies. There also have been proposals in the United States, at both the Federal and state government level, to implement similar controls. The widespread adoption of managed care in the United States has also placed downward pressure on the pricing of medical products. These pressures can be expected to continue and may limit the prices we can obtain for our products.

Product revenue in Europe and other regions may be negatively affected because we do not have FDA approval for any of our products. In addition, failure to gain approval or achieve widespread product adoption in key European countries for reasons within and outside our control may limit adoption in other countries. If the INTERCEPT Blood System products fail to achieve market acceptance, we may never become profitable.

The market for the INTERCEPT Blood System is highly concentrated with few customers, including often-dominant regional or national blood collection entities. Even if our products receive regulatory approval and reimbursement is available, failure to properly market, promote, distribute, price or sell our products to any of these large customers could significantly diminish potential product revenue in those geographies. The market for our pathogen inactivation systems in the United States is highly concentrated, dominated by a small number of blood collection organizations. In many countries in Western Europe and in Japan, various national blood transfusion services or Red Cross organizations collect, store and distribute virtually all of their respective nations’ blood and blood components supply. In Europe, the largest markets for our products are in England, Germany and France. Decisions on product adoption in England are centralized with the National Blood Service. In Germany, decisions on product adoption and subsequent reimbursement are expected to be on a regional or even blood center-by-blood center basis, but depend on both local and centralized regulatory approval from the Paul Ehrlich Institute, or PEI. Product characteristics relating to platelet dose of INTERCEPT-treated platelets that have received marketing authorization from the PEI may be incompatible with market requirements. While INTERCEPT-treated platelets and plasma have received in-country regulatory approval and reimbursement rates have been established in France, adoption throughout France has been delayed. The Japanese Red Cross controls a significant majority of blood transfusions in Japan and exerts a high degree of influence on the adoption and use of blood safety measures in Japan. The Japanese Red Cross has been reviewing preclinical and clinical data on pathogen inactivation of blood over a number of years and has yet to make a formal determination to adopt the INTERCEPT Blood System or any other competitive approach. If approvals are not obtained to market our products in these countries, or if the products are not adopted in these countries, our potential product revenue will be significantly impaired.

Our products, blood products treated with the INTERCEPT Blood System and we are subject to extensive regulation by domestic and foreign authorities. If our preclinical and clinical data are not considered sufficient by regulatory authorities to grant marketing approval, we will be unable to commercialize our products and generate revenue. Our red blood cell system requires extensive additional testing and development.

Our products, both those sold commercially and those under development are subject to extensive and rigorous regulation by local, state and federal regulatory authorities in the United States and by foreign regulatory bodies. These regulations are wide-ranging and govern, among other things:

 

 

development;

 

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testing;

 

 

manufacturing;

 

 

labeling;

 

 

storage;

 

 

pre-market clearance or approval;

 

 

sales and distribution;

 

 

use standards and documentation;

 

 

post-launch surveillance;

 

 

quality;

 

 

advertising and promotion; and

 

 

reimbursement.

Clinical trials in particular are expensive and have a high risk of failure. Any of our product candidates may fail in the testing phase or may not achieve results sufficient to attain market acceptance, which could prevent us from achieving profitability. We do not know whether we will begin and conduct planned clinical trials on schedule, if at all. Significant delays in clinical testing could materially impact our clinical trials. We also do not know whether planned clinical trials will need to be revamped or will be completed on schedule, if at all. Criteria for regulatory approval in blood safety indications are evolving with competitive advances in the standard of care against which new product candidates are judged, as well as with changing market needs and reimbursement levels. Clinical trial design, including enrollment criteria, endpoints, and anticipated label claims are thus subject to change, even if original objectives are being met. In addition to the reasons stated above, clinical trials can be delayed for a variety of reasons, including delays in obtaining regulatory approval to commence a study, delays in reaching agreement on acceptable clinical study agreement terms with prospective clinical sites, delays in obtaining institutional review board approval to conduct a study at a prospective clinical site and delays in recruiting subjects to participate in a study. We do not know whether any clinical trials will result in marketable products. Typically, there is a high rate of failure for product candidates in preclinical and clinical trials and product emerging from any successful trials would not reach the market for several years.

It may take us several years to complete our clinical testing, and failure can occur at any stage of testing. Enrollment criteria for certain of our clinical trials may be quite narrow. Consequently, we may be unable to recruit suitable patients into the trial on a timely basis, if at all. We cannot rely on interim results of trials to predict their final results, and acceptable results in early trials might not be repeated in later trials. Any trial may fail to produce results satisfactory to the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities. In addition, preclinical and clinical data can be interpreted in different ways, which could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. Negative or inconclusive results from a preclinical study or clinical trial or adverse medical events during a clinical trial could cause a preclinical study or clinical trial to be repeated, require other studies to be performed or cause a program to be terminated, even if other studies or trials relating to a program are successful.

The FDA and other agencies in the United States and in foreign countries impose substantial requirements upon the manufacturing and marketing of products such as those we are developing. The process of obtaining FDA and other required regulatory approvals is long, expensive and uncertain, and typically takes a number of years, depending on the type, complexity and novelty of the product. In addition, we may be required to obtain approval from the Food and Drug Branch of the California State Department of Health for any product manufactured by us in California, including for clinical trial use. We may encounter significant delays or excessive costs in our efforts to secure necessary approvals or licenses, or we may not be successful at all.

We have received CE mark approval for the INTERCEPT platelet and plasma systems, which, is sufficient to allow us to sell our platelet and plasma systems in the European Union and allows us to sell the INTERCEPT platelet and plasma systems under import licenses to many countries outside of the European Union. However, in Germany and France, additional regulatory approval of the blood products treated by our products has been required before those blood products can be transfused into a human patient. We have obtained those additional regulatory approvals from the Paul Ehrlich Institute in Germany for two German blood centers, and the Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire Des Produits de Santé, or Afssaps, in France. We also understand that certain other countries, including Australia and Japan will require similar approvals of INTERCEPT-treated blood products. We have not received regulatory approval for commercial sale of the INTERCEPT Blood System in the United States and many other countries around the world. Our products are in various stages of development and regulatory approval, and we face the risks of failure inherent in developing medical devices and biotechnology products based on new technologies. Our products must satisfy rigorous standards of safety and efficacy and we must adhere to quality standards regarding manufacturing and customer-facing business processes before the FDA and international regulatory authorities can approve them for commercial use. We must provide the FDA and international regulatory authorities with preclinical, clinical and manufacturing data demonstrating that our products are safe, effective and in compliance with government regulations before the products can be approved for commercial sale.

Before the FDA determines whether to approve the INTERCEPT Blood System products, we expect our approval applications to be reviewed by the Blood Products Advisory Committee, or BPAC. BPAC would then make a recommendation to the FDA for, or against, approval. Even if BPAC were to recommend approval of one or more of our products, the FDA would not necessarily approve those products. If BPAC were to recommend against approval of one or more of our products, it is likely that the FDA would not approve those products. If our product candidates receive approval for commercial sale, their marketing and manufacturing will be subject to continuing FDA and other regulatory requirements, such as requirements to comply with Good Manufacturing Practice and ISO 13485, a quality management system standard applicable to the products we sell in Europe. The failure to comply with these requirements on an ongoing basis could result in delaying or precluding commercialization efforts in certain geographies, including the United States, and could result

 

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in an enforcement action, which could harm our business. The current manufacturing sites we rely upon for producing the platelet and plasma system products for international distribution and sale are not FDA-qualified facilities. Regulatory authorities may also require post-marketing testing, which can involve significant expense. Governments or regulatory authorities may impose new regulations or other changes or we may discover that we are subject to additional regulations that could further delay or preclude regulatory approval and subsequent adoption of our potential products. We cannot predict the impact of adverse governmental regulation that might arise from future legislative or administrative action.

Distribution of our products in markets outside the United States also is subject to extensive government regulation. These regulations vary by country, including the requirements for approvals or clearance to market, the time required for regulatory review and the sanctions imposed for violations. In some countries, we may be required to register as a medical device manufacturer, even though we outsource manufacturing to third parties. In addition to CE mark documentation, countries outside the European Union may require clinical data submissions, registration packages, import licenses or other documentation with which we have little or no familiarity.

In countries that do not recognize the CE mark as being adequate for commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System, we may also be required to conduct additional testing in order to obtain regulatory approval. The level of additional product testing varies by country, but could be expensive or take a long time to complete. Failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or any other failure to comply with regulatory requirements could result in lost product revenue and profitability. In addition, regulatory agencies are able to withdraw or suspend previously issued approvals.

We completed our Phase III clinical trial of the platelet system in the United States in March 2001 and submitted data from this trial, along with several other modules of our pre-market approval application, to the FDA. Based on discussions with the FDA, we performed an additional blinded analysis of the clinical trial data, under the direction of an independent expert physician panel, to determine if apparent differences between treatment groups in the category of pulmonary adverse events reported in the study were attributable to inconsistent event reporting. The reassessment of primary patient records by the expert physician panel showed no statistically significant differences between groups. This reassessment differed from the earlier analysis of adverse events that was based on clinical trial case report forms, which showed statistically significant differences in specific pulmonary events. We submitted a report of the analysis to the FDA for review. We have had several interactions with the FDA subsequent to the final report submission. We understand that our reassessment of our previously completed Phase III clinical trial data will not be sufficient to address the apparent differences observed in that trial between the treatment groups in the category of pulmonary adverse events. Contrary to prior interactions with the FDA, in which we understood that the FDA might consider non-randomized, un-blinded, and non-controlled data gathered from monitoring patients transfused with INTERCEPT-treated platelets in the context of standard medical practice in Europe in conjunction with data from the previously completed Phase III trials, we now understand that a Europe-based study is not likely to answer all the questions the FDA has posed, while adhering to study logistics and protocols that the agency is recommending. The FDA has clarified in recent teleconferences with us the nature of the data needed to address the FDA’s open clinical questions. From these recent interactions with FDA, we have determined that the most feasible pathway to gain regulatory approval of the platelet system in the U.S. would be to conduct a second randomized Phase III clinical trial using U.S. sites for which we submitted a proposal for a clinical trial protocol to the FDA in July 2009. There is no assurance that we will be able to reach agreement with the FDA on the data to be collected and endpoints to be monitored, that transfusing physicians with patients in the study will adhere to post diagnostic medical procedures that may be mandated in the agreed upon study protocol, that we will be able to collect such data, or that the FDA will find such data adequate to answer questions that the FDA has concerning the safety and efficacy of the platelet system. We may conclude that the cost of gathering such data or the time required to do so is too great or that gathering such data is not logistically achievable. We understand that the FDA will likely require a larger, randomized, blinded clinical trial than we and Baxter completed in 2001 before a product license application can be finalized and the platelet system considered for approval in the United States. The dimensions of such a Phase III trial may be prohibitively large due either to prospective cost, logistics or both. We have no plans to initiate such a trial unless adequate funding from partners or government agencies is secured. The additional Phase III clinical trial will need to be completed and data submitted to the FDA before we can complete our regulatory submission. In addition, the FDA will require that certain manufacturing and distribution facilities operated by the third parties with whom we contract to produce the platelet system be compliant with Good Manufacturing Practice, or GMP, regulations and Quality System Regulations, or QSR, before the FDA would consider the applications for approval.

We have completed Phase IIIa, Phase IIIb and Phase IIIc clinical trials of the plasma system, in the United States, reports for which were filed with the FDA during 2005. We obtained a CE mark approval in Europe of the plasma system in November 2006 and final French approval in May 2007 based on data from those trials of the plasma system. We have not submitted any applications for regulatory approval of the plasma system in the United States or any other regions other than Europe. In some countries, including several in Europe, we or our customers may be required to perform additional clinical studies or submit manufacturing and marketing applications in order to obtain regulatory approval.

We have conducted many toxicology studies to demonstrate the INTERCEPT platelet and plasma systems’ safety, and we have conducted and plan to conduct toxicology studies for the INTERCEPT red blood cell system throughout the product development process. At any time, the FDA and other regulatory authorities may require further toxicology or other studies to further demonstrate our products’ safety, which could delay commercialization. In addition, the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities may alter guidance at any time as to what constitutes acceptable clinical trial endpoints or trial design, which may necessitate our having to redesign our product or proposed clinical trials and cause us to incur substantial additional expense or time in attempting to gain regulatory approval. We believe the FDA and other regulatory authorities are likely to weigh the potential risks of using our pathogen inactivation products against the incremental

 

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benefits, which may be less compelling in light of improved safety in the blood supply. We expect the FDA to require us to demonstrate a very low level of potential side effects in non-randomized data from standard medical practice in Europe or in additional randomized Phase III trials of the platelet system we may conduct in the United States or elsewhere. Trials of this type may be too large and expensive to be practical.

As a result of the termination of Phase III clinical trials of our red blood cell system due to the detection of antibody reactivity to red blood cells treated with the INTERCEPT red blood cell system in one patient in the chronic arm of the trials, we have been conducting additional research activities on our red blood cell system to determine if the system can be reconfigured to reduce the potential for antibody reactivity to treated red blood cells. Based upon an internal evaluation of the results from these additional research activities and after consulting with regulatory authorities, we initiated a new Phase I trial in 2006 in the United States using a modified red blood cell system before potentially progressing to later-stage clinical trials. We utilized a manual processing system in the Phase I trial conducted in 2006, which system is not in a commercially feasible form. Results of the Phase I trial suggested that the modified process in combination with a conventional additive solution results in conditions not suitable for long-term storage of red blood cells treated with the INTERCEPT system, adversely impacting their lifespan. Consequently, we conducted in vitro and in vivo studies and initiated a new Phase I clinical trial in the fourth quarter of 2008 to test further modifications to the red blood cell system. A number of trial design, process and product design issues that could impact efficacy, regulatory approval and market acceptance will need to be resolved prior to the initiation of further clinical trials. While those clinical trials are being conducted and further clinical work is planned, including determining the appropriate design of additional Phase I, subsequent Phase II clinical trials, if deemed necessary, and Phase III clinical trials, we will need to develop a commercially feasible red blood cell system. In the aggregate, these activities will require significant funding beyond our current resources. We will not commence the next phase of activities until we have secured adequate funds. We expect that we can continue some level of program advancement with minimal spending, by leveraging grant funding from the Department of Defense and existing and potential partners. A delay in completing such activities could result in a delay in the timely progression to later stage trials. If we are unsuccessful in advancing a modified red blood cell system through clinical trials, resolving process and product design issues or in obtaining subsequent regulatory approvals and acceptable reimbursement rates, we may never realize a return on our development expenses incurred to date in the red blood cell system program.

Regulatory delays can also materially impact our product development costs. If we experience delays in testing, conducting trials or approvals, our product development costs will increase. For example, we may need to repeat clinical trials to address regulatory or clinical questions. We may also need to retain third-party investigators and organizations in an attempt to facilitate regulatory review and approval. If the delays are significant, our financial results and the commercial prospects for our products will be harmed, and our ability to become profitable will be delayed.

Regulatory agencies may limit the uses, or indications, for which any of our products are approved. For example, we believe that the INTERCEPT Blood System products will be able to claim the inactivation of particular pathogens only to the extent we have laboratory data to support such claims. After regulatory approval for the initial indications, further studies may be necessary to gain approval for the use of the product for additional indications.

In addition to the regulatory requirements applicable to us and to our products, there are regulatory requirements in several countries around the world, including the United States, Germany, Canada, and Australia, and other countries, applicable to our prospective customers of INTERCEPT Blood System products, the blood centers that process and distribute blood and blood products. In those countries, blood centers and other customers will be required to obtain approved license supplements from the appropriate regulatory authorities in each country before making available blood products processed with our pathogen inactivation systems to hospitals and transfusing physicians. For example, our customers in Germany must obtain separate regulatory approvals to manufacture and sell blood components treated with the INTERCEPT Blood System. Our customers may lack the resources or capability to obtain such regulatory approvals. These requirements or regulators’ delays in approving license applications or supplements may deter some blood centers from using our products. Blood centers that do submit applications or supplements for manufacturing and sale may face disapproval or delays in approval that could provide further delay or deter them from using our products. The regulatory impact on potential customers could slow or limit the potential sales of our products.

We have limited experience operating a commercial organization. We rely on third parties to market, sell, and distribute our products and to maintain customer relationships in a number of foreign countries.

Since February 2006, we have been fully responsible for sales, marketing, distribution and regulatory support of the INTERCEPT Blood System worldwide, except in those Asian territories covered by our agreements with BioOne for the platelet and plasma systems. We no longer rely upon Baxter or Fenwal for these activities. If we fail in our efforts to develop or maintain such internal competencies or establish acceptable relationships with third parties on a timely basis, our attempts to commercialize the INTERCEPT Blood System may be irreparably harmed.

We operate a small organization, headquartered in the Netherlands, dedicated primarily to selling and marketing the platelet and plasma systems in geographies where the INTERCEPT platelet and plasma systems are approved. We will need to maintain and continue to increase our competence in a number of functions, including sales, marketing, regulatory, inventory and logistics, customer service, credit and collections, risk management, and quality assurance systems. Many of these competencies require compliance with EU and local standards and practices, with which we have limited experience.

We have entered into contracts, generally on a geographically exclusive basis, with distributors in countries where we have limited abilities to commercialize our pathogen inactivation products directly. We have entered into national distribution agreements in Spain, Italy, Portugal and Chile, Russia, Poland, Greece, Kuwait and Qatar. We rely on these distributors to market and sell the INTERCEPT Blood

 

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System, obtain any necessary in-country regulatory approvals beyond the CE marks, provide customer support, maintain inventories, and adhere to our quality system in all material respects, among other activities. While our contracts generally require distributors to exercise diligence, these distributors may fail to commercialize the INTERCEPT Blood System in their respective territories or may do so on terms which are not economic to us. They may fail to sell product inventory they have purchased from us to end customers. Initial purchases of UVA illuminators or disposable kits by these third parties may not lead to follow-on purchases of disposable platelet and plasma system kits. We have limited visibility into the identity and requirements of blood banking customers these distributors may have. These third parties may irreparably harm relationships with local existing and prospective customers and our standing with the blood banking community in general. We may have little recourse, short of termination, in the event that a distributor fails to execute according to our expectations.

We must develop regulatory capabilities for clinical-stage and post-approval trials involving the INTERCEPT Blood System globally.

Failure to develop regulatory capabilities in support of international commercialization of the INTERCEPT Blood System may slow the rate of adoption of the platelet and plasma systems. We may not have adequate internal resources and capabilities to manage clinical-stage and post-approval trials and to respond appropriately to possible customer complaints or required regulatory reporting of adverse events arising from the use of the platelet and plasma systems. We will need to increase our regulatory and trial management resources or contract with independent regulatory consultants, which we may be unable to do on a timely basis. Adding regulatory and trial management resources will result in increased costs and may potentially delay regulatory filings. Delays or inabilities to complete regulatory filings and obtain approvals will also delay or prevent us from being able to recognize sales of our products and attaining profitability.

We rely on third parties for manufacturing and supplying components of our platelet and plasma systems. We are dependent on Fenwal to manufacture disposable kits for the platelet and plasma systems through the end of 2013. Over a longer period, we may need to identify, select and qualify alternate third party sources of supply for the INTERCEPT Blood System, including the INTERCEPT red blood cell system if our agreement with Fenwal cannot be extended or broadened.

In March 2007 Baxter sold its Transfusion Therapies business, the unit of Baxter that has performed many of the manufacturing and supply chain activities related to our relationship with Baxter, to a new company, Fenwal, Inc. Fenwal has agreed, through an agreement signed with us in December 2008, to manufacture disposable kits for the platelet and plasma systems for us through the end of 2013. However, Fenwal may fail to manufacture an adequate supply of disposable kits and Intersol additive solution or to do so on a cost effective basis, which would subject us to loss of revenue and reduced contribution margin. In addition, because the components of the INTERCEPT Blood System are manufactured and assembled at multiple facilities owned by both Fenwal and Baxter leading up to final assembly, Fenwal and Baxter will remain interdependent with respect to the INTERCEPT Blood System supply chain. Fenwal and Baxter may fail to coordinate or meet interdependent supply chain obligations, leading to a failure to manufacture an adequate supply of components or devices of the INTERCEPT Blood System, which would also subject us to the risks described below. We contract with independent suppliers, including NOVA Biomedical Corporation, or NOVA, for the manufacture of UVA illuminators and certain components of the INTERCEPT Blood System which are manufactured or assembled at facilities not owned by Fenwal or Baxter. Facilities at which the INTERCEPT Blood System or its components are manufactured may cease operations for planned or unplanned reasons, causing at least temporary interruptions in supply. Even a temporary failure to supply adequate numbers of INTERCEPT Blood System components may cause an irreparable loss of customer goodwill. We understand that certain manufacturing operations affecting our products will be transferred from a Baxter facility to a Fenwal facility in the near-term. If this transfer involves unexpected production delays or other issues our supply chain may be adversely affected. If we conclude that supply of the INTERCEPT Blood System or components from Fenwal and others is uncertain, we may choose to build and maintain inventories of raw materials, work-in-process components, or finished goods, which would consume capital resources and may cause our supply chain to be less efficient. Future supply of illuminators is limited to availability of components, some of which are in short supply or are no longer manufactured. We may be required to redesign the illuminator used in the platelet and plasma systems to manage the risk of obsolete components. Such redesign may be expensive and lead to regulatory delays in obtaining approvals to market the redesigned device.

Fenwal manufactures our platelet and plasma systems in facilities that are not FDA-approved. In order to be sold in the United States, our systems would be required to be manufactured in FDA-approved facilities. FDA validation of manufacturing facilities, whether owned by Fenwal or by other parties, will be costly and time-consuming.

We will also be dependent on Baxter and Fenwal to transfer know-how relevant to the INTERCEPT Blood System; however, certain of Fenwal’s materials, manufacturing processes and methods are proprietary to Fenwal or Baxter. We may be unable to establish alternate sources of supply to Fenwal, NOVA, or other suppliers without having to redesign certain elements of the platelet and plasma systems. Such redesign may be costly, time consuming and require further regulatory review, which would delay our ability to commercialize the platelet and plasma systems. Fenwal is not obligated to provide support for development and testing of improvements or changes we may make to the INTERCEPT Blood System. We may be unable to identify, select, and qualify such manufacturers or those third parties able to provide support for development and testing activities on a timely basis or enter into contracts with them on reasonable terms, if at all. We have recently contracted directly with third-party suppliers of certain components of the platelet and plasma systems which Fenwal had used historically in an effort to make the supply of components more reliable, though doing so will increase our investment in raw material and work-in-process inventories and subject us to minimum purchase requirements. Raw material and component suppliers may not meet quality specifications we have set, which would cause a disruption in supply and may lead to lost sales and irreparable damage to our customer relationships. Moreover, the inclusion of components manufactured by new suppliers could require us to seek new or updated approvals from regulatory authorities, which could result in delays in product delivery. We may not receive any such required regulatory approvals.

 

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Our potential remedies against Fenwal or other manufacturers may be inadequate in assuring that these manufacturing partners meet their contractual obligations.

In the event of a failure by Fenwal or other manufacturers to perform their obligations to supply components of the INTERCEPT Blood System to us, damages recoverable by us may be insufficient to compensate us for the full loss of business opportunity. Our supply agreements with Fenwal and NOVA, and supply agreements with others contain limitations on incidental and consequential damages that we may recover. A supplier’s potential liability in the event of non-performance may not be sufficient to compel the supplier to continue to act in conformity with our agreements.

The platelet system is not compatible with some commercial platelet collection methods and platforms and platelet storage solutions.

The equipment and materials used to collect platelets vary by manufacturer and by geographic region. Platelets may be collected from a single donor by apheresis using an automated collection machine. Apheresis devices currently used in the United States and European markets differ, among other characteristics, in their ability to collect platelets in reduced volumes of plasma. Platelet concentrates may also be prepared from whole blood by pooling together platelets from multiple donors. There are two commonly used methods for preparing whole blood platelets: the buffy coat method, which is used extensively in Europe, and the pooled random donor method, which is used in the United States.

Our system for platelets is designed to work with platelets collected using platelet storage solutions, called Intersol and SSP+, and for platelets suspended in plasma. For platelets collected by apheresis, the INTERCEPT platelet system is most compatible with Fenwal’s apheresis platelet collection system, because it facilitates the use of Intersol. For platelets prepared from whole blood, our platelet system is most compatible with the buffy coat collection method, again because this method facilitates the use of Intersol as an additive solution to the platelet concentrate. As a result, we have conducted most of our clinical studies using either Fenwal’s equipment or buffy coat platelets. We have received approval for the use of the platelet system in combination with other collection and preparation platforms, with SSP+ and with platelets suspended in plasma. Fenwal may be required to obtain separate regulatory approval for Intersol in the United States and in countries which do not recognize CE mark approval before customers would be permitted to use Intersol with the INTERCEPT Blood System in those countries.

In order to address the entire market in the United States, we would need to develop and test additional configurations of the platelet system. Our efforts to develop the platelet system were initially focused on apheresis platelets collected on Fenwal’s automated collection platform or using the buffy coat collection method. We estimate that the majority of platelets used in the United States are collected by apheresis, though a significant minority is prepared from pooled random donor platelets derived from whole blood collections. In order to gain regulatory approvals for a pathogen inactivation system compatible with random donor platelets, we will need to perform additional product development and testing, including additional clinical trials. Similarly, to achieve market acceptance in certain geographies, we may be required to design, develop and test new product configurations for the platelet and plasma systems. These development activities would increase our costs significantly, and may not be successful.

Fenwal has committed to us to make Intersol collection and pooling products and conversion kits available to customers. However, Fenwal may not make such products or its apheresis collection system available for sale in certain countries and has elected to discontinue sales efforts for its apheresis collection system in Japan.

Other manufacturers supplying blood component collection platforms to the market may resist our efforts to make the INTERCEPT Blood System compatible with their platforms. Attaining compatibility with collection platforms manufactured by others may require adaptations to either the INTERCEPT Blood System or to the collection platforms, which may be difficult to engineer, expensive to implement and test, require additional clinical trials, cause delays in regulatory approval and/or be commercially unattractive to pursue. These development activities will increase our costs significantly, and may not be successful. Market acceptance of the INTERCEPT Blood System may be delayed until the system receives regulatory approval for use on such other equipment, if required.

Because the INTERCEPT Blood System products have not been manufactured on more than a limited commercial scale, we face manufacturing uncertainties that could limit their commercialization. If our third-party manufacturers fail to produce our products or compounds satisfactorily, at acceptable cost and in sufficient quantities, we may incur delays, shortfalls and additional expenses, which may in turn result in permanent harm to our customer relations.

The INTERCEPT Blood System products, including many of the components, have been manufactured on a commercial scale on only a limited basis. Fenwal relies on third parties, including Baxter, to manufacture and assemble some of the platelet and plasma system components, many of which are customized and have not been manufactured on a commercial scale. Fenwal has produced some pathogen inactivation systems in modest commercial quantities, but may not be able to manufacture and assemble other systems or in larger quantities, or do so economically. Because of low sales volumes and other reasons, Fenwal’s costs to manufacture commercial components for the platelet and plasma systems have been greater than we previously anticipated and may continue to rise. It is uncertain what effect Fenwal’s independence from Baxter will have on its cost structure or on transfer prices from Baxter to Fenwal and costs ultimately passed on to us. These issues may result in reducing our potential gross profit margin from platelet and plasma system sales.

We are in the early stages of commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System and may not accurately forecast demand for the INTERCEPT Blood System. We have contracted with third parties to supply platelet and plasma systems and components to meet forecasted demand. However, such forecasts may prove to be either higher or lower than actual commercial demand. As a result, we may carry excess work-in-process or finished goods inventory, which would consume capital resources and may become obsolete, or be

 

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inadequate to meet customer demand. If Fenwal or third-party manufacturers fail to produce our products or Intersol products satisfactorily, at acceptable costs and in sufficient quantities, we may incur delays, shortfalls and additional expenses, which may in turn result in permanent harm to our customer relations.

Fenwal and we purchase certain key components of the INTERCEPT Blood System from a limited number of suppliers. It would be expensive and time-consuming to establish additional or replacement suppliers for these components. Some components of the INTERCEPT Blood System, including components of the UVA illuminator device, are no longer manufactured, which will require us to identify and qualify replacement components and may require that we conduct additional studies, which could include clinical trials, to demonstrate equivalency or validate any required design or component changes. If Fenwal or we are unable to identify and supply replacement components, we may be unable to supply products to our customers. If we were required to redesign the products, our development costs would increase, and our programs and commercialization efforts could be delayed significantly.

We use third-party manufacturers to produce commercial quantities of the chemical compounds used in our products. We currently do not have any third-party manufacturing agreements in place for commercial production of compounds used in our red blood cell system, which is in early stages of clinical development. Any new or additional commercial manufacturer will need to develop new methods and processes to manufacture these compounds on a commercial scale and demonstrate to us, the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities that its commercial scale manufacturing processes comply with government regulations and that its compounds are equivalent to originally licensed compounds in order for us to maintain commercial licensure of our products. It may be difficult or impossible to economically manufacture our products on a commercial scale.

Our platelet and plasma system disposables have received regulatory approval for two-year shelf lives. We and our distributors may be unable to ship product to customers prior to the expiration of product shelf life, which would require that we destroy or consume the outdated inventory in product demonstration activities Product expiration may in turn lead to elevated product demonstration costs or reduced gross margins.

We have used prototype components in our preclinical studies and clinical trials of the INTERCEPT red blood cell system and have not completed the components’ commercial design. We will be required to identify and enter into agreements with third parties to manufacture the red blood cell system and related blood component storage solutions.

The system disposables and instruments of our red blood cell system that we used in our preclinical studies and clinical trials in the United States historically and those we are now using in the current Phase I red blood cell trial are prototypes of systems to be used in the final products. As a result, we expect regulatory authorities will require us to perform additional preclinical and clinical studies using the commercial versions of the systems to demonstrate the acceptability of the commercial configuration and the equivalence of the prototypes and the commercial products, which may increase our expenses and delay the commercialization of our products. We have tested additional modifications of the red blood cell system to improve the lifespan of treated red blood cells. In vitro and in vivo studies of such modifications to the red blood cell system may not be indicative of red blood cell lifespan in humans. Additional early-stage trials will be necessary to determine whether our modifications, including these new approaches, may lead to a product with acceptable commercial characteristics. We also are assessing whether such modifications would be acceptable clinically, economically and/or operationally to potential customers. We may determine that although the modified red blood cell system may overcome technical issues encountered in the past, it may not be commercially feasible from potential customers’ perspectives. If we fail to develop commercial versions of the INTERCEPT red blood cell system on schedule, our potential revenue would be delayed or diminished and our potential competitors may be able to bring products to market before we do.

In addition, the design and engineering effort required to complete the final commercial product will likely be substantial and time-consuming. As with any complex development effort, we expect to encounter design, engineering and manufacturing issues. Such issues have previously arisen, sometimes unexpectedly, and solutions to these issues have not always been readily forthcoming. Additional unforeseen design, engineering and manufacturing issues may arise in the future, which could increase the development cost and delay commercialization of our products.

Fenwal is not obligated to provide manufacturing services related to the red blood cell system. It will be time-consuming for other manufacturers to develop the capability to manufacture the INTERCEPT Blood System products and blood component storage solutions economically and to gain regulatory approval to do so for commercial use. We may be unable to identify and contract with manufacturers that can make our products cost-effectively, which would delay our efforts to commercialize the red blood cell system, even if we successfully complete clinical development.

BioOne may fail to take advantage of commercialization rights for our platelet and plasma systems in many Asian countries.

Baxter and we have licensed to BioOne rights to commercialize the platelet and plasma systems in Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore. BioOne is subject to similar risks in its territories regarding commercialization of the INTERCEPT Blood System as we are. BioOne is solely responsible for obtaining regulatory approvals, marketing and selling the platelet and plasma systems in countries where it holds licenses to commercialize the INTERCEPT platelet and plasma systems. We understand Fenwal has assumed the rights and obligations of Baxter with regard to Baxter’s agreements with BioOne. BioOne is dependent on Fenwal for the manufacture and supply of the platelet and plasma systems. BioOne may be unable to qualify the platelet and plasma systems for sale in certain countries in its territory.

 

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BioOne has made little progress to date in commercializing the platelet and plasma systems in Asian territories. Because we only have a minority investment interest in BioOne, we lack the ability to significantly influence BioOne, and are dependent on BioOne’s performance to realize milestone and royalty revenue from commercialization of our platelet and plasma systems in those countries. In Japan, regulatory authorities may require our platelet and plasma systems to be widely adopted commercially in Europe or approved by the FDA before the platelet and plasma systems are considered for approval in Japan, which would delay or prevent BioOne from achieving significant product revenue. In July 2007, BioOne raised limited additional capital in order to fund curtailed operations. At these reduced operating levels, we expect that BioOne’s abilities to commercialize the platelet and plasma systems in its Asian territories will be compromised. We understand that BioOne may need to raise additional capital to continue its operations beyond the near term. There is no assurance that BioOne will be able to attract additional required capital in the future to successfully commercialize those products licensed from Fenwal and us. Even if BioOne fails to commercialize the INTERCEPT Blood System in its territories, we may be unable to assert contractual rights to regain commercialization rights on satisfactory terms, if at all.

If our competitors develop and market products that are more effective than our products and product candidates, our commercial opportunity will be reduced or eliminated.

We expect our products to encounter significant competition. The INTERCEPT Blood System products compete with other approaches to blood safety currently in use, and may compete with future products that may be developed by others. Our success will depend in part on our ability to respond quickly to medical and technological changes brought about by the development and introduction of new products. Product development is risky and uncertain, and we cannot assure you that we will develop our products successfully. Competitors’ products or technologies may make our products obsolete or non-competitive before we are able to generate any significant revenue. In addition, competitors or potential competitors may have substantially greater financial and other resources than we have. They may also have greater experience in preclinical testing, human clinical trials and other regulatory approval procedures.

Several companies have, or are developing, technologies that are, or in the future may be, the basis for products that will directly compete with or reduce the market for our pathogen inactivation systems. A number of companies are specifically focusing on alternative strategies for pathogen inactivation in platelets and plasma. These alternative strategies may be more effective in inactivating certain types of pathogens from blood products, including non-lipid-enveloped pathogens, such as hepatitis A virus, which our products have not demonstrated an ability to inactivate, or human parvovirus B-19, for which our products have not demonstrated a high level of inactivation. While our products can effectively inactivate a broad spectrum of pathogens in blood components, including more robust inactivation of many pathogens than has been shown by other companies, market acceptance of our products may be reduced if customers determine that competitors products inactivate a broader range of pathogens that are of particular interest to the transfusion medicine community. In Europe, several companies, including Grifols S.A., Octapharma AG and MacoPharma International, are developing or selling commercial pathogen inactivation systems or services to treat fresh frozen plasma. CaridianBCT is developing a pathogen inactivation system for blood products and has been issued CE marks for a pathogen reduction system for both platelets and plasma. We understand that CaridianBCT has also commenced trials on a pathogen inactivation system for whole blood, which if successful, may offer competitive advantages over our INTERCEPT Blood System, with its three distinct components for platelets, plasma and red blood cells.

New methods of testing whole blood for specific pathogens have been approved by the FDA and in Europe, as have tests for bacteria in platelets. Continued delays in commercialization of our platelet and plasma systems in France and Germany may impact our ability to compete with bacterial testing for platelets. Other competitors are developing rapid, point-of-care bacterial tests, synthetic blood product substitutes and products to stimulate the growth of platelets. Development and commercialization of any of these or other related technologies could limit the potential market for our products.

We may be liable and we may need to withdraw our products from the market if our products harm people. We may be liable if an accident occurs in our controlled use of hazardous materials. Our insurance coverage may be inadequate to offset losses we may incur.

We are exposed to potential liability risks inherent in the testing and marketing of medical devices and pharmaceutical products. We may be liable if any of our products cause injury, illness or death. Although we will have completed rigorous preclinical and clinical safety testing prior to marketing our products, there may be harmful effects caused by our products that we are unable to identify in preclinical or clinical testing. In particular, unforeseen, rare reactions or adverse side effects related to long-term use of our products may not be observed until the products are in widespread commercial use. Because of the limited duration and number of patients receiving blood components treated with the INTERCEPT Blood System products in clinical trials, it is possible that harmful effects of our products not observed in clinical and preclinical testing could be discovered after a marketing approval has been received. For example, in cases where we have obtained regulatory approval for our products, we have demonstrated pathogen inactivation to specified levels based on well-established tests. However, there is no way to determine, after treatment by our products, whether our products have completely inactivated all of the pathogens that may be present in blood components. There is also no way to determine whether any residual amount of a pathogen remains in the blood component treated by our products and there is no way to exclude that such residual amount would be enough to cause disease in the transfused patient. For ethical reasons, we cannot conduct human testing to determine whether an individual who receives a transfusion of a blood component containing a pathogen that was inactivated using the INTERCEPT Blood System might show positive results if tested for an antibody against that pathogen. While we believe, based on the clinical experience of our scientists, that the level of inactivated pathogens would likely be too small to induce a detectable antibody response in diagnostic tests, we cannot exclude that a transfused patient might show positive results if tested for an antibody against that pathogen. We could be subject to a claim from a patient that tests positive, even though that patient did not contract a disease. Later discovery of problems with a product, manufacturer or facility may result in additional restrictions on the product or manufacturer, including withdrawal of the product from the market. We are subject to risks and costs of product recall, which include not only potential out-of-pocket costs, but also potential interruption to our supply chain. In such an event, our customer relations would be harmed and we would incur unforeseen losses.

 

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We maintain product liability insurance, but do not know whether the insurance will provide adequate coverage against potential liabilities. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit commercialization of our products.

Our research and development activities involve the controlled use of hazardous materials, including certain hazardous chemicals, radioactive materials and infectious pathogens, such as HIV and hepatitis viruses. Although we believe that our safety procedures for handling and disposing of hazardous materials are adequate and comply with regulatory requirements, we cannot eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury. If an accident occurs, we could be held liable for any damages that result.

Virtually all of our research and development activities and the significant majority of our general and administrative activities are performed in or managed from a single site that may be subject to lengthy business interruption in the event of a severe earthquake. We also may suffer loss of computerized information and may be unable to make timely filings with regulatory agencies in the event of catastrophic failure of our data storage and backup systems.

Virtually all of our research and development activities and the significant majority of our general and administrative activities are performed in or managed from our facilities in Concord, California, which are within an active earthquake fault zone. Should a severe earthquake occur, we might be unable to occupy our facilities or conduct research and development and general and administrative activities in support of our business and products until such time as our facilities could be repaired and made operational. Our property and casualty and business interruption insurance in general does not cover losses caused by earthquakes. While we have taken certain measures to protect our scientific, technological and commercial assets, a lengthy or costly disruption due to an earthquake would have a material adverse effect on us. We have also taken measures to limit damage that may occur from the loss of computerized data due to power outage, system or component failure, or corruption of data files. However, we may lose critical computerized data, which may be difficult or impossible to recreate, which may harm our business. We may be unable to make timely filings with regulatory agencies in the event of catastrophic failure of our data storage and backup systems, which may subject us to fines or adverse consequences, up to and including loss of our abilities to conduct business.

We do not anticipate receiving significant economic benefit from the spin-off of our immunotherapy business.

In November 2007, we spun-off our immunotherapy business to Anza. In exchange for contributed tangible and intangible assets, we received preferred stock representing an equity interest of approximately 20% of Anza’s preferred equity. We were informed that Anza had ceased operations by March 31, 2009. The terms of sale provided Anza a right to redeem up to 1,000,000 of such shares for a nominal amount upon the failure to occur of certain circumstances relating to possible research grant funding from the DoD. We were advised that based upon such provision, Anza may seek to redeem 1,000,000 shares held by us. If such shares are redeemed by Anza, we would own fewer shares of Anza’s preferred stock, reducing our preferred equity interest to approximately 16.0% of Anza’s outstanding preferred equity. There is no assurance that the equity will have monetary value at such time we are allowed to sell it or that we will receive any proceeds upon liquidation or sale of Anza. We are evaluating whether such clause is applicable in the present circumstances.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property or operate our business without infringing intellectual property rights of others.

Our commercial success will depend, in part, on obtaining and maintaining patent protection on our products and successfully defending our products against third-party challenges. Our technology will be protected from unauthorized use only to the extent that it is covered by valid and enforceable patents or effectively maintained as trade secrets. As a result, our success depends in part on our ability to:

 

 

obtain patents;

 

 

protect trade secrets;

 

 

operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of others; and

 

 

prevent others from infringing on our proprietary rights.

We cannot be certain that our patents or patents that we license from others will be enforceable and afford protection against competitors. Our patents or patent applications, if issued, may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented. Our patent rights may not provide us with proprietary protection or competitive advantages against competitors with similar technologies. Others may independently develop technologies similar to ours or independently duplicate our technologies. For example, a United States patent issued to a third-party covers methods to remove psoralen compounds from blood products. We have reviewed the patent and believe there exist substantial questions concerning its validity. We cannot be certain, however, that a court would hold the patent to be invalid or not infringed by our platelet or plasma systems, if and when those products are sold in the United States. Our key blood safety patents generally expire at various dates between 2013 and 2018. Recent patent applications will, if granted, result in patents with later expiration dates. In addition, we have a license from Fenwal to United States and foreign patents relating to the INTERCEPT Blood System, which expire from 2010 to 2022. Due to the extensive time required for development, testing and regulatory review of our potential products, our patents may expire or remain in existence for only a short period following commercialization. This would reduce or eliminate any advantage of the patents.

 

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We cannot be certain that we were the first to make the inventions covered by each of our issued patents or pending patent applications or that we were the first to file patent applications for such inventions. We may need to license the right to use third-party patents and intellectual property to continue development and commercialization of our products. We may not be able to acquire such required licenses on acceptable terms, if at all. If we do not obtain such licenses, we may need to design around other parties’ patents, or we may not be able to proceed with the development, manufacture or sale of our products.

We may face litigation to defend against claims of infringement, assert claims of infringement, enforce our patents, protect our trade secrets or know-how or determine the scope and validity of others’ proprietary rights. Patent litigation is costly. In addition, we may require interference proceedings before the United States Patent and Trademark Office to determine the priority of inventions relating to our patent applications. Litigation or interference proceedings could be expensive and time consuming, and we could be unsuccessful in our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights.

We may rely, in certain circumstances, on trade secrets to protect our technology. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. We protect our proprietary technology and processes, in part, by confidentiality agreements with employees and certain contractors. These agreements may be breached and we may not have adequate remedies for any breach or our trade secrets may otherwise become known or be independently discovered by competitors. To the extent that our employees, consultants or contractors use intellectual property owned by others, disputes also may arise as to the rights in related or resulting know-how and inventions.

As our international operations grow, we may be subject to adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the United States dollar and foreign currencies. Consequently, we may suffer losses.

Our international operations are subject to risks typical of an international business, including, among other factors: differing political, economic, and regulatory climates, different tax structures, and foreign exchange volatility. We do not currently enter into any hedging contracts to normalize the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations. As a result, our future results could be materially affected by changes in these or other factors.

Product sales of our blood safety products are typically made in Europe and generally are invoiced to customers in Euros. In addition, we purchase finished disposable kits for our platelet and plasma systems and incur operating expenses in Euros and other foreign currencies. Our exposure to foreign exchange rate volatility is a direct result of our product sales, cash collection and expenses to support our international operations. Foreign exchange rate fluctuations are recorded as a component of interest (expense) and other, net on our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Significant fluctuations in the volatility of foreign currencies relative to the United States dollar may materially affect our results of operations. Currently we do not have any near-term plans to enter into a formal hedging program to mitigate the effects of foreign currency volatility.

The market price of our stock may be highly volatile.

The market prices for our securities and those of other emerging medical device and biotechnology companies have been, and may continue to be, volatile. For example, during the period from January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009, the sale price of our common stock as quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market fluctuated within a range from a low of $0.55 to a high of $10.29. Announcements may have a significant impact on the market price of our common stock. Such announcements may include:

 

 

decisions regarding reimbursement and commercial adoption by customers, national blood services or governmental bodies;

 

 

biological or medical discoveries;

 

 

technological innovations discovered or new commercial services offered by us or our competitors;

 

 

developments concerning proprietary rights, including patents and litigation matters;

 

 

regulatory developments in both the United States and foreign countries;

 

 

status of development partnerships;

 

 

dilution from future issuances of common stock, including through the exercise of vested stock options;

 

 

debt financings, with terms that may not be viewed favorably by stockholders;

 

 

public concern as to the safety of new technologies;

 

 

general market conditions;

 

 

comments made by analysts, including changes in analysts’ estimates of our financial performance; and

 

 

quarterly fluctuations in our revenue and financial results.

Recently, the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations due to the unprecedented turmoil and upheaval of the credit markets and the financial services industry, which have particularly affected the market prices for emerging biotechnology and medical device companies, and has adversely affected the market price of our common stock.

Our stock price may not meet the minimum bid price for continued listing on The NASDAQ Global Market. Our ability to publicly or privately sell equity securities and the liquidity of our common stock could be adversely affected if we are delisted from The NASDAQ Global Market or if we are unable to transfer our listing to another stock market.

Our common stock is currently listed on The NASDAQ Global Market. The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, or NASDAQ, has minimum requirements that a company must meet in order to remain listed on The NASDAQ Global Market. These requirements include maintaining a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share. If our common stock does not maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share, we may be subject to delisting by NASDAQ for failure to meet the continued listing requirements. Delisting from The NASDAQ Global Market could adversely affect our ability to raise additional financing through the public or private sale of equity securities, would

 

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significantly affect the ability of investors to trade our securities and would negatively affect the value and liquidity of our common stock. Delisting could also have other negative results, including the potential loss of confidence by employees, the loss of investor interest and fewer business development opportunities.

We may fail to comply fully with elements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Our failure to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of this Act could have a material adverse effect on our stock price.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and a report by our independent registered public accountants attesting to the effectiveness of our internal controls. These requirements extend to the operations of our subsidiary in Europe. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude in future periods that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. If we cannot favorably assess, or our independent registered public accountants are unable to provide an unqualified attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, investor confidence in the reliability of our financial reports may be adversely affected, which could have a material adverse effect on our stock price.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

The following proposals were submitted to a vote of, and adopted by our stockholders at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 1, 2009, or the Annual Meeting:

 

  1. Stockholders approved the proposal to elect two (2) directors, each for a three-year term. The vote tabulation was as follows:

 

Director

   Votes For    Votes Withheld

B.J. Cassin

   28,048,876    991,706

William R. Rohn

   28,079,521    961,061

Timothy Anderson, Claes Glassell, Bruce C. Cozadd, Gail Schulze, and Laurence M. Corash continued to serve as directors after the Annual Meeting.

 

  2. Stockholders approved the proposal to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to perform the audit of Cerus Corporation’s financial statements for fiscal year ending December 31, 2009 by a vote of 28,121,820 for and 814,493 against, with 104,268 abstentions.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

  3.1.1(1)    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cerus Corporation, as amended to date.
  3.2(2)    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Cerus.
  4.2(3)    Specimen Stock Certificate.
  4.3 †    Stockholder Rights Plan, dated November 3, 1999 and as amended as of August 6, 2001, by and between Cerus and Wells Fargo Bank MN, N.A. (formerly Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A.).
10.41(4)(6)    Form of Indemnity Agreement entered into between Cerus and each of its directors and executive officers, adopted April 24, 2009.
10.42(6) †    Employment Letter for Kevin D. Green, dated May 1, 2009.
10.43(5)(6)    Form of Severance Benefits Agreement.

 

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31.1    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Cerus pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of the Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer of Cerus pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1(*)    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

(1)    Incorporated by reference to Cerus’ Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 000-21937), dated November 3, 1999.
(2)    Incorporated by reference to Cerus’ Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 000-21937), dated April 26, 2007
(3)    Incorporated by reference to Cerus’ Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-11341) and amendments thereto.
(4)    Incorporated by reference to Cerus’ Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 000-21937), dated April 28, 2009.
(5)    Incorporated by reference to Cerus’ Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 000-21937), dated May 26, 2009.
(6)    Management contract or compensatory arrangement.
   Filed herewith.
(*) This certification accompanies the Form 10-Q to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is not incorporated by reference into any filing of Cerus Corporation under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Form 10-Q), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.

 

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Table of Contents

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, thereunto duly authorized.

 

      CERUS CORPORATION
Date: August 10, 2009      

/s/    Kevin D. Green

      Kevin D. Green
     

Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer

(on behalf of registrant and as Principal Financial Officer)

 

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Exhibit Index

 

  3.1.1(1)    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cerus Corporation, as amended to date.
  3.2(2)    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Cerus.
  4.2(3)    Specimen Stock Certificate.
  4.3 †    Stockholder Rights Plan, dated November 3, 1999 and as amended as of August 6, 2001, by and between Cerus and Wells Fargo Bank MN, N.A. (formerly Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A.).
10.41(4)(6)    Form of Indemnity Agreement entered into between Cerus and each of its directors and executive officers, adopted April 24, 2009.
10.42(6) †    Employment Letter for Kevin D. Green, dated May 1, 2009.
10.43(5)(6)    Form of Severance Benefits Agreement.
31.1    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Cerus pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of the Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer of Cerus pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1(*)    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

(1) Incorporated by reference to Cerus’ Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 000-21937), dated November 3, 1999.
(2) Incorporated by reference to Cerus’ Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 000-21937), dated April 26, 2007
(3) Incorporated by reference to Cerus’ Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-11341) and amendments thereto.
(4) Incorporated by reference to Cerus’ Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 000-21937), dated April 28, 2009.
(5) Incorporated by reference to Cerus’ Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 000-21937), dated May 26, 2009.
(6) Management contract or compensatory arrangement.
Filed herewith.
(*) This certification accompanies the Form 10-Q to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is not incorporated by reference into any filing of Cerus Corporation under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Form 10-Q), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.

 

45

Exhibit 4.3

 

 

C ERUS C ORPORATION

and

W ELLS F ARGO B ANK MN, N.A.,

(F ORMERLY N ORWEST B ANK M INNESOTA , N.A.)

AS R IGHTS A GENT

RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Dated as of November 3, 1999

Amended as of August 6, 2001

 

 


SECTION 1.   

C ERTAIN D EFINITIONS

   1
SECTION 2.   

A PPOINTMENT OF R IGHTS A GENT

   4
SECTION 3.   

I SSUE OF R IGHT C ERTIFICATES

   4
SECTION 4.   

F ORM OF R IGHT C ERTIFICATES

   6
SECTION 5.   

C OUNTERSIGNATURE AND R EGISTRATION

   7
SECTION 6.   

T RANSFER , S PLIT U P , C OMBINATION AND E XCHANGE OF R IGHT C ERTIFICATES ; M UTILATED , D ESTROYED , L OST OR S TOLEN R IGHT C ERTIFICATES

   7
SECTION 7.   

E XERCISE OF R IGHTS ; P URCHASE P RICE ; E XPIRATION D ATE OF R IGHTS

   8
SECTION 8.   

C ANCELLATION AND D ESTRUCTION OF R IGHT C ERTIFICATES

   9
SECTION 9.   

A VAILABILITY OF P REFERRED S HARES

   10
SECTION 10.   

P REFERRED S HARES R ECORD D ATE

   10
SECTION 11.   

A DJUSTMENT OF P URCHASE P RICE , N UMBER OF S HARES OR N UMBER OF R IGHTS

   11
SECTION 12.   

C ERTIFICATE OF A DJUSTED P URCHASE P RICE OR N UMBER OF S HARES

   18
SECTION 13.   

C ONSOLIDATION , M ERGER OR S ALE OR T RANSFER OF A SSETS OR E ARNING P OWER

   18
SECTION 14.   

F RACTIONAL R IGHTS AND F RACTIONAL S HARES

   21
SECTION 15.   

R IGHTS OF A CTION

   22
SECTION 16.   

A GREEMENT OF R IGHT H OLDERS

   22
SECTION 17.   

R IGHT C ERTIFICATE H OLDER N OT D EEMED A S TOCKHOLDER

   23
SECTION 18.   

C ONCERNING THE R IGHTS A GENT

   23
SECTION 19.   

M ERGER OR C ONSOLIDATION OR C HANGE OF N AME OF R IGHTS A GENT

   23
SECTION 20.   

D UTIES OF R IGHTS A GENT

   24
SECTION 21.   

C HANGE OF R IGHTS A GENT

   26
SECTION 22.   

I SSUANCE OF N EW R IGHT C ERTIFICATES

   27
SECTION 23.   

R EDEMPTION

   27
SECTION 24.   

E XCHANGE

   28
SECTION 25.   

N OTICE OF C ERTAIN E VENTS

   30
SECTION 26.   

N OTICES

   31
SECTION 27.   

S UPPLEMENTS AND A MENDMENTS

   31
SECTION 28.   

D ETERMINATION AND A CTIONS BY THE B OARD OF D IRECTORS , E TC .

   32
SECTION 29.   

S UCCESSORS

   32
SECTION 30.   

B ENEFITS OF THIS A GREEMENT

   32

 

i.


SECTION 31.   

S EVERABILITY

   32
SECTION 32.   

G OVERNING L AW

   33
SECTION 33.   

C OUNTERPARTS

   33
SECTION 34.   

D ESCRIPTIVE H EADINGS

   33

 

ii.


RIGHTS AGREEMENT

T HIS R IGHTS A GREEMENT (“Agreement”) is dated as of November 3, 1999 and amended as of August 6, 2001, between C ERUS C ORPORATION , a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and W ELLS F ARGO B ANK MN, N.A. ( formerly N ORWEST B ANK M INNESOTA , N.A.) (“Rights Agent”).

The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each Common Share (as such term is hereinafter defined) outstanding at the close of business on November 23, 1999 (the “Record Date”), each Right representing the right to purchase one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (as such term is hereinafter defined), upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, and has further authorized and directed the issuance of one Right with respect to each Common Share that shall become outstanding between the Record Date and the earliest to occur of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date (as such terms are hereinafter defined); provided, however, that Rights may be issued with respect to Common Shares that shall become outstanding after the Distribution Date and prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date in accordance with the provisions of Section 22 hereof.

Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. C ERTAIN D EFINITIONS . For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

(a) “Acquiring Person” shall mean any Person (as such term is hereinafter defined) who or which, together with all Affiliates and Associates (as such terms are hereinafter defined) of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner (as such term is hereinafter defined) of 15% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) the term Acquiring Person shall not include (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary (as such term is hereinafter defined) of the Company, (iii) any employee benefit or compensation plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iv) any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such employee benefit or compensation plan, or (v) an Excluded Stockholder (as such term is hereinafter defined) and (B) no Person shall become an “Acquiring Person” either (x) as the result of an acquisition of Common Shares by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares beneficially owned by such Person to 15% or more (or in the case of Baxter, together with one or more Baxter Benefit Plans (in each case, as defined below), more than the Permissible Baxter Amount (as defined below)) of the Common Shares then outstanding; provided, however, that if a Person shall become the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more (or in the case of Baxter, together with one or more Baxter Benefit Plans, more than the Permissible Baxter Amount) of the Common Shares then outstanding by reason of share purchases by the Company and shall, following written notice from, or public disclosure by the Company of such share purchases by the Company, become the Beneficial Owner of any additional Common Shares without the prior consent of the Company and shall then Beneficially Own more than 15% (or in the case of Baxter, together with one or more Baxter Benefit Plans, more than the Permissible Baxter Amount) of the Common Shares then outstanding, then such Person shall be deemed to be an

 

1.


“Acquiring Person,” or (y) if the Board of Directors determines in good faith that a Person who would otherwise be an “Acquiring Person,” as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (a), has become such inadvertently, and such Person divests, as promptly as practicable (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors), but in any event within five Business Days, following receipt of written notice from the Company of such event, of Beneficial Ownership of a sufficient number of Common Shares so that such Person would no longer be an Acquiring Person, as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (a), then such Person shall not be deemed to be an “Acquiring Person” for any purposes of this Agreement; provided, however, that if such Person shall again become the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more (or in the case of Baxter, together with one or more Baxter Benefit Plans, more than the Permissible Baxter Amount) of the Common Shares then outstanding, such Person shall be deemed an “Acquiring Person,” subject to the exceptions set forth in this Section 1(a).

(b) “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as in effect on the date of this Agreement.

(c) A Person shall be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of and shall be deemed to “beneficially own” any securities:

(i) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates is deemed to beneficially own, within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of this Rights Agreement;

(ii) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights (other than these Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security (1) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act and (2) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report); or

(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person with which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities) for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except to the extent contemplated by the proviso to Section 1(c)(ii)(B) hereof) or disposing of any securities of the Company.

 

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Notwithstanding anything in this definition of Beneficial Ownership to the contrary, the phrase, “then outstanding,” when used with reference to a Person’s Beneficial Ownership of securities of the Company, shall mean the number of such securities then issued and outstanding together with the number of such securities not then actually issued and outstanding which such Person would be deemed to own beneficially hereunder.

(d) “Baxter” shall mean Baxter Healthcare Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, (including its Affiliates and Associates).

(e) “Baxter Benefit Plan” shall mean each of the Baxter International, Inc. and Subsidiaries Pension Trust and any other pension, profit-sharing or similar plan, fund, trust or other entity that may purchase, hold and sell securities for the benefit of employees of Baxter.

(f) “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in the State of Minnesota are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

(g) “Close of Business” on any given date shall mean 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day it shall mean 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time, on the next succeeding Business Day.

(h) “Common Shares” shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company; provided, however, that, “Common Shares,” when used in this Agreement in connection with a specific reference to any Person other than the Company, shall mean the capital stock (or equity interest) with the greatest voting power of such other Person or, if such other Person is a Subsidiary of another Person, the Person or Persons which ultimately control such first-mentioned Person.

(i) “Distribution Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof.

(j) “Excluded Stockholder” shall mean Baxter and each Baxter Benefit Plan; provided, however, that neither Baxter nor any Baxter Benefit Plan shall be an Excluded Stockholder if Baxter and any of the Baxter Benefit Plans become, without the prior approval of the Board of Directors of the Company, Beneficial Owners in the aggregate (whether or not as a group within the meaning of Rule 13(d) and Regulation 13D-G under the Exchange Act) of more than the Permissible Baxter Amount. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Permissible Baxter Amount” shall mean an amount equal to 20.1% of the Common Shares then outstanding excluding for this purpose any and all Common Shares deemed to be owned through Baxter’s ownership of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company as a result of the transactions contemplated by that certain Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated June 30, 1998 and Series B Preferred Stock of the Company as a result of the transactions contemplated by that certain Series B Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement between Baxter and the Company dated June 30, 1998.

(k) “Final Expiration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereof.

(l) “Interested Stockholder” shall mean any Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or any other Person in which any such Acquiring Person, Affiliate or Associate has an interest, or any other Person acting directly or indirectly on behalf of or in concert with any such Acquiring Person, Affiliate or Associate.

 

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(m) “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

(n) “Preferred Shares” shall mean shares of Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company having the designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions set forth in the Form of Certificate of Designation attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A.

(o) “Purchase Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b) hereof.

(p) “Redemption Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereof.

(q) “Shares Acquisition Date” shall mean the first date of public announcement by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such provided, however that, if such Person is determined not to have become an Acquiring Person pursuant to clause (y) of Subsection 1(a)(B) hereof, then no Shares Acquisition Date shall be deemed to have occurred.

(r) “Subsidiary” of any Person shall mean any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

(s) “Transaction” shall mean any merger, consolidation or sale of assets described in Section 13(a) hereof or any acquisition of Common Shares which would result in a Person becoming an Acquiring Person or a Principal Party (as such term is hereinafter defined).

(t) “Transaction Person” with respect to a Transaction shall mean (i) any Person who (x) is or will become an Acquiring Person or a Principal Party (as such term is hereinafter defined) if the Transaction were to be consummated and (y) directly or indirectly proposed or nominated a director of the Company which director is in office at the time of consideration of the Transaction, or (ii) an Affiliate or Associate of such a Person.

SECTION 2. A PPOINTMENT OF R IGHTS A GENT . The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Company may from time to time appoint such co-Rights Agents as it may deem necessary or desirable.

SECTION 3. I SSUE OF R IGHT C ERTIFICATES .

(a) Until the earlier of (i) the Shares Acquisition Date or (ii) the tenth Business Day (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person) after the date of the commencement (determined in accordance with Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act) by any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company or any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such

 

4.


plan) of, or of the first public announcement of the intention of any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company or any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) to commence, a tender or exchange offer (which intention to commence remains in effect for five Business Days after such announcement), the consummation of which would result in any Person becoming an Acquiring Person (including any such date which is after the date of this Agreement and prior to the issuance of the Rights, the earlier of such dates being herein referred to as the “Distribution Date”), (x) the Rights will be evidenced by the certificates for Common Shares registered in the names of the holders thereof (which certificates shall also be deemed to be Right Certificates) and not by separate Right Certificates, and (y) the Rights (and the right to receive Right Certificates therefor) will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of Common Shares. As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Company will prepare and execute, the Rights Agent will countersign, and the Company will send or cause to be sent (and the Rights Agent will, if requested, send) by first-class, insured, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Shares as of the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, a Right Certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (a “Right Certificate”), evidencing one Right for each Common Share so held, subject to the adjustment provisions of Section 11 of this Rights Agreement. As of the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Right Certificates.

(b) On the Record Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the Company will send (directly or through the Rights Agent or its transfer agent) a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares, in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (the “Summary of Rights”), by first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Shares as of the Close of Business on the Record Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company. With respect to certificates for Common Shares outstanding as of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced by such certificates registered in the names of the holders thereof. Until the Distribution Date (or the earlier of the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date), the surrender for transfer of any certificate for Common Shares outstanding on the Record Date shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented thereby.

(c) Certificates for Common Shares which become outstanding (including, without limitation, reacquired Common Shares referred to in the last sentence of this paragraph (c)) after the Record Date but prior to the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise affixed to them the following legend:

This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement between Cerus Corporation (the “Company”) and Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A. as Rights Agent (the “Rights Agent”), dated as of November 3, 1999, as amended from time to time (the “Rights Agreement”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of the Company. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be

 

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evidenced by this certificate. The Company will mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after receipt of a written request therefor. As described in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to any Person who becomes an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and certain related persons, whether currently held by or on behalf of such Person or by any subsequent holder, shall become null and void.

With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the Distribution Date, the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by such certificates shall be evidenced by such certificates alone, and the surrender for transfer of any such certificate shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented thereby. In the event that the Company purchases or acquires any Common Shares after the Record Date but prior to the Distribution Date, any Rights associated with such Common Shares shall be deemed canceled and retired so that the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any Rights associated with the Common Shares which are no longer outstanding. Notwithstanding this Section 3(c), the omission of a legend shall not affect the enforceability of any part of this Rights Agreement or the rights of any holder of the Rights.

SECTION 4. F ORM OF R IGHT C ERTIFICATES .

(a) The Right Certificates (and the form of election to purchase Preferred Shares, the form of assignment and the form of certification to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall be substantially the same as Exhibit B hereto and may have such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Rights may from time to time be listed, or to conform to usage. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7, 11 and 22 hereof, the Right Certificates shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share as shall be set forth therein at the price per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share set forth therein (the “Purchase Price”), but the number of such one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share and the Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment as provided herein.

(b) Any Right Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section 22 hereof that represents Rights which are null and void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof and any Right Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or Section 11 hereof upon transfer, exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Right Certificate referred to in this sentence, shall contain (to the extent feasible) the following legend:

The Rights represented by this Right Certificate are or were beneficially owned by a Person who was or became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement). Accordingly, this Right Certificate and the Rights represented hereby are null and void.

 

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The provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall be operative whether or not the foregoing legend is contained on any such Right Certificate.

SECTION 5. C OUNTERSIGNATURE AND R EGISTRATION . The Right Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Vice Chairman of the Board, its Chief Financial Officer, or any of its Vice Presidents, either manually or by facsimile signature, shall have affixed thereto the Company’s seal or a facsimile thereof, and shall be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature. The Right Certificates shall be manually countersigned by the Rights Agent and shall not be valid for any purpose unless countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Right Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Right Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though the person who signed such Right Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Right Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Right Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Right Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Agreement any such person was not such an officer.

Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or cause to be kept, at its office designated for such purpose, books for registration and transfer of the Right Certificates issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Right Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Right Certificates and the date of each of the Right Certificates.

SECTION 6. T RANSFER , S PLIT U P , C OMBINATION AND E XCHANGE OF R IGHT C ERTIFICATES ; M UTILATED , D ESTROYED , L OST OR S TOLEN R IGHT C ERTIFICATES . Subject to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii), Section 14 and Section 24 hereof, at any time after the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, and at or prior to the Close of Business on the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date, any Right Certificate or Right Certificates may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share as the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder to purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Right Certificate or Right Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Right Certificate or Right Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose. Neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to take any action whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any such surrendered Right Certificate until the registered holder shall have completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of assignment on the reverse side of such Right Certificate and shall have provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company shall reasonably request. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 11(a)(ii), Section 14 and Section 24 hereof, countersign and deliver to the person entitled thereto a Right Certificate or Right Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Right Certificates.

 

7.


Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Right Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and, at the Company’s request, reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Right Certificate if mutilated, the Company will issue, execute and deliver a new Right Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for countersignature and delivery to the registered holder in lieu of the Right Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, the Company and the Rights Agent may amend this Rights Agreement to provide for uncertificated Rights in addition to or in place of Rights evidenced by Rights Certificates.

SECTION 7. E XERCISE OF R IGHTS ; P URCHASE P RICE ; E XPIRATION D ATE OF R IGHTS .

(a) The registered holder of any Right Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein) in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date upon surrender of the Right Certificate, with the form of election to purchase on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, together with payment of the Purchase Price for each one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (or such other number of shares or other securities) as to which the Rights are exercised, at or prior to the earliest of (i) the Close of Business on November 3, 2009 (the “Final Expiration Date”), (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof (the “Redemption Date”), or (iii) the time at which such Rights are exchanged as provided in Section 24 hereof.

(b) The purchase price (the “Purchase Price”) for each one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall initially be $170 and shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections 11 and 13 hereof and shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America in accordance with paragraph (c) below.

(c) Upon receipt of a Right Certificate representing exercisable Rights, with the form of election to purchase duly executed, accompanied by payment of the Purchase Price for the shares to be purchased and an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax required to be paid by the holder of such Right Certificate in accordance with Section 9 hereof by certified check, cashier’s check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company, the Rights Agent shall thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer agent for the Preferred Shares certificates for the number of Preferred Shares to be purchased and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to comply with all such requests, or (B) if the Company, in its sole discretion, shall have elected to deposit the Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights hereunder into a depository, requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts representing such number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share as are to be purchased (in which case certificates for the Preferred Shares represented by such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent with the depositary agent) and the Company hereby directs the depositary

 

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agent to comply with such request, (ii) when appropriate, requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof, (iii) after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder and (iv) when appropriate, after receipt, deliver such cash to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate. In the event that the Company is obligated to issue securities of the Company other than Preferred Shares (including Common Shares) of the Company pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof, the Company will make all arrangements necessary so that such other securities are available for distribution by the Rights Agent, if and when appropriate.

In addition, in the case of an exercise of the Rights by a holder pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the Rights Agent shall return such Right Certificate to the registered holder thereof after imprinting, stamping or otherwise indicating thereon that the rights represented by such Right Certificate no longer include the rights provided by Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, and, if fewer than all the Rights represented by such Right Certificate were so exercised, the Rights Agent shall indicate on the Right Certificate the number of Rights represented thereby which continue to include the rights provided by Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

(d) In case the registered holder of any Right Certificate shall exercise fewer than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Right Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent to the registered holder of such Right Certificate or to his duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof.

(e) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued Preferred Shares or any Preferred Shares held in its treasury, the number of Preferred Shares that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights in accordance with this Section 7.

(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any action with respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have (i) completed and signed the certification following the form of election to purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Rights Certificate surrendered for such exercise and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company shall reasonably request.

SECTION 8. C ANCELLATION AND D ESTRUCTION OF R IGHT C ERTIFICATES . All Right Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in canceled form, or, if delivered or surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Right Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any other Right Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all canceled Right Certificates to the Company

 

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approximately one and one-half years after the cancellation date, or shall, at the written request of the Company and after any Securities and Exchange Commission-required retention period, destroy such canceled Right Certificates, and in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.

SECTION 9. A VAILABILITY OF P REFERRED S HARES . The Company covenants and agrees that so long as the Preferred Shares (and, after the time a person becomes an Acquiring Person, Common Shares or any other securities) issuable upon the exercise of the Rights may be listed on any national securities exchange or quotation system, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause, from and after such time as the Rights become exercisable, all shares reserved for such issuance to be listed on such exchange or quotation system upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise.

The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and other securities, as the case may be) delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such Preferred Shares (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable shares or other securities.

The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Right Certificates or of any Preferred Shares upon the exercise of Rights. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any transfer tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Right Certificates to a person other than, or the issuance or delivery of certificates or depositary receipts for the Preferred Shares in a name other than that of, the registered holder of the Right Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise or to issue or to deliver any certificates or depositary receipts for Preferred Shares upon the exercise of any Rights until any such tax shall have been paid (any such tax being payable by the holder of such Right Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company’s reasonable satisfaction that no such tax is due.

As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Company shall use its best efforts to:

(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, will use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and will use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Act) until the Final Expiration Date; and

(ii) use its best efforts to qualify or register the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights under the blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as may be necessary or appropriate.

SECTION 10. P REFERRED S HARES R ECORD D ATE . Each person in whose name any certificate for Preferred Shares or other securities is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for

 

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all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the Preferred Shares or other securities represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Right Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered with the forms of election and certification duly executed and payment of the Purchase Price (and any applicable transfer taxes) was made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred Shares or other securities transfer books of the Company are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the Preferred Shares or other securities transfer books of the Company are open. Prior to the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Right Certificate, as such, shall not be entitled to any rights of a holder of Preferred Shares for which the Rights shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.

SECTION 11. A DJUSTMENT OF P URCHASE P RICE , N UMBER OF S HARES OR N UMBER OF R IGHTS . The Purchase Price, the number of Preferred Shares covered by each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 11.

(a)

(i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Shares payable in Preferred Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Shares, (C) combine the outstanding Preferred Shares into a smaller number of Preferred Shares or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred Shares (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a), the Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification, and the number and kind of shares of capital stock issuable on such date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive the aggregate number and kind of shares of capital stock which, if such Right had been exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when the Preferred Shares transfer books of the Company were open, such holder would have owned upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination or reclassification; provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of one Right. If an event occurs which would require an adjustment under both Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the adjustment provided for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to any adjustment required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

(ii) Subject to Section 24 hereof and the provisions of the next paragraph of this Section 11(a)(ii), in the event any Person shall become an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right shall, for a period of 60 days after the later of such time any Person becomes an Acquiring Person or the effective date of an appropriate registration statement under the Act pursuant to

 

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Section 9 hereof (provided, however that, if at any time prior to the expiration or termination of the Rights there shall be a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, an injunction, or temporary suspension by the Board of Directors, or similar obstacle to exercise of the Rights (the “Injunction”) which prevents exercise of the Rights, a new 60-day period shall commence on the date the Injunction is removed), have a right to receive, upon exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of Preferred Shares, such number of Common Shares as shall equal the result obtained by (A) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable and dividing that product by (B) 50% of the then current per share market price of the Common Shares (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date such Person became an Acquiring Person; provided, however, that if the transaction that would otherwise give rise to the foregoing adjustment is also subject to the provisions of Section 13 hereof, then only the provisions of Section 13 hereof shall apply and no adjustment shall be made pursuant to this Section 11(a)(ii). In the event that any Person shall become an Acquiring Person and the Rights shall then be outstanding, the Company shall not take any action which would eliminate or diminish the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, from and after the time any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, any Rights beneficially owned by (i) such Acquiring Person or an Associate or Affiliate of such Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of such Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person became such, or (iii) a transferee of such Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person’s becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom the Acquiring Person has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors of the Company has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding which has as a primary purpose or effect the avoidance of this Section 11(a)(ii), shall become null and void without any further action and no holder of such Rights shall have any rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights, whether under any provision of this Agreement or otherwise. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to insure that the provisions of this Section 11(a)(ii) and Section 4(b) hereof are complied with, but shall have no liability to any holder of Right Certificates or other Person as a result of its failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person or its Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder. No Right Certificate shall be issued at any time upon the transfer of any Rights to an Acquiring Person whose Rights would be void pursuant to the preceding sentence or any Associate or Affiliate thereof or to any nominee of such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate; and any Right Certificate delivered to the Rights Agent for transfer to an Acquiring Person whose Rights would be void pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be canceled.

(iii) In lieu of issuing Common Shares in accordance with Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the Company may, if a majority of the Board of Directors then in office determines that such action is necessary or appropriate and not contrary to the interests of holders of Rights, elect to (and, in the event that the Board of Directors has not exercised the exchange right contained in

 

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Section 24(c) hereof and there are not sufficient treasury shares and authorized but unissued Common Shares to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii), the Company shall) take all such action as may be necessary to authorize, issue or pay, upon the exercise of the Rights, cash (including by way of a reduction of the Purchase Price), property, Common Shares, other securities or any combination thereof having an aggregate value equal to the value of the Common Shares which otherwise would have been issuable pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, which aggregate value shall be determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the value of the Common Shares shall be determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof. Any such election by the Board of Directors must be made within 60 days following the date on which the event described in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall have occurred. Following the occurrence of the event described in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, a majority of the Board of Directors then in office may suspend the exercisability of the Rights for a period of up to 60 days following the date on which the event described in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall have occurred to the extent that such directors have not determined whether to exercise their rights of election under this Section 11(a)(iii). In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended.

(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance of rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Shares entitling them (for a period expiring within 45 calendar days after such record date) to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Shares (or shares having the same designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions as the Preferred Shares (“equivalent preferred shares”)) or securities convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent preferred shares at a price per Preferred Share or equivalent preferred share (or having a conversion price per share, if a security convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent preferred shares) less than the then current per share market price of the Preferred Shares (as such term is hereinafter defined) on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of Preferred Shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of Preferred Shares and/or equivalent preferred shares so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase at such current market price and the denominator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional Preferred Shares and/or equivalent preferred shares to be offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are initially convertible); provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of one Right. In case such subscription price may be paid in a consideration part or all of which shall be in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent. Preferred Shares owned by or held for the account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

 

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(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the making of a distribution to all holders of the Preferred Shares (including any such distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation) of evidences of indebtedness or assets (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend or a dividend payable in Preferred Shares) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the then current per share market price of the Preferred Shares (as such term is hereinafter defined) on such record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the assets or evidences of indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to one Preferred Share and the denominator of which shall be such current per share market price of the Preferred Shares; provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company to be issued upon exercise of one Right. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall again be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

(d)

(i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the “current per share market price” of any security (a “Security” for the purpose of this Section 11(d)(i)) on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of such Security for the 30 consecutive Trading Days (as such term is hereinafter defined) immediately prior to such date; provided, however, that in the event that the current per share market price of the Security is determined during a period following the announcement by the issuer of such Security of (A) a dividend or distribution on such Security payable in shares of such Security or securities convertible into such shares, or (B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Security or securities convertible into such shares, or (C) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Security and prior to the expiration of 30 Trading Days after the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification, then, and in each such case, the current per share market price shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the current market price per share equivalent of such Security. The closing price for each day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading or as reported on the Nasdaq National Market or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange or reported on the Nasdaq National Market, the last quoted price or,

 

14.


if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System (“Nasdaq”) or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the Security is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Security selected by the Board of Directors of the Company or, if on any such date no professional market maker is making a market in the Security, the price as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. The term “Trading Day” shall mean a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.

(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the “current per share market price” of the Preferred Shares shall be determined in accordance with the method set forth in Section 11(d)(i) hereof. If the Preferred Shares are not publicly traded, the “current per share market price” of the Preferred Shares shall be conclusively deemed to be the current per share market price of the Common Shares as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof (appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof) multiplied by one hundred. If neither the Common Shares nor the Preferred Shares are publicly held or so listed or traded, “current per share market price” shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent.

(e) No adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Purchase Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share or one ten-thousandth of any other share or security as the case may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three years from the date of the transaction which requires such adjustment or (ii) the date of the expiration of the right to exercise any Rights.

(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock of the Company other than Preferred Shares, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the Preferred Shares contained in Sections 11(a) through 11(c) hereof, inclusive, and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 hereof with respect to the Preferred Shares shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.

(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

 

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(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in Section 11(i) hereof, upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of the calculations made in Section 11(b) and Section 11(c) hereof, each Right outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share (calculated to the nearest one one-millionth of a Preferred Share) obtained by (i) multiplying (x) the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share covered by a Right immediately prior to this adjustment by (y) the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price and (ii) dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase Price.

(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in substitution for any adjustment in the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share purchasable upon the exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after such adjustment of the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one ten-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The Company shall make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. This record date may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Right Certificates have been issued, shall be at least 10 days later than the date of the public announcement. If Right Certificates have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of record of Right Certificates on such record date Right Certificates evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for the Right Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new Right Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be entitled after such adjustment. Right Certificates so to be distributed shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided for herein and shall be registered in the names of the holders of record of Right Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.

(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the Right Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to express the Purchase Price and the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share which were expressed in the initial Right Certificates issued hereunder.

(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing the Purchase Price below one one-hundredth of the then par value, if any, of the Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Preferred Shares at such adjusted Purchase Price.

 

16.


(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such event the issuing to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date of the Preferred Shares and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided, however, that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder’s right to receive such additional shares upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

(m) The Company covenants and agrees that, after the Distribution Date, it will not, except as permitted by Section 23 or Section 27 hereof, take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action the purpose of which is to, or if at the time such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that the effect of such action is to, materially diminish or eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights. Any such action taken by the Company during any period after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person but prior to the Distribution Date shall be null and void unless such action could be taken under this Section 11(m) from and after the Distribution Date.

(n) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to the extent that it in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order that any consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred Shares, issuance wholly for cash of any Preferred Shares at less than the current market price, issuance wholly for cash of Preferred Shares or securities which by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for Preferred Shares, dividends on Preferred Shares payable in Preferred Shares or issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to hereinabove in Section 11(b), hereafter made by the Company to holders of its Preferred Shares shall not be taxable to such stockholders.

(o) In the event that at any time after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Distribution Date, the Company shall (i) declare or pay any dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or (ii) effect a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Shares (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common Shares) into a greater or lesser number of Common Shares, then in any such case (A) the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share purchasable after such event upon proper exercise of each Right shall be determined by multiplying the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share so purchasable immediately prior to such event by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately before such event and the denominator of which is the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after such event, and (B) each Common Share outstanding immediately after such event shall have issued with respect to it that number of Rights which each Common Share outstanding immediately prior to such event had issued with respect to it. The adjustments provided for in this Section 11(o) shall be made successively whenever such a dividend is declared or paid or such a subdivision, combination or consolidation is effected.

 

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(p) The exercise of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall only result in the loss of rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof to the extent so exercised and shall not otherwise affect the rights represented by the Rights under this Agreement, including the rights represented by Section 13 hereof.

SECTION 12. C ERTIFICATE OF A DJUSTED P URCHASE P RICE OR N UMBER OF S HARES . Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Sections 11 and 13 hereof, the Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment, and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment, (b) file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Shares or the Preferred Shares a copy of such certificate and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Right Certificate in accordance with Section 25 hereof. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment therein contained and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment unless and until it shall have received such certificate.

SECTION 13. C ONSOLIDATION , M ERGER OR S ALE OR T RANSFER OF A SSETS OR E ARNING P OWER .

(a) In the event that, following the Shares Acquisition Date or, if a Transaction is proposed, the Distribution Date, directly or indirectly (x) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with and into, any Interested Stockholder, or if in such merger or consolidation all holders of Common Stock are not treated alike, any other Person, (y) any Interested Person, or if in such merger or consolidation all holders of Common Stock are not treated alike, any other Person shall consolidate with the Company, or merge with and into the Company, and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of such merger (other than, in the case of either transaction described in (x) or (y), a merger or consolidation which would result in all of the voting power represented by the securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into securities of the surviving entity) all of the voting power represented by the securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and the holders of such securities not having changed as a result of such merger or consolidation), or (z) the Company shall sell, mortgage or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its subsidiaries shall sell, mortgage or otherwise transfer), in one or more transactions, assets or earning power aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Interested Stockholder or Stockholders, or if in such transaction all holders of Common Stock are not treated alike, any other Person, (other than the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in one or more transactions each of which individually and the aggregate does not violate Section 13(d) hereof) then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that (i) each holder of a Right, subject to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, shall have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of Preferred Shares, such number of freely tradeable Common Shares of the Principal Party (as such term is hereinafter defined), free and clear of liens, rights of call or first refusal, encumbrances or other adverse claims, as shall be equal to the result obtained by (A) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable (without taking into account any adjustment previously made pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii)

 

18.


hereof) and dividing that product by (B) 50% of the then current per share market price of the Common Shares of such Principal Party (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of consummation of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer; (ii) such Principal Party shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the term “Company” shall thereafter be deemed to refer to such Principal Party, it being specifically intended that the provisions of Section 11 hereof shall apply to such Principal Party; and (iv) such Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, the reservation of a sufficient number of shares of its Common Shares in accordance with Section 9 hereof) in connection with such consummation as may be necessary to assure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to its Common Shares thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights.

(b) “Principal Party” shall mean:

(i) in the case of any transaction described in clause (x) or (y) of the first sentence of Section 13(a) hereof, the Person that is the issuer of any securities into which Common Shares are converted in such merger or consolidation, and if no securities are so issued, the Person that is the other party to the merger or consolidation (or, if applicable, the Company, if it is the surviving corporation); and

(ii) in the case of any transaction described in (z) of the first sentence of Section 13(a) hereof, the Person that is the party receiving the greatest portion of the assets or earning power transferred pursuant to such transaction or transactions;

provided, however, that in any case, (1) if the Common Shares of such Person are not at such time and have not been continuously over the preceding 12-month period registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and such Person is a direct or indirect subsidiary or Affiliate of another Person the Common Shares of which are and have been so registered, “Principal Party” shall refer to such other Person; (2) if such Person is a subsidiary, directly or indirectly, or Affiliate of more than one Person, the Common Shares of two or more of which are and have been so registered, “Principal Party” shall refer to whichever of such Persons is the issuer of the Common Shares having the greatest aggregate market value; and (3) if such Person is owned, directly or indirectly, by a joint venture formed by two or more Persons that are not owned, directly or indirectly, by the same Person, the rules set forth in (1) and (2) above shall apply to each of the chains of ownership having an interest in such joint venture as if such party were a “subsidiary” of both or all of such joint venturers and the Principal Parties in each such chain shall bear the obligations set forth in this Section 13 in the same ratio as their direct or indirect interests in such Person bear to the total of such interests.

(c) The Company shall not consummate any such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer unless the Principal Party shall have a sufficient number of authorized Common Shares that have not been issued or reserved for issuance to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with this Section 13 and unless prior thereto the Company and each Principal Party and each other Person who may become a Principal Party as a result of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer shall have (i) executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement providing for the terms set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 13 and (ii)

 

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prepared, filed and had declared and remain effective a registration statement under the Act on the appropriate form with respect to the Rights and the securities exercisable upon exercise of the Rights and further providing that, as soon as practicable after the date of any consolidation, merger, sale or transfer of assets mentioned in paragraph (a) of this Section 13, the Principal Party at its own expense will:

(i) cause the registration statement under the Act with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Act) until the Final Expiration Date;

(ii) use its best efforts to qualify or register the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights under the blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as may be necessary or appropriate;

(iii) list the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on each national securities exchange on which the Common Shares were listed prior to the consummation of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer of assets or on the Nasdaq National Market if the Common Shares were listed on the Nasdaq National Market or, if the Common Shares were not listed on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market prior to the consummation of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer of assets, on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market; and

(iv) deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial statements for the Principal Party and each of its Affiliates which comply in all material respects with the requirements for registration on Form 10 under the Exchange Act.

The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive mergers or consolidations or sales or other transfers.

(d) After the Distribution Date, the Company covenants and agrees that it shall not (i) consolidate with, (ii) merge with or into, or (iii) sell or transfer to, in one or more transactions, assets or earning power aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which does not violate Section 11(m) hereof), if (x) at the time of or after such consolidation, merger or sale there are any charter or bylaw provisions or any rights, warrants or other instruments or securities outstanding, agreements in effect or any other action taken which would diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights or (y) prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after such consolidation, merger or sale, the stockholders of the Person who constitutes, or would constitute, the “Principal Party” for purposes of Section 13(a) hereof shall have received a distribution of Rights previously owned by such Person or any of its Affiliates and Associates. The Company shall not consummate any such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer unless prior thereto the Company and such other Person shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement evidencing compliance with this Section 13(d).

 

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SECTION 14. F RACTIONAL R IGHTS AND F RACTIONAL S HARES .

(a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights or to distribute Right Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Right. For the purposes of this Section 14(a), the current market value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would have been otherwise issuable. The closing price for any day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Rights are listed or admitted to trading or as reported on the Nasdaq National Market or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange or reported on the Nasdaq National Market, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by Nasdaq or such other system then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any such date no such market maker is making a market in the Rights, the fair value of the Rights on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be used.

(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Preferred Shares (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share) upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Preferred Shares (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share). Fractions of Preferred Shares in integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts; provided, however, that holders of such depositary receipts shall have all of the designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of the Preferred Shares represented by such depositary receipts. In lieu of fractional Preferred Shares that are not integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of Right Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one Preferred Share. For the purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value of a Preferred Share shall be the current per share market price of the Preferred Shares (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise (or, if not publicly traded, in accordance with Section 11(d)(ii) hereof).

(c) Following the occurrence of one of the transactions or events specified in Section 11 hereof giving rise to the right to receive Common Shares, capital stock equivalents (other than Preferred Shares) or other securities upon the exercise of a Right, the Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common Shares or units of such Common Shares, capital stock

 

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equivalents or other securities upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Common Shares, capital stock equivalents or other securities. In lieu of fractional Common Shares, capital stock equivalents or other securities, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of Right Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one Common Share or unit of such Common Shares, capital stock equivalents or other securities. For purposes of this Section 14(c), the current market value shall be the current per share market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise and, if such capital stock equivalent is not traded, each such capital stock equivalent shall have the value of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share.

(d) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Right expressly waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares upon exercise of a Right (except as provided above).

SECTION 15. R IGHTS OF A CTION . All rights of action in respect of this Agreement, excepting the rights of action given to the Rights Agent under Sections 18 and 20 hereof, are vested in the respective registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the Common Shares) and any registered holder of any Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), may, in his own behalf and for his own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate in the manner provided in such Right Certificate and in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement and will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of the obligations of any Person subject to, this Agreement. Holders of Rights shall be entitled to recover the reasonable costs and expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred by them in any action to enforce the provisions of this Agreement.

SECTION 16. A GREEMENT OF R IGHT H OLDERS . Every holder of a Right, by accepting the same, consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of a Right that:

(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of the Common Shares;

(b) after the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates are transferable (subject to the provisions of this Rights Agreement) only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at the principal office of the Rights Agent, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer; and

(c) the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name the Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common Shares certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby

 

22.


(notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the Right Certificates or the associated Common Shares certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

SECTION 17. R IGHT C ERTIFICATE H OLDER N OT D EEMED A S TOCKHOLDER . No holder, as such, of any Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Shares or any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Right Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Right Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in Section 25 hereof), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the provisions hereof.

SECTION 18. C ONCERNING THE R IGHTS A GENT . The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, or expense, incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability in the premises. The indemnity provided herein shall survive the expiration of the Rights and the termination of this Agreement.

The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for, or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with, its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Right Certificate or certificate for the Preferred Shares or Common Shares or for other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper person or persons, or otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set forth in Section 20 hereof. In no case will the Rights Agent be liable for special, indirect, incidental or consequential or consequential loss or damage at any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Rights Agent has been advised of such loss or damage.

SECTION 19. M ERGER OR C ONSOLIDATION OR C HANGE OF N AME OF R IGHTS A GENT . Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the shareholder services or corporate trust business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of

 

23.


the parties hereto, provided that such corporation would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21 hereof. In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.

In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and at such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.

SECTION 20. D UTIES OF R IGHTS A GENT . The Rights Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Right Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:

(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel of its choice (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.

(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by any one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.

(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder to the Company and any other Person only for its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Right Certificates (except its countersignature thereof) 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.

 

24.


(e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Right Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Right Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights (including the Rights becoming void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) or any adjustment in the terms of the Rights (including the manner, method or amount thereof) provided for in Sections 3, 11, 13, 23 or 24 hereof, or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such change or adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates after receipt of a certificate pursuant to Section 12 hereof describing such change or adjustment); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Preferred Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Right Certificate or as to whether any Preferred Shares will, when issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.

(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer or for any delay in acting while waiting for those instructions. Any application by the Rights Agent for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Rights Agent, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Rights Agent with respect to its duties or obligations under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or omitted and the Rights Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified therein (which date shall not be less than three Business Days after the date indicated in such application unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to an earlier date) unless, prior to taking or omitting any such action, the Rights Agent has received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

(h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.

(i) 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 attorneys or agents,

 

25.


and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection and continued employment thereof.

(j) 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.

(k) If, with respect to any Right Certificate surrendered to the Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to the form of assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has not been executed, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such requested exercise of transfer without first consulting with the Company.

SECTION 21. C HANGE OF R IGHTS A GENT . The Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon 30 days’ notice in writing mailed to the Company and to each transfer agent for the Common Shares or Preferred Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon 30 days’ notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent for the Common Shares or Preferred Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 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 or by the holder of a Right Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Right Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the registered holder of any Right Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be either (a) a corporation business trust or limited liability company organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any other state of the United States which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust or stock transfer powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million or (b) a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of such an entity or its wholly-owning parent. After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent for the Common Shares or Preferred Shares, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Right Certificates. Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

 

26.


SECTION 22. I SSUANCE OF N EW R IGHT C ERTIFICATES . Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Right Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other securities or property purchasable under the Right Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of Common Shares following the Distribution Date and prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date, the Company (a) shall with respect to Common Shares so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options or under any employee plan or arrangement in existence prior to the Distribution Date, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of securities, notes or debentures issued by the Company and in existence prior to the Distribution Date, and (b) may, in any other case, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company, issue Right Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with such issuance or sale; provided, however, that (i) the Company shall not be obligated to issue any such Right Certificates if, and to the extent that, the Company shall be advised by counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk of material adverse tax consequences to the Company or the Person to whom such Right Certificate would be issued, and (ii) no Right Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.

SECTION 23. R EDEMPTION .

(a) The Rights may be redeemed by action of the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 23(b) hereof and shall not be redeemed in any other manner.

(b)

(i) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time prior to the earlier of such time as any Person becoming an Acquiring Person or the Final Expiration Date, redeem all but not less than all of the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $0.001 per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the “Redemption Price”), and the Company may, at its option, pay the Redemption Price in Common Shares (based on the “current per-share market price,” as such term is defined in Section 11(d) hereof, of the Common Shares at the time of redemption), cash or any other form of consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. The redemption of the Rights by the Board of Directors may be made effective at such time, on such basis and subject to such conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof prior to the expiration or termination of the Company’s right of redemption under this Section 23(b)(i).

(ii) In addition, the Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time after the time a Person becomes an Acquiring Person and the expiration of any period

 

27.


during which the holder of Rights may exercise the rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof but prior to any event described in clause (x), (y) or (z) of the first sentence of Section 13 hereof, redeem all but not less than all of the then outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price (x) in connection with any merger, consolidation or sale or other transfer (in one transaction or in a series of related transactions) of assets or earning power aggregating 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Company and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole) in which all holders of Common Shares are treated alike and not involving (other than as a holder of Common Shares being treated like all other such holders) an Interested Stockholder or a Transaction Person or (y)(A) if and for so long as the Acquiring Person is not thereafter the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the then outstanding Common Shares, and (B) at the time of redemption no other Persons are Acquiring Persons.

(c) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights pursuant to Section 23(b) hereof, and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such redemption; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, any such notice shall not affect the validity of such redemption. Within 10 days after such action of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights pursuant to Section 23(b) hereof, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption to all the holders of the then outstanding Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares, provided, however, that failure to give, or any defect in, any such notice shall not affect the validity of such redemption. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of redemption will state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made. Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates or Associates may redeem, acquire or purchase for value any Rights at any time in any manner other than that specifically set forth in this Section 23 or in Section 24 hereof, and other than in connection with the purchase of Common Shares prior to the Distribution Date.

(d) The Company may, at its option, discharge all of its obligations with respect to any redemption of the Rights by (i) issuing a press release announcing the manner of redemption of the Rights and (ii) mailing payment of the Redemption Price to the registered holders of the Rights at their last addresses as they appear on the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares, and upon such action, all outstanding Right Certificates shall be null and void without any further action by the Company.

SECTION 24. E XCHANGE .

(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, exchange all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not include Rights that have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) for Common Shares at an exchange ratio of one Common Share per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such exchange ratio being hereinafter referred to as

 

28.


the “Exchange Ratio”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors shall not be empowered to effect such exchange at any time after any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any such Subsidiary, or any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan), together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding.

(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to Section 24(a) hereof and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of such Rights shall be to receive that number of Common Shares equal to the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such exchange; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such exchange. The Company promptly shall mail a notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such exchange. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the Common Shares for Rights will be effected and, in the event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights which will be exchanged. Any partial exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than Rights which have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) held by each holder of Rights.

(c) In lieu of issuing Common Shares in accordance with Section 24(a) hereof, the Company may, if a majority of the Board of Directors then in office determines that such action is necessary or appropriate and not contrary to the interests of the holders of Rights, elect to (and, in the event that there are not sufficient treasury shares and authorized but unissued Common Shares to permit any exchange of the Rights in accordance with Section 24(a) hereof, the Company shall) take all such action as may be necessary to authorize, issue or pay, upon the exchange of the Rights, cash (including by way of a reduction of the Purchase Price), property, Common Shares, other securities or any combination thereof having an aggregate value equal to the value of the Common Shares which otherwise would have been issuable pursuant to Section 24(a) hereof, which aggregate value shall be determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the value of the Common Shares shall be determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof. Any election pursuant to this Section 24(c) by the Board of Directors must be made within 60 days following the date on which the event described in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall have occurred. Following the occurrence on the event described in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, a majority of the Board of Directors then in office may suspend the exercisability of the Rights for a period of up to 60 days following the date on which the event described in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall have occurred to the extent that such directors have not determined whether to exercise their rights of election under this Section 24(c). In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended.

 

29.


(d) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common Shares or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Common Shares. In lieu of such fractional Common Shares, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Common Shares would otherwise be issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Common Share. For the purposes of this Section 24(d), the current market value of a whole Common Share shall be the closing price of a Common Share (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately after the date of the first public announcement by the Company that an exchange is to be effected pursuant to this Section 24.

(e) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Preferred Shares (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share) upon exchange of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Preferred Shares (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share). Fractions of Preferred Shares in integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts; provided, however, that holders of such depositary receipts shall have all of the designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of the Preferred Shares represented by such depositary receipts. In lieu of fractional Preferred Shares that are not integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of Right Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one Preferred Share. For the purposes of this Section 24(e), the current market value of a Preferred Share shall be one hundred (100) times the closing price of a Common Share (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately after the date of the first public announcement by the Company that an exchange is to be effected pursuant to this Section 24.

SECTION 25. N OTICE OF C ERTAIN E VENTS .

(a) In case the Company shall propose (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the holders of its Preferred Shares or to make any other distribution to the holders of its Preferred Shares (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend), (ii) to offer to the holders of its Preferred Shares rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional Preferred Shares or shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or options, (iii) to effect any reclassification of its Preferred Shares (other than a reclassification involving only the subdivision of outstanding Preferred Shares), (iv) to effect any consolidation or merger into or with, or to effect any sale or other transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale or other transfer), in one or more transactions, of 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole), to any other Person, (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or (vi) to declare or pay any dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or to effect a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Shares (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common Shares), then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the record date for the purpose of such stock dividend, or distribution of rights or warrants, or the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale,

 

30.


transfer, liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common Shares and/or the Preferred Shares, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the case of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least 10 days prior to the record date for determining holders of the Preferred Shares for purposes of such action, and in the case of any such other action, at least 10 days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common Shares and/or the Preferred Shares, whichever shall be the earlier.

(b) In case the event set forth in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall occur, then the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of the occurrence of such event, which notice shall describe the event and the consequences of the event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

SECTION 26. N OTICES . Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Right Certificate to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:

C ERUS C ORPORATION

2411 Stanwell Drive

Concord, CA 94520

Attention: Corporate Secretary

Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, any notice or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Right Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:

W ELLS F ARGO B ANK MN, N.A.

(formerly N ORWEST B ANK M INNESOTA , N.A)

161 North Concord Exchange Street

South St. Paul, MN 55075-0738

Attn: Michael G. Gaughran

Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Right Certificate shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry books of the Company.

SECTION 27. S UPPLEMENTS AND A MENDMENTS . Prior to the Distribution Date, the Company and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend any provision of this Agreement without the approval of any holders of the Rights. From and after the Distribution Date, the Company and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, from time to time supplement or amend any provision of this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Right Certificates in order to (i) cure any ambiguity, (ii) correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions

 

31.


herein, or (iii) change any other provisions with respect to the Rights which the Company may deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that no such supplement or amendment shall be made which would adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights (other than the interests of an Acquiring Person or its Affiliates or Associates). Any supplement or amendment adopted during any period after any Person has become an Acquiring Person but prior to the Distribution Date shall become null and void unless such supplement or amendment could have been adopted by the Company from and after the Distribution Date. Any such supplement or amendment shall be evidenced by a writing signed by the Company and the Rights Agent. Upon delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company which states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 27, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment unless the Rights Agent shall have determined in good faith that such supplement or amendment would adversely affect its interest under this Agreement. Prior to the Distribution Date, the interests of the holders of Rights shall be deemed coincident with the interests of the holders of Common Shares.

SECTION 28. D ETERMINATION AND A CTIONS BY THE B OARD OF D IRECTORS , E TC . For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of Common Shares outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of determining the particular percentage of such outstanding Common Shares or any other securities of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with the last sentence of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of this Agreement. The Board of Directors of the Company shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board, or the Company, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this Agreement, and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Agreement (including a determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend the Agreement). All such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with respect to the foregoing) which are done or made by the Board in good faith, shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights, and (y) not subject the Board to any liability to the holders of the Rights.

SECTION 29. S UCCESSORS . All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

SECTION 30. B ENEFITS OF THIS A GREEMENT . Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any person or corporation other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares).

SECTION 31. S EVERABILITY . If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

 

32.


SECTION 32. G OVERNING L AW . This Agreement and each Right Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such State.

SECTION 33. C OUNTERPARTS . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

SECTION 34. D ESCRIPTIVE H EADINGS . Descriptive headings of the several Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

 

33.


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , parties whereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

A TTEST :    C ERUS C ORPORATION

/s/ Lori Roll

  

/s/ Stephen T. Isaacs

Lori Roll    Stephen T. Isaacs
Secretary    President and CEO
A TTEST :    W ELLS F ARGO B ANK , MN, N.A.
      (formerly N ORWEST B ANK M INNESOTA , N.A.)
By:   

Illegible

   By:   

Illegible

         Accounts Manager
Title:   

Vice President

     

 

34.


FORM OF

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION

OF

SERIES C JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

(E XHIBIT A TO R IGHTS A GREEMENT )

(Pursuant to Section 151 of the

Delaware General Corporation Law)

C ERUS C ORPORATION , a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the “Company”), hereby certifies that the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation as required by Section 151 of the General Corporation Law at a meeting duly called and held on November 3, 1999:

R ESOLVED , that pursuant to the authority granted to and vested in the Board of Directors of the Company in accordance with the provisions of its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors hereby creates a series of Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company and hereby states the designation and number of shares, and fixes the relative designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof (in addition to the provisions set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, which are applicable to the Preferred Stock of all classes and series), as follows:

Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock:

Section 1. Designation and Amount . Two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) shares of Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, are designated “Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock” with the designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions specified herein (the “Junior Preferred Stock”). Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Junior Preferred Stock to a number less than the number of shares then outstanding plus the number of shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options, rights or warrants or upon the conversion of any outstanding securities issued by the Company convertible into Junior Preferred Stock.

 

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Section 2. Dividends and Distributions .

 

  (A) Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of any series of Preferred Stock (or any similar stock) ranking prior and superior to the Junior Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of Junior Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company, and of any other junior stock, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the first day of April, July, October and January in each year (each such date being referred to herein as a “Quarterly Dividend Payment Date”), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Junior Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $l.00 or (b) subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 100 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 100 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions, other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Junior Preferred Stock. In the event the Company shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the amount to which holders of shares of Junior Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

 

  (B) The Company shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Junior Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A) of this Section immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock); provided , that in the event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared on the Common Stock during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $1.00 per share on the Junior Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be payable on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.

 

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  (C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Junior Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Junior Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Junior Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of Junior Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

Section 3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Junior Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

 

  (A) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each share of Junior Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to 100 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company. In the event the Company shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the number of votes per share to which holders of shares of Junior Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

 

  (B) Except as otherwise provided herein, in any other Certificate of Designation creating a series of Preferred Stock or any similar stock, or by law, the holders of shares of Junior Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock and any other capital stock of the Company having general voting rights shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Company.

 

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  (C) Except as set forth herein, or as otherwise provided by law, holders of Junior Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.

Section 4. Certain Restrictions.

 

  (A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Junior Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Junior Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Company shall not:

 

  (i) declare or pay dividends, or make any other distributions, on any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Junior Preferred Stock;

 

  (ii) declare or pay dividends, or make any other distributions, on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Junior Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Junior Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then entitled;

 

  (iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of any stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Junior Preferred Stock, provided that the Company may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such junior stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the Company ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Junior Preferred Stock; or

 

  (iv) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Junior Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Junior Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

 

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  (B) The Company shall not permit any subsidiary of the Company to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Company unless the Company could, under paragraph (A) of this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.

Section 5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Junior Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and cancelled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein, in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or in any other Certificate of Designation creating a series of Preferred Stock or any similar stock or as otherwise required by law.

Section 6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, no distribution shall be made (1) to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Junior Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Junior Preferred Stock shall have received $100 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment, provided that the holders of shares of Junior Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive an aggregate amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 100 times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of shares of Common Stock, or (2) to the holders of shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Junior Preferred Stock, except distributions made ratably on the Junior Preferred Stock and all such parity stock in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In the event the Company shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the aggregate amount to which holders of shares of Junior Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under the proviso in clause (1) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

Section 7. Consolidation, Merger, Etc. In case the Company shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash

 

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and/or any other property, then in any such case each share of Junior Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed into an amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 100 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged. In the event the Company shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to the exchange or change of shares of Junior Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

Section 8. No Redemption. The shares of Junior Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable.

Section 9. Rank. The Junior Preferred Stock shall rank, with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, junior to all series of any other class of the Company’s Preferred Stock (including the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock notwithstanding any provisions of the Certificate of Designation of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company to the contrary).

Section 10. Amendment. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company shall not be amended in any manner which would materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Junior Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Junior Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class.

 

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I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the undersigned have executed this certificate as of November 3, 1999.

 

/s/ Stephen T. Isaacs

Stephen T. Isaacs
President and CEO

/s/ Lori Roll

Lori Roll
Secretary

 

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FORM OF RIGHT CERTIFICATE

(Exhibit B to Rights Agreement)

 

Certificate No. R-                Rights

NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER NOVEMBER 3, 2009 OR EARLIER IF REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE OCCURS. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT $.001 PER RIGHT AND TO EXCHANGE ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.

RIGHT CERTIFICATE

CERUS CORPORATION

This certifies that              or registered assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, dated as of November 3, 1999 and amended as of August 6, 2001 (the “Rights Agreement”), between C ERUS C ORPORATION , a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and W ELLS F ARGO B ANK MN, N.A., ( formerly N ORWEST B ANK M INNESOTA , N.A.) (the “Rights Agent”), to purchase from the Company at any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time, on November 3, 2009 at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or at the office of its successor as Rights Agent, one one-hundredth of a fully paid non-assessable share of Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Preferred Shares”), of the Company, at a purchase price of $170 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (the “Purchase Price”), upon presentation and surrender of this Right Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase duly executed. The number of Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate (and the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share which may be purchased upon exercise hereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of November 3, 1999, based on the Preferred Shares as constituted at such date.

From and after the time any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), if the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), (ii) a transferee of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or (iii) under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, a transferee of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such, such Rights shall become null and void without any further action and no holder hereof shall have any right with respect to such Rights from and after the time any Person becomes an Acquiring Person.

 

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As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share which may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events.

This Right Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, as amended from time to time, which terms, provisions and conditions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Right Certificates. Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal executive offices of the Company and the above-mentioned offices of the Rights Agent.

This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates, upon surrender at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of Preferred Shares as the Rights evidenced by the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase. If this Right Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right Certificate or Right Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.

Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by this Certificate (i) may be redeemed by the Company at a redemption price of $.001 per Right or (ii) may be exchanged in whole or in part for shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, or, upon circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement, cash, property or other securities of the Company, including fractions of a share of Preferred Stock.

No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts) but in lieu thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.

No holder of this Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Shares or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.

This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.

 

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W ITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and its corporate seal. Dated as of             .

 

A TTEST :     C ERUS C ORPORATION
           
[Signing Company Secretary’s Name]     [Signing Company Secretary’s Name]
[Title]     [Title]
C OUNTERSIGNED :    

W ELLS F ARGO B ANK MN, N.A.

   

(formerly N ORWEST B ANK M INNESOTA , N.A.)

as Rights Agent

   
By:  

 

   
[Authorized Signature]    

 

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FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

(To be executed by the registered holder if such

holder desires to transfer the Right Certificate.)

F OR V ALUE R ECEIVED                                                                               hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

 

 

 

(Please print name and address of transferee)

                                                                                                                                                                                     this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                                          Attorney, to transfer the within Right Certificate on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution.

Dated:                     

 

 

Signature

 

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S IGNATURE M EDALLION G UARANTEED :

Signatures must be medallion guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” as defined in Rule 17Ad-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

The undersigned hereby certifies that (1) the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are not being sold, assigned or transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person, an Interested Stockholder or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement); and (2) after due inquiry and to the best of the knowledge of the undersigned, the undersigned did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate from any Person who is or was an Acquiring Person, an Interested Stockholder, or an Affiliate or Associate thereof.

 

 

Signature

 

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FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE

(To be executed if holder desires to exercise

Rights represented by the Right Certificate.)

 

To Wells Fargo Bank, MN, N.A.:

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise                                          Rights represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the Preferred Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for such Preferred Shares be issued in the name of:

Please insert social security

or other identifying number:                     

 

 

 

(Please print name and address)

 

 

 

If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the balance remaining of such Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:

Please insert social security

or other identifying number:                     

 

 

 

(Please print name and address)

 

 

 

Dated:                     

 

 

Signature

 

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S IGNATURE M EDALLION G UARANTEED :

Signatures must be medallion guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” as defined in Rule 17Ad-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

The undersigned hereby certifies that (1) the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are not beneficially owned by nor are they being exercised on behalf of an Acquiring Person, an Interested Stockholder or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement); and (2) after due inquiry and to the best of the knowledge of the undersigned, the undersigned did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate from any Person who is or was an Acquiring Person, an Interested Stockholder, or an Affiliate or Associate thereof.

 

 

Signature

 

 

NOTICE

The signature in the Form of Assignment or Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, must conform to the name as written upon the face of this Right Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

In the event the certification set forth above in the Form of Assignment or the Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, is not completed, the Company and the Rights Agent will deem the beneficial owner of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and such Assignment or Election to Purchase will not be honored.

 

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CERUS CORPORATION

SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE

PREFERRED SHARES

(Exhibit C to Rights Plan)

On November 3, 1999, the Board of Directors of C ERUS C ORPORATION (the “Company”) declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of common stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Common Shares”), of the Company. The dividend is effective as of November 23, 1999 (the “Record Date”) with respect to the stockholders of record on that date. The Rights will also attach to new Common Shares issued after the Record Date. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Preferred Shares”), of the Company at a price of $170 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (the “Purchase Price”), subject to adjustment. Each Preferred Share is designed to be the economic equivalent of 100 Common Shares. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of November 3, 1999 (the “Rights Agreement”), between the Company Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A. (the “Rights Agent”).

D ETACHMENT AND T RANSFER OF R IGHTS

Initially, the Rights will be evidenced by the stock certificates representing Common Shares then outstanding, and no separate Right Certificates will be distributed. Until the earlier to occur of (i) a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons, has become an “Acquiring Person” (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) or (ii) 10 business days (or such later date as the Board may determine) following the commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer which would result in the beneficial ownership by an Acquiring Person of 15% or more of the outstanding Common Shares (the earlier of such dates being called the “Distribution Date”), the Rights will be evidenced, with respect to any of the Common Share certificates outstanding as of the Record Date, by such Common Share certificate. In general, an “Acquiring Person” is a person, the affiliates or associates of such person, or a group, which has acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding Common Shares; provided that certain “Excluded Stockholders” as defined in the Rights Agreement may have greater beneficial ownership without becoming an “Acquiring Person”.

The Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the Rights will be transferable with and only with the Common Shares. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Common Share certificates issued after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuance of Common Shares will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights) the surrender or transfer of any certificates for Common Shares outstanding as of the Record Date, even without such notation or a copy of this Summary of Rights being attached thereto, will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by such certificate. As soon as

 

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practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights (“Right Certificates”) will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Shares as of the close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.

E XERCISABILITY OF R IGHTS

The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The Rights will expire on November 3, 2009 (the “Final Expiration Date”), unless the Final Expiration Date is extended or unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company, in each case as described below. Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.

The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Preferred Shares or other securities or property issuable or payable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution. The number of outstanding Rights and the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share issuable upon exercise of each Right are also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split of the Common Shares or a stock dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares, or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the Common Shares occurring, in any such case, prior to the Distribution Date. With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in such Purchase Price. No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts) and in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Preferred Shares on the last trading day prior to the date of exercise.

T ERMS OF P REFERRED S HARES

Preferred Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be redeemable. Each Preferred Share will be entitled to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment of $l per share but will be entitled to an aggregate dividend of 100 times the dividend declared per Common Share. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Preferred Shares will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $100 per share but will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 100 times the payment made per Common Share. Each Preferred Share will have 100 votes, voting together with the Common Shares. Finally, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which Common Shares are exchanged, each Preferred Share will be entitled to receive 100 times the amount received per Common Share. These rights are protected by customary anti-dilution provisions. Because of the nature of the Preferred Shares’ dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the value of the one one-hundredth interest in a Preferred Share purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate the value of one Common Share. The Preferred Shares would rank junior to any other series of the Company’s preferred stock.

 

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T RIGGER OF F LIP -I N AND F LIP -O VER R IGHTS

In the event that any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person or any affiliate or associate thereof (which will thereafter be void), will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise that number of Common Shares having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. This right will commence on the date of public announcement that a person has become an Acquiring Person (or the effective date of a registration statement relating to distribution of the rights, if later) and terminate 60 days later (subject to adjustment in the event exercise of the rights is enjoined). At the time the rights flip in, they no longer represent the right to purchase Preferred Shares.

In the event that the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold to an Acquiring Person, its affiliates or associates or certain other persons in which such persons have an interest, proper provision will be made so that each such holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction will have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.

R EDEMPTION AND E XCHANGE OF R IGHTS

At any time prior to the earliest of (i) the close of business on the day of the first public announcement that a person has become an Acquiring Person, or (ii) the Final Expiration Date, the Board of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.001 per Right (the “Redemption Price”). In general, the redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish. Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price.

At any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person and prior to the acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Shares, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such person or group which will have become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one Common Share, or, under circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement, cash, property or other securities of the Company, including fractions of a Preferred Share (or of a share of a class or series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions), per Right (with value equal to such Common Shares).

A MENDMENT OF R IGHTS

The terms of the Rights generally may be amended by the Board of Directors of the Company without the consent of the holders of the Rights, except that from and after such time as the Rights are distributed no such amendment may adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Rights (excluding the interest of any Acquiring Person).

 

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A DDITIONAL I NFORMATION

A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 3, 1999. A copy of the Rights Agreement is available from the Company by writing to: Cerus Corporation, 2525 Stanwell Drive, Suite 300, Concord, CA 94520, Attention: Corporate Secretary. This summary description of the Rights is not intended to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Exhibit 10.42

May 1, 2009

Kevin Green

 

 

Dear Kevin ,

Congratulations! On behalf of Cerus, it is a pleasure to offer you the new position of Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer (“CAO”).

You were chosen for this position because of your qualifications, proven performance in your current role and your contributions to Cerus. You were also offered this position because of Cerus’ strong commitment for providing employees with learning and career opportunities whenever possible.

As we discussed, this amended and restated letter agreement (the “Agreement”) sets forth the terms and conditions of your continued employment with Cerus Corporation (“Cerus” or the “Company”). This Agreement supersedes and replaces the letter agreement dated December 23, 2008, which shall have no further force or effect.

Position, Duties and Reporting Relationship

You will serve in an executive capacity and shall perform the duties of Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer (“CAO”). You will work out of the Company’s headquarters in Concord, California. In this position, you will report to Claes Glassell, President and Chief Executive Officer. As CAO, your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, investor relations, financial community relations, financial analysis, planning and long range projections, other business financings and overall financial responsibilities. The Company may modify your position, duties, reporting relationship and work location from time to time at its discretion.

Base Salary and Bonus Compensation

Beginning May 1, 2009, your annual base salary will be $220,000, less standard payroll deductions and withholdings and paid semi-monthly in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll schedule. You are eligible to participate in the Company’s Cash Bonus Plan for Senior Management of Cerus Corporation (the “Bonus Plan”), in accordance with the terms, conditions and limitations of the plan. Annual bonuses are not guaranteed and such bonuses, if any, are awarded at the sole discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors (“Board”). As provided in the Bonus Plan, you must remain employed through the date the bonus is paid in order to earn and be eligible to receive a bonus; no pro rata or partial bonuses will be provided. The Board shall have the sole discretion to change or eliminate the annual bonus program at any time, and to determine the amount of bonus earned, if any. The Company may modify your compensation from time to time as it deems necessary.


Employee Benefits and Vacation Accrual Rate

Subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the Company’s benefit plans, you are eligible to participate in Cerus’ standard employee benefits plans which include employer-subsidized medical, dental and vision care coverage, long term disability insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan gives employees an opportunity to obtain an equity position in Cerus Corporation at a favorable price. Beginning on May 1, 2009, you will accrue paid vacation at a rate of 13.33 hours per month (an annual rate of four (4) weeks per year). Cerus may modify benefits and vacation accrual rate from time to time as it deems necessary.

Stock Option Grant

Subject to approval by the Board, on May 1, 2009, you will receive a stock option to purchase fifty thousand (50,000) shares of the Company’s Common Stock pursuant to the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of such shares at the time of grant as determined by the Board (the “Option”). These Options shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and your Option agreement, which will include the following four-year vesting schedule subject to your continued employment with the Company: one eighth (1/8 th ) of the shares subject to the Options shall vest six (6) months after the vesting commencement date, and one forty-eighth (1/48 th ) of the shares subject to the Option shall vest on the first day of each month thereafter.

At-Will Employment Relationship

Your employment relationship is terminable at-will. This means that either you or the Company can terminate your employment at any time, with or without Cause (defined below), and with or without advance notice. In the event that you resign from your employment, we request that you provide at least two (2) weeks advance written notice. This at-will employment relationship can only be changed in a written agreement approved by the Board and signed by you and a duly authorized member of the Board.

Severance Benefits

In the event that the Company terminates your employment without Cause, (and other than as a result of your death or Disability (as defined below)) and such termination constitutes a “separation from service” (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)), and subject to your delivery to the Company of an executed release and waiver of claims in the form as the Company may require (the “Release”), within the time period set forth therein, but in no event later than forty-five days following your termination, and permitting such Release to become effective in accordance with its terms, then you will receive the following severance benefits, as your sole severance benefits (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”):

(a) six (6) months of your base salary in effect as of the termination date, less required deductions and withholdings, paid in the form of salary continuation on the Company’s standard payroll dates following termination; provided, however, no such payments will be made prior to the effective date of the Release, and on the first regular payroll date following the effective date of the Release, the Company will pay you in a lump sum the amount of the salary continuation you would have otherwise received on and prior to such date but for the delay due to the Release, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule;


(b) provided that you timely elect continued group health insurance coverage through federal COBRA law, the Company will pay your COBRA premiums sufficient to continue your group health insurance coverage at the same level in effect as of your termination date for six (6) months after your termination or until you become eligible for group health insurance coverage through a new employer or otherwise cease to be eligible for COBRA coverage, whichever occurs first (you remain responsible for paying the employee share of such benefits); and

(c) accelerated vesting of any unvested shares subject to any outstanding stock option grants such that all shares subject to your stock options will be fully vested and immediately exercisable effective as of the employment termination date.

For the purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” for termination shall mean the Company’s termination of your employment for any of the following reasons: (a) you are convicted of any felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude (including a no contest or guilty plea); (b) you participate in any fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company; (c) you willfully breach your duties to the Company, including insubordination, misconduct, excessive absenteeism, or persistent unsatisfactory performance of job duties; (d) you intentionally damage or willfully misappropriate any property of the Company; (e) you materially breach any written agreement with the Company (including, but not limited to, your Proprietary Information Agreement); or (f) you engage in conduct that demonstrates unfitness to serve as determined by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to a termination for Cause falling within (c) and (f) of the foregoing Cause definition, the Company must provide you with written notice of your unsatisfactory conduct and a period of thirty (30) days to cure such conduct, except that such written notice and opportunity to cure are not required if the conduct is not capable of being cured. In the event that your employment is terminated for Cause or your employment terminates at your request for any reason, Cerus shall have no obligation to pay any Severance Benefits.

For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean your inability to perform your duties under this Agreement, even with reasonable accommodation, because you have become permanently disabled within the meaning of any policy of disability income insurance covering employees of the Company then in force. In the event the Company has no policy of disability income insurance covering employees of the Company in force


when you become disabled, the term “Disability” shall mean your inability to perform your duties under this Agreement, whether with or without reasonable accommodation, by reason of any incapacity, physical or mental, which the Board, based upon medical advice or an opinion provided by a licensed physician acceptable to the Board, determines to have incapacitated you from satisfactorily performing all of your usual services for the Company, with or without reasonable accommodation, for a period of at least nine (9) consecutive months during any twelve (12) month period. Based upon such medical advice or opinion, the determination of the Board shall be final and binding and the date such determination is made shall be the date of such Disability for purposes of this Agreement.

Change of Control Benefits

You are eligible to participate in Cerus’ Change of Control Severance Benefit Plan, approved by the Compensation Committee on September 15, 2005 and amended by the Board of Directors on December 11, 2008. (A copy of the Change of Control Severance Benefit Plan is attached as Exhibit A)

Compliance with Company Policies; Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement

As a Company employee, you are expected to abide by Company policies and procedures and acknowledge in writing that you have read and will comply with the Company’s Employee Handbook. Furthermore, you must read, sign and comply with the enclosed Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement (the “Proprietary Information Agreement”) as a condition of your employment.

Miscellaneous

This Agreement, together with your Proprietary Information Agreement, forms the complete and exclusive statement of your employment agreement with Cerus. It supersedes any other agreements or promises made to you by anyone, whether oral or written, including but not limited to the December 23, 2008 letter agreement. Changes in your employment terms, other than those changes expressly reserved to the Company’s or Board’s discretion in this letter, require a written modification signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company. Each party has carefully read this Agreement, has been afforded the opportunity to be advised of its meaning and consequences by your or its respective attorneys, and signs the same of your or its own free will. This Agreement can be signed in counterparts, and facsimile signatures shall be deemed equivalent to original signatures. As required by law, your employment is subject to satisfactory proof of your right to work in the United States.

Please sign below to indicate your acceptance of these terms and conditions of your employment relationship. We look forward to your favorable reply and to a productive and exciting work relationship.


Sincerely,

/s/    Lori L. Roll

Lori L. Roll on behalf of Claes Glassell
President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Approved and Accepted  

/s/    Kevin Green

    Date   5/1/09
  Kevin Green    


E XHIBIT A

CERUS CORPORATION

CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE BENEFIT PLAN

A PPROVED BY C OMPENSATION C OMMITTEE ON : S EPTEMBER  15, 2005

A MENDED BY B OARD OF D IRECTORS ON : D ECEMBER  11, 2008

Section 1. I NTRODUCTION .

The purpose of the Cerus Corporation Change of Control Severance Benefit Plan (the “Plan”) is to provide for the payment of severance benefits to certain eligible employees of Cerus Corporation (the “Company”) whose employment with the Company is terminated following a Change of Control. This Plan shall supersede any severance benefit plan (other than the Cerus Corporation Severance Benefit Plan), policy or practice previously maintained by the Company. This Plan document also is the Summary Plan Description for the Plan.

Section 2. D EFINITIONS .

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms are defined as follows:

(a) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(b) “Cause” means any of the following:

(i) the Eligible Employee is convicted of any felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude (including a no contest or guilty plea);

(ii) the Eligible Employee participates in any fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company;

(iii) the Eligible Employee willfully breaches the Eligible Employee’s duties to the Company, including insubordination, misconduct, excessive absenteeism, or persistent unsatisfactory performance of job duties;

(iv) the Eligible Employee intentionally damages or willfully misappropriates any property of the Company;

(v) the Eligible Employee materially breaches any written agreement with the Company (including, but not limited to, the Eligible Employee’s Proprietary Information Agreement); or

(vi) the Eligible Employee engages in conduct that demonstrates unfitness to serve as reasonably determined by the Board.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to a termination for Cause falling within (iii) or (vi) of the foregoing Cause definition, the Board must provide the Eligible Employee with written notice of the Eligible Employee’s unsatisfactory conduct and a period of thirty (30) days to cure such conduct, except that such written notice and opportunity to cure are not required if the conduct is not capable of being cured.

(c) “Change of Control” is defined as one or more of the following events:

(i) a sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;

(ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or

(iii) a reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the holders of the Company’s outstanding voting stock immediately prior to such transaction own, immediately after the closing of the transaction, securities representing less than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of the Company or other surviving entity.

(d) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(e) “Company” means Cerus Corporation or, following a Change of Control, the surviving entity resulting from such transaction.

(f) “Continuation Period” means the first twelve (12) months following the Covered Termination date.

(g) “Covered Termination” means termination by the Company without Cause (and other than as a result of the employee’s death or disability) or a Good Reason Resignation, either of which occurs on or within twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Change of Control and provided such termination constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).

(h) “Eligible Employee” means an executive employee of the Company who has been designated by the Board in writing as an eligible employee, and whose employment with the Company terminates due to a Covered Termination.

(i) “Good Reason Resignation” means a voluntary termination of employment by an Eligible Employee from all positions he or she then-holds with the Company on or within twelve (12) months after a Change of Control because the Change of Control resulted in one of the following without the Eligible Employee’s express written consent:

(i) a relocation of the Eligible Employee’s assigned office more than forty-five (45) miles from its location immediately prior to the Change of Control;

(ii) a material decrease in the Eligible Employee’s base salary (except for salary decreases generally applicable to the Company’s other executive employees); or

 

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(iii) a material reduction in the scope of the Eligible Employee’s duties and responsibilities from the Eligible Employee’s duties and responsibilities in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Good Reason Resignation” shall only occur if: (a) the Eligible Employee notifies the Company in writing, within sixty (60) days after the occurrence of one of the foregoing events, specifying the event(s) constituting “good reason” and that he or she intends to terminate his or her employment no earlier than thirty (30) days after providing such notice; (b) the Company does not cure such condition within thirty (30) days following its receipt of such notice or states unequivocally in writing that it does not intend to attempt to cure such condition; and (c) the Eligible Employee resigns from employment within thirty (30) days following the end of the period within which the Company was entitled to remedy the condition constituting “good reason” but failed to do so.

Section 3. E LIGIBILITY F OR B ENEFITS .

(a) General Rules. Subject to the requirement set forth in this Section, the Company will provide the severance benefits described in Section 4 of the Plan to Eligible Employees.

(b) Exceptions to Benefit Entitlement. An employee, whether or not otherwise an Eligible Employee, will not receive benefits under the Plan in any of the following circumstances, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion:

(i) The employee has executed an individually negotiated employment contract or agreement with the Company relating to severance benefits or change of control benefits that is in effect on his or her termination date.

(ii) The employee’s employment with the Company is involuntarily terminated by the Company for Cause.

(iii) The employee voluntarily terminates employment with the Company and such termination does not constitute a Good Reason Resignation. Voluntary terminations include, but are not limited to, resignation, retirement or failure to return from a leave of absence on the scheduled date.

(iv) The employee voluntarily terminates employment with the Company in order to accept employment with another entity that is wholly or partly owned (directly or indirectly) by the Company or an affiliate of the Company.

(v) The employee has failed to execute or has revoked the release described in Section 5(a).

(vi) The employee is offered immediate reemployment by a successor to the Company or by a purchaser of its assets, as the case may be, following a change in ownership of the Company or a sale of all or substantially all the assets of a division or business unit of the Company. For purposes of the foregoing, “immediate reemployment” means that the employee’s employment with the successor to the Company or the purchaser of its assets, as the case may be, results in uninterrupted employment such that the employee does not suffer a lapse in pay as a result of the change in ownership of the Company or the sale of its assets.

 

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Section 4. A MOUNT O F B ENEFIT .

(a) Base Salary. The Company shall make a lump sum cash severance payment to the Eligible Employee in an amount equal to twelve (12) months of such Eligible Employee’s Base Salary. This lump sum cash severance payment will be paid on the 60 th day following the Eligible Employee’s termination date. For purposes of calculating Plan benefits under this Section 4, “Base Salary” shall mean the Eligible Employee’s annual base pay (excluding incentive pay, premium pay, commissions, overtime, bonuses and other forms of variable compensation), at the rate in effect during the last regularly scheduled payroll period immediately preceding the date of the Eligible Employee’s Covered Termination, ignoring, however, any reduction in base salary that forms the basis of the Eligible Employee’s resignation for Good Reason (as applicable).

(b) Continued Insurance Benefits . Provided that the Eligible Employee elects continued coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”), the Company shall pay the portion of premiums of the Eligible Employee’s group medical, dental and vision coverage, including coverage for the Eligible Employee’s eligible dependents, that the Company paid prior to the Covered Termination, for the Continuation Period or such earlier date that the Eligible Employee (or his or her dependents) ceases to be eligible for such coverage. In addition, in no event will such premium payments be made following the date that the Eligible Employee becomes eligible for group medical, dental or vision coverage through a subsequent employer. The Eligible Employee shall be required to notify the Company immediately if the Eligible Employee becomes eligible to be covered by a group medical, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer. No provision of this Plan will affect the continuation coverage rules under COBRA, except that the Company’s payment of any applicable insurance premiums during the Continuation Period will be credited as payment by the Eligible Employee for purposes of the Eligible Employee’s payment required under COBRA. Therefore, the period during which an Eligible Employee may elect whether or not to continue the Company’s group medical, dental or vision coverage under COBRA, the length of time during which COBRA continuation coverage will be made available to the Eligible Employee, and all other rights and obligations of the Eligible Employee under COBRA will be applied in the same manner that such rules would apply in the absence of this Plan. At the conclusion of the Continuation Period, the Eligible Employee will be responsible for the entire payment of premiums required under COBRA for the duration of the COBRA continuation period. For purposes of this Section 4(b), (i) references to COBRA shall be deemed to refer also to analogous provisions of state law and (ii) any applicable insurance premiums that are paid by the Company during the Continuation Period shall not include any amounts payable by the Eligible Employee under an Internal Revenue Code Section 125 health care reimbursement plan, which amounts, if any, are the sole responsibility of the Eligible Employee.

(c) Acceleration of Vesting. Effective as of the date of the Covered Termination, the vesting and exercisability of all options to purchase the Company’s stock that are held by the Eligible Employee on such date shall be accelerated in full, and any stock options then-held by the Eligible Employee shall remain exercisable by the Eligible Employee for three (3) months following such date or for such longer period as may be provided by the agreement evidencing such options, but in no event beyond the expiration date of such options.

 

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Section 5. L IMITATIONS ON B ENEFITS .

(a) Release. To receive benefits under this Plan, an Eligible Employee must execute and return to the Company a release of claims in favor of the Company, in substantially the form attached to this Plan as Exhibit A, Exhibit B or Exhibit C (the “Release” ) no later than forty-five (45) days following the Eligible Employee’s termination of employment, and such Release must become effective in accordance with its terms.

(b) Certain Reductions and Offsets. The Company, in its sole discretion, shall reduce an Eligible Employee’s severance benefits under this Plan, in whole or in part, by any other severance benefits, pay in lieu of notice, or other similar benefits payable to the Eligible Employee by the Company that become payable in connection with the Eligible Employee’s termination of employment pursuant to (i) any applicable legal requirement, including, without limitation, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the “WARN Act”), (ii) a written employment or severance agreement with the Company, or (iii) any Company policy or practice providing for the Eligible Employee to remain on the payroll for a limited period of time after being given notice of the termination of the Eligible Employee’s employment. The benefits provided under this Plan are intended to satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, any and all statutory obligations that may arise out of an Eligible Employee’s termination of employment, and the Plan Administrator shall so construe and implement the terms of the Plan. In the Company’s sole discretion, such reductions may be applied on a retroactive basis, with severance benefits previously paid being recharacterized as payments pursuant to the Company’s statutory obligation.

(c) Mitigation. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein with respect to COBRA coverage, an Eligible Employee shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment provided under this Plan by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment provided for under this Plan be reduced by any compensation earned by an Eligible Employee as a result of employment by another employer or any retirement benefits received by such Eligible Employee after the date of the Covered Termination.

(d) Termination of Benefits. Benefits under this Plan shall terminate immediately if the Eligible Employee, at any time, violates any proprietary information or confidentiality obligation to the Company.

(e) Non-Duplication of Benefits. No Eligible Employee is eligible to receive benefits under this Plan more than one time.

(f) Indebtedness of Eligible Employees. If a terminating employee is indebted to the Company or an affiliate of the Company at his or her termination date, the Company reserves the right to offset any severance payments under the Plan by the amount of such indebtedness.

 

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(g) Parachute Payments. If any payment or benefit the Eligible Employee would receive in connection with a Change of Control from the Company or otherwise (“Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment shall be equal to the Reduced Amount.

The “Reduced Amount” shall be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount, after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in the Eligible Employee’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of the Payment notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that the Payment equals the Reduced Amount, reduction shall occur in the following order: reduction of cash payments; cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; reduction of employee benefits. In the event that acceleration of vesting of stock options is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting shall be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of such options (i.e., earliest granted option cancelled last).

The accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the Change of Control shall perform the foregoing calculations. If the accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm required to be made hereunder.

The accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and the Eligible Employee within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which the Eligible Employee’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or the Eligible Employee) or such other time as requested by the Company or the Eligible Employee. If the accounting firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable with respect to a Payment, either before or after the application of the Reduced Amount, it shall furnish the Company and the Eligible Employee with a statement reasonably acceptable to the Eligible Employee that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to such Payment. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and the Eligible Employee.

Section 6. T IME OF P AYMENT AND F ORM O F B ENEFITS .

(a) General Rules . For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall payment of any Plan benefit set forth in Section 4 be made prior to the effective date of the Release described in Section 5(a). In the event of an acceleration of the exercisability of an option (or other award) pursuant to Section 4(c) or, such option (or other award) shall not be exercisable with respect to such acceleration of exercisability unless and until the effective date of the Release described in Section 5(a).

 

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(b) Application of Section 409A .

(i) It is intended that each installment of the payments and benefits provided under this Plan (the “ Severance Benefits ”) is a separate “payment” for purposes Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(i) of the Treasury Regulations. For the avoidance of doubt, it is intended that payments of the Severance Benefits satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other guidance thereunder and any state law of similar effect (collectively “ Section 409A ”) provided under Sections 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9) of the Treasury Regulations. However, if the Plan Administrator determines that the Severance Benefits constitute “deferred compensation” under Section 409A and the Eligible Employee is, on his or her separation from service, a “specified employee” of the Company (as such term is defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) then, solely to the extent necessary to avoid the incurrence of the adverse personal tax consequences under Section 409A, the timing of the payment of the Severance Benefits shall be delayed so that on the earlier to occur of: (i) the date that is six months and one day after the Eligible Employee’s separation from service and (ii) the date of the Eligible Employee’s death (such applicable date, the “Specified Employee Initial Payment Date” ), the Company shall (A) pay to the Eligible Employee a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the Severance Benefits that the Eligible Employee would otherwise have received through the Specified Employee Initial Payment Date if the commencement of the payment of the Severance Benefits had not been so delayed pursuant to this Section 6(b)(i) and (B) commence paying the balance of the Severance Benefits in accordance with the applicable payment schedules set forth in this Plan.

(c) Withholding . All payments under the Plan will be subject to all applicable withholding obligations of the Company, including, without limitation, obligations to withhold for federal, state and local income and employment taxes.

(d) Indebtedness of Eligible Employees. If a Eligible Employee is indebted to the Company on the effective date of his or her Covered Termination, the Plan Administrator reserves the right to offset any severance payments under the Plan by the amount of such indebtedness.

Section 7. R IGHT T O I NTERPRET P LAN ; A MENDMENT AND T ERMINATION .

(a) Exclusive Discretion. The Plan Administrator shall have the exclusive discretion and authority to establish rules, forms, and procedures for the administration of the Plan and to construe and interpret the Plan and to decide any and all questions of fact, interpretation, definition, computation or administration arising in connection with the operation of the Plan, including, but not limited to, the eligibility to participate in the Plan and amount of benefits paid under the Plan. The rules, interpretations, computations and other actions of the Plan Administrator shall be binding and conclusive on all persons.

 

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(b) Amendment or Termination. The Company reserves the right to amend or terminate this Plan or the benefits provided hereunder at any time; provided, however, that no such amendment or termination that would adversely affect the actual or potential rights of any person who has or would become an Eligible Employee following the occurrence of a Covered Termination shall be made without the written consent of such person. Any action amending or terminating the Plan shall be in writing and executed by the Chair of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.

Section 8. T ERMINATION OF C ERTAIN E MPLOYEE B ENEFITS .

All non-health benefits (such as life insurance, disability and 401(k) plan coverage) terminate as of the employee’s termination date (except to the extent that a conversion privilege may be available thereunder).

Section 9. N O I MPLIED E MPLOYMENT C ONTRACT .

The Plan shall not be deemed (i) to give any employee or other person any right to be retained in the employ of the Company or (ii) to interfere with the right of the Company to discharge any employee or other person at any time, with or without cause, which right is hereby reserved.

Section 10. L EGAL C ONSTRUCTION .

This Plan is intended to be governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and, to the extent not preempted by ERISA, the laws of the State of California.

Section 11. C LAIMS , I NQUIRIES A ND A PPEALS .

(a) Applications for Benefits and Inquiries. Any application for benefits, inquiries about the Plan or inquiries about present or future rights under the Plan must be submitted to the Plan Administrator in writing by an applicant (or his or her authorized representative). The Plan Administrator is as set forth in Section 13(d).

(b) Denial of Claims. In the event that any application for benefits is denied in whole or in part, the Plan Administrator must provide the applicant with written or electronic notice of the denial of the application, and of the applicant’s right to review the denial. Any electronic notice will comply with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor. The notice of denial will be set forth in a manner designed to be understood by the applicant and will include the following:

(1) the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

(2) references to the specific Plan provisions upon which the denial is based;

 

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(3) a description of any additional information or material that the Plan Administrator needs to complete the review and an explanation of why such information or material is necessary; and

(4) an explanation of the Plan’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the applicant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following a denial on review of the claim, as described in Section 11(d) below.

This notice of denial will be given to the applicant within ninety (90) days after the Plan Administrator receives the application, unless special circumstances require an extension of time, in which case, the Plan Administrator has up to an additional ninety (90) days for processing the application. If an extension of time for processing is required, written notice of the extension will be furnished to the applicant before the end of the initial ninety (90) day period.

This notice of extension will describe the special circumstances necessitating the additional time and the date by which the Plan Administrator is to render its decision on the application.

(c) Request for a Review. Any person (or that person’s authorized representative) for whom an application for benefits is denied, in whole or in part, may appeal the denial by submitting a request for a review to the Plan Administrator within sixty (60) days after the application is denied. A request for a review shall be in writing and shall be addressed to:

Cerus Corporation

2411 Stanwell Drive

Concord, CA 94520

A request for review must set forth all of the grounds on which it is based, all facts in support of the request and any other matters that the applicant feels are pertinent. The applicant (or his or her representative) shall have the opportunity to submit (or the Plan Administrator may require the applicant to submit) written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to his or her claim. The applicant (or his or her representative) shall be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to his or her claim. The review shall take into account all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the applicant (or his or her representative) relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

(d) Decision on Review. The Plan Administrator will act on each request for review within sixty (60) days after receipt of the request, unless special circumstances require an extension of time (not to exceed an additional sixty (60) days), for processing the request for a review. If an extension for review is required, written notice of the extension will be furnished to the applicant within the initial sixty (60) day period. This notice of extension will describe the special circumstances necessitating the additional time and the date by which the Plan

 

9.


Administrator is to render its decision on the review. The Plan Administrator will give prompt, written or electronic notice of its decision to the applicant. Any electronic notice will comply with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor. In the event that the Plan Administrator confirms the denial of the application for benefits in whole or in part, the notice will set forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the applicant, the following:

(1) the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

(2) references to the specific Plan provisions upon which the denial is based;

(3) a statement that the applicant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to his or her claim; and

(4) a statement of the applicant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA.

(e) Rules and Procedures. The Plan Administrator will establish rules and procedures, consistent with the Plan and with ERISA, as necessary and appropriate in carrying out its responsibilities in reviewing benefit claims. The Plan Administrator may require an applicant who wishes to submit additional information in connection with an appeal from the denial of benefits to do so at the applicant’s own expense.

(f) Exhaustion of Remedies. No legal action for benefits under the Plan may be brought until the applicant (i) has submitted a written application for benefits in accordance with the procedures described by Section 11(a) above, (ii) has been notified by the Plan Administrator that the application is denied, (iii) has filed a written request for a review of the application in accordance with the appeal procedure described in Section 11(c) above, and (iv) has been notified that the Plan Administrator has denied the appeal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Plan Administrator does not respond to n Eligible Employee’s claim or appeal within the relevant time limits specified in this Section 11, the Eligible Employee may bring legal action for benefits under the Plan pursuant to Section 502(a) of ERISA.

Section 12. B ASIS O F P AYMENTS T O A ND F ROM P LAN .

The Plan shall be unfunded, and all benefits hereunder shall be paid only from the general assets of the Company.

Section 13. O THER P LAN I NFORMATION .

(a) Employer and Plan Identification Numbers. The Employer Identification Number assigned to the Company (which is the “Plan Sponsor” as that term is used in ERISA) by the Internal Revenue Service is 68-0262011. The Plan Number assigned to the Plan by the Plan Sponsor pursuant to the instructions of the Internal Revenue Service is 510.

(b) Ending Date for Plan’s Fiscal Year. The date of the end of the fiscal year for the purpose of maintaining the Plan’s records is December 31.

 

10.


(c) Agent for the Service of Legal Process . The agent for the service of legal process with respect to the Plan is:

Cerus Corporation

2411 Stanwell Drive

Concord, CA 94520

(d) Plan Sponsor and Administrator. The “Plan Sponsor” and the “Plan Administrator” of the Plan is:

Cerus Corporation

2411 Stanwell Drive

Concord, CA 94520

The Plan Sponsor’s and Plan Administrator’s telephone number is (925) 288-6000. The Plan Administrator is the named fiduciary charged with the responsibility for administering the Plan.

Section 14. S TATEMENT O F ERISA R IGHTS .

Participants in this Plan (which is a welfare benefit plan sponsored by Cerus Corporation) are entitled to certain rights and protections under ERISA. If you are an Eligible Employee, you are considered a participant in the Plan for purposes of this Section 14 and, under ERISA, you are entitled to:

(a) Receive Information About Your Plan and Benefits

(1) Examine, without charge, at the Plan Administrator’s office and at other specified locations, such as worksites, all documents governing the Plan and a copy of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series), if applicable, filed by the Plan with the U.S. Department of Labor and available at the Public Disclosure Room of the Employee Benefits Security Administration;

(2) Obtain, upon written request to the Plan Administrator, copies of documents governing the operation of the Plan and copies of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series), if applicable, and an updated (as necessary) Summary Plan Description. The Administrator may make a reasonable charge for the copies; and

(3) Receive a summary of the Plan’s annual financial report, if applicable. The Plan Administrator is required by law to furnish each participant with a copy of this summary annual report.

(b) Prudent Actions by Plan Fiduciaries. In addition to creating rights for Plan participants, ERISA imposes duties upon the people who are responsible for the operation of the employee benefit plan. The people who operate the Plan, called “fiduciaries” of the Plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of you and other Plan participants and beneficiaries. No one, including your employer, your union or any other person, may fire you or otherwise discriminate against you in any way to prevent you from obtaining a Plan benefit or exercising your rights under ERISA.

 

11.


(c) Enforce Your Rights. If your claim for a Plan benefit is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you have a right to know why this was done, to obtain copies of documents relating to the decision without charge, and to appeal any denial, all within certain time schedules.

Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above rights. For instance, if you request a copy of Plan documents or the latest annual report from the Plan, if applicable, and do not receive them within 30 days, you may file suit in a Federal court. In such a case, the court may require the Plan Administrator to provide the materials and pay you up to $110 a day until you receive the materials, unless the materials were not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the Plan Administrator.

If you have a claim for benefits which is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you may file suit in a state or Federal court.

If you are discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or you may file suit in a Federal court. The court will decide who should pay court costs and legal fees. If you are successful, the court may order the person you have sued to pay these costs and fees. If you lose, the court may order you to pay these costs and fees, for example, if it finds your claim is frivolous.

(d) Assistance with Your Questions. If you have any questions about the Plan, you should contact the Plan Administrator. If you have any questions about this statement or about your rights under ERISA, or if you need assistance in obtaining documents from the Plan Administrator, you should contact the nearest office of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, listed in your telephone directory or the Division of Technical Assistance and Inquiries, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. You may also obtain certain publications about your rights and responsibilities under ERISA by calling the publications hotline of the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

Section 15. E XECUTION .

To record the amendment of the Plan as set forth herein, effective as of December 11, 2008, Cerus Corporation has caused its duly authorized officer to execute the same this 11 th day of December, 2008.

 

C ERUS C ORPORATION
By:    
Title:    

 

12.


For Employees Age 40 or Older

Individual Termination

E XHIBIT  A

RELEASE AGREEMENT

I understand and agree completely to the terms set forth in the Cerus Corporation Change of Control Severance Benefit Plan (the “Plan”).

I understand that this Release, together with the Plan, constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between the Company and me with regard to the subject matter hereof. I am not relying on any promise or representation by the Company that is not expressly stated therein. Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Plan.

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Company’s proprietary information and inventions agreement.

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby generally and completely release the Company and its parents, subsidiaries, successors, predecessors and affiliates, and its and their partners, members, directors, officers, employees, stockholders, shareholders, agents, attorneys, predecessors, insurers, affiliates and assigns, from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring at any time prior to and including the date I sign this Release. This general release includes, but is not limited to: (a) all claims arising out of or in any way related to my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; (b) all claims related to my compensation or benefits, including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company; (c) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (d) all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in violation of public policy; and (e) all federal, state, and local statutory claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, attorneys’ fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (as amended) (“ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (as amended), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended); provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to agreement or applicable law.

I acknowledge that I am knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights I may have under the ADEA, and that the consideration given under the Plan for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled. I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (a) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the date I sign this Release; (b) I should consult with an attorney prior to signing this Release (although I may choose voluntarily not do so); (c) I have twenty-one (21) days to

 

1.


For Employees Age 40 or Older

Individual Termination

 

consider this Release (although I may choose voluntarily to sign this Release earlier); (d) I have seven (7) days following the date I sign this Release to revoke the Release by providing written notice to an officer of the Company; and (e) this Release shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth day after I sign this Release.

I acknowledge that I have read and understand Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which reads as follows: “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.” I hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to my release of any claims hereunder.

I acknowledge that to become effective, I must sign and return this Release to the Company so that it is received not later than twenty-one (21) days following the date it is provided to me.

 

E MPLOYEE
Name:    
Date:    

 

2.


For Employees Age 40 or Older

Group Termination

 

E XHIBIT  B

RELEASE AGREEMENT

I understand and agree completely to the terms set forth in the Cerus Corporation Change of Control Severance Benefit Plan (the “Plan”).

I understand that this Release, together with the Plan, constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between the Company and me with regard to the subject matter hereof. I am not relying on any promise or representation by the Company that is not expressly stated therein. Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Plan.

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Company’s proprietary information and inventions agreement.

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby generally and completely release the Company and its parents, subsidiaries, successors, predecessors and affiliates, and its and their partners, members, directors, officers, employees, stockholders, shareholders, agents, attorneys, predecessors, insurers, affiliates and assigns, from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring at any time prior to and including the date I sign this Release. This general release includes, but is not limited to: (a) all claims arising out of or in any way related to my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; (b) all claims related to my compensation or benefits, including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company; (c) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (d) all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in violation of public policy; and (e) all federal, state, and local statutory claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, attorneys’ fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (as amended) (“ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (as amended), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended); provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to agreement or applicable law.

I acknowledge that I am knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights I may have under the ADEA, and that the consideration given under the Plan for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled. I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (a) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the date I sign this Release; (b) I should consult with an attorney prior to signing this Release (although I may choose voluntarily not to do so); (c) I have forty-five (45) days to

 

1.


For Employees Age 40 or Older

Group Termination

 

consider this Release (although I may choose voluntarily to sign this Release earlier); (d) I have seven (7) days following the date I sign this Release to revoke the Release by providing written notice to an office of the Company; (e) this Release shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth day after I sign this Release; and (f) I have received with this Release a detailed list of the job titles and ages of all employees who were terminated in this group termination and the ages of all employees of the Company in the same job classification or organizational unit who were not terminated.

I acknowledge that I have read and understand Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which reads as follows: “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.” I hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to my release of any claims hereunder.

I acknowledge that to become effective, I must sign and return this Release to the Company so that it is received not later than forty-five (45) days following the date it is provided to me.

 

E MPLOYEE
Name:    
Date:    

 

2.


For Employees Under Age 40

Individual and Group Termination

 

E XHIBIT  C

RELEASE AGREEMENT

I understand and agree completely to the terms set forth in the Cerus Corporation Change of Control Severance Benefit Plan (the “Plan”).

I understand that this Release, together with the Plan, constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between the Company and me with regard to the subject matter hereof. I am not relying on any promise or representation by the Company that is not expressly stated therein. Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Plan.

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Company’s proprietary information and inventions agreement.

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby generally and completely release the Company and its parents, subsidiaries, successors, predecessors and affiliates, and its and their partners, members, directors, officers, employees, stockholders, shareholders, agents, attorneys, predecessors, insurers, affiliates and assigns, from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring at any time prior to and including the date I sign this Release. This general release includes, but is not limited to: (a) all claims arising out of or in any way related to my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; (b) all claims related to my compensation or benefits, including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company; (c) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (d) all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in violation of public policy; and (e) all federal, state, and local statutory claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, attorneys’ fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (as amended), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (as amended), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended); provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to agreement or applicable law.

I acknowledge that I have read and understand Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which reads as follows: “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.” I hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to my release of any claims hereunder.

 

1.


For Employees Under Age 40

Individual and Group Termination

 

I acknowledge that to become effective, I must sign and return this Release to the Company so that it is received not later than fourteen (14) days following the date it is provided to me.

 

E MPLOYEE
Name:    
Date:    

 

2.

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Claes Glassell, Chief Executive Officer, of Cerus Corporation, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Cerus Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

  a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 10, 2009    

/s/    Claes Glassell

    Claes Glassell
    Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Kevin D. Green, Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer, of Cerus Corporation, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Cerus Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

  a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 10, 2009    

/s/    Kevin D. Green

    Kevin D. Green
    Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer
    (Principal Financial Officer)

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to the requirement set forth in Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. §1350), Claes Glassell, the Chief Executive Officer of Cerus Corporation (the “Company”) and Kevin D. Green, the Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, hereby certify that, to the best of their knowledge:

1. The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009, and to which this Certification is attached as Exhibit 32.1 (the “Periodic Report”), fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and

2. The information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have set their hands hereto as of the 10 day of August, 2009.

 

/s/    Claes Glassell

Claes Glassell
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    Kevin D. Green

Kevin D. Green

Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)