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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 24, 2013

 

 

Lipocine Inc.

( Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   333-178230   99-0370688
(State of Incorporation)  

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

675 Arapeen Drive, Suite 202

Salt Lake City, Utah 84108

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (801) 994-7383

Marathon Bar Corp.

427 N. Tatnall Street

Wilmington, DE 19801-2230

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

 

 

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

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    1   

ITEM 1.01 ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT

    2   

ITEM 2.01 COMPLETION OF ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

    2   

ITEM 3.02 UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

    69   

ITEM 5.01 CHANGES IN CONTROL OF REGISTRANT

    69   

ITEM  5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS

    69   

ITEM 5.03 AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS; CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR

    69   

ITEM 5.06 CHANGE IN SHELL COMPANY STATUS

    70   

ITEM 5.07 SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

    70   

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

    70   

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should,” “will,” “would” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated include those set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” including, in particular, risks relating to:

 

   

the results of research and development activities;

 

   

uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing, financing and strategic agreements and relationships;

 

   

the early stage of products under development;

 

   

our need for substantial additional funds;

 

   

government regulation;

 

   

our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our lead product candidate, LPCN 1021, and any of our other future product candidates, and any related restrictions, limitations, and/or warnings in the label of any approved product candidate;

 

   

our ability to obtain funding for our operations;

 

   

our ability to retain or hire key scientific or management personnel;

 

   

patent and intellectual property matters;

 

   

dependence on third-party manufacturers, suppliers, research organizations, and testing laboratories; and

 

   

competition.

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in the section titled “Risk Factors.” Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly-changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Moreover, except as required by law, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this prospectus to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.

 

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ITEM 1.01 ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT

On July 24, 2013, Marathon Bar Corp., a Delaware corporation, MBAR Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marathon Bar, or Merger Sub, and Lipocine Operating Inc., a Delaware corporation, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, or the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Lipocine Operating, and Lipocine Operating was the surviving corporation of the transaction, or the Merger. Following the closing of the Merger, Lipocine Operating became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marathon Bar, with the former stockholders of Lipocine Operating owning 99.9% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the combined company.

Prior to the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the board of directors of Marathon Bar approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. Similarly, the board of directors of Lipocine Operating approved the Merger Agreement. On July 24, 2013, immediately prior to the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, Marathon Bar amended its certificate of incorporation to change the name of Marathon Bar to “Lipocine Inc.” Prior to the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, Lipocine had changed its name to “Lipocine Operating Inc.”

The Merger closed concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement. Reference is hereby made to Item 2.01 regarding the completion of the Merger.

As used in this Current Report on Form 8-K, (1) all references to the “Combined Company” refer to Marathon Bar (renamed Lipocine Inc.) and its subsidiaries, including Lipocine (renamed Lipocine Operating Inc.), following the closing of the Merger, and (2) unless the context otherwise indicates or requires, all references to “we,” “our” and “us” refer to the Combined Company from and after the closing of the Merger.

ITEM 2.01 COMPLETION OF ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

On July 24, 2013, Marathon Bar and Lipocine Operating closed the Merger. On July 24, 2013, immediately prior to the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, Marathon Bar amended its certificate of incorporation to effect a 100–for-1 reverse stock split, resulting in 35,000 outstanding shares of common stock and the board of directors of Marathon Bar declared a $8.00 per share cash dividend to its stockholders of record. Following the completion of the above actions, Marathon Bar repurchased 30,000 shares (on a post split basis) at a price of $1.16 per share from its principal stockholder, Israel Menahem Vizel. At the closing of the Merger, Marathon Bar issued 4,702,713 shares of common stock to the former stockholders of Lipocine Operating in exchange for all the outstanding shares of capital stock of Lipocine Operating. In addition, Marathon Bar assumed the Lipocine Operating 2011 Equity Incentive Plan and the obligation to issue shares pursuant to outstanding equity awards thereunder and pursuant to an outstanding warrant.

Background; Form 10 Information Requirements

Marathon Bar was incorporated on October 13, 2011, in the State of Delaware. A registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-178230) was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on February 13, 2012. In April 2012, Marathon Bar sold 5,000 shares of common stock (on a post split basis) under the Form S-1 for aggregate gross proceeds of $50,000. Prior to the Merger, Marathon Bar intended to create a fully functional website ( www.m-bar.co ) with updates as to health-related events to occur in Israel and post free organic recipes as a way to attract individuals to choose to purchase organic health bars. Marathon Bar secured the web domain and the current website was a template of what was expected to further develop. The website was still under construction. Marathon Bar expected to generate revenue by selling its organic health bars at local sporting events, through health stores; and over its website. In the fourth quarter of 2012, Marathon Bar completed the design of its graphic/web design materials for use as part of its advertising and promotional materials. Marathon Bar had not yet found a third party manufacturer, but has traveled to Europe to meet with potential manufacturers.

Marathon Bar is a “shell company,” as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act. Accordingly, pursuant to the requirements of Item 2.01 of Form 8-K, this Item 2.01 sets forth the information that would be required if the Combined Company were filing a general form for registration of a class of securities on Form 10 under the Exchange Act, with such information reflecting the

 

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Combined Company and its securities upon consummation of the Merger. The Combined Company intends to carry on the business of Lipocine. As a result of closing the Merger, our executive office is the Salt Lake City, Utah office of Lipocine.

Accounting Treatment of the Merger

The Merger is being accounted for as a reverse-merger and recapitalization. Lipocine is the acquirer for financial reporting purposes and Marathon Bar is the acquired company. Consequently, the assets and liabilities and the operations that will be reflected in the historical financial statements prior to the Merger will be those of Lipocine and will be recorded at the historical cost basis of Lipocine, and the consolidated financial statements after completion of the Merger will include the assets and liabilities of Marathon Bar and Lipocine, and the historical operations of Lipocine and operations of the Combined Company from the closing date of the Merger.

Tax Treatment; Smaller Reporting Company

The Merger is intended to constitute a tax free reorganization within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Following the Merger, the Combined Company continues to be a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, as promulgated by the SEC.

Business

General

We are a specialty pharmaceutical company. Our proprietary delivery technologies are designed to improve patient compliance and safety through orally available treatment options. Our primary development programs are based on oral delivery solutions for poorly bioavailable drugs, which are drugs that are poorly absorbed and reach the circulatory system in insufficient amounts. We have a portfolio of proprietary product candidates designed to produce favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics and facilitate lower dosing requirements, bypass first-pass metabolism, reduction of side effects, and elimination of gastrointestinal interactions that limit bioavailability. Our lead product LPCN 1021 is a Phase III ready oral testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, product designed for convenient twice-a-day dosing. Additionally, we have two earlier stage product candidates in our pipeline, a next generation oral testosterone therapy (LPCN 1111) and an oral product candidate for the prevention of preterm birth (LPCN 1107).

“Lipocine,” “Lip’ral,” the Lipocine logos and other trademarks or service marks of Lipocine appearing in this Current Report on Form 8-K are our property. This Form 8-K contains additional trade names, trademarks and service marks of others, which are the property of their respective owners. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, these other companies.

Industry

Testosterone Background

Testosterone, or T, is the primary circulating sex hormone in males and is critical to the development and maturation of reproductive tissues as well as other secondary male characteristics such as muscle growth and bone density. Developed in the gonads of both males (testis) and females (ovaries), testosterone circulates bound to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG, ~60%), loosely bound to albumin (~40%), or as a free molecule (~1%). Once circulating, testosterone enters cells directly and activates a network of proteins that ultimately result in metabolic conversions, which in turn produce phenotypic effects. The concentration of circulating testosterone can vary drastically over time or between individuals and can be dependent on genetic factors, medical comorbidities, lifestyle behaviors, and/or concurrent medication administration. Although this large variability exists, the effects of testosterone are also determined by a number of factors including the amount of steroid penetration, sensitivity of enzymes and cellular proteins to the hormone, and the action of genomic receptors at the cellular level. As a result, assessing clinically low, or potentially high, levels of endogenous testosterone often requires a number of quantitative tests in conjunction with clinical evaluations.

 

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Hypogonadism Overview

Low serum testosterone causes significant clinical impact and can result in erectile dysfunction, low libido, decreased muscle mass and strength, increased body fat, decreased bone density, decreased vitality and depressed mood. Furthermore, low serum testosterone concentrations have been found to be an independent predictor of a number of cardiovascular risk factors including obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and systemic inflammation. Well-designed, prospective clinical trials have determined that low testosterone levels are also independently associated with mortality risk. These findings have generated interest amongst the medical community and general public regarding the importance of maintaining appropriate serum testosterone levels, which has stimulated growth of the testosterone replacement therapy market.

Hypogonadism typically refers to a permanent deficiency of sex hormones rather than a temporary deficiency that may be related to acute/chronic illnesses or other medical, personal, or environmental factors. Primary hypogonadism describes disease states that intrinsically affect the gonads. Examples of these include the genetic disorders Turner syndrome and Kleinfelter syndrome. Secondary hypogonadism refers to disease states that affect gonadal-related structures such as the hypothalamus and pituitary gland that directly impact the development of gonads and as such the release of testosterone and other sexual hormones. Kallmann syndrome, in which patients fail to undergo all of the changes associated with puberty, is a type of secondary hypogonadism. Although a number of inherited diseases are known to affect the gonads either directly or indirectly, these cases are rare and comprise a minority of treatable cases of hypogonadism. The overwhelming majority of individuals with hypogonadism develop the condition as a result of age-related declines in testosterone or other acquired conditions.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypogonadism

Epidemiological studies have determined that total testosterone follows an age-related decline with mean serum concentration at the age of 75 years approximately two thirds that at 25 years. Because endogenous testosterone exists at low concentrations, with normal testosterone levels in the range of 300 to 1140ng/dL, automated platform-based assays have been found to lack specificity and are prone to inter-lab variability. The lack of reliable laboratory tests is complicated further by the inter-individual variability seen in an unaffected population. Thus, in order to accurately diagnose hypogonadism in a male, multiple morning serum testosterone levels are performed in conjunction with a clinical assessment of patient symptoms. Patients can only be diagnosed when they present with symptomatology that is directly related to more than one low morning serum testosterone level.

The treatment for male hypogonadism (both primary and secondary) is testosterone replacement therapy. The benefits of testosterone replacement therapy include improved libido, sexual function, increased bone density, muscle development, and cognition, as well as a reduction in other risk factors caused by low testosterone. Although there are some adverse effects associated with the use of testosterone replacement, the benefits generally far outweigh the risks in patients being treated for hypogonadism.

Testosterone Replacement Market

Due to the wide variability in therapeutic range, difficulty of diagnosis, and co-morbid conditions that may confound an accurate diagnosis, there is a consensus that male hypogonadism is significantly undertreated. A large study of 2,162 men over the age of 45 visiting primary care practices in the United States revealed that the prevalence of hypogonadism is about 39%. This correlates to approximately 14 million patients in this age group. In the study, fewer than 4% of patients were receiving treatment for hypogonadism.

Testosterone replacement therapies have been commercially available in the United States for over 70 years and have followed a progression of delivery systems that included subcutaneous, or under-the-skin, intramuscular, transdermal patch, and finally topical gels, which initially surfaced in 1999. The difficulty in creating an easy to use/administer and clinically effective testosterone therapy is related to the molecule’s complex pharmacokinetics. For example, oral therapies, which would ideally be the most popular route of delivery, require multiple, high daily doses due to low bioavailability. Additionally, the few oral therapies that were used in the United States quickly went out of favor after significant side effects were revealed, most notably hepatotoxicity.

 

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Currently, the U.S. testosterone replacement market consists of therapies that exist in three forms:

 

   

gel/patch;

 

   

injectable; and

 

   

buccal tablet.

Although transdermal patches were previously the most desirable application type, gel-based testosterone replacement therapies have gained increasing popularity due to improved skin tolerability. Despite becoming the most popular approach to male hypogonadism treatment, topical gels are not without limitations. Topical gels place women and children at risk of testosterone transference (secondary exposure to gels), which has prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, to add black box warnings relating to testosterone transference in the label of approved topical products. Despite these limitations, gels have continued to demonstrate significant market penetration and show no signs of slowing; 67% of total prescriptions and 89% of the total value of the testosterone replacement market in 2012 were accounted for by gels.

According to Global Industry Analyst Inc., the male testosterone market was more than $2 billion in 2012, and it is expected to grow very rapidly to $5 billion by 2017, a compound annual growth rate above 20%. Gels are the dominant dosage form in this market, with about 89% of revenue in this segment derived from these products in 2012. The exponential growth is likely driven by increasing recognition by both patients and providers of the prevalence of hypogonadism and its far-reaching medical consequences. Top treatments are marketed by AbbVie, Eli-Lilly, and Auxilium.

Product Candidates

Our current portfolio, shown below, includes our lead product candidate LPCN 1021, an oral testosterone replacement therapy, which we plan will soon enter a Phase III study. Additionally, we are currently in the process of establishing our pipeline of early clinical treatments including next generation testosterone replacement therapy (LPCN 1111) and an oral therapy for the prevention of preterm birth (LPCN 1107).

Our Development Pipeline

 

 

LOGO

These products are based on our proprietary Lip’ral promicellar drug delivery technology platform. Our Lip’ral promicellar technology is a patented delivery system based on lipidic compositions for hydrophobic, or

 

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water insoluble, molecules which form an optimal dispersed phase in the gastrointestinal tract for improved absorption of insoluble drugs. Lip’ral presents insoluble drugs efficiently to the intestinal absorption site, thus bringing the absorption process under formulation control and making the product robust to physiological variables such as dilution, pH and food effects. Lip’ral enables improved solubilization and higher drug-loading capacity, which can lead to improved bioavailability, reduced dose, faster and more consistent absorption, reduced variability, reduced sensitivity to food effects, improved patient compliance, and targeted lymphatic delivery.

LPCN 1021: An Oral Product Candidate for Testosterone Replacement Therapy

LPCN 1021 is an oral formulation of the chemical testosterone undecanoate, an ester prodrug of testosterone designed for convenient twice daily dosing. The active ingredient has been approved for use outside the United States for decades for delivery via intra-muscular injection and in oral dosage form. However, this oral dosage form which is approved outside the United States provides sub-therapeutic serum testosterone levels at the approved dose. We are using our Lip’ral technology to facilitate steady gastrointestinal solubilization and absorption of the testosterone undecanoate, or TU. Proof of concept was initially established in 2006, and subsequently LPCN 1021 was licensed to Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or Solvay, which was then acquired by Abbott Products, Inc., or Abbott, in 2009. Following a portfolio review associated with the spin-off of AbbVie by Abbott in 2011, the rights to LPCN 1021 were reacquired by us. A review of the milestones and history of this development program is shown below.

LPCN 1021 Development History

 

Date

  

Milestone

February 2006

  

First proof of concept study performed

May 2009

  

Licensed to Solvay

September 2009

  

Project transferred to Abbott via Solvay

April 2010

  

Milestone payment received

May 2011

  

Milestone payment received

October 2011

  

Abbott announced spin-off of AbbVie

March 2012

  

Lipocine re-acquires LPCN 1021

November 2012

  

Lipocine completes meeting with FDA to define requirements for an NDA filing

Clinical Data Discussion

We completed a successful Phase II study that produced results in line with FDA guidelines for approval of testosterone replacement therapies. The primary outcome of the trial, average serum testosterone levels in the eugonadal, or endocrinologically normal, range (300 – 1140 ng/dL), was met and there were no significant adverse events or unexpected changes in serum lipid profiles or liver enzymes. We presented the results of this study and a Phase III protocol synopsis to the FDA in November 2012 and obtained clear guidance on the requirements for a LPCN 1021 NDA filing, with no additional pre-clinical studies required. The FDA has indicated that only one pivotal Phase III trial may be necessary for the LPCN 1021 NDA filing. We intend to begin enrolling patients in the Phase III trial in the fourth quarter of 2013, with final results expected in 2015.

Phase II Study

The Phase II study for LPCN 1021 enrolled 84 hypogonadal men across five parallel groups. Four doses were used, starting at 75 mg and increasing to 150, 225, and then 300 mg to determine the effective dose for producing serum testosterone levels in the eugonadal range. Groups I through III received 75 mg, 150 mg, and 225 mg doses, respectively. The study duration was 15 days and doses were administered twice daily, 30 minutes after breakfast and dinner. Full (24 hour) pharmacokinetic profiles were taken the day prior to the first dose (day 0), day 1, day 8, and day 15. Groups IV and V received 300 mg and 225 mg doses respectively and the study duration was 29 days. In these two groups also the doses were administered twice daily 30 minutes after breakfast and dinner. Full pharmacokinetic profiles were obtained on day 0, day 15, and day 29. In this cohort, morning pharmacokinetic profiles were also obtained on days 8 and 22.

 

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The FDA criteria for approval of a TRT include successful completion of a pivotal Phase III trial meeting two primary endpoints and three secondary endpoints. Primary endpoints include 24-hour average serum testosterone levels between 300 and 1140ng/dL in at least 75% of patients, and the lower bound of the 95% confidence interval in at least 65% of patients. Secondary endpoints include a maximum serum testosterone level less than 1500 ng/dL in at least 85% of patients, maximum serum testosterone level between 1800 to 2500 ng/dL in £ 5% of patients, and no patients who experience maximum serum testosterone greater than 2500 ng/dL.

The 225 mg twice-a-day dose met all the primary and secondary endpoints required for approval of a TRT product. These requirements along with the results for the 225 mg group on day 15 are outlined in the table below.

FDA Requirements for TRT Approval and LPCN 1021 Phase II Results

 

     FDA Criteria for
Approval of TRT
    LPCN 1021 Phase II
Result
 

Dose

       225 mg   

Number of subjects

       24   

Primary endpoints

    

Cave 300-1140ng/dL

     ³  75     83

Lower bound 95% CI

     ³  65     69

Secondary endpoints

    

Cmax < 1500ng/dL

     ³  85     88

Cmax 1800-2500ng/dL

     £  5     0

Cmax > 2500ng/dL

     0     0

There was no dose titration in the Phase II study. Prior to any dose titration which is typical in TRT, the optimal dose was found to be 225 mg of testosterone undecanoate dosed twice-a-day, which met the FDA’s stated requirements for a successful Phase III trial. Additionally, there were no major clinical adverse events or significant changes in liver enzymes. The other key safety parameters, the ratio of dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, to T, and changes in estradiol, low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, and prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, were within the range of other approved testosterone replacement therapies.

In addition to meeting the FDA criteria, an analysis of the Phase II study results for all groups revealed that, C ave and C max were highly correlated and there was a high probability of titrating to acceptable C max levels by maintaining C ave levels below about 600 ng/dL. This finding helped inform the appropriate design for the Phase III study.

We met with the FDA in November 2012 and presented the Phase II results and a protocol synopsis for a LPCN 1021 Phase III trial. The FDA accepted that LPCN 1021 would be considered as a testosterone replacement therapy. One pivotal Phase III trial was deemed necessary for FDA approval and no additional pre-clinical studies were required. For long term safety, the FDA required one year safety data on 100 subjects in the NDA.

Proposed Phase III Trial Design

The proposed Phase III trial for LPCN 1021 will enroll 300 hypogonadal male patients; 200 will be assigned to LPCN 1021 treatment, or Treatment Group, and 100 will be assigned to a marketed TRT product to serve as active control. The patients in Treatment Group will receive testosterone undecanoate doses ranging from 150 mg to 300 mg of LPCN 1021 orally twice daily with meals over the course of treatment. Each patient will have two chances to be titrated up or down by up to 75 mg to adjust each individual to their effective dose. The titration intervals will be at approximately one month intervals.

Following the final round of titration, all patients will have been on treatment for approximately between four and thirteen weeks at their final dose. During week 13 all subjects will undergo full PK profiling where primary and secondary endpoints will be assessed. Additionally, of the 200 people initially recruited into the treatment arm, approximately 120 will be followed for an additional 39 weeks (total of 52 weeks) in a safety only extension phase.

 

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Planning for the Phase III trial is already underway. A lead Clinical Research Organization, or CRO, has been identified. Clinical supplies manufacturing is expected to ensue in the third quarter of 2013 with the goal of enrolling patients in the fourth quarter of 2013. Completion of the Phase III trial, including the long-term safety data, and assuming successful outcomes, an NDA filing is anticipated in 2015.

LPCN 1111: A Next-Generation Oral Product Candidate for TRT

LPCN 1111 is a next-generation, novel ester prodrug of testosterone which uses the Lip’ral technology to enhance solubility and improve systemic absorption. A Phase I single dose, randomized, open label, crossover study in 8 postmenopausal women has been completed and the pharmacokinetics suggested feasibility of either once-daily dosing or twice daily dosing with high Cavg. The next steps in development for this program include a pre-investigational new drug, or IND, meeting with FDA followed by a Phase I/II proof-of-concept study in hypogonadal men.

LPCN 1107: An Oral Product for the Prevention of Preterm Birth

We believe LPCN 1107 has the potential to become the first oral hydroxyprogesterone caproate product indicated for the prevention of preterm birth. The product has completed a 28-day repeat dose toxicity study in dogs. A pre-IND meeting has also been completed with the FDA, paving the way for a proof-of-concept Phase I/II study in pregnant women with a history of preterm birth.

Competition

Testosterone Market Overview

The gel-based testosterone replacement products that are currently available include AndroGel, marketed by AbbVie, Auxilium s Testim, Eli Lilly s Axiron, and Endo s Fortesta. Although AndroGel is the market leader, generating over $1 billion of sales in 2012, Testim has gained significant traction with providers and has experienced strong growth since it was launched. Transdermal patches include Actavis’s Androderm. Intramuscular forms of testosterone also exist although commercialized mostly in generic forms. Additionally, Auxilium markets the buccal testosterone replacement therapy Striant and the Testopel implantable testosterone pellets, which it acquired from Actient Pharmaceuticals in 2013.

Testosterone gels dominate the testosterone replacement therapy market. While gels are the most widely used form of testosterone replacement therapy, there is a risk of transference; additionally, the gels are messy to apply and have significant compliance issues leading to high rates of discontinuance among patients. Prescription data from the United States show that over 60% of hypogonadal men discontinue TRTs within 6 months. Only 41% of men remain on transdermal gel products at 6 months. A safe and effective oral therapy would increase patient convenience and compliance, while eliminating the testosterone transference risk associated with gels.

Other Therapies in Development

Recently there has been increased interest in developing an oral testosterone replacement therapies as well as testosterone therapies which are not considered testosterone replacement and as such will need to achieve efficacy endpoints in addition to endpoints related to serum testosterone levels that are required for replacement therapies.

Clarus Therapeutics, Inc. is in Phase III with CLR-610, a twice-daily oral softgel capsule of testosterone undecanoate, as a testosterone replacement therapy for the treatment of hypogonadism in men.

Trimel Pharmaceuticals Corporation has filed an NDA for an intranasal testosterone replacement therapy for the treatment of hypogonadal men.

 

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SOV Therapeutics, Inc. is developing a twice-daily testosterone undecanoate as a testosterone replacement therapy for the treatment of hypogonadism in men and in the treatment of Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty in adolescent boys (14-17 years of age).

Repros Therapeutics Inc. is in Phase III with Androxal (enclomiphene citrate), an orally-bioavailable isomer of the selective estrogen receptor modulator clomifene citrate as a testosterone therapy for the treatment of male hypogonadism.

Novartis is currently developing BGS649, an aromatase inhibitor as a testosterone therapy for the treatment of obese, hypogonadotropic hypogonadal men.

Hydroxyprogesterone caproate, or HPC/Preterm Birth, or PTB, Market Overview

PTB is defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation. The only approved therapy for prevention of PTB in women with a prior history of at least one preterm birth (~180,000 pregnancies annually) is a weekly intramuscular injection of hydroxyprogesterone caproate, marketed by KV Pharmaceutical Company under the brand name Makena. Treatment is initiated between 16 weeks and 20 weeks and is continued until up to delivery or week 37, whichever is earlier. The intramuscular injection is administered by a healthcare provider using a 21 gauge needle into the gluteus muscle, alternating sides each week. The intramuscular injections are associated with significant pain, discomfort and associated injection site reactions.

We believe LPCN 1107 has the potential to become the first oral HPC product for the prevention of preterm birth in women with a prior history of at least one preterm birth. Potential benefits of the product include the following:

 

   

Elimination of pain and site reactions associated with weekly injections.

 

   

Elimination of weekly doctor visits or visits from the nurse.

 

   

Elimination of interference/disruption of personal, family or professional activities associated with weekly visits.

LPCN 1107 has completed PK studies in dogs showing oral bioavailability comparable to an intramuscular injection. To the best of our knowledge, there is no report in the literature showing HPC oral bioavailability comparable to intramuscular injection. LPCN 1107 has also completed a 28-day repeated dose toxicity and toxicokinetics study in dogs. A pre-IND meeting with the FDA is completed, paving the way for a proof-of-concept Phase I/II study in pregnant women with a prior history of at least one preterm birth.

The oral product may also be eligible for orphan drug designation if it is deemed by the FDA to be a major contribution to patient care.

Intellectual Property

Drug Delivery Technologies for Lipophilic Drug Substances

LPCN 1021 is an oral formulation of the lipophilic prodrug testosterone undecanoate for convenient twice daily dosing, utilizing our proprietary technology for improved delivery of lipophilic therapeutic agents. Our patent portfolio is directed to various types of compositions and methods for delivery of lipophilic drugs, which are drugs that are soluble in lipids. As of July 1, 2013, we own seven issued U.S. patents, 15 pending U.S. patent applications, 31 corresponding issued foreign patents and associated pending foreign patent applications. Of the above, we have three issued U.S. patents, nine pending U.S. patent applications, five issued foreign patents and pending foreign patent applications relating to various aspects of LPCN 1021.

We also license in the fields other than cough and cold two U.S. patents and two U.S. applications (and related foreign patents and applications) we previously assigned to Spriaso LLC, which could be possibly used with future product candidates.

 

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Our issued U.S. Patent No. 6,267,985 covers pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutic agent being solubilized in a triglyceride, and it is expected to expire in 2019. We have corresponding patents in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, two corresponding pending applications in Japan, and one corresponding pending application in Europe. These corresponding foreign patents, and applications if they issue, are all expected to expire in 2020. Our issued U.S. Patents No. 6,569,463 and 6,923,988, and one further pending U.S. patent application cover various aspects of pharmaceutical compositions comprising a hydrophobic active ingredient admixed with a hydrophilic surfactant, which is water soluble bubble producing liquid, and a lipophilic additive, and are expected to expire in 2019 and 2020, respectively, and if the application were to issue, 2019. We have corresponding patent applications pending in Japan and Canada, which if they issue, are expected to expire in 2020.

We also have two pending U.S. patent applications and eight corresponding foreign patent applications (one each in Europe, Hong Kong, Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, and Mexico) directed to oral pharmaceutical composition comprising a testosterone ester and a hydrophilic and a lipophilic surfactant. These applications, if they issue, are expected to expire in 2029 in the U.S. and 2030 in foreign jurisdictions.

We also have two pending U.S. patent applications, two foreign patents (one each in Australia and New Zealand), and one allowed patent application (in Canada) directed to oral dosage forms comprising a drug, a solubilizer, and a release modulator. The pending U.S. patent applications, if they issue, are expected to expire as early as 2023, and the foreign patents, and application if it issues, are expected to expire in 2026.

We also have two pending U.S. patent applications directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a sex hormone. These applications, if they issue, are expected to expire in 2019.

We also have two pending U.S. applications directed to high strength capsule formulations of testosterone undecanoate. These applications, if they issue, are expected to expire in 2030.

Our remaining issued U.S. patents, pending U.S. patent applications, issued foreign patents, and pending foreign patent applications are not currently used in the LPCN 1021 technology, but may be used with alternate versions of, or future product candidates utilizing, our delivery technology for lipophilic drugs (as used for the LPCN 1111 and, LPCN 1107 product candidates).

We do not have patent protection for LPCN 1021 in many countries, including large territories such as India, Russia, and China, and we will be unable to prevent patent infringement in those countries. Additionally, the three U.S. patents that could be listed in the FDA Orange Book for LPCN 1021 are expected to expire in 2019 and 2020. Upon expiration and if we are actively marketing the LPCN 1021 product, if we have no other issued U.S. patents covering the product, we will lose certain advantages that come with Orange Book listing of patents and will no longer be able to prevent others in the U.S. from practicing the inventions claimed by the three patents.

Government Regulation

The Regulatory Process for Drug Development

The production and manufacture of our product candidates and our research and development activities are subject to regulation by various governmental authorities around the world. In the United States, drugs and products are subject to regulation by the FDA. There are other comparable agencies in Europe and other parts of the world. Regulations govern, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacture, quality control, approval, labeling, packaging, storage, record-keeping, promotion, advertising, distribution, post-approval monitoring and reporting, marketing and export and import of products. Applicable legislation requires licensing of manufacturing and contract research facilities, carefully controlled research and testing of products, governmental review and/or approval of results prior to marketing therapeutic products. Additionally, adherence to good laboratory practices, or GLP, good clinical practices, or GCP, during clinical testing and good manufacturing practices, or GMP, during production is required. The system of new drug approval in the United States is generally considered to be the most rigorous in the world and is described in further detail below under “United States Pharmaceutical Product Development Process.”

 

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United States Pharmaceutical Product Development Process

In the United States, the FDA regulates pharmaceutical products under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and implementing regulations. Pharmaceutical products are also subject to other federal, state and local statutes and regulations. The process of obtaining regulatory approvals and the subsequent compliance with appropriate federal, state, local and foreign statutes and regulations require the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources. Failure to comply with the applicable United States requirements at any time during the product development process, approval process or after approval, may subject an applicant to administrative or judicial sanctions. FDA sanctions could include refusal to approve pending applications, withdrawal of an approval, a clinical hold, warning letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution injunctions, fines, refusals of government contracts, restitution, disgorgement or civil or criminal penalties. Any agency or judicial enforcement action could have a material adverse effect on us.

It normally takes an average of 10 to 15 years for a typical experimental drug to go from concept to approval. The process required by the FDA before a pharmaceutical product may be marketed in the United States generally includes the following:

 

   

Completion of preclinical laboratory tests and animal studies. The latter often conducted according to GLPs or other applicable regulations, as well as synthesis and drug formulation development leading ultimately to clinical drug supplies manufactured according to current GMPs;

 

   

Submission to the FDA of an IND, which must become effective before human clinical trials may begin in the United States;

 

   

Performance of adequate and well-controlled human clinical trials according to the FDA’s current GCPs, to establish the safety and efficacy of the proposed pharmaceutical product for its intended use;

 

   

Submission to the FDA of an NDA for a new pharmaceutical product;

 

   

Satisfactory completion of an FDA inspection of the manufacturing facility or facilities where the pharmaceutical product is produced to assess compliance with the FDA’s current good manufacturing practice, or cGMP, to assure that the facilities, methods and controls are adequate to preserve the pharmaceutical product’s identity, strength, quality and purity;

 

   

Potential FDA audit of the preclinical and clinical trial sites that generated the data in support of the NDA; and

 

   

FDA review and approval of the NDA.

The lengthy process of seeking required approvals and the continuing need for compliance with applicable statutes and regulations require the expenditure of substantial resources and approvals are inherently uncertain.

Preclinical Studies : Prior to preclinical studies, a research phase takes place which involves demonstration of target and function, design, screening and synthesis of inhibitors. Preclinical studies include laboratory evaluations of product chemistry, toxicity and formulation, as well as animal studies to evaluate efficacy and activity, toxic effects, pharmacokinetics and metabolism of the pharmaceutical product candidate and to provide evidence of the safety, bioavailability and activity of the pharmaceutical product candidate in animals. The conduct of the preclinical safety evaluations must comply with federal regulations and requirements including GLPs. The results of the formal IND-enabling preclinical studies, together with manufacturing information, analytical data, any available clinical data or literature as well as the comprehensive descriptions of proposed human clinical studies, are then submitted as part of the IND application to the FDA.

The IND automatically becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless the FDA places the IND on a clinical hold within that 30-day time period. In such a case, the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns before the clinical trial can begin. The FDA may also impose clinical holds on a pharmaceutical product candidate at any time before or during clinical trials due to safety concerns or non-compliance. Accordingly, we cannot be certain that submission of an IND will result in the FDA allowing clinical trials to begin, or that, once begun, issues will not arise that suspend or terminate such clinical trial.

 

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Clinical Trials : Clinical trials involve the administration of the pharmaceutical product candidate to healthy volunteers or patients under the supervision of qualified investigators, generally physicians not employed by the sponsor. Clinical trials are conducted under protocols detailing, among other things, the objectives of the clinical trial, dosing procedures, subject selection and exclusion criteria, and the parameters to be used to monitor subject safety. Each protocol must be submitted to the FDA if conducted under a U.S. IND. Clinical trials must be conducted in accordance with the FDA’s GCP requirements. Further, each clinical trial must be reviewed and approved by an independent institutional review board, or IRB, or ethics committee at or servicing each institution at which the clinical trial will be conducted. An IRB or ethics committee is charged with protecting the welfare and rights of trial participants and considers such items as whether the risks to individuals participating in the clinical trials are minimized and are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits. The IRB or ethics committee also approves the informed consent form that must be provided to each clinical trial subject or his or her legal representative and must monitor the clinical trial until completed.

Human clinical trials are typically conducted in three sequential phases that may overlap or be combined:

Phase I Clinical Trials : Phase I clinical trials are usually first-in-man trials, take approximately one to two years to complete and are generally conducted on a small number of healthy human subjects to evaluate the drug’s activity, schedule and dose, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. However, in the case of life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, the initial Phase I testing may be done in patients with the disease. These trials typically take longer to complete and may provide insights into drug activity.

Phase II Clinical Trials : Phase II clinical trials can take approximately one to three years to complete and are carried out on a relatively small to moderate number of patients (as compared to Phase III) in a specific indication. The pharmaceutical product is evaluated to preliminarily assess efficacy, to identify possible adverse effects and safety risks, and to determine optimal dose, regimens, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and dose response relationships. This phase also provides additional safety data and serves to identify possible common short-term side effects and risks in a larger group of patients. Phase II clinical trials sometimes include randomization of patients.

Phase III Clinical Trials : Phase III clinical trials take approximately two to five years to complete and involve tests on a much larger population of patients (several hundred to several thousand patients) suffering from the targeted condition or disease. These studies usually include randomization of patients and blinding of both patients and investigators at geographically dispersed test sites (multi-center trials). These trials are undertaken to further evaluate dosage, clinical efficacy and safety and are intended to establish the overall risk/benefit ratio of the product and provide an adequate basis for product labeling. Generally, two adequate and well-controlled Phase III clinical trials are required by the FDA for approval of an NDA or foreign authorities for approval of marketing applications.

Post-approval studies, or Phase IV clinical trials, may be conducted after initial marketing approval. These studies are used to gain additional experience from the treatment of patients in the intended therapeutic indication and may be required by the FDA as a condition of approval.

Progress reports detailing the results of the clinical trials must be submitted at least annually to the FDA, and written IND safety reports must be submitted to the FDA and the investigators for serious and unexpected adverse events or for any finding from tests in laboratory animals that suggests a significant risk for human subjects. Phase I, Phase II and Phase III clinical trials may not be completed successfully within any specified period, if at all. The FDA or the sponsor or, if used, its data safety and monitoring board may suspend a clinical trial at any time on various grounds, including a finding that the research subjects or patients are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk. Similarly, an IRB or ethics committee can suspend or terminate approval of a clinical trial at its institution if the clinical trial is not being conducted in accordance with the IRB’s or ethics committee’s requirements or if the pharmaceutical product has been associated with unexpected serious harm to patients.

 

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Concurrent with clinical trials, companies usually complete additional animal studies and must also develop additional information about the chemistry and physical characteristics of the pharmaceutical product, as well as finalize a process for manufacturing the product in commercial quantities in accordance with GMP requirements. The manufacturing process must be capable of consistently producing quality batches of the pharmaceutical product candidate and, among other things, must develop methods for testing the identity, strength, quality and purity of the final pharmaceutical product. Additionally, appropriate packaging must be selected and tested and stability studies must be conducted to demonstrate that the pharmaceutical product candidate does not undergo unacceptable deterioration over its shelf life.

U.S. Pharmaceutical Review and Approval Process

New Drug Application : Upon completion of pivotal Phase III clinical studies, the sponsor assembles all the product development, preclinical and clinical data along with descriptions of the manufacturing process, analytical tests conducted on the chemistry of the pharmaceutical product, proposed labeling and other relevant information, and submits it to the FDA as part of an NDA. The submission or application is then reviewed by the regulatory body for approval to market the product. This process takes eight months to one year to complete. The FDA may refuse to approve an NDA if the applicable regulatory criteria are not satisfied or may require additional clinical data or other data and information. Even if such data and information is submitted, the FDA may ultimately decide that the NDA does not satisfy the criteria for approval. If a product receives regulatory approval, the approval may be significantly limited to specific diseases and dosages or the indications for use may otherwise be limited, which could restrict the commercial value of the product. Further, the FDA may require that certain contraindications, warnings or precautions be included in the product labeling.

Post-Approval Requirements

Any pharmaceutical products for which we receive FDA approvals are subject to continuing regulation by the FDA, including, among other things, record-keeping requirements, reporting of adverse experiences with the product, providing the FDA with updated safety and efficacy information, product sampling and distribution requirements, complying with certain electronic records and signature requirements and complying with FDA promotion and advertising requirements, which include, among others, standards for direct-to-consumer advertising, promoting pharmaceutical products for uses or in patient populations that are not described in the pharmaceutical product’s approved labeling (known as “off-label use”), industry-sponsored scientific and educational activities and promotional activities involving the internet. Failure to comply with FDA requirements can have negative consequences, including adverse publicity, enforcement letters from the FDA, mandated corrective advertising or communications with doctors and civil or criminal penalties.

The FDA also may require post-marketing testing, known as Phase IV testing, risk evaluation and mitigation strategies and surveillance to monitor the effects of an approved product or place conditions on an approval that could restrict the distribution or use of the product.

Other Healthcare Laws and Compliance Requirements

In the United States, our activities are potentially subject to regulation by various federal, state and local authorities in addition to the FDA, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other divisions of the United States government, including, the Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Justice and individual U.S. Attorney offices within the Department of Justice, and state and local governments. For example, if a drug product is reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal or state healthcare programs, our company, including our sales, marketing and scientific/educational grant programs, must comply with the federal False Claims Act, as amended, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, as amended, and similar state laws. If a drug product is reimbursed by Medicare or Medicaid, pricing and rebate programs must comply with, as applicable, the Medicaid rebate requirements of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, or OBRA, and the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, or MMA. Among other things, OBRA requires drug manufacturers to pay rebates on prescription drugs to state Medicaid programs and empowers states to negotiate rebates on pharmaceutical prices, which may result in prices for our future products that will likely be lower than the prices we might otherwise obtain. Additionally, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as

 

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amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, collectively, PPACA, substantially changes the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers. Among other cost containment measures, PPACA establishes: an annual, nondeductible fee on any entity that manufactures or imports certain branded prescription drugs and biologic agents; a new Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program; and a new formula that increases the rebates a manufacturer must pay under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. There may continue to be additional proposals relating to the reform of the U.S. healthcare system, in the future, some of which could further limit coverage and reimbursement of drug products. If drug products are made available to authorized users of the Federal Supply Schedule of the General Services Administration, additional laws and requirements may apply.

Pharmaceutical Coverage, Pricing and Reimbursement

In the United States and markets in other countries, sales of any products for which we receive regulatory approval for commercial sale will depend in part on the availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement from third-party payers, including government health administrative authorities, managed care providers, private health insurers and other organizations. In the United States, private health insurers and other third-party payers often provide reimbursement for products and services based on the level at which the government (through the Medicare or Medicaid programs) provides reimbursement for such treatments. Third-party payers are increasingly examining the medical necessity and cost-effectiveness of medical products and services in addition to their safety and efficacy and, accordingly, significant uncertainty exists as to the coverage and reimbursement status of newly approved therapeutics. In particular, in the United States, the European Union and other potentially significant markets for our product candidates, government authorities and third-party payers are increasingly attempting to limit or regulate the price of medical products and services, particularly for new and innovative products and therapies, which has resulted in lower average selling prices. Further, the increased emphasis on managed healthcare in the United States and on country and regional pricing and reimbursement controls in the European Union will put additional pressure on product pricing, reimbursement and usage, which may adversely affect our future product sales and results of operations. These pressures can arise from rules and practices of managed care groups, judicial decisions and governmental laws and regulations related to Medicare, Medicaid and healthcare reform, pharmaceutical reimbursement policies and pricing in general. As a result, coverage and adequate third party reimbursement may not be available for our products to enable us to realize an appropriate return on our investment in research and product development.

The market for our product candidates for which we may receive regulatory approval will depend significantly on access to third-party payers’ drug formularies, or lists of medications for which third-party payers provide coverage and reimbursement. The industry competition to be included in such formularies often leads to downward pricing pressures on pharmaceutical companies. Also, third-party payers may refuse to include a particular branded drug in their formularies or may otherwise restrict patient access to a branded drug when a less costly generic equivalent or other alternative is available. In addition, because each third-party payer individually approves coverage and reimbursement levels, obtaining coverage and adequate reimbursement is a time-consuming and costly process. We would be required to provide scientific and clinical support for the use of any product to each third-party payer separately with no assurance that approval would be obtained, and we may need to conduct expensive pharmacoeconomic studies in order to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of our products. This process could delay the market acceptance of any of our product candidates for which we may receive approval and could have a negative effect on our future revenues and operating results. We cannot be certain that our product candidates will be considered cost-effective. If we are unable to obtain coverage and adequate payment levels for our product candidates from third-party payers, physicians may limit how much or under what circumstances they will prescribe or administer them and patients may decline to purchase them. This in turn could affect our ability to successfully commercialize our products and impact our profitability, results of operations, financial condition, and future success.

The Development Process for Orphan Drugs

The United States Orphan Drug Act encourages the development of orphan drugs, which are intended to treat “rare diseases or conditions” within the meaning of this Act (i.e., those that affect fewer than 200,000 persons in the United States). The provisions of the Act are intended to stimulate the research, development and approval of

 

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products that treat rare diseases. Orphan Drug Designation provides a sponsor with several potential benefits: (1) sponsors are granted seven years of marketing exclusivity after approval of the orphan-designated indication for the drug product; (2) sponsors are granted U.S. tax incentives for clinical research; (3) the FDA’s office of orphan products development co-ordinates research study design assistance for sponsors of drugs for rare diseases; and (4) grant funding can be obtained to defray costs of qualified clinical testing.

Priority Review

Priority Review is a designation for an NDA after it has been submitted to the FDA for review. Reviews for NDAs are designated as either “Standard” or “Priority.” A Standard designation sets the target date for completing all aspects of a review and the FDA taking an action on 90% of applications (i.e., approve or not approve) at 12 months after the date it was submitted. A Priority designation sets the target date for the FDA action on 90% of applications at eight months after submission. A Priority designation is intended for those products that address unmet medical needs.

Accelerated Approval

Accelerated Approval or Subpart H Approval is a program described in the NDA regulations that is intended to make promising products for life threatening diseases available on the basis of evidence of effect on a surrogate endpoint prior to formal demonstration of patient benefit. A surrogate marker is a measurement intended to substitute for the clinical measurement of interest, usually prolongation of survival in oncology that is considered likely to predict patient benefit. The approval that is granted may be considered a provisional approval with a written commitment to complete clinical studies that formally demonstrate patient benefit.

Employees

As of June 30, 2013, we had 11 employees and we also utilize the services of consultants on a regular basis. Seven employees are engaged in drug development activities and four are in support and administration. None of our employees are represented by labor unions or covered by collective bargaining agreements.

Legal Proceedings

Although we may, from time to time, be a party to certain lawsuits in the ordinary course of business, we are not currently involved in any lawsuits that would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

Properties

Our corporate headquarters are located in a leased facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our lease expires in November 2014. We have an option to renew the lease for an additional two years. We believe that our existing facilities are suitable and adequate and that we have sufficient capacity to meet our current anticipated needs.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry

Our research and development programs and processes are at an early stage of development, which makes it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects, or predict if or when we will successfully commercialize our product candidates

Our operations to date have primarily been limited to conducting research and development activities under license and collaboration agreements. Our current portfolio consists of our lead product candidate LPCN 1021, for which we have just completed Phase II clinical trials. We are also developing two additional earlier stage clinical candidates, LPCN 1111 and LPCN 1107. We have never marketed or commercialized a drug product. Consequently, any predictions about our future performance may not be as accurate as they could be if we were further along our commercialization path. In addition, as a pre-commercial stage business, we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors.

Our clinical product candidates are at an early stage of development and will require significant further investment and regulatory approvals prior to marketing and commercialization. As such, our product development processes for LPCN 1021, LPCN 1111 and LPCN 1107 are very risky and uncertain, and our product candidates may fail to advance beyond the current study. Even if we obtain required financing, we cannot ensure successful product development or that we will obtain regulatory approval or successfully commercialize any of our product candidates and generate product revenues.

All of our clinical candidates will be subject to extensive regulation which can be costly and time consuming, cause delays or prevent approval of the products for commercialization.

Our clinical development of LPCN 1021, LPCN 1111, LPCN1107 and any future product candidates, is subject to extensive regulations by the FDA in the United States. Product development is a very lengthy and expensive process and can vary significantly based upon the product candidate’s novelty and complexity. Regulations are subject to change and regulatory agencies have significant discretion in the approval process.

Numerous statutes and regulations govern human testing and the manufacture and sale of human therapeutic products in the United States. Such legislation and regulation bears upon, among other things, the approval of protocols and human testing, the approval of manufacturing facilities, safety of the product candidates, testing procedures and controlled research, review and approval of manufacturing, preclinical and clinical data prior to marketing approval including adherence to GMP during production and storage as well as regulation of marketing activities including advertising and labeling.

In order to obtain regulatory clearance for the commercial sale of any of our product candidates, we must demonstrate through preclinical studies and clinical trials that the potential product is safe, efficacious for use in humans for each target indication. Obtaining approval of any of our product candidates is an extensive, lengthy, expensive and uncertain process, and the FDA may delay, limit or deny approval for many reasons, including:

 

   

we may not be able to demonstrate that the product candidate is safe and effective to the satisfaction of the FDA;

 

   

the results of our clinical trials may not meet the level of statistical or clinical significance required by the FDA for marketing approval;

 

   

the FDA may disagree with the number, design, size, conduct or implementation of our clinical trials;

 

   

the CRO that we retain to conduct our clinical trials may take actions outside of our control that materially adversely impact our clinical trials;

 

   

the FDA may not find the data from preclinical studies and clinical trials sufficient to demonstrate that a particular product candidate’s clinical and other benefits outweigh its safety risks;

 

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the FDA may disagree with our interpretation of data from our preclinical studies and clinical trials or may require that we conduct additional trials;

 

   

the FDA may not accept data generated at our clinical trial sites;

 

   

if our NDA is reviewed by an advisory committee, the FDA may have difficulties scheduling an advisory committee meeting in a timely manner or the advisory committee may recommend against approval of our application or may recommend that the FDA require, as a condition of approval, additional preclinical studies or clinical trials, limitations on approved labeling or distribution and use restrictions;

 

   

the FDA may require development of a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, as a condition of approval;

 

   

the FDA may require longer or additional duration of stability data on the clinical lots prior to initiation of further clinical trials;

 

   

the FDA may identify deficiencies in the formulation or stability of our product candidates or products, or relating to our manufacturing processes or facilities, or in the processes and facilities of the contract manufacturing organization, or CMO, our suppliers or other third parties that may be utilized in the production supply chain of our products;

 

   

with respect to LPCN 1021 and LPCN 1111, the FDA may not grant New Chemical Entity exclusivity to Testosterone prodrug present as the active; and

 

   

with respect to LPCN 1107, the FDA may not grant Orphan Drug Designation for the oral product if they do not deem it to be a major contribution to patient care over intramuscular injection, or for other reasons.

Preclinical and clinical data are often susceptible to varying interpretations and analyses, and many companies that have believed their product candidates performed satisfactorily in preclinical studies and clinical trials have nonetheless failed to obtain FDA approval for their products.

No assurance can be given that current regulations relating to regulatory approval will not change or become more stringent. The FDA may also require that we amend clinical trial protocols and/or run additional trials in order to provide additional information regarding the safety, efficacy or equivalency of any compound for which we seek regulatory approval. Moreover, any regulatory approval of a drug which is eventually obtained may entail limitations on the indicated uses for which that drug may be marketed. Furthermore, product approvals may be withdrawn or limited in some way if problems occur following initial marketing or if compliance with regulatory standards is not maintained. FDA could become more risk averse to any side effects or set higher standards of safety and efficacy prior to reviewing or approving a product. This could result in a product not being approved.

Even if we receive marketing approval in the United States, we may never receive regulatory approval to market our products outside the United States, which could reduce the size of our potential markets and have a material adverse impact on our business.

In order to market any products outside of the United States, we must establish and comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements of other countries regarding safety and efficacy.

Approval procedures vary among countries and can involve additional product candidate testing and additional administrative review periods. The time required to obtain approvals in other countries might differ from that required to obtain FDA approval. The marketing approval process in other countries may include all of the risks detailed above regarding FDA approval in the United States as well as other risks. In particular, in many countries outside of the United States, products must receive pricing and reimbursement approval before the product can be commercialized. This can result in substantial delays in such countries. Marketing approval in one country does not ensure marketing approval in another, but a failure or delay in obtaining marketing approval in one country may have a negative effect on the regulatory process in others. Failure to obtain marketing approval in other countries or

 

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any delay or setback in obtaining such approval would impair our ability to market our products in such foreign markets. Any such impairment would reduce the size of our potential markets, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and prospects.

The timelines of our clinical trials may be impacted by numerous factors and any delays may adversely affect our ability to execute our current business strategy.

Our expectations regarding the success of our product candidates, including our clinical candidates and lead compounds, and our business are based on projections which may not be realized for many scientific, business or other reasons. We therefore cannot assure investors that we will be able to adhere to our current schedule. We set goals that forecast the accomplishment of objectives material to our success: selecting clinical candidates, product candidates, failures in research, the inability to identify or advance lead compounds, identifying target patient groups or clinical candidates, the timing and completion of clinical trials, and anticipated regulatory approval. The actual timing of these events can vary dramatically due to factors such as slow enrollment of patients in studies, uncertainties in scale-up, manufacturing and formulation of our compounds, failures in research, the inability to identify clinical candidates, failures in our clinical trials, and uncertainties inherent in the regulatory approval process and regulatory submissions. Decisions by our partners or collaborators may also affect our timelines and delays in achieving manufacturing capacity and marketing infrastructure sufficient to commercialize our biopharmaceutical products. The length of time necessary to complete clinical trials and to submit an application for marketing approval by applicable regulatory authorities may also vary significantly based on the type, complexity and novelty of the product candidate involved, as well as other factors.

The duration of our pre-clinical and clinical trial programs can be significantly extended as the attainment of an appropriate dose may be delayed, resulting in additional costs and overall program delays. If a trial or phase of a trial has commenced, it could be placed on clinical hold if the regulatory authorities determine a trial or its design may be unsafe or require clarifications regarding protocol design.

We depend primarily on the success of our lead product candidate, LPCN 1021, which is still under clinical development and may not receive regulatory approval or be successfully commercialized.

We currently have only one product candidate that has completed Phase II clinical trials, and our business currently depends primarily on its successful development, regulatory approval and commercialization. We are not permitted to market LPCN 1021 in the United States until we receive approval of an NDA from the FDA, or in any foreign countries until we receive the requisite approval from such countries. We have not scaled up the pivotal study formulation to commercial scale. We have not submitted an NDA to the FDA or comparable applications to other regulatory authorities. Before we submit an NDA to the FDA for LPCN 1021 as a TRT we must initiate and complete our pivotal Phase III trial, and the three pharmacokinetic studies for labeling purposes. We have not commenced any of these trials.

In addition, results from Phase II trials of LPCN 1021 may not be replicated in our pivotal Phase III trial. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in late-stage clinical trials even after achieving positive results in early stage development. Our pivotal Phase III trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of LPCN 1021 over a longer period of time in a patient population almost four times larger than our repeat-dose Phase II trials. Accordingly, the results from Phase II trials for LPCN 1021 may not be predictive of the results we may obtain in our pivotal Phase III trial of LPCN 1021. Our pivotal Phase III trial may produce negative or inconclusive results, and we may decide, or regulators may require us, to conduct additional preclinical studies or clinical trials, or even terminate further development.

LPCN 1107 is in a very early stage of development, has never been administered orally in humans, and may not be further developed for a variety of reasons.

LPCN 1107 is in a very early stage of development and consequently the risk we fail to commercialize related products is high. In particular, we have conducted a repeated dose toxicity and toxicokinetic study in dogs. Although preliminary data from the studies demonstrated oral absorption in dogs, to our knowledge, HPC has never been administered orally in humans. As such, our currently planned proof-of-concept Phase I/II study would be the “first in human” study with oral administration of HPC. In particular, any such study may not demonstrate that

 

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LPCN 1107 has adequate, or any, oral absorption in our targeted patient group. Furthermore, such study may not be predictive of safety concerns that may arise in pregnant women or demonstrate that LPCN 1107 has a adequate safety profile to warrant further development. The FDA may also require further preclinical studies and/or clinical studies in healthy women before proceeding to studies in pregnant women. All these factors can impact the timing of, and our ability to, continue development of LPCN 1107.

We have not filed an IND with the FDA to conduct the proof-of-concept Phase I/II study in pregnant women. Many factors could significantly delay commencement and/or conduct of the proof of-concept Phase I/II trial for LPCN 1107, including relating to the regulatory approval and clinical development challenges discussed above. Even assuming successful proof-of-concept Phase I/II study, the anticipated Phase III program for a NDA filing for LPCN 1107 would be very long and expensive.

LPCN 1111 is in a very early stage of development, has never been administered in our targeted male population, and may not be further developed for a variety of reasons.

LPCN 1111 is in a very early stage of development. We currently have preliminary data demonstrating absorption of LPCN 1111 in dogs and in postmenopausal females. To our knowledge, this novel ester prodrug has never been administered orally in hypogonadal males and its safety has never been assessed in animal studies. Our proof-of-concept Phase I/II study would be the first study of this prodrug in hypogonadal males through oral administration. We may not be able to demonstrate through such study that LPCN 1111 has adequate, or any, oral absorption in hypogonadal males to warrant further development or that the safety profile warrants further development.

In addition, the active ingredient in LPCN 1111 has only been manufactured on a small scale. Scale up into larger batches could be challenging and our ability to procure adequate material in a timely manner to further develop LPCN 1111 is uncertain. We also may not have a manufacturer who can supply adequate quantities of the drug substance in compliance with cGMP.

We have not filed an IND with the FDA to conduct the proof-of-concept Phase I/II study in hypogonadal males. We plan to conduct a pre-IND meeting with the FDA to broadly discuss the requirements for a NDA filing for LPCN 1111. Several factors could significantly affect the prospects for LPCN 1111, including relating to the regulatory approval and clinical development challenges discussed above. Even assuming successful proof-of-concept Phase I/II study, the anticipated Phase III program for a NDA filing for LPCN 1111 would be very long and expensive.

We are subject to stringent government regulations concerning the clinical testing of our products and will continue to be subject to government regulation of any product that receives regulatory approval.

Numerous statutes and regulations govern human testing and the manufacture and sale of human therapeutic products in the United States and other countries where we intend to market our products. Such legislation and regulation bears upon, among other things, the approval of protocols and human testing, the approval of manufacturing facilities, testing procedures and controlled research, the review and approval of manufacturing, preclinical and clinical data prior to marketing approval, including adherence to GMP during production and storage, and marketing activities including advertising and labeling.

Clinical trials may be delayed or suspended at any time by us or by the FDA or by other similar regulatory authorities if it is determined at any time that patients may be or are being exposed to unacceptable health risks, including the risk of death, or if compounds are not manufactured under acceptable GMP conditions or with acceptable quality. Current regulations relating to regulatory approval may change or become more stringent. The agencies may also require additional trials to be run in order to provide additional information regarding the safety, efficacy or equivalency of any compound for which we seek regulatory approval. Moreover, any regulatory approval of a drug which is eventually obtained may entail limitations on the indicated uses for which that drug may be marketed. Furthermore, product approvals may be withdrawn or limited in some way if problems occur following initial marketing or if compliance with regulatory standards is not maintained. Regulatory agencies could become more risk adverse to any side effects or set higher standards of safety and efficacy prior to reviewing or approving a product. This could result in a product not being approved.

 

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If we, or any future marketing collaborators or CMOs, fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, we may be subject to sanctions including fines, product recalls or seizures and related publicity requirements, injunctions, total or partial suspension of production, civil penalties, suspension or withdrawals of previously granted regulatory approvals, warning or untitled letters, refusal to approve pending applications for marketing approval of new products or of supplements to approved applications, import or export bans or restrictions, and criminal prosecution and penalties. Any of these penalties could delay or prevent the promotion, marketing or sale of our products.

The successful commercialization of our product candidates and ability to generate significant revenue will depend on achieving market acceptance.

Even if our product candidates are successfully developed and receive regulatory approval, they may not gain market acceptance among physicians, patients, healthcare payers such as private insurers or governments and other funding parties and the medical community. The degree of market acceptance for our products, if approved, will depend on a number of factors, including:

 

   

the relative convenience and ease of administration, including as compared to alternative treatments and competitive therapies;

 

   

the prevalence and severity of any adverse side effects;

 

   

limitations or warnings contained in the labeling approved by the FDA;

 

   

availability of alternative treatments, including a number of competitive therapies already approved or expected to be commercially launched in the near future;

 

   

distribution and use restrictions imposed by the FDA or agreed to by us as part of a mandatory REMS or voluntary risk management plan;

 

   

pricing and cost effectiveness;

 

   

the effectiveness of our or any future collaborators’ sales and marketing strategies;

 

   

our ability to increase awareness of our products through marketing efforts;

 

   

our ability to obtain sufficient third-party coverage or reimbursement; and

 

   

the willingness of patients to pay out-of-pocket in the absence of third-party coverage.

If our product candidates are approved but do not achieve an adequate level of acceptance by physicians, healthcare payors and patients, we may not generate sufficient revenue from our products and we may never become or remain profitable. In addition, our efforts to educate the medical community and third-party payors on the benefits of our products may require significant resources and may never be successful.

Even if we obtain marketing approval for our products, physicians and patients using existing products may choose not to switch to our products.

Physicians often show a reluctance to switch their patients from existing drug products even when new and potentially more effective and convenient treatments enter the market. In addition, patients often acclimate to the brand or type of drug product that they are currently taking and do not want to switch unless their physicians recommend switching products or they are required to switch drug treatments due to lack of reimbursement for existing drug treatments. The existence of either or both of physician or patient reluctance in switching to our products would have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

 

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If we fail to obtain adequate healthcare reimbursement for our products, our revenue-generating ability will be diminished and there is no assurance that the anticipated market for our products will be sustained.

We believe that there could be many different applications for products successfully derived from our technologies and that the anticipated market for products under development could continue to expand. However, due to competition from existing or new products and the yet to be established commercial viability of our products, no assurance can be given that these beliefs will prove to be correct. Physicians, patients, formularies, payers or the medical community in general may not accept or utilize any products that we or our collaborative partners may develop. Other drugs may be approved during our clinical testing which could change the accepted treatments for the disease targeted and make our compound obsolete.

Our ability to commercialize our products with success may depend, in part, on the extent to which coverage and adequate reimbursement to patients for the cost of such products and related treatment will be available from governmental health administration authorities, private health coverage insurers and other organizations, as well as the ability of private payers to pay for or afford our drugs. Adequate third party coverage may not be available to patients to allow us to maintain price levels sufficient for us to realize an appropriate return on our investment in product development.

Coverage and adequate reimbursement from governmental healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, and commercial payers can be critical to new product acceptance. Coverage decisions may depend upon clinical and economic standards that disfavor new drug products when more established or lower cost therapeutic alternatives are already available or subsequently become available. Even if we obtain coverage for our products, the resulting reimbursement payment rates might not be adequate or may require co-payments that patients find unacceptably high. Patients are less likely to use our products unless coverage is provided and reimbursement is adequate to cover a significant portion of the cost of our products.

In the United States and in many other countries, pricing and/or profitability of some or all prescription pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals are subject to varying degrees of government control. Healthcare reform and controls on healthcare spending may limit the price we charge for any products and the amounts thereof that we can sell. In particular, in the United States, the federal government and private insurers have changed and have considered ways to change, the manner in which healthcare services are provided. In March 2010, PPACA became law in the United States. PPACA substantially changes the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers and significantly affects the healthcare industry. The provisions of PPACA of importance to our potential product candidates include the following:

 

   

an annual, nondeductible fee on any entity that manufactures or imports certain branded prescription drugs and biologic agents;

 

   

an increase in the statutory minimum rebates a manufacturer must pay under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program;

 

   

expansion of healthcare fraud and abuse laws, including the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute, new government investigative powers, and enhanced penalties for noncompliance;

 

   

a new Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program, in which manufacturers must agree to offer 50% point-of-sale discounts off negotiated prices of applicable brand drugs to eligible beneficiaries during their coverage gap period, as a condition for the manufacturer’s outpatient drugs to be covered under Medicare Part D;

 

   

extension of manufacturers’ Medicaid rebate liability to covered drugs dispensed to individuals who are enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations;

 

   

expansion of eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs by, among other things, allowing states to offer Medicaid coverage to additional individuals beginning in 2014 and by adding new mandatory eligibility categories for certain individuals with specified income levels, thereby potentially increasing manufacturers’ Medicaid rebate liability;

 

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expansion of the entities eligible for discounts under the Public Health Service pharmaceutical pricing program;

 

   

new requirements to report annually certain financial arrangements with physicians, certain other healthcare professionals, and teaching hospitals;

 

   

a new requirement to annually report drug samples that manufacturers and distributors provide to physicians; and

 

   

a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to oversee, identify priorities in, and conduct comparative clinical effectiveness research, along with funding for such research.

In addition, other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since PPACA was enacted. On August 2, 2011, the Budget Control Act of 2011, created, among other things, measures for spending reductions by Congress. A Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, tasked with recommending a targeted deficit reduction of at least $1.2 trillion for the years 2013 through 2021, was unable to reach required goals, thereby triggering the legislation’s automatic reduction to several government programs. This includes aggregate reductions to Medicare payments to providers of up to 2% per fiscal year, starting in 2013. On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which, among other things, reduced Medicare payments to several providers and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years. These new laws may result in additional reductions in Medicare and other healthcare funding, which could have a material adverse effect on our customers and accordingly, our financial operations.

We anticipate that PPACA will result in additional downward pressure on the reimbursement we may receive for any approved and covered product, and could seriously harm our business. Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare and other government programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payers. In the future, the U.S. government may institute further controls and different reimbursement schemes and limits on Medicare and Medicaid spending or reimbursement that may affect the payments we could collect from sales of any products in the United States. The implementation of cost containment measures or other healthcare reforms may prevent us from being able to generate revenue, attain profitability, or commercialize our products.

Recent federal legislation and actions by state and local governments may permit re-importation of drugs from foreign countries into the United States, including foreign countries where the drugs are sold at lower prices than in the United States, which could materially adversely affect our operating results.

We may face competition for LPCN 1021, if approved, from lower priced T-replacement therapies from foreign countries that have placed price controls on pharmaceutical products. The MMA contains provisions that may change U.S. importation laws and expand pharmacists’ and wholesalers’ ability to import lower priced versions of an approved drug and competing products from Canada, where there are government price controls. These changes to U.S. importation laws will not take effect unless and until the Secretary of Health and Human Services certifies that the changes will pose no additional risk to the public’s health and safety and will result in a significant reduction in the cost of products to consumers. The Secretary of Health and Human Services has not yet announced any plans to make this required certification.

A number of federal legislative proposals have been made to implement the changes to the U.S. importation laws without any certification and to broaden permissible imports in other ways. Even if the changes do not take effect, and other changes are not enacted, imports from Canada and elsewhere may continue to increase due to market and political forces, and the limited enforcement resources of the FDA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other government agencies. For example, Pub. L. No. 111-83, which was signed into law in October 2009, which provides appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the 2010 fiscal year, expressly prohibits U.S. Customs and Border Protection from using funds to prevent individuals from importing from Canada less than a 90-day supply of a prescription drug for personal use, when the drug otherwise complies with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Further, several states and local governments have implemented importation schemes for their citizens, and, in the absence of federal action to curtail such activities, we expect other states and local governments to launch importation efforts.

 

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The importation of foreign products that compete with our products could have a material adverse effect on our revenue and profitability.

The FDA and other regulatory agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses. If we are found to have improperly promoted off-label uses, we may become subject to significant liability.

The FDA and other regulatory agencies strictly regulate the promotional claims that may be made about prescription products, such as our product candidates. In particular, a product may not be promoted for uses that are not approved by the FDA or such other regulatory agencies as reflected in the product’s approved labeling. The FDA may impose further requirements or restrictions on the distribution or use of our product candidates as part of a REMS plan, such as limiting prescribing to certain physicians or medical centers that have undergone specialized training, limiting treatment to patients who meet certain safe-use criteria and requiring treated patients to enroll in a registry. If we receive marketing approval for our product candidates, physicians may nevertheless prescribe our products to their patients in a manner that is inconsistent with the approved label. If we are found to have promoted such off-label uses, we may become subject to significant liability. The federal government has levied large civil and criminal fines against companies for alleged improper promotion and has enjoined several companies from engaging in off-label promotion. The FDA has also requested that companies enter into consent decrees or permanent injunctions under which specified promotional conduct is changed or curtailed.

If we fail to comply with federal and state healthcare laws, including fraud and abuse and health information privacy and security laws, we could face substantial penalties and our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects could be adversely affected.

As a pharmaceutical company, even though we do not and will not control referrals of healthcare services or bill directly to Medicare, Medicaid or other third-party payers, certain federal and state healthcare laws and regulations pertaining to fraud and abuse and patients’ rights are and will be applicable to our business. We could be subject to healthcare fraud and abuse and patient privacy regulation by both the federal government and the states in which we conduct our business. The laws that may affect our ability to operate include:

 

   

the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, which constrains our marketing practices, educational programs, pricing policies, and relationships with healthcare providers or other entities, by prohibiting, among other things, soliciting, receiving, offering or paying remuneration, directly or indirectly, to induce, or in return for, either the referral of an individual or the purchase or recommendation of an item or service reimbursable under a federal healthcare program, such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs;

 

   

federal civil and criminal false claims laws and civil monetary penalty laws, which prohibit, among other things, individuals or entities from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, claims for payment from Medicare, Medicaid, or other third-party payers that are false or fraudulent;

 

   

the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, which created new federal criminal statutes that prohibit executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program or making false statements relating to healthcare matters;

 

   

HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009, and its implementing regulations, which imposes certain requirements relating to the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information; and

 

   

state and foreign law equivalents of each of the above federal laws, such as anti-kickback and false claims laws which may apply to items or services reimbursed by any third-party payer, including commercial insurers, and state and foreign laws governing the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and often are not preempted by HIPAA, thus complicating compliance efforts.

 

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Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of available statutory and regulatory exceptions, it is possible that some of our business activities could be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws. To the extent that any of our product candidates is ultimately sold in countries other than the United States, we may be subject to similar laws and regulations in those countries. If we or our operations are found to be in violation of any of the laws described above or any other governmental regulations that apply to us, we may be subject to penalties, including civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, imprisonment, exclusion of products from reimbursement under U.S. federal or state healthcare programs, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations. Any penalties, damages, fines, curtailment or restructuring of our operations could materially adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our financial results. Although compliance programs can mitigate the risk of investigation and prosecution for violations of these laws, the risks cannot be entirely eliminated. Any action against us for violation of these laws, even if we successfully defend against it, could cause us to incur significant legal expenses and divert our management’s attention from the operation of our business. Moreover, achieving and sustaining compliance with applicable federal and state privacy, security and fraud laws may prove costly.

We face substantial competition in the TRT market, which may result in others discovering, developing or commercializing products before or more successfully than we do.

We expect to face significant competition for any of our product candidates, if approved. In particular, if approved, LPCN 1021 would compete in the T-replacement therapies market, which is highly competitive and currently dominated by the sale of T-gels, which is estimated to account for approximately 89% of U.S. sales in the T-replacement therapies market in 2012. Our success will depend, in large part, on our ability to obtain an adequate share of the market. Potential competitors in North America, Europe and elsewhere include major pharmaceutical companies, specialty pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, universities and other research institutions and government agencies. Other pharmaceutical companies may develop oral T-replacement therapies that compete with LPCN 1021. For example, because TU is not a patented compound and is commercially available to third parties, it is possible that competitors may design methods of T administration that would be outside the scope of the claims of either of our patent applications. This would enable their products to effectively compete with LPCN 1021, which could have a negative effect on our business.

The following T-replacement therapies currently on the market in the United States would compete with LPCN 1021:

 

   

T-gels, such as AndroGel (marketed by Abbvie), Testim (marketed by Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or Auxilium), Fortesta (marketed by Endo Health Solutions); and additionally TEVA and Perrigo have FDA approval for T-gels but have not yet launched the products;

 

   

T-topical solutions, such as Axiron, a metered dose lotion marketed by Eli Lilly and Co., and T-injectables;

 

   

methyl-T, such as Methitest (marketed by Impax) and Testred (marketed by Valeant);

 

   

transdermal patches, such a Androderm (marketed by Actavis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.);

 

   

buccal patches, such as Striant (marketed by Auxilium); and

 

   

subcutaneous injectable pellets, such as Testopel (marketed by Auxilium).

We are also aware of other pharmaceutical companies that have T-replacement therapies or testosterone therapies in development that may be approved for marketing in the United States or outside of the United States.

Based on publicly available information, we believe that several other T-replacement therapies that would be competitive with LPCN 1021 are in varying stages of development, some of which may be approved, marketed and/or commercialized prior to LPCN 1021. These therapies include T-gels, an intramuscular injectable and oral TRT, testosterone therapy, an intranasal gel formulation of testosterone, an aromatase inhibitor, a new class of drugs called Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators; and hydroalcoholic gel formulations of DHT.

 

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In light of the competitive landscape above, LPCN 1021 may not be the first oral testosterone replacement therapy to market, which may significantly affect the market acceptance and commercial success of LPCN 1021.

Furthermore, many of our potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and human resources than we do and significantly greater experience in the discovery and development of drug candidates, obtaining FDA and other marketing approvals of products and the commercialization of those products. Accordingly, our competitors may be more successful than we may be in obtaining FDA approval for drugs and achieving widespread market acceptance. Our competitors’ drugs may be more effective, or more effectively marketed and sold, than our products and may render our products obsolete or non-competitive before we can recover the expenses of developing and commercializing them. We anticipate that we will face intense and increasing competition as new drugs enter the market and advanced technologies become available. Failure to successfully compete in this market would materially and negatively impact our business and operations.

The entrance of generic T-gels into the market would likely create downward pricing pressure on all T-replacement therapies and therefore have a negative effect on our business and financial results.

Several companies have filed Abbreviated New Drug Applications, or ANDAs, seeking approval for generic versions of existing T-gels. For example, in July 2003, Actavis and Par Pharmaceutical, or Par, filed ANDAs with the FDA seeking approval for generic versions of AndroGel 1%. In response to these ANDAs, the marketer of AndroGel 1% filed patent infringement lawsuits against these two companies to block the approval and marketing of the generic products. In 2006, all the subject companies reached an agreement pursuant to which Actavis agreed not to bring a generic version of AndroGel 1% to the market until August 2015, and Par agreed not to bring a generic version to market until February 2016. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has questioned the legality of such “pay-to-delay” agreements, and the Supreme Court ruled in June 2013 that such agreements may not be valid. The impact of this ruling on the agreements between the marketer of AndroGel 1% and Actavis and Par, as well as the timing and eventual marketing of generic versions of their respective products, is uncertain at this point.

Additionally, there are several other ANDAs for generic T-gels that have been filed and there is ongoing litigation with each of these ANDAs. If a generic version of T-gel were to become available in the market, governmental and other pressures to reduce pharmaceutical costs may result in physicians writing prescriptions for generic T-gels as opposed to branded T-gels. The entrance of any generic T-gel into the market would likely cause downward pressure on the pricing of all T-replacement therapies, and could materially adversely affect the level of sales and price at which we could sell LPCN 1021, and ultimately significantly and adversely impact our revenues and financial results.

The introduction of generic T-gel may also affect the reimbursement policies of government authorities and third-party payors, such as private health insurers and health maintenance organizations. These organizations determine which medications they will pay for and establish reimbursement levels. Cost containment is a primary concern in the U.S. healthcare industry and elsewhere. Government authorities and these third-party payors have attempted to control costs by limiting coverage and the amount of reimbursement for branded medications when there is a generic available. If generic T-gel is available in the market, that may create an additional obstacle to the availability of reimbursement for LPCN 1021. Even if reimbursement is available, the level of such reimbursement could be reduced or limited. Reimbursement may impact the demand for, or the price of, LPCN 1021. If reimbursement is not available or is available only to limited levels, we may not be able to successfully commercialize LPCN 1021, and/or our financial results from the sale of related products could be negatively and materially impacted.

Additionally, LPCN 1021 may not be the first oral testosterone replacement therapy product to market. In this event, if the generic version of a competing oral testosterone replacement therapy product enters the market before our product, then the commercial prospects of LPCN 1021 could be significantly and negatively impacted.

 

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If T-replacement therapies are found, or are perceived, to create health risks, our ability to sell LPCN 1021 could be materially adversely affected and our business could be harmed.

Publications have, from time to time, suggested potential health risks associated with TRT. Potential health risks are described in various articles, including a 2002 article published in Endocrine Practice and a 1999 article published in the International Journal of Andrology . The potential health risks detailed are fluid retention, sleep apnea, breast tenderness or enlargement, increased red blood cells, development of clinical prostate disease, including prostate cancer, increased cardiovascular disease risk and the suppression of sperm production. It has also been reported that depending in part on the method of delivery, usage of some T-replacement therapies, in particular methyl-T, is associated with liver toxicity and other side effects. It is possible that studies on the effects of T-replacement therapies could demonstrate these or other health risks. Demonstrated TRT safety risks, as well as negative publicity about the risks of hormone replacement therapy, including T-replacement, could materially adversely affect patient or prescriber attitudes and sales of LPCN 1021, if approved.

We will not be able to successfully commercialize our product candidates without establishing sales and marketing capabilities internally or through collaborators.

We currently have no sales and marketing staff. If and when any of our product candidates is commercialized, we may not be able to find suitable sales and marketing staff and collaborators for all of our product candidates. The marketing collaborators we work with may not be adequate, successful or could terminate or materially reduce the effort they direct to our products. The development of a marketing and sales capability will require significant expenditures, management resources and time. The cost of establishing such a sales force may exceed any potential product revenues, or our marketing and sales efforts may be unsuccessful. If we are unable to develop an internal marketing and sales capability or if we are unable to enter into a marketing and sales arrangement with a third party on acceptable terms, we may be unable to successfully develop and seek regulatory approval for our product candidates and/or effectively market and sell approved products, if any.

Our future success depends on our ability to retain our chief executive officer and other key executives and to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel.

We are highly dependent on Dr. Mahesh V. Patel and the other principal members of our executive team listed under “Management.” Employment with our executives and other employees are “at will”, meaning that there is no mandatory fixed term and their employment with us may be terminated by us or by them for any or no reason. The loss of the services of any of our executives or other key employees might impede the achievement of our research, development and commercialization objectives. Recruiting and retaining qualified scientific personnel, accounting personnel and sales and marketing personnel will also be critical to our success. We may not be able to attract and retain qualified personnel on acceptable terms, or at all, given the competition among numerous pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for similar personnel. We also experience competition for the hiring of scientific personnel from universities and research institutions. Failure to succeed in clinical trials may make it more challenging to recruit and retain qualified scientific personnel.

In addition, we rely on consultants and advisors, including scientific and clinical advisors, to assist us in formulating our development and commercialization strategy. Our consultants and advisors may be employed by employers other than us and may have commitments under consulting or advisory contracts with other entities that may limit their availability to us.

We will need to grow our company, and we may encounter difficulties in managing this growth, which could disrupt our operations.

We currently have only eleven employees, and we currently expect to experience significant growth in the number of employees and the scope of our operations. To manage our anticipated future growth, we must continue to implement and improve our managerial, operational and financial systems, expand our facilities and continue to recruit and train additional qualified personnel. Also, our management may need to divert a disproportionate amount of its attention away from our day-to-day activities and devote a substantial amount of time to managing these growth activities. Due to our limited resources, we may not be able to effectively manage the expansion of our operations or recruit and train additional qualified personnel. This may result in weaknesses in our infrastructure, give rise to operational mistakes, loss of business opportunities, loss of employees and reduced productivity among remaining employees. The physical expansion of our operations may lead to significant costs and may divert financial resources from other projects, such as the development of LPCN 1021. If our management is unable to

 

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effectively manage our expected growth, our expenses may increase more than expected, our ability to generate or increase our revenue could be reduced and we may not be able to implement our business strategy. Our future financial performance and our ability to commercialize our product candidates and compete effectively will depend, in part, on our ability to effectively manage any future growth.

We may become subject to the risk of product liability claims.

We face an inherent risk of product liability as a result of the clinical testing of our product candidates and will face an even greater risk if we commercialize any products. Human therapeutic products involve the risk of product liability claims and associated adverse publicity. Currently, the principal risks we face relate to patients in our clinical trials, who may suffer unintended consequences. Claims might be made by patients, healthcare providers or pharmaceutical companies or others. We may be sued if any product we develop allegedly causes injury or is found to be otherwise unsuitable during product testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale.

For example, to our knowledge, HPC has not been administered orally in a published clinical trial in any pregnant woman for the prevention of preterm birth. We cannot be certain of the safety profile upon single oral or multiple oral administration of LPCN 1107 to the patient or the fetus and its long term side effects on the mother as well as the child because (i) oral performance of LPCN 1107 may be substantially different from efficacy and/or safety standpoint compared to FDA approved and commercialized intramuscular hydroxy progesterone caproate, Makena, and (ii) oral delivery of HPC could have a very different pharmokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic profile that has never been experienced with non oral administration of HPC, thus having its own significant liability exposure independent of known safety of non-oral HPC in humans.

Any product liability claims may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the product, negligence, strict liability and a breach of warranties. Claims could also be asserted under state consumer protection acts. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit commercialization of our product candidates, if approved. Even successful defense would require significant financial and management resources. Regardless of the merits or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:

 

   

decreased demand for our product candidates;

 

   

injury to our reputation;

 

   

withdrawal of clinical trial participants;

 

   

initiation of investigations by regulators;

 

   

costs to defend the related litigation;

 

   

a diversion of management’s time and our resources;

 

   

substantial monetary awards to trial participants or patients;

 

   

product recalls, withdrawals or labeling, marketing or promotional restrictions;

 

   

loss of revenues from product sales; and

 

   

the inability to commercialize any of our product candidates, if approved.

We may not have or be able to obtain or maintain sufficient and affordable insurance coverage, and without sufficient coverage any claim brought against us could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. We run clinical trials through investigators that could be negligent through no fault of our own and which could affect patients, cause potential liability claims against us and result in delayed or stopped clinical trials. We are required in many cases by contractual obligations, to indemnify collaborators, partners, third party contractors, clinical investigators and institutions. These indemnifications could result in a material impact due to product liability claims against us and/or these groups. We currently carry $1 million in

 

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product liability insurance, which we believe is appropriate for our clinical trials. Although we maintain such insurance, any claim that may be brought against us could result in a court judgment or settlement in an amount that is not covered, in whole or in part, by our insurance or that is in excess of the limits of our insurance coverage. Our insurance policies also have various exclusions, and we may be subject to a product liability claim for which we have no coverage. We will have to pay any amounts awarded by a court or negotiated in a settlement that exceed our coverage limitations or that are not covered by our insurance, and we may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient capital to pay such amounts.

Testosterone is a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act and any failure to comply with this Act or its state equivalents would have a negative impact on our business.

Testosterone is listed by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, or DEA, as a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. The DEA classifies substances as Schedule I, II, III, IV or V substances, with Schedule I substances considered to present the highest risk of substance abuse and Schedule V substances the lowest risk. Scheduled substances are subject to DEA regulations relating to manufacturing, storage, distribution and physician prescription procedures. For example, all regular Schedule III drug prescriptions must be signed by a physician and may not be refilled more than six months after the date of the original prescription or more than five times unless renewed by the physician.

Entities must register annually with the DEA to manufacture, distribute, dispense, import, export and conduct research using controlled substances. In addition, the DEA requires entities handling controlled substances to maintain records and file reports, follow specific labeling and packaging requirements, and provide appropriate security measures to control against diversion of controlled substances. Failure to follow these requirements can lead to significant civil and/or criminal penalties and possibly even lead to a revocation of a DEA registration. Individual states also have controlled substances laws. Though state controlled substances laws often mirror federal law, because the states are separate jurisdictions, they may schedule products separately. While some states automatically schedule a drug when the DEA does so, in other states there has to be rulemaking or legislative action, which could delay commercialization.

Our clinical lots of LPCN 1021 for the Phase III trials are planned to be manufactured in the United Kingdom, or UK. This will entail obtaining additional permits from regulatory authorities in the United States and UK relating to exportation of our active TU, a controlled substance from the United States and importation of the same into the UK, and exportation of finished product from the UK and importation of the same into the United States. These additional requirements could significantly delay the manufacture of the clinical supplies and the start and continuation of the clinical trial.

Products containing controlled substances may generate public controversy. As a result, these products may have their marketing approvals withdrawn. Political pressures and adverse publicity could lead to delays in, and increased expenses for, and limit or restrict, the introduction and marketing of LPCN 1021.

We may have to dedicate resources to the settlement of litigation.

Securities legislation in the United States makes it relatively easy for stockholders to sue. This could lead to frivolous law suits which could take substantial time, money, resources and attention or force us to settle such claims rather than seek adequate judicial remedy or dismissal of such claims. Historically, securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company following a decline in the market price of its securities. This risk is especially relevant for us because biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies have experienced significant stock price volatility in recent years. If we were to be sued, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could harm our business.

If we are required to defend patent infringement actions brought by third parties, or if we sue to protect our own patent rights or otherwise to protect our proprietary information and to prevent its disclosure, we may be required to pay substantial litigation costs and managerial attention may be diverted from business operations even if the outcome is in our favor. If we are required to defend our patents or trademarks against infringement by third parties, we may be required to pay substantial litigation costs, managerial attention and financial resources may be diverted from our research and development operations even if the outcome is in our favor.

 

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Risks Related to Our Dependence on Third Parties

We rely upon third-party contractors and service providers for the execution of some aspects of our development programs. Failure of these collaborators to provide services of a suitable quality and within acceptable timeframes may cause the delay or failure of our development programs.

We outsource certain functions, tests and services to CROs, medical institutions and collaborators as well as outsourcing manufacturing to collaborators and/or contract manufacturers. We also rely on third parties for quality assurance, clinical monitoring, clinical data management and regulatory expertise. We may also engage a CRO to run all aspects of a clinical trial on our behalf. There is no assurance that such individuals or organizations will be able to provide the functions, tests, drug supply or services as agreed upon or in a quality fashion. Any failure to do so could cause us to suffer significant delays in the development of our products or processes.

Due to our reliance on CROs or other third parties such as Solvay/Abbott to assist us or have historically assisted us in conducting clinical trials, we will be unable to directly control all aspects of our clinical trials .

We expect to engage a CRO to conduct our pivotal Phase III trial for LPCN 1021. As a result, we will have less direct control over the conduct of our pivotal Phase III trial, the timing and completion of the trial and the management of data developed through the trial than if we were relying entirely upon our own staff. Communicating with outside parties can also be challenging, potentially leading to mistakes as well as difficulties in coordinating activities. Outside parties, including CROs, may:

 

   

have staffing difficulties or disruptions;

 

   

fail to comply with contractual obligations;

 

   

experience regulatory compliance issues;

 

   

undergo changes in priorities or may become financially distressed; or

 

   

form relationships with other entities, some of which may be our competitors.

These factors may materially adversely affect their willingness or ability to conduct our trials in a manner acceptable to us. We may experience unexpected cost increases that are beyond our control.

Moreover, the FDA requires us to comply with standards, commonly referred to as Good Clinical Practices, for conducting, recording, and reporting the results of clinical trials to assure that data and reported results are credible and accurate and that the rights, integrity and confidentiality of trial participants are protected. Our reliance on third parties that we do not control does not relieve us of these responsibilities and requirements.

Problems with the timeliness or quality of the work of a CRO may lead us to seek to terminate the relationship and use an alternative service provider. However, making this change may be costly and may delay our trials, and contractual restrictions may make such a change difficult or impossible. If we must replace any CRO that is conducting our clinical trials, our trials may have to be suspended until we find another CRO that offers comparable services. The time that it takes us to find alternative organizations may cause a delay in the commercialization of LPCN 1021 or may cause us to incur significant expenses to replicate data that may be lost. Although we do not believe that any CRO on which we may rely will offer services that are not available elsewhere, it may be difficult to find a replacement organization that can conduct our trials in an acceptable manner and at an acceptable cost. Any delay in or inability to complete our clinical trials could significantly compromise our ability to secure regulatory approval of LPCN 1021 and preclude our ability to commercialize LPCN 1021, thereby limiting or preventing our ability to generate revenue from its sales.

We rely on two suppliers for our supply of TU, the active pharmaceutical ingredient of LPCN 1021, and the loss of either of these suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We rely on two third-party suppliers for our supply of TU, the active pharmaceutical ingredient of LPCN 1021. We do not have supply agreements in place with either of these suppliers. Although we are in process of

 

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purchasing sufficient quantities of TU for our pivotal Phase III trial, we plan on using these same suppliers for our commercialization needs if LPCN 1021 is approved. Since there are only a limited number of TU suppliers in the world, if either of these parties ceases to provide us with TU, we may be unable to procure TU on commercially favorable terms, or may not be able to obtain it in a timely manner. Furthermore, the limited number of suppliers of TU may provide such companies with greater opportunity to raise their prices. Any increase in price for TU will likely reduce our gross margins.

We rely on limited suppliers for our supply of non-actives and the loss of these suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We rely on limited qualified third-party raw material suppliers for our supply of non active pharmaceutical ingredients of LPCN 1021. We do not have supply agreements in place with either of these suppliers. Although we are in process of purchasing sufficient quantities of these non actives for our pivotal Phase III trial, we plan on using these same suppliers for our commercialization needs if LPCN 1021 is approved. Since there are only a limited number of non actives suppliers in the world, if either of these parties ceases to provide us with these non actives, we may be unable to procure non actives on commercially favorable terms, or may not be able to obtain it in a timely manner. Furthermore, the limited number of suppliers of non actives may provide such companies with greater opportunity to raise their prices. Any increase in price for non actives will likely reduce our gross margins.

We depend on a CMO for the supply of the LPCN 1021 capsules, and the termination of our agreement with CMO would have a material adverse effect on our business.

We expect that our LPCN 1021 capsules for the Phase III trial will be manufactured by a CMO pursuant to a manufacturing agreement, which is yet to be entered into. Upon execution of the manufacturing agreement, the CMO will be our sole supplier of LPCN 1021 capsules for the Phase III trial on a worldwide basis. We plan to negotiate a commercial supply agreement for LPCN 1021 with the CMO prior to a NDA filing for LPCN 1021.

Reliance on a third-party manufacturer involves risks, such as capacity and capabilities to which we would not be subject if we manufactured LPCN 1021 ourselves, including reliance on the third party for regulatory compliance and quality assurance, the possibility of breach of the manufacturing agreement by the third party because of factors beyond our control and the possibility of termination or nonrenewal of the agreement by the third party, based on its own business priorities, at a time that is costly or damaging to us. The FDA and other regulatory authorities require that LPCN 1021 be manufactured according to cGMP. Any failure by our third-party manufacturers to comply with cGMP could be the basis for action by the FDA to withdraw approvals previously granted to us and for other regulatory action.

If we do not establish successful collaborations, we may have to alter our development and commercialization plans for our products.

Our drug development programs for our product candidates will require substantial additional cash to fund expenses. We have not yet established any collaborative arrangements relating to the development of LPCN 1021, LPCN 1111 or LPCN 1107. We intend to continue to develop our product candidates in the United States without a partner. However, in order to commercialize our product candidates in the United States, we will likely look to establish a partnership or co-promotion arrangement with an established pharmaceutical company that has a sales force. We may also seek to enter into collaborative arrangements to develop and commercialize our product candidates outside the United States. We will face significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborators and these collaborations are complex and time-consuming to negotiate and document. We may not be able to negotiate collaborations on acceptable terms or in a timely manner, or at all. If that were to occur, we may have to curtail the development or delay commercialization of our product candidates in certain geographies, reduce the scope of our sales or marketing activities, reduce the scope of our commercialization plans, or increase our expenditures and undertake development or commercialization activities at our own expense. If we elect to increase our expenditures to fund development or commercialization activities outside of the United States on our own, we may need to obtain additional capital, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.

If we are successful in entering into collaborative arrangements and any of our collaborative partners does not devote sufficient time and resources to a collaboration arrangement with us, we may not realize the potential commercial benefits of the arrangement, and our results of operations may be materially adversely affected. In

 

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addition, if any future collaboration partner were to breach or terminate its arrangements with us, the development and commercialization of our product candidates could be delayed, curtailed or terminated because we may not have sufficient financial resources or capabilities to continue development and commercialization of our product candidates on our own in such locations.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

If we do not remediate the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting or are unable to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, the accuracy and timeliness of our financial reporting may be adversely affected.

In connection with the audit of our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, we identified two material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is defined under the standards issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board as a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our financial statements will not be prevented or detected and corrected on a timely basis. Specifically, our independent registered public accounting firm identified multiple adjustments to our financial statements which resulted from control deficiencies that are considered to be two separate material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.

The first material weakness relates to an insufficient number of accounting professionals with the necessary knowledge, experience and training to adequately prepare, record, and review significant complex transactions and valuations (such as revenue recognition, stock based compensation, and earnings per share) and prepare financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in a timely manner. As a private company transitioning to a public company we have not historically maintained the internal accounting and financial reporting resources necessary to comply with the obligations of a public reporting company. We have depended heavily upon the services of our Vice President, Finance who is the sole member of our accounting staff. We intend to remediate this material weakness through the hiring of additional accounting and financial reporting professionals with the requisite knowledge, experience, and training to prepare, record and review complex transactions and valuations, and prepare financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in a timely manner. Until those additional personnel are hired, we expect to rely to a great extent upon the retention of third-party accounting professionals to assist us in our financial reporting obligations.

The second material weakness relates to insufficient process level controls designed to record our accounts under the accrual basis of accounting, resulting in material errors in recorded expenses, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. We intend to remediate this material weakness through the implementation of additional process level controls designed to identify and record expenses, accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the correct accounting period and by adding more detailed reviews of such underlying schedules by planned accounting and financial reporting hires.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting annually and disclosure controls and procedures quarterly. In particular, beginning with the year ending on December 31, 2014, we must perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If we are unable to remediate the above material weaknesses, other material weaknesses are identified in the future or we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner, our reported financial results could be materially misstated, we could receive an adverse opinion regarding our internal controls over financial reporting from our accounting firm and we could be subject to investigations or sanctions by regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources, and the market price of our stock could decline. For so long as we remain as an emerging growth company or a smaller reporting company, our accounting firm will not be required to provide an opinion regarding our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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As a result of the Merger, we will incur additional expenses to comply with the requirements of being a public company in the United States.

As a public company, and particularly after we cease to be an “emerging growth company” or a “smaller reporting company”, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that Lipocine Operating did not incur as a private company. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and U.S. stock exchanges impose numerous requirements on public companies, including requiring changes in corporate governance practices. Also, the Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and operating results. Our management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to compliance with these laws and regulations. These requirements have increased and will continue to increase our legal, accounting, and financial compliance costs and have made and will continue to make some activities more time consuming and costly.

Our share price is volatile and may be influenced by numerous factors that are beyond our control.

A low share price and low market valuation may make it difficult to raise sufficient additional cash due to the significant dilution to current stockholders. Market prices for shares of biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies such as ours are often volatile. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors, most of which we cannot control, including:

 

   

plans for, progress of and results from clinical trials of our product candidates;

 

   

the failure of the FDA to approve our product candidates;

 

   

announcements of new products, technologies, commercial relationships, acquisitions or other events by us or our competitors;

 

   

the success or failure of other TRT products or non-testosterone based testosterone therapy products;

 

   

failure of our products, if approved, to achieve commercial success;

 

   

fluctuations in stock market prices and trading volumes of similar companies;

 

   

general market conditions and overall fluctuations in U.S. equity markets;

 

   

variations in our quarterly operating results;

 

   

changes in our financial guidance or securities analysts’ estimates of our financial performance;

 

   

changes in accounting principles;

 

   

sales of large blocks of our common stock, including sales by our executive officers, directors and significant stockholders;

 

   

additions or departures of key personnel;

 

   

discussion of us or our stock price by the press and by online investor communities; and

 

   

other risks and uncertainties described in these risk factors.

In recent years the stock of other biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies has experienced extreme price fluctuations that have been unrelated to the operating performance of the affected companies. There can be no assurance that the market price of our shares of common stock will not experience significant fluctuations in the future, including fluctuations that are unrelated to our performance. These fluctuations may result due to macroeconomic and world events, national or local events, general perception of the biotechnology industry or to a lack of liquidity. In addition other biotechnology companies or our competitors’ programs could have positive or negative results that impact their stock prices and their results, or stock fluctuations could have a positive or negative impact on our stock price regardless whether such impact is direct or not.

 

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Stockholders may not agree with our business, scientific, clinical and financial strategy, including additional dilutive financings, and may decide to sell their shares or vote against such proposals. Such actions could materially impact our stock price. In addition, portfolio managers of funds or large investors can change or change their view on us and decide to sell our shares. These actions could have a material impact on our stock price. In order to complete a financing, or for other business reasons, we may elect to consolidate our shares of common stock. Investors may not agree with these actions and may sell the shares. We may have little or no ability to impact or alter such decisions.

Anti-takeover provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, might discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or changes in our Board of Directors or management and, therefore, depress the trading price of our common stock.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions that may depress the market price of our common stock by acting to discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control that stockholders may consider favorable, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares of our common stock. These provisions may also prevent or frustrate attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove members of our Board of Directors or our management. Our corporate governance documents include provisions:

 

   

providing that directors may be removed by stockholders only for cause;

 

   

limiting the ability of our stockholders to call and bring business before special meetings and to take action by written consent in lieu of a meeting;

requiring advance notice of stockholder proposals for business to be conducted at meetings of our stockholders and for nominations of candidates for election to our Board of Directors;

 

   

authorizing blank check preferred stock, which could be issued with voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to our common stock; and

 

   

limiting the liability of, and providing indemnification to, our directors and officers.

As a Delaware corporation, we are also subject to provisions of Delaware law, including Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which limits the ability of stockholders owning in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock from engaging in certain business combinations with us. Any provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws or Delaware law that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock, and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.

The existence of the foregoing provisions and anti-takeover measures could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. They could also deter potential acquirers of our company, thereby reducing the likelihood that stockholders could receive a premium for their common stock in an acquisition.

We have no current plans to pay dividends on our common stock and investors must look solely to stock appreciation for a return on their investment in us.

Although the board of directors of Marathon Bar declared a cash dividend to its stockholders of record in connection with the Merger, we do not anticipate paying any further cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. Any payment of future dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, statutory and contractual restrictions applying to the payment of dividends and other considerations that the board of directors deems relevant. Investors may need to rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize a return on their investment. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our common stock.

 

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Our management and directors will be able to exert control over our affairs.

Our executive officers and directors own approximately 65.2% of our outstanding common stock, after giving effect to the Merger. These stockholders, if they act together, may be able to control our management and affairs and all matters requiring stockholder approval, including significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing our change in control and might affect the market price of our common stock.

Our common stock may not be eligible for listing on a national securities exchange.

Although, our common stock is currently quoted on the OTCBB and OTC Markets, to date, there has been no active public trading market for our common stock. Securities quoted in these venues often lack liquidity and analyst coverage, which may result in lower prices for our common stock than might be obtained in a larger, more established stock exchanges and may also result in a larger spread between the bid and asked price for our common stock. If a market for our common stock does not develop or is not sustained, it may be difficult for our stockholders to sell their shares of common stock at an attractive price or at all. In the absence of an active trading market for our common stock, stockholders may not be able to sell their common stock at or above the price at which they acquired the shares or at the time that they would like to sell. We cannot predict the prices at which our common stock will trade. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will be able to meet the initial listing standards of any national securities exchange, or, if we do meet such initial qualitative listing standards, that we will be able to maintain any such listing.

Risks Relating to Our Financial Position and Capital Requirements

We cannot predict when we will generate product revenues and may never achieve or maintain profitability.

Our ability to become profitable depends upon our ability to generate revenue from product sales. To date, we have not generated any revenue from product sales of LPCN 1021 or our other drug candidates in the current pipeline, and we do not know when, or if, we will generate any revenue from product sales. We do not expect to generate significant revenue unless or until we obtain marketing approval of, and begin to sell, LPCN 1021. Our ability to generate revenue depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, our ability to:

 

   

initiate and successfully complete our pivotal Phase III trial that meets its clinical endpoints;

 

   

obtain U.S. and foreign marketing approval for LPCN 1021 as a TRT;

 

   

commercialize LPCN 1021 by developing a sales force and/or entering into collaborations with partners/third parties, if we obtain marketing approval for LPCN 1021; and

 

   

achieve market acceptance of LPCN 1021 in the medical community and with third-party payors.

Even if LPCN 1021 is approved for commercial sale, which we do not expect to occur for several years, we expect to incur significant costs as we prepare to commercialize LPCN 1021. Despite receiving marketing approval and expending these costs, LPCN 1021 may not be a commercially successful drug. We may not achieve profitability soon after generating product sales, if ever. If we are unable to generate product revenue, we will not become profitable and may be unable to continue operations without continued funding.

Accordingly, the likelihood of our success must be evaluated in light of many potential challenges and variables associates with an early-stage drug development company, many of which are outside of our control, and past operating or financial results should not be relied on as an indication of future results. If one or more of our product candidates is approved for commercial sale and we retain commercial rights, we anticipate incurring significant costs associated with commercializing any such approved product candidate. Therefore, even if we are able to generate revenues from the sale of any approved product, we may never become profitable. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with pharmaceutical product development, we are unable to predict the timing or amount of expenses and when we will be able to achieve or maintain profitability, if ever.

 

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We may need substantial additional capital in the future. If additional capital is not available, we will have to delay, reduce or cease operations.

We may need to raise additional capital to continue to fund our operations. Our future capital requirements may be substantial and will depend on many factors including:

 

   

the scope, size, rate of progress, results and costs of initiating and completing our pivotal Phase III trial of LPCN 1021;

 

   

the cost, timing and outcomes of our efforts to obtain marketing approval for our product candidates in the United States;

 

   

payments received under any strategic partnerships or collaborations that we may enter into in the future, if any;

 

   

the cost of filing, prosecuting and enforcing patent claims; and

 

   

the costs associated with commercializing our product candidates if we receive marketing approval, including the cost and timing of developing sales and marketing capabilities or entering into strategic collaborations to market and sell our products.

Changing circumstances may cause us to consume capital significantly faster than we currently anticipate. Additional financing may not be available when we need it or may not be available on terms that are favorable to us. In addition, we may seek additional capital due to favorable market conditions or strategic considerations, even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. If adequate funds are not available to us on a timely basis, or at all, we may be unable to continue the development of our product candidates or to commercialize our product, if approved, unless we find a partner.

Raising additional capital may cause dilution to our existing stockholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish rights.

We may seek additional capital through a combination of private and public equity offerings, debt financings collaborations and strategic and licensing arrangements. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, current stockholders’ ownership interest in the company will be diluted. In addition, the terms may include liquidation or other preferences that materially adversely affect their rights as a stockholder. Debt financing, if available, would increase our fixed payment obligations and may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we raise additional funds through collaboration, strategic alliance and licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our product candidates, our intellectual property, future revenue streams or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.

We have incurred significant operating losses in most years since our inception, and anticipate that we will incur continued losses for the foreseeable future.

We have focused a significant portion of our efforts on developing LPCN 1021. We have funded our operations to date through proceeds from sales of preferred stock and convertible debt and from license and milestone revenues and research revenue from license and collaboration agreements with corporate partners. We have incurred losses in most years since our inception. As of March 31, 2013, we had an accumulated deficit of $38.6 million. Substantially all of our operating losses resulted from costs incurred in connection with our research and development programs and from general and administrative costs associated with our operations. We expect to incur additional and increasing operating losses over the next several years. These losses, combined with expected future losses, have had and will continue to have an adverse effect on our stockholders’ equity and working capital. We expect our research and development expenses to significantly increase in connection with our pivotal Phase III

 

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trial of LPCN 1021. In addition, if we obtain marketing approval for LPCN 1021, we may incur significant sales, marketing and outsourced manufacturing expenses. As a result, we expect to continue to incur significant and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with developing pharmaceutical products, we are unable to predict the extent of any future losses or when we will become profitable, if at all.

Our operating results may fluctuate significantly, and any failure to meet financial expectations may disappoint securities analysts or investors and result in a decline in the price of our securities.

We have a history of operating losses. Our operating results have fluctuated in the past and are likely to do so in the future. These fluctuations could cause our share price to decline. Due to fluctuations in our operating results, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our results are not indicative of our future performance. It is possible that in some future quarter or quarters, our operating results will be above or below the expectations of securities analysts or investors. In this case, the price of our securities could decline.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not currently have and may never obtain research coverage by securities and industry analysts. If no securities or industry analysts commence coverage of our company, the trading price for our stock could be negatively impacted. If we obtain securities or industry analyst coverage and if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our stock could decrease, which could cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.

We are an emerging growth company and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.

We are an emerging growth company. Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We plan to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, we may not be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.”

For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we also intend to take advantage of certain other exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies including, but not limited to, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory stockholder vote on executive compensation and any golden parachute payments not previously approved, exemption from the requirement of auditor attestation in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting and exemption from any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. If we do, the information that we provide stockholders may be different than what is available with respect to other public companies. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (1) the end of the fiscal year in which the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the second fiscal quarter, (2) the end of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1 billion or more during such fiscal year, (3) the date on which we issue more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt in a three-year period or (4) the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act.

 

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Decreased disclosures in our SEC filings due to our status as an “emerging growth company” may make it harder for investors to analyze our results of operations and financial prospects.

We are a smaller reporting company and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.

We are currently a “smaller reporting company”, meaning that we are not an investment company, an asset-backed issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent company that is not a smaller reporting company and have a public float of less than $75 million and annual revenues of less than $50 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. In the event that we are still considered a “smaller reporting company,” at such time we cease being an “emerging growth company”, we will be required to provide additional disclosure in our SEC filings. However, similar to “emerging growth companies”, “smaller reporting companies” are able to provide simplified executive compensation disclosures in their filings; are exempt from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requiring that independent registered public accounting firms provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; and have certain other decreased disclosure obligations in their SEC filings, including, among other things, only being required to provide two years of audited financial statements in annual reports and in a registration statement under the Exchange Act on Form 10.

Decreased disclosures in our SEC filings due to our status as a “smaller reporting company” may make it harder for investors to analyze our results of operations and financial prospects.

Risks Relating to Our Intellectual Property

Our success depends in part on our ability to protect our intellectual property. It is difficult and costly to protect our proprietary rights and technology, and we may not be able to ensure their protection.

Our commercial success will depend in large part on obtaining and maintaining patent, trademark and trade secret protection of our product candidates, their respective formulations, methods used to manufacture them and methods of treatment, as well as successfully defending these patents against third party challenges. Our ability to stop unauthorized third parties from making, using, selling, offering to sell or importing our product candidates, once commercialized, is dependent upon the extent to which we have rights under valid and enforceable patents or trade secrets that cover these activities.

The patent positions of pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and related companies can be highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions for which important legal principles remain unresolved. No consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims allowed in patents in these fields has emerged to date in the United States. There have been recent changes regarding how patent laws are interpreted, and both the PTO and Congress have enacted radical changes to the patent system. We cannot accurately predict future changes in the interpretation of patent laws or changes to patent laws which might be enacted into law. Those changes may materially affect our patents, our ability to obtain patents and/or the patents and applications of our collaborators and licensors. The patent situation in these fields outside the United States is even more uncertain. Changes in either the patent laws or in interpretations of patent laws in the United States and other countries may diminish the value of our intellectual property or narrow the scope of our patent protection. Accordingly, we cannot predict the breadth of claims that may be allowed or enforced in the patents we own or which we license or third-party patents.

The degree of future protection for our proprietary rights is uncertain because legal means afford only limited protection and may not adequately protect our rights or permit us to gain or keep a competitive advantage. For example:

 

   

others may be able to make or use compounds that are the same or similar to the pharmaceutical compounds used in our product candidates but that are not covered by the claims of our patents;

 

   

the APIs in our current product candidates LPCN 1021, and LPCN 1107 are, or may soon become, commercially available in generic drug products, and no patent protection may be available without regard to formulation or method of use;

 

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we may not be able to detect infringement against our owned or licensed patents, which may be especially difficult for manufacturing processes or formulation patents;

 

   

we might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by our issued patents or pending patent applications or those we license;

 

   

we might not have been the first to file patent applications for these inventions;

 

   

others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies;

 

   

it is possible that our pending patent applications or those of our licensor will not result in issued patents;

 

   

it is possible that there are dominating patents to any of our product candidates of which we are not aware;

 

   

it is possible that there are prior public disclosures that could invalidate our inventions, or parts of our inventions, of which we are not aware;

 

   

it is possible that others may circumvent our owned or licensed patents;

 

   

it is possible that there are unpublished applications or patent applications maintained in secrecy that may later issue with claims covering our products or technology similar to ours;

 

   

the laws of foreign countries may not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States;

 

   

the claims of our owned or licensed issued patents or patent applications, if and when issued, may not cover our product candidates;

 

   

our issued patents or those of our licensor may not provide us with any competitive advantages, or may be narrowed in scope, be held invalid or unenforceable as a result of legal challenges by third parties;

 

   

our licensor or licensees as the case may be, who have access to our patents may attempt to enforce our owned or licensed patents, which if unsuccessful, may result in narrower scope of protection of our owned or licensed patents or our owned or licensed patents becoming invalid or unenforceable;

 

   

we may not develop additional proprietary technologies for which we can obtain patent protection; or

 

   

the patents of others may have an adverse effect on our business.

We also may rely on trade secrets to protect our technology, especially where we do not believe patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect, and we have limited control over the protection of trade secrets used by our collaborators and suppliers. Although we use reasonable efforts to protect our trade secrets, our employees, consultants, contractors, outside scientific collaborators and other advisors may unintentionally or willfully disclose our information to competitors. Enforcing a claim that a third party illegally obtained and is using any of our trade secrets is expensive and time consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, courts outside the United States are sometimes less willing to protect trade secrets. Moreover, our competitors may independently develop equivalent knowledge, methods and know-how. If our confidential or proprietary information is divulged to or acquired by third parties, including our competitors, our competitive position in the marketplace will be harmed and our ability to successfully penetrate our target markets could be severely compromised.

If any of our owned or licensed patents are found to be invalid or unenforceable, or if we are otherwise unable to adequately protect our rights, it could have a material adverse impact on our business and our ability to commercialize or license our technology and products. Likewise, our patents in United States covering certain technology used in our product candidates especially LPCN 1021 are expected to expire on various dates from November 23, 2019 through

 

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January 23, 2020. Upon the expiration of these patents, we will lose the right to exclude others from practicing these inventions to the extent that at those times we have no additional issued patents to protect our product candidates, including LPCN 1021. Additionally, if these are our only patents listed in the FDA Orange Book should we have a FDA-approved and marketed product at that time, their expiration will mean that we lose certain advantages that come with Orange Book listing of patents. The expiration of these patents could also have a similar material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. Moreover, if we are unable to commence or continue any action relating to the defense of our patents, we may be unable to protect our product candidates.

If we do not obtain additional protection under the Hatch-Waxman Amendments and similar foreign legislation by extending the patent terms and obtaining data exclusivity for our product candidates, our business may be materially harmed.

Depending upon the timing, duration and specifics of FDA marketing approval of our product candidates, one or more of our U.S. patents may be eligible for limited patent term restoration under the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, referred to as the Hatch-Waxman Amendments. The Hatch-Waxman Amendments permit a patent restoration term of up to five years as compensation for patent term lost during product development and the FDA regulatory review process. However, we may not be granted an extension because of, for example, failing to apply within applicable deadlines, failing to apply prior to expiration of relevant patents or competitor’s prior product launch or otherwise failing to satisfy applicable requirements. Moreover, the applicable time period or the scope of patent protection afforded could be less than we request. If we are unable to obtain patent term extension or restoration or the term of any such extension is less than we request, our competitors may obtain approval of competing products following our patent expiration, and our ability to generate revenues could be materially adversely affected.

We may incur substantial costs as a result of litigation or other proceedings relating to patent and other intellectual property rights, and we may be unable to protect our rights to our products and technology.

If we or our collaborators choose to go to court to stop a third party from using the inventions claimed in our owned or licensed patents, that third party may ask the court to rule that the patents are invalid and/or should not be enforced against that third party. These lawsuits are expensive and would consume time and other resources even if we were successful in stopping the infringement of these patents. In addition, there is a risk that the court will decide that these patents are not valid or not enforceable and that we do not have the right to stop others from using the inventions.

There is also the risk that, even if the validity of these patents is not challenged or is upheld, the court will refuse to stop the third party on the ground that such third-party’s activities do not infringe our owned or licensed patents. In addition, the U.S. Supreme Court has recently changed some tests regarding granting patents and assessing the validity of patents. As a consequence, issued patents may be found to contain invalid claims according to the newly revised standards. Some of our owned or licensed patents may be subject to challenge and subsequent invalidation or significant narrowing of claim scope in a reexamination proceeding before the PTO, or during litigation, under the revised criteria which make it more difficult to obtain or maintain patents.

While our in-licensed patents and applications are not currently used in our product candidates, should we develop other product candidates that are covered by this intellectual property, we rely on our licensor to file and prosecute patent applications and maintain patents and otherwise protect certain intellectual property we license from them. Our licensor has retained the first right, but not the obligation to initiate an infringement proceeding against a third-party infringer of the intellectual property licensed to us, and enforcement of our license patents or defense of any claims asserting the invalidity or unenforceability of these patents would also be subject to the control or cooperation of our licensor. It is possible that our licensor’s defense activities may be less vigorous than had we conducted the defense ourselves.

We also license our patent portfolio, including U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications that cover our LPCN 1021 and our other product candidate, to third parties for their respective products and product candidates. Under our agreements with our licensees, we have the right, but not the obligation, to enforce our current and future licensed patents against infringers of our licensees. In certain cases, our licensees may have primary enforcement rights and the Company has the obligation to cooperate. In either case of these enforcement actions against infringers of our licensees, our licensees might not have the interest or resources to successfully preserve the patents, the infringers may countersue, and as a result our patents may be found invalid or unenforceable or of a narrower scope of coverage, and leave us with no patent protection for LPCN 1021 and our other product candidates.

On September 7 and October 29, 2012, we filed two separate requests for interference using our owned applications against a U.S. pending application (now issued as a patent) and a U.S. issued patent, both owned by Clarus Therapeutics. In each respective request for an

 

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interference, known as a Suggestion of Interference, we asked the U.S. Patent Office for a determination that our pending patent applications have priority over Clarus Therapeutics’ patent application and patent, and that the U.S. Patent Office should instead grant patents to us. We have asserted that we are the senior party, and thus entitled to priority against the Clarus Therapeutics’ patent application and patent. The U.S. Patent Office has not taken action on either of our Suggestions of Interference as of the date hereof, but has begun examination of both of our underlying applications in order to identify the patentable subject matter, if any. If no patentable subject matter is identified or our Suggestions of Interference are not otherwise granted (e.g. the patentable subject matter no longer interferes with the Clarus patent and application), no interferences will be declared, and the Clarus patent and application will remain in effect, and, as with any third party patent, could be asserted against our product candidates and proprietary technology, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, even if we were successful in defending such assertions. In the event that patentable subject matter is identified and interferences are declared, we believe that we have meritorious arguments to support a decision granting priority to us in each instance. If we were to be successful in such interference proceedings, we could be granted patents in place of the Clarus patent or patent application, as the case may be. If we were unsuccessful in any such interference proceeding, our patent applications would not issue or provide any protection for our products, and Clarus would be granted patents, which, as with any third party patent, could be asserted against our product candidates and proprietary technology, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, even if we were successful in defending such assertions. Thus, interference proceedings may fail and could require us to cease using the related technology or to attempt to license rights to it from the prevailing party; our business could be harmed if the prevailing party does not offer us a license on commercially reasonable terms, if any license is offered at all. Even if successful in such interferences, it may result in substantial costs to us and distraction to our management. As noted, should the U.S. Patent Office not grant our requests for interference, we believe that the U.S. Patent Office would continue examination of our pending patent applications in due course.

Moreover, we may be subject to a third party preissuance submission of prior art to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or become involved in opposition, derivation, reexamination, inter partes review, post-grant review or interference proceedings challenging our owned or licensed patent rights or the patent rights of others. An adverse determination in any such submission, proceeding or litigation could reduce the scope of, or invalidate, our owned or licensed patent rights, allow third parties to commercialize our technology or products and compete directly with us, without payment to us, or result in our inability to manufacture or commercialize products without infringing third party patent rights. In addition, if the breadth or strength of protection provided by our patents and patent applications is threatened, it could dissuade companies from collaborating with us to license, develop or commercialize current or future product candidates.

If we are sued for infringing intellectual property rights of third parties, it will be costly and time consuming, and an unfavorable outcome in that litigation would have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our commercial success depends upon our ability and the ability of our collaborators to develop, manufacture, market and sell our product candidates and use our proprietary technologies without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties. Numerous U.S. and foreign issued patents and pending patent applications, which are owned by third parties, exist in the fields relating to our product candidates. As the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and related industries expand and more patents are issued, the risk increases that others may assert that our product or product candidates infringe the patent rights of others. Moreover, it is not always clear to industry participants, including us, which patents cover various types of drugs, products or their formulations or methods of use. Thus, because of the large number of patents issued and patent applications filed in our fields, there may be a risk that third parties may allege they have patent rights encompassing our product, product candidates, technology or methods.

In addition, there may be issued patents of third parties of which we are currently unaware, that are infringed or are alleged to be infringed by our product candidates or proprietary technologies. Because some patent applications in the United States may be maintained in secrecy until the patents are issued, because patent applications in the United States and many foreign jurisdictions are typically not published until eighteen months after filing, and because publications in the scientific literature often lag behind actual discoveries, we cannot be certain that others have not filed patent applications for technology covered by our or our licensor’s issued patents or our pending applications, or that we were the first to invent the technology. Our competitors may have filed, and may in the future file, patent applications covering our products or technology similar to ours. Any such patent application may have priority over our owned or licensed patent applications or patents, which could further require us to obtain rights to issued patents covering such technologies. If another party has filed a U.S. patent application on inventions similar to those owned or licensed

 

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by us, we may have to participate in an interference proceeding declared by the PTO to determine priority of invention in the United States. If another party has an allowed reason to question the validity of our owned or licensed U.S. patents, the third party can request that the PTO reexamine the patent claims, which may result in a loss of scope of some claims or a loss of the entire patent. In addition to potential infringement claims, interference and reexamination proceedings, we may become a party to patent opposition proceedings in the European Patent Office or post-grant proceedings in the United States where either our patents are challenged, or we are challenging the patents of others. The costs of these proceedings could be substantial, and it is possible that such efforts would be unsuccessful, for example if the other party had independently arrived at the same or similar invention prior to our invention, resulting in a loss of our U.S. patent position with respect to such inventions. We may be exposed to, or threatened with, future litigation by third parties having patent or other intellectual property rights alleging that our product candidates and/or proprietary technologies infringe their intellectual property rights. These lawsuits are costly and could adversely affect our results of operations and divert the attention of managerial and technical personnel. There is a risk that a court would decide that we or our commercialization partners are infringing the third party’s patents and would order us or our partners to stop the activities covered by the patents. In addition, there is a risk that a court will order us or our partners to pay the other party damages for having violated the other party’s patents.

If a third-party’s patent was found to cover our product candidates, proprietary technologies or their uses, we or our collaborators could be enjoined by a court and required to pay damages and could be unable to commercialize any one or more of our product candidates or use our proprietary technologies unless we or they obtained a license to the patent. A license may not be available to us or our collaborators on acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, during litigation, the patent holder could obtain a preliminary injunction or other equitable relief which could prohibit us from making, using or selling our products, technologies or methods pending a trial on the merits, which could be years away.

There is a substantial amount of litigation involving patent and other intellectual property rights in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and related industries generally. If a third party claims that we or our collaborators infringe its intellectual property rights, we may face a number of issues, including, but not limited to:

 

   

infringement and other intellectual property claims which, regardless of merit, may be expensive and time-consuming to litigate and may divert our management’s attention from our core business;

 

   

substantial damages for infringement, which we may have to pay if a court decides that the product at issue infringes on or violates the third party’s rights, and if the court finds that the infringement was willful, we could be ordered to pay treble damages and the patent owner’s attorneys’ fees;

 

   

a court prohibiting us from selling or licensing the product unless the third party licenses its product rights to us, which it is not required to do;

 

   

if a license is available from a third party, we may have to pay substantial royalties, upfront fees and/or grant cross-licenses to intellectual property rights for our products; and

 

   

redesigning our products or processes so they do not infringe, which may not be possible or may require substantial monetary expenditures and time.

Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation more effectively than we can because they have substantially greater resources. In addition, any uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of any litigation could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise the funds necessary to continue our operations or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

Although we own worldwide rights to our product candidates, we do not have patent protection for the product candidates in a significant number of countries, and we will be unable to prevent infringement in those countries.

Our patent portfolio related to our product candidates includes patents in the United States, and other foreign countries. The covered technology and the scope of coverage varies from country to country. For those countries where we do not have granted patents, we have no ability to prevent the unauthorized use of our intellectual property, and third parties in those countries may be able to make, use, or sell products identical to, or substantially similar to our product candidates.

 

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Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.

Periodic maintenance fees on our owned or licensed patents are due to be paid to the PTO in several stages over the lifetime of the patents. Future maintenance fees will also need to be paid on other patents which may be issued to us. We have systems in place to remind us to pay these fees, and we employ outside firms to remind us to pay annuity fees due to foreign patent agencies on our pending foreign patent applications. We have even less control over our in-licensed patents and applications, for which our licensor retains responsibility. The PTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process. In many cases, an inadvertent lapse can be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules. However, there are situations in which noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. In such an event, our competitors might be able to enter the market and this circumstance would have a material adverse effect on our business.

We also may rely on trade secrets and confidentiality agreements to protect our technology and know-how, especially where we do not believe patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect, and we have limited control over the protection of trade secrets used by our collaborators and suppliers. Although we use reasonable efforts to protect our trade secrets, our employees, consultants, contractors, outside scientific collaborators and other advisors may unintentionally or willfully disclose our information to competitors. Enforcing a claim that a third party illegally obtained and is using any of our trade secrets is expensive and time consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, courts outside the United States are sometimes less willing to protect trade secrets. Moreover, our competitors may independently develop equivalent knowledge, methods and know-how. If our confidential or proprietary information is divulged to or acquired by third parties, including our competitors, our competitive position in the marketplace will be harmed and our ability to successfully generate revenues from our product candidates, and if approved by the FDA or other regulatory authorities, our product candidates could be adversely affected.

We may be subject to claims that our employees have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their former employers.

As is common in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and related industries, we employ individuals who were previously employed at other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. Although no claims against us are currently pending, we may be subject to claims that these employees or we have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed trade secrets or other proprietary information of their former employers. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management, which would adversely affect our financial condition.

 

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto and other financial information attached as exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K. In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The Merger is being accounted for as a reverse-merger and recapitalization. Lipocine is the acquirer for financial reporting purposes and Marathon Bar is the acquired company. Consequently, the assets and liabilities and the operations that will be reflected in the historical financial statements prior to the Merger will be those of Lipocine and will be recorded at the historical cost basis of Lipocine, and the consolidated financial statements after completion of the Merger will include the assets and liabilities of Marathon Bar and Lipocine, and the historical operations of Lipocine and operations of the Combined Company from the closing date of the Merger.

As used in the discussion below, “we,” “our,” and “us” refers to the historical financial results of Lipocine.

Overview of Our Business

We are a specialty pharmaceutical company. Our proprietary delivery technology is designed to improve patient compliance and safety through orally available treatment options. Our primary development programs are based on oral delivery solutions for poorly bioavailable drugs. We have a portfolio of proprietary product candidates designed to produce favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics and facilitate lower dosing requirements, bypass first-pass metabolism, reduction of side effects, and elimination of gastrointestinal interactions that limit bioavailability. Our lead product LPCN 1021 is a Phase III ready oral TRT product designed for convenient twice-a-day dosing. Additionally, we have two earlier stage product candidates in our pipeline, a next generation oral testosterone therapy (LPCN 1111) and an oral product for the prevention of preterm birth (LPCN 1107).

We completed a successful Phase II study for LPCN 1021 that produced results in line with FDA guidelines for approval of testosterone replacement therapies. The primary outcome of the trial, serum testosterone levels in the eugonadal range, was met and there were no significant adverse events or changes in serum cholesterol levels or liver enzymes. Lipocine presented the results of this study and a Phase III protocol synopsis to the FDA in November 2012 and obtained clear guidance on the requirements for a LPCN 1021 NDA filing, with no additional pre-clinical studies required. We intend to begin enrolling patients in the Phase III trial in the fourth quarter of 2013, with results expected in 2015.

We licensed LPCN 1021 to Solvay, in May 2009. Solvay was subsequently acquired by Abbott. We reacquired the rights to LPCN 1021 from Abbott in March 2012 in exchange for up to 1.5% royalty on net sales should Lipocine decide to use the Solvay/Abbott data in any regulatory filings.

LPCN 1111 is a next-generation, novel ester prodrug of testosterone which uses the Lip’ral technology to enhance solubility and improve systemic absorption. A Phase I single dose randomized, open label, crossover study in 8 postmenopausal women has been completed and the pharmacokinetics suggested feasibility of either once-daily dosing or twice daily dosing with high Cavg. The next steps in development for this program include a pre-IND meeting with the FDA, followed by a Phase I/II proof-of-concept study in hypogonadal men.

LPCN 1107 has the potential to become the first oral hydroxyprogesterone caproate product indicated for the prevention of preterm birth in women with a prior history of at least one preterm birth. The product has completed a 28-day repeat dose toxicity study in dogs. A pre-IND meeting has also been completed with the FDA, paving the way for a proof-of-concept Phase I/II study in pregnant women with a history of preterm birth.

We have not generated any revenues from product sales. To date, we have funded our operations primarily through the private sale of equity securities and convertible debt and through up-front payments, research funding

 

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and milestone payments from our license and collaboration arrangements. We do not expect to generate revenue from product sales unless and until we obtain regulatory approval of, and commercialize, LPCN 1021 or other products.

We have incurred losses in most years since our inception. As of March 31, 2013, we had an accumulated deficit of $38.6 million. Income and losses fluctuate from quarter to quarter and from year to year depending on the timing of recognition of revenues from our license and collaboration agreements. Our net loss was $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to net income of $6.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. We had net income of $3.9 million for 2012 and a net loss of $2.3 million for 2011. The net income in the first quarter of 2012 and fiscal 2012 was primarily due to the recognition of deferred revenue at the time of the termination of our license agreement with Abbott. Substantially all of our operating losses resulted from expenses incurred in connection with our product candidate development programs, our research activities and general and administrative costs associated with our operations.

We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for at least the next several years. In the near term, we anticipate that our expenses will increase as we:

 

   

manufacture registration batches of LPCN 1021;

 

   

complete our pivotal Phase III trial and other pharmacokinetic studies of LPCN 1021 and, if these trials are successful, prepare and file our NDA for LPCN 1021;

 

   

conduct further clinical development of our other product candidates, including LPCN 1111 and LPCN 1107;

 

   

continue our research efforts;

 

   

maintain, expand and protect our intellectual property portfolio; and

 

   

provide general and administrative support for our operations.

To fund future operations we will need to raise additional capital. The amount and timing of future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including the timing and results of our ongoing development efforts, the potential expansion of our current development programs, potential new development programs and related general and administrative support. We anticipate that we will seek to fund our operations through public or private equity or debt financings or other sources, such as potential collaboration agreements. We cannot be certain that anticipated additional financing will be available to us on favorable terms, or at all. Although we have previously been successful in obtaining financing through our license and collaboration agreements and private equity securities offerings, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so in the future.

Financial Operations Overview

Revenue

To date, we have not generated any revenues from product sales and do not expect to do so for a number of years. Revenues to date have been generated substantially from license fees, milestone payments and research support from our licensees. Since our inception through March 31, 2013, we have generated $29.0 million in revenue under our various license and collaboration arrangements and from government grants. We do not anticipate significant revenue from any license arrangements in the foreseeable future. We may never generate revenues from LPCN 1021 or any of our other clinical or preclinical development programs or licensed products, as we may never succeed in obtaining regulatory approval or commercializing any of these product candidates.

 

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Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries, benefits, stock-based compensation and related personnel costs, fees paid to external service providers such as contract research organizations and contract manufacturing organizations, contractual obligations for clinical development, clinical sites, manufacturing and scale-up for late-stage clinical trials, formulation of clinical drug supplies, and expenses associated with regulatory submissions. Research and development expenses also include an allocation of indirect costs, such as those for facilities, office expense, travel and entertainment, and depreciation of equipment based on the ratio of direct labor hours for research and development personnel to total direct labor hours for all personnel. We expense research and development expenses as incurred. Since our inception, we have spent approximately $45.0 million in research and development expenses through March 31, 2013.

We expect our research and developments costs for LPCN 1021 to increase substantially as we conduct our pivotal Phase III trial, conduct other pharmacokinetic studies, manufacture registration batches and if appropriate, file an NDA. We believe it will cost approximately $22 million to complete this process. However, these expenditures are subject to numerous uncertainties regarding timing and cost to completion.

Completion of our pivotal Phase III trial may take longer than currently estimated or the FDA may require additional clinical trials or non-clinical studies. The cost of clinical trials may vary significantly over the life of a project as a result of uncertainties in clinical development, including, among others:

 

   

the number of sites included in the trials;

 

   

the length of time required to enroll suitable subjects;

 

   

the duration of subject follow-ups;

 

   

the length of time required to collect, analyze and report trial results;

 

   

the cost, timing and outcome of regulatory review;

 

   

potential changes by the FDA in clinical trial and NDA filing requirements for testosterone replacement therapies;

 

   

unanticipated safety issues that may prolong the Phase III trial

We also expect to incur significant manufacturing costs to prepare registration batches of finished product and customary regulatory costs associated with the preparation and filing of our NDA, if and when submitted, which will be significant. However, these expenditures are subject to numerous uncertainties regarding timing and cost to completion, including, among others:

 

   

the costs, timing and outcome of our other pharmacokinetic studies and other development activities of LPCN 1021;

 

   

our dependence on third-party manufacturers for the production of clinical trial materials and satisfactory finished product for registration;

 

   

the costs and timing of regulatory submission for LPCN 1021 and the outcome of regulatory reviews;

 

   

the potential for future license arrangements for LPCN 1021, when such arrangements will be secured, if at all, and to what degree such arrangements would affect our future plans and capital requirements; and

 

   

the effect on our product development activities of action taken by the FDA or other regulatory authorities.

 

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A change of outcome for any of these variables with respect to the development of LPCN 1021 could mean a significant change in the costs and timing associated with these efforts.

Summary of Research and Development Expense

Our research and development efforts have primarily been focused on LPCN 1021, and until March 2012, all research and development costs related to that product candidate were incurred by Abbott. However, we incur significant costs for our other product candidates and programs. The following table summarizes our research and development expenses:

 

     Year ended December 31,      Three months ended March 31,  
     2012      2011      2013      2012  

External service provider costs:

           

LPCN 1021

   $ 3,877       $ 100,569       $ 24,501       $ 981   

LPCN 1111

     252,873         91,327         13,167         26,860   

LPCN 1107

     92,807         275,491         —           76,364   

Other product candidates

     19,996         173,242         1,206         204   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total external service provider costs:

     369,553         640,629         38,874         104,409   

Internal personnel costs

     1,386,189         1,842,833         466,150         360,285   

Other research and development costs

     525,454         629,069         140,086         138,510   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total research and development

   $ 2,281,196       $ 3,112,531       $ 645,110       $ 603,204   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

External service provider costs under a collaborative product development agreement are recorded net of reimbursement. A total of $759,292 and $551,368 was reimbursed under the agreement in 2012 and 2011 and recorded net in research and development expense. A total of $375,616 and $342,292 was reimbursed under the agreement during the three-months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 and recorded net in research and development expense. In July 2013, we assigned the collaborative agreement to an affiliated entity as described in the section titled “Related Person Transactions.”

Given the early stage of clinical development and the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in the clinical development, manufacturing and regulatory approval process, we are unable to estimate with any certainty the time or cost to complete the development of LPCN 1111, LPCN 1107 and other product candidates. Clinical development timelines, the probability of success and development costs can differ materially from expectations and results from our clinical trials may not be favorable. If we are successful in progressing LPCN 1111, LPCN 1107 or other product candidates into later stage development, we will require additional capital. The amount and timing of our future research and development expenses for these product candidates will depend on the preclinical and clinical success of both our current development activities and potential development of new product candidates, as well as ongoing assessments of the commercial potential of such activities.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related benefits, including stock-based compensation related to our executive, finance, business development and support functions. Other general and administrative expenses include rent and utilities, travel expenses and professional fees for auditing, tax and legal services.

They also include expenses for the cost of preparing, filling and prosecuting patent applications and maintaining, enforcing and defending intellectual property-related claims.

We expect that general and administrative expenses will increase materially as we operate as a public company. These increases will likely include salaries and related expenses, legal and consulting fees, accounting and

 

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audit fees, director fees, increased directors’ and officers’ insurance premiums, fees for investor relations services and enhanced business and accounting systems and other costs. In addition, if our pivotal Phase III trial of LPCN 1021 is successful and we then prepare and file our NDA for LPCN 1021, we expect general and administrative expenses to increase as we incur costs of pre-commercialization and, potentially, commercialization activities.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net consists primarily of interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
        
     2013      2012      Variance  

License and milestone revenue

   $ —         $ 7,523,438       $ (7,523,438

Research revenue

     —           186,233         (186,233

Research and development expenses

     645,110         603,204         41,906   

General and administrative expenses

     707,037         446,156         260,881   

Other income, net

     525         3,292         (2,767

Income tax expense

     112         1,239         (1,127

License and Milestone Revenue

The decrease in license and milestone revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2013 is primarily due to the termination of our license and collaboration agreement with Abbott in March 2012. The entire balance of deferred revenue was recognized in the first quarter of 2012 as we no longer had any future performance obligations under the agreement.

Research Revenue

The decrease in research revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2013 is primarily due to the termination of our license and collaboration agreement with Abbott in March 2012. We did not recognize any research revenue from Abbott in the first quarter of 2013 and recognized $186,000 in the first quarter of 2012.

Research and Development Expenses

The increase in research and development expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2013 was primarily due to an increase in stock-based compensation of $138,000 due to the modification of stock options and new stock option grants in the first quarter of 2013. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in general research expenses of $80,000 following the termination of the license and collaboration agreement with Abbott in March 2012 and lower personnel costs due to a reduction in the total number of employees between the first quarter of 2012 and the first quarter of 2013.

 

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General and Administrative Expenses

The increase in general and administrative expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2013 was primarily due to an increase in stock-based compensation of $297,000 due to the modification of stock options and new stock option grants in the first quarter of 2013. This increase was partially offset by a reduction in other personnel costs between 2012 and 2013.

Other Income, Net

The decrease in other income, net primarily reflects reduced interest earned on a declining balance in cash and cash equivalents between periods.

Income Tax Expense

No significant difference between periods.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

The following table summarizes the results of our operations for 2012 and 2011:

 

     Year Ended
December  31,
        
     2012      2011      Variance  

License and milestone revenue

   $ 7,523,438       $ 826,563       $ 6,696,875   

Research revenue

     186,233         2,261,689         (2,075,456

Research and development expense

     2,281,196         3,112,531         (831,335

General and administrative expense

     1,551,199         2,307,513         (756,314

Other income, net

     10,313         97,974         (87,661

Income tax expense

     684         18,370         (17,686

License and Milestone Revenue

The increase in license and milestone revenue in 2012 is primarily due to the termination of our license and collaboration agreement with Abbott in March 2012. The entire balance of deferred revenue under the license and collaboration agreement was recognized in 2012 as we no longer had any future obligations under the agreement.

Research Revenue

The decrease in research revenue in 2012 is primarily due to the termination of our license and collaboration agreement with Abbott in March 2012. A full year of research revenue was recognized in 2011 under the license and collaboration agreement but only a partial year in 2012 due to the termination of the agreement.

Research and Development Expenses

The decrease in research and development expenses in 2012 was primarily due to a decrease in stock-based compensation of $383,000 and a decrease in general research expenses of $361,000 following the termination of the license and collaboration agreement with Abbott in March 2012.

General and Administrative Expenses

The decrease in general and administrative expenses in 2012 was primarily due to a decrease in stock-based compensation of $825,000, partially offset by an increase in other personnel costs between 2011 and 2012.

 

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Other Income, Net

The decrease in other income; net in 2012 primarily reflects the sale of all marketable equity securities in July 2011 and reinvestment in cash and cash equivalents.

Income tax expense

The decrease in income tax expense in 2012 was due to alternative minimum tax liability in 2011 which did not recur in 2012.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since our inception, our operations have been primarily financed through private sales of our equity and payments received under our license and collaboration arrangements. We have devoted our resources to funding research and development programs, including discovery research, preclinical and clinical development activities. We have incurred operating losses in most years since our inception and we expect to continue to incur operating losses into the foreseeable future as we advance the ongoing development of our lead product candidate LPCN 1021, and further clinical development of LPCN 1111 and LPCN 1107 and our other programs and continue our research efforts.

As of March 31, 2013 we had $4.6 million of cash and cash equivalents compared to $5.4 million at December 31, 2012. We believe that our existing capital resources, together with interest thereon, will be sufficient to meet our projected operating requirements for at least the next 12 months. 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. Further, our operating plan may change, and we may need additional funds to meet operational needs and capital requirements for product development and commercialization sooner than planned. We currently have no credit facility or committed sources of capital. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the development and commercialization of our product candidates and the extent to which we may enter into additional collaborations with third parties to participate in their development and commercialization, we are unable to estimate the amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenditures associated with our anticipated clinical studies. To fund future operations we will need to raise additional capital and our requirements will depend on many factors, including the following:

 

   

the scope, rate of progress, results and cost of our clinical studies, preclinical testing and other related activities;

 

   

the cost of manufacturing clinical supplies, and establishing commercial supplies, of our product candidates and any products that we may develop;

 

   

the number and characteristics of product candidates that we pursue;

 

   

the cost, timing and outcomes of regulatory approvals;

 

   

the cost and timing of establishing sales, marketing and distribution capabilities;

 

   

the terms and timing of any collaborative, licensing and other arrangements that we may establish;

 

   

the timing, receipt and amount of sales, profit sharing or royalties, if any, from our potential products;

 

   

the cost of preparing, filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights; and

 

   

the extent to which we acquire or invest in businesses, products or technologies, although we currently have no commitments or agreements relating to any of these types of transactions.

 

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Funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing when needed, we may have to delay, reduce the scope of or suspend one or more of our clinical studies, research and development programs or commercialization efforts. We may seek to raise any necessary additional capital through a combination of public or private equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances, licensing arrangements and other marketing and distribution arrangements. To the extent that we raise additional capital through marketing and distribution arrangements or other collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our product candidates, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates or to grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we do raise additional capital through public or private equity offerings, the ownership interest of our existing stockholders will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect our stockholders’ rights. If we raise additional capital through debt financing, we may be subject to covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends.

 

     Three Months ended
March 31,
    Year ended December 31,  
     2013     2012     2012     2011  

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (758,238   $ (686,603   $ (3,178,393   $ 1,404,390   

Cash (used in) investing activities

     (1,206     —          (12,316     (20,484

Cash (used in) financing activities

     —          —          —          —     

Operating Activities

Cash used for operating activities was $758,000 for the three-months ended March 31, 2013, and $686,000 for the three-months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $72,000. Included in the increase was an $8.0 million decrease in net income, offset by a $7.5 million decrease in deferred revenues and a $434,000 increase in stock-based compensation.

Cash used for operating activities was $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared with cash provided by operating activities of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, an increase of $4.6 million. Included in that increase was a $6.1 million decrease in net income, offset by a $9.7 million decrease in deferred revenues and a $1.2 million decrease in stock-based compensation.

Investing Activities

Investing activities consist primarily of purchases of property and equipment. We acquired $1,000 of property and equipment in the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to $0 in the three months ended March 30, 2012.

Investing activities used cash of $12,000 for 2012 and used cash of $20,000 for 2011, all due to the purchase of property and equipment

Financing Activities

We had no financing activities during any period reported.

 

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Contractual Commitments and Contingencies

The following table summarizes, as of December 31, 2012, our obligations and commitments to make future payments under our contractual obligations:

 

     Total      1 Year      1-3 Years      3-5 Years      After 5
Years
 

Contractual Obligations

              

Operating Leases

   $ 510,999       $ 263,158       $ 247,841       $ —         $ —     

Operating Leases

In August 2003, we entered into an agreement to lease our facility in Salt Lake City, Utah consisting of office and laboratory space which serves as our corporate headquarters. Our lease expires in November 2014. We have an option to renew the lease for an additional two years.

Other Contractual Obligations

We enter into contracts in the normal course of business with clinical research organizations for clinical trials and clinical supply manufacturing and with vendors for preclinical research studies, research supplies and other services and products for operating purposes. These contracts generally provide for termination on notice, and are not non-cancellable obligations.

Tax Contingencies

Our contractual obligations presented above exclude unrecognized tax contingencies, including interest and penalties, of $37,212, which we expect to be settled during the year ended December 31, 2013.

As of March 31, 2013, there has been no material change in our contractual obligations since December 31, 2012.

JOBS Act Accounting Election

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

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements which we have prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In preparing our financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We have identified the following accounting policies that we believe require application of management’s most subjective judgments, often requiring the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. Our actual results could differ from these estimates and such differences could be material.

While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in Note 2 of our annual consolidated financial statements included in this Current Report on Form 8-K, we believe the following accounting policies to be critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. We recognize license and other up front

 

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fees as earned. Milestone payments are recognized upon successful completion of a performance milestone event. Contract revenues related to collaborative research and development agreements are recognized on a ratable basis as services are performed. Any amounts received in advance of performance are recorded as deferred revenue until earned.

We enter into arrangements with collaboration partners that sometimes involve multiple deliverables. These arrangements may contain one or more of the following elements: license and other up-front fees, contract research and development services, milestone payments and royalties. Each deliverable in the arrangement is evaluated to determine whether it meets the criteria to be accounted for as a separate unit of accounting or whether it should be combined with other deliverables. When deliverables are separable, consideration is allocated to the separate units of accounting based upon the relative selling price method, and appropriate revenue recognition principles are applied to each unit. When we determine that the arrangement should be accounted for as a single unit of accounting, revenue is recognized over the period for which performance obligations will be performed.

Up-front, nonrefundable fees and milestone payments we received under license and collaboration arrangements that include future obligations, in whatever form, are recognized ratably over the expected performance period under each respective arrangement. Under these arrangements, we make our best estimate of the period over which we expect to fulfill our performance obligations, which may include technology transfer assistance, research activities, clinical development activities, and manufacturing activities from development through the commercialization of the product. Given the uncertainties of these extended collaboration arrangements, significant judgment is required to determine the duration of the performance period. For license and collaboration arrangements where no future obligations exist, up-front, nonrefundable fees and milestone payments are recognized when received. Any amounts received in advance of performance are recorded as deferred revenue until recognized.

We may provide research and development services under collaboration arrangements to advance the development of jointly owned products. We record the expenses incurred and reimbursed on a net basis in research and development expense.

Accrued Research and Development Expenses

We make estimates of our accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date in our financial statements based on the facts and circumstances known to us at that time. Our expense accruals for contract research, contract manufacturing and other contract services are based on estimates of the fees associated with services provided by the contracting organizations. Payments under some of the contracts we have with such parties depend on factors such as successful enrollment of patients, site initiation and the completion of clinical trial milestones. In accruing service fees, we estimate the time period over which services will be performed and the level of effort to be expended in each period. If possible, we obtain information regarding unbilled services directly from these service providers. However, we may be required to estimate these services based on other information available to us. If we underestimate or overestimate the activity or fees associated with a study or service at a given point in time, adjustments to research and development expenses may be necessary in future periods. Subsequent changes in estimates may result in a material change in our accruals.

Stock-Based Compensation

We recognize stock-based compensation expense for grants of stock option awards and restricted stock under our Incentive Plan to employees and nonemployee members of our board of directors based on the grant-date fair value of those awards. The grant-date fair value of an award is generally recognized as compensation expense over the award’s requisite service period. In addition, we have granted performance-based stock option awards and restricted stock grants, which vest based upon our satisfying certain performance conditions. Potential compensation cost, measured on the grant date, related to these performance options will be recognized only if, and when, we estimate that these options will vest, which is based on whether we consider the options’ performance conditions to be probable of attainment. Our estimates of the number of performance-based options that will vest will be revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods.

During January 2013, we modified 907,336 existing time-vested and performance-based stock options by lowering the exercise price to $2.81 on a post merger basis. Additionally, we modified the vesting terms for our unvested performance-based stock options and unvested restricted stock to vest on the earlier of the first closing in the pivotal clinical study for our lead drug candidate, or 50% in January 2014 and 50% in January 2015. Compensation expense of $422,000 was recorded as a result of modifications. As of March 31, 2013, there was $859,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under our Incentive Plan. A total of $406,000 of unrecognized cost could be recognized upon first dosing in the pivotal clinical study for LPCN 1021. In addition, we grant stock options to nonemployee consultants from time to time in exchange for services performed for us. Equity instruments granted to nonemployees are subject to periodic revaluation over their vesting terms.

 

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We use the Black-Scholes model to compute the estimated fair value of stock option awards. Using this model, fair value is calculated based on assumptions with respect to (i) expected volatility of our Common Stock price, (ii) the periods of time over which employees and members of the board of directors are expected to hold their options prior to exercise (expected term), (iii) expected dividend yield on the Common Stock, and (iv) risk-free interest rates. Stock-based compensation expense also includes an estimate, which is made at the time of grant, of the number of awards that are expected to be forfeited. This estimate is revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

During 2011, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2013, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated organizations or financial partnerships, such as structured finance or special-purpose entities, that would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

This information is included in the financial statements of Lipocine included as Exhibit 99.2 to this Report Current Report on Form 8-K.

Newly adopted accounting pronouncements

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02, or ASU 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2013-02 requires reporting and disclosure about changes in accumulated other comprehensive income balances and reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income.

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk

The primary objective of our cash management activities is to preserve our capital to fund our operations. We also seek to maximize income from our cash and cash equivalents without assuming significant risk. To achieve our objectives, we maintain a portfolio of cash and cash equivalents in a variety of securities of high credit quality.

 

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As of March 31, 2013, we had cash and cash equivalents of $4.6 million consisting of cash and cash equivalents deposited in highly rated financial institutions in the United States. A portion of our cash and cash equivalents may be subject to interest rate risk and could fall in value if market interest rates increase. However, because our cash and cash equivalents are primarily short-term in duration, we believe that our exposure to interest rate risk is not significant and a 1% movement in market interest rates would not have a significant impact on the total value of our portfolio. We actively monitor changes in interest rates.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

There were no changes in or disagreements with our accountants on accounting or financial disclosure matters during 2011, 2012 or the three months ended March 31, 2013.

 

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Directors and Executive Officers

Biographical Information

The table below sets forth information about our directors and executive officers after giving effect to the Merger:

 

Name

  

Age

  

Position

Mahesh V. Patel, Ph.D.    56    President and Chief Executive Officer, Director
Srinivasan Venkateshwaran, Ph.D.    55    Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Research and Development
Gerald T. Simmons    68    Corporate Business Development Officer
Robert K. Merrell    58    Vice President Finance
William I. Higuchi, Ph.D.    82    Director, Chairman of the Board
John W. Higuchi, MBA    45    Director
Gordhan Patel, R.Ph    63    Director

Executive Officers

Mahesh V. Patel, Ph.D has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since 1997 and as a member of our Board of Directors since 1997. Dr. Patel has more than 25 years of experience in strategic planning, technology assessment / development, technical management and product research and development in the area of drug discovery support, drug delivery and product line extensions. Prior to co-founding Lipocine in 1997, he led drug delivery research and development at Pharmacia and Upjohn. Dr. Patel received a B.Pharm from Karnataka University in India, a M.S. in Physical Pharmacy at the University of Cincinnati and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from the University of Utah. We believe Dr. Patel’s dual role as an executive officer and director gives him unique insights into the day-to-day operations of our company and our strategic planning and clinical development.

Srinivasan Venkateshwaran, Ph.D has served as our Chief Technology Officer and Vice President, Research and Development since 2001. Dr. Venkateshwaran has more than 20 years of experience in leading the development of innovative drug delivery-based technologies and products at several drug delivery companies. He has held positions as Executive Director of R&D at Mylan Technologies Inc. and Executive Director of Transdermal and Inhalation Research at TheraTech Inc. /Watson Labs, where he spearheaded technology and product development. Dr. Venkateshwaran received a M.S. and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah and a B. Tech in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India.

Gerald T. Simmons has served as our Corporate Business Development Officer since 2003. Mr. Simmons brings more than 25 years of large pharmaceutical and early stage drug development company experience. Mr. Simmons has held corporate business positions at Pharmacraft (now Ciba-Geigy) and served in various senior marketing positions at Schering Plough Corp. From 1991 to 1995, he served as the chief executive officer of Cellegy Pharmaceuticals, a drug delivery company. From 1995 to 2003, he served as the chief executive officer of MantiCore Pharmaceuticals, an oncology company and Fountain Pharmaceuticals, a drug delivery company. Mr. Simmons received a B.A. from Canisius College and a M.B.A. from the University of Buffalo.

Robert K. Merrell has served our Vice President, Finance since 2006. Mr. Merrell has more than 20 years of financial and general management experience in the pharmaceutical industry. From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Merrell served as a Vice President at Myriad Genetics Laboratories. From 1988 to 2002 he served in various financial capacities at NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., including Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from 1995 to 2002. At NPS he provided financial leadership in enabling NPS’s growth from an early stage company through a successful initial public offering in 1994 and subsequent follow-on offerings. Prior to NPS, he was a senior manager at Peat Marwick. Mr. Merrell is a certified public accountant and received a Bachelor Degree in Accounting at the University of Utah and a Master of Management Degree at Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

 

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Non-Executive Directors

William I. Higuchi, Ph.D has served as the Chairman of our Board of Directors since 1997. Since 1982, Dr. Higuchi has served as the Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutics in the Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Utah. In 1985, Dr. Higuchi co-founded TheraTech, Inc. and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors until it was sold to Watson Pharmaceuticals. Dr Higuchi continues to serve as technical and business consultant and thought leader for numerous pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Higuchi most recently was the recipient of the prestigious “Order of the Rising Sun” awarded by the Japanese Government. Dr. Higuchi received a B.A. in Chemistry from San Jose University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley. We believe that Dr. Higuchi’s experience in academic research and consulting in the pharmaceutical industry, together with his significant knowledge of our company obtained while serving as a director of our company, make him qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.

John W. Higuchi, MBA has served as a member of our Board of Directors since 2003. Since 2003, Mr. Higuchi has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Aciont Inc., an ocular therapeutics company. From 1997 to 2003, Mr. Higuchi served as our Vice President of Business Development and Corporate Treasurer. Mr. Higuchi also has worked for the American Chemical Society. Mr. Higuchi received a B.S. in Chemistry from Hope College and an M.B.A. and Master of Science in Information Systems from The George Washington University. We believe that Mr. Higuchi’s business development and management experience in the therapeutics industry, together with his significant knowledge of our company obtained while serving as a director of our company, make him qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.

Gordhan Patel, R.Ph has served as a member of our Board of Directors since 1997. He is a registered pharmacist in the state of Illinois. Since 1988, he has been the Chairman of The American Standard Circuit, Inc. and United Electronics, a world class manufacturers of high Speed RF/Microwave, Digital, Flex and Rigid-flex printed circuit boards. He founded Franklin Discount Drugs in 1987 and American Powder Coatings, Inc., a specialty chemical company. He is also a co-founder and chairman of American Precision Machining, Inc., Kleer Pak Manufacturing, Inc. and Moffat Wire Products. We believe that Mr. Patel’s background as a registered pharmacist and his extensive operating and manufacturing experiences, together with his significant knowledge of our company obtained while serving as a director of our company, make him qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.

Raltionships between Members of the Board of Directors

Mahesh V. Patel and Gordhan Patel are brothers-in-law. William I. Higuchi is the father of John W. Higuchi.

Director Independence

As a result of completing the Merger, we have four directors serving on our board of directors. Our securities are not listed on any national securities exchange and therefore we are not subject to any director independence standards. Using the definition of independence set forth in the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, none of our directors are independent.

Board Committees and Charters

Audit Committee.  We do not currently have a separately constituted audit committee. We intend to constitute an Audit Committee in 2013 and commence a search for new qualified board members, one of whom will meet the definition of an “audit committee financial expert”. The board of directors also intends to adopt a written audit committee charter.

Compensation Committee.  We do not currently have a separately constituted compensation committee. We intend to constitute a compensation committee in 2013 and commence a search for new qualified board members. The board of directors also intends to adopt a written compensation committee charter.

Nominating Committee. We do not currently have a separately constituted nominating committee. Our board of directors has not yet determined whether to create a Nominating Committee.

 

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Code of Ethics

We have not yet adopted a Code of Ethics, which would apply to our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, or to all directors and employees. Our board of directors plans to adopt a code of ethics.

Stockholder Communications

Although we do not have a formal policy regarding communications with our board of directors, stockholders may communicate with the board of directors by writing to us at 675 Arapeen Drive, Suite 202 Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, Attention: Chief Executive Officer. Stockholders who would like their submission directed to a member of the board of directors may so specify, and the communication will be forwarded, as appropriate.

Board Structure

Our board of directors consists of four members and Dr. William I. Higuchi currently serves as our chairman of the board. The Board believes that our stockholders are best served at this time by having a non-executive chairman of the board; however, our president and chief executive officer has primary responsibility for preparing the agendas for Board meetings.

Board Assessment of Risk

Our Board of Directors oversees our risk management function. Our management keeps the Board of Directors apprised of material risks and provides directors access to all information necessary for them to understand and evaluate how these risks interrelate and how management addresses those risks. If the identified risk poses an actual or potential conflict with management, our non-employee directors may conduct the assessment. Currently, the primary risks affecting us are access to financing and the conduct of our clinical trials.

Board Diversity

While we do not have a formal policy on diversity, our Board of Directors considers diversity to include the skill set, background, reputation, type and length of business experience of our board of directors members, as well as, a particular nominee’s contributions to that mix. Our Board of Directors believes that diversity brings a variety of ideas, judgments and considerations that can benefit our stockholders and us. Although there are many other factors, the Board of Directors primarily seeks individuals with experience in the design and conduct of clinical trials and other aspects of life science companies.

 

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Executive Compensation

The following information presents the compensation paid to our principal executive officer and our two most highly compensated executive officers in 2012. We refer to these executive officers as the Named Executive Officers.

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principal Position

   Year      Salary      All Other
Compensation
    Total  

Mahesh V. Patel, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer

     2012       $ 300,000       $ 1,327 (1)    $ 301,327   

Srinivasan Venkateshwaran, Ph.D.
Chief Technology Officer and Vice
President of Research and Development

     2012         205,000         —          205,000   

Gerald T. Simmons
Corporate Business Development Officer

     2012         181,000         —          181,000   

 

(1) Includes $1,327 in life insurance premiums we paid on behalf of the executive officer.

During 2012, the sole executive officer of Marathon Bar was Israel Menahem Vizel. Mr. Vizel did not receive any compensation during 2012 for his services as an executive officer of Marathon Bar.

Executive Employment Agreements and Change-in-Control Arrangements

We have not entered into employment agreements or change-in-control arrangements with any of our executive officers. Each of our executive officers is an at-will employee and their employment relationship with us may be terminated at any time.

Mr. Vizel does not have an employment or change-in-control agreement with Marathon Bar.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table presents for each named executive officer, information regarding outstanding stock options and stock awards held as of December 31, 2012. All share numbers and exercise prices have been adjusted to give effect to the Merger.

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards  
     Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
exercisable(1)
    Number of
securities
underlying
Unexercised
options (#)
unexercisable
     Option
exercise
price(6)
     Option
expiration
date
     Numbers
of shares
or units
of stock
that
have not
vested (#)
    Market
value of
shares or
units of
stock that
have not
vested (#)(7)
 

Mahesh V. Patel, Ph.D.

     136,518 (2)      —         $ 6.04         08/12/2020         —          —     
     3,198 (3)      28,780       $ 6.04         12/16/2020         —          —     
     83,421 (4)      —         $ 6.04         07/10/2021         —          —     
     3,253 (5)      7,591       $ 6.04         12/15/2021         —          —     
     —          —           —           —           30,263 (3)    $ 80,923   

Srinivasan Venkateshwaran, Ph.D.

     66,054 (2)      —         $ 6.04         08/12/2020         —          —     
     1,585 (3)      14,265       $ 6.04         12/16/2020         —          —     
     2,485 (4)      —         $ 6.04         07/10/2021         —          —     
     1,252 (5)      2,919       $ 6.04         12/15/2021         —          —     
     —          —           —           —           13,158 (3)    $ 35,184   

Gerald T. Simmons

     41,356 (2)      —         $ 6.04         08/12/2020         —          —     
     834 (3)      7,508       $ 6.04         12/16/2020         —          —     
     2,780 (4)      —         $ 6.04         07/10/2021         —          —     
     834 (5)      1,946       $ 6.04         12/15/2021         —          —     
     —          —           —           —           6,579 (3)    $ 17,595   

 

(1) The options have not been, and may never be, exercised and actual gains, if any, on exercise will depend on the value of the shares of common stock on the date of exercise.
(2) These options replaced all of the executive officers’ prior stock option grants and were fully vested on the date of grant with a ten year life.
(3) Vesting of these stock options and stock awards were originally solely subject to the achievement of certain milestones related to the successful development of our product candidates. The stock options and stock awards would vest on December 31st of the calendar year in which the specific milestone is accomplished as determined by the Board of Directors or on June 30, 2014, for any milestone accomplished prior to that date in 2014. Any shares that remained unvested as of June 30, 2014, would expire unless extended by our Board of Directors. Based upon milestones achieved in 2011, the Board of Directors determined that for 2011, 10% of such stock options and stock awards had vested as of December 31, 2011. No milestones were achieved in 2012. In January 2013, the vesting of these stock options and stock awards was modified such that the stock options and stock awards will vest as follows: (i) 100% upon first dosing in the pivotal clinical study for LPCN 1021, or (ii) 50% of the unvested portion on January 31, 2014, and 50% of the remaining unvested portion on January 31, 2015. In addition, the option expiration date was extended to the 10 year anniversary of the date of grant.
(4) This option was fully vested on the date of grant.

 

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(5) Vesting of this stock option was originally solely subject to the achievement of certain milestones related to the successful development of our product candidates. Based upon milestones achieved in 2012, the Board of Directors determined that for 2012, 30% of such options had vested as of December 31, 2012. In January 2013, the vesting of this stock option was modified such that the stock option will vest as follows: (i) 100% upon first dosing in the pivotal clinical study for LPCN 1021, or (ii) 50% of the remaining unvested potion on January 31, 2014, and 50% of the remaining unvested portion on January 31, 2015.
(6) In January 2013, the Board of Directors determined to lower the exercise price of these stock options to $2.812 per share, which was determined to be the fair market value of our common stock on the determination date.
(7) The market value of shares was determined by multiplying the number of shares subject to the award by $2.674, which the Board of Directors determined was the fair market value of as of December 31, 2012.

During 2012, the sole executive officer of Marathon Bar was Israel Menahem Vizel. As of December 31, 2012, Mr. Vizel did not hold any equity awards.

Director Compensation

The following table provides information regarding compensation of non-employee directors who served during 2012. In 2012, our directors were paid a monthly cash retainer of $4,333. In addition, we reimburse our directors for reasonable travel expenses incurred in attending the meetings of the Board of Directors. We did not award any equity compensation to our non-employee directors during 2012.

Director Compensation for 2012

 

Name

   Fees Earned
or Paid  in Cash
     Total  

William I. Higuchi(1)

   $ 52,000       $ 52,000   

John W. Higuchi(2)

     52,000         52,000   

Gordhan Patel(3)

     52,000         52,000   

 

(1) As of December 31, 2012, Dr. Higuchi had 131,638 option awards outstanding and 13,157 unvested stock awards outstanding.
(2) As of December 31, 2012, Mr. Higuchi had 139,780 option awards outstanding and 11,842 unvested stock awards outstanding.
(3) As of December 31, 2012, Mr. Patel had 124,648 option awards outstanding and 11,842 unvested stock awards outstanding.

During 2012, the sole director of Marathon Bar was Mr. Vizel, who also served as the sole executive officer of Marathon Bar. Mr. Vizel did not receive any compensation during 2012 for his services as a member of the board of directors of Marathon Bar.

Related Person Transactions

The following is a description of transactions since January 1, 2011 to which we have been a party, in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of our total assets at year end for the last two years, and in which any of our executive officers, directors or holders of more than 5% of our common stock, or an affiliate or immediate family member thereof, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than compensation arrangements, which are described in the section above titled “Executive Compensation”.

 

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Indemnification Agreements

We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers, as described in the section titled “Indemnification of Directors and Officers.”

Spriaso LLC Assignment and Services Agreements

On July 23, 2013, we entered into assignment/license and services agreements with Spriaso LLC, an entity that is expected to be initially majority-owned by Mahesh V. Patel, Gordhan Patel, John W. Higuchi, William I. Higuchi, and their affiliates. Mahesh V. Patel is our President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board of Directors. Gordhan Patel, Mr. Higuchi and Dr. Higuchi are each members of our Board of Directors.

Under the assignment agreement, we assigned and transferred to Spriaso all of our rights, title and interest in our intellectual property for the cough and cold field. In addition, Spriaso was assigned all rights and obligations under our product development agreement with a co-development partner. In exchange, we would be entitled to receive a potential cash royalty of 20% of the net proceeds received by Spriaso, up to a maximum of $10 million. Spriaso also granted back to us an exclusive license to such intellectual property to develop products outside of the cough and cold field. Under the service agreement, we will provide facilities and up to 10% of the services of certain employees to Spriaso for a period of up to 18 months. If Spriaso files its first NDA prior to Lipocine filing its first NDA, as an affiliated entity, it will use up the one-time waiver of user fees for a small business submitting its first human drug application to FDA.

 

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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of July 24, 2013, after giving effect to the Merger, by:

 

   

each person or group who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock;

 

   

each director;

 

   

our named executive officers; and

 

   

all executive officers and directors as a group.

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe, based on the information furnished to us, that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock that they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws.

Applicable percentage ownership is based on 4,707,713 shares of common stock outstanding at July 24, 2013, after giving effect to the Merger. In computing the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we deemed to be outstanding all shares of common stock subject to options, warrants or other convertible securities held by that person or entity that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of July 24, 2013. We did not deem these shares outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as otherwise noted below, the address for each person or entity is c/o Lipocine Inc., 675 Arapeen Drive, Suite 202, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

   Shares
Beneficially
Owned
     Percentage
of Total
Voting
Power
 

Directors and Named Executive Officers:

     

Mahesh V. Patel, Ph.D.(1)

     1,117,541         22.6

Srinivasan Venkateshwaran, Ph.D.(2)

     94,254         2.0

Gerald T. Simmons, M.B.A.(3)

     56,806         1.2

William I. Higuchi, Ph.D.(4)

     1,015,804         21.0

John W. Higuchi, M.B.A.(5)

     495,236         10.2

Gordhan Patel, R.Ph(6)

     747,558         15.5

All executive officers and directors as a group (7 persons)

     3,566,747         65.2

5% Stockholders

     

UCB Manufacturing Ireland Ltd.(7)

     580,402         12.3

Entities affiliated with Elan Services International, Ltd.(8)

     800,394         17.0

 

(1) Includes (i) 239,909 shares Dr. Patel has the right to acquire through the exercise of options within 60 days of July 24, 2013, (ii) 2,261 shares held by his spouse, (iii) 93,260 shares held by his daughter, and (iv) 93,260 shares held by his son.
(2) Includes 71,917 shares Dr. Venkateshwaran has the right to acquire through the exercise of options within 60 days of July 24, 2013.

 

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(3) Includes 47,157 shares Mr. Simmons has the right to acquire through the exercise of options within 60 days of July 24, 2013.
(4) Includes 123,928 shares Dr. Higuchi has the right to acquire through the exercise of options within 60 days of July 24, 2013.
(5) Includes (i) 133,710 shares Mr. Higuchi has the right to acquire through the exercise of options within 60 days of July 24, 2013, (ii) 29,239 shares held by the William Marcus Collier Trust, of which Mr. Higuchi is the trustee and shares voting power, and (iii) 29,239 shares held by the Adele Setsuko Collier Trust, of which Mr. Higuchi is the trustee and shares voting power.
(6) Includes (i) 118,577 shares Mr. Patel has the right to acquire through the exercise of options within 60 days of July 24, 2013; (ii) 13,094 shares held by the Ami Patel Irrevocable Trust One; (iii) 13,500 shares held by the Bhavik Patel Irrevocable Trust One; (iv) 13,094 shares held by the Aiden Patel Irrevocable Trust One; (v) 13,094 shares held by Arian Patel; (vi) 73,099 shares held by the Gordhan C. Patel and Jyotsna Patel and their Successors in Trust under the Ami Patel Irrevocable Trust Number One; (vii) 73,099 shares held by the Gordhan C. Patel and Jyotsna Patel and their Successors in Trust under the Bhavik Patel Trust Number One; (viii) 4,525 shares held by the Neil Patel Irrevocable Trust One; (ix) 4,525 shares held by the Snehal Patel Irrevocable Trust One; (x) 201,755 shares held by The Jyotsna Patel Trust Dated August 3, 2001; (xi) 206,445 shares held by The Gordhan Patel Trust Dated August 3, 2001. Mr. Patel has shared voting and dispositive power over the trust in (xi). The shares in (ii) through (x) are included because they are held by a person resident in Mr. Patel’s household.
(7) The address for UCB Manufacturing Ireland Ltd. is Shannon Industrial Estate, Shannon County Clare, Ireland.
(8) Includes 718,483 shares held by Elan International Services, Ltd., and 81,911 shares held by Elan Pharma International Limited. The address for the Elan entities is Treasury Building, Lower Grand Canal Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.

 

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Market Price and Dividends on our Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

Market Information

The common stock of Marathon Bar has been eligible for quotation on the OTC Electronic Bulletin Board under the symbol “MBAR” since June 5, 2012. To date, 17 shares (on a post stock split basis) traded during the quarter ended September 30, 2012 at a price of $86.00 per share. In connection with the Merger, we applied to change the trading symbol of the common stock to “LPCN” with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. We have been notified that our application has been approved, and that our common stock will be eligible for quotation on the OTC Electronic Bulletin Board under the symbol “LPCN” commencing on August 22, 2013. Until August 22, 2013, our common stock will be eligible for quotation under the symbol “MBARD”.

Holders

The number of holders of record of our common stock as of July 24, 2013, after giving effect to the Merger, was 143. This number does not include an undetermined number of stockholders whose stock is held in “street” or “nominee” name.

Equity Repurchases

Since January 1, 2011, we have repurchased the following equity securities:

 

  (1) In June 2013, we repurchased 8,625 shares of our Series B common stock from six employees at a price of $6.16 per share.

 

  (2) In July 2013, Marathon Bar repurchased 30,000 shares of common stock (on a post stock split basis) from Israel Menahem Vizel at a price of $1.16 per share.

Dividends

Lipocine Operating has never declared or paid any cash dividends to its stockholders while the board of directors of Marathon Bar declared a $8.00 per share cash dividend to its stockholders of record in connection with the Merger.

Our board of directors will make any future decisions regarding dividends. We currently intend to retain and use any future earnings, if any, for the development and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Our board of directors has complete discretion on whether to pay dividends. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table presents information regarding our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2012. There are no equity compensation plans that have not been approved by our security holders. All share numbers and exercise prices have been adjusted to give effect to the Merger.

 

Plan Category

   Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding  options
     Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding  options
     Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance  under
equity compensation
plans
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

     946,280       $ 6.18         653,965   

Equity compensation plan not approved by security holders

     —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     946,280       $ 6.18         653,965   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Shares Eligible for Future Sale

Upon the consummation of the Merger, we had 4,707,713 shares of common stock outstanding, of which our directors and executive officers beneficially own 3,566,747 shares. Of the 4,707,713 shares held by our stockholders, 5,000 shares are freely tradeable. No shares issued in connection with the Merger can be publicly sold under Rule 144 of the Securities Act until 12 months after we file our Form 8-A with the SEC. In general, Rule 144 provides that any non-affiliate of Lipocine, who has held restricted common stock for at least 12-months, is entitled to sell their restricted stock freely, provided that we remain current in our SEC filings. After 12-months, a non-affiliate may sell without any restrictions.

Once the 12-month period has lapsed, an officer, director or other person in control of us may sell shares of common stock subject to the following restrictions:

 

   

we are current in our SEC filings,

 

   

certain manner of sale provisions,

 

   

filing of Form 144, and

 

   

volume limitations limiting the sale of shares within any three-month period to a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of 1% of the total number of outstanding shares. A person who has ceased to be an affiliate at least three months immediately preceding the sale and who has owned such shares of common stock for at least one year is entitled to sell the shares under Rule 144 without regard to any of the limitations described above.

 

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Description of Capital Stock

Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. The following is a summary of the rights of our common and preferred stock and some of the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, our outstanding warrants, our registration rights agreements and the Delaware General Corporation Law. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For a complete description you should refer to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws, the warrant and registration rights agreements, copies of which have been filed as exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K, as well as the relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Common Stock

As of July 24, 2013, after giving effect to the Merger, there were 4,707,713 shares of common stock outstanding. In addition, as of July 24, 2013 there were outstanding options to purchase 1,167,540 shares of common stock and an outstanding warrant to purchase 20,467 shares of common stock. In addition, as of July 24, 2013 there were 437,614 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. Each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote per share on all matters. Our bylaws provide that any vacancy occurring in the board of directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors. Stockholders do not have preemptive rights to purchase shares in any future issuance of our common stock. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive, ratably, the net assets available to stockholders after payment of all creditors. All of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

Preferred Stock

Our Board of Directors has the authority under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the shares of each wholly unissued series, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preference and sinking fund terms, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding).

Our Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could have the effect of restricting dividends on our common stock, diluting the voting power of our common stock, impairing the liquidation rights of our common stock or otherwise adversely affecting the rights of holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As of July 24, 2013, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding, and we have no current plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Warrants

As of July 24, 2013, after giving effect to the Merger, there was an outstanding warrant to purchase 20,467 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $12.21 per share. The warrant has a net exercise provision and contains provisions for the adjustment of the exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon exercise in the event of certain stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalizations, reclassifications and consolidations. The warrant expires on December 31, 2015.

Registration Rights

Pursuant to two separate registration rights agreements, the holders of 1,380,796 shares of our common stock or their permitted transferees, are entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act. These registration rights will expire when such securityholder is able to sell all of its shares pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act, without any volume or timing restrictions. In an underwritten offering, the underwriter has the right, subject to specified conditions, to limit the number of shares such holders may include in an offering.

Demand Registration Rights

The holders of 1,071,835 shares of our common stock or permitted transferees are entitled to certain demand registration rights commencing on the six-month anniversary of the date we are first obligated to file reports with the SEC pursuant to Section 12 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The holders of at least 290,201 shares under the first registration rights agreement and 24,572 shares under the second registration rights agreement may each once request that we register all or a portion of their shares of our common stock. The request must result in an effective registration statement or the holders retain the right to request registration. The anticipated net proceeds must be at least $2.5 million, if the registration is pursuant to Form S-1, or $1.0 million, if the registration is pursuant to Form S-3. If we determine that it would in certain circumstances reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on us to effect such a demand registration, we have the right to defer such registration, not more than once in any 12-month period, for a period of up to 90 days.

Piggyback Registration Rights

If we propose to register the offer and sale of any of our securities under the Securities Act, in connection with the public offering of such securities the holders of 1,380,796 shares of our common stock or permitted transferees, will be entitled to certain “piggyback” registration rights allowing the holders to include their shares in such registration, subject to certain marketing and other limitations that may be imposed by the underwriters, if any, in such a registration. As a result, whenever we propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act, other than with respect to (1) a registration related to a employee benefit plan or (2) a registration related to a corporate reorganizations or certain other transactions under Rule 145 of the Securities Act, the holders of these shares are entitled to notice of the registration and have the right, subject to limitations that the underwriters may impose on the number of shares included in the registration, to include their shares in the registration.

S-3 Registration Rights

The holders of 1,071,835 shares of our common stock or permitted transferees may make a written request that we register the offer and sale of these shares on Form S-3, provided we are eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3 and the anticipated aggregate offering price of the shares to be sold is at least $1.0 million. These stockholders may make an unlimited number of requests for registration on Form S-3, which requests shall not be counted as “demand registrations.” If we determine that it would in certain circumstances reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on us to effect such registration, we have the right to defer such registration, not more than once in any 12-month period, for a period of up to 90 days.

Expenses of Registration

Generally, we are required to bear all registration expenses, other than selling expenses such as underwriting discounts and selling commissions, incurred in connection with the demand, piggyback and Form S-3 registrations described above.

Anti-takeover Effects of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain certain provisions that may have anti-takeover effects, making it more difficult for or preventing a third party from acquiring control of Lipocine or changing our board of directors and management. According to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, the holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of our directors. The combination of the present ownership and control of 65.2% of our issued and outstanding common stock by our executive officers and directors as a group and the lack of cumulative voting, makes it more difficult for other stockholders to replace our board of directors or for a third party to obtain control of the company by replacing our board of directors.

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or Section 203. Section 203 generally prohibits a public Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless.

 

   

prior to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

   

upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced; or

 

   

at or subsequent to the time of the transaction, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of its stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of our outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

In general, Section 203 defines a “business combination” to include mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in financial benefit to a stockholder and an “interested stockholder” as a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years, did own) 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock.

Section 203 could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts not approved in advance by our Board of Directors and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us even though such a transaction may offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing market price.

 

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Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws

Provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which became effective following the closing of the Merger, may delay or discourage transactions involving an actual or potential change of control or change in our Board of Directors or our management, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares, or transactions that our stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests. Therefore, these provisions could adversely affect the price of our common stock. Among other things, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws:

 

   

permit our Board of Directors to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with any rights, preferences and privileges as they may designate (including the right to approve an acquisition or other change of control);

 

   

provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of our Board of Directors;

 

   

provide that, subject to the rights of any series of preferred stock to elect directors, directors may only be removed, subject to any limitation imposed by law, by the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all of our then-outstanding shares of the capital stock entitled to vote generally at an election of directors;

 

   

provide that all vacancies, including newly created directorships, may, except as otherwise required by law, be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum;

 

   

require that any action to be taken by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and not be taken by written consent or electronic transmission;

 

   

provide that stockholders seeking to present proposals before a meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders must provide advance notice in writing, and also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice;

 

   

provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by the chairman of our Board of Directors, our chief executive officer or by our Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors;

 

   

do not provide for cumulative voting rights (therefore allowing the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors to elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose).

The amendment of any of these provisions would require approval by the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of our then-outstanding common stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Transfer Agent And Registrar

Our transfer agent and registrar is Globex Transfer, LLC,780 Deltona Blvd., Suite 202, Deltona, Florida 32725. Their telephone number is (813) 344-4490.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Our certificate of incorporation provides that none of our directors will be personally liable to us, or our stockholders, for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability:

 

   

for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

 

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for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law;

 

   

under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law for the unlawful payment of dividends; or

 

   

for any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.

These provisions eliminate our rights and those of our stockholders to recover monetary damages from a director for breach of his fiduciary duty of care as a director except in the situations described above. The limitations summarized above, however, do not affect our ability or that of our stockholders to seek non-monetary remedies, such as an injunction or rescission, against a director for breach of his fiduciary duty.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides a corporation with the power to indemnify any officer or director acting in his capacity as our representative who is, or threatened to be, made a party to any lawsuit or other proceeding for expenses, judgment and amounts paid in settlement in connection with such lawsuit or proceeding. The indemnity provisions apply whether the action was instituted by a third party or was filed by one of our stockholders. The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that Section 145 is not exclusive of other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. We have provided for this indemnification in our certificate of incorporation because we believe that it is important to attract qualified directors and officers. We have further provided in our certificate of incorporation that no indemnification shall be available, whether pursuant to our certificate of incorporation or otherwise, arising from any lawsuit or proceeding in which we assert a direct claim, as opposed to a stockholders’ derivative action, against any directors and officers (or a director or officer sues us). This limitation is designed to ensure that if we are involved in litigation adverse to a director or officer, we do not have to pay for their legal fees.

We plan to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors that will require us to indemnify such persons against any and all expenses, including judgments, fines or penalties, attorney’s fees, witness fees or other professional fees and related disbursements and other out-of-pocket costs incurred, in connection with any action, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry or administrative hearing, whether threatened, pending or completed, to which any such person may be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of our company, provided that such director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner that the director or officer reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests. The indemnification agreements also set forth procedures that will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification thereunder. We believe that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers.

Insofar as indemnification by us for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification by such director, officer or controlling person of us in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being offered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

At the present time, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director, officer, employee or other agent of ours in which indemnification would be required or permitted. We are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding, which may result in a claim for such indemnification.

 

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ITEM 3.02 UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets of this Current Report on Form 8-K, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

Upon the closing of the Merger, Marathon Bar issued:

 

  (1) 3,296,341 shares of common stock to 88 former stockholders of Lipocine Operating resident within the United States; and

 

  (2) 1,406,372 shares of common stock to 12 former stockholders of Lipocine Operating resident outside the United States.

The issuances of the securities described in paragraph (1) were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act (or Regulation D promulgated thereunder) as a transaction by an issuer not involving any public offering. Each recipient of securities (i) represented that such recipient was an accredited investor under Rule 501 of Regulation D or (ii) each recipient who was not an accredited investor, either alone or with a purchaser representative had such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that they were capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the Merger, or we reasonably believed immediately prior to the closing of the Merger that such recipient comes within this description. In accordance with Rule 506, no more than 35 recipients of the securities were non-accredited investors.

The issuances of the securities described in paragraph (2) were made outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

ITEM 5.01 CHANGES IN CONTROL OF REGISTRANT

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets of this Current Report on Form 8-K, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS

The sole director of Marathon Bar prior to the Merger, Israel Menahem Vizel, resigned as a director effective upon the closing of the Merger, and the new directors of the Combined Company, as set forth in Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets of this Current Report on Form 8-K, were appointed as the directors of the Combined Company. Similarly, the sole executive officer of Marathon Bar, Mr. Vizel, tendered his resignation, effective immediately upon the closing of the Merger, and the new executive officers of the Combined Company, as set forth in Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets of this Current Report on Form 8-K, were appointed, effective as of the closing of the Merger. For certain biographical and other information regarding the newly appointed officers and directors, and current chief executive officer and treasurer, see the disclosure under Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets of this Current Report on Form 8-K in the section titled “Directors and Executive Officers”, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 5.03 AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS; CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR

On July 24, 2013, immediately prior to the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, Marathon Bar amended its certificate of incorporation to change the name of Marathon Bar to “Lipocine Inc.” and to affect a 100-for-1 reverse stock split. The amendment is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

On July 24, 2013, immediately following the closing of the Merger, the Combined Company amended and restated its certificate of incorporation and bylaws in their entirety. Please see the description of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws in Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets of this Current Report on Form 8-K in the section titled “Anti-takeover Effects of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws”

 

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The amended and restated certificate of incorporation is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The amended and restated bylaws are filed as Exhibit 3.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 5.06 CHANGE IN SHELL COMPANY STATUS

Upon the closing of the Merger on July 24, 2013, the Combined Company ceased to be a “shell company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. See the disclosure under Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets of this Current Report on Form 8-K, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 5.07 SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

On July 5, 2013, stockholders holding 85% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Marathon Bar executed a written consent in lieu of a meeting of the stockholders, pursuant to which the following actions were approved:

 

  (1) the amendment and restatement of our certificate of incorporation effecting the reverse stock split and the change of our corporate name from Marathon Bar Corp. to Lipocine Inc.

On July 12, 2013, stockholders holding 85% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Marathon Bar executed a written consent in lieu of a meeting of the stockholders, pursuant to which the following actions were approved:

 

  (1) the amendment and restatement of our certificate of incorporation effecting the reverse stock split and the change of our corporate name from Marathon Bar Corp. to Lipocine Inc. with an effective date of July 24, 2013.

On July 24, 2013, stockholders holding 85% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Marathon Bar executed a written consent in lieu of a meeting of the stockholders, pursuant to which the following actions were approved:

 

  (1) the adoption and approval of the Merger, the Certificate of Merger to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware effecting the Merger, the Merger Agreement and any and all transactions and agreements contemplated thereby;

 

  (2) the assumption of the Lipocine Operating Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan;

 

  (3) the amendment and restatement of our certificate of incorporation; and

 

  (4) the amendment and restatement of our bylaws.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

 

  (a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired. In accordance with Item 9.01(a), audited financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 (Lipocine Inc.), are filed with this Current Report as Exhibit 99.2 and unaudited financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 (Lipocine Inc.) are filed with this Current Report as Exhibit 99.1.

 

  (b) Pro Forma Financial Information. In accordance with Item 9.01(b), our pro forma financial statements are filed with this Current Report as Exhibit 99.3.

 

  (c) Shell Company Transactions. Reference is made to Items 9.01(a) and 9.01(b) and the exhibits referred to therein, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

  (d) Exhibits. See Exhibit Index following the signature page of this Current Report, which is incorporated by reference here.

 

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SIGNATURE

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

 

Dated: July 24, 2013     L IPOCINE I NC .
    By:  

/s/ M AHESH V. P ATEL , P H .D.

      Mahesh V. Patel, Ph.D.
      President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated July 24, 2013, by and among Marathon Bar Corp., Lipocine Operating Inc., and MBAR Acquisition Corp.
  3.1    Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
  3.2    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as in effect following the Merger.
  3.3    Amended and Restated Bylaws, as in effect following the Merger
  4.1    Form of Common Stock certificate
10.1    Lipocine Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan
10.2    Form of Stock Option Agreement and Option Grant Notice under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan
10.3    Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement and Notice under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan
10.4    Assignment and Assumption of Lease, dated August 6, 2004, by and between Lipocine Inc. and Genta Salus LLC.
10.5    Second Lease Extension and Modification Agreement, dated June 21, 2011, by and between Lipocine Inc. and Paradigm Resources, L.C.
10.6    Form of Indemnification Agreement by and between Lipocine Inc. and each of its directors and officers
10.7    Warrant issued to University of Utah, as amended, dated December 23, 2003
10.8    Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 25, 2004, by and between Lipocine Operating Inc. and Schwarz Pharma Limited (now UCB Manufacturing Ireland Ltd.)
10.9    Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 20, 2001, by and among Lipocine Operating Inc., Elan International Services, Ltd., and Elan Pharma International Limited
21.1    Subsidiaries
23.1    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
99.1   

Unaudited condensed financial statements of Lipocine Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012

99.2   

Audited financial statements of Lipocine Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

99.3    Pro forma financial statements

 

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Exhibit 2.1

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION

T HIS A GREEMENT AND P LAN OF M ERGER AND R EORGANIZATION (“ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of July 24, 2013 at 4:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (the “ Execution Date ”), by and among: L IPOCINE I NC . , a Delaware corporation (“ Parent ”); MBAR A CQUISITION C ORP . , a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“ Merger Sub ”); and L IPOCINE O PERATING I NC . , a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”). Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Exhibit A .

R ECITALS

A. Parent, Merger Sub and the Company intend to effect a merger of Merger Sub into the Company in accordance with this Agreement and the DGCL (the “ Merger ”). Upon consummation of the Merger, Merger Sub will cease to exist, and the Company (as the Surviving Corporation) will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent.

B. It is intended that, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Merger shall qualify as (i) a transaction described in Section 351 of the Code or (ii) a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. The parties to this Agreement adopt this Agreement as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a).

C. The respective boards of directors of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company have approved this Agreement and the Merger.

D. Prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, (i) Parent has obtained and delivered to the Company the written consent of Parent’s stockholders necessary to approve the filing of its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “ Parent Restated Charter ”), (ii) the Parent Restated Charter has been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and is in full force and effect, (iii) Parent has obtained and delivered to the Company letters of resignation from each of Parent’s officers and directors immediately prior to the Effective Time (as defined below), (iv) the individuals previously identified to Parent by the Company have been appointed as the officers and/or directors of Parent effective as of the Effective Time and (v) the Company has made a cash payment to Parent in the amount of $340,000 (the “ Cash Purchase Price ”) in partial consideration of the Merger and Parent has distributed a portion of the Cash Purchase Price to its stockholders as a dividend and has utilized a portion of the Cash Purchase Price to redeem certain of its shares of common stock held by Israel Menachem Vizel (“ Vizel ”), in accordance with the terms of that certain Stock Repurchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between Parent, Vizel and Anslow & Jaclin, LLP, as Escrow Agent (the “ Redemption Agreement ”).

E. Immediately following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, (i) the Company shall deliver to Parent the written consent of the Company’s stockholders necessary to adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger and the other transactions contemplated herein (the “ Company Written Consent ”), and (ii) Merger Sub shall deliver to the Company the written consent of Parent, as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, adopting this Agreement and approving the Merger and the other transactions contemplated herein, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “ Merger Sub Written Consent ”).

A GREEMENT


The parties to this Agreement, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Description of Transaction

1.1 The Merger . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.3), Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company. By virtue of the Merger, at the Effective Time, the separate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation in the Merger (the “ Surviving Corporation ”).

1.2 Effects of the Merger . The Merger shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement and in the applicable provisions of the DGCL.

1.3 Closing; Effective Times of the Merger .

(a) The consummation of the Contemplated Transactions (the “ Closing ”) shall take place at the offices of Cooley LLP , 3175 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, California, immediately following the delivery of the Company Written Consent and the Merger Sub Written Consent by the Company and the Merger Sub, respectively. The date on which the Closing actually takes place is referred to as the “ Closing Date .”

(b) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, in order to effect the Merger, a certificate of merger satisfying the applicable requirements of the DGCL, and in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D , shall be duly executed and concurrently with or as soon as practicable following the Closing shall be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Merger shall become effective at the time of the filing of such certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the time as of which the Merger becomes effective being referred to as the “ Effective Time ”).

1.4 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws; Directors and Officers . Unless otherwise determined by Parent prior to the Effective Time:

(a) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended and restated immediately after the Effective Time to conform to Exhibit E ;

(b) the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended and restated as of the Effective Time to conform to the Bylaws of Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time; and

(c) the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation immediately after the Effective Time shall be the respective individuals previously identified to Parent by the Company .

1.5 Conversion of Shares; Treatment of Warrants .

(a) At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any further action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or any stockholder of the Company:

(i) subject to Sections 1.5(b), 1.5(c), 1.5(f), 1.6, 1.7 and 1.9, each share of Company Capital Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into the right to receive 0.29239998 shares of Parent Common Stock (the “ Exchange Ratio ”); and

 

2.


(ii) each share of the Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of Merger Sub outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into one share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.

(b) If, during the period from the date of this Agreement through the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock are changed into a different number or class of shares by reason of any stock split, division or subdivision of shares, stock dividend, reverse stock split, consolidation of shares, reclassification, recapitalization or other similar transaction, or if a stock dividend is declared by Parent during such period, or a record date with respect to any such event shall occur during such period, then appropriate adjustments shall be made to the Exchange Ratio.

(c) No fractional shares of Parent Common Stock shall be issued in connection with the Merger, and no certificates or scrip for any such fractional shares shall be issued. Any holder of Company Capital Stock who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of a share of Parent Common Stock (after aggregating all fractional shares of Parent Common Stock issuable to such holder) shall, in lieu of such fraction of a share and upon surrender of such holder’s Company Stock Certificate(s) (as defined in Section 1.6) be paid in cash the dollar amount (rounded to the nearest whole cent), without interest, determined by multiplying such fraction by $0.29239998.

(d) At the Effective Time, each Company Option that is unexpired, unexercised and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, be assumed and converted by Parent in accordance with Section 4.2. As set forth in Section 4.2, each assumed Company Option that immediately prior to the Effective Time was not fully vested shall be subject to the same vesting arrangements that were applicable to such Company Option immediately prior to or at the Effective Time.

(e) Each Company Warrant outstanding at the Effective Time shall be assumed by Parent to the extent not exercised prior to the Closing. At the Effective Time, each Company Warrant shall be converted into a warrant to acquire that number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of Company Capital Stock subject to such Company Warrant and (y) Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the nearest whole share of Parent Common Stock. Each Company Warrant shall have a purchase price per share of Parent Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the per share purchase price of Company Capital Stock subject to such Company Warrant by (y) the Exchange Ratio rounded up to the nearest whole cent. Each Company Warrant shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions (including as to vesting and exercisability) as were applicable under the respective Company Warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time.

(f) Each share of Unvested Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into the right to receive that number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of Unvested Company Common Stock and (y) the Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the nearest whole share of Parent Common Stock, and such shares of Parent Common Stock shall thereafter remain subject to the same restrictions and vesting arrangements that were applicable to such shares of Unvested Company Common Stock immediately prior to or at the Effective Time. All outstanding rights to repurchase Unvested Company Common Stock that the Company may hold or similar restrictions in the Company’s favor immediately prior to the Effective Time (all such rights, the “ Repurchase Rights ”) shall be assigned to Parent in the Merger and shall thereafter be exercisable by Parent upon the same terms and subject to the same conditions that were in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time.

1.6 Closing of the Company’s Transfer Books . At the Effective Time: (a) all shares of Company Capital Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically

 

3.


be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and all holders of certificates representing shares of Company Capital Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any rights as stockholders of the Company; and (b) the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed with respect to all shares of Company Capital Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. No further transfer of any such shares of Company Capital Stock shall be made on such stock transfer books after the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, a valid certificate previously representing any shares of Company Capital Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (a “ Company Stock Certificate ”) is presented to the Surviving Corporation or Parent, such Company Stock Certificate shall be canceled and shall be exchanged as provided in Section 1.7.

1.7 Exchange of Certificates .

(a) As promptly as practicable after the Effective Time (but in any event within sixty (60) days following the Effective Time), Parent shall: (i) cause the shares of Parent Common Stock issuable pursuant to Section 1.5(a)(i) to be issued in book-entry form; and (ii) make payments in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 1.5(c).

(b) As promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, Parent will mail or otherwise provide to the Persons who were record holders of Company Stock Certificates immediately prior to the Effective Time instructions for use in effecting the surrender of Company Stock Certificates in exchange for cash in respect of fractional shares pursuant to Section 1.5(c), if any, and book-entry shares representing Parent Common Stock. Upon surrender of a Company Stock Certificate to Parent for exchange, together with such other documents as may be reasonably required by Parent: (A) the holder of such Company Stock Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, book-entry shares representing the number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock that such holder has the right to receive pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.5(a)(i) (and cash in lieu of any fractional share of Parent Common Stock pursuant to Section 1.5(c)); and (B) the Company Stock Certificate so surrendered shall be canceled. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 1.7(b), each Company Stock Certificate shall be deemed, from and after the Effective Time, to represent only the right to receive book-entry shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.5(a)(i) (and cash in lieu of any fractional share of Parent Common Stock pursuant to Section 1.5(c)). If any Company Stock Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, Parent may, in its discretion and as a condition to the payment of any cash or the issuance of any book-entry shares representing Parent Common Stock, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed Company Stock Certificate to provide an appropriate lost affidavit with respect to such Company Stock Certificate.

(c) No dividends or other distributions declared or made with respect to Parent Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time shall be paid or otherwise delivered to the holder of any unsurrendered Company Stock Certificate with respect to the shares of Parent Common Stock that such holder has the right to receive in the Merger until such holder surrenders such Company Stock Certificate in accordance with this Section 1.7 (at which time such holder shall be entitled, subject to the effect of applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws, to receive all such dividends and distributions, without interest).

(d) Any holders of Company Stock Certificates who have not surrendered their Company Stock Certificates in accordance with this Section 1.7 as of the date 180 days after the date on which the Merger becomes effective shall thereafter look only to Parent for satisfaction of their claims for shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.5(a)(i), cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to Section 1.5(c) and any dividends or distributions with respect to shares of Parent Common Stock.

 

4.


(e) Each of Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration payable or otherwise deliverable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as may be required to be deducted or withheld from such consideration under the Code or any provision of state, local or non-U.S. Tax law or under any other applicable Legal Requirement. To the extent such amounts are so deducted or withheld and paid to or deposited with the appropriate Governmental Body, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes under this Agreement as having been paid to the Person to whom such amounts would otherwise have been paid. Parent shall take commercially reasonable efforts to reduce or eliminate any required withholding.

(f) Neither Parent nor the Surviving Corporation shall be liable to any holder or former holder of Company Common Stock or to any other Person with respect to any shares of Parent Common Stock (or dividends or distributions with respect thereto), or for any cash amounts, delivered to any public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property law, escheat law or other similar Legal Requirement.

1.8 Tax Consequences . For federal income tax purposes, the Merger is intended to constitute (a) a transaction described in Section 351 of the Code or (b) a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code, and the parties will report the Merger as such for U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes. None of the parties will knowingly take any action, or fail to take any action, which action or failure to act would cause the Merger neither to qualify as a transaction described in Section 351 of the Code nor to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code. The parties to this Agreement adopt this Agreement as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a).

1.9 Appraisal Rights .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any shares of Company Capital Stock that, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, are held by holders who have as of such time preserved appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL with respect to such shares shall not be converted into or represent the right to receive shares of Parent Common Stock in accordance with Section 1.5(a)(i), or cash in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 1.5(c), and the holder or holders of such shares shall be entitled only to such rights as may be granted to such holder or holders pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL; provided, however, that if such appraisal rights shall not be perfected or the holders of such shares shall otherwise lose their appraisal rights with respect to such shares, then, as of the later of the Effective Time or the time of the failure to perfect such status or the loss of such rights, such shares shall automatically be converted into and shall represent only the right to receive (upon the surrender of such holder’s Company Stock Certificate(s) in accordance with Section 1.7) shares of Parent Common Stock in accordance with Section 1.5(a)(i) and cash in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 1.5(c).

1.10 Further Action . If, at any time after the Effective Time, any further action is determined by Parent or the Surviving Corporation to be necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement or to vest the Surviving Corporation with full right, title and possession of and to all rights and property of Merger Sub and the Company, the officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation and Parent shall be fully authorized (in the name of Merger Sub, in the name of the Company and otherwise) to take such action.

SECTION 2. R EPRESENTATIONS A ND W ARRANTIES O F T HE C OMPANY

The Company represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub, as of the Effective Time, as follows:

 

5.


2.1 Subsidiaries; Due Organization; Etc .

(a) The Company does not have any Subsidiaries and it does not own any capital stock of, or any equity interest of any nature in, any other Entity. The Company has not agreed to, nor is it obligated to make, or bound by any Contract under which it may become obligated to make, any future investment in or capital contribution to any other Entity.

(b) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all necessary power and authority: (i) to conduct its business in the manner in which its business is currently being conducted; (ii) to own and use its assets in the manner in which its assets are currently owned and used; and (iii) to perform its obligations under all Contracts by which it is bound.

(c) The Company is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation, and is in good standing, under the laws of all jurisdictions where the nature of its business requires such qualification, except as would not have and would not reasonably be expected to have or result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

2.2 Capitalization, Etc .

(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 43,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, consisting of (A) 32,000,000 shares of Series A Common Stock, of which 10,872,296 shares have been issued and are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, and (B) 11,000,000 shares of Series B Common Stock, of which 4,961,121 shares have been issued and are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, (ii) 4,100,000 shares of Company Preferred Stock, 250,000 shares of which have been designated as “Series B Preferred Stock” (the “ Series B Preferred Stock ”), all of which such shares of Series B Preferred Stock have been issued and are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement. The Company does not hold any shares of its capital stock in its treasury. All of the outstanding shares of Company Capital Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and nonassessable. The Company is not under any obligation, nor is bound by any Contract pursuant to which it may become obligated, to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any outstanding shares of Company Capital Stock.

(b) As of the date of this Agreement, 4,198,812 shares of Series B Common Stock are subject to issuance pursuant to outstanding Company Options. All outstanding Company Options were granted pursuant to the terms of the Company Option Plan. The Company Option Plan is binding upon and enforceable by the Company against all holders of Company Options, subject to (i) laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief and other equitable remedies. As of the date of this Agreement, 70,000 shares of Series B Common Stock are subject to issuance pursuant to outstanding warrants (“ Company Warrants ”).

2.3 Authority; Binding Nature of Agreement . The Company has the corporate right, power and authority to enter into and, subject to obtaining the Required Company Stockholder Vote (as defined in Section 2.5), to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The board of directors of the Company has: (a) unanimously determined that the Merger is advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and its stockholders; (b) unanimously authorized and approved the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and unanimously approved the Merger; and (c) unanimously recommended the adoption of this Agreement by the holders of Company Capital Stock. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to: (i) laws of general application relating to

 

6.


bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors; and (ii) rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief and other equitable remedies.

2.4 Vote Required . The affirmative vote of sixty six and two thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of Series A Common Stock (the “ Required Company Stockholder Vote ”) is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock necessary to adopt this Agreement.

SECTION 3. R EPRESENTATIONS A ND W ARRANTIES O F P ARENT A ND M ERGER S UB

Parent and Merger Sub represent and warrant to the Company, as of the date hereof, as follows:

3.1 Due Organization .

(a) Other than Merger Sub, Parent does not have any Subsidiaries and it does not own any capital stock of, or any equity interest of any nature in, any other Entity. Parent has not agreed to, nor is it obligated to make, or bound by any Contract under which it may become obligated to make, any future investment in or capital contribution to any other Entity.

(b) Each of Parent and Merger Sub is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and Parent and Merger Sub have all necessary power and authority: (i) to conduct their businesses in the manner in which their businesses are currently being conducted; (ii) to own and use their assets in the manner in which their assets are currently owned and used; and (iii) to perform their obligations under all Contracts by which they are bound.

(c) Each of Parent and Merger Sub (in jurisdictions that recognize the following concepts) is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation, and is in good standing, under the laws of all jurisdictions where the nature of its business requires such qualification, except as would not have and would not reasonably be expected to have or result in a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

3.2 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The copy of the bylaws of Parent which is an exhibit to the Parent’s Form S-1 filed with the SEC on November 30, 2011 is a complete and correct copy of such document and contains all amendments thereto as in effect on the date of this Agreement. The Parent Restated Charter has been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and Parent has delivered to the Company evidence thereof. The Parent Restated Charter is in full force and effect and no amendments thereto have been effected.

3.3 Capitalization, Etc .

(a) The authorized capital stock of Parent consists of (i) 100,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock. After giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Redemption Agreement, 5,000 shares of Parent Common Stock were issued and outstanding and no shares of Parent Common Stock were held by Parent in its treasury. Such issued and outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable, and are free of preemptive rights. During the period from July 3, 2013 to the date of this Agreement, (i) there have been no issuances by Parent of shares of capital stock of Parent and (ii) there have been no issuances of any options, warrants or other rights to acquire capital stock of Parent. Except as expressly contemplated in the Redemption Agreement, Parent has not, subsequent to July 3, 2013, declared or paid any dividend, or declared or made any distribution on, or authorized the creation or issuance of, or issued, or authorized or effected any split-up or any other recapitalization of, any of its capital stock, or directly

 

7.


or indirectly redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired any of its outstanding capital stock. Parent has not heretofore agreed to take any such action, and there are no outstanding contractual obligations of Parent of any kind to redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any outstanding shares of capital stock of Parent. Other than the Parent Common Stock, there are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness or securities of Parent having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which stockholders of Parent may vote.

(b) Except as set forth in Section 3.3(a), (i) there are no shares of capital stock or other voting securities of Parent issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding, and (ii) there are no outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which Parent is a party or by which it is bound obligating Parent to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock or other voting securities of Parent or obligating Parent to issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security, option, warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking.

(c) All outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock, and all other securities of Parent have been issued and granted in compliance with: (i) all applicable securities laws and other applicable Legal Requirement applicable to Parent; and (ii) all material requirements set forth in applicable Contracts to which Parent is a party.

3.4 SEC Filings; Financial Statements .

(a) Parent has delivered (or made available on the SEC website) to the Company accurate and complete copies of all registration statements, proxy statements and other statements, reports, schedules, forms and other documents filed by Parent with, and all Parent Certifications (as defined below) filed or furnished by Parent with or to, the SEC since the formation of Parent, including all amendments thereto (collectively, the “ Parent SEC Documents ”). All statements, reports, schedules, forms and other documents required to have been filed or furnished by Parent with or to the SEC since the formation of Parent have been so filed or furnished on a timely basis. As of the time it was filed with or furnished to the SEC: (i) each of the Parent SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (as the case may be); and (ii) none of the Parent SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except to the extent corrected by the filing or furnishing of the applicable amending or superseding Parent SEC Document. Each of the certifications and statements relating to Parent SEC Documents required by: (1) the SEC’s Order dated June 27, 2002 pursuant to Section 21(a)(1) of the Exchange Act (File No. 4-460); (2) Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 under the Exchange Act; or (3) 18 U.S.C. §1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) (collectively, the “ Parent Certifications ”) is accurate and complete, and complied as to form and content with all applicable Legal Requirements in effect at the time such Parent Certification was filed with or furnished to the SEC.

(b) Parent maintains disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Exchange Act. Such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that all material information concerning Parent required to be disclosed by Parent in the reports that it is required to file, submit or furnish under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis to the individuals responsible for the preparation of such reports.

(c) The financial statements (including any related notes) contained or incorporated by reference in the Parent SEC Documents: (i) complied as to form in all material respects with the published rules and regulations of the SEC applicable thereto; (ii) were prepared in accordance

 

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with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered (except as may be indicated in the notes to such financial statements or, in the case of unaudited financial statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q, Form 8-K or any successor form under the Exchange Act, and except that the unaudited financial statements may not contain footnotes and are subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments that will not, individually or in the aggregate, be material in amount), and (iii) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of Parent as of the respective dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows of Parent for the periods covered thereby.

(d) To the knowledge of Parent, Parent’s auditor has at all times since the date of enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act been: (i) a registered public accounting firm (as defined in Section 2(a)(12) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act); (ii) “independent” with respect to Parent within the meaning of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act; and (iii) in compliance with subsections (g) through (l) of Section 10A of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board thereunder. All non-audit services (as defined in Section 2(a)(8) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) performed by Parent’s auditors for Parent were approved as required by Section 202 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

3.5 Absence of Changes. Between November 30, 2011 and the date of this Agreement: (a) there has not been any Parent Material Adverse Effect, and no event has occurred or circumstance has arisen that, in combination with any other events or circumstances, would reasonably be expected to have or result in a Parent Material Adverse Effect; and (b) Parent has not been engaged in any business operations and has not had any products or customers and has not generated any revenues.

3.6 Liabilities . As of the Effective Time, Parent does not have any accrued, contingent or other liabilities.

3.7 Tax Matters .

(a) Each of the Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of Parent with any Governmental Body with respect to any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date (the “ Parent Returns ”): (i) has been or will be filed on or before the applicable due date (including any extensions of such due date); and (ii) has been, or will be when filed, prepared in all material respects in compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements. All Taxes of Parent, whether or not shown on the Parent Returns, due on or before the Closing Date, have been or will be paid on or before the Closing Date.

(b) Schedule 3.7(b) sets forth the amount and kind of all unpaid Taxes of Parent as of the Closing (whether or not such Taxes are due or payable) that are attributable to a taxable period or portion thereof occurring prior to the Closing.

(c) Neither Parent nor any Parent Return is currently being (or since November 30, 2011 has been) audited by any Governmental Body. No extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any of the Parent Returns has been granted (by Parent or any other Person), and no such extension or waiver has been requested from Parent.

(d) No claim or Legal Proceeding is pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, has been threatened against or with respect to Parent in respect of any material Tax. There are no unsatisfied liabilities for material Taxes (including liabilities for interest, additions to tax and penalties thereon and related expenses) with respect to any notice of deficiency or similar document received by Parent with respect to any material Tax (other than liabilities for Taxes asserted under any such notice of

 

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deficiency or similar document which are being contested in good faith by Parent and with respect to which adequate reserves for payment have been established on the Parent March 2013 Balance Sheet).

(e) There are no liens for material Taxes upon any of the assets of Parent except liens for current Taxes not yet due and payable.

(f) Parent has not been, and will not be, required to include any adjustment in taxable income for any tax period (or portion thereof) pursuant to Section 481 or 263A of the Code (or any comparable provision of state or non-U.S. Tax laws) as a result of transactions or events occurring, or accounting methods employed, prior to the Closing.

(g) Schedule 3.7(g) sets forth all jurisdictions in which Parent has filed a Tax Return since December 31, 2011 and the Tax Returns filed in each such jurisdiction. Parent has delivered or otherwise made available to the Company accurate and complete copies of all Tax Returns of Parent for all Tax years or other relevant periods.

(h) No written claim has ever been received by Parent from any Governmental Body in a jurisdiction where Parent does not file a Tax Return that Parent is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction which has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in an obligation by Parent to pay material Taxes.

(i) Parent is not now and has never been a member of an “affiliated group of corporations” within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code. Parent is not now and has never been a member of any combined, unitary or consolidated or similar group for state, local or non-U.S. Tax purposes or within the meaning of any similar Legal Requirement to which Parent may be subject.

(j) There are no Contracts relating to allocating or sharing of Taxes to which Parent is a party or is otherwise bound. Parent is not liable for Taxes of any other Person. Parent is not under any contractual obligation to indemnify any Person with respect to any amounts of such Person’s Taxes. Parent is not a party to any Contract providing for payments by Parent with respect to any amount of Taxes of any other Person. For the purposes of this Section 3.7(j), the following Contracts shall be disregarded: (i) commercially reasonable Contracts providing for the allocation or payment of real property Taxes attributable to real property leased or occupied by Parent and (ii) commercially reasonable Contracts for the allocation or payment of personal property Taxes, sales or use Taxes or value added Taxes with respect to personal property leased, used, owned or sold in the ordinary course of business.

(k) Parent has not constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code.

(l) Parent is not, and never has been, a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code.

(m) Parent has taken no position on any U.S. federal income Tax Return (whether or not such position has been disclosed on any such U.S. federal income Tax Return) that would reasonably be expected to give rise to a material understatement penalty within the meaning of Section 6662 of the Code or any similar Legal Requirement.

(n) Parent is not now participating in and has never participated in a “Listed Transaction” or a “Reportable Transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b).

 

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(o) The Merger will be effected for bona fide non-Tax business reasons and will be carried out strictly in accordance with the Agreement. The terms of the Agreement and all other agreements entered into in connection therewith (the “ Transaction Documents ”) are the product of arm’s length negotiations. The Transaction Documents represent the entire agreement among the stockholders of the Company (the “ Company Stockholders ”), Parent, Merger Sub and the Company with respect to the Merger, and there are no other written or oral agreements regarding the Merger (or any transaction related thereto) other than those expressly referred to in the Transaction Documents.

(p) In connection with the Merger, the Company Stockholders will not receive in exchange for Company Capital Stock, directly or indirectly, any consideration other than the Parent Common Stock and cash for fractional shares, if any, received in the Merger. No shares of Merger Sub have been or will be used as consideration or issued to the Company Stockholders in the Merger.

(q) Neither Parent nor any person related to Parent within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-1(e)(3), (e)(4) and (e)(5) (a “ Parent Related Person ”) has any plan or intention to directly or indirectly purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire or reacquire, any of the Parent Common Stock that will be issued in exchange for Company Capital Stock pursuant to the Merger. In connection with the Merger, no Parent Related Person and no person acting as an intermediary for Parent or such a Parent Related Person will acquire any of the Parent Common Stock issued in the Merger.

(r) Parent and Merger Sub have paid and will pay only their respective expenses, if any, incurred in connection with or as part of the Merger.

(s) Merger Sub is a newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent that was created for the sole purpose of facilitating the Merger. Merger Sub has not conducted and is not conducting any business activities, and has had no assets prior to the Effective Time (other than nominal assets contributed upon the formation of Merger Sub, which assets will be held by Merger Sub following the Merger, and assets that are part of the consideration to be distributed to the Company Stockholders in the Merger). Prior to the Effective Time, Parent owns all of the equity interests of Merger Sub.

(t) Neither Parent nor Merger Sub is an investment company as defined in Sections 368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv) of the Code.

(u) The fair market value of the assets of Parent exceeds and will exceed the sum of its liabilities, plus (without duplication) the amount of liabilities, if any, to which those assets are subject.

(v) Neither Parent nor Merger Sub is or will be under the jurisdiction of a court in a Title 11 or similar case within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Code.

(w) Prior to the Effective Time, neither Parent, Merger Sub, nor any of their respective affiliates will take or agree to take any action that would reasonably be likely to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization under Section 368 of the Code.

(x) Merger Sub will have no liabilities assumed by the Company and will not transfer to the Company any assets subject to liabilities in the Merger.

(y) All Parent Common Stock exchanged in the Merger for Company Capital Stock will be voting stock.

 

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(z) To the knowledge of Parent and Merger Sub without independent verification thereof:

(i) At the Effective Time, the fair market value of the consideration received by each Company Stockholder will be approximately equal to the fair market value of the Company Capital Stock surrendered in exchange therefor, and the aggregate consideration received by the Company Stockholders in exchange for their Company Capital Stock will be approximately equal to the fair market value of all of the outstanding shares of Company Capital Stock immediately prior to the Merger.

(ii) Following the Merger, neither Parent nor any Parent Related Person has any plan or intention to make any dividend or other distribution to the Company Stockholders other than regular, normal dividends or distributions made to all holders of Parent Common Stock.

(iii) The Company Stockholders will surrender their Company Capital Stock solely in exchange for the Parent Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger. No liabilities of the Company Stockholders will be assumed by Parent or Merger Sub, nor will any shares of Company Capital Stock be acquired subject to any liabilities.

(iv) Parent has no present plan or intention: (A) to liquidate the Company or to merge the Company into another entity; (B) to sell or otherwise dispose of any stock in the Company held by Parent except in connection with a transaction described in Section 368(a)(2)(C) of the Code; or (C) to sell or otherwise dispose of, or to cause the Company to sell or otherwise dispose of, any of the Company’s assets (including any of the assets of Merger Sub acquired in the Merger), except for (x) dispositions in connection with a transaction described in Section 368(a)(2)(C) of the Code or (y) dispositions in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, provided that, after such dispositions in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, the representations set forth in Section 3.7(z)(v) would continue to be accurate.

(v) Parent does not and Parent will not at the Effective Time have a plan or intention to substantially dispose of or discontinue the Company’s trade or business in a manner that would cause the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-1(d) to fail to be satisfied. Following the Merger, Parent, or a member of Parent’s “qualified group,” will continue the Company’s historic business or use a “significant portion” of Company’s “historic business assets” within a business (as such terms are used in Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-1(d)).

(vi) Parent will own all outstanding ownership interests of the Company immediately after the Merger. Parent has no plan or intention to cause or permit the Company to issue additional ownership interests (including options, warrants and convertible securities) to any person or entity (other than Parent or pursuant to a transaction described in Section 368(a)(2)(C) of the Code). Immediately after the Merger, the Company will have no outstanding warrants, options, convertible securities or any other type of right pursuant to which any person could acquire interests in the Company that, if exercised or converted, would result in Parent losing control of the Company within the meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code.

(vii) Neither Parent nor Merger Sub has any plan or intention to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the assets of the Company acquired in the Merger, except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of business or transfers described in Section 368(a)(2)(C) of the Code. Parent has no plan or intention to sell or otherwise dispose of any

 

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equity interest in the Company, except for a transfer (or successive transfers) of at least 80% of the equity of the Company to a corporation controlled (within the meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code) in each case by the transferor corporation.

3.8 Employee and Labor Matters; Benefit Plans .

(a) Parent is not a party to or bound by, and never has been a party to or bound by, any union contract, collective bargaining agreement or similar Contract.

(b) Parent is not, nor ever has been, engaged in any unfair labor practice of any nature. There has never been any slowdown, work stoppage, labor dispute or union organizing activity, or any similar activity or dispute, affecting Parent or any of its employees. There is not now pending, and no Person has threatened to commence, any such slowdown, work stoppage, labor dispute or union organizing activity or any similar activity or dispute. No event has occurred, and no condition or circumstance exists, that might directly or indirectly give rise to or provide a basis for the commencement of any such slowdown, work stoppage, labor dispute or union organizing activity or any similar activity or dispute. There are no actions, suits, claims, labor disputes or grievances pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened or reasonably anticipated relating to any labor, safety or discrimination matters involving any employee of Parent, including charges of unfair labor practices or discrimination complaints

(c) Parent does not intend, nor has it agreed or committed, to (i) establish or enter into any new Parent Employee Plan or Parent Employee Agreement, or (ii) modify or terminate any Parent Employee Plan or Parent Employee Agreement (except to conform any such Parent Employee Plan or Parent Employee Agreement to the requirements of any applicable Legal Requirements, in each case as previously disclosed to the Company in writing).

(d) Parent has made available to the Company accurate and complete copies of: (i) all documents embodying or setting forth the terms of each Parent Employee Plan and each Parent Employee Agreement, including all amendments thereto and all related trust documents; (ii) the three most recent annual reports (Form Series 5500 and all schedules and financial statements attached thereto), if any, required under ERISA, the Code or any other applicable Legal Requirement in connection with each Parent Employee Plan; (iii) for each Parent Employee Plan that is subject to the minimum funding standards of Section 302 of ERISA, the most recent annual and periodic accounting of Parent Employee Plan assets; (iv) the most recent summary plan description together with the summaries of material modifications thereto, if any, required under ERISA with respect to each Parent Employee Plan; (v) all material written Contracts relating to each Parent Employee Plan, including administrative service agreements and group insurance contracts; (vi) all written materials provided to any Parent Associate relating to any Parent Employee Plan and any proposed Parent Employee Plan, in each case, relating to any amendments, terminations, establishments, increases or decreases in benefits, acceleration of payments or vesting schedules or other events that would result in any liability to Parent or any Parent Affiliate; (vii) all correspondence to or from any Governmental Body relating to any Parent Employee Plan; (viii) all COBRA forms and related notices; (ix) all insurance policies pertaining to fiduciary liability insurance covering the fiduciaries for each Parent Employee Plan; (x) all non-discrimination test reports and summaries for each Parent Employee Plan for the three most recent plan years; and (xi) the most recent IRS determination or opinion letter issued with respect to each Parent Employee Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.

(e) Parent and each Parent Affiliate have performed all material obligations required to be performed by them under each Parent Employee Plan and Parent Employee Agreement. Neither Parent nor any Parent Affiliate is in default or violation of, and Parent has no knowledge of any

 

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default or violation by any other party to, the terms of any Parent Employee Plan or Parent Employee Agreement. Each Parent Employee Plan and Parent Employee Agreement has been established and maintained substantially in accordance with its terms and in substantial compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements, including ERISA and the Code. Any Parent Employee Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has obtained a favorable determination letter (or opinion letter, if applicable) as to its qualified status under the Code and incorporates or has been amended to incorporate all provisions required to comply with the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and all subsequent legislation. For each Parent Employee Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, there has been no event, condition or circumstance that has adversely affected or is likely to adversely affect its tax-qualified status. No “prohibited transaction,” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Sections 406 and 407 of ERISA, that is not otherwise exempt under Section 408 of ERISA, has occurred with respect to any Parent Employee Plan. There are no claims or Legal Proceedings pending, or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened or reasonably anticipated (other than routine claims for benefits), against any Parent Employee Plan or against the assets of any Parent Employee Plan. Each Parent Employee Plan can be amended, terminated or otherwise discontinued after the Closing in accordance with its terms, without liability to the Company, Parent or any Parent Affiliate (other than ordinary administration expenses), subject to applicable Legal Requirements. There are no audits, inquiries or Legal Proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened by the IRS, the DOL, or any other Governmental Body with respect to any Parent Employee Plan or Parent Employee Agreement. Neither Parent nor any Parent Affiliate has ever incurred any penalty or tax with respect to any Parent Employee Plan under Section 502(i) of ERISA, under Sections 4975 through 4980 of the Code or under any other applicable Legal Requirement. Parent and each Parent Affiliate have timely made all contributions and other payments required by and due under the terms of each Parent Employee Plan and Parent Employee Agreement.

(f) Each Contract to which Parent is a party or is otherwise bound with any individual or entity that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” subject to Section 409A of the Code has been operated since January 1, 2005 in good faith compliance with Section 409A of the Code. No stock right (as defined in U.S. Treasury Department regulation 1.409A-1(l)) has been granted to any Parent Associate that (i) has an exercise price that has been or may be less than the fair market value of the underlying equity as of the date such option or right was granted, as determined by the board of directors of Parent in good faith, (ii) has any feature for the deferral of compensation other than the deferral of recognition of income until the later of exercise or disposition of such option or rights, or (iii) has been granted after December 31, 2004, with respect to any class of stock that is not “service recipient stock” (within the meaning of applicable regulations under Section 409A of the Code). No compensation payable by Parent or any of the Parent Affiliates shall be or has been reportable as nonqualified deferred compensation in the gross income of any individual or entity as a result of the operation of Section 409A of the Code.

(g) Neither Parent nor any Parent Affiliate has ever maintained, established, sponsored, participated in, or contributed to any: (i) Parent Pension Plan, including but not limited to, a plan which is subject to Part 3 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA, Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code; (ii) “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section (3)(37) of ERISA; (iii) Parent Pension Plan in which stock of Parent or any Parent Affiliate is or was held as a plan asset, (iv) multiple employer plan or to any plan described in Section 413 of the Code; or (vi) self-insured plan that provides benefits to employees (including any such plan pursuant to which a stop-loss policy or contract applies).

(h) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (either alone or in connection with any other event, including any termination of employment or service) will (i) result in any payment (including severance, golden parachute, bonus or otherwise), becoming due to any Parent Associate under any Parent Employee Plan or Parent Employee Agreement, (ii) result in any forgiveness of indebtedness,

 

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(iii) materially increase any benefits otherwise payable by Parent under any Parent Employee Plan or Parent Employee Agreement, (iv) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such benefits except as required under Section 411(d)(3) of the Code or (v) be reasonably likely to result in any payment to any Parent Associate being non-deductible by virtue of Section 280G or Section 4999 of the Code. No Parent Employee Plan or Parent Employee Agreement gives rise to any potential “excess parachute payments” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) payable Parent in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, either as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in conjunction with any other event.

(i) No Parent Employee Plan provides (except at no cost to Parent or any Parent Affiliate), or reflects or represents any liability of any of Parent or any Parent Affiliate to provide, retiree life insurance, retiree health benefits or other retiree employee welfare benefits to any Person for any reason, except as may be required by COBRA or other applicable Legal Requirements. Other than commitments made that involve no future costs to Parent or any Parent Affiliate, neither Parent nor any Parent Affiliate, has ever represented, promised or contracted (whether in oral or written form) to any Parent Employee (either individually or to Parent Employees as a group) or any other Person that any such Parent Employee or other Person would be provided with retiree life insurance, retiree health benefits or other retiree employee welfare benefits, except to the extent required by applicable Legal Requirements.

(j) Except as expressly required or provided by this Agreement, neither the execution or delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of any of the Contemplated Transactions will (either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent events) constitute an event under any Parent Employee Plan, Parent Employee Agreement, trust or loan that will or may result (either alone or in connection with any other circumstance or event) in any payment (whether of severance pay or otherwise), acceleration of any right, obligation or benefit, forgiveness of indebtedness, vesting, distribution, increase in benefits or obligation to fund benefits with respect to any Parent Employee.

(k) Neither Parent nor any Parent Affiliate: (i) has violated or otherwise failed to comply with any Legal Requirement respecting employment, employment practices, terms and conditions of employment or wages and hours, including the health care continuation requirements of COBRA, the requirements of FMLA, the requirements of HIPAA and the provisions of any similar Legal Requirement; (ii) has failed to withhold or report any amounts required by applicable Legal Requirements or by Contract to be withheld or reported with respect to wages, salaries and other payments to Parent Employees; (iii) is liable for any arrears of wages or any taxes or any penalty for failure to comply with the Legal Requirements applicable to any of the foregoing; and (iv) is liable for any payment to any trust or other fund governed by or maintained by or on behalf of any Governmental Body with respect to unemployment compensation benefits, social security or other benefits or obligations for Parent Employees (other than routine payments to be made in the normal course of business and consistent with past practice). There are no pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened or reasonably anticipated claims or Legal Proceedings against Parent or any Parent Affiliate under any worker’s compensation policy or long-term disability policy.

(l) To the knowledge of Parent, no stockholder of Parent, and no current Parent Associate, is obligated under any Contract or subject to any Order that would interfere with such Person’s efforts to promote the interests of Parent or that would interfere with the businesses of Parent or any Parent Affiliate. Neither the execution nor the delivery of this Agreement, nor the carrying on of the business of Parent or any Parent Affiliate as presently conducted nor any activity of such stockholder or current Parent Associate in connection with the carrying on of the business of Parent or any Parent Affiliate as presently conducted will, to the knowledge of Parent, conflict with, result in a breach of the

 

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terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any Contract under which any of such stockholders or current Parent Associate has any rights or obligations.

3.9 Legal Proceedings; Orders .

(a) There is no pending Legal Proceeding, and (to the knowledge of Parent) no Person has threatened to commence any Legal Proceeding: (i) that involves Parent, any business of Parent or any of the assets owned, leased or used by Parent; or (ii) that challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with, the Merger or any of the other Contemplated Transactions. To the knowledge of Parent, no event has occurred, and no claim, dispute or other condition or circumstance exists, that would reasonably be expected to give rise to or serve as a basis for the commencement of any Legal Proceeding of the type described in clause “(i)” or clause “(ii)” of the first sentence of this Section 3.9(a).

(b) There is no Order to which Parent, or any of the assets owned or used by Parent, is subject. To the knowledge of Parent, no officer or other key employee of Parent is subject to any Order that prohibits such officer or other employee from engaging in or continuing any conduct, activity or practice relating to the business of Parent.

3.10 Authority; Binding Nature of Agreement . Subject to obtaining the Required Parent Stockholder Vote (as defined in Section 3.11) and the vote of Parent as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub with respect to the Merger, each of Parent and Merger Sub has the corporate right, power and authority to enter into and to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The board of directors of Parent (acting by written consent) as of the date of this Agreement has: (a) unanimously determined that the issuance of Parent Common Stock in the Merger and filing of the Parent Restated Charter are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, Parent and its stockholders; (b) unanimously authorized and approved the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Parent and unanimously approved the Merger and the filing of the Parent Restated Charter; and (c) unanimously recommended the approval of the issuance of Parent Common Stock in the Merger and the Parent Restated Charter by the holders of Parent Common Stock and directed that the issuance of Parent Common Stock in the Merger be submitted for consideration by Parent’s stockholders. The board of directors of Merger Sub (by unanimous written consent) has: (i) unanimously determined that the Merger is advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, Merger Sub and its stockholder; (ii) unanimously authorized and approved the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Merger Sub and unanimously approved the Merger; and (iii) unanimously recommended the adoption of this Agreement by the stockholder of Merger Sub and directed that this Agreement and the Merger be submitted for consideration by the stockholder of Merger Sub. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Parent and Merger Sub, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to: (A) laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors; and (B) rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief and other equitable remedies.

3.11 Vote Required . The only vote of Parent’s stockholders required to approve the filing of the Parent Restated Charter is the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of Parent (collectively, the “ Required Parent Stockholder Vote ”), which has been obtained on or prior to the date hereof.

3.12 Non-Contravention; Consents . Neither (1) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, nor (2) the consummation of the Merger or any of the other Contemplated Transactions will directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time):

 

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(a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of: (i) any of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Parent or Merger Sub; or (ii) any resolution adopted by the stockholders, the board of directors or any committee of the board of directors of Parent or Merger Sub;

(b) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of, or give any Governmental Body or other Person the right to challenge the Merger or any of the other Contemplated Transactions or to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, any Legal Requirement or any Order to which Parent, or any of the assets owned or used by Parent, is subject;

(c) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any of the terms or requirements of, or give any Governmental Body the right to revoke, withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate or modify, any Governmental Authorization that is held by Parent or that otherwise relates to the business of Parent or to any of the assets owned or used by Parent;

(d) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or result in a default under, any provision of any material Contract to which Parent is a party or by which it is otherwise bound, or give any Person the right to: (i) declare a default or exercise any remedy under any such material Contract; (ii) a rebate, chargeback, penalty or change in delivery schedule under any such material Contract; (iii) accelerate the maturity or performance of any such material Contract; or (iv) cancel, terminate or modify any right, benefit, obligation or other term of such material Contract; or

(e) result in the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance upon or with respect to any asset owned or used by Parent (except for minor liens that will not, in any case or in the aggregate, materially detract from the value of the assets subject thereto).

Except as may be required by the Securities Act, Exchange Act and the DGCL, neither Parent nor Merger Sub was, is or will be required to make any filing with or give any notice to, or to obtain any Consent from, any Person in connection with: (x) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement; or (y) the consummation of the Merger or any of the other Contemplated Transactions.

3.13 Financial Advisor . No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the Merger or any of the other Contemplated Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent.

3.14 Valid Issuance . The Parent Common Stock to be issued in the Merger, including the Parent Common Stock to be issued upon the exercise of assumed and converted Company Options and Company Warrants, has been duly authorized and will, when issued in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will not be subject to any restriction on resale under the Securities Act, other than restrictions imposed on affiliates of Parent by Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

SECTION 4. C ERTAIN C OVENANTS O F T HE P ARTIES

4.1 Company Stockholder Approval . Immediately following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company shall solicit and obtain, by the Company Written Consent in lieu of a meeting pursuant to Section 228 of the DGCL, the Required Company Stockholder Vote for purposes of, (i) adopting this Agreement and approving the Merger, and all other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) acknowledging that the approval given thereby is irrevocable and that such holder of Company Capital Stock is aware of its rights to demand appraisal for its shares pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL and that such holder of Company Capital Stock has received and read a copy of

 

17.


Section 262 of the DGCL and (iii) acknowledging that by its approval of the Merger it is not entitled to appraisal rights with respect to its shares in connection with the Merger and thereby waives any rights to receive payment of the fair value of its Company Capital Stock under the DGCL.

4.2 Stock Options; Assumption of Company Option Plan .

(a) At the Effective Time, without any action on the part of Parent, the Company or the holders of Company Options, except as otherwise required by applicable Legal Requirements, each Company Option that is unexpired, unexercised and outstanding as of the Effective Time, whether vested or unvested, shall, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, be assumed by Parent (an “ Assumed Company Option ”) in accordance with the terms of the applicable Company Option Plan, and Parent’s post-Closing board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof shall succeed to the authority and responsibility of the Company’s board of directors or any committee thereof with respect to each Assumed Company Option. Each Assumed Company Option will continue to have, and be subject to the same terms and conditions of such Company Option (including the terms and conditions of any applicable stock option agreement or other document evidencing such Company Option, if any) immediately prior to the Effective Time (including any repurchase rights or vesting provisions, if applicable), except that (i) each Assumed Company Option will be exercisable (or will become exercisable in accordance with its terms) solely for a number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of Company Common Stock that would be issuable upon exercise of the Assumed Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by $0.27807238 (the “ Option Exchange Ratio ”), rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares of Parent Common Stock, and (ii) the per share exercise price for the Parent Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Assumed Company Option will be equal to the quotient equal to (x) the per share exercise price for such Assumed Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time divided by (y) the Option Exchange Ratio, rounded up to the nearest whole cent. Each Assumed Company Option shall be vested immediately following the Effective Time as to the same percentage of the total number of shares subject thereto as it was vested as to immediately prior to the Effective Time. Consistent with the terms of the Company Option Plans and the documents governing the outstanding options under such plan as in effect on the date of this Agreement, the Merger shall not terminate any of the outstanding Company Options held under such plan or accelerate the exercisability or vesting of such options or the shares of Parent Common Stock that shall be subject to those options upon Parent’s assumption of the Company Options in the Merger. Each Assumed Company Option shall, in accordance with its terms and the applicable Company Option Plan, be subject to further adjustment as determined in the reasonable discretion of Parent’s board of directors to reflect any stock split, division or subdivision of shares, stock dividend, reverse stock split, consolidation of shares, reclassification, recapitalization or other similar transaction subsequent to the Effective Time. It is the intent of the parties hereto that to the extent permitted by applicable Legal Requirements, all Assumed Company Options in respect of Company Options that prior to the Effective Time were treated as incentive or nonstatutory stock options under the Code shall from and after the Effective Time continue to be treated as incentive or nonstatutory stock options, respectively, under the Code. The adjustments provided in this Section 4.2 with respect to any Company Options, whether or not they are incentive stock options as defined in Section 422 of the Code, are intended to be effected in a manner which is consistent with Sections 424(a) and 409A of the Code.

(b) As soon as reasonably practicable following the date hereof and conditional upon the Effective Time, the board of directors of the Company shall make all determinations reasonably necessary under each Company Option Plan to accomplish the transactions contemplated by this Section 4.2 and, to the extent necessary and practicable, to reflect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger. As soon as reasonably practicable following the Effective Time, Parent may issue to each holder of an Assumed Company Option a document evidencing the assumption

 

18.


of the applicable Company Option by Parent as contemplated by this Section 4.2. Parent shall take all corporate action reasonably necessary to reserve for issuance a sufficient number of shares of Parent Common Stock for delivery upon exercise of the Assumed Company Options pursuant to the terms set forth in this Section 4.2 and shall, from and after the Effective Time, honor the obligations of the Company to the holders of Assumed Company Options under each Company Option Plan.

(c) Following the Effective Time, Parent will assume the Company’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Assumed Company Option Plan ”), as amended to date, and be able to grant stock awards, to the extent permissible by applicable Legal Requirements, under the terms of the Assumed Company Option Plan to issue the reserved but unissued shares of Company Common Stock under the Assumed Company Option Plan. The shares subject to the unexercised portions of any award granted thereunder that expires, terminates or is canceled, and shares of Company Common Stock issued pursuant to an award that are reacquired by Parent pursuant to the terms of the award under which such shares were issued that would otherwise return to the Assumed Company Option Plan pursuant to their respective terms, will return and may be used for awards to be granted under the Assumed Company Option Plan, except that (i) shares of Company Common Stock covered by such awards will be shares of Parent Common Stock and (ii) all references to a number of shares of Company Common Stock will be (A) changed to reference Parent Common Stock and (B) converted to a number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the product of the number of shares of Company Common Stock multiplied by the Option Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares of Parent Common Stock. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall take any action that would otherwise preclude Parent from being able to grant awards under the Assumed Company Option Plan, including adopting resolutions to terminate the Assumed Company Option Plan.

(d) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall take all actions that may be necessary (under the Company Option Plan and otherwise) to effectuate the provisions of this Section 4.2 and to ensure that, from and after the Effective Time, holders of Company Options have no rights with respect thereto other than those specifically provided in this Section 4.2.

(e) Following the Effective Time, Parent will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Parent Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Assumed Company Options and the Assumed Company Option Plan pursuant to this Section 4.2 for which a Form S-8 registration statement is available to be registered with the SEC on Form S-8, will exercise commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement for so long as such Assumed Company Options remain outstanding and such Assumed Company Option Plan remains in effect and will reserve a sufficient number of shares of Parent Common Stock for issuance upon exercise or settlement thereof or issuance thereunder. The Company and its counsel shall reasonably cooperate with and assist Parent in the preparation of such registration statement. The Form S-8 registration statement shall not cover the shares of Parent Common Stock subject to any Company Options assumed by Parent which are held by Persons who do not remain or become employees of the Company, Parent, or any of its subsidiaries at the Effective Time or do not otherwise have a service relationship with the Company, Parent or any of its subsidiaries at the Effective Time.

SECTION 5. M ISCELLANEOUS P ROVISIONS

5.1 Amendment . This Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each Parent and the Company.

5.2 Waiver .

 

19.


(a) Subject to Sections 5.2(b) and 5.2(c), any party hereto may: (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties to this Agreement; (ii) waive any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or obligation of the other party in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) waive compliance with any covenant, obligation or condition for the benefit of such party contained in this Agreement.

(b) No failure on the part of any party to exercise any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, and no delay on the part of any party in exercising any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, shall operate as a waiver of such power, right, privilege or remedy; and no single or partial exercise of any such power, right, privilege or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right, privilege or remedy.

(c) No party shall be deemed to have waived any claim arising out of this Agreement, or any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, unless the waiver of such claim, power, right, privilege or remedy is expressly set forth in a written instrument duly executed and delivered on behalf of such party; and any such waiver shall not be applicable or have any effect except in the specific instance in which it is given.

5.3 No Survival of Representations and Warranties . None of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Merger.

5.4 Entire Agreement; Counterparts; Exchanges by Facsimile or Electronic Delivery . This Agreement and the other agreements and exhibits referred to herein constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among or between any of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof; provided, however , that covenants in respect of confidential information contained in paragraph 9 of that certain letter agreement dated July 3, 2013 between Vizel, Parent and the Company shall not be superseded and shall remain in full force and effect. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. The exchange of a fully executed Agreement (in counterparts or otherwise) by facsimile or by electronic delivery shall be sufficient to bind the parties to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

5.5 Applicable Law; Jurisdiction . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof. In any action between any of the parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the Contemplated Transactions: (a) each of the parties irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware; and (b) each of the parties irrevocably waives the right to trial by jury.

5.6 Expenses . All fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated.

5.7 Attorneys’ Fees . In any action at law or suit in equity to enforce this Agreement or the rights of any of the parties hereunder, the prevailing party in such action or suit shall be entitled to receive a reasonable sum for its attorneys’ fees and all other reasonable costs and expenses incurred in such action or suit.

 

20.


5.8 Assignability; No Third Party Rights . This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall be enforceable by and inure solely to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that neither this Agreement nor any party’s rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned or delegated by such party without the prior written consent of the other parties, and any attempted assignment or delegation of this Agreement or any of such rights or obligations by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties shall be void and of no effect. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto) any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

5.9 Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made as follows: (a) if sent by registered or certified mail in the United States return receipt requested, upon receipt; (b) if sent by nationally recognized overnight air courier (such as DHL or Federal Express), two business days after sending; (c) if sent by facsimile transmission before 5:00 p.m., when transmitted and receipt is confirmed; (d) if sent by facsimile transmission after 5:00 p.m. and receipt is confirmed, on the following business day; and (e) if otherwise actually personally delivered, when delivered, provided that such notices, requests, demands and other communications are delivered to the address set forth below, or to such other address as any party shall provide by like notice to the other parties to this Agreement:

if to Parent or Merger Sub:

Lipocine Inc.

427 N. Tatnall Street

Wilmington, DE

Attention: Israel Vizel

Facsimile: (888) 267-1134

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

Anslow & Jaclin LLP

195 Route 9 South

2 nd Floor

Manalapan, NJ 07726

Attention: Greg E. Jaclin

Facsimile: (732) 577-1188

if to the Company:

Lipocine Operating Inc.

675 Arapeen Drive, Suite 202

Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Attention: President & Chief Executive Officer

Facsimile: (801) 994-7388

 

21.


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

Cooley LLP

3175 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, CA 94304-1130

Attention: Barclay Kamb

Facsimile: (650) 849-7400

5.10 Cooperation . Each party hereto agrees to cooperate fully with each other party hereto to consummate the transactions contemplated herein and to execute and deliver such further documents, certificates, agreements and instruments and to take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the other party to evidence or reflect the Contemplated Transactions and to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

5.11 Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction. If a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the parties hereto agree that the court making such determination shall have the power to limit such term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases or to replace such term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable as so modified. In the event such court does not exercise the power granted to it in the prior sentence, the parties hereto agree to replace such invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a valid and enforceable term or provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such invalid or unenforceable term or provision.

5.12 Construction .

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, whenever the context requires: the singular number shall include the plural, and vice versa; the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders; the feminine gender shall include the masculine and neuter genders; and the neuter gender shall include masculine and feminine genders.

(b) The parties hereto agree that any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be applied in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

(c) As used in this Agreement, the words “include” and “including,” and variations thereof, shall not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”

(d) Except as otherwise indicated, all references in this Agreement to “Sections” and “Exhibits” are intended to refer to Sections of this Agreement and Exhibits to this Agreement.

(e) The bold-faced headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement and shall not be referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

 

23.


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first above written.

 

L IPOCINE I NC .

By:  

/s/ Israel Menahem Vizel

Name:   Israel Menahem Vizel
Title:   President

MBAR A CQUISITION C ORP .

By:  

/s/ Israel Menahem Vizel

Name:   Israel Menahem Vizel
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

L IPOCINE O PERATING I NC .

By:  

/s/ Mahesh V. Patel, Ph.D.

Name:   Mahesh V. Patel, Ph.D.
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Merger Agreement Signature Page


E XHIBIT A

C ERTAIN D EFINITIONS

For purposes of the Agreement (including this Exhibit A):

Agreement . “Agreement” shall mean the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization to which this Exhibit A is attached, as it may be amended from time to time.

COBRA. “ COBRA shall mean the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.

Code. “Code” shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Company Capital Stock . “Company Capital Stock” shall mean the Company Common Stock and the Company Preferred Stock.

Company Common Stock . “Company Common Stock” shall mean the Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company, consisting of (i) the Series A Common Stock and (ii) the Series B Common Stock.

Company Material Adverse Effect . “Company Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any effect, change, event or circumstance (each, an “ Effect ”) that, considered together with all other Effects, has a material adverse effect on: (a) the business, financial condition, operations or results of operations of the Company taken as a whole; provided, however , that, in no event shall any of the following, alone or in combination, be deemed to constitute, nor shall any of the following be taken into account in determining whether there has occurred, a Company Material Adverse Effect: Effects resulting from (i) conditions generally affecting the industries in which the Company participates or the U.S. or global economy or capital markets as a whole, to the extent that such conditions do not have a disproportionate impact on the Company; (ii) any failure by the Company to meet internal projections or forecasts or third party revenue or earnings predictions for any period ending (or for which revenues or earnings are released) on or after the date of the Agreement (it being understood, however, that any Effect causing or contributing to such failures to meet projections or predictions may constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect and may be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred); (iii) the execution, delivery, announcement or performance of the obligations under this Agreement or the announcement, pendency or anticipated consummation of the Merger; (iv) any natural disaster or any acts of terrorism, sabotage, military action or war or any escalation or worsening thereof; (v) any changes (after the date of this Agreement) in GAAP or applicable Legal Requirements; and (vi) the taking of any action required by this Agreement; (b) the ability of the Company to consummate the Merger or to perform any of its covenants or obligations under the Agreement; or (c) Parent’s ability to vote, transfer, receive dividends with respect to or otherwise exercise ownership rights with respect to the stock of the Surviving Corporation.

Company Option Plan. “Company Option Plan” shall mean, collectively, the Company’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended to date, and the Company’s Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Option Plan, as amended to date.

Company Options. “Company Options” shall mean options to purchase shares of Company Common Stock from the Company (whether granted by the Company pursuant to the Company Option Plan, assumed by the Company or otherwise).

 

A-1.


Company Preferred Stock. “Company Preferred Stock” shall mean the Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company.

Consent . “Consent” shall mean any approval, consent, ratification, permission, waiver or authorization (including any Governmental Authorization).

Contemplated Transactions. “ Contemplated Transactions” shall mean the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Agreement.

Contract . “Contract” shall mean any written, oral or other agreement, contract, subcontract, lease, understanding, arrangement, instrument, note, option, warranty, purchase order, license, sublicense, insurance policy, benefit plan or legally binding commitment or undertaking of any nature.

DGCL. “DGCL” shall mean the Delaware General Corporation Law.

DOL. “DOL” shall mean the United States Department of Labor.

Encumbrance . “Encumbrance” shall mean any lien, pledge, hypothecation, charge, mortgage, easement, encroachment, imperfection of title, title exception, title defect, right of possession, lease, tenancy license, security interest, encumbrance, claim, infringement, interference, option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, community property interest or restriction of any nature (including any restriction on the voting of any security, any restriction on the transfer of any security or other asset, any restriction on the receipt of any income derived from any asset, any restriction on the use of any asset and any restriction on the possession, exercise or transfer of any other attribute of ownership of any asset).

Entity. “Entity” shall mean any corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, estate, trust, company (including any company limited by shares, limited liability company or joint stock company), firm, society or other enterprise, association, organization or entity.

ERISA . “ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Exchange Act . “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

GAAP. “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

Governmental Authorization . “Governmental Authorization” shall mean any: (a) permit, license, certificate, franchise, permission, variance, clearance, registration, qualification or authorization issued, granted, given or otherwise made available by or under the authority of any Governmental Body or pursuant to any Legal Requirement; or (b) right under any Contract with any Governmental Body.

Governmental Body . “Governmental Body” shall mean any: (a) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (b) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government; (c) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental division, department, agency, commission, instrumentality, official, ministry, fund, foundation, center, organization, unit, body or Entity and any court or other tribunal); or (d) self-regulatory organization.

IRS. “IRS” shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

A-2.


Legal Proceeding . “Legal Proceeding” shall mean any action, suit, litigation, arbitration, proceeding (including any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or appellate proceeding), hearing, inquiry, audit, examination or investigation commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or before, or otherwise involving, any court or other Governmental Body or any arbitrator or arbitration panel.

Legal Requirement . “Legal Requirement” shall mean any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other law, statute, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, regulation, order, award, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Body.

Order. “Order” shall mean any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree.

Parent Affiliate . “Parent Affiliate” shall mean any Person under common control with Parent or required to be aggregated with Parent within the meaning of Section 414(b), Section 414(c), Section 414(m) or Section 414(o) of the Code, and the regulations issued thereunder.

Parent Associate. “Parent Associate” shall mean any current or former officer or other employee, or current or former independent contractor, consultant or director, of or to Parent or any Parent Affiliate.

Parent Common Stock . “Parent Common Stock” shall mean the Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of Parent.

Parent Employee. “Parent Employee” shall mean any director or any officer or other employee of any of Parent.

Parent Employee Agreement. “Parent Employee Agreement” shall mean any management, employment, severance, retention, transaction bonus, change in control, consulting, relocation, repatriation or expatriation agreement or other similar Contract between: (a) Parent or any Parent Affiliate; and (b) any Parent Associate, other than any such Contract that is terminable “at will” (or following a notice period imposed by applicable law) without any obligation on the part of Parent or any Parent Affiliate to make any severance, termination, change in control or similar payment or to provide any benefit, other than severance payments required to be made by Parent under applicable foreign law.

Parent Employee Plan. “Parent Employee Plan” shall mean any plan, program, policy, practice or Contract providing for compensation, severance, termination pay, deferred compensation, performance awards, stock or stock-related awards, fringe benefits, retirement benefits or other benefits or remuneration of any kind, whether or not in writing and whether or not funded, including each “employee benefit plan,” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (whether or not ERISA is applicable to such plan): (a) that is or has been maintained or contributed to, or required to be maintained or contributed to, by Parent or any Parent Affiliate for the benefit of any Parent Associate; or (b) with respect to which Parent or any Parent Affiliate has or may incur or become subject to any liability or obligation; provided, however, that a Parent Employee Agreement shall not be considered a Parent Employee Plan.

Parent Material Adverse Effect. “Parent Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any Effect that, considered together with all other Effects, has a material adverse effect on: (a) the business, financial condition, operations or results of operations of Parent taken as a whole; provided, however , that, in no event shall any of the following, alone or in combination, be deemed to constitute, nor shall any of the following be taken into account in determining whether there has occurred, a Parent Material Adverse Effect: Effects resulting (i) from conditions generally affecting the industries in which Parent participates or the U.S. or global economy or capital markets as a whole, to the extent that such conditions do not

 

A-3.


have a disproportionate impact on Parent; (ii) changes in the trading price or trading volume of Parent Common Stock (it being understood, however, that any Effect causing or contributing to such changes in the trading price or trading volume of Parent Common Stock may constitute a Parent Material Adverse Effect and may be taken into account in determining whether a Parent Material Adverse Effect has occurred); (iii) any failure by Parent to meet internal projections or forecasts or third party revenue or earnings predictions for any period ending (or for which revenues or earnings are released) on or after the date of the Agreement (it being understood, however, that any Effect causing or contributing to such failures to meet projections or predictions may constitute a Parent Material Adverse Effect and may be taken into account in determining whether a Parent Material Adverse Effect has occurred); (iv) the execution, delivery, announcement or performance of the obligations under this Agreement or the announcement, pendency or anticipated consummation of the Merger; (v) any natural disaster or any acts of terrorism, sabotage, military action or war or any escalation or worsening thereof; (vi) any changes (after the date of this Agreement) in GAAP or applicable Legal Requirements; and (vii) the taking of any action required by this Agreement; or (b) the ability of Parent or Merger Sub to consummate the Merger or to perform any of its covenants or obligations under the Agreement.

Parent Pension Plan. “Parent Pension Plan” shall mean each: (a) Parent Employee Plan that is an “employee pension benefit plan,” within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA; or (b) other occupational pension plan, including any final salary or money purchase plan.

Person. “Person” shall mean any individual, Entity or Governmental Body.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act . “Sarbanes-Oxley Act” shall mean the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as it may be amended from time to time.

SEC. “SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act . “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Series A Common Stock . “Series A Common Stock” shall mean the Series A Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company.

Series B Common Stock . “Series B Common Stock” shall mean the Series B Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company.

Subsidiary . An Entity shall be deemed to be a “Subsidiary” of another Person if such Person directly or indirectly owns or purports to own, beneficially or of record: (a) an amount of voting securities of or other interests in such Entity that is sufficient to enable such Person to elect at least a majority of the members of such Entity’s board of directors or other governing body; or (b) at least 50% of the outstanding equity, voting or financial interests in such Entity.

Tax. “Tax” shall mean any U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax (including any income tax, franchise tax, capital gains tax, gross receipts tax, value-added tax, surtax, estimated tax, unemployment tax, national health insurance tax, excise tax, ad valorem tax, transfer tax, stamp tax, sales tax, use tax, property tax, business tax, withholding tax, payroll tax, tariff or duty including any customs duty) and any related charge or amount (including any fine, penalty or interest), imposed, assessed or collected by or under the authority of any Governmental Body.

Tax Return . “Tax Return” shall mean any return (including any information return), report, statement, declaration, estimate, schedule, notice, notification, form, election, certificate or other document or information, and any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, filed with or

 

A-4.


submitted to, or required to be filed with or submitted to, any Governmental Body in connection with the determination, assessment, collection or payment of any Tax or in connection with the administration, implementation or enforcement of or compliance with any Legal Requirement relating to any Tax.

Treasury Regulation . “Treasury Regulation” shall mean a regulation issued pursuant to the Code.

Unvested Company Common Stock. “Unvested Company Common Stock” shall mean any shares of Company Common Stock that are not vested under the terms of any Contract with the Company (including any stock option agreement or stock option exercise agreement or restricted stock purchase agreement).

 

A-5.


E XHIBIT B

P ARENT R ESTATED C HARTER

See Exhibit 3.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 24, 2013


E XHIBIT C

M ERGER S UB W RITTEN C ONSENT


E XHIBIT D

C ERTIFICATE OF M ERGER


CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

OF

MBAR ACQUISITION CORP.

(a Delaware corporation)

WITH AND INTO

LIPOCINE OPERATING INC.

(a Delaware corporation)

July 24, 2013

Pursuant to Title 8, Section 251(c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”), the undersigned corporation executed the following Certificate of Merger and does hereby certify that:

FIRST:    The name and state of incorporation of each of the constituent corporations (the “ Constituent Corporations ”) of the merger are as follows:

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction of Incorporation

Lipocine Operating Inc. (“ Lipocine Operating ”)   Delaware
MBAR Acquisition Corp. (“ Merger Sub ”)   Delaware

SECOND:    An Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization (the “ Merger Agreement ”), made and entered into as of July 24, 2013, by and among Lipocine Inc., a Delaware corporation, Lipocine Operating and Merger Sub with respect to the merger (the “ Merger ”) of Merger Sub with and into Lipocine Operating has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the Constituent Corporations in accordance with Title 8, Section 251(c) of the DGCL.

THIRD:    The surviving corporation (the “ Surviving Corporation ”) in the Merger shall be Lipocine Operating.

FOURTH:    The certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read in the form attached to this certificate as Exhibit A .

FIFTH:    An executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the principal place of business of the Surviving Corporation, which is 675 Arapeen Drive, Suite 202, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, and will be furnished by the Surviving Corporation, on request and without cost, to any stockholder of either of the Constituent Corporations.

SIXTH:    This Certificate of Merger shall be effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , Lipocine Operating Inc. has caused this Certificate of Merger to be executed this 24 th day of July, 2013.

 

Lipocine Operating Inc.,
as the Surviving Corporation
By:    
  Mahesh V. Patel, Ph.D.
  President and Chief Executive Officer

 

2.


E XHIBIT A

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

LIPOCINE OPERATING INC.

I.

The name of this corporation is Lipocine Operating Inc. (the “ Corporation ”).

II.

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

III.

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

IV.

 

This corporation is authorized to issue only one class of stock, to be designated Common Stock. The total number of shares of Common Stock presently authorized is one thousand (1,000), each having a par value of one-tenth of one cent ($0.001).

V.

A.     The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the corporation shall be vested in its Board of Directors. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed by the Board of Directors in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

B.     The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

VI.

A.     The liability of the directors for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent under applicable law.

 

1.


B.     To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company is authorized to provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) directors, officers and agents of the Company (and any other persons to which applicable law permits the Company to provide indemnification) through Bylaw provisions, agreements with such agents or other persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise in excess of the indemnification and advancement otherwise permitted by such applicable law. If applicable law is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article VI to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director to the Company shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as so amended.

C.     Any repeal or modification of this Article VI shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights or protections or increase the liability of any director under this Article VI in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any act or omission to act giving rise to liability or indemnification.

VII.

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

* * * *

 

2.


E XHIBIT E

C ERTIFICATE OF I NCORPORATION OF THE S URVIVING C ORPORATION

See Exhibit A to the Certificate of Merger attached as Exhibit D to this Exhibit 2.1

Exhibit 3.1

STATE OF DELAWARE

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

MARATHON BAR CORP.

MARATHON BAR CORP. (the “Corporation”) a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

FIRST: Pursuant to Unanimous Written Consent of the Board of Directors of the Corporation on July 12, 2013, a new effective date for the Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation filed with the State of Delaware on July 8, 2013 was approved as set forth herein.

SECOND: That the new effective time and date for the above-mentioned Certificate of Amendment has been consented to and authorized by the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote by written consent in lieu of meeting in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

THIRD: That the aforesaid amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

FOURTH : The Certificate of Amendment filed by the Corporation on July 8, 2013 shall be effective as of 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on July 24, 2013.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said Corporation has caused this certificate to be signed this 12th day of July, 2013.

 

By:   /s/ Israel Menahem Vizel
 

Israel Menahem Vizel,

President

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

LIPOCINE INC.

Mahesh V. Patel hereby certifies that:

ONE: The original name of this company is Marathon Bar Corp. and the date of filing the original Certificate of Incorporation of this company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was October 13, 2011.

TWO: He is the duly elected and acting President and Chief Executive Officer of Lipocine Inc., a Delaware corporation.

THREE: The Certificate of Incorporation of this company is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

I.

The name of this company is L IPOCINE I NC . (the “ Company ” or the “ Corporation ”).

II.

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

III.

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

IV.

A. This Company is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “ Common Stock ” and “ Preferred Stock .” The total number of shares which the Company is authorized to issue is 110,000,000 shares. 100,000,000 shares shall be Common Stock, each having a par value of one-hundredth of one cent ($0.0001). 10,000,000 shares shall be Preferred Stock, each having a par value of one-hundredth of one cent ($0.0001).

B. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issue of all of any of the shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designation, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other rights and such qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such

 

1.


shares and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series shall be decreased in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock of the corporation entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock.

C. Each outstanding share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of the corporation for their vote; provided, however , that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon by law or pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock).

V.

For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Company, and in further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Company, of its directors and of its stockholders or any class thereof, as the case may be, it is further provided that:

A. M ANAGEMENT OF B USINESS . The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Company shall be vested in its Board of Directors. The number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolutions adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors constituting the Board of Directors.

B. B OARD OF D IRECTORS

1. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders for a term of one year. Each director shall serve until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

2. No stockholder entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate votes to which such stockholder is entitled, unless required by applicable law at the time of such election. During such time or times that applicable law requires cumulative voting, every

 

2.


stockholder entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate such stockholder’s votes and give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which such stockholder’s shares are otherwise entitled, or distribute the stockholder’s votes on the same principle among as many candidates as such stockholder thinks fit. No stockholder, however, shall be entitled to so cumulate such stockholder’s votes unless (a) the names of such candidate or candidates have been placed in nomination prior to the voting and (b) the stockholder has given notice at the meeting, prior to the voting, of such stockholder’s intention to cumulate such stockholder’s votes. If any stockholder has given proper notice to cumulate votes, all stockholders may cumulate their votes for any candidates who have been properly placed in nomination. Under cumulative voting, the candidates receiving the highest number of votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, are elected.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, each director shall serve until their successor is duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

C. R EMOVAL OF D IRECTORS . Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law, removal shall be as provided in Section 141(k) of the DGCL.

D. V ACANCIES . Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors, shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by the stockholders and except as otherwise provided by applicable law, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified.

E. B YLAW A MENDMENTS .

1. The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Company. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the Company by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the authorized number of directors. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Company; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Company required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

3.


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

3. No action shall be taken by the stockholders of the Company except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with the Bylaws, and no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent or electronic transmission.

4. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Company shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Company.

VI.

A. The liability of the directors for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent under applicable law.

B. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company is authorized to provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) directors, officers and agents of the Company (and any other persons to which applicable law permits the Company to provide indemnification) through Bylaw provisions, agreements with such agents or other persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise in excess of the indemnification and advancement otherwise permitted by such applicable law. If applicable law is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article VI to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director to the company shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as so amended.

C. Any repeal or modification of this Article VI shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights or protections or increase the liability of any director under this Article VI in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any act or omission to act giving rise to liability or indemnification.

VII.

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (A) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company; (B) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders; (C) any action asserting a claim against the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company; or (D) any action asserting a claim against the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article VII.

VIII.

A. The Company reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, except as provided in paragraph B. of this Article VIII, and all rights conferred upon the stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

 

4.


B. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the Company required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any certificate of designation filed with respect to a series of Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal Articles V, VI, VII and VIII.

* * * *

FOUR: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly approved by the Board of Directors of the Company.

FIVE: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was approved by the holders of the requisite number of shares of said corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL by the stockholders of the Company.

 

5.


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , Lipocine Inc. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its President and Chief Executive Officer on July 24, 2013.

 

L IPOCINE I NC .
By:   /s/ Mahesh V. Patel
 

Mahesh V. Patel,

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

6.

Exhibit 3.3

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

LIPOCINE INC.

(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)


Table of Contents

 

     Page  

ARTICLE I OFFICES

     1   

Section 1. Registered Office

     1   

Section 2. Other Offices

     1   

ARTICLE II CORPORATE SEAL

     1   

Section 3. Corporate Seal

     1   

ARTICLE III STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

     1   

Section 4. Place Of Meetings

     1   

Section 5. Annual Meetings

     1   

Section 6. Special Meetings

     5   

Section 7. Notice Of Meetings

     6   

Section 8. Quorum

     7   

Section 9. Adjournment And Notice Of Adjourned Meetings

     7   

Section 10. Voting Rights

     7   

Section 11. Joint Owners Of Stock

     8   

Section 12. List Of Stockholders

     8   

Section 13. Action Without Meeting

     8   

Section 14. Organization

     8   

ARTICLE IV DIRECTORS

     9   

Section 15. Number And Term Of Office

     9   

Section 16. Powers

     9   

Section 17. Board of Directors

     9   

Section 18. Vacancies

     10   

Section 19. Resignation

     10   

Section 20. Removal

     11   

Section 21. Meetings

     11   

Section 22. Quorum And Voting

     12   

Section 23. Action Without Meeting

     12   

Section 24. Fees And Compensation

     12   

Section 25. Committees

     12   

Section 27. Organization

     14   

 

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Table of Contents

(continued)

 

     Page  

ARTICLE V OFFICERS

     14   

Section 28. Officers Designated

     14   

Section 29. Tenure And Duties Of Officers

     14   

Section 30. Delegation Of Authority

     16   

Section 31. Resignations

     16   

Section 32. Removal

     16   

ARTICLE VI EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION

     16   

Section 33. Execution Of Corporate Instruments

     16   

Section 34. Voting Of Securities Owned By The Corporation

     17   

ARTICLE VII SHARES OF STOCK

     17   

Section 35. Form And Execution Of Certificates

     17   

Section 36. Lost Certificates

     17   

Section 37. Transfers

     17   

Section 38. Fixing Record Dates

     18   

Section 39. Registered Stockholders

     18   

ARTICLE VIII OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION

     18   

Section 40. Execution Of Other Securities

     18   

ARTICLE IX DIVIDENDS

     19   

Section 41. Declaration Of Dividends

     19   

Section 42. Dividend Reserve

     19   

ARTICLE X FISCAL YEAR

     19   

Section 43. Fiscal Year

     19   

ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION

     20   

Section 44. Indemnification of Directors, Executive Officers, Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents

     20   

ARTICLE XII NOTICES

     23   

Section 45. Notices

     23   

ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS

     24   

Section 46.

     24   

ARTICLE XIV LOANS TO OFFICERS

     24   

Section 47. Loans To Officers

     24   

 

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AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

LIPOCINE INC.

(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.

Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation shall also have and maintain an office or principal place of business at such place as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, and may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

CORPORATE SEAL

Section 3. Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal. The corporate seal shall consist of a die bearing the name of the corporation and the inscription, “Corporate Seal-Delaware.” Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

ARTICLE III

STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

Section 4. Place Of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as provided under the Delaware General Corporation Law (“ DGCL ”).

Section 5. Annual Meetings.

(a) The annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation, for the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may properly come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation and the proposal

 

-1-


of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders: (i) pursuant to the corporation’s notice of meeting of stockholders (with respect to business other than nominations); (ii) brought specifically by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (iii) by any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving the stockholder’s notice provided for in Section 5(b) below, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in Section 5. For the avoidance of doubt, clause (iii) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations and submit other business (other than matters properly included in the corporation’s notice of meeting of stockholders and proxy statement under Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “ 1934 Act ”)) before an annual meeting of stockholders.

(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as is a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law and as shall have been properly brought before the meeting.

(i) For nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, the stockholder must deliver written notice to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(b)(iii) and must update and supplement such written notice on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(c). Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each nominee such stockholder proposes to nominate at the meeting: (1) the name, age, business address and residence address of such nominee, (2) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee, (3) the class and number of shares of each class of capital stock of the corporation which are owned of record and beneficially by such nominee, (4) the date or dates on which such shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, (5) a statement whether such nominee, if elected, intends to tender, promptly following such person’s failure to receive the required vote for election or re-election at the next meeting at which such person would face election or re-election, an irrevocable resignation effective upon acceptance of such resignation by the Board of Directors, and (6) such other information concerning such nominee as would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or that is otherwise required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (B) the information required by Section 5(b)(iv). The corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such proposed nominee.

(ii) Other than proposals sought to be included in the corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14(a)-8 under the 1934 Act, for business other than nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, the stockholder must deliver written notice to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(b)(iii), and must update and supplement such written

 

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notice on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(c). Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, and any material interest (including any anticipated benefit of such business to any Proponent (as defined below) other than solely as a result of its ownership of the corporation’s capital stock, that is material to any Proponent individually, or to the Proponents in the aggregate) in such business of any Proponent; and (B) the information required by Section 5(b)(iv).

(iii) To be timely, the written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or 5(b)(ii) must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90 th ) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120 th ) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that, subject to the last sentence of this Section 5(b)(iii), in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty (30) days prior to or delayed by more than thirty (30) days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120 th ) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90 th ) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10 th ) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall an adjournment or a postponement of an annual meeting for which notice has been given, or the public announcement thereof has been made, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(iv) The written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or 5(b)(ii) shall also set forth, as of the date of the notice and as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (each, a “ Proponent ” and collectively, the “ Proponents ”): (A) the name and address of each Proponent, as they appear on the corporation’s books; (B) the class, series and number of shares of the corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by each Proponent; (C) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether oral or in writing) with respect to such nomination or proposal between or among any Proponent and any of its affiliates or associates, and any others (including their names) acting in concert, or otherwise under the agreement, arrangement or understanding, with any of the foregoing; (D) a representation that the Proponents are holders of record or beneficial owners, as the case may be, of shares of the corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intend to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(i)) or to propose the business that is specified in the notice (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(ii)); (E) a representation as to whether the Proponents intend to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a sufficient number of holders of the corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(i)) or to carry such proposal (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(ii)); (F) to the extent known by any Proponent, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the proposal on the date of such stockholder’s notice; and (G) a description of all Derivative Transactions (as defined below) by each Proponent during the previous twelve (12) month period, including the date of the transactions and the class, series and number of securities involved in, and the material economic terms of, such Derivative Transactions.

 

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For purposes of Sections 5 and 6, a “ Derivative Transaction ” means any agreement, arrangement, interest or understanding entered into by, or on behalf or for the benefit of, any Proponent or any of its affiliates or associates, whether record or beneficial:

(w) the value of which is derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares or other securities of the corporation,

(x) which otherwise provides any direct or indirect opportunity to gain or share in any gain derived from a change in the value of securities of the corporation,

(y) the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit of security value or price changes, or

(z) which provides the right to vote or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Proponent, or any of its affiliates or associates, with respect to any securities of the corporation,

which agreement, arrangement, interest or understanding may include, without limitation, any option, warrant, debt position, note, bond, convertible security, swap, stock appreciation right, short position, profit interest, hedge, right to dividends, voting agreement, performance-related fee or arrangement to borrow or lend shares (whether or not subject to payment, settlement, exercise or conversion in any such class or series), and any proportionate interest of such Proponent in the securities of the corporation held by any general or limited partnership, or any limited liability company, of which such Proponent is, directly or indirectly, a general partner or managing member.

(c) A stockholder providing written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or (ii) shall update and supplement such notice in writing, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice is true and correct in all material respects as of (i) the record date for the meeting and (ii) the date that is five (5) business days prior to the meeting and, in the event of any adjournment or postponement thereof, five (5) business days prior to such adjourned or postponed meeting. In the case of an update and supplement pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 5(c), such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting. In the case of an update and supplement pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 5(c), such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than two (2) business days prior to the date for the meeting, and, in the event of any adjournment or postponement thereof, two (2) business days prior to such adjourned or postponed meeting.

(d) Notwithstanding anything in Section 5(b)(iii) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors of the Board of Directors of the corporation is increased and there is no public announcement of the appointment of a director, or, if no appointment was made, of the vacancy, made by the corporation at least ten (10) days before the last day a stockholder may deliver a notice of nomination in accordance with Section 5(b)(iii), a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 5 and which complies with the requirements in Section 5(b)(i), other than the timing requirements in Section 5(b)(iii), shall also be considered timely, but only with

 

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respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the corporation.

(e) A person shall not be eligible for election or re-election as a director unless the person is nominated either in accordance with clause (ii) of Section 5(a), or in accordance with clause (iii) of Section 5(a). Except as otherwise required by law, the chairperson of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made, or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, or the Proponent does not act in accordance with the representations in Sections 5(b)(iv)(D) and 5(b)(iv)(E), to declare that such proposal or nomination shall not be presented for stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nominations or such business may have been solicited or received.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, in order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement and form of proxy for a stockholders’ meeting, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to proposals and/or nominations to be considered pursuant to Section 5(a)(iii) of these Bylaws.

(g) For purposes of Sections 5 and 6,

(i) public announcement ” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act; and

(ii) affiliates ” and “ associates ” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ 1933 Act ”).

Section 6. Special Meetings.

(a) Special meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be called, for any purpose as is a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law, by (i) the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of Directors for adoption).

 

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(b) The Board of Directors shall determine the time and place, if any, of such special meeting. Upon determination of the time and place, if any, of the meeting, the Secretary shall cause a notice of meeting to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of these Bylaws. No business may be transacted at such special meeting otherwise than specified in the notice of meeting.

(c) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving notice provided for in this paragraph, who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who delivers written notice to the Secretary of the corporation setting forth the information required by Section 5(b)(i). In the event the corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder of record may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be), for election to such position(s) as specified in the corporation’s notice of meeting, if written notice setting forth the information required by Section 5(b)(i) of these Bylaws shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90 th ) day prior to such meeting or the tenth (10 th ) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The stockholder shall also update and supplement such information as required under Section 5(c). In no event shall an adjournment or a postponement of a special meeting for which notice has been given, or the public announcement thereof has been made, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth in this Section 6. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be considered pursuant to Section 6(c) of these Bylaws.

Section 7. Notice Of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, notice, given in writing or by electronic transmission, of each meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, such notice to specify the place, if any, date and hour, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or purposes of the meeting, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at any such meeting. If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation. Notice of the time, place, if any, and purpose of any meeting of stockholders may be waived in writing, signed by the person entitled to notice thereof, or by electronic transmission by such person, either before or after such meeting, and will be waived by any stockholder by his attendance thereat in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy, except when the stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given.

 

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Section 8. Quorum. At all meetings of stockholders, except where otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, the presence, in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy duly authorized, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to time, either by the chairperson of the meeting or by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented thereat, but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting. The stockholders present at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Except as otherwise provided by statute or by applicable stock exchange rules, or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or classes or series is required, except where otherwise provided by the statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or classes or series, present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy duly authorized, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. Except where otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the majority (plurality, in the case of the election of directors) of shares of such class or classes or series present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or classes or series.

Section 9. Adjournment And Notice Of Adjourned Meetings. Any meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time either by the chairperson of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, if any, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 10. Voting Rights. For the purpose of determining those stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose names shares stand on the stock records of the corporation on the record date, as provided in Section 12 of these Bylaws, shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Every person entitled to vote shall have the right to do so either in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by an agent or agents authorized by a proxy granted in accordance with Delaware law. An agent so appointed need not be a stockholder. No proxy shall be voted after three (3) years from its date of creation unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

 

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Section 11. Joint Owners Of Stock. If shares or other securities having voting power stand of record in the names of two (2) or more persons, whether fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, or otherwise, or if two (2) or more persons have the same fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary is given written notice to the contrary and is furnished with a copy of the instrument or order appointing them or creating the relationship wherein it is so provided, their acts with respect to voting shall have the following effect: (a) if only one (1) votes, his act binds all; (b) if more than one (1) votes, the act of the majority so voting binds all; (c) if more than one (1) votes, but the vote is evenly split on any particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in question proportionally, or may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for relief as provided in the DGCL, Section 217(b). If the instrument filed with the Secretary shows that any such tenancy is held in unequal interests, a majority or even-split for the purpose of subsection (c) shall be a majority or even-split in interest.

Section 12. List Of Stockholders. The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (b) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the corporation. In the event that the corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the corporation. The list shall be open to examination of any stockholder during the time of the meeting as provided by law.

Section 13. Action Without Meeting. No action shall be taken by the stockholders except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with these Bylaws, and no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent or by electronic transmission.

Section 14. Organization.

(a) At every meeting of stockholders, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairperson has not been appointed or is absent, the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving or is absent, the President, or, if the President is absent, a chairperson of the meeting chosen by a majority in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy, shall act as chairperson. The Chairperson of the Board may appoint the Chief Executive Officer as chairperson of the meeting. The Secretary, or, in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary or other officer or other person directed to do so by the chairperson of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

 

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(b) The Board of Directors of the corporation shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the chairperson of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairperson, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting, rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, limitations on participation in such meeting to stockholders of record of the corporation and their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the chairperson shall permit, restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the opening and closing of the polls for balloting on matters which are to be voted on by ballot. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chairperson of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure.

ARTICLE IV

DIRECTORS

Section 15. Number And Term Of Office. The authorized number of directors of the corporation shall be fixed in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation. If for any cause, the directors shall not have been elected at an annual meeting, they may be elected as soon thereafter as convenient at a special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose in the manner provided in these Bylaws.

Section 16. Powers. The powers of the corporation shall be exercised, its business conducted and its property controlled by the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 17. Board of Directors.

(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders. Each director shall serve until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

(b) No stockholder entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate votes to which such stockholder is entitled, unless required by applicable law at the time of such election. During such time or times that applicable law requires cumulative voting, every stockholder entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate such stockholder’s votes and give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected

 

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multiplied by the number of votes to which such stockholder’s shares are otherwise entitled, or distribute the stockholder’s votes on the same principle among as many candidates as such stockholder thinks fit. No stockholder, however, shall be entitled to so cumulate such stockholder’s votes unless (i) the names of such candidate or candidates have been placed in nomination prior to the voting and (ii) the stockholder has given notice at the meeting, prior to the voting, of such stockholder’s intention to cumulate such stockholder’s votes. If any stockholder has given proper notice to cumulate votes, all stockholders may cumulate their votes for any candidates who have been properly placed in nomination. Under cumulative voting, the candidates receiving the highest number of votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, are elected.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, each director shall serve until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

Section 18. Vacancies. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock or as otherwise provided by applicable law, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders, provided, however, that whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes or series shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified. A vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist under this Bylaw in the case of the death, removal or resignation of any director.

Section 19. Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by delivering his or her notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Secretary, such resignation to specify whether it will be effective at a particular time. If no such specification is made, the Secretary, in his or her discretion, may either (a) require confirmation from the director prior to deeming the resignation effective, in which case the resignation will be deemed effective upon receipt of such confirmation, or (b) deem the resignation effective at the time of delivery of the resignation to the Secretary. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board of Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each Director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the Director whose place shall be vacated and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

 

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Section 20. Removal. Subject to any limitations imposed by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, removal shall be as provided in Section 141(k) of the DGCL.

Section 21. Meetings.

(a) Regular Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or date and at any place within or without the State of Delaware which has been designated by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors, either orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice-messaging system or other system designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means. No further notice shall be required for regular meetings of the Board of Directors.

(b) Special Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time and place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the total number of authorized directors.

(c) Meetings by Electronic Communications Equipment. Any member of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

(d) Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of the time and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice messaging system or other system or technology designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means, during normal business hours, at least twenty-four (24) hours before the date and time of the meeting. If notice is sent by US mail, it shall be sent by first class mail, charges prepaid, at least three (3) days before the date of the meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived in writing, or by electronic transmission, at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

(e) Waiver of Notice. The transaction of all business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, however called or noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as though it had been transacted at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the directors not present who did not receive notice shall sign a written waiver of notice or shall waive notice by electronic transmission. All such waivers shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

 

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Section 22. Quorum And Voting.

(a) Unless the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater number, and except with respect to questions related to indemnification arising under Section 45 for which a quorum shall be one-third of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time, a quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, at any meeting whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the directors present may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors, without notice other than by announcement at the meeting.

(b) At each meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, all questions and business shall be determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present, unless a different vote be required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

Section 23. Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and such writing or writings or transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

Section 24. Fees And Compensation. Directors shall be entitled to such compensation for their services as may be approved by the Board of Directors, including, if so approved, by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors and at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation therefor.

Section 25. Committees.

(a) Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee to consist of one (1) or more members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee, to the extent permitted by law and provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any Bylaw of the corporation.

 

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(b) Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, appoint such other committees as may be permitted by law. Such other committees appointed by the Board of Directors shall consist of one (1) or more members of the Board of Directors and shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the resolution or resolutions creating such committees, but in no event shall any such committee have the powers denied to the Executive Committee in these Bylaws.

(c) Term. The Board of Directors, subject to any requirements of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock and the provisions of subsections (a) or (b) of this Section 25, may at any time increase or decrease the number of members of a committee or terminate the existence of a committee. The membership of a committee member shall terminate on the date of his death or voluntary resignation from the committee or from the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may at any time for any reason remove any individual committee member and the Board of Directors may fill any committee vacancy created by death, resignation, removal or increase in the number of members of the committee. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee, and, in addition, in the absence or disqualification of any member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

(d) Meetings. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide, regular meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee appointed pursuant to this Section 25 shall be held at such times and places as are determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when notice thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further notice of such regular meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of any such committee may be held at any place which has been determined from time to time by such committee, and may be called by any Director who is a member of such committee, upon notice to the members of such committee of the time and place of such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of notice to members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any committee may be waived in writing or by electronic transmission at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends such special meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in the resolutions authorizing the creation of the committee, a majority of the authorized number of members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.

Section 26. Duties of Chairperson of the Board of Directors. The Chairperson of the Board of Directors, if appointed and when present, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairperson of the Board of Directors shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.

 

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Section 27. Organization. At every meeting of the directors, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairperson has not been appointed or is absent, the Chief Executive Officer (if a director), or, if a Chief Executive Officer is absent, the President (if a director), or if the President is absent, the most senior Vice President (if a director), or, in the absence of any such person, a chairperson of the meeting chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall preside over the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence, any Assistant Secretary or other officer, director or other person directed to do so by the person presiding over the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 28. Officers Designated. The officers of the corporation shall include, if and when designated by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, one or more Vice Presidents, the Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer and the Treasurer. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers and such other officers and agents with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary. The Board of Directors may assign such additional titles to one or more of the officers as it shall deem appropriate. Any one person may hold any number of offices of the corporation at any one time unless specifically prohibited therefrom by law. The salaries and other compensation of the officers of the corporation shall be fixed by or in the manner designated by the Board of Directors.

Section 29. Tenure And Duties Of Officers.

(a) General. All officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, unless sooner removed. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors. If the office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors.

(b) Duties of Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors (if a director), unless the Chairperson of the Board of Directors has been appointed and is present. Unless an officer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, the President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. To the extent that a Chief Executive Officer has been appointed and no President has been appointed, all references in these Bylaws to the President shall be deemed references to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.

(c) Duties of President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors (if a director), unless the Chairperson of the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer has been appointed and is present.

 

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Unless another officer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, the President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. The President shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.

(d) Duties of Vice Presidents. A Vice President may assume and perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President or whenever the office of President is vacant. A Vice President shall perform other duties commonly incident to their office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or, if the Chief Executive Officer has not been appointed or is absent, the President shall designate from time to time.

(e) Duties of Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall record all acts and proceedings thereof in the minute book of the corporation. The Secretary shall give notice in conformity with these Bylaws of all meetings of the stockholders and of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof requiring notice. The Secretary shall perform all other duties provided for in these Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. The Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President may direct any Assistant Secretary or other officer to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President shall designate from time to time.

(f) Duties of Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President shall designate from time to time. To the extent that a Chief Financial Officer has been appointed and no Treasurer has been appointed, all references in these Bylaws to the Treasurer shall be deemed references to the Chief Financial Officer. The President may direct the Treasurer, if any, or any Assistant Treasurer, or the controller or any assistant controller to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and each controller and assistant controller shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President shall designate from time to time.

 

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(g) Duties of Treasurer. Unless another officer has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of the corporation, the Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the corporation and shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President, and, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President and Chief Financial Officer (if not Treasurer) shall designate from time to time.

Section 30. Delegation Of Authority. The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

Section 31. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board of Directors or to the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President or to the Secretary. Any such resignation shall be effective when received by the person or persons to whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified therein, in which event the resignation shall become effective at such later time. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract with the resigning officer.

Section 32. Removal. Any officer may be removed from office at any time, either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors in office at the time, or by the unanimous written consent of the directors in office at the time, or by any committee or by the Chief Executive Officer or by other superior officers upon whom such power of removal may have been conferred by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI

EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES

OWNED BY THE CORPORATION

Section 33. Execution Of Corporate Instruments. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the corporation any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf of the corporation the corporate name without limitation, or to enter into contracts on behalf of the corporation, except where otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, and such execution or signature shall be binding upon the corporation.

All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the credit of the corporation or in special accounts of the corporation shall be signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to do.

 

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Unless authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

Section 34. Voting Of Securities Owned By The Corporation. All stock and other securities of other corporations owned or held by the corporation for itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such authorization, by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or any Vice President.

ARTICLE VII

SHARES OF STOCK

Section 35. Form And Execution Of Certificates. The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, or shall be uncertificated if so provided by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors. Certificates for the shares of stock, if any, shall be in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock in the corporation represented by certificate shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the corporation by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, or the President or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.

Section 36. Lost Certificates. A new certificate or certificates shall be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed. The corporation may require, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or the owner’s legal representative, to agree to indemnify the corporation in such manner as it shall require or to give the corporation a surety bond in such form and amount as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.

Section 37. Transfers.

(a) Transfers of record of shares of stock of the corporation shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by attorney duly authorized, and, in the case of stock represented by certificate, upon the surrender of a properly endorsed certificate or certificates for a like number of shares.

 

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

Section 38. Fixing Record Dates.

(a) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall, subject to applicable law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

(b) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 39. Registered Stockholders. The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.

ARTICLE VIII

OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION

Section 40. Execution Of Other Securities. All bonds, debentures and other corporate securities of the corporation, other than stock certificates (covered in Section 36), may be signed by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the President or any Vice President, or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer; provided, however, that where any such bond, debenture or other corporate

 

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security shall be authenticated by the manual signature, or where permissible facsimile signature, of a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be issued, the signatures of the persons signing and attesting the corporate seal on such bond, debenture or other corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the signatures of such persons. Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond, debenture or other corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid, shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or bear imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of such person. In case any officer who shall have signed or attested any bond, debenture or other corporate security, or whose facsimile signature shall appear thereon or on any such interest coupon, shall have ceased to be such officer before the bond, debenture or other corporate security so signed or attested shall have been delivered, such bond, debenture or other corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by the corporation and issued and delivered as though the person who signed the same or whose facsimile signature shall have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer of the corporation.

ARTICLE IX

DIVIDENDS

Section 41. Declaration Of Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors pursuant to law at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.

Section 42. Dividend Reserve. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

ARTICLE X

FISCAL YEAR

Section 43. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

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ARTICLE XI

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 44. Indemnification of Directors, Executive Officers, Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents.

(a) Directors and executive officers. The corporation shall indemnify its directors and executive officers (for the purposes of this Article XI, “ executive officers ” shall have the meaning defined in Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the 1934 Act) to the extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any other applicable law; provided, however, that the corporation may modify the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and executive officers; and, provided, further, that the corporation shall not be required to indemnify any director or executive officer in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless (i) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation, (iii) such indemnification is provided by the corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the corporation under the DGCL or any other applicable law or (iv) such indemnification is required to be made under subsection (d).

(b) Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents. The corporation shall have power to indemnify its other officers, employees and other agents as set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such person except executive officers to such officers or other persons as the Board of Directors shall determine.

(c) Expenses. The corporation shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or executive officer, of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or executive officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any director or executive officer in connection with such proceeding provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or executive officer in his or her capacity as a director or executive officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “ undertaking ”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “ final adjudication ”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this section or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section, no advance shall be made by the corporation to an executive officer of the corporation (except by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the corporation in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any action, suit or proceeding,

 

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whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by a majority vote of directors who were not parties to the proceeding, even if not a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.

(d) Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and executive officers under this Bylaw shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the corporation and the director or executive officer. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this section to a director or executive officer shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within ninety (90) days of request therefor. To the extent permitted by law, the claimant in such enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting the claim. In connection with any claim for indemnification, the corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the DGCL or any other applicable law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. In connection with any claim by an executive officer of the corporation (except in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the corporation) for advances, the corporation shall be entitled to raise a defense as to any such action clear and convincing evidence that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding that such person acted without reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was lawful. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. In any suit brought by a director or executive officer to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, the burden of proving that the director or executive officer is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this section or otherwise shall be on the corporation.

(e) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office. The corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL, or by any other applicable law.

 

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(f) Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or executive officer or officer, employee or other agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

(g) Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or any other applicable law, the corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to this section.

(h) Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this section shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the corporation.

(i) Saving Clause. If this Bylaw or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this section that shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this section shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of another jurisdiction, then the corporation shall indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent under any other applicable law.

(j) Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Bylaw, the following definitions shall apply:

(i) The term “ proceeding ” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.

(ii) The term “ expenses ” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys’ fees, witness fees, fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.

(iii) The term the “ corporation ” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

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(iv) References to a “ director ,” “ executive officer ,” “ officer ,” “ employee ,” or “ agent ” of the corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where such person is serving at the request of the corporation as, respectively, a director, executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

(v) References to “ other enterprises ” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “ fines ” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “ serving at the request of the corporation ” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “ not opposed to the best interests of the corporation ” as referred to in this section.

ARTICLE XII

NOTICES

Section 45. Notices.

(a) Notice To Stockholders. Written notice to stockholders of stockholder meetings shall be given as provided in Section 7 herein. Without limiting the manner by which notice may otherwise be given effectively to stockholders under any agreement or contract with such stockholder, and except as otherwise required by law, written notice to stockholders for purposes other than stockholder meetings may be sent by US mail or nationally recognized overnight courier, or by facsimile, telegraph or telex or by electronic mail or other electronic means.

(b) Notice To Directors. Any notice required to be given to any director may be given by the method stated in subsection (a), as otherwise provided in these Bylaws with notice other than one which is delivered personally to be sent to such address as such director shall have filed in writing with the Secretary, or, in the absence of such filing, to the last known address of such director.

(c) Affidavit Of Mailing. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a duly authorized and competent employee of the corporation or its transfer agent appointed with respect to the class of stock affected, or other agent, specifying the name and address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, or director or directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and the time and method of giving the same, shall in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts therein contained.

(d) Methods of Notice. It shall not be necessary that the same method of giving notice be employed in respect of all recipients of notice, but one permissible method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any other permissible method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or others.

 

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(e) Notice To Person With Whom Communication Is Unlawful. Whenever notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.

(f) Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address. Except as otherwise prohibited under DGCL, any notice given under the provisions of DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Such consent shall have been deemed to have been given if such stockholder fails to object in writing to the corporation within sixty (60) days of having been given notice by the corporation of its intention to send the single notice. Any consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation.

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENTS

Section 46. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 44(h) of these Bylaws or the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the corporation by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the authorized number of directors. The stockholders also shall have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

ARTICLE XIV

LOANS TO OFFICERS

Section 47. Loans To Officers. Except as otherwise prohibited by applicable law, the corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or of its subsidiaries, including any officer or

 

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

 

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Exhibit 4.1

 

LOGO

LPC INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE COMMON STOCK SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS CUSIP 53630X 10 4 FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, $0.0001 PAR VALUE, OF LIPOCINE INC. transferable only on the books of the Corporation in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and Registered by the Registrar. IN WITNESS whereof, the facsimile signatures of the Corporation’s duly authorized officers. Dated: SECRETARY PRESIDENT COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED: GLOBEX TRANSFER, LLC (DELTONA, FL) TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR BY AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE LIPOCINE INCORPORATION SPICEMEN


LOGO

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT– Custodian (Cust) (Minor) under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (State) The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM TEN ENT JT TEN as tenants in common as tenants by the entireties as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list. of the common stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises. Dated For value received, hereby sell, assign and transfer unto PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE Shares Attorney PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE SIGNATURE(S) GUARANTEED: THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15. THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE, IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT, OR ANY CHANGE WHATSOEVER. NOTICE:

Exhibit 10.1

L IPOCINE I NC .

A MENDED AND R ESTATED

2011 E QUITY I NCENTIVE P LAN

A DOPTED BY THE B OARD OF D IRECTORS : D ECEMBER  17, 2010

A PPROVED BY THE S TOCKHOLDERS : F EBRUARY  4, 2011

T ERMINATION D ATE : D ECEMBER  17, 2020

1. G ENERAL .

(a) Successor to and Continuation of Prior Plan. The Plan is intended as the successor to and continuation of the Lipocine Inc. Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Option Plan (the “ Prior Plan ”). Following the Effective Date, no additional stock awards shall be granted under the Prior Plan. Any shares remaining available for issuance pursuant to the exercise of stock awards under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date (the “ Prior Plan Available Reserve ”) shall become available for issuance pursuant to Stock Awards granted hereunder. From and after the Effective Date, all outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan shall remain subject to the terms of the Prior Plan; provided, however , any shares subject to outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan that expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise or are forfeited because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares (the “ Returning Shares ”) shall become available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted hereunder. All Stock Awards granted on or after the Effective Date of this Plan shall be subject to the terms of this Plan.

(b) Eligible Stock Award Recipients. The persons eligible to receive Stock Awards are Employees, Directors and Consultants.

(c) Available Stock Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of the following Stock Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iv) Restricted Stock Awards, and (v) Restricted Stock Unit Awards.

(d) Purpose. The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to secure and retain the services of the group of persons eligible to receive Stock Awards as set forth in Section 1(a), to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate, and to provide a means by which such eligible recipients may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of Stock Awards.

2. A DMINISTRATION .

(a) Administration by Board. The Board shall administer the Plan unless and until the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).

 

1.


(b) Powers of Board. The Board shall have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

(i) To determine from time to time (A) which of the persons eligible under the Plan shall be granted Stock Awards; (B) when and how each Stock Award shall be granted; (C) what type or combination of types of Stock Award shall be granted; (D) the provisions of each Stock Award granted (which need not be identical), including the time or times when a person shall be permitted to receive cash or Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Award; (E) the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which a Stock Award shall be granted to each such person; and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to a Stock Award.

(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Stock Award fully effective.

(iii) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it.

(iv) To accelerate the time at which a Stock Award may first be exercised or the time during which a Stock Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Stock Award stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.

(v) To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Suspension or termination of the Plan shall not impair rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant.

(vi) To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options and certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or to bring the Plan or Stock Awards granted under the Plan into compliance therewith, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. However, except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, to the extent required by applicable law, stockholder approval shall be required for any amendment of the Plan that either (A) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Stock Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan or materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, (D) materially extends the term of the Plan, or (E) expands the types of Stock Awards available for issuance under the Plan. Except as provided above, rights under any Stock Award granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (2) such Participant consents in writing.

 

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(vii) To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code regarding “incentive stock options.”

(viii) To approve forms of Stock Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Stock Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided however, that except with respect to amendments that disqualify or impair the status of an Incentive Stock Option, a Participant’s rights under any Stock Award shall not be impaired by any such amendment unless (A) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (B) such Participant consents in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards without the affected Participant’s consent if necessary to maintain the qualified status of the Stock Award as an Incentive Stock Option or to bring the Stock Award into compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

(ix) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Stock Awards.

(x) To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees, Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States.

(xi) To effect, at any time and from time to time, with the consent of any adversely affected Participant, (A) the reduction of the exercise price (or strike price) of any outstanding Option or SAR under the Plan, (B) the cancellation of any outstanding Option or SAR under the Plan and the grant in substitution therefor of (1) a new Option or SAR under the Plan or another equity plan of the Company covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock, (2) a Restricted Stock Award, (3) a Restricted Stock Unit Award, (4) cash and/or (5) other valuable consideration (as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion), or (C) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.

 

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(c) Delegation to Committee. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee shall have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board shall thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.

(d) Delegation to an Officer. If and only if, and then only to the extent, permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate to one or more Officers of the Company the authority to do one or both of the following: (i) designate Officers and Employees who are providing Continuous Service to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to be recipients of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, other Stock Awards) and the terms thereof, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Stock Awards granted to such Officers and Employees; provided, however, that the Board resolutions regarding such delegation shall specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Stock Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant a Stock Award to himself or herself. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may not delegate authority to an Officer to determine the Fair Market Value pursuant to Section 12(t) below.

(e) Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith shall not be subject to review by any person and shall be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

3. S HARES S UBJECT TO THE P LAN .

(a) Share Reserve . Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock of the Company that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards after the Effective Date shall not exceed six million four hundred thirteen thousand fifty-one (6,413,051) shares, which number is the sum of (i) three million four hundred thirteen thousand fifty-one (3,413,051), (ii) the number of shares subject to the Prior Plan Available Reserve, and (ii) the number of Returning Shares (the “ Share Reserve ”). Furthermore, if a Stock Award or any portion thereof (i) expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Stock Award having been issued, or (ii) is settled in cash ( i.e. , the Participant receives cash rather than stock), such expiration, termination or settlement shall not reduce (or otherwise offset) the number of shares of Common Stock that may be available for issuance under the Plan. For clarity, the limitation in this Section 3(a) is a limitation in the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan. Accordingly, this Section 3(a) does not limit the granting of Stock Awards except as provided in Section 7(a).

(b) Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve . If any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Stock Award are forfeited back to the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares in the Participant, then the shares

 

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which are forfeited shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan. Also, any shares reacquired by the Company pursuant to Section 8(g) or as consideration for the exercise of an Option shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3(b), any such shares shall not be subsequently issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options if it would result in issuances in excess of the limit set forth in Section 3(c) below.

(c) Incentive Stock Option Limit. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3(c), subject to the provisions of Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall be 12 million (12,000,000) shares of Common Stock.

(d) Source of Shares. The stock issuable under the Plan shall be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.

4. E LIGIBILITY .

(a) Eligibility for Specific Stock Awards . Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code). Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants; provided, however , Nonstatutory Stock Options and SARs may not be granted to Employees, Directors, and Consultants who are providing Continuous Service only to any “parent” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405, unless such Stock Awards comply with the distribution requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

(b) Ten Percent Stockholders . A Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant.

(c) Consultants. A Consultant shall not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award if, at the time of grant, either the offer or the sale of the Company’s securities to such Consultant is not exempt under Rule 701 because of the nature of the services that the Consultant is providing to the Company, because the Consultant is not a natural person, or because of any other provision of Rule 701, unless the Company determines that such grant need not comply with the requirements of Rule 701 and will satisfy another exemption under the Securities Act as well as comply with the securities laws of all other relevant jurisdictions.

5. P ROVISIONS R ELATING TO O PTIONS AND S TOCK A PPRECIATION R IGHTS .

Each Option or SAR shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. All Options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates shall be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on

 

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exercise of each type of Option. If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option, then the Option shall be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The provisions of separate Options or SARs need not be identical; provided, however , that each Option Agreement or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement shall conform to (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(a) Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant or such shorter period specified in the Award Agreement.

(b) Exercise Price. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise price (or strike price) of each Option or SAR shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date the Option or SAR is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise price (or strike price) lower than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR if such Option or SAR is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Sections 409A and 424(a) of the Code (whether or not such stock awards are Incentive Stock Options). Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents.

(c) Payment of Purchase Price for Options. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by any combination of the methods of payment set forth below. The Board shall have the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to utilize a particular method of payment. The permitted methods of payment are as follows:

(i) by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;

(ii) pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;

(iii) by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock;

(iv) if the Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; provided, however, that the Company shall accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate

 

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exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued; provided, further, that shares of Common Stock will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares issuable upon exercise are reduced to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations;

(v) according to a deferred payment or similar arrangement with the Optionholder; provided, however , that interest shall compound at least annually and shall be charged at the minimum rate of interest necessary to avoid (A) the imputation of interest income to the Company and compensation income to the Optionholder under any applicable provisions of the Code, and (B) the classification of the Option as a liability for financial accounting purposes; or

(vi) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board.

(d) Exercise and Payment of a SAR . To exercise any outstanding Stock Appreciation Right, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such Stock Appreciation Right. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right will be not greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right) of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents in which the Participant is vested under such Stock Appreciation Right, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the Stock Appreciation Right on such date, over (B) the strike price that will be determined by the Board at the time of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right. The appreciation distribution in respect to a Stock Appreciation Right may be paid in Common Stock, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such Stock Appreciation Right.

(e) Transferability of Options and SARs. The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board shall determine. In the absence of such a determination by the Board to the contrary, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options and SARs shall apply:

(i) Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant; provided, however , that the Board may, in its sole discretion, permit transfer of the Option or SAR to such extent as permitted by Rule 701 at the time of the grant of the Option and in a manner consistent with applicable tax and securities laws upon the Participant’s request.

(ii) Domestic Relations Orders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order; provided, however, that if an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

 

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(iii) Beneficiary Designation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form provided by or otherwise satisfactory to the Company and any broker designated by the Company to effect Option exercises, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Participant, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate shall be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.

(f) Vesting Generally. The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR may vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal. The Option or SAR may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may be based on the satisfaction of performance goals or other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options or SARs may vary. The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to any Option or SAR provisions governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option or SAR may be exercised.

(g) Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause or upon the Participant’s death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Stock Award as of the date of termination of Continuous Service) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three (3) months following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the applicable Award Agreement, which period shall not be less than thirty (30) days unless such termination is for Cause), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement (as applicable), the Option or SAR shall terminate.

(h) Extension of Termination Date. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if the exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause or upon the Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a period of three (3) months after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

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(i) Disability of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date twelve (12) months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement, which period shall not be less than six (6) months), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement (as applicable), the Option or SAR shall terminate.

(j) Death of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, then the Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participant’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the date twelve (12) months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement, which period shall not be less than six (6) months), or (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the Participant’s death, the Option or SAR is not exercised within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement (as applicable), the Option or SAR shall terminate.

(k) Termination for Cause. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a Participant’s Award Agreement, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option or SAR shall terminate upon the termination date of such Participant’s Continuous Service, and the Participant shall be prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the time of such termination of Continuous Service.

(l) Non-Exempt Employees . No Option or SAR granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, shall be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR. Notwithstanding the foregoing, consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, in the event of the Participant’s death or Disability, upon a Corporate Transaction or a Change in Control in which the vesting of such Options or SARs accelerates, or upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participant’s Award Agreement or in another applicable agreement or in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines) any such vested Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay.

 

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(m) Early Exercise of Options. An Option may, but need not, include a provision whereby the Optionholder may elect at any time before the Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates to exercise the Option as to any part or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of the Option. Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l), any unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a repurchase right in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Board determines to be appropriate. Provided that the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l) is not violated, the Company shall not be required to exercise its repurchase right until at least six (6) months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid classification of the Option as a liability for financial accounting purposes) have elapsed following exercise of the Option unless the Board otherwise specifically provides in the Option Agreement.

(n) Right of Repurchase . Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l), the Option or SAR may include a provision whereby the Company may elect to repurchase all or any part of the vested shares of Common Stock acquired by the Participant pursuant to the exercise of the Option or SAR.

(p) Right of First Refusal . The Option or SAR may include a provision whereby the Company may elect to exercise a right of first refusal following receipt of notice from the Participant of the intent to transfer all or any part of the shares of Common Stock received upon the exercise of the Option or SAR. Such right of first refusal shall be subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l). Except as expressly provided in this Section 0 or in the Award Agreement, such right of first refusal shall otherwise comply with any applicable provisions of the Bylaws of the Company.

6. P ROVISIONS OF R ESTRICTED S TOCK A WARDS AND R ESTRICTED S TOCK U NITS . N EW FORMS OF S TOCK A WARD

(a) Restricted Stock Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. To the extent consistent with the Company’s Bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock may be (x) held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Stock Award lapse; or (y) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate shall be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be identical; provided, however , that each Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(i) Consideration . A Restricted Stock Award may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash or cash equivalents, (B) services to the Company or an Affiliate, or (C) any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board in its sole discretion and permissible under applicable law.

 

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(ii) Vesting . Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l), shares of Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement may be subject to forfeiture to the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.

(iii) Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service . If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right, any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant that have not vested as of the date of termination of Continuous Service under the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

(iv) Transferability . Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, as the Board shall determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

(v) Dividends. A Restricted Stock Award Agreement may provide that any dividends paid on Restricted Stock will be subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions as apply to the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award to which they relate.

(b) Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements need not be identical; provided, however, that each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement shall conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(i) Consideration. At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board will determine the consideration, if any, to be paid by the Participant upon delivery of each share of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award. The consideration to be paid (if any) by the Participant for each share of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be paid in any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board in its sole discretion and permissible under applicable law.

(ii) Vesting. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board may impose such restrictions or conditions to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

(iii) Payment . A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

(iv) Additional Restrictions. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board, as it deems appropriate, may impose such restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of the shares of Common Stock (or their cash equivalent) subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award to a time after the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit Award.

 

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(v) Dividend Equivalents. Dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares of Common Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Unit Award, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement. At the sole discretion of the Board, such dividend equivalents may be converted into additional shares of Common Stock covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award in such manner as determined by the Board. Any additional shares covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award credited by reason of such dividend equivalents will be subject to all of the same terms and conditions of the underlying Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to which they relate.

(vi) Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, such portion of the Restricted Stock Unit Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

(vii) Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any Restricted Stock Unit Award granted under the Plan that is not exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code shall contain such provisions so that such Restricted Stock Unit Award will comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Such restrictions, if any, shall be determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement evidencing such Restricted Stock Unit Award. For example, such restrictions may include, without limitation, a requirement that any Common Stock that is to be issued in a year following the year in which the Restricted Stock Unit Award vests must be issued in accordance with a fixed pre-determined schedule.

7. C OVENANTS OF THE C OMPANY .

(a) Availability of Shares. During the terms of the Stock Awards, the Company shall keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy such Stock Awards.

(b) Securities Law Compliance. The Company shall seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Stock Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant shall not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award or the subsequent issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities law.

 

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(c) No Obligation to Notify. The Company shall have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Stock Award. Furthermore, the Company shall have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of a Stock Award or a possible period in which the Stock Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of a Stock Award to the holder of such Stock Award.

8. M ISCELLANEOUS .

(a) Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Awards shall constitute general funds of the Company.

(b) Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Stock Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of a Stock Award to any Participant shall be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Stock Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant.

(c) Stockholder Rights. No Participant shall be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to such Stock Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Stock Award pursuant to its terms, if applicable, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to such Stock Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.

(d) No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Stock Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Stock Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Stock Award was granted or shall affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

(e) Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).

 

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(f) Investment Assurances. The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Stock Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Stock Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Stock Award for the Participant’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall be inoperative if (x) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (y) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.

(g) Withholding Obligations. Unless prohibited by the terms of a Stock Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to a Stock Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Stock Award; provided, however , that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes); (iii) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; (iv) withholding cash from a Stock Award settled in cash; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Stock Award Agreement.

(h) Electronic Delivery . Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document shall include any agreement or document delivered electronically or posted on the Company’s intranet.

(i) Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Stock Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company. The Board is authorized to make deferrals of Stock Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and implement such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.

 

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(j) Compliance with Section 409A. To the extent that the Board determines that any Stock Award granted hereunder is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Stock Award Agreement evidencing such Stock Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and Stock Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.

(k) Compliance with Exemption Provided by Rule 12h-1(f) . If: (i) the aggregate of the number of Optionholders and the number of holders of all other outstanding compensatory employee stock options to purchase shares of Common Stock equals or exceeds five hundred (500), and (ii) the assets of the Company at the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year exceed $10 million, then the following restrictions shall apply during any period during which the Company does not have a class of its securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and is not required to file reports under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act: (A) the Options and, prior to exercise, the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the Options may not be transferred until the Company is no longer relying on the exemption provided by Rule 12h-1(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act (“ Rule 12h-1(f) ”), except: (1) as permitted by Rule 701(c) promulgated under the Securities Act, (2) to a guardian upon the disability of the Optionholder, or (3) to an executor upon the death of the Optionholder (collectively, the “ Permitted Transferees ”); provided, however , the following transfers are permitted: (i) transfers by the Optionholder to the Company, and (ii) transfers in connection with a change of control or other acquisition involving the Company, if following such transaction, the Options no longer remain outstanding and the Company is no longer relying on the exemption provided by Rule 12h-1(f); provided further , that any Permitted Transferees may not further transfer the Options; (B) except as otherwise provided in (A) above, the Options and shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the Options are restricted as to any pledge, hypothecation, or other transfer, including any short position, any “put equivalent position” as defined by Rule 16a-1(h) promulgated under the Exchange Act, or any “call equivalent position” as defined by Rule 16a-1(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act by the Optionholder prior to exercise of an Option until the Company is no longer relying on the exemption provided by Rule 12h-1(f); and (C) at any time that the Company is relying on the exemption provided by Rule 12h-1(f), the Company shall deliver to Optionholders (whether by physical or electronic delivery or written notice of the availability of the information on an internet site) the information required by Rule 701(e)(3), (4), and (5) promulgated under the Securities Act every six (6) months, including financial statements that are not more than one hundred eighty (180) days old; provided, however , that the Company may condition the delivery of such information upon the Optionholder’s agreement to maintain its confidentiality.

(l) Repurchase Limitation . The terms of any repurchase right shall be specified in the Stock Award Agreement. The repurchase price for vested shares of Common Stock shall be the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of repurchase. The repurchase price for unvested shares of Common Stock shall be the lower of (i) the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of repurchase or (ii) their original purchase price. However, the Company shall not exercise its repurchase right until at least six (6) months (or such longer or shorter period of time necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes) have elapsed following delivery of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Award, unless otherwise specifically provided by the Board.

 

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9. A DJUSTMENTS UPON C HANGES IN C OMMON S TOCK ; O THER C ORPORATE E VENTS .

(a) Capitalization Adjustments . In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board shall appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c), and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding Stock Awards. The Board shall make such adjustments, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation . Except as otherwise provided in the Stock Award Agreement, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Stock Awards (other than Stock Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase) shall terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Company’s repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Stock Award is providing Continuous Service, provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, cause some or all Stock Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Stock Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the dissolution or liquidation is completed but contingent on its completion.

(c) Corporate Transaction. The following provisions shall apply to Stock Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Stock Award or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the holder of the Stock Award or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of a Stock Award. Except as otherwise stated in the Stock Award Agreement, in the event of a Corporate Transaction, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, each Stock Award shall terminate and be cancelled to the extent not vested or exercised prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction unless the Board elects to take one or more of the following actions with respect to such Stock Awards, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Corporate Transaction:

(i) arrange for the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) to assume or continue the Stock Award or to substitute a similar stock award for the Stock Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Corporate Transaction);

(ii) arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Stock Award to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company);

 

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(iii) accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the Stock Award (and, if applicable, the time at which the Stock Award may be exercised) to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction as the Board shall determine (or, if the Board shall not determine such a date, to the date that is five (5) days prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction), with such Stock Award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction;

(iv) arrange for the lapse of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to the Stock Award;

(v) cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the Stock Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration, if any, as the Board, in its sole discretion, may consider appropriate; and

(vi) make a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the holder of the Stock Award would have received upon the exercise of the Stock Award, over (B) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.

The Board need not take the same action with respect to all Stock Awards or with respect to all Participants.

(d) Change in Control. A Stock Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control as may be provided in the Stock Award Agreement for such Stock Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration shall occur.

10. T ERMINATION OR S USPENSION OF THE P LAN .

(a) Plan Term. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless sooner terminated by the Board pursuant to Section 2, the Plan shall automatically terminate on the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company. No Stock Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

(b) No Impairment of Rights. Suspension or termination of the Plan shall not impair rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant.

11. E FFECTIVE D ATE OF P LAN .

This Plan shall become effective on the Effective Date.

 

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12. C HOICE OF L AW .

The law of the State of Delaware shall govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.

13. D EFINITIONS . As used in the Plan, the following definitions shall apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:

(a) Affiliate ” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “majority-owned subsidiary” of the Company, as such terms are defined in Rule 405. The Board shall have the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or “majority-owned subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.

(b) Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(c) Capitalization Adjustment ” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Stock Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company (through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure, or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (as revised). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.

(d) Cause ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events: misconduct, including (i) commission of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude or material dishonesty; (ii) participation in fraud or act of material dishonesty against the Company; (iii) willful and material breach of the Company’s policies; (iv) deliberate and continued failure to act in accordance with any specific lawful and reasonable instructions of a majority of the Board; (v) intentional and material damage to the Company’s property; and (vi) material breach of any agreement with the Company or an Affiliate (including without limitation, any agreement covering proprietary information and assignment of inventions). The determination that a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Stock Awards held by such Participant shall have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.

 

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(e) Change in Control ” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

(i) any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities or (C) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “ Subject Person ”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur;

(ii) there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;

(iii) there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or

(iv) individuals who, on the date this Plan is adopted by the Board, are members of the Board (the “ Incumbent Board ”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing definition or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Stock Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply.

(f) Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.

(g) Committee ” means a committee of one (1) or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).

(h) Common Stock ” means the Class A common stock of the Company.

(i) Company ” means Lipocine Inc., a Delaware corporation.

(j) Consultant ” means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, shall not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan.

(k) Continuous Service ” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Director, or Consultant or a change in the Entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, shall not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service; provided, however , if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering service ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, such Participant’s Continuous Service shall be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence shall be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in a Stock Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law.

 

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(l) Corporate Transaction ” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

(i) the consummation of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(ii) the consummation of a sale or other disposition of at least fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding securities of the Company;

(iii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or

(iv) the consummation of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.

(m) Director ” means a member of the Board.

(n) “Disability” means, with respect to a Participant, the inability of such Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and shall be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.

(o) Effective Date ” means the effective date of this Plan, which is the earlier of (i) the date that this Plan is first approved by the Company’s stockholders, or (ii) the date this Plan is adopted by the Board.

(p) Employee ” means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, shall not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.

(q) Entity ” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.

(r) Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(s) Exchange Act Person ” means any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that “Exchange Act Person” shall not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to a registered public offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in

 

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substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities.

(t) Fair Market Value ” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined by the Board in compliance with Section 409A of the Code or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, in compliance with Section 422 of the Code.

(u) Incentive Stock Option ” means an option that qualifies as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

(v) Nonstatutory Stock Option ” means an Option that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(w) Officer ” means any person designated by the Company as an officer.

(x) Option ” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.

(y) Option Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option grant. Each Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(z) Optionholder ” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.

(aa) Own ,” “ Owned ,” “ Owner ,” “ Ownership A person or Entity shall be deemed to “Own,” to have “Owned,” to be the “Owner” of, or to have acquired “Ownership” of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.

(bb) Participant ” means a person to whom a Stock Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Stock Award.

(cc) Plan ” means this Lipocine Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.

(dd) Restricted Stock Award ” means an award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(a).

(ee) Restricted Stock Award Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

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(ff) Restricted Stock Unit Award ” means a right to receive shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(b).

(gg) Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Unit Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Unit Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(hh) Rule 405 ” means Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.

(ii) Rule 701 ” means Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act.

(jj) Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(kk) Stock Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” means a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5.

(ll) Stock Appreciation Right Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Stock Appreciation Right evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Appreciation Right grant. Each Stock Appreciation Right Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(mm) Stock Award ” means any right to receive Common Stock granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, or a Stock Appreciation Right.

(nn) Stock Award Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(oo) Subsidiary ” means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than fifty percent (50%) .

(pp) Ten Percent Stockholder ” means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

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Exhibit 10.2

L IPOCINE I NC .

2011 E QUITY I NCENTIVE P LAN

O PTION A GREEMENT

(I NCENTIVE S TOCK O PTION OR N ONSTATUTORY S TOCK O PTION )

Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (“ Grant Notice ”) and this Option Agreement, Lipocine Inc. (the “ Company ”) has granted you an option under its 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. Defined terms not explicitly defined in this Option Agreement but defined in the Plan shall have the same definitions as in the Plan.

The details of your option are as follows:

1. V ESTING . Subject to the limitations contained herein, your option will vest as provided in your Grant Notice, provided that vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service.

2. N UMBER OF S HARES AND E XERCISE P RICE . The number of shares of Common Stock subject to your option and your exercise price per share referenced in your Grant Notice may be adjusted from time to time for Capitalization Adjustments.

3. E XERCISE R ESTRICTION FOR N ON -E XEMPT E MPLOYEES . In the event that you are an Employee eligible for overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended ( i.e. , a “ Non-Exempt Employee ”), you may not exercise your option until you have completed at least six (6) months of Continuous Service measured from the Date of Grant

4. E XERCISE PRIOR TO V ESTING (“E ARLY E XERCISE ”). If permitted in your Grant Notice ( i.e. , the “Exercise Schedule” indicates “Early Exercise Permitted”) and subject to the provisions of your option, you may elect at any time that is both (i) during the period of your Continuous Service and (ii) during the term of your option, to exercise all or part of your option, including the unvested portion of your option; provided, however, that:

(a) a partial exercise of your option shall be deemed to cover first vested shares of Common Stock and then the earliest vesting installment of unvested shares of Common Stock;

(b) any shares of Common Stock so purchased from installments that have not vested as of the date of exercise shall be subject to the purchase option in favor of the Company as described in the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement;

(c) you shall enter into the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement with a vesting schedule that will result in the same vesting as if no early exercise had occurred; and

 

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(d) if your option is an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which your option plus all other Incentive Stock Options you hold are exercisable for the first time by you during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), your option(s) or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.

5. M ETHOD OF P AYMENT . Payment of the exercise price is due in full upon exercise of all or any part of your option. You may elect to make payment of the exercise price in cash or by check or in any other manner permitted by your Grant Notice, which may include one or more of the following:

(a) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded and quoted regularly in The Wall Street Journal , pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of Common Stock, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds.

(b) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded and quoted regularly in The Wall Street Journal , by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of already-owned shares of Common Stock that are owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, and that are valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may not exercise your option by tender to the Company of Common Stock to the extent such tender would violate the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock.

6. W HOLE S HARES . You may exercise your option only for whole shares of Common Stock.

7. S ECURITIES L AW C OMPLIANCE . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, you may not exercise your option unless the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise are then registered under the Securities Act or, if such shares of Common Stock are not then so registered, the Company has determined that such exercise and issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of your option also must comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing your option, and you may not exercise your option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.

8. T ERM . You may not exercise your option before the commencement or after the expiration of its term. The term of your option commences on the Date of Grant and expires upon the earliest of the following:

(a) Immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;

 

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(b) Three (3) months after the termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than your Disability or death, provided that if during any part of such three (3) month period your option is not exercisable solely because of the condition set forth in the section above relating to “Securities Law Compliance,” your option shall not expire until the earlier of the Expiration Date or until it shall have been exercisable for an aggregate period of three (3) months after the termination of your Continuous Service;

(c) twelve (12) months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability;

(d) twelve (12) months after your death if you die either during your Continuous Service or within three (3) months after your Continuous Service terminates;

(e) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or

(f) the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Date of Grant.

If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, note that to obtain the federal income tax advantages associated with an Incentive Stock Option, the Code requires that at all times beginning on the date of grant of your option and ending on the day three (3) months before the date of your option’s exercise, you must be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, except in the event of your death or Disability. The Company has provided for extended exercisability of your option under certain circumstances for your benefit but cannot guarantee that your option will necessarily be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if you continue to provide services to the Company or an Affiliate as a Consultant or Director after your employment terminates or if you otherwise exercise your option more than three (3) months after the date your employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates.

9. E XERCISE .

(a) You may exercise the vested portion of your option (and the unvested portion of your option if your Grant Notice so permits) during its term by delivering a Notice of Exercise (in a form designated by the Company) together with the exercise price to the Secretary of the Company, or to such other person as the Company may designate, during regular business hours, together with such additional documents as the Company may then require.

(b) By exercising your option you agree that, as a condition to any exercise of your option, the Company may require you to enter into an arrangement providing for the payment by you to the Company of any tax withholding obligation of the Company arising by reason of (1) the exercise of your option, (2) the lapse of any substantial risk of forfeiture to which the shares of Common Stock are subject at the time of exercise, or (3) the disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise.

(c) If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, by exercising your option you agree that you will notify the Company in writing within fifteen (15) days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of the Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option that occurs within two (2) years after the date of your option grant or within one (1) year after such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon exercise of your option.

 

3.


(d) By exercising your option you agree that you shall not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale, any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as necessary to permit compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 and similar rules and regulations (the “ Lock-Up Period ”); provided, however , that nothing contained in this section shall prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company and/or the underwriter(s) that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 9(d) and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

10. T RANSFERABILITY .

(a) If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, your option is not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you. Notwithstanding the foregoing, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, you may designate a third party who, in the event of your death, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise your option.

(b) If your option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, your option is not transferable, except (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, (ii) with the prior written approval of the Company, by instrument to an inter vivos or testamentary trust, in a form accepted by the Company, in which the option is to be passed to beneficiaries upon the death of the trustor (settlor) and (iii) with the prior written approval of the Company, by gift, in a form accepted by the Company, to a permitted transferee under Rule 701 of the Securities Act.

11. R IGHT OF F IRST R EFUSAL .

(a) Grant of Right of First Refusal. Except as provided in Section 11(g) below, in the event you, your legal representative, or other holder of shares acquired upon exercise of your option proposes to sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of any shares acquired upon exercise of you option (the “ Transfer Shares ”) to any person or entity, including, without limitation, any shareholder of the Company, the Company shall have the right to repurchase the Transfer Shares under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 11 (the “ Right of First Refusal ”).

(b) Notice of Proposed Transfer. Prior to any proposed transfer of the Transfer Shares, you shall deliver written notice (the “ Transfer Notice ”) to the Company describing fully the proposed transfer, including the number of Transfer Shares, the name and address of the proposed transferee (the “ Proposed Transferee ”) and, if the transfer is voluntary, the proposed transfer price, and containing such information necessary to show the bona fide nature of the proposed transfer. In the event of a bona fide gift or involuntary transfer, the

 

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proposed transfer price shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of the Transfer Shares, as determined by the Board in good faith. If you propose to transfer any Transfer Shares to more than one Proposed Transferee, you shall provide a separate Transfer Notice for the proposed transfer to each Proposed Transferee. The Transfer Notice shall be signed by both you and the Proposed Transferee and must constitute a binding commitment of you and the Proposed Transferee for the transfer of the Transfer Shares to the Proposed Transferee subject only to the Right of First Refusal.

(c) Bona Fide Transfer. If the Company determines that the information provided by you in the Transfer Notice is insufficient to establish the bona fide nature of a proposed voluntary transfer, the Company shall give you written notice of your failure to comply with the procedure described in this Section 11, and you shall have no right to transfer the Transfer Shares without first complying with the procedure described in this Section 11. You shall not be permitted to transfer the Transfer Shares if the proposed transfer is not bona fide.

(d) Exercise of Right of First Refusal. If the Company determines the proposed transfer to be bona fide, the Company shall have the right to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Transfer Shares (except as the Company and you otherwise agree) at the purchase price and on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice by delivery to you of a notice of exercise of the Right of First Refusal within thirty (30) days after the date the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company. The Company’s exercise or failure to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer described in a Transfer Notice shall not affect the Company’s right to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer described in any other Transfer Notice, whether or not such other Transfer Notice is issued by you or issued by a person other than you with respect to a proposed transfer to the same Proposed Transferee. If the Company exercises the Right of First Refusal, the Company and you shall thereupon consummate the sale of the Transfer Shares to the Company on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice within sixty (60) days after the date the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company (unless a longer period is offered by the Proposed Transferee); provided, however, that in the event the Transfer Notice provides for the payment for the Transfer Shares other than in cash, the Company shall have the option of paying for the Transfer Shares by the present value cash equivalent of the consideration described in the Transfer Notice as reasonably determined by the Company. For purposes of the foregoing, cancellation of any indebtedness of yours to the Company shall be treated as payment to you in cash to the extent of the unpaid principal and any accrued interest canceled.

(e) Failure to Exercise Right of First Refusal. If the Company fails to exercise the Right of First Refusal in full (or to such lesser extent as the Company and you otherwise agree) within the period specified in Section 11(d) above, you may conclude a transfer to the Proposed Transferee of the Transfer Shares on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice, provided such transfer occurs not later than ninety (90) days following delivery to the Company of the Transfer Notice. The Company shall have the right to demand further assurances from you and the Proposed Transferee (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that the transfer of the Transfer Shares was actually carried out on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice. No Transfer Shares shall be transferred on the books of the Company until the Company has received such assurances, if so demanded, and has approved the proposed

 

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transfer as bona fide. Any proposed transfer on terms and conditions different from those described in the Transfer Notice, as well as any subsequent proposed transfer by you, shall again be subject to the Right of First Refusal and shall require compliance by you with the procedure described in this Section 11.

(f) Transferees of Transfer Shares. All transferees of the Transfer Shares or any interest therein, other than the Company, shall be required as a condition of such transfer to agree in writing (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that such transferee shall receive and hold such Transfer Shares or interest therein subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, including this Section 11 providing for the Right of First Refusal with respect to any subsequent transfer. Any sale or transfer of any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be void unless the provisions of this Section 11 are met.

(g) Transfers Not Subject to Right of First Refusal. The Right of First Refusal shall not apply to any transfer or exchange of the shares acquired upon exercise of the Option if such transfer or exchange is in connection with a Corporate Transaction. If the consideration received pursuant to such transfer or exchange consists of stock of an Affiliate, such consideration shall remain subject to the Right of First Refusal unless the provisions of Section 11(i) below result in a termination of the Right of First Refusal.

(h) Assignment of Right of First Refusal. The Company shall have the right to assign the Right of First Refusal at any time, whether or not there has been an attempted transfer, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company.

(i) Early Termination of Right of First Refusal. The other provisions of this Option Agreement notwithstanding, the Right of First Refusal shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon (a) the occurrence of a Change in Control, unless the surviving, continuing, successor, or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the “ Acquiring Corporation ”) assumes the Company’s rights and obligations under the Option or substitutes a substantially equivalent option for the Acquiring Corporation’s stock for the Option, or (b) the existence of a public market for the class of shares subject to the Right of First Refusal. A “ public market ” shall be deemed to exist if (i) such stock is listed on a national securities exchange (as that term is used in the Exchange Act) or (ii) such stock is traded on the over-the-counter market and prices therefor are published daily on business days in a recognized financial journal.

12. R IGHT OF R EPURCHASE . To the extent provided in the Company’s bylaws in effect at such time the Company elects to exercise its right, the Company shall have the right to repurchase all or any part of the shares of Common Stock you acquire pursuant to the exercise of your option.

13. O PTION NOT A S ERVICE C ONTRACT . Your option is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your option shall be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue your employment. In addition, nothing in your option shall obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective stockholders, Boards of Directors, Officers or Employees to continue any relationship that you might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.

 

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14. W ITHHOLDING O BLIGATIONS .

(a) At the time you exercise your option, in whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including by means of a “cashless exercise” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of your option.

(b) Upon your request and subject to approval by the Company, in its sole discretion, and compliance with any applicable legal conditions or restrictions, the Company may withhold from fully vested shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to you upon the exercise of your option a number of whole shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value, determined by the Company as of the date of exercise, not in excess of the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting purposes). If the date of determination of any tax withholding obligation is deferred to a date later than the date of exercise of your option, share withholding pursuant to the preceding sentence shall not be permitted unless you make a proper and timely election under Section 83(b) of the Code, covering the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise with respect to which such determination is otherwise deferred, to accelerate the determination of such tax withholding obligation to the date of exercise of your option. Notwithstanding the filing of such election, shares of Common Stock shall be withheld solely from fully vested shares of Common Stock determined as of the date of exercise of your option that are otherwise issuable to you upon such exercise. Any adverse consequences to you arising in connection with such share withholding procedure shall be your sole responsibility.

(c) You may not exercise your option unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company and/or any Affiliate are satisfied. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your option when desired even though your option is vested, and the Company shall have no obligation to issue a certificate for such shares of Common Stock or release such shares of Common Stock from any escrow provided for herein unless such obligations are satisfied.

15. T AX C ONSEQUENCES . You hereby agree that the Company does not have a duty to design or administer the Plan or its other compensation programs in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities. You shall not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from your option or your other compensation. In particular, you acknowledge that this option is exempt from Section 409A of the Code only if the exercise price per share specified in the Grant Notice is at least equal to the “fair market value” per share of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the option. Because the Common Stock is not traded on an established securities market, the Fair Market Value is determined by the Board, perhaps in consultation with an independent valuation firm retained by the Company.

 

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You acknowledge that there is no guarantee that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with the valuation as determined by the Board, and you shall not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the Internal Revenue Service asserts that the valuation determined by the Board is less than the “fair market value” as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.

16. N OTICES . Any notices provided for in your option or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by mail by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company.

17. G OVERNING P LAN D OCUMENT . Your option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your option, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of your option and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control.

 

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L IPOCINE I NC .

S TOCK O PTION G RANT N OTICE

(2011 E QUITY I NCENTIVE P LAN )

Lipocine Inc. (the “ Company ”), pursuant to its 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”), hereby grants to Optionholder an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below. This option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Option Agreement, the Plan, and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety.

 

 

Optionholder:

   
   

 

 
 

Date of Grant:

   
   

 

 
 

Vesting Commencement Date:

   
   

 

 
 

Number of Shares Subject to Option:            

   
   

 

 
 

Exercise Price (Per Share):

   
   

 

 
 

Total Exercise Price:

   
   

 

 
 

Expiration Date:

   
   

 

 

 

Type of Grant:

   ¨  Incentive Stock Option 1                 ¨ Nonstatutory Stock Option

Exercise Schedule:         

   ¨  Same as Vesting Schedule                 ¨ Early Exercise Permitted

Vesting Schedule :

   Twenty-five percent (25%) of the shares (rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares) vest on the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date; thereafter 1/48 th of the shares vest in monthly installments measured from the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date.

Payment:

   By one or a combination of the following items (described in the Option Agreement):
  

¨       By cash or check

¨       Pursuant to a Regulation T Program if the Shares are publicly traded

¨       By delivery of already-owned shares if the Shares are publicly traded

Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: The undersigned Optionholder acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement and the Plan. Optionholder further acknowledges that as of the Date of Grant, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Optionholder and the Company regarding the acquisition of stock in the Company and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on that subject with the exception of (i) Stock Awards previously granted and delivered to Optionholder under the Plan or the Company’s 2000 Stock Option Plan, and (ii) the following agreements only:

 

             O THER A GREEMENTS :

    
    

 

 

1   If this is an Incentive Stock Option, it (plus other outstanding Incentive Stock Options) cannot be first exercisable for more than $100,000 in value (measured by exercise price) in any calendar year. Any excess over $100,000 is a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

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L IPOCINE I NC .     O PTIONHOLDER :
By:          
  Signature       Signature
Title:         Date:    
       
Date:          

A TTACHMENTS :     Option Agreement, 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, and Notice of Exercise

 

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Exhibit 10.3

L IPOCINE I NC .

2011 E QUITY I NCENTIVE P LAN

R ESTRICTED S TOCK A WARD A GREEMENT

Pursuant to the Restricted Stock Award Grant Notice (“ Grant Notice ”) and this Restricted Stock Award Agreement (“ Agreement ”), Lipocine Inc. (the “ Company ”) has awarded you (“ Optionee ”) the right to acquire shares of Stock from the Company pursuant to Section 6 of the Company’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”), for the number of shares indicated in the Grant Notice (collectively, the “ Award ”). The Award is granted in exchange for past services rendered, and future services to be rendered, by you to the Company. Defined terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement but defined in the Plan shall have the same definitions as in the Plan.

The details of your Award, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice, are as follows.

1. A CQUISITION OF S HARES . By signing the Grant Notice, you hereby agree to acquire from the Company, and the Company hereby agrees to issue to you, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock specified in the Grant Notice for the consideration set forth in Section 3 and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Award and the Plan. You may not acquire less than the aggregate number of shares specified in the Grant Notice.

2. C LOSING . Your acquisition of the shares shall be consummated as follows:

(a) You will acquire beneficial ownership of the shares by delivering the Grant Notice, executed by you in the manner required by the Company, to the Corporate Secretary of the Company, or to such other person as the Company may designate, during regular business hours, on the date that you have executed the Grant Notice (or at such other time and place as you and the Company may mutually agree upon in writing) (the “ Closing Date ”) along with any consideration required to be delivered by you by law on the Closing Date and such additional documents as the Company may then require.

(b) The shares issued under your Award shall be held in escrow pursuant to the terms of the Joint Escrow Instructions attached to the Grant Notice as Attachment IV. You agree to execute two (2) Assignment Separate From Certificate forms (with date and number of shares blank) substantially in the form attached to the Grant Notice as Attachment III and deliver the same for use by the escrow agent pursuant to the terms of the Joint Escrow Instructions.

3. C ONSIDERATION . Unless otherwise required by law, the shares of Common Stock to be delivered to you on the Closing Date shall be deemed paid, in whole or in part, in exchange for past services rendered, and future services to be rendered, to the Company in the amounts and to the extent required by law.


4. V ESTING . The shares will vest as provided in the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Grant Notice, provided that vesting shall cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service.

5. R IGHT OF R EACQUISITION .

(a) To the extent provided in the Company’s bylaws, as amended from time to time, the Company shall have the right to reacquire all or any part of the shares received pursuant to your Award (a “ Reacquisition Right ”).

(b) To the extent a Reacquisition Right is not provided in the Company’s bylaws, as amended from time to time, the Company shall have a Reacquisition Right as to the shares you received pursuant to your Award that have not as yet vested in accordance with the Vesting Schedule on the Grant Notice (“ Unvested Shares ”) on the following terms and conditions:

(i) The Company, shall simultaneously with termination of your Service automatically reacquire for no consideration all of the Unvested Shares, unless the Company agrees to waive its Reacquisition Right as to some or all of the Unvested Shares. Any such waiver shall be exercised by the Company by written notice to you or your representative (with a copy to the Escrow Holder as defined below) within ninety (90) days after the termination of your Service, and the Escrow Holder may then release to you the number of Unvested Shares not being reacquired by the Company. If the Company does not waive its Reacquisition Right as to all of the Unvested Shares, then upon such termination of your Continuous Service, the Escrow Holder shall transfer to the Company the number of shares the Company is reacquiring.

(ii) The Company shall have the right to reacquire Unvested Shares for no monetary consideration (that is, for $0.00).

(iii) If, from time to time, there is any stock dividend, stock split or other change in the character or amount of any of the outstanding stock of the corporation the stock of which is subject to the provisions of your Award, then in such event any and all new, substituted or additional securities to which you are entitled by reason of your ownership of the shares acquired under your Award shall be immediately subject to the Reacquisition Right with the same force and effect as the shares subject to this Reacquisition Right immediately before such event.

6. C APITALIZATION A DJUSTMENTS . The number of shares of Common Stock subject to your Award and referenced in the Grant Notice may be adjusted from time to time for changes in capitalization pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Plan.

7. C ERTAIN C ORPORATE T RANSACTIONS . In the event of a Change in Control as defined in the Plan, the Reacquisition Right may be assigned by the Company to the successor of the Company (or such successor’s parent corporation), if any, in connection with such transaction. To the extent the Reacquisition Right remains in effect following such transaction, it shall apply to the new capital stock or other property received in exchange for the Common Stock in consummation of the transaction, but only to the extent the Common Stock was at the time covered by such right.

 

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8. S ECURITIES L AW C OMPLIANCE . You may not be issued any Common Stock under your Award unless the shares of Common Stock are either (i) then registered under the Securities Act, or (ii) the Company has determined that such issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Your Award must also comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing the Award, and you shall not receive such Common Stock if the Company determines that such receipt would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.

9. L OCK -U P A GREEMENT . By acquiring shares of Common Stock under your Award, you shall not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale, any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as necessary to permit compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 and similar or successor regulatory rules and regulations (the “ Lock-Up Period ”); provided, however , that nothing contained in this Section 9 shall prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company and/or the underwriter(s) that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 9 and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provision hereof as though they were a party hereto.

10. R IGHT OF F IRST R EFUSAL .

(a) Grant of Right of First Refusal. Except as provided in Section 10(g) below, in the event you, your legal representative, or other holder of shares acquired upon grant of the Award proposes to sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of any shares acquired pursuant to the Award (the “ Transfer Shares ”) to any person or entity, including, without limitation, any shareholder of an Affiliate, the Company shall have the right to repurchase the Transfer Shares under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 10 (the “ Right of First Refusal ”).

(b) Notice of Proposed Transfer. Prior to any proposed transfer of the Transfer Shares, you shall deliver written notice (the “ Transfer Notice ”) to the Company describing fully the proposed transfer, including the number of Transfer Shares, the name and address of the proposed transferee (the “ Proposed Transferee ”) and, if the transfer is voluntary, the proposed transfer price, and containing such information necessary to show the bona fide nature of the proposed transfer. In the event of a bona fide gift or involuntary transfer, the proposed transfer price shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of the Transfer Shares, as determined by the Board in good faith. If you propose to transfer any Transfer Shares to more than one Proposed Transferee, you shall provide a separate Transfer Notice for the proposed

 

3.


transfer to each Proposed Transferee. The Transfer Notice shall be signed by both you and the Proposed Transferee and must constitute a binding commitment of you and the Proposed Transferee for the transfer of the Transfer Shares to the Proposed Transferee subject only to the Right of First Refusal.

(c) Bona Fide Transfer. If the Company determines that the information provided by you in the Transfer Notice is insufficient to establish the bona fide nature of a proposed voluntary transfer, the Company shall give you written notice of your failure to comply with the procedure described in this Section 10, and you shall have no right to transfer the Transfer Shares without first complying with the procedure described in this Section 10. You shall not be permitted to transfer the Transfer Shares if the proposed transfer is not bona fide.

(d) Exercise of Right of First Refusal. If the Company determines the proposed transfer to be bona fide, the Company shall have the right to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Transfer Shares (except as the Company and you otherwise agree) at the purchase price and on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice by delivery to you of a notice of exercise of the Right of First Refusal within thirty (30) days after the date the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company. The Company’s exercise or failure to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer described in a Transfer Notice shall not affect the Company’s right to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer described in any other Transfer Notice, whether or not such other Transfer Notice is issued by you or issued by a person other than you with respect to a proposed transfer to the same Proposed Transferee. If the Company exercises the Right of First Refusal, the Company and you shall thereupon consummate the sale of the Transfer Shares to the Company on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice within sixty (60) days after the date the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company (unless a longer period is offered by the Proposed Transferee); provided, however, that in the event the Transfer Notice provides for the payment for the Transfer Shares other than in cash, the Company shall have the option of paying for the Transfer Shares by the present value cash equivalent of the consideration described in the Transfer Notice as reasonably determined by the Company. For purposes of the foregoing, cancellation of any indebtedness of yours to any Affiliate shall be treated as payment to you in cash to the extent of the unpaid principal and any accrued interest canceled.

(e) Failure to Exercise Right of First Refusal. If the Company fails to exercise the Right of First Refusal in full (or to such lesser extent as the Company and the Optionee otherwise agree) within the period specified in Section 10(d) above, you may conclude a transfer to the Proposed Transferee of the Transfer Shares on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice, provided such transfer occurs not later than ninety (90) days following delivery to the Company of the Transfer Notice. The Company shall have the right to demand further assurances from you and the Proposed Transferee (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that the transfer of the Transfer Shares was actually carried out on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice. No Transfer Shares shall be transferred on the books of the Company until the Company has received such assurances, if so demanded, and has approved the proposed transfer as bona fide. Any proposed transfer on terms and conditions different from those described in the Transfer Notice, as well as any subsequent proposed transfer by you, shall again be subject to the Right of First Refusal and shall require compliance by you with the procedure described in this Section 10.

 

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(f) Transferees of Transfer Shares. All transferees of the Transfer Shares or any interest therein, other than the Company, shall be required as a condition of such transfer to agree in writing (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that such transferee shall receive and hold such Transfer Shares or interest therein subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Award Agreement, including this Section 10 providing for the Right of First Refusal with respect to any subsequent transfer. Any sale or transfer of any shares acquired pursuant to the Award shall be void unless the provisions of this Section 10 are met.

(g) Transfers Not Subject to Right of First Refusal. The Right of First Refusal shall not apply to any transfer or exchange of the shares acquired pursuant to the Award if such transfer or exchange is in connection with a Corporate Transaction. If the consideration received pursuant to such transfer or exchange consists of stock of an Affiliate, such consideration shall remain subject to the Right of First Refusal unless the provisions of Section 10(i) below result in a termination of the Right of First Refusal.

(h) Assignment of Right of First Refusal. The Company shall have the right to assign the Right of First Refusal at any time, whether or not there has been an attempted transfer, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company.

(i) Early Termination of Right of First Refusal. The other provisions of this Award Agreement notwithstanding, the Right of First Refusal shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon (a) the occurrence of a Change in Control, unless the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or, other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the “ Acquiring Corporation ”) assumes the Company’s rights and obligations under the Award or substitutes a substantially equivalent award for the Acquiring Corporation’s stock for the Award, or (b) the existence of a public market for the class of shares subject to the Right of First Refusal. A “ public market ” shall be deemed to exist if (i) such stock is listed on a national securities exchange (as that term is used in the Exchange Act) or (ii) such stock is traded on the over-the-counter market and prices therefor are published daily on business days in a recognized financial journal.

11. E XECUTION OF D OCUMENTS . You hereby acknowledge and agree that the manner selected by the Company by which you indicate your consent to the Grant Notice is also deemed to be your execution of the Grant Notice and of this Agreement. You further agree that such manner of indicating consent may be relied upon as your signature for establishing your execution of any documents to be executed in the future in connection with your Award.

12. R IGHTS AS S TOCKHOLDER . Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, you shall have all rights and privileges of a stockholder of the Company with respect to the Unvested Shares. You shall be deemed to be the holder of such shares for purposes of receiving any dividends that may be paid with respect to such shares and for purposes of exercising any voting rights relating to such shares, even if some or all of the shares are Unvested Shares.

13. N ON - TRANSFERABILITY OF THE A WARD . Your Award (except for vested shares of Common Stock issued pursuant thereto) is not transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In the event of the termination of your Service prior to the Closing Date, the closing contemplated in this Agreement shall not occur.

 

5.


14. R ESTRICTIVE L EGENDS . The Common Stock issued under your Award shall be endorsed with appropriate legends, if any, as determined by the Company.

15. A WARD NOT A S ERVICE C ONTRACT . Your Award is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your Award shall be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the service of the Company or an Affiliate, or on the part of the Company or an Affiliate to continue such service. In addition, nothing in your Award shall obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective stockholders, boards of directors, or employees to continue any relationship that you might have as an Employee or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate.

16. W ITHHOLDING O BLIGATIONS . At the time your Award is granted, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, or otherwise agree to make adequate provision in cash for, any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company, if any, which arise in connection with your Award (the “ Withholding Taxes ”). The Company retains the discretion to withhold a portion of the shares with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such Withholding Taxes; provided, however , that the amount of any shares so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income. Unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company are satisfied, the Company shall have no obligation to instruct its transfer agent to release shares under the Award from restricted book entry form, and you agree that you shall in such case have no right to receive such shares.

17. T AX C ONSEQUENCES . You agree to review with your own tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. You shall rely solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents. You understand that you (and not the Company) shall be responsible for your own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. You understand that Section 83 of the Code taxes as ordinary income to you the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock as of the date any restrictions on the shares lapse (that is, as of the date on which part or all of the shares vest). In this context, “restriction” includes the right of the Company to reacquire the shares pursuant to its Reacquisition Right. You understand that you may elect to be taxed on the fair market value of the shares at the time the shares are acquired rather than when and as the Company’s Reacquisition Right expires by filing an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with the Internal Revenue Service within thirty (30) days after the date you acquire the shares pursuant to your Award. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS YOUR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY, AND NOT THE COMPANY’S, TO FILE A TIMELY ELECTION UNDER CODE SECTION 83(b), EVEN IF YOU REQUEST THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES TO MAKE THE FILING ON YOUR BEHALF. You further acknowledge that you are aware that should you file an election under Section 83(b) of the Code and then subsequently forfeit the shares, you will not be able to report as a loss the value of any shares forfeited and will not get a refund of any of the tax paid.

 

6.


18. N OTICES . Any notice or request required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notice delivered by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company.

19. H EADINGS . The headings of the Sections in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this Agreement or to affect the meaning of this Agreement.

20. M ISCELLANEOUS .

(a) The rights and obligations of the Company under your Award shall be transferable by the Company to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Company’s successors and assigns.

(b) You agree upon request to execute any further documents or instruments necessary or desirable in the sole determination of the Company to carry out the purposes or intent of your Award.

(c) You acknowledge and agree that you have reviewed your Award in its entirety, have had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing and accepting your Award and fully understand all provisions of your Award.

(d) This Agreement shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

(e) All obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Agreement shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.

21. G OVERNING P LAN D OCUMENT . Your Award is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your Award, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of your Award and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control.

22. E FFECT ON O THER E MPLOYEE B ENEFIT P LANS . The value of the Award subject to this Agreement shall not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms used when calculating benefits under any employee benefit plan (other than the Plan) sponsored by the Company except as such plan otherwise expressly provides. The Company expressly reserves its rights to amend, modify, or terminate any or all of the employee benefit plans of the Company.

 

7.


23. C HOICE OF L AW . The interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to that state’s conflicts of laws rules.

24. S EVERABILITY . If all or any part of this Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity shall not invalidate any portion of this Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of this Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid shall, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.

* * * * *

This Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall be deemed to be signed by the Company and the Optionee upon the signing by the Optionee of the Restricted Stock Award Grant Notice to which it is attached.

 

8.


L IPOCINE I NC .

R ESTRICTED S TOCK A WARD G RANT N OTICE

(2011 E QUITY I NCENTIVE P LAN )

Lipocine Inc. (the “ Company ”), pursuant to Section 6 of the Company’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”), hereby awards to Optionee the right to acquire that number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below (the “ Award ”). This Award shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Award Agreement (the “ Award Agreement ”). This Award is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the applicable Award Agreement and the Plan, each of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety.

 

  Optionee:    
   

 

 
 

Date of Grant:

   
   

 

 
 

Initial Vesting Date:

   
   

 

 
 

Number of Shares Subject to Award:            

   
   

 

 
 

Payment for Common Stock:

 

Optionee’s services to the Company

 
   

 

 

Vesting Schedule                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: Optionee acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Restricted Stock Award Grant Notice, the Award Agreement, and the Plan. Optionee further acknowledges that as of the Date of Grant, this Restricted Stock Award Grant Notice, the Award Agreement and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Optionee and the Company regarding the acquisition of the Common Stock pursuant to the Award specified above and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on that subject with the exception of Stock Awards previously granted and delivered to Optionee under the Plan or the Company’s 2000 Stock Option Plan.

 

L IPOCINE I NC .     O PTIONEE
By:          
  Signature       Signature
Title:         Date:    
       
Date:          

A TTACHMENTS :    Award Agreement, 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, Joint Escrow Instructions, Assignment Separate From Certificate

Exhibit 10.4

EXECUTION VERSION

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF LEASE

PARTIES :

THIS AGREEMENT is executed as of this 6th day of August, 2004, by and between GENTA SALUS LLC , a Delaware limited liability company, (hereinafter “Assignor”) and LIPOCINE INCORPORATED , a Utah corporation (hereinafter “Assignee”).

WHEREAS, Paradigm Resources, L.C., a Utah limited liability company, (hereinafter the “Landlord”) and Salus Therapeutics, Inc. entered into a written Lease Agreement dated August 11, 2003, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit “A” (hereinafter referred to as the “Lease”), for certain premises described in the Lease and commonly known as Suite 202, 675 Arapeen Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah (the “Premises”); and

WHEREAS, Assignor is the successor by merger to Salus Therapeutics, Inc; and

WHEREAS, Pursuant to that certain Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement dated August 6, 2004 by and between Assignor, Genta Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, and Assignee (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), Assignor desires by this Agreement to assign all of their right, title and interest in and to the Lease, with the consent of the Landlord, and Assignee desires to assume Assignor’s position as Lessee under the terms of the Lease from 11:59 p.m. on August 6, 2004 for the residue of the term of the Lease, subject to the covenants, agreements, provisions and terms set forth in the Lease.

TERMS :

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants herein contained and other valuable consideration, which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

  1. Assignor hereby assigns, transfers and sets over all of its right, title and interest in the Lease and the Premises to Assignee effective as of 11:59 p.m. on August 6, 2004 (the “Effective Time”).


  2. Effective as of the Effective Time, Assignee hereby agrees to assume all duties, obligations and liabilities of the “Tenant” under said Lease to the extent such duties, obligations and liabilities are required to be paid or performed after the Effective Time and agrees to be bound and to perform all of the obligations, duties, covenants and conditions of the “Tenant” therein contained, commencing at 11:59 p.m. on August 6, 2004, to the extent such obligations, duties, covenants and conditions are required to be paid or performed after the Effective Time.

 

  3. Assignor agrees to and shall remain obligated to Landlord for the full performance of all covenants, conditions and obligations and duties required of Tenant under said Lease and shall not be relieved of any performance of obligation thereunder as the result of this assignment.

 

  4.

Assignor hereby represents and warrants to Assignee that: (a) attached to, incorporated into, and made a part of this Agreement as Exhibit A is a true, correct and complete copy of the Lease, and the Lease is the only agreement between the Landlord and Assignor with respect to the Premises; (b) the Lease is presently in full force and effect and is a binding obligation of Assignor; (c) there are no modifications, amendments or supplements to the Lease, except as the same shall be included in Exhibit A; (d) Assignor’s interest in and to the Lease is free and clear of any liens and encumbrances; (e) Assignor is not presently in default in the performance of the Lease or any of its obligations under the Lease, and, to the knowledge of Assignor, no event has occurred which, with the passage of time, the giving of notice or both, would constitute a default by Assignor under the Lease; (f) Assignor is not aware of, and has not received any notice of, any violation of any law, ordinance, statute, rule, regulation or other governmental enactment or legislation, including, but not limited to, any environmental law, ordinance, statute, rule,


  regulation or other governmental enactment or legislation relating to hazardous wastes or substances, in connection with the Premises, or the operation of the Premises, or in any other way affecting the Premises; and (g) the consent and approval by the Landlord is required to be obtained in connection with this Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Lease, and such Landlord’s consent shall be substantially in the form attached hereto. Assignor has obtained any consents or approvals of Landlord’s lender or any ground lessor of the Premises that may be required in connection with this Agreement.

 

  5. Effective as of the Effective Time, Assignee hereby agrees to pay the Landlord all items required of it by the Lease promptly when due and to perform all covenants, conditions and stipulations in said Lease to be performed by the “Tenant” to the extent such covenants, conditions and stipulations are required to be paid or performed after the Effective Time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as between Assignor and Assignee, (i) Assignor shall remain liable for, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Asset Purchase Agreement, Assignor shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Assignee from and against, any and all claims, causes of actions, losses, damages, liabilities, obligations, costs or expenses of any nature whatsoever, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements (collectively, “Liability”), that was required to be paid or performed, by Assignor on or before the Effective Time or that arises from or relates to any event or condition that shall have occurred or existed on or with respect to the Lease and/or the Premises prior to the Effective Time, and (ii) except as otherwise provided in clause (i) above, Assignee shall be liable for, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Asset Purchase Agreement, Assignee shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Assignor from and against, any Liability that is required to be paid or performed by Assignee after the Effective Time or that arises from or relates to any event or condition that occurs or exits on or with respect to the Lease and/or the Premises after the Effective Time.


  6. Nothing herein shall be deemed to waive nor modify the prohibition against assignments stated in the Lease, as to any proposed later assignments.

 

  7. This Assignment of Lease applies to, inures to the benefit of, and binds all parties hereto, their heirs, legatees, devisees, administrators, executors, successors and assigns.

 

  8. In the event of default under any of the terms of this Agreement, defaulting party agrees to pay all costs incurred in enforcing this Agreement or any right arising out of such breach, and including reasonable attorney’s fees.

 

  9. All notices to be given under this Assignment shall be in writing and sent by United States certified mail, return receipt requested with postage prepaid, and addressed as follows:

 

If to Assignee at:   

Lipocine, Incorporated

350 West 800 North, Suite 314

Salt Lake City, Utah 84103

Attn: President

If to Assignor at:   

Genta Salus LLC

Two Connell Drive

Berkley Heights, NJ 07922

Attn: President

If Landlord at:   

c/o Woodbury Corporation

Attn: W. Richards Woodbury

2733 East Parleys Way, Suite 300

Salt Lake City, Utah 84109

 

  10. This Assignment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Utah.

 

  11. The parties to this Assignment each personally represent and warrant that the persons who have executed this Agreement on behalf of such party are duly authorized to execute and enter into this Assignment in their individual or representative capacity, as indicated, and to bind the entity they represent.


  12. Except as specifically modified, altered, or changed by this Assignment, the Lease and any amendments and/or extensions shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect throughout the term of the Lease.

 

  13. Assignor acknowledges that Landlord currently holds the sum of $6,475 as a security deposit to be applied in accordance with the provisions of the Lease; however, the Lease requires $45,000 to be posted with Landlord as a security deposit (the “Deposit”). In consideration of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Asset Purchase Agreement, (i) Assignee agrees to pay to Landlord on or prior to the Effective Time the amount of $45,000 to be held as the Deposit under the Lease, (ii) by its consent hereto, Landlord agrees to return to Assignor the sum of $6,475 upon receipt of the $45,000 Deposit from Assignee and to hold the Deposit paid by Assignee hereunder for the benefit of Assignee, subject to the provisions of the Lease and (iii) Assignor hereby assigns all of its right, title and interest to the Deposit to Assignee.

 

  14. In consideration of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Asset Purchase Agreement, Assignee hereby agrees to pay to Landlord on or prior to the Effective Time August 2004 base rent in the amount of $16,767 and August 2004 additional rent in the amount of $5,483, and, by its consent hereto, Landlord agrees to accept such sums from Assignee as payment in full of such August 2004 base rent and additional rent.

 

  15. This Assignment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original hereof, but all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument. For purposes of the execution of this Assignment by the Parties, a facsimile signature for and on behalf of any party shall deemed an original signature of such party.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have set their hand and seals on this 6th day of August, 2004.

 

ASSIGNOR:
GENTA SALUS LLC
By:   /s/ William Keane
  William Keane
  Vice President

 

ASSIGNEE:
LIPOCINE INCORPORATED
By:   /s/ Jerry Simmons
  Jerry Simmons
  Corporate Business Development Officer


ASSIGNOR’S ACKNOWLEDGMENT

(L.L.C.)

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY    )
   : ss.
COUNTY OF UNION    )

On this 4 th day of August, 2004, before me personally appeared William Keane, to me personally known to be the Vice President of Genta Salus, LLC, the company that executed the within instrument, known to me to be the persons who executed the within instrument on behalf of said company therein named, and acknowledged to me that such company executed the within instrument pursuant to its articles of organization and governing documents.

 

  /s/ illegible
  Notary Public

ASSIGNEE’ S ACKNOWLEDGMENT

(CORPORATE)

 

STATE OF UTAH    )
   : ss.
COUNTY OF SALT LAKE    )

On this 4th day of August, 2004, before me personally appeared. Jerry Simmons to me personally known to be the Corporate Business Development Officer of Lipocine Incorporated, the corporation that executed the within instrument, known to me to be the persons who executed the within instrument on behalf of said corporation therein named, and acknowledged to me that such corporation executed the within instrument pursuant to its by-laws or a resolution of its board of directors.

 

  /s/ Charlotte Hager
  Notary Public


LANDLORD’S CONSENT

Paradigm Resources, L.C., a Utah limited liability company, (hereinafter the “Landlord”), hereby acknowledges the foregoing Assignment of Lease (the “Assignment”) and does consent to the same in consideration of the foregoing agreement with the understanding that this is not a novation, and in no way releases Assignor from any responsibilities or obligations under the Lease. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Assignment.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Lease, including, without limitation, Section 14.03(a) thereof, Landlord hereby acknowledges that Assignee shall only be liable under the Lease from and after the Effective Time.

In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Lease, (i) Landlord hereby terminates the lien granted to it pursuant to Section 22.01 of the Lease and (ii) Landlord agrees that Section 22.01 of the Lease is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

Section 22.01. LANDLORD’S LIEN. Tenant is advised that Utah Code Section 38-3-1 and following grants Landlord (Lessor) a lien in regard to unpaid rents.”

Landlord hereby authorizes Assignee to file and/or record with the appropriate public officials and in the appropriate public offices such instruments and documents as Assignee shall deem reasonably necessary to evidence the termination described in clause (i) of the foregoing sentence and Landlord further agrees to execute such further instruments, documents and agreements and do such other acts and things as Assignee may reasonably request to effectuate the termination described in clause (i) of the foregoing sentence.

Landlord acknowledges the provisions of Sections 13 and 14 of the Assignment and agrees to (i) accept the Deposit from the Assignee and hold such Deposit for the benefit of Assignee, subject to the provisions of the Lease, (ii) upon receipt of such Deposit, pay to Assignor the amount of $6,475 and (iii) accept from Assignee the payments of base rent and additional rent for August 2004 specified in Section 14 of the Assignment.


DATED the 6 th day of August, 2004.

 

Paradigm Resources, L.C., a Utah limited liability company
By:   /s/ W. Richards Woodbury
  W. Richards Woodbury
  Manager

 

By:   /s/ Don R. Brown
  Don R. Brown
  Manager

ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:

LIPOCINE INCORPORATED

 

By:   /s/ Jerry Simmons
  Jerry Simmons
  Corporate Business Development Officer


LANDLORD’S ACKNOWLEDGMENT

(L.L.C.)

 

STATE OF UTAH    )
   : ss.
COUNTY OF SALT LAKE    )

On this 5 day of August, 2004, before me personally appeared W. Richards Woodbury and Don R. Brown, to me personally known to be the Managers of Paradigm Resources, L.C., the company that executed the within instrument, known to me to be the persons who executed the within instrument on behalf of said company therein named, and acknowledged to me that such company executed the within instrument pursuant to its articles of organization.

 

  /s/ Julie Wismar
  Notary Public

ASSIGNEE’S ACKNOWLEDGMENT

(CORPORATE)

 

STATE OF    )
   : ss.
COUNTY OF    )

On this 4 th day of August, 2004, before me personally appeared Jerry Simmons to me personally known to be the Corporate Business Development Officer of Lipocine Incorporated, the corporation that executed the within instrument, known to me to be the persons who executed the within instrument on behalf of said corporation therein named, and acknowledged to me that such corporation executed the within instrument pursuant to its by-laws or a resolution of its board of directors.

 

  /s/ Charlotte Hager
  Notary Public


LEASE

by and between

PARADIGM RESOURCES, L.C.

a Utah limited liability company

as Landlord

and

SALUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.,

a Utah corporation

as Tenant

for

Suite 202

675 ARAPEEN DRIVE

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH


INDEX OF LEASE AGREEMENT; PARADIGM RESOURCES, L.C.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

 

ARTICLE I. BASIC LEASE PROVISIONS; ENUMERATION OF EXHIBITS

     1   

SECTION 1.01 BASIC LEASE PROVISIONS

     1   

SECTION 1.02 SIGNIFICANCE OF A BASIC LEASE PROVISION

     3   

SECTION 1.03 ENUMERATION OF EXHIBITS

     3   

ARTICLE II. GRANT AND PREMISES

     3   

SECTION 2.01 PREMISES

     3   

ARTICLE III. RENT

     3   

SECTION 3.01 BASE MONTHLY RENT

     3   

SECTION 3.02 ESCALATION

     3   

SECTION 3.03 TENANT’S SHARE OF LANDLORD’S EXPENSES

     4   

SECTION 3.04 REPORT OF COSTS AND STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED COSTS

     4   

SECTION 3.05 PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL RENT

     5   

SECTION 3.06 TAXES

     5   

SECTION 3.07 PAYMENTS

     5   

ARTICLE IV. RENTAL TERM, COMMENCEMENT DATE & PRELIMINARY TERM

     5   

SECTION 4.01 RENTAL TERM

     5   

SECTION 4.02 RENTAL COMMENCEMENT DATE

     5   

SECTION 4.03 PRELIMINARY TERM

     5   

ARTICLE V. CONSTRUCTION OF PREMISES

     6   

SECTION 5.01 CONSTRUCTION BY LANDLORD

     6   

SECTION 5.02 CHANGES AND ADDITIONS BY LANDLORD

     6   

SECTION 5.03 DELIVERY OF POSSESSION

     6   

ARTICLE VI. TENANT’S WORK & LANDLORD’S CONTRIBUTION

     6   

SECTION 6.01 TENANT’S WORK

     6   

SECTION 6.02 LANDLORD CONTRIBUTION TO TENANT’S WORK

     6   

ARTICLE VII. USE

     6   

SECTION 7.01 USE OF PREMISES

     6   

SECTION 7.02 HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

     7   

ARTICLE VIII. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF COMMON AREAS

     7   

SECTION 8.01 CONSTRUCTION AND CONTROL OF COMMON AREAS

     7   

SECTION 8.02 LICENSE

     8   

ARTICLE IX. ALTERATIONS, SIGNS, LOCKS & KEYS

     8   

SECTION 9.01 ALTERATIONS

     8   

SECTION 9.02 SIGNS

     8   

SECTION 9.03 LOCKS AND KEYS

     8   

ARTICLE X. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS; ALTERATIONS; ACCESS

     8   

SECTION 10.01 LANDLORD’S OBLIGATION FOR MAINTENANCE

     8   

SECTION 10.02 TENANT’S OBLIGATION FOR MAINTENANCE

     8   

SECTION 10.03 SURRENDER AND RIGHTS UPON TERMINATION

     9   

ARTICLE XI. INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY

     9   

SECTION 11.01 LIABILITY INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY

     9   

SECTION 11.02 FIRE AND CASUALTY INSURANCE

     9   

SECTION 11.03 WAIVER OF SUBROGATION

     10   

ARTICLE XII. UTILITY CHARGES

     10   

SECTION 12.01 OBLIGATION OF LANDLORD

     10   

SECTION 12.02 OBLIGATIONS OF TENANT

     10   

SECTION 12.03 LIMITATIONS ON LANDLORDS LIABILITY

     11   

ARTICLE XIII. OFF-SET STATEMENT, ATTORNMENT AND SUBORDINATION

     11   

SECTION 13.01 OFF-SET STATEMENT

     11   

SECTION 13.02 ATTORNMENT

     11   

SECTION 13.03 SUBORDINATION

     11   

SECTION 13.04 MORTGAGEE SUBORDINATION

     11   

SECTION 13.05 REMEDIES

     11   

 

i


ARTICLE XIV. ASSIGNMENT

     12   

SECTION 14.01 CONSENT REQUIRED

     12   

SECTION 14.02 LANDLORD OPTION TO TERMINATE

     12   

SECTION 14.03 CONDITIONS OF CONSENT

     12   

SECTION 14.04 STANDARDS OF REASONABLENESS IN WITHHOLDING CONSENT

     12   

SECTION 14.05 CONTINUING LIABILITY OF TENANT AND GUARANTORS

     12   

SECTION 14.06 DOCUMENTATION OF ASSIGNMENT

     12   

ARTICLE XV. WASTE OR NUISANCE

     12   

SECTION 15.01 WASTE OR NUISANCE

     12   

ARTICLE XVI. NOTICES

     13   

SECTION 16.01 NOTICES

     13   

ARTICLE XVII. DESTRUCTION OF THE PREMISES

     13   

SECTION 17.01 DESTRUCTION

     13   

ARTICLE XVIII. CONDEMNATION

     13   

SECTION 18.01 CONDEMNATION

     13   

ARTICLE XIX. DEFAULT OF TENANT

     14   

SECTION 19.01 DEFAULT—RIGHT TO RE-ENTER

     14   

SECTION 19.02 DEFAULT—RIGHT TO RE-LET

     14   

SECTION 19.03 LEGAL EXPENSES

     14   

ARTICLE XX. BANKRUPTCY, INSOLVENCY OR RECEIVERSHIP

     14   

SECTION 20.01 ACT OF INSOLVENCY, GUARDIANSHIP, ETC.

     14   

ARTICLE XXI. LANDLORD ACCESS

     15   

SECTION 21.01 LANDLORD ACCESS

     15   

ARTICLE XXII. LANDLORD’S LIEN

     15   

SECTION 22.01 LANDLORD’S LIEN

     15   

ARTICLE XXIII. HOLDING OVER

     15   

SECTION 23.01 HOLDING OVER

     15   

SECTION 23.02 SUCCESSORS

     15   

ARTICLE XXIV. RULES AND REGULATIONS

     15   

SECTION 24.01 RULES AND REGULATIONS

     15   

ARTICLE XXV. QUIET ENJOYMENT

     15   

SECTION 25.01 QUIET ENJOYMENT

     15   

ARTICLE XXVI. SECURITY DEPOSIT

     15   

SECTION 26.01 SECURITY DEPOSIT

     15   

ARTICLE XXVII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     16   

SECTION 27.01 WAIVER

     16   

SECTION 27.02 ENTIRE AGREEMENT

     16   

SECTION 27.03 FORCE MAJEURE

     16   

SECTION 27.04 LOSS AND DAMAGE

     16   

SECTION 27.05 ACCORD AND SATISFACTION

     16   

SECTION 27.06 NO OPTION

     16   

SECTION 27.07 ANTI-DISCRIMINATION

     16   

SECTION 27.08 SEVERABILITY

     16   

SECTION 27.09 OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     17   

SECTION 27.10 REPRESENTATION REGARDING AUTHORITY

     17   

SECTION 27.11 UNUSED CONSTRUCTION CONTRIBUTION

     17   

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

     17   

SIGNATURES

     18   

LANDLORD ACKNOWLEDGMENT

     18   

TENANT ACKNOWLEDGMENT

     18   

 

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LEASE AGREEMENT

ARTICLE I. BASIC LEASE PROVISIONS; ENUMERATION OF EXHIBITS

SECTION 1.01 BASIC LEASE PROVISIONS

 

(A) DATE : August 11, 2003

 

(B) LANDLORD : PARADIGM RESOURCES, L.C., a Utah limited liability company

 

(C) ADDRESS OF LANDLORD FOR NOTICES (Section 16.01) : 2733 East Parleys Way Suite 300, Salt Lake City, UT 84109 .

 

(D) TENANT : Salus Therapeutics, Inc., a Utah corporation Tax ID#: 87-0636452 .

 

(E) ADDRESS OF TENANT FOR NOTICES (Section 16.01) : 615 Arapeen Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108 until such time that Tenant opens for business at the Leased Premises at which time address for notices will be 675 Arapeen Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108 .

 

(F) PERMITTED USES (Section 7.01) : Research and development lab and offices for pharmaceuticals, nutritional and biotech products .

 

(G) TENANTS TRADE NAME (Exhibit “D”—Sign Criteria): Salus Therapeutics .

 

(H) BUILDING (Section 2.01) : Situated at 675 Arapeen Drive, in the City of Salt Lake, County of Salt Lake, State of Utah.

 

(I) PREMISES (Section 2.01) : That portion of the building at the approximate location outlined on Exhibit “A” known as Suite 202 consisting of approximately 11,178 square feet of gross rentable area. Approximately 15.46% of such area is Tenant’s proportionate share of common area hallways, restrooms, etc. in the building.

 

(J) DELIVERY OF POSSESSION (Section 5.03) : Upon execution of Lease. Preliminary Term begins on Delivery of Possession (Section 4.03).

 

(K) RENTAL TERM, COMMENCEMENT AND EXPIRATION DATE (Sections 4.01 & 4.02) : The Rental Term shall commence on the earlier of (a)  one hundred twenty (120) days after execution or (b) opening of Tenant for business at the Premises, and shall be for a period of five (5)  full Lease Years ending November 30, 2008 .

 

(L) BASE MONTHLY RENT (Section 3.01) : Sixteen Thousand Seven Hundred Sixty Seven and 00/100ths Dollars ( $16,767.00 ). Any partial month shall be pro-rated based on the number of days in that month.

 

(M) ESCALATIONS IN BASE MONTHLY RENT (Section 3.02) : $ 17,270.00 monthly, commencing December 1, 2004 ; $17,788.11 monthly, commencing December 1, 2005 ; $18,321.75 monthly, commencing December 1, 2006 ; $18,871.41 monthly, commencing December 1, 2007 .

 

(N) LANDLORD’S SHARE OF OPERATING EXPENSES (Section 3.03) : The Base Monthly Rent shall be absolutely net to the Landlord as provided in Section 3.03.

 

(O) TENANT’S PRO RATA SHARE OF OPERATING EXPENSES (Section 3.03) : Tenant shall be responsible for all operating expenses as defined in Section 3.03. Tenant’s proportionate share of Basic Costs shall be 11.63 %. Said operating expenses include Basic Costs, Direct Costs, and Metered Costs as define in Section 3.03 and are currently estimated to be $ 5.25 per square foot or $ 5,483.19 monthly. Furthermore, said Operating Expenses shall not exceed $51483.19 monthly average during the First Lease Year.

 

(P) UTILITIES AND SERVICES . Subject to the provisions of Section 3.03, 12.01 and 12.02, this Lease provides that the utilities and services shall be paid or reimbursed by Tenant

 

(Q) LANDLORD’S CONTRIBUTION TO TENANT’S WORK (Section 6.02) : Three Hundred Thirty five thousand Three Hundred forty and 00/100ths Dollars ($ 335,340.00 ). See also Additional Provisions, Section 27.11, UNUSED CONSTRUCTION CONTRIBUTIONS.

 

(R) PREPAID RENT : None.

 

(S)

EXCESS HOUR UTILITY CHARGES AND STANDARD OPERATING HOURS (Section 12.02) : Tenant shall have access to the Premises 24 hours, 7 days per week, however, the Standard Operating Hours for the Building shall be 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

 

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  on Saturday, excluding holidays. To the extent Tenant operates during any time in excess of the Standard Operating Hours specified above, Tenant shall pay an extra hourly utility charge of $0.20 per hour per 1,000 square feet for lighting and electricity and $3.00 per hour per 1,000 square feet for mechanical/HVAC system for each full or partial hour during which Tenant operates. Furthermore, Landlord shall not be required to provide snow removal or other common area services to accomodate Tenant other than during Standard Operating Hours.

 

(T) ADJUSTMENTS BASED ON FINAL AREA DETERMINATION : Upon final completion of Tenant Improvements, the actual rentable area of the Premises shall be determined in accordance with standards of Section 2.01. The sums set forth in Sections 1.01(L), (M), (O), (P) and (U) shall then be proportionately adjusted to reflect the actual area of the Premises.

 

(U) SECURITY DEPOSIT (Section 26.01) : Forty Five Thousand and no/100ths Dollars ($ 45,000.00 ) payable on or before October 1, 2003 .

 

(V) TENANT’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE : Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Tenant may elect to terminate this lease effective after December 1, 2006 by giving Landlord written notice on or before October 1, 2006 of Tenant’s election to terminate. If Tenant elects to terminate, the Tenant shall pay Landlord a termination fee of $55,000.00 on or before November 30, 2006.

 

(W) TERMINATION OF EXISTING LEASE . Tenant’s lease for premises situated at 615 Arapeen Drive shall terminate effective on the Rent Commencement Date of the Leased Premises herein. This Lease is a substitute for the lease dated June 16, 2003 for space on the third floor of 675 Arapeen Way and said lease shall terminate upon full execution of this Lease and all obligations which shall have otherwise accrued thereunder shall be void and have no force and effect.

 

(X) OPTION TO LEASE SUITE 200 . As further consideration for Tenant’s agreement to enter into this Lease, Landlord hereby grants to Tenant, until October 1, 2003, the option to lease Space 200 (approximately 6,700 sf GRA) on the second floor as shown on Exhibit A. The Base Monthly Rent shall be One Hundred Thirteen Thousand Nine Hundred and no/100ths Dollars ($113,900.00) payable in equal monthly installments of $9,491.67 which is approximately $17.00 per square foot. Tenant’s pro-rata share of expenses shall be adjusted to 20.01%. Landlord’s Contribution to Tenant Work for Space 200 shall be $167,500.00 ($25.00 per sf of gross rentable area) rather than the $30.00 per sf applicable to Suite 202. Said option shall be exercised on or before October 1, 2003 by written notice of such exercise to Landlord and the rental term on Space 200 shall commence not later than February 1, 2004.

 

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SECTION 1.02 SIGNIFICANCE OF A BASIC LEASE PROVISION . The foregoing provisions of Section 1.01 summarize for convenience only certain fundamental terms of the Lease delineated more fully in the Articles and Sections referenced therein. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of Section 1.01 and the balance of the Lease, the latter shall control.

SECTION 1.03 ENUMERATION OF EXHIBITS . The exhibits enumerated In this Section and attached to this Lease are incorporated in the Lease by this reference and are to be construed as a part of the Lease.

EXHIBIT “A”—LEASING PLAN SHOWING THE PREMISES

EXHIBIT “B”—LEGAL DESCRIPTION(S)

EXHIBIT “C”—LANDLORD’S WORK

EXHIBIT “D”—TENANT’S WORK

ARTICLE II. GRANT AND PREMISES

SECTION 2.01 PREMISES . Landlord has heretofore obtained a long-term ground lease covering that certain tract of real property situated in the University of Utah Research Park in Salt Lake City, State of Utah, more particularly described in Exhibit “B” attached hereto, together with certain easement for access rights. (Said tract is hereinafter referred to as the “Property”).

Landlord has constructed, a building on the Property referred to in Section 1.01 (H) (hereinafter the “Building”) suitable for use as office/research and limited complementary retail space, together with related parking facilities and other improvements necessary to enable to the Building to be so used (the Building and related facilities and improvements are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Improvements).

In consideration for the rent to be paid and covenants to be performed by Tenant, Landlord hereby leases to Tenant, and Tenant leases from Landlord for the Term and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth premises described in Section 1.01(I) (hereinafter referred to as the “Premises” or “Leased Premises”), located in the Building. Gross rentable area measurements herein specified are from the exterior of the perimeter walls of the building to the center of the interior walls. In addition, the factor set forth in Section 1.01(1) has been added to the area as measured above to adjust for Tenant’s proportionate share of common hallways, restrooms, elevators, stairways, etc. in the building.

The exterior walls and roof of the Premises and the areas beneath said Premises are not demised hereunder, and the use thereof together with the right to install, maintain, use, repair, and replace pipes, ducts, conduits, and wires leading through the Premises in locations which will not materially interfere with Tenant’s use thereof and serving other parts of the building or buildings are hereby reserved to Landlord. Landlord reserves (a) such access rights through the Premises as may be reasonably necessary to enable access by Landlord to the balance of the building and reserved areas and elements as set forth above; and (b) the right to install or maintain meters on the Premises to monitor use of utilities. In exercising such rights, Landlord will use reasonable efforts so as to not commit waste upon the Premises and as far as practicable to minimize annoyance, interference or damage to Tenant when making modifications, additions or repairs.

Subject to the provisions of Article VIII and Section 27.07, Tenant and its customers, agents and invitees have the right to the non-exclusive use, in common with others of such unreserved automobile parking spaces, driveways, footways, and other facilities designated for common use within the Building, except that with respect to non-exclusive areas, Tenant shall cause its employees to park their cars only in areas specifically designated from time to time by Landlord for that purpose. Landlord shall have the right to designate, in its sole business judgment, certain spaces as “visitor’ parking spaces and Tenant shall use its best efforts to cause its employees not to park in said visitor parking.

ARTICLE III. RENT

SECTION 3.01 BASE MONTHLY RENT . Tenant agrees to pay to Landlord the Base Monthly Rent set forth in Section 1.01(L) at such place as Landlord may designate, without prior demand therefor, without offset or deduction and in advance on or before the first day of each calendar month during the Rental Term, commencing on the Rental Commencement Date. In the event the Rental Commencement Date occurs on a day other than the first day of a calendar month, then the Base Monthly Rent to be paid on the Rental Commencement Date shall include both the Base Monthly Rent for the first full calendar month occurring after the Rental Commencement Date, plus the Base Monthly Rent for the initial fractional calendar month prorated on a per-diem basis (based upon a thirty (30) day month).

SECTION 3.02 ESCALATION . As set forth in Section 1.01(M).

 

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SECTION 3.03 TENANT’S SHARE OF LANDLORD’S EXPENSES .

(a) “Basic Costs” shall mean all reasonable actual costs and expense incurred by Landlord in connection with the ownership, operation, management and maintenance of the Building and Property and related improvements located thereon (the “Improvements”, including, but not limited to, all reasonable expenses incurred by Landlord as a result of Landlord’s compliance with any and all of its obligations under this Lease (or under similar leases with other tenants). In explanation of the foregoing, and not in limitation thereof, Basic Costs shall include: all real and personal property taxes and assessments (whether general or special, known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen) and any tax or assessment levied or charged in lieu thereof, whether assessed against Landlord and/or Tenant and whether collected from Landlord and/of Tenant; snow removal, trash removal, common area, utilities, cost of equipment or devices used to conserve or monitor energy consumption, supplies, liability and building, fire, and casualty insurance, license, permit and inspection fees, cost of services of independent contractors, cost or compensation (including employment taxes and fringe benefits) of all persons who perform regular and recurring duties connected with day-to-day operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of the Building, its equipment and the adjacent walk, and landscaped area (including, but not limited to janitorial, scavenger, gardening, security, parking, elevator, painting, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, carpentry, window washing, structural and roof repairs and reserves, signing and advertising), but excluding persons performing services not uniformly available to or performed for substantially all Building tenants; and rental expense or a reasonable allowance for depreciation of personal property used in the maintenance, operation and repair of the Building. The foregoing notwithstanding, Basic Costs shall not include depreciation on the Building and Improvements; amounts paid toward principal or interest of loans of Landlord; nor “Direct Costs” as defined in Section 3.03 (b). Tenant shall pay its Proportionate Share of Basic Costs. “Tenant’s Proportionate Share of Basic Costs” shall mean the percentage derived from a fraction, the numerator of which is the gross rentable area of the Premises as set forth in Section 1.01(1) and the denominator of which is the gross rentable square footage of the Building (96,134 s.f.). Tenant’s Proportionate Share of Basic Costs initially is set forth in Section 1.01(0), subject to increase or decrease due to increases or decreases in the gross rentable square footage of the Premises and/or the Building.

(b) “Direct Costs” shall mean all actual costs and expenses incurred by Landlord in connection with the operation, management, maintenance, replacement, and repair of the Premises, including but not limited to janitorial services, (if any), maintenance, repairs, supplies, utilities, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and property management fees, which property management fees shall not exceed standard fees for agency management of similar buildings. If any category of Directs Costs can only be determined on a Building wide basis, Tenant’s proportionate share of any such category of Direct Costs will be based on the same percentage established for Tenant’s Proportionate Share of Basic Costs.

(c) Landlord may cause meters or monitors to be installed to measure actual electrical and ventilation/air conditioning usage in the Premises by Tenant. “Metered Costs” shall mean the actual cost of such usage. If such meters are installed, Tenant shall pay Landlord monthly, as Additional Rent, the estimated costs of such metered electrical and ventilation/air conditioning usage in lieu of a pro-rata share of such items included in Direct Costs. If the costs of ventilation/air conditioning usage are not separately metered for tenants in the Building said costs shall be considered Direct Costs and shall be calculated as set forth in 3.03(a).

(d) “Estimated Costs” shall mean the projected amount of Direct Costs, Metered Costs and Proportionate Share of Basic Costs. The Estimated Costs for the calendar year in which the Lease commences are set forth in Section 1.01(O), and are not included in the Base Monthly Rent. If the Estimated Costs as of the date Tenant takes occupancy are greater than the Estimated Costs at the time this Lease is executed, the Estimated Costs shall be increased to equal the Estimated Costs as of the date of Tenant’s occupancy.

SECTION 3.04 REPORT OF COSTS AND STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED COSTS.

(a) After the expiration of each calendar year occurring during the term of this Lease, Landlord shall furnish Tenant a written statement (“Annual Report of Costs”) of the Tenant’s actual Direct Costs, Metered Costs and Proportionate Share of Basic Costs occurring during the previous calendar year. The Direct Costs and Proportionate Share of Basic costs shall in no event exceed $5.25 per square-foot in the First Year. The Annual Report of Costs shall specify the amount by which said actual costs for the previous year exceeds or is less than the amounts paid by Tenant as Estimated Costs during the previous calendar year.

(b) At the same time specified in Section 3.04 (a), Landlord shall furnish Tenant a written statement of the Estimated Costs for the then current calendar year (“Annual Statement of Estimated Costs.”)

 

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SECTION 3.05 PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL RENT . Tenant shall pay additional rent (“Additional Rent”) as follows:

(a) With each monthly payment of Base Monthly Rent pursuant to Section 3.01 above, Tenant shall pay to Landlord, without offset or deduction, one-twelfth (1/12th) of the Annual Statement of Estimated Costs. If at any time Landlord obtains information that indicates that any of the categories of cost comprising Estimated Costs are significantly different than as calculated in the Annual Statement of Estimated Costs then in effect, Landlord may amend said Statement in order to reflect a more accurate prediction of the actual costs that will be incurred during the calendar year, and Tenant will pay amended Additional Rent consistent with said amended Statement.

(b) Within thirty (30) days after delivery of the Annual Report of Costs, Tenant shall pay to Landlord the amount by which Direct Costs, Metered Costs and Proportionate Share of Basic Costs, as specified in the Report, exceed the aggregate of Estimated Costs actually paid by Tenant as Additional Rent for the year at issue.

(c) If the Annual Report of Costs indicates that the Estimated Costs paid by Tenant exceeded the actual Direct Costs, Metered Costs and Proportionate Share of Basic Costs for the same year, Landlord, at its sole election, shall either (i) pay the amount of such excess to Tenant, or (ii) apply such excess against the next installment(s) of Base Monthly Rent and/or Additional Rent due hereunder and so notify Tenant.

SECTION 3.06 TAXES.

(a) Landlord shall pay all real property taxes and assessments (all of which are hereinafter collectively referred to as “Taxes”) which are levied against or which apply with respect to the Premises to be reimbursed by Tenant as a part of Basic Costs.

(b) Tenant shall prior to delinquency pay all taxes, assessments, charges, and fees which during the Rental Term hereof may be imposed, assessed, or levied by any governmental or public authority against or upon Tenant’s use of the Premises or any inventory, personal property, fixtures or equipment kept or installed, or permitted to be located therein by Tenant.

SECTION 3.07 PAYMENTS . All payments of Base Monthly Rent, Additional Rent and other payments to be made to Landlord shall be made on a timely basis and shall be payable to Landlord or as Landlord may otherwise designate. All such payments shall be mailed, wired or delivered to Landlord’s principal office set forth In Section 1.01(C), or at such other place as Landlord may designate from time to time in writing. If mailed, all payments shall be mailed in sufficient time and with adequate postage thereon to be received in Landlord’s account by no later than the due date for such payment. If Tenant shall fail to pay any Base Monthly Rent or any additional rent or any other amounts or charges when due, Tenant shall pay interest from the due date of such past due amounts to the date of payment, both before and after judgment at a rate equal to the greater of fourteen (14%) percent per annum or two (2%) percent over the “prime” or “base” rate charged by Zions First National Bank of Utah at the due date of such payment; provided however, that in any case the maximum amount or rate of interest to be charged shall not exceed the maximum non-usurious rate in accordance with applicable law.

ARTICLE IV. RENTAL TERM, COMMENCEMENT DATE & PRELIMINARY TERM

SECTION 4.01 RENTAL TERM . The initial term of this Lease shall be for the period defined as the Rental Term in Section 1.01(K), plus the partial calendar month, if any, occurring after the Rental Commencement Date (as hereinafter defined) if the Rental Commencement Date occurs other than on the first day of a calendar month. “Lease Year’ shall include twelve (12) calendar months, except that first Lease Year will also include any partial calendar month beginning on the Rental Commencement Date.

SECTION 4.02 RENTAL COMMENCEMENT DATE . The Rental Term of this Lease and Tenant’s obligation to pay rent hereunder shall commence as set forth in Section 1.01(K) (the “Rental Commencement Date”). Within five (5) days after Landlord’s request to do so, Landlord and Tenant shall execute a written affidavit, in recordable form, expressing the Rental Commencement Date and the termination date, which affidavit shall be deemed to be part of this Lease.

SECTION 4.03 PRELIMINARY TERM . The period between the date Tenant enters upon the Premises and the commencement of the Rental Term will be designated as the “Preliminary Term” during which no Base Monthly or Additional Rent shall accrue; however, other covenants and obligations of Tenant shall be in full force and effect. Delivery of Possession of the Premises to Tenant as provided in Section 5.03 shall be considered “entry” by Tenant and commencement of “Preliminary Term”.

 

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ARTICLE V. CONSTRUCTION OF PREMISES

SECTION 5.01 CONSTRUCTION BY LANDLORD . Landlord has constructed the Building in which the Premises are located. The Premises are constructed substantially in accordance with Outline Specifications entitled “Landlord’s Work” marked Exhibit “C” attached hereto and made a part hereof. It is understood and agreed by Tenant that no minor changes from any plans or from said Outline Specifications Made necessary during construction of the Premises or the Building shall affect or change this Lease or invalidate same.

SECTION 5.02 CHANGES AND ADDITIONS BY LANDLORD . Landlord hereby reserves the right at any time, and from time to time, to make alterations or additions to, and to build additional stories on the Building in which the Premises are contained and to build adjoining the same and to modify the existing parking or other common areas to accommodate additional buildings. Landlord also reserves the right to construct other buildings or improvements in the Building area from time to time; on condition that if the Building area is expanded so as to include any additional buildings, Landlord agrees to create or maintain a parking ratio adequate to meet local laws and ordinances, including the right to add land to the Building or to erect parking structures thereon.

SECTION 5.03 DELIVERY OF POSSESSION . Except as hereinafter provided, Landlord shall deliver the Premises to Tenant ready for Tenant’s Work on or before the date set forth in Section 1.01(J). The Premises shall be deemed as ready for delivery when Landlord shall have substantially completed construction of the portion of the said Premises to be occupied exclusively by Tenant, in accordance with Landlord’s obligations set forth in Exhibit “C”. Landlord shall, from time to time during the course of construction, provide information to Tenant concerning the progress of construction of said Premises, and will give written notice to Tenant when said Premises are in fact ready for Tenant’s Work. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Landlord shall have the right to extend the date for Delivery of Possession of the Premises for a period of three one (1) month periods by notice in writing given to Tenant any time prior to said delivery date. If any disputes shall arise as to the Premises being ready for Delivery of Possession, a certificate furnished by Landlord’s architect in charge so certifying shall be conclusive and binding of that fact and date upon the parties. It is agreed that by occupying the Premises as a tenant, Tenant formally accepts the same and acknowledges that the Premise’s are in the condition called for hereunder, except for items specifically excepted in writing at date of occupancy as “incomplete”.

ARTICLE VI. TENANT’S WORK & LANDLORD’S CONTRIBUTION

SECTION 6.01 TENANT’S WORK . Tenant agrees to provide all work of whatsoever nature in accordance with its obligations set forth in Exhibit “D”. Tenant agrees to furnish Landlord, within the time periods required in Exhibit “D”, with a complete and detailed set of plans and specifications drawn by some qualified person reasonably acceptable to Landlord setting forth and describing Tenant’s Work in such detail as Landlord may require and in compliance with Exhibit “D”, unless this requirement be waived in writing by Landlord. If said plans and specifications are not so furnished by Tenant within the required time periods, then Landlord may, at its option, in addition to other remedies Landlord may enjoy, cancel this Lease at any time thereafter while such plans and specifications have not been so furnished. No material deviation from the final set of plans and specifications once submitted to and approved by Landlord, shall be made by Tenant without Landlord’s prior written consent. Landlord shall have the right to approve Tenant’s architect and contractor to be used in performing Tenant’s Work, and the right to require and approve insurance or bonds provided by Tenant or such contractors which approval shall not be reasonably withheld. In due course after completion of Tenant’s Work, Tenant shall certify to Landlord the itemized cost of Tenant improvements and fixtures located upon the Premises.

SECTION 6.02 LANDLORD CONTRIBUTION TO TENANT’S WORK . In addition to Landlord Work to be completed pursuant to Exhibit “C”, Landlord shall contribute the amount set forth in Section 1.01(Q) toward Tenant’s Work set forth in Exhibit “D”. Landlord shall pay 1/2 of Landlord’s Contribution within ten (10) after receipt of certification from Landlord’s architect that Tenant’s Work is 50% completed. The remaining portion of Landlord’s Contribution shall be paid within ten (10) days after the later of 1) Completion of Tenant’s Work and receipt by Landlord from Tenant of evidence of payments and appropriate lien waivers from all contractors and others who have supplied labor or materials toward Tenant’s Work and 2) the Rent Commencement Date.

ARTICLE VII. USE

SECTION 7.01 USE OF PREMISES . Tenant shall use the Premises solely for the purpose of conducting the business indicated in Section 1.01(F) and for purposes ordinarily incidental to such use and only for such purposes and in such manner as are permitted both by the Protective Covenants relating to the University of Utah Research Park and by any existing legislation concerning the Research Park. Tenant shall not make any use of the Premises which might cause cancellation or an increase in the cost of any insurance policy covering the same. Tenant shall not make any use of the Leased Premises any article, item, or thing which is prohibited by the standard form of fire insurance policy. Tenant shall not commit any waste upon the Leased Premises and shall not conduct or allow any business activity, or thing on the Leased Premises which

 

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is an annoyance or causes damage to Landlord, to other sub-tenants, occupants, or users of the Improvements, or to occupants of the vicinity. Tenant shall comply with and abide by all laws, ordinances, and regulations of all municipal, county, state, and federal authorities which are now in force or which may hereafter become effective with respect to use and occupancy of the Premises. Landlord represents that to the best of Its knowledge and understanding, that upon delivery of possession as set forth in Section 5.03, the Building will comply with all currently applicable laws, ordinances and regulations of municipal, county, state and federal authorities.

SECTION 7.02 HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.

(a) Landlord shall be responsible for removal of any Hazardous Substances that existed at the Project prior to construction or any that Landlord has or does Install at the Premises or Building. After reasonable inquiry, Landlord is not aware of any existing Hazardous Substances within the Project areas.

(b) Tenant shall not use, produce, store, release, dispose or handle in or about the Leased Premises or transfer to or from the Leased Premises (or permit any other party to do such acts) any Hazardous Substance except in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws. Tenant shall not construct or use any improvements, fixtures or equipment or engage in any act on or about the Leased Premises that would require the procurement of any license or permit pursuant to any Environmental Law. Tenant shall immediately notify Landlord of (I) the existence of any Hazardous Substance on or about the Leased Premises that may be in violation of any Environmental Law (regardless of whether Tenant is responsible for the existence of such Hazardous Substance), (ii) any proceeding or investigation by any governmental authority regarding the presence of any Hazardous Substance on the Leased Premises or the migration thereof to or from any other property, (iii) all claims made or threatened by any third party against Tenant relating to any loss or injury resulting from any Hazardous Substance, or (iv) Tenant’s notification of the National Response Center of any release of a reportable quantity of a Hazardous Substance in or about the Leased Premises. “Environmental Laws” shall mean any federal, state or local statute, ordinance, rule, regulation or guideline pertaining to health, industrial hygiene, or the environment, including without limitation, the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; “Hazardous Substance” shall mean all substances, materials and wastes that are or become regulated, or classified as hazardous or toxic, under any Environmental Law. If it is determined that any Hazardous Substance exists on the Leased Premises resulting from any act of Tenant or its employees, agents, contractors, licensees, subtenants or customers, then Tenant shall immediately take necessary action to cause the removal of said substance and shall remove such within ten (10) days after discovery. Notwithstanding the above, if the Hazardous Substance is of a nature that can not be reasonably removed within ten (10) days Tenant shall not be in default if Tenant has commenced to cause such removal and proceeds diligently thereafter to complete removal, except that in all cases, any Hazardous Substance must be removed within sixty (60) days after discovery thereof. Furthermore, notwithstanding the above, if in the good faith judgment of Landlord, the existence of such Hazardous Substance creates an emergency or is of a nature which may result in immediate physical danger to persons at the Property, Landlord may enter upon the Leased Premises and remove such Hazardous Substances and charge the cost thereof to Tenant as Additional Rent.

ARTICLE VIII. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF COMMON AREAS

SECTION 8.01 CONSTRUCTION AND CONTROL OF COMMON AREAS . All automobile parking areas, driveways, entrances and exits thereto, and other facilities furnished by Landlord in or neat the buildings or Building, including if any, employee parking areas, truck ways, loading docks, mail rooms or mail pickup areas, pedestrian sidewalks and hallways, landscaped areas, retaining walls, stairways, elevators, utility rooms, restrooms and other areas and Improvements provided by Landlord for the general use in common tenants, their officers, agents, employees and customers, shall at all times be subject to the exclusive control and management of Landlord which shall have the right from time to time to establish, modify and enforce reasonable Rules and Regulations with respect to all facilities and areas mentioned in this Section. Landlord shall have the right to construct, maintain and operate lighting and drainage facilities on or in all said areas and improvements; to police the same, from time to time to change the area, level, location and arrangement of parking areas and other facilities hereinabove referred to; to restrict parking by tenants, their officers, agents and employees to employee parking areas; to close temporarily all or any portion of said areas or facilities to such extent as may, in the opinion of counsel, be legally sufficient to prevent a dedication thereof or the accrual of any rights to any person or the public therein; to assign “reserved” parking spaces for exclusive use of certain tenants or for customer parking, to discourage non-employee and non-customer parking; and to do and perform such other acts in and to said areas and improvements as, in the exercise of good business judgment, the Landlord shall determine to be advisable with a view toward maintaining of appropriate convenience uses, amenities, and for permitted uses by tenants, their officers, agents, employees and customers. Landlord will operate and maintain the common facilities referred to above in such a manner as It, in its sole discretion, shall determine from time to time. Without limiting the scope of such discretion, Landlord shall have the full right and authority to employ all personnel and to make all Rules and Regulations pertaining to and necessary for the

 

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proper operation, security and maintenance of the common areas and facilities. Building and/or project signs, traffic control signs and other signs determined by Landlord to be in best interest of the Building, will be considered part of common area and common facilities.

SECTION 8.02 LICENSE . All common areas and facilities not within the Premises, which Tenant may be permitted to use and occupy, are to be used and occupied under a revocable license, and if the amount of such areas be diminished, Landlord shall not be subject to any liabilities nor shall Tenant be entitled to any compensation or diminution or abatement of rent, nor shall such diminution of such areas be deemed constructive or actual eviction, so long as such revocations or diminutions are deemed by Landlord to serve the best interests of the Building.

ARTICLE IX. ALTERATIONS, SIGNS, LOCKS & KEYS

SECTION 9.01 ALTERATIONS . Tenant shall not make or suffer to be made any alterations or additions to the Premises or any part thereof without the prior written consent of Landlord, Any additions to, or alterations of the Premises except movable furniture, equipment and trade fixtures shall become a part of the realty and belong to Landlord upon the termination of Tenant’s lease or renewal term or other termination or surrender of the Premises to Landlord.

SECTION 9.02 SIGNS . Tenant shall not place or suffer to be placed or maintained on any exterior door, wall or window of the Premises, or elsewhere in the Building, any sign, awning, marquee, decoration, lettering, attachment, canopy, advertising matter or other thing of any kind, and will not place or maintain any decoration, lettering or advertising matter on the glass of any window or door of the Premise without first obtaining Landlord’s written approval. Tenant shall maintain such sign, awning, canopy, decoration, lettering, advertising matter or other things as may be approved in good condition and repair at all times. Landlord may, at Tenant’s cost, and without liability to Tenant, enter the Premises and remove any item erected in violation of the Section 9.02. Landlord may establish rules and regulations governing the size, type and design of all signs, decorations, etc., and Tenant agrees to abide by same.

SECTION 9.03 LOCKS AND KEYS.

(a) The building shall be equipped with an electronic card access system at entrance to building as well as primary doors of the Leased Premises. Landlord shall issue, monitor, and program key cards for Tenant and Tenant’s employees, as reasonably needed. When employment relationships change, Tenant shall cooperate to attempt to retrieve said key cards from employees leaving Tenant.

(b) Where key access exists, Tenant may change locks or install other locks on doors, but if Tenant does, Tenant must provide Landlord with duplicate keys within twenty four hours after said change or installation.

(c) Upon termination of this Lease Tenant shall deliver to Landlord all cards and keys to the Premises including any interior offices, toilet rooms, combinations to built-in- safes, etc. which shall have been furnished to or by the Tenant or are in the possession of the Tenant.

ARTICLE X. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS; ALTERATIONS; ACCESS

SECTION 10.01 LANDLORD’S OBLIGATION FOR MAINTENANCE . Landlord shall maintain and repair: (1) the areas outside the Premises including hallways, stairways, elevators, public restrooms, if any, general landscaping, parking areas, driveways and walkways; (2) the Building structure including roof, exterior walls, and foundation; and (3) all plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning systems. However, if the need for such repairs or maintenance results from any careless, wrongful or negligent act or omission of Tenant, Tenant shall pay the entire cost of any such repair or maintenance including a reasonable charge to cover Landlord’s supervisory overhead. Landlord shall not be obligated to repair any damage or defect until receipt of written notice from Tenant of the need of such repair and Landlord shall have a reasonable time after receipt of such notice in which to make such repairs. Tenant shall give immediate notice to Landlord in case of fire or accidents in the Premises or in the building of which the Premises are a part or of defects therein or in any fixtures or equipment provided by Landlord.

SECTION 10.02 TENANT’S OBLIGATION FOR MAINTENANCE.

(a) Tenant shall provide its own janitorial service and keep and maintain the Premises including the interior wall surfaces and windows, floors, floor coverings and ceilings in a clean, sanitary and safe condition in accordance with the laws of the State and in accordance with all directions, rules and regulations of the health officer, fire marshall, building inspector, or other proper officials of the governmental agencies having jurisdiction, at the sole cost and expense of Tenant, and Tenant shall comply with all requirements of law, ordinance and otherwise, affecting said Premises.

 

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(b) Tenant shall pay, when due, all claims for labor or material furnished, for work under Sections 9.01, 9.02 and 10.02 hereof, to or for Tenant at or for use in the Premises, and shall bond such work if reasonably required by Landlord to prevent assertion of claims against Landlord.

(c) Tenant agrees to be responsible for all furnishings, fixtures and equipment located upon the Premises from time to time and shall replace carpeting within the Premises if same shall be damaged by tearing, burning, or stains resulting from spilling anything on said carpet, reasonable wear and tear accepted. Tenant further agrees to use chairmats or floor protectors wherever it uses chairs with wheels or casters on carpeted areas.

SECTION 10.03 SURRENDER AND RIGHTS UPON TERMINATION.

(a) This Lease and the tenancy hereby created shall cease and terminate at the end of the Rental Term hereof, or any extension or renewal thereof, without the necessity of any notice from either Landlord or Tenant to terminate the same, and Tenant hereby waives notice to vacate the Premises and agrees that Landlord shall be entitled to the benefit of all provisions of law respecting summary recovery of possession of Premises from a Tenant holding over to the same extent as if statutory notice has been given.

(b) Upon termination of this Lease at any time and for any reason whatsoever, Tenant shall surrender and deliver up the Premises to Landlord in the same condition as when the Premises were delivered to Tenant or as altered as provided in Section 9.01, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Upon request of Landlord, Tenant shall promptly remove all personal property from the Premises and repair any damage caused by such removal. Obligations under this Lease relating to events occurring or circumstances existing prior to the date of termination shall survive the expiration or other termination of the Rental Term of this Lease. Liabilities accruing after data of termination are set forth in Sections 13.05, 19.01 and 19.02.

ARTICLE XI. INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY

SECTION 11.01 LIABILITY INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY . Tenant shall, during all terms hereof, keep in full force and effect a policy of public bodily injury and property damage liability insurance with respect to the Premises, with a combined single limit of not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) per occurrence. The policy shall name Landlord, Property Manager (i.e., Woodbury Corporation) and any other persons, firms or corporations designated by Landlord and Tenant as insured, and shall contain a clause that the insurer will not cancel or change the insurance without first giving the Landlord and Property Manager twenty (20) days prior written notice. Such insurance shall include an endorsement permitting Landlord and Property Manager to recover damage suffered due to act or omission of Tenant, notwithstanding being named as an additional “Insured party” in such policies. Such insurance may be furnished by Tenant under any blanket policy carried by it or under a separate policy therefor. The insurance shall be with an insurance company reasonably approved by Landlord, which approval shall not unreasonably be withheld, and a copy of the paid-up policy evidencing such insurance or a certificate of insurer certifying to the issuance of such policy shall be delivered to Landlord. If Tenant fails to provide such insurance, Landlord may do so and charge same to Tenant.

Tenant will indemnify, defend and hold Landlord harmless from and against any and all claims, actions, damages, liability and expense in connection with loss of life, personal injury and/or damage to property arising from or out of any occurrence in, upon or at the Premises or from the occupancy or use by Tenant of the Premises or any part thereof, or occasioned wholly or in part by any act or omission of Tenant, its agents, contractors, employees, servants, sublessees, concessionaires or business invitees unless caused by the negligence of Landlord and to the extent not covered by its fire, casualty and liability insurance. In case Landlord shall, without fault of its part, be made a party to any litigation commenced by or against Tenant, then Tenant shall protect and hold Landlord harmless and shall pay all costs, expenses and reasonable attorney fees incurred or paid by either in defending itself or enforcing the covenants and agreements of this Lease.

SECTION 11.02 FIRE AND CASUALTY INSURANCE.

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 11.02, Landlord shall secure, pay for, and at all times during the terms hereof maintain, such available “All Risk” insurance providing coverage upon the building improvements in an amount equal to the full insurable value thereof (as determined by Landlord) together with such other casualty insurance coverage as Landlord deems advisable with regard to the Office Complex, including at its option, but not limited to, average clauses; boiler insurance, elevator insurance, automatic sprinkler damage insurance, and rental income insurance sufficient to pay to Landlord not less than twelve (12) months Base Monthly Rent and Additional Rent. Landlord may require appropriate endorsements suitable to Landlord. Landlord’s fire and casualty insurance on building need not cover items such as Tenant’s murals, works of art, abnormal decorative treatments or items listed in Section 11.02 included within such policy coverage. All insurance required hereunder shall be written by reputable, responsible companies licensed in the State of Utah.

 

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Tenant shall have the right, at its request at any reasonable time, to be furnished with copies of the insurance policies then in force pursuant to this Section, together with evidence that the premiums therefor have been paid.

(b) Tenant agrees to maintain at its own expense such fire and casualty insurance coverage as Tenant may desire or require in respect to Tenant’s personal property, equipment, furniture, fixtures or inventory and Landlord shall have no obligation in respect to such insurance or losses. All property kept or stored on the Premises by Tenant or with Tenant’s permission shall be so done at Tenant’s sole risk and Tenant shall indemnify Landlord against and hold it harmless from any claims arising out of loss or damage to same.

(c) Tenant will not permit said Premises to be used for any purpose which would render the insurance thereon void or cause cancellation thereof or Increase the insurance risk or increase the insurance premiums In effect just prior to the commencement of this Lease. Tenant agrees to pay as additional rent the total amount of any increase in the insurance premium of Landlord over that in effect prior to the commencement of this lease resulting from Tenant use of the Premises. If Tenant installs any electrical or other equipment which overloads the lines in the Premises, Tenant shall at its own expense make whatever changes are necessary to comply with the requirements of Landlord’s insurance.

(d) Tenant shall be responsible for all glass breakage caused by Tenant or its invitees and agrees to immediately replace all glass broken or damaged during the terms hereof with glass of the same quality as that broken or damaged. Landlord may replace, at Tenant’s expense, any broken or damaged glass if not replaced by Tenant within five (5) days after such damage.

SECTION 11.03 WAIVER OF SUBROGATION . Each party hereto does hereby release and discharge the other party hereto and any officer, agent, employee or representative of such party, of and from any liability whatsoever hereafter arising from loss, damage or injury caused by fire or other casualty for which insurance (permitting waiver of liability and containing a waiver of subrogation) is carried by the injured party at the time of such loss, damage or injury to the extent of any recovery by the injured party under such insurance.

ARTICLE XII. UTILITY CHARGES

SECTION 12.01 OBLIGATION OF LANDLORD . Subject to the terms of Section 3.03 and unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties, during the term of this Lease the Landlord shall cause to be furnished to the Premises during Standard Operating Hours (7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday), except Holidays, the following utilities and services, the cost and expense of which shall be included in Direct Costs, Metered Costs and/or Basic Costs as appropriately categorized by the Landlord:

(a) Electricity, water, gas and sewer service.

(b) Telephone connection, but not including telephone stations and equipment (it being expressly understood and agreed that Tenant shall be responsible for the ordering and installation of telephone lines and equipment which pertain to the Premises).

(c) Heat and air-conditioning to such extent and to such levels as, in Landlord’s judgment, is reasonably required for the comfortable use and occupancy of the Premises subject however to any limitations imposed by University Research Park or any government agency. The parties agree and understand that the above heat and air-conditioning will be provided Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

(d) Snow removal and parking lot sweeping services.

(e) Elevator service.

SECTION 12.02 OBLIGATIONS OF TENANT . Tenant shall arrange for and shall pay the entire cost and expense of all telephone stations, equipment and use charges, electric light bulbs (but not fluorescent bulbs used in fixtures originally installed in the Premises) and all other materials and services not expressly required to be provided and paid for pursuant to the provisions of Section 12.01 above. Tenant covenants to use good faith efforts to reasonably conserve utilities by turning off lights and equipment when not in use and taking such other reasonable actions in accordance with sound standards for energy conservation. Landlord reserves the right to separately meter or otherwise monitor any utility usage and to separately charge Tenants for its own utilities, in which case an equitable adjustment shall be made to Base Rental and Tenant’s share of Operating Expenses as set forth in this Lease. Additional limitations of Tenant are as follows:

(a) Tenant will not, without the written consent of Landlord, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, use any apparatus or device on the Premises (including but without limitation

 

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thereto, electronic data processing machines, punch card machines or machines using current in excess of 208 volts) which will in any way or to any extent increase the amount of electricity or water usually furnished or supplied for use on the Premises for the use designated in Section 7.01 above, nor connect with electrical current, except through existing electrical outlets in the Premises, or water pipes, any apparatus or device, for the purposes of using electric current or water.

(b) If Tenant shall require water or electric current in excess of that usually furnished or supplied for use of the Premises, or for purposes other than those designated in Section 7.01 above, Tenant shall first procure the written consent of Landlord for the use thereof, which consent Landlord may refuse and/or Landlord may cause a water meter or electric current meter to be installed in the Leased Premises, so as to measure the amount of water and/or electric current consumed for any such use. The cost of such meters and of Installation maintenance, and repair thereof shall be paid for by Tenant and Tenant agrees to pay Landlord promptly upon demand by Landlord for all such water and electric current consumed as shown by said meters, at the rates charged for such service by the City in which the Building is located or the local public utility, as the case may be, furnishing the same, plus any additional expense incurred in keeping account of the water and electric current so consumed.

(c) If and where heat generating machines devices are used in the Premises which affect the temperature otherwise maintained by the air conditioning system, Landlord reserves the right to install additional or supplementary air conditioning units for the Premises, and the entire cost of Installing, operating, maintaining and repairing the same shall be paid by Tenant to Landlord promptly after demand by Landlord.

To the extent that Tenant operates hours in excess of the stated Standard Operating Hours, Tenant may cause Landlord to provide services set forth in Section 12.01 (a), (b), (c) and (e) above; however, Tenant shall pay extra hourly utility charges as set forth in Section 1.01(S) herein. If electricity Is metered pursuant to Section 3.03(c), then Tenant shall not be required to extra electrical charges as electrical usage during “excess hours” will be metered and charged to Tenant in any case.

SECTION 12.03 LIMITATIONS ON LANDLORDS LIABILITY . Landlord shall not be liable for and Tenant shall not be entitled to terminate this Lease or to effectuate any abatement or reduction of rent by reason of Landlord’s failure to provide or furnish any of the foregoing utilities or services if such failure was reasonably beyond the control of Landlord. In no event shall Landlord be liable for loss or injury to persons or property, however, arising or occurring in connection with or attributable to any failure to furnish such utilities or services even if within the control of Landlord.

ARTICLE XIII. OFF-SET STATEMENT, ATTORNMENT AND SUBORDINATION

SECTION 13.01 OFF-SET STATEMENT . Tenant agrees within ten (10) days after request therefor by Landlord to execute in recordable form and deliver to Landlord a statement in writing, certifying

 

  (a) that this Lease is in full force and effect,

 

  (b) the date of commencement of the Rental Term of this Lease,

 

  (c) that rent is paid currently without any off-set or defense thereto,

 

  (d) the amount of rent, if any paid in advance, and

 

  (e) that there are no uncured defaults by Landlord or stating those claimed by Tenant.

SECTION 13.02 ATTORNMENT . Tenant shall, in the event any proceedings are brought for the foreclosure of, or in the event of exercise of the power of sale under any mortgage or deed of trust made by Landlord covering the Premises, attorn to the purchaser upon any such foreclosure or sale and recognize such purchaser as the Landlord under this Lease.

SECTION 13.03 SUBORDINATION . Tenant agrees that this Lease shall, at the request of Landlord, be subordinate to any first mortgages or deeds of trust that may hereafter be placed upon said Premises and to any and all advances to be made thereunder, and to the interest thereon, and all renewals, replacements and extensions thereof, provided the mortgagees or trustees named in said mortgages or deeds of trust shall agree to recognize the Lease of Tenant in the event of foreclosure, if Tenant is not in default.

SECTION 13.04 MORTGAGEE SUBORDINATION . Tenant hereby agrees that this Lease shall, if at any time requested by Landlord or any lender in respect to Landlord’s financing of the building or project in which the Premises are located or any portion hereof, be made superior to any mortgage or deed of trust that may-have preceded such Lease.

SECTION 13.05 REMEDIES . Tenant hereby irrevocably appoints Landlord as attorney-in-fact for the Tenant with full power and authority to execute and deliver in the name of the Tenant any such instruments described in this Article XIII upon failure of the Tenant to execute and deliver any of the above instruments within fifteen (15) days after written request so to do by Landlord; and such failure shall constitute a breach of this Lease entitling the Landlord, at its option, to cancel this Lease and terminate the Tenant’s interest therein.

 

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ARTICLE XIV. ASSIGNMENT

SECTION 14.01 CONSENT REQUIRED . Tenant agrees not to assign this Lease in whole or in part, nor sublet all or any part of Leased Premises, nor mortgage nor encumber this Lease or any part of the Leased Premises, nor enter into licenses or concession agreements or in other manner permit the occupation of or Sharing of possession of any part of Leased Premises, or any assignment of this Lease or any estate or interest therein (all of the foregoing being hereafter referred to as “Assignment”) without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent may not be withheld unreasonably. Any Assignment by operation of law or if the Tenant be a corporation, unincorporated association or partnership, the transfer, assignment or hypothecation of any stock or interest in such corporation, association or partnership in the aggregate in excess of 50% shall be deemed an Assignment within the meaning of this Article XIV. An Assignment consummated in violation of the provisions of this Article XIV shall be null and void and of no force or effect. Notwithstanding the above, 1) Tenant may sublet a portion of the Leased Premises to Ashni Nutraceuticals or up to a total of 3,000 SF of combined subtenants without Landlord’s approval provided that Tenant shall maintain continuing liability for all obligations of Tenant under this Lease and 2) Landlord will consent to any Assignment to a parent company, subsidiary, or successor entity acquiring substantially all of the assets of Tenant and intending to operate Tenant’s business under the same trade name or assignment pursuant to completing necessary capital funding.

SECTION 14.02 LANDLORD OPTION TO TERMINATE . Not Applicable.

SECTION 14.03 CONDITIONS OF CONSENT.

(a) Should consent be granted, such consent shall be subject to Tenant causing the Assignee to execute an agreement directly with Landlord undertaking to be bound by all the terms, covenants and conditions contained in the Lease as though Assignee had originally executed this Lease as Tenant;

(b) At no time when Tenant is in default in the performance of any covenant of this Lease or in payment of rent or any other matured sums payable hereunder shall any Assignment be approved or permitted, nor shall the notice provision of Section 14.03 limit the right to declare default and pursue other remedies provided for in this Lease or under the laws of the State of Utah.

SECTION 14.04 STANDARDS OF REASONABLENESS IN WITHHOLDING CONSENT . In determining whether to grant consent, Landlord may consider any statutory or common law tests as well as the following tests, each of which if applicable in Landlord’s sole business judgment, shall be deemed a reasonable ground for rejection:

(a) Any Assignment disapproved by Landlord’s lender;

(b) Any Assignment resulting in a change of use from that specified in Section 1.01(F) which is not in harmony with other businesses in the building;

(c) Any Assignment to an Assignee who lacks good reputation, successful business experience in Tenant’s type of business and substantial means and financial capacity adequate to conduct such a business;

Consent by Landlord to one or more Assignments shall not constitute a waiver or consent to any subsequent Assignment nor exhaust Landlord’s rights under this Article; nor shall acceptance of rents or any other payment from Assignee be deemed a waiver or consent by Landlord or an acceptance of such Assignment.

SECTION 14.05 CONTINUING LIABILITY OF TENANT . Neither the consent of Landlord nor any otherwise permitted Assignment or Subletting shall relieve Tenant from continuing liability under this Lease.

SECTION 14.06 DOCUMENTATION OF ASSIGNMENT . Whether the documentation of any such Assignment shall be prepared by Tenant or by Landlord or it’s attorneys, all costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees related to considering such Assignment shall be paid by Tenant, Which fees payable to Landlord shall in no case be less than $300.00 per Assignment considered, payable by Tenant upon demand as Additional Rent.

ARTICLE XV. WASTE OR NUISANCE

SECTION 15.01 WASTE OR NUISANCE . Tenant shall not commit or suffer to be committed any waste upon the Premises, or any nuisance or other act or thing which may disturb the quite enjoyment of any other tenant in the building in which the Premises may be located, or elsewhere within the Building.

 

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ARTICLE XVI. NOTICES

SECTION 16.01 NOTICES . Except as provided in Section 19.01, any notice required or permitted hereunder to be given or transmitted between the parties shall be either personally delivered, or mailed postage prepaid by registered mall, return receipt requested, addressed if to Tenant at the address set forth in Section 1.01(E), and if to Landlord at the address set forth in Section 1.01(C). Either party may, by notice to the other given as prescribed in this Section 16.01, change its above address for any future notices which are mailed under this Lease.

ARTICLE XVII. DESTRUCTION OF THE PREMISES

SECTION 17.01 DESTRUCTION.

(a) If the Premises are partially or totally destroyed by fire or other casualty insurable under insurance required to be maintained by Landlord pursuant to section 11.02 (a) so as to become partially or totally untenantable, the same shall be repaired or rebuilt as speedily as practical under the circumstances at the expense of the Landlord, unless Landlord elects not to repair or rebuild as provided in Subsection (b) of this Section 17.01. During the period required for restoration, a just and proportionate part of Base Rent, Additional Rent and other charges payable by Tenant hereunder shall be abated until the Premises are repaired or rebuilt.

(b) If the Premises are (I) rendered totally untenantable by reason of an occurrence described in Subsection (a), or (II) damaged or destroyed as a result of a risk which is not insured under Landlord’s fire insurance policies, or (III) at least twenty percent (20%) damaged or destroyed during the last two years of the Rental Term, or (IV) if the Building is damaged in whole or in part (whether or not the Premises are damaged), to such an extent that Tenant cannot practically use the Premises for its intended purpose, and in any such events then Landlord may at its option terminate this Lease Agreement by notice in writing to the Tenant within sixty (60) days after the date of such occurrence. Unless Landlord gives such notice, this Lease Agreement will remain in full force and effect and Landlord shall repair such damage at its expense as expeditiously as possible under the circumstances and a just and proportionate part of the Base Rent, Additional Rent, and other charges, shall be abated until the Premises are repaired or rebuilt.

(c) If Landlord should elect or be obligated pursuant to Subsection (a) above to repair or rebuild because of any damage or destruction, Landlord’s obligation shall be limited to the original Building any other work or improvements which may have been originally performed or installed at Landlord’s expense. If the cost of performing Landlord’s obligation exceeds the actual proceeds of insurance paid or payable to Landlord on account of such casualty, Landlord may terminate this Lease Agreement unless Tenant, within fifteen (15) days after demand therefor, deposits with Landlord a sum of money sufficient to pay the difference between the cost of repair and the proceeds of the insurance available for such purpose. Tenant shall replace all work and improvements not originally installed or performed by Landlord at its expense.

(d) Except as stated in this Article XVII, Landlord shall not be liable for any loss or damage sustained by Tenant by reason of casualties mentioned hereinabove or any other accidental • casualty.

ARTICLE XVIII. CONDEMNATION

SECTION 18.01 CONDEMNATION . As used in this Section the term “Condemnation Proceeding” means any action or proceeding in which any interest in the Premises or Building is taken for any public or quasi-public purpose by any lawful authority through exercise of the power of eminent domain or right of condemnation or by purchase or otherwise in lieu thereof. If the whole of the Premises is taken through Condemnation Proceedings, this Lease shall automatically terminate as of the date possession is taken by fie condemning authority. If in excess of twenty-five (25%) percent of the Premises is taken, either party hereto shall have the option to terminate this Lease by giving the other written notice of such election at any time within thirty (30) days after the date of taking. If less than twenty-five (25%) percent of the space is taken and Landlord determines, in Landlord’s sole discretion, that a reasonable amount of reconstruction thereof will not result in the Premises or the Building becoming a practical improvement reasonably suitable for use for the purpose for which it is designed, then Landlord may elect to terminate this Lease Agreement by giving thirty (30) days written notice as provided hereinabove. In all other cases, or if neither party exercises its option to terminate, this Lease shall remain in effect and the rent payable hereunder from and after the date of taking shall be proportionately reduced in proportion to the ratio of: (1) the area contained in the Premises which is capable of occupancy after the taking; to (II) the total area contained in the Premises which was capable of occupancy prior to the taking. In the event of any termination or rental reduction provided for in this Section, there shall be a proration of the rent payable under this Lease and Landlord shall refund any excess theretofore

 

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paid by Tenant. Whether or not this Lease is terminated as a consequence of Condemnation Proceedings, all damages or compensation awarded for a partial or total taking, including any sums compensating Tenant for diminution in the value of or deprivation of its leasehold estate, shall be the sole and exclusive property of Landlord, except that Tenant will be entitled to any awards intended to compensate Tenant for expenses of locating and moving Tenant’s operations to a new space.

ARTICLE XIX. DEFAULT OF TENANT

SECTION 19.01 DEFAULT—RIGHT TO RE-ENTER . In the event of any failure of Tenant to pay any rental due hereunder within ten (10) days after written notice that the same is past due shall have been mailed to Tenant, or any failure by Tenant to perform any other of the terms, conditions or covenants required of Tenant by this Lease within thirty (30) days after written notice of such default shall have been mailed to Tenant, or if Tenant shall abandon said Premises, or permit this Lease to be taken under any writ of execution, then Landlord, besides other rights or remedies it may have, shall have the right to declare this Lease terminated and shall have the immediate right of re-entry and may remove all persons and property from the Premises. Such property may be removed and stored in a public warehouse or elsewhere at the cost of and for the account of Tenant, without evidence of notice or resort to legal process and without being deemed guilty of trespass, or becoming liable for any loss or damage which may be occasioned thereby. Tenant hereby waives all compensation for the forfeiture of the term or its loss of possession of the Premises in the event of the forfeiture of this Lease as provided for above. Any notice that Landlord may desire or is required to give Tenant with reference to the foregoing provision may, in lieu of mailing, at the option of Landlord, be conspicuously posted for ten (10) consecutive days at the main entrance to or in front of the Premises, and such notice shall constitute a good, sufficient, and lawful notice for the purpose of declaring a forfeiture of this Lease and for terminating all of the rights of the Tenant hereunder.

SECTION 19.02 DEFAULT—RIGHT TO RE-LET . Should Landlord elect to re-enter, as herein provided, or should it take possession pursuant to legal proceedings or pursuant to any notice provided for by law, it may either terminate this Lease or it may from time to time, without terminating this Lease, make such alterations and repairs as may be necessary in order to relet the Premises, and may relet said Premises or any part thereof for such term or terms (which may be for a term extending beyond the term of this Lease) and at such rental or rentals and upon such other terms and conditions as Landlord in its sole discretion may deem advisable. Upon each such reletting, all rentals received by Landlord from such reletting shall be applied first to the payment of any costs and expenses of such reletting, including brokerage fees and attorney’s fees and costs of such alterations and repairs; second, to the payment of rent or other unpaid obligations due hereunder; and the residue, if any’, shall be held by Landlord and applied in payment of future rent as the same may become due and payable hereunder. If such rental received from such reletting during any month be less than that to be paid during that month by Tenant hereunder, Tenant shall pay any such deficiency to Landlord. Such deficiency shall be calculated and paid monthly. No such re-entry or taking possession of said Premises by Landlord shall be construed as an election on its part to terminate this Lease unless a written notice of such intention be given to Tenant or unless the termination thereof be decreed by a court or competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any such reletting without termination, Landlord may at any time elect to terminate this Lease for such previous default. Should Landlord at any time terminate this Lease for any default, in addition to any other remedies it may have, it may recover from Tenant all damages it may incur by reason of such default, including the cost of recovering the Premises, reasonable attorney’s fees, and including the worth at the time of such termination of the excess, if any, of the amount of rent and charges equivalent to rent reserved in this Lease for the remainder of the stated term over the then reasonable rental value of the Premises for the remainder of the stated term, all of which amounts shall be immediately due and payable.

SECTION 19.03 LEGAL EXPENSES . In case of default by either party in the performance and obligations under this Lease, the defaulting party shall pay all costs incurred in enforcing this Lease, or any right arising out of such default, whether by suit or otherwise, including a reasonable attorney’s fee.

ARTICLE XX. BANKRUPTCY, INSOLVENCY OR RECEIVERSHIP

SECTION 20.01 ACT OF INSOLVENCY, GUARDIANSHIP, ETC . The following shall constitute a default of this Lease by the Tenant for which Landlord, at Landlord’s option, may immediately terminate this Lease.

(a) The appointment of a receiver to take possession of all or substantially all of the assets of the Tenant.

(b) A general assignment by the Tenant of his assets for the benefit of creditors.

(c) Any action taken or suffered by or against the Tenant under any federal or state insolvency or bankruptcy act.

(d) The appointment of a guardian, conservator, trustee, or other similar officer to take charge of all or any substantial part of the Tenant’s property.

 

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Neither this Lease, nor any interest therein nor any estate thereby created shall pass to any trustee, guardian; receiver or assignee for the benefit of creditors or otherwise by operation of law.

ARTICLE XXI. LANDLORD ACCESS

SECTION 21.01 LANDLORD ACCESS . Landlord or Landlord’s agent shall have the right to enter the Premises at all reasonable times to examine the same; or to show them to prospective purchasers or lessees of the Building, or to make all repairs, alterations, improvements or additions as Landlord may deem necessary or desirable, and Landlord shall be allowed to take all material into and upon said Premises that may be required therefor without the same constituting an eviction of Tenant in whole or in part, and rent shall not abate while said repairs, alterations, improvements, or additions are being made, by reason of loss or interruption of business of Tenant, or otherwise provided that such repairs, alterations, improvements, or additions do not substantially interfere with Tenant’s use of Premises. During the ninety days prior to the expiration of the Rental Term of this Lease or any renewal term, Landlord may exhibit the Premises to prospective tenants and place upon the Premises the usual notices “To Let” or “For Rent” which notices Tenant shall permit to remain thereon without molestation.

ARTICLE XXII. LANDLORD’S LIEN .

SECTION 22.01 LANDLORD’S LIEN . Tenant hereby grants to Landlord a lien upon the improvements, trade fixtures and furnishings of Tenant to secure full and faithful performance of all of the terms of this Lease.

ARTICLE XXIII. HOLDING OVER

SECTION 23.01 HOLDING OVER . Any holding over after the expiration of • the Rental Term hereof shall be construed to be a tenancy at sufferance and all provisions of this Lease Agreement shall be and remain in effect except that the monthly rental shall be double the amount of rent (including any adjustments as provided herein) payable for the last full calendar month of the Rental Term including renewals or extensions.

SECTION 23.02 SUCCESSORS . All rights and liabilities herein given to, or imposed upon, the respective parties hereto shall extend to and bind the several respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of the said parties; and if there shall be more than one tenant, they shall all be bound jointly and severally by the terms, covenants and agreements herein. No rights, however, shall inure to the benefit of any assignee of Tenant unless the assignment to such assignee has been approved by Landlord in writing.

ARTICLE XXIV. RULES AND REGULATIONS

SECTION 24.01 RULES AND REGULATIONS . Tenant shall comply with all reasonable rules and regulations which are now or which may be hereafter prescribed by the Landlord and posted in or about said Premises or otherwise brought to the notice of the Tenant, both with regard to the Premises and to the project as a whole including common facilities.

ARTICLE XXV. QUIET ENJOYMENT

SECTION 25.01 QUIET ENJOYMENT . Upon payment by the Tenant of the rents herein provided, and upon the observance and performance of all the covenants, terms and conditions on Tenant’s part to be observed and performed, Tenant shall peaceably and quietly hold and enjoy the Premises for the term hereby demised without hindrance or interruption by Landlord or any other person or persons lawfully or equitably claiming by, through or under the Landlord, subject, nevertheless, to the terms and conditions of this Lease and actions of governmental regulatory entities and casualty losses.

ARTICLE XXVI. SECURITY DEPOSIT

SECTION 26.01 SECURITY DEPOSIT . The Landlord herewith acknowledges receipt of the amount set forth in Section 1.01 (U) which it is to retain as security for the faithful performance of all the covenants, conditions and agreements of this Lease, but in no event shall the Landlord be obliged to apply the same upon rents or other charges in arrears or upon damages for the Tenant’s failure to perform the said covenants, conditions and agreements; the Landlord may so apply the Security Deposit, at its option; and the Landlord’s

 

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right to the possession of the Leased Premises for non-payment of rents or for other reasons shall not in any event be affected by reason of the fact that the Landlord holds this Security Deposit. The said sum, if not applied toward the payment of rents in arrears or toward the payment of damages suffered by the Landlord by reason of the Tenant’s breach of the covenants, conditions and agreements of this Lease, is to be returned to Tenant without interest when this Lease is terminated, according to these terms, and in no event is the said Security Deposit to be returned until Tenant has vacated the Leased Premises and delivered possession to the Landlord.

In the event that the Landlord repossesses Leased Premises because of the Tenant’s default or because of the Tenant’s failure to carry out the covenants, conditions and agreements of this Lease, Landlord may apply the said Security Deposit toward damages as may be suffered or shall accrue thereafter by reason of the Tenant’s default or breach. In the event of bankruptcy or other debtor-creditor proceedings against Tenant as specified in Article XX, the Security Deposit shall be deemed to be applied first to the payment of Rents and other charges due Landlord for the earliest possible periods prior to the filing of such proceedings. The Landlord shall not be obliged to keep the said Security Deposit as a separate fund, but may mix the same with its own funds.

ARTICLE XXVII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 27.01 WAIVER . No failure on the part of Landlord to enforce any covenant or provision of this Lease shall discharge or invalidate such covenant or provision or affect the right of Landlord to enforce the same in the event of any subsequent breach. One or more waivers of any covenant or condition by Landlord shall not be construed as a waiver of a subsequent breach of the same covenant or condition and the consent to or approval of any subsequent similar act by Tenant. No breach of a covenant or condition of this Lease shall be deemed to have been waived by Landlord, unless such waiver be in writing signed by Landlord.

SECTION 27.02 ENTIRE AGREEMENT . This Lease constitutes the entire Agreement and understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior discussions, understandings and agreements. This Lease may not be altered or amended except by a subsequent written agreement executed by all parties.

SECTION 27.03 FORCE MAJEURE . Any failure to perform or delay in performance by either party of any obligation under this Lease, other than Tenant’s obligation to pay rent, shall be excused if such failure or delay is caused by any strike, lockout, governmental restriction or any similar cause beyond the control of the party so falling to perform, to the extent and for the period that such continues.

SECTION 27.04 LOSS AND DAMAGE . The Landlord shall not be responsible or liable to the Tenant for any loss or damage that may be occasioned by or through the acts or omissions of persons occupying all or any part of the premises adjacent to or connected with the Premises or any part of the building of which the Premises are a part, or for any loss or damage resulting to the Tenant or his property from bursting, stoppage or leaking of water, gas sewer or steam pipes or for any damage or loss of property within the Premises from any cause whatsoever.

SECTION 27.05 ACCORD AND SATISFACTION . No payment by Tenant or receipt by Landlord of a lesser amount than the amount owing hereunder shall be deemed to be other than on account of the earliest stipulated amount receivable from Tenant, nor shall any endorsement or statement on any check or any letter accompanying any check or payment as rent be deemed an accord and satisfaction, and Landlord may accept such check or payment without prejudice to Landlord’s right to recover the balance of such rent or receivable or pursue any other remedy available under this Lease or the law of the state where the Premises are located.

SECTION 27.06 NO OPTION . The submission of this Lease for examination does not constitute a reservation of or option for the Premises and this Lease becomes effective as a lease only upon full execution and delivery thereof by Landlord and Tenant.

SECTION 27.07 ANTI-DISCRIMINATION . Tenant herein covenants by and for itself, its heirs, executors, administrators and assigns and all persons claiming under or through it, and this Lease is made and accepted upon and subject to the following conditions: That there shall be no discrimination against or segregation of any person or group of persons on account of race, sex, marital status, color, creed, national origin or ancestry, in the leasing, subleasing, assigning, use, occupancy, tenure or enjoyment of the Premises, nor shall the Tenant itself, or any person claiming under or through it, establish or permit any such practice or practices of discrimination or segregation with reference to the selection, location, number, use or occupancy of tenants, lessees, sublessees, or subtenants in the Premises.

SECTION 27.08 SEVERABILITY . If any term, covenant or condition of this Lease or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Lease, or the application of such term, covenant or condition to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby and each term, covenant or condition of this Lease shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

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SECTION 27.09 OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS . This instrument shall not be recorded without the prior written consent of Landlord; however, upon the request of either party hereto, the other party shall join in the execution of a memorandum or “short form” lease for recording purposes which memorandum shall describe the parties, the Premises, the Rental Term and shall incorporate this Lease by reference, and may include other special provisions. The captions which precede the Sections of this Lease are for convenience only and shall in no way affect the manner in which any provisions hereof is construed. In the event there is more than one Tenant hereunder, the liability of each shall be joint and several. This instrument shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State wherein the Premises are located. Words of any gender used in this Lease shall be held to include any other gender, and words in the singular number shall be held to include the plural when the sense requires. Time is of the essence of this Lease and every term, covenant and condition herein contained.

SECTION 27.10 REPRESENTATION REGARDING AUTHORITY . The persons who have executed this Agreement represent and warrant that they are duly authorized to execute this Agreement in their individual or representative capacity as indicated.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS:

SECTION 27.11 UNUSED CONSTRUCTION CONTRIBUTION . If the Landlord Construction Contribution exceeds the construction cost including design/space planning costs, then Tenant may elect to apply the excess toward moving costs or security deposit or Tenant can receive a rent credit equal to $0.12 per square foot per year ($0.01 per square foot per month) for each $1.00 of construction contribution which is not used. In such case Landlord and Tenant agree to execute an Amendment to Lease evidencing the Adjusted Base Monthly Rental.

[Balance of this page left blank intentionally.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Landlord and Tenant have executed and delivered this Lease as of the day and year first above written.

SIGNATURES:

 

LANDLORD
PARADIGM RESOURCES, L.C., a Utah limited liability company
By:   /s/ W. Richards Woodbury
  W. Richards Woodbury, Manager
 
By:   /s/ Don R. Brown
  Don R. Brown, Manager

 

TENANT
SALUS THERAPEUTICS, INC., a Utah corporation
By:   /s/ Richard Koehn
  Richard Koehn, President and CEO

LANDLORD ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 

STATE OF UTAH    )
   : ss.
COUNTY OF SALT LAKE    )

On this 11 day of August, 2003 before me personally appeared W. RICHARDS WOODBURY and DON R. BROWN to me personally known, who being by me duly sworn did each for himself say that he is a Manager of that certain limited liability company known as PARADIGM RESOURCES, L.C. , and that the within instrument was executed on behalf of said company by authority granted in said companies operating agreement.

 

  /s/ Martine Herbst
  Notary Public

TENANT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

(Corporate)

 

STATE OF UTAH    )
   : ss.
COUNTY OF SALT LAKE    )

On this 11 day of August, 2003, before me personally appeared Richard Koehn , known to me to be the President of Salus Therapeutics, Inc. , the corporation that executed the within instrument, known to me to be the persons who executed the within instrument on behalf of the corporate therein named, and acknowledged to me that such corporation executed the within instrument pursuant to its bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors.

 

  /s/ Martine Herbst
  Notary Public

 

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Exhibit 10.5

SECOND LEASE EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION

AGREEMENT

This Second Lease Extension and Modification Agreement (“Second Lease Extension”) is entered into as of the 21st day of June, 2011, by and between PARADIGM RESOURCES L.C., a Utah limited liability company (hereinafter “Landlord”) and LIPOCINE, INC., a Delaware corporation (Tax ID: 84-1413519) (hereinafter “Tenant”).

WHEREAS, Landlord and Salus Therapeutics, Inc., a Utah corporation (hereinafter “Salus Therapeutics”), entered into that certain Lease Agreement dated August 11, 2003 (hereinafter the “Lease”), pursuant to which Landlord leased to Tenant certain Premises designated as Suite 202, located at 675 Arapeen Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah (hereinafter “Leased Premises”);

WHEREAS, on or about August 14, 2003, Salus Therapeutics assigned all its right, title, and interest in the Lease to Genta Salus LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (hereinafter “Genta”);

WHEREAS, on or about August 6, 2004, Genta assigned all its right, title, and interest in the Lease to Tenant;

WHEREAS, on or about June 30, 2008, Landlord and Tenant entered into that certain Lease Extension and Modification Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Lease term is set to expire of its own terms on November 31, 2011; and

WHEREAS, the Landlord and Tenant desire to extend the Lease for an additional three (3) year period.

NOW THEREFORE, for Ten Dollars ($10.00) and other good and valuable consideration, Landlord and Tenant hereby agree to extend the term of the Lease upon the following terms and conditions:

 

  1. The Lease Term shall be extended for an additional three (3)  year period commencing December 1, 2011 and ending November 30, 2014 (hereinafter “Second Extension Term”).

 

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  2. Fixed Minimum Rent during the Second Extension Term shall be as follows: Commencing December 1, 2011 of the Second Extension Term and continuing through November 30, 2012, the Annual Fixed Minimum Rent shall be Two Hundred Fifty-Four Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty-Six and 48/100 Dollars $ 254,856.48 ), payable in equal consecutive monthly installments of Twenty One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-Eight and 04/100 Dollars ($ 21,238.04).

 

  3. The Escalations in Monthly Fixed Minimum Rent during the Second Extension Term shall occur as follows:

 

Escalation Date

   Monthly Payment  

December 1, 2012

   $ 21,875.18   

December 1, 2013

   $ 22,531.44   

 

  4. Tenant shall continue to pay its pro rata share of Real Estate Tax Expense, Landlord Fire and Casualty Insurance and Common Area Maintenance Payments, currently estimated at $ 7,089.40 per month.

 

  5. OPTION TO RENEW : Provided Tenant is not, and has not been in default under any of the terms and conditions contained herein, Tenant shall have one (1) additional consecutive two (2) year option to renew and extend the Rental Term as provided herein. The Option shall only be exercised by the Tenant delivering written notice thereof to the Landlord not less than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the original term. Fixed Minimum Rent for the Option periods shall be as follows:

 

Option Period

   Monthly  

December 1, 2014

   $ 23,207.38   

December 1, 2015

   $ 23,903.60   

 

  6. Except as specifically modified, altered, or changed by this Second Lease Extension, the Lease and any amendments and/or extensions shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect throughout the Second Extension Term of the Lease.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS THEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Second Lease Extension and Modification Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

LANDLORD:    

PARADIGM RESOURCES, L.C., a Utah

limited liability company

    By:   /s/ W. Richard Woodbury
      W. Richard Woodbury, Manager
     
    By:   /s/ Don Brown
      Don Brown, Manager
     
TENANT:     LIPOCINE INC., a Utah corporation
     
    By:   /s/ M. Patel
      Its: President
    By:   /s/ Robert Merrell
      Its: Vice President

 

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF LANDLORD

 

STATE OF UTAH   )   
  : ss.   
COUNTY OF SALT LAKE   )   

On the 28th day of June, 2011, personally appeared W. RICHARDS WOODBURY, to me personally known, who being by me duly sworn did say that he is a Manager of that certain company known as PARADIGM RESOURCES, L.C., the company that executed the within instrument, known to me to be the persons who executed the within instrument on behalf of said company therein named, and acknowledged to me that such company executed the within instrument pursuant to its Operating Agreement.

 

/s/ Tiffany M. Steele
Notary Public

 

STATE OF UTAH   )   
  : ss.   
COUNTY OF SALT LAKE   )   

On the 23 day of June, 2011, personally appeared DON BROWN, to me personally known, who being by me duly sworn did say that he is a Manager of that certain company known as PARADIGM RESOURCES, L.C., the company that executed the within instrument, known to me to be the persons who executed the within instrument on behalf of said company therein named, and acknowledged to me that such company executed the within instrument pursuant to its Operating Agreement.

 

/s/ Andria R. Carnell
Notary Public


ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF TENANT

(Corporate)

 

STATE OF UTAH   )   
  : ss.   
COUNTY OF SALT LAKE   )   

On the 21st day of June, 2011, before me personally appeared Mahesh Patel and Robert Merrell, to me personally known to be the President and Vice President of LIPOCINE INC., a Utah corporation, the corporation that executed the within instrument, known to me to be the persons who executed the within instrument on behalf of said corporation therein named, and acknowledged to me that such corporation executed the within instrument pursuant to its by-laws or a resolution of its board of directors.

 

/s/ Robin Denise Hill
Notary Public

Exhibit 10.6

DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

This Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement, dated as of                      (this “ Agreement ”), is made by and between Lipocine Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) and                      (“ Indemnitee ”).

RECITALS:

A. Sections 141 and 142 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provide that the business and affairs of a corporation shall be managed by its board of directors or by its officers under the direction of its board of directors.

B. Under Delaware law, the right of a director or officer to be reimbursed for the costs of defense of criminal actions, whether such claims are asserted under state or federal law, does not depend upon the merits of the claims asserted against the director or officer and is separate and distinct from any right to indemnification the director or officer may be able to establish, and indemnification of the director or officer against criminal fines and penalties is permitted if the director or officer satisfies the applicable standard of conduct.

C. Indemnitee’s willingness to serve as a director or officer of the Company is predicated, in substantial part, upon the Company’s willingness to indemnify him/her in accordance with the principles reflected above, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the state of Delaware, and upon the other undertakings set forth in this Agreement.

D. Therefore, in recognition of the need to provide Indemnitee with substantial protection against personal liability, in order to procure Indemnitee’s continued service as a director or officer of the Company and to enhance Indemnitee’s ability to serve the Company in an effective manner, and in order to provide such protection pursuant to express contract rights (intended to be enforceable irrespective of, among other things, any amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws (collectively, the “ Constituent Documents ”), any change in the composition of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) or any change-in-control or business combination transaction relating to the Company), the Company wishes to provide in this Agreement for the indemnification of and the advancement of Expenses (as defined in Section 1(e)) to Indemnitee as set forth in this Agreement and for the continued coverage of Indemnitee under the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies.

E. In light of the considerations referred to in the preceding recitals, it is the Company’s intention and desire that the provisions of this Agreement be construed liberally, subject to their express terms, to maximize the protections to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder.

AGREEMENT:

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Certain Definitions. In addition to terms defined elsewhere herein, the following terms have the following meanings when used in this Agreement with initial capital letters:

(a) “Change in Control” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

(i) the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the acquisition of assets of another corporation, or other transaction (each, a “Business Combination” ), unless, in each case, immediately following such Business Combination A) all or substantially all of the beneficial owners of voting stock of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or


(ii) approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

(b) “Incumbent Directors” means the individuals who, as of the date hereof, are Directors of the Company and any individual becoming a Director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, or appointment, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the then Incumbent Directors (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination).

(c) “Subsidiary” means an entity in which the Company directly or indirectly beneficially owns 50% or more of the outstanding Voting Stock.

(d) “Voting Stock” means securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or similar governing bodies).

(e) Claim means (i) any threatened, asserted, pending or completed claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, investigative or other, and whether made pursuant to federal, state or other law; and (ii) any inquiry or investigation, whether made, instituted or conducted by the Company or any other party, including without limitation any federal, state or other governmental entity, that Indemnitee determines might lead to the institution of any such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding.

(f) “ Disinterested Director ” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Claim in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

(g) Expenses means attorneys’ and experts’ fees and expenses and all other costs and expenses paid or payable in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to investigate, defend, be a witness in or participate in (including on appeal), any Claim.

(h) Indemnifiable Claim means any Claim based upon, arising out of or resulting from (i) any actual, alleged or suspected act or failure to act by Indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity or enterprise, whether or not for profit, as to which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent, (ii) any actual, alleged or suspected act or failure to act by Indemnitee in respect of any business, transaction, communication, filing, disclosure or other activity of the Company or any other entity or enterprise referred to in clause (i) of this sentence, or (iii) Indemnitee’s status as a current or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a current or former director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent of the Company or any other entity or enterprise referred to in clause (i) of this sentence or any actual, alleged or suspected act or failure to act by Indemnitee in connection with any obligation or restriction imposed upon Indemnitee by reason of such status.

(i) Indemnifiable Losses” means any and all Losses relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Indemnifiable Claim.

(j) “ Independent Counsel ” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Indemnifiable Claim giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

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(k) “ Losses means any and all Expenses, damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties (whether civil, criminal or other) and amounts paid in settlement, including without limitation all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any of the foregoing.

2. Indemnification Obligation. Subject to Section 7, the Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware in effect on the date hereof or as such laws may from time to time hereafter be amended to increase the scope of such permitted indemnification, against any and all Indemnifiable Claims and Indemnifiable Losses; provided , however , that, except as provided in Sections 5 and 20, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement in connection with any Claim initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or any director or officer of the Company unless the Company has joined in or consented to the initiation of such Claim.

3. Advancement of Expenses. Indemnitee shall have the right to advancement by the Company prior to the final disposition of any Indemnifiable Claim of any and all Expenses relating to any Indemnifiable Claim paid or incurred by Indemnitee or which Indemnitee determines are reasonably likely to be paid or incurred by Indemnitee. Indemnitee’s right to such advancement is not subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct. Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, within five business days after any request by Indemnitee, the Company shall, in accordance with such request, (a) pay such Expenses on behalf of Indemnitee, (b) advance to Indemnitee funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses, or (c) reimburse Indemnitee for such Expenses; provided that Indemnitee shall repay, without interest, any amounts actually advanced to Indemnitee that, at the final disposition of the Indemnifiable Claim to which the advance related, were in excess of amounts paid or payable by Indemnitee in respect of Expenses relating to from such Indemnifiable Claim. In connection with any such payment, advancement or reimbursement, Indemnitee shall execute and deliver to the Company an undertaking, which need not be secured and shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses, by or on behalf of the Indemnitee, to repay any Expenses to the extent that amounts paid, advanced or reimbursed by the Company following the final disposition of such Indemnifiable Claim. Indemnitee shall have been determined, pursuant to Section 7, not to be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

4. Indemnification for Additional Expenses. The Company shall also indemnify against and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall reimburse Indemnitee for, or advance to Indemnitee, within five business days of such request, any Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee or which Indemnitee determines he or she is reasonably likely to pay or incur in connection with any Claim by Indemnitee for (a) indemnification or reimbursement or advance payment of Expenses by the Company under any provision of this Agreement, or under any other agreement or provision of the Constituent Documents now or hereafter in effect relating to Indemnifiable Claims, and/or (b) recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, regardless in each case of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, reimbursement, advance or insurance recovery, as the case may be; provided , however , that Indemnitee shall return, without interest, any such advance of Expenses (or portion thereof) which remains unspent at the final disposition of the Claim to which the advance related.

5. Partial Indemnity. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of any Indemnifiable Loss but not for all of the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

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6. Procedure for Notification . To obtain indemnification under this Agreement in respect of an Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request therefor, including a brief description (based upon information then available to Indemnitee) of such Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss. If, at the time of the receipt of such request, the Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in effect under which coverage for such Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss is potentially available, the Company shall give prompt written notice of such Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss to the applicable insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable policies. The Company shall provide to Indemnitee a copy of such notice delivered to the applicable insurers, and copies of all subsequent correspondence between the Company and such insurers regarding the Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss, in each case substantially concurrently with the delivery or receipt thereof by the Company. The failure by Indemnitee to timely notify the Company of any Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss shall not relieve the Company from any liability hereunder unless, and only to the extent that, the Company did not otherwise learn of such Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss and such failure results in forfeiture by the Company of substantial defenses, rights or insurance coverage.

7. Determination of Right to Indemnification.

(a) To the extent that Indemnitee shall have been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Indemnifiable Claim or any portion thereof or in defense of any issue or matter therein, including without limitation dismissal without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Indemnifiable Losses relating to such Indemnifiable Claim in accordance with Section 2 and no Standard of Conduct Determination (as defined in Section 7(b)) shall be required.

(b) To the extent that the provisions of Section 7(a) are inapplicable to an Indemnifiable Claim that shall have been finally disposed of, any determination of whether Indemnitee has satisfied any applicable standard of conduct under Delaware law that is a legally required condition to indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder against Indemnifiable Losses relating to such Indemnifiable Claim (a “ Standard of Conduct Determination ”) shall be made as follows: (i) unless a Change of Control has occurred, or (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even if less than a quorum of the Board, (B) if there are no such Disinterested Directors, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion addressed to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; and (ii) if a Change in Control shall has occurred by Independent Counsel in a written opinion addressed to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall reimburse Indemnitee for, or advance to Indemnitee, within five business days of such request, any and all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ and experts’ fees and expenses) incurred by Indemnitee in cooperating with the person or persons making such Standard of Conduct Determination.

(c) The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause any Standard of Conduct Determination required under Section 7(b) to be made as promptly as practicable. If the person or persons determined under Section 7 to make the Standard of Conduct Determination shall not have made a determination within 30 days after the later of (A) receipt by the Company of written notice from Indemnitee advising the Company of the final disposition of the applicable Indemnifiable Claim (the date of such receipt being the “ Notification Date ”) and (B) the selection of an Independent Counsel, if such determination is to be made by Independent Counsel, then Indemnitee shall be deemed to have satisfied the applicable standard of conduct; provided that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional 30 days, if the person or persons making such determination in good faith requires such additional time to obtain or evaluate information relating thereto.

(d) If (i) Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 7(a), (ii) no determination of whether Indemnitee has satisfied any applicable standard of conduct under Delaware law is a legally required condition to indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder against any

 

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Indemnifiable Losses, or (iii) Indemnitee has been determined or deemed pursuant to Section 7(b) or (c) to have satisfied any applicable standard of conduct under Delaware law which is a legally required condition to indemnification of Indemnitee then the Company shall pay to Indemnitee, within five business days after the later of (x) the Notification Date regarding the Indemnifiable Claim giving rise to the Indemnifiable Losses and (y) the earliest date on which the applicable criterion specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) is satisfied, an amount equal to such Indemnifiable Losses.

(e) If a Standard of Conduct Determination is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 7(b)(i), the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board of Directors, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If a Standard of Conduct Determination is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 7(b)(ii), the Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee, and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either case, Indemnitee or the Company, as applicable, may, within five business days after receiving written notice of selection from the other, deliver to the other a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not satisfy the criteria set forth in the definition of “Independent Counsel” in Section 1(h), and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person or firm so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is properly and timely made and substantiated, (i) the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit and (ii) the non-objecting party may, at its option, select an alternative Independent Counsel and give written notice to the other party advising such other party of the identity of the alternative Independent Counsel so selected, in which case the provisions of the two immediately preceding sentences and clause (i) of this sentence shall apply to such subsequent selection and notice. If applicable, the provisions of clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to successive alternative selections. If no Independent Counsel that is permitted under the foregoing provisions of this Section 7(e) to make the Standard of Conduct Determination shall have been selected within 30 days after the Company gives its initial notice pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 7(e) or Indemnitee gives its initial notice pursuant to the second sentence of this Section 7(e), as the case may be, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Court or by such other person as the Court shall designate, and the person or firm with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person or firm so appointed will act as Independent Counsel. In all events, the Company shall pay all of the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel incurred in connection with the Independent Counsel’s determination pursuant to Section 7(b).

8. Presumption of Entitlement.

(a) In making any Standard of Conduct Determination, the person or persons making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee has satisfied the applicable standard of conduct, and the Company may overcome such presumption only by its adducing clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. Any Standard of Conduct Determination that is adverse to Indemnitee may be challenged by the Indemnitee in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. No determination by the Company (including by its directors or any Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not satisfied any applicable standard of conduct shall be a defense to any Claim by Indemnitee for indemnification or reimbursement or advance payment of Expenses by the Company hereunder or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct.

 

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9. No Other Presumption. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any Claim by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, will not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any applicable standard of conduct or that indemnification hereunder is otherwise not permitted.

10. Non-Exclusivity. The rights of Indemnitee hereunder will be in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the Constituent Documents, or the substantive laws of the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation, any other contract or otherwise (collectively, “ Other Indemnity Provisions ”); provided , however , that (a) to the extent that Indemnitee otherwise would have any greater right to indemnification under any Other Indemnity Provision, Indemnitee will be deemed to have such greater right hereunder and (b) to the extent that any change is made to any Other Indemnity Provision which permits any greater right to indemnification than that provided under this Agreement as of the date hereof, Indemnitee will be deemed to have such greater right hereunder. The Company will not adopt any amendment to any of the Constituent Documents the effect of which would be to deny, diminish or encumber Indemnitee’s right to indemnification under this Agreement or any Other Indemnity Provision.

11. Liability Insurance and Funding. For the duration of Indemnitee’s service as a director and/or officer of the Company, and thereafter for so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any pending or possible Indemnifiable Claim, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts (taking into account the scope and amount of coverage available relative to the cost thereof) to cause to be maintained in effect policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage for directors and/or officers of the Company that is at least substantially comparable in scope and amount to that provided by the Company’s current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. The Company shall provide Indemnitee with a copy of all directors’ and officers’ liability insurance applications, binders, policies, declarations, endorsements and other related materials, and shall provide Indemnitee with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the same. Without limiting the generality or effect of the two immediately preceding sentences, the Company shall not discontinue or significantly reduce the scope or amount of coverage from one policy period to the next (i) without the prior approval thereof by a majority vote of the Incumbent Directors, even if less than a quorum, or (ii) if at the time that any such discontinuation or significant reduction in the scope or amount of coverage is proposed there are no Incumbent Directors, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). In all policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance obtained by the Company, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits, subject to the same limitations, as are accorded to the Company’s directors and officers most favorably insured by such policy. The Company may, but shall not be required to, create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other means, including without limitation a letter of credit, to ensure the payment of such amounts as may be necessary to satisfy its obligations to indemnify and advance expenses pursuant to this Agreement.

12. Subrogation. Except as provided in Section 10, in the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the related rights of recovery of Indemnitee against other persons or entities (other than Indemnitee’s successors), including any entity or enterprise referred to in clause (i) of the definition of “Indemnifiable Claim” in Section 1(f). Indemnitee shall execute all papers reasonably required to evidence such rights (all of Indemnitee’s reasonable Expenses, including attorneys’ fees and charges, related thereto to be reimbursed by or, at the option of Indemnitee, advanced by the Company).

13. No Duplication of Payments. Except as provided in Section 10, the Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment to Indemnitee in respect of any Indemnifiable Losses to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment (net of Expenses incurred in connection therewith) under any insurance policy, the Constituent Documents and Other Indemnity Provisions or otherwise.

 

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14. Defense of Claims. The Company shall be entitled to participate in the defense of any Indemnifiable Claim or to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee; provided that if Indemnitee believes, after consultation with counsel selected by Indemnitee, that (a) the use of counsel chosen by the Company to represent Indemnitee would present such counsel with an actual or potential conflict, (b) the named parties in any such Indemnifiable Claim (including any impleaded parties) include both the Company and Indemnitee and that there may be one or more legal defenses available to Indemnitee that are different from or in addition to those available to the Company, or (c) any such representation by such counsel would be precluded under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, then Indemnitee shall be entitled to retain separate counsel (but not more than one law firm plus, if applicable, local counsel in respect of any particular Indemnifiable Claim) at the Company’s expense. The Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any threatened or pending Indemnifiable Claim effected without the Company’s prior written consent. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee, effect any settlement of any threatened or pending Indemnifiable Claim which the Indemnitee is or could have been a party unless such settlement solely involves the payment of money and includes a complete and unconditional release of the Indemnitee from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter of such Indemnifiable Claim. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee shall unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement; provided that Indemnitee may withhold consent to any settlement that does not provide a complete and unconditional release of Indemnitee.

15. Successors and Binding Agreement. (a) The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee and his or her counsel, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor to the Company, including without limitation any person acquiring directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise (and such successor will thereafter be deemed the “ Company ” for purposes of this Agreement), but shall not otherwise be assignable or delegatable by the Company.

(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Indemnitee’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, legatees and other successors.

(c) This Agreement is personal in nature and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign or delegate this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder except as expressly provided in Sections 15(a) and 15(b). Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, Indemnitee’s right to receive payments hereunder shall not be assignable, whether by pledge, creation of a security interest or otherwise, other than by a transfer by the Indemnitee’s will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and, in the event of any attempted assignment or transfer contrary to this Section 15(c), the Company shall have no liability to pay any amount so attempted to be assigned or transferred.

16. Notices. For all purposes of this Agreement, all communications, including without limitation notices, consents, requests or approvals, required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when hand delivered or dispatched by electronic facsimile transmission (with receipt thereof orally confirmed), or five business days after having been mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid or one business day after having been sent for next-day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company (to the attention of the Secretary of the Company) and to Indemnitee at the addresses shown on the signature page hereto, or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing and in accordance herewith, except that notices of changes of address will be effective only upon receipt.

 

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17. Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws of such State. The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding which arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted under this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware.

18. Validity. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any provision hereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected, and the provision so held to be invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal shall be reformed to the extent, and only to the extent, necessary to make it enforceable, valid or legal. In the event that any court or other adjudicative body shall decline to reform any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal as contemplated by the immediately preceding sentence, the parties thereto shall take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate to replace the provision so held to be invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal with one or more alternative provisions that effectuate the purpose and intent of the original provisions of this Agreement as fully as possible without being invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal.

19. Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by Indemnitee and the Company. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto or compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, expressed or implied with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party that are not set forth expressly in this Agreement. References to Sections are to references to Sections of this Agreement.

20. Legal Fees and Expenses. It is the intent of the Company that Indemnitee not be required to incur legal fees and or other Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to Indemnitee hereunder. Accordingly, without limiting the generality or effect of any other provision hereof, if it should appear to Indemnitee that the Company has failed to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, the Company irrevocably authorizes the Indemnitee from time to time to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, at the expense of the Company as hereafter provided, to advise and represent Indemnitee in connection with any such interpretation, enforcement or defense, including without limitation the initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Company or any director, officer, stockholder or other person affiliated with the Company, in any jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any existing or prior attorney-client relationship between the Company and such counsel, the Company irrevocably consents to Indemnitee’s entering into an attorney-client relationship with such counsel, and in that connection the Company and Indemnitee agree that a confidential relationship shall exist between Indemnitee and such counsel. Without respect to whether Indemnitee prevails, in whole or in part, in connection with any of the foregoing, the Company will pay and be solely financially responsible for any and all attorneys’ and related fees and expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any of the foregoing.

 

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21. Certain Interpretive Matters. No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in favor of, or against, either of the parties hereto by reason of the extent to which any such party or its counsel participated in the drafting thereof or by reason of the extent to which any such provision is inconsistent with any prior draft hereof or thereof.

22. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Indemnitee has executed and the Company has caused its duly authorized representative to execute this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

Lipocine Inc.
By:    
 

 

Mahesh V. Patel

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

   
  (Signature of Director or Officer)
   
  (Printed Name of Director or Officer)

 

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Exhibit 10.7

 

LOGO

January 26, 2011

Dr. Chris M. Ireland, Dean

University of Utah College of Pharmacy

30 South 2000 East, Room 201

Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-5820

Dear Dr. Ireland:

In follow-up to your letter dated January 12, 2011, I am pleased to inform you that the Lipocine Board of Directors has extended the expiration date of the Lipocine Stock Purchase Warrant which was issued to the University of Utah on December 29, 2003, with an expiration date of December 31, 2010. The Warrant is for 70,000 shares of Lipocine Series B Common Stock and has been extended for a period of five years.

A copy of the Warrant Agreement is attached. Section 2, “Term,” is hereby amended to the following: “The purchase right represented by this Warrant is exercisable only during the period commencing upon the date hereof and ending on December 31, 2015.” Section 15, “Expiration” is hereby amended to the following: “The right to exercise this Warrant shall expire at 5:00 P.M. Mountain Time, on December 31 st , 2015.”

We are pleased to extend this warrant for the future benefit of the College of Pharmacy and the Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry. We look forward to the University receiving the financial benefit of the Warrant as Lipocine becomes profitable.

Sincerely,

/s/ Mahesh V. Patel

Mahesh V. Patel

President & CEO

cc: Ryan Boyack, Director of Development


THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THEY HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED SOLELY FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, THE SALE IS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 UNDER THE ACT, OR THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT.

LIPOCINE INC.

SERIES B COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

THIS CERTIFIES THAT, for value received, the University of Utah for College of Pharmacy Dean’s Office, and Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (the “University”) is entitled to purchase Seventy Thousand (70,000) shares of Series B Common Stock (“Warrant Shares”) of Lipocine Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), at the Warrant Price (as defined in subsection 1(i) below), subject to adjustments and all other terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant.

1. Definitions . As used herein, the following terms, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:

(a) “Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

(b) “Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal agency at the time administering the Act.

(c) “Company” shall mean Lipocine Inc., a Delaware Corporation, and any corporation which shall succeed to or assume the obligations of Lipocine Inc., under this Warrant.

(d) “Date of Grant” shall mean December 29th, 2003.

(e) “Exercise Date” shall mean the effective date of the delivery of the Notice of Exercise pursuant to Sections 3 and 10 below.


(f) “Holder” shall mean the University or any other person or entity who shall at the time be the registered holder of this Warrant.

(g) “Series B Common Stock” shall mean shares of the Company’s presently or subsequently authorized Series B Common Stock, and any stock into which such Series B Common Stock may hereafter be exchanged.

(h) “Shares” shall mean shares of the Company’s Series B Common Stock, as described in the Company’s charter documents.

(i) “Warrant Price” shall mean $3.57 per share, as equitably adjusted up or down pursuant to Section 5 below.

2. Term . The purchase right represented by this Warrant is exercisable only during the period commencing upon the date hereof and ending on December 31 st , 2010.

3. Exercise of Warrant .

(a) Exercise . This Warrant may be exercised, in whole or in part, by the Holder hereof by surrender of this Warrant, with the form of subscription at the end hereof duly executed by the Holder, to the Company at its principal office, accompanied by payment in cash or by certified or official bank check payable to the order of the Company.

(b) Right to Convert Warrant . Notwithstanding the payment provisions of subsection 3(a) hereof:

(i) The Holder shall have the right (the “Conversion Right”) to require the Company to convert this Warrant, in whole or in part, at any time into shares of Series B Common Stock as provided for in this subsection (b). At the sole option of the Holder, upon exercise of the Conversion Right, the Company shall deliver to the Holder (without payment by the holder of any Warrant Price) that number of shares of Series B Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the value of the Warrant at the time the Conversion Right is exercised (determined by subtracting the product of the Warrant Price and the number of Warrant Shares then issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in effect immediately prior to the exercise of the Conversion Right from the product of the Fair Market Value (as defined below) and the number of Warrant Shares immediately prior to the exercise of the Conversion Right) by (y) the Fair Market Value of one share of Series B Common Stock immediately prior to the exercise of the Conversion Right.

(ii) The Conversion Right may be exercised by the Holder, at any time, or from time to time, on any business day by delivering a written notice (the “Conversion Notice”) to the Company exercising the Conversion Right and specifying (i) the total number of Warrant Shares the Holder will purchase pursuant to such conversion and (ii) a place and date not less than one nor more than 20 business days from the date of the Conversion Notice for the closing of such purchase.


(iii) Fair Market Value of a share of Series B Common Stock as of a particular date (the “Determination Date”) shall mean:

(1) If the Company’s Series B Common Stock is traded on an exchange or is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, then the closing or last sale price, respectively, reported for the last business day immediately preceding the Determination Date.

(2) If the Company’s Series B Common Stock is not traded on an exchange or on the Nasdaq National Market, then as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors upon review of relevant factors.

(c) Delivery of Certificate . In the event of any exercise of the purchase right represented by this Warrant, certificates for the Warrant Shares so purchased shall be delivered to the Holder within thirty (30) days of delivery of the notice of exercise (the “Notice of Exercise”) in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto and, unless this Warrant has been fully exercised or has expired, a new warrant representing the portion of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant shall not then have been exercised shall also be issued to the Holder within such thirty (30) day period.

(d) No Fractional Shares . No fractional shares shall be issued in connection with any exercise hereunder, but in lieu of such fractional shares the Company shall make a cash payment therefor upon the basis of the Fair Market Value of a share of Series B Common Stock as of the Exercise Date.

(e) Company’s Representations .

(i) All Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase right represented by this Warrant shall, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and free of any liens and encumbrances except for restrictions on transfer provided for herein or under applicable federal and state securities laws. During the period within which the purchase right represented by this Warrant may be exercised, the Company shall at all times have authorized, and reserved for the purpose of issuance upon exercise of the purchase right represented by this Warrant, a sufficient number of Warrant Shares to provide for the exercise of the purchase right represented by this Warrant;

(ii) This Warrant has been duly authorized and executed by the Company and is a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights;

(iii) The execution and delivery of this Warrant are not, and the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms hereof will not be inconsistent with the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as amended, do not and will not contravene any law, governmental rule or regulation, judgment or order applicable to the Company, and do not and will not conflict with or contravene any provision of, or constitute a material default under, any material indenture, mortgage, contract or other


instrument of which the Company is a party or by which it is bound or require the consent or approval of, the giving of notice to, the registration or filing with or the taking of any action in respect of or by, any federal, state or local government authority or agency (other than such consents, approvals, notices, actions, filings, etc., as have already been obtained or made, as the case may be).

4. Sale or Exchange of Company or Assets . If, prior to the issuance of Shares under this Warrant the Company sells or exchanges all or substantially all of its assets, or the Shares of the Company are sold exchanged, then Holder at its option may receive, in lieu of the stock otherwise issuable hereunder, such money or property it would have been entitled to receive if this Warrant had been exercised prior to such sale or exchange.

5. Adjustment of Warrant Price and Number of Warrant Shares . The number of securities issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant and the Warrant Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the occurrence of certain events, as follows:

(a) Adjustment for Dividends in Stock . In case at any time or from time to time the holders of the Series B Common Stock of the Company (or any shares of stock or other securities at the time receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant) shall have received or, on or after the record date fixed for the determination of eligible stockholders, shall have become entitled to receive, without payment therefor, other or additional stock of the Company by way of dividend then, and in each case, the Holder of this Warrant shall, upon the exercise hereof, be entitled to receive, in addition to the number of Warrant Shares receivable thereupon, and without payment of any additional consideration therefor, the amount of such other or additional stock of the Company which such Holder would hold on the date of such exercise had it been the holder of record of Warrant Shares on the date hereof and had thereafter, during the period from the date hereof to and including the date of such exercise, retained such shares and/or all other additional stock receivable by it as aforesaid during such period, giving effect to all adjustments called for during such period by subparagraphs (b) and (c) of this Paragraph 5.

(b) Adjustment for Reclassification or Reorganization . In case of any reclassification or change of the outstanding securities of the Company or of any reorganization of the Company, then and in each such case the Holder of this Warrant, upon the exercise hereof at any time after the consummation of such reclassification, change, or reorganization, shall be entitled to receive, in lieu of or in addition to the stock or other securities and property receivable upon the exercise hereof prior to such consummation, the stock or other securities to which such Holder would have been entitled upon such consummation if such Holder had exercised this Warrant immediately prior thereto, all subject to further adjustment as provided in subparagraphs (a) and (c); in each such case, the terms of this Paragraph 5 shall be applicable to the shares of stock or other securities and property receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant after such consummation.

(c) Stock Splits and Reverse Stock Splits . If the Company shall subdivide its outstanding shares of Series B Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the Warrant Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision shall thereby be proportionately reduced and the number of Warrant Shares receivable upon exercise of this Warrant shall thereby be


proportionately increased; and, conversely, if the outstanding number of shares of Series B Common Stock shall be combined into a smaller number of shares, the Warrant Price in effect immediately prior to such combination shall thereby be proportionately increased and the number of Warrant Shares receivable upon exercise of the Warrant shall be proportionately decreased.

6. Notices of Record Date, Etc. In the event of (a) any taking by the Company of a record of the holders of any class of securities for the purpose of determining the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any dividend or other distribution (the “Distribution”) or (b) any capital reorganization or reclassification of the stated capital of the Company or any consolidation or merger of the Company with any other corporation or corporations (other than a wholly-owned subsidiary), or the sale or distribution of all or substantially all of the Company’s property and assets (the “Reorganization Event”), the Company will mail or cause to be mailed to the Holder a notice specifying (i) the date of any such Distribution stating the amount and character of such Distribution, (ii) the date on which any such Reorganization Event is expected to become effective, and (iii) the time, if any, that is to be fixed as to when the holders of record of the Company’s securities shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Company’s securities for securities or other property deliverable upon such Reorganization Event. Such notice shall be mailed at least thirty (30) days prior to the date therein specified.

7. Compliance with Act; Transferability and Negotiability of Warrant; Disposition of Shares .

(a) Compliance with Act . The Holder, by acceptance hereof, agrees that this Warrant and the Warrant Shares to be issued upon the exercise hereof are being acquired solely for its own account and not as a nominee for any other party and not with a view toward the resale or distribution thereof and that it will not offer, sell or otherwise dispose of this Warrant or any Warrant Shares to be issued upon the exercise hereof except under circumstances which will not result in a violation of the Act. Upon the exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall confirm in writing, in a form satisfactory to the Company, that the Warrant Shares so issued are being acquired solely for its own account and not as a nominee for any other party and not with a view toward resale or distribution thereof in violation of the Act. This Warrant and the Warrant Shares to be issued upon the exercise hereof (unless registered under the Act and unless, in the case of the Warrant Shares, such Shares may thereupon be sold pursuant to Commission Rule 144(k)) shall be imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, THE SALE IS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 UNDER THE ACT, OR THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT.


In addition, this Warrant and the Warrant Shares to be issued upon the exercise hereof shall bear any legends required by the securities laws of any applicable states.

(b) Transferability and Negotiability of Warrant . This Warrant may not be transferred or assigned in whole or in part without compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws by the transferor and the transferee (including the delivery of investment representation letters and legal opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Company, if requested by the Company and the transfer is to a person other than a general partner of the initial Holder). Subject to the provisions of this Warrant with respect to compliance with the Act, title to this Warrant may be transferred by endorsement and delivery. The Company shall act promptly to record transfers of this Warrant on its books, but the Company may treat the registered holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner of this Warrant for all purposes, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.

(c) Disposition of Warrant Shares . With respect to any offer, sale, transfer or other disposition of any Warrant Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of this Warrant prior to registration of such Warrant Shares, the Holder and each subsequent holder of this Warrant agrees to give written notice to the Company prior thereto, describing briefly the manner thereof, together with a written opinion of legal counsel for such holder, reasonably satisfactory to the Company and its legal counsel, if requested by the Company, to the effect that such offer, sale or other disposition may be effected without registration or qualification (under the Act or any other federal or state securities laws) of such Warrant Shares and indicating whether or not under the Act, certificates for such Warrant Shares to be sold or otherwise disposed of require any restrictive legend as to the applicable restrictions on transferability in order to ensure compliance with the Act. Promptly upon receiving such written notice and reasonably satisfactory opinion, if so requested, the Company, as promptly as practicable, shall notify such holder that such holder may sell or otherwise dispose of such Warrant Shares, all in accordance with the terms of the notice delivered to the Company. If a determination has been made pursuant to this subsection (c) that the opinion of legal counsel for the holder is not reasonably satisfactory to the Company and its legal counsel, the Company shall so notify the holder promptly after such determination has been made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such Warrant Shares may be offered, sold or otherwise disposed of in accordance with Rule 144, provided that the Company shall have been furnished with such information as the Company may reasonably request to provide a reasonable assurance that the provisions of Rule 144 have been satisfied. Each certificate representing the Warrant Shares thus transferred (except a transfer pursuant to Rule 144(k) or an effective registration statement) shall bear a restrictive legend as to the applicable restrictions on transferability in order to ensure compliance with the Act, unless in the aforesaid opinion of legal counsel for the holder, such legend is not required in order to ensure compliance with the Act. The Company may issue stop transfer instructions to its transfer agent in connection with such restrictions.


8. Rights of Shareholders . No Holder shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed the holder of Warrant Shares or any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of this Warrant for any purpose, nor shall anything contained herein be construed to confer upon the Holder, as such, any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to shareholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action (whether upon any recapitalization, issuance of stock, reclassification of stock, consolidation, merger, transfer of assets or otherwise) or to receive notice of meetings, or to receive dividends or subscription rights or otherwise until this Warrant shall have been exercised and the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise hereof shall have become deliverable, as provided herein.

9. Replacement of Warrants . On receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, on delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form and amount to the Company or, in the case of mutilation, on surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company at its expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant of like tenor.

10. Exchange of Warrant . Subject to the other provisions of this Warrant, on surrender of this Warrant for exchange, properly endorsed and subject to the provisions of this Warrant with respect to compliance with the Act, the Company at its expense shall issue to or on the order of the Holder a new warrant or warrants of like tenor, in the name of the Holder or as the Holder (on payment by the Holder of any applicable transfer taxes) may direct, for the number of Shares issuable upon exercise thereof.

11. Notices . All notices and other communications from the Company to the Holder, or vice versa, shall be deemed delivered and effective when given personally or three days after being mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, at such address as may have been furnished to the Company or the Holder, as the case may be, in writing by the Company or such Holder from time to time.

12. Waiver . This Warrant and any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

13. Governing Law . This Warrant shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

14. Titles and Subtitles; Forms of Pronouns . The titles of the Sections and Subsections of this Warrant are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Warrant. All pronouns used in this Warrant shall be deemed to include masculine, feminine and neuter forms.

15. Expiration . The right to exercise this Warrant shall expire at 5:00 P.M. California time, on December 31 st 2010.

[Rest of page intentionally left blank]


Dated: December 23 rd , 2003            

 

Lipocine Inc.
By:   /s/ Mahesh V. Patel
 

350 W 800 N, Suite 314

Salt Lake City, UT 84103

Title: President & CEO

Exhibit 10.8

LIPOCINE INC.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

T HIS R EGISTRATION R IGHTS A GREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”) is made as of May 25, 2004, by and among L IPOCINE I NC . , a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) and S CHWARZ P HARMA L IMITED , an Irish limited company (“ SP ”).

R ECITALS :

A. W HEREAS , pursuant to a Series A Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among the Company and SP (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), SP has acquired certain shares of Series A Common Stock of the Company; and

B. W HEREAS , it is a condition to the closing of the Purchase Agreement that the parties execute and deliver this Agreement; and

C. W HEREAS , the parties desire to set forth herein their agreement on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein related to the granting of certain registration rights to the Holders (as defined below) relating to the Common Stock held by such Holders.

N OW , T HEREFORE , the parties hereby agree as follows:

A GREEMENT :

The parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Certain Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

Commission ” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Stock ” shall mean the Company’s Series A Common Stock.

Exchange Act ” shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

Holders ” or “ Holders of Registrable Securities ” shall mean SP and any Person who shall have acquired Registrable Securities from SP as permitted herein, either individually or jointly, as the case may be, in a transaction pursuant to which registration rights are transferred pursuant to Section 10 hereof.

Person ” shall mean an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a governmental or quasi-governmental entity, or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity of any kind.

 

1.


Registrable Securities ” means (i) any shares of Common Stock subscribed for pursuant to the Purchase Agreement; or (ii) any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable in respect of the securities referred to in clause (i) above, whether to satisfy interest or dividend payments or upon any stock split, dividend, recapitalization or otherwise, until, in the case of any such security, it is (A) sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; (B) eligible to be sold into the public market without regard to volume limitations under Rule 144(k) promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule); (C) sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule); or (D) sold by a Person in a transaction in which registration rights are not transferred pursuant to Section 10 hereof.

The terms “ register ,” “ registered ” and “ registration ” refer to a registration effected by preparing, filing and having declared effective a registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act.

Registration Expenses ” shall mean (i) all expenses, other than Selling Expenses (defined below), incurred by the Company in complying with Sections 2 or 3 hereof, including without limitation, all registration, qualification and filing fees, exchange or quotation medium listing fees, printing and delivery expenses, escrow and custodian fees, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, blue sky fees and expenses and the expenses of accountants for the Company including the expenses of any special audits incident to or required by any such registration and (ii) the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel chosen by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration for the purpose of rendering a legal opinion on behalf of such holders in connection with any Demand Registration or Piggyback Registration, provided however, that if the aggregate expense of such counsel exceeds U.S. $25,000 such excess expense shall be borne by such holders.

Securities Act ” shall mean the US. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

Selling Expenses ” shall mean all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes and the costs, fees and expenses of any accountants, attorneys (other than the cost, fees and expenses of attorneys which are Registration Expenses) or other experts retained by the Holders.

2. Demand Registrations .

(a) Requests for Registration. At any time after the six-month anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date of effectiveness of a registration statement filed under the Securities Act in respect of an initial public offering of shares of Common Stock of the Company and (ii) the date the Company or a successor corporation is first obligated to file reports with the Commission pursuant to Section 12 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, any Holder or Holders who collectively hold Registrable Securities representing at least 50% of the Registrable Securities then outstanding shall have the right (subject to the limitations set forth below), exercisable by written notice to the Company (each a “Registration Request” ), to have the Company prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the Registrable Securities that are the subject of such request (each, a “Demand

 

2.


Registration ”). A request for a Demand Registration shall specify the approximate number of the Registrable Securities to be registered, which, in the case of a registration on Form S-1 or any successor form, must have a minimum expected aggregate offering price to the public of at least U.S. $2,500,000, or, in the case of a registration on Form S-3 or any successor form, must have a minimum expected aggregate offering price to the public of at least U.S. $1,000,000. Within 10 days after receipt of any such request, the Company will give written notice of such requested registration to all other Holders of Registrable Securities. The Company shall include such other Holders’ Registrable Securities in such offering if they have responded affirmatively within 30 days after the receipt of the Company’s notice. The Holders shall be permitted an aggregate of one Demand Registration hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the Company is entitled to use Form S-3 under the Securities Act, the Holders shall be permitted unlimited requests for Demand Registrations on Form S-3 under this Section 2, or any similar short-form registration (a “ Short-Form Registration ”), if available; provided however, that the Holders, collectively, will be entitled to request only one Short-Form Registration in any 12-month period.

A request for registration under this Section 2(a) will not count as a Demand Registration until the registration statement has become effective and remained effective until the earlier of 30 days and the sale of all securities registered thereunder (unless such registration statement has not become effective due solely to the actions or failure to act with respect to such registration of the Holders requesting such registration, including a request by such Holders that such registration be withdrawn).

(b) Priority on Demand Registrations . If a Demand Registration is an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of Registrable Securities and, if permitted hereunder, other securities requested to be included in such offering, exceeds the number of Registrable Securities and other securities, if any, which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, the Company will include in such registration:

(i) first, the securities of the Company requested to be included in such registration by Elan International Services, Ltd. (“ EIS ”), Elan Pharma International Limited (“ EPIL ”) or the successors or assigns of EIS or EPIL (together with EIS and EPIL, the “ Elan Holders ”) pursuant to the terms of Section 3 of that certain Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Company, EIS and EPIL, dated April 20, 2001, as amended (the “ Elan Registration Rights Agreement ”);

(ii) second, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by the Holders (or, if necessary, such Registrable Securities pro rata among the Holders thereof based upon the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such Holder or such other arrangement agreed to among the Holders); and

(iii) thereafter, other securities requested to be included in such registration, as determined by the Company.

 

3.


The Holders of any Registrable Securities to be included in such an underwritten offering shall enter into an underwriting agreement (which shall be in customary form, may include agreements as to indemnification and contribution and shall provide that the representations and warranties by the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters, shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Holders) and in form and substance satisfactory to the managing underwriters and Holders. If any Holder does not agree to the terms of any such underwriting agreement, which agreement shall be in reasonable and customary form, such Holder shall be excluded from the underwriting upon written notice thereof from the Company or the underwriter.

(c) Restrictions on Demand Registration . The Company may postpone or suspend, for up to 90 days in any 12-month period, the filing or the effectiveness of a registration statement for a Demand Registration if the Company’s board of directors determines in good faith and notifies the Holders in writing that such Demand Registration (i) would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (x) any proposal or plan by the Company to engage in any financing, acquisition or disposition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business) or (y) any merger, consolidation, tender offer or similar transaction, (ii) would require disclosure of any information that the board of directors of the Company determines in good faith the disclosure of which would be detrimental to the Company; provided, however, that in such event, the Holders initially requesting such Demand Registration (the “ Initiating Holders ”) shall be entitled to withdraw such request and, if such request is withdrawn, such Demand Registration will not count as a permitted Demand Registration hereunder and the Company will pay any Registration Expenses in connection with such registration.

(d) Selection of Underwriter . The underwriter will be selected by the Company and shall be reasonably acceptable to a majority in interest of the Initiating Holders.

(e) Limitations on Registration . Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to effect, or take any action to effect, any registration pursuant to this Section 2:

(i) in any jurisdiction in which the Company would be required to execute a general consent to service of process in effecting such registration, qualification or compliance, unless the Company is already subject to service of process in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the Securities Act;

(ii) during the period commencing on the filing of a registration statement (provided that the Company complied with the provisions in Section 3(a) hereof with respect to such registration) and ending on a date 180 days after the effective date of a Company initiated registration; provided that the Company is actively employing reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective; and

(iii) if within 30 days of receipt of a written request from the Initiating Holders to effect a Demand Registration pursuant to this Section 2, the Company gives notice to the Holders of the Company’s intention to file a registration statement within 90 days pursuant to obligations of the Company under the Elan Registration Rights Agreement (provided that the provisions of Section 3(a) shall apply to such registration).

 

4.


3. Piggyback Registrations .

(a) Right to Piggyback . If at any time the Company shall propose to register shares of Common Stock under the Securities Act (other than the Company’s initial public offering or in a registration statement relating to solely to sales of securities to participants in a Company dividend reinvestment plan, or Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor form or in connection with an acquisition or exchange offer or an offering of securities solely to the existing shareholders or employees of the Company), the Company (i) will give prompt written notice to all Holders of Registrable Securities of its intention to effect such a registration and (ii) subject to Section 3(b) and the other terms of this Agreement, will include in such registration all Registrable Securities which are permitted under applicable securities laws to be included in the form of registration statement selected by the Company and with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 30 days after the receipt of the Company’s notice (each, a “ Piggyback Registration ”). The Holders will be permitted to withdraw all or any part of the Registrable Securities from a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effective date of such Piggyback Registration.

(b) Priority on Piggyback Registrations . If a Piggyback Registration is to be an underwritten offering, and the underwriter advises the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, the Company will include in such registration:

(i) first, the securities the Company proposes to sell for its own account;

(ii) second, the securities requested to be registered by the Elan Holders pursuant to the terms of the Elan Registration Rights Agreement;

(iii) third, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by the Holders and any securities requested to be included in such registration by any other Person pursuant to a demand registration request, other than Persons having a lower priority of registration than the Holders, pro rata among the Holders of such Registrable Securities and such other Persons, on the basis of the number of securities requested to be included in such registration by each of such Holders and such other Persons; and

(iv) thereafter, other securities requested to be included in such registration, as determined by the Company.

The Holders of any Registrable Securities to be included in an underwritten offering shall enter into an underwriting agreement (which shall be in customary form, may include agreements as to indemnification and contribution, and shall provide that the representations and warranties by the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters, shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Holders). If any Holder does not agree to the terms of any such underwriting agreement, which agreement shall be in reasonable and customary form, such Holder shall be excluded from the underwriting upon written notice thereof from the Company or the underwriter.

 

5.


(c) Right to Terminate Registration . If at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any of its securities as set forth in Section 3(a) and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to register such securities, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to each Holder of Registrable Securities and thereupon be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such registration (but not from its obligation to pay the Registration Expenses in connection therewith as provided herein).

(d) Selection of Underwriters/Placement Agents . The Company will have the right in its sole discretion, to select the underwriter for a Piggyback Registration.

4. Expenses of Registration . Except as otherwise provided herein or as may otherwise be prohibited by applicable law, all Registration Expenses incurred in connection with all registrations pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 hereof shall be borne by the Company provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided herein, the Company shall not be required to pay for any expenses of any withdrawn Demand Registration proceeding begun pursuant to Section 2 unless the withdrawal is based upon material adverse information concerning the market for the Company’s securities or the Company of which the Holders were not aware or which did not exist at the time of such request. If the Holders are required to pay the Registration Expenses, such expenses shall be borne by the holders of the securities (including Registrable Securities) requesting such registration in proportion to the number of shares for which registration was requested. If the Company is required to pay the Registration Expenses of a withdrawn offering pursuant to the above, then the Holders shall not forfeit their rights pursuant to Section 2 to a Demand Registration. All Selling Expenses relating to securities registered on behalf of the Holders of Registrable Securities shall be borne by such Holders.

5. Holdback Agreements .

(a) The Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to cause its officers and directors and each holder of at least 1% (on a fully-diluted basis) of its outstanding shares of Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Common Stock, purchased from the Company at any time after the date of this Agreement (other than in a registered public offering) to agree not to effect any public sale or distribution (including sales pursuant to Rule 144) of any such securities during such periods (except as part of such underwritten registration, if otherwise permitted), unless the underwriters managing the registered public offering otherwise agree.

(b) If requested by the managing underwriter(s) in an underwritten offering of Common Stock or securities convertible for Common Stock of the Company (including without limitation the Company’s initial public offering of Common Stock), each Holder agrees, unless such holder is a participant in such offering, not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option for the purchase of, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act (except as part of such underwritten registration) or otherwise dispose or transfer for value or otherwise agree to engage in any of the foregoing transactions with respect to any securities of the Company held by such party without the prior written consent of the Company and its managing underwriters, during

 

6.


the 10-day period prior to, and during the 180-day period after in the case of the Company’s initial public offering, if applicable, or the 90-day period in the case of any other public offering of Common Stock (or, in each case, such shorter period as may be agreed to in writing by the Company and the Holders of at least 50% of the Registrable Securities) following, the effective date of such Registration Statement; provided, however, that (i) no Holder shall be required to enter into more than one such agreement in any 12-month period unless the offering pursuant to which such agreement is requested is determined by the Holders to be a good faith offering and not for the purpose of restricting or prohibiting the exercise of the Holders’ rights hereunder, and (ii) no Holder shall be required to enter into such an agreement unless all Persons entitled to registration rights who are not parties to this Agreement, all other Persons selling shares in such offering, all Persons holding at least 1% (on a fully diluted basis) of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than that purchased in a registered public offering) and all executive officers and directors of the Company shall also have agreed not to offer, sell, distribute or transfer under the circumstances and pursuant to the terms set forth in this Section 5(b). Each Holder agrees to execute and deliver such customary agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwrite that are consistent with the Holder’s obligations under this Section 5(b) or that are necessary to give further effect thereto.

6. Registration Procedures . Whenever the Holders of Registrable Securities have requested that any Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will use its best efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company will under the time frames provided herein, or if not so provided, as expeditiously as possible:

(a) prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement on any appropriate form for which the Company qualifies with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective ( provided that before filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company will (i) furnish to the counsel selected by the Holders copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review of such counsel and the review and approval of such counsel only with respect to the portions of the documents which refer to the Holders or the method of distribution of the Registrable Securities, and (ii) notify each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such registration of any stop order issued or threatened by the Commission);

(b) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be reasonably necessary to keep such registration statement effective for a period equal to the shorter of (i) six months and (ii) the time by which all securities covered by such registration statement have been sold, and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement;

 

7.


(c) furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents as such seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller;

(d) use all reasonable efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any seller reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller ( provided that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 6(d), (ii) subject itself to taxation in any jurisdiction or (iii) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction);

(e) promptly notify each seller of such Registrable Securities, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, the Company will prepare and deliver to each Holder a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Company shall be required to notify the Holders, but shall not be required to amend the registration statement or supplement the Prospectus for a period of up to three months if the board of directors determines in good faith that to do so would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on any proposal or plan by the Company to engage in any financing, acquisition or disposition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business) or any merger, consolidation, tender offer or similar transaction or would require the disclosure of any information that the board of directors determines in good faith the disclosure of which would be materially detrimental to the Company, it being understood that the period for which the Company is obligated to keep the Registration Statement effective shall be extended for a number of days equal to the number of days the Company delays amendments or supplements pursuant to this provision. Upon receipt of any notice pursuant to this Section 6(e), the Holders shall suspend all offers and sales of securities of the Company and all use of any prospectus until advised by the Company that offers and sales may resume, and shall keep confidential the fact and content of any notice given by the Company pursuant to this Section 6(e);

(f) cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or quoted on Nasdaq or another quotation medium, if any, on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or quoted;

(g) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

(h) enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting agreements in customary form) and take all such other actions as the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (including effecting a stock split or a combination of shares);

 

8.


(i) make available for inspection by the Holders of Registrable Securities included in the registration statement, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such seller or underwriter, all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement and (ii) to participate in presentations to prospective purchasers as reasonably requested by any underwriter or placement agent;

(j) otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 1l(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;

(k) in the event of the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus or suspending the qualification of any shares of Common Stock included in such registration statement for sale in any jurisdiction, use its reasonable best efforts promptly to obtain the withdrawal of such order;

(l) if the registration statement is an underwritten offering, use all reasonable efforts to obtain a so-called “comfort” letter from the Company’s independent public accountants in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by cold comfort letters;

(m) use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities; and

(n) if any such registration or comparable statement refers to any Holder by name or otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Company and if in its sole and exclusive judgment, such Holder is or might be deemed to be an underwriter or a controlling person of the Company, such Holder shall have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Holder and presented to the Company in writing, to the effect that the holding by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by such Holder of the investment quality of the Company’s securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such Holder shall assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Company, or (ii) in the event that such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not required by the Securities Act or any similar Federal statute then in force, the deletion of the reference to such Holder; provided that with respect to this clause

 

9.


(ii) such Holder shall (a) furnish to the Company an opinion of counsel to such effect, which opinion and counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company and (b) indemnify the Company against any loss or liability imposed upon and any reasonable expenses incurred by the Company as a result of such deletion.

7. Obligations of Holders . Whenever the Holders of Registrable Securities sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Registration or a Piggyback Registration, such Holders shall be obligated to comply with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act, including the prospectus delivery requirements thereunder, and any applicable state securities or blue sky laws. In addition, each Holder of Registrable Securities will be deemed to have agreed by virtue of its acquisition of such Registrable Securities that, upon receipt of any notice described in Section 6(e), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement or prospectus until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 6(e), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

8. Indemnification .

(a) In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a registration statement under Sections 2 and 3, the Company agrees to indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each Person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses or any amounts paid in settlement of any third-party litigation, investigation or proceeding commenced or threatened (collectively, “ Claims ”) to which each such indemnified party may become subject under the Securities Act insofar as such Claim arose out of (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, ((i) and (ii) collectively, a “ Violation ”), provided however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), nor shall the Company be liable in any such case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs solely in reliance upon and in conformity with any information furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein, or by such Holder’s failure to deliver a copy of the registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has furnished such Holder with a sufficient number of copies of the same.

(b) In connection with any registration statements in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, each such Holder will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any and all Claims to which each such indemnified party may become subject under the Securities Act insofar as such Claim

 

10.


arose out of (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided that with respect to a Claim arising pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, the material misstatement or omission is contained in the information such Holder provided to the Company pursuant to Section 11 hereof expressly for inclusion in such registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus; provided, further, that the obligation to indemnify will be individual to each Holder and will be limited to the amount of proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement. In connection with an underwritten offering, each Holder will indemnify the underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Company hereunder.

(c) Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder will (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (but the failure to provide such notice shall not release the indemnifying party of its obligation under paragraphs (a) and (b), unless and then only to the extent that, the indemnifying party has been prejudiced by such failure to provide such notice) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment, based on written advice of counsel, a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party, based on written advice of counsel, a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim.

(d) The indemnifying party shall not be liable to indemnify an indemnified party for any settlement, or consent to judgment of any such action effected without the indemnifying party’s written consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned). Furthermore, the indemnifying party shall not, except with the prior written approval of each indemnified party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to each indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation without any payment or consideration provided by each such indemnified party.

(e) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party under clauses (a) and (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits received by the Company, the underwriters, the sellers of Registrable Securities and any other sellers participating in the registration statement from the sale of shares pursuant to the registered offering of securities for which indemnity is sought but also the relative fault of the Company, the underwriters, the sellers of Registrable Securities and

 

11.


any other sellers participating in the registration statement in connection with the misstatement or omission which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, the underwriters, the sellers of Registrable Securities and any other sellers participating in the registration statement shall be deemed to be based on the relative relationship of the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) to the Company, the total underwriting commissions and fees from the offering (before deducting expenses) to the underwriters and the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) to the sellers of Registrable Securities and any other sellers participating in the registration statement. The relative fault of the Company, the underwriters, the sellers of Registrable Securities and any other sellers participating in the registration statement shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the sellers of Registrable Securities and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission; provided that in no event shall the liability of any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

(f) The indemnification provided for under this Agreement will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and will survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities.

9. Participation in Underwritten Registrations . No Person may participate in any registration hereunder which is underwritten unless such Person (a) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person or Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements; provided that no Holder of Registrable Securities included in any underwritten registration shall be required to make any representations or warranties to the Company or the underwriters (other than representations and warranties regarding such Holder and such Holder’s intended method of distribution) or to undertake any indemnification obligations to the Company or the underwriters with respect thereto, except as otherwise provided in paragraph 8 hereof.

10. Transfer of Registration Rights . The rights granted to any Holder under this Agreement may be assigned to any Person in connection with any transfer or assignment of Registrable Securities by a Holder; provided, however, that: (a) such transfer is otherwise effected in accordance with applicable securities laws, (b) such transfer is not in violation of the Purchase Agreement, (c) if not already a party hereto, the assignee or transferee agrees in writing prior to such transfer to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, and (d) unless otherwise notified by the Holder, SP shall act as agent and representative for such Holder for the giving and receiving of notices hereunder.

 

12.


11. Information by Holder . Each Holder shall furnish to the Company such written information regarding such Holder and any distribution proposed by such Holder as the Company may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection with any registration, qualification or compliance referred to in this Agreement and shall promptly notify the Company of any changes in such information. Each Holder agrees that any transferee of any shares of Registrable Securities shall be bound by Sections 5(b) and this Section 11.

12. Exchange Act Compliance . The Company shall comply with all of the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act then applicable to it, if any, and shall comply with all other public information reporting requirements of the Commission which are conditions to the availability of Rule 144 for the sale of the Registrable Securities. The Company shall cooperate with each Holder in supplying such information as may be necessary for such Holder to complete and file any information reporting forms presently or hereafter required by the Commission as a condition to the availability of Rule 144.

13. Termination of Registration Rights . All registration rights and obligations under this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect, as to any particular Holder, at such time as all Registrable Securities held by such Holder are eligible to be sold without compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act, without any volume or timing restrictions pursuant to Rule 144(k) promulgated thereunder, or have been sold pursuant to a registration statement thereunder.

14. Miscellaneous .

(a) Remedies . Any Person having rights under any provision of this Agreement will be entitled to enforce such rights specifically to recover damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) for specific performance and for other injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however , that in no event shall any Holder have the right to enjoin, delay or interfere with any offering of securities by the Company.

(b) Amendments and Waivers . Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and Holders of at least 50% of the Registrable Securities; provided, however, that without the prior written consent of all the Holders, no such amendment or waiver shall reduce the foregoing percentage required to amend or waive any provision of this Agreement.

(c) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Unless an express assignment has been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the benefit of Holders of Registrable Securities are also for the benefit of, and enforceable by, any transferee of Registrable Securities, in accordance with Section 10 hereof.

 

13.


(d) Severability . In case any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be in any way affected or impaired thereby.

(e) Counterparts and Facsimile . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute one agreement. This Agreement may be signed and delivered to the other party by facsimile transmission; such transmission shall be deemed a valid signature.

(f) Descriptive Headings . The section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

(g) Governing Law; Disputes . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of laws rules or principles. Any dispute under this Agreement that is not settled by mutual consent shall be finally adjudicated by any federal or state court sitting in the City, County and State of New York or in the City and State of Salt Lake City, Utah, and each party consents to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts (or any appellate court therefrom) over any such dispute.

(h) Notices . All notices, demands and requests of any kind to be delivered to any party in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally or hand delivered or if sent by internationally-recognized overnight courier or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or by facsimile transmission, addressed as follows:

 

  (i) if to the Company, to:

Lipocine Inc.

800 North, 350 West

Suite 314

Salt Lake City, Utah 84103

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

Facsimile: (801) 994-7388

with a copy to:

Cooley Godward LLP

Five Palo Alto Square

3000 El Camino Real

Palo Alto, CA 94306

Attention: Barclay James Kamb

Facsimile: (650) 849-7400

 

14.


  (ii) (a) if to SP, to:

Schwarz Pharma Limited

Shannon Industrial Estate

Shannon, Co. Clare

Ireland

Facsimile:+353-617-141-01

Attention: General Manager

with a copy, in the case of (a) or (b) above, to:

Mayer, Brown, Rowe and Maw LLP

1675 Broadway

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Phil Brandes

Facsimile: (212) 262-1910

or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to the other party hereto in writing in accordance with provisions of this Section 13(i). Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been effectively given (i) in the case of personal or hand delivery, on the date of such delivery, (ii) in the case of an internationally-recognized overnight delivery courier, on the second business day after the date when sent or earlier upon receipt of evidence of acceptance of delivery, (iii) in the case of mailing, on the fifth business day following that day on which the piece of mail containing such communication is posted and (iv) in the case of facsimile transmission, on the date of telephone confirmation of receipt.

(i) Entire Amendment . This Agreement constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings among the parties with respect thereto.

[S IGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS ]

 

15.


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the parties have executed Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

L IPOCINE I NC .
By:   /s/ Mahesh V. Patel
Name:   Mahesh V. Patel
Title:   President & CEO

 

S CHWARZ P HARMA L IMITED
By:   /s/ Bernie Horten
Name:   Bernie Horten
Title:   General Manager

 

By:   /s/ Peter Brunk
Name:   Peter Brunk
Title:   Board Member

Exhibit 10.9

Execution Copy

LIPOCINE INC.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”) is made as of April 20, 2001, by and among Lipocine, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), Elan International Services, Ltd., a Bermuda exempted limited liability company (“ EIS ”), and Elan Pharma International Limited, a company organized under the laws of the Republic of Ireland (“ EPIL ”).

RECITALS:

A. WHEREAS, pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among the Company, EIS and EPIL (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), (i) EIS has acquired, or will acquire in the future, (a) certain shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company (the “ Series A Preferred Stock ”) convertible into shares of Series A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”) (b) certain shares of Series B Preferred Stock of the Company (the “ Series B Preferred Stock ”) convertible Common Stock, (b) certain shares of Common Stock and (c) a certain warrant (the “ Warrant ”) to purchase certain shares of Common Stock, and (ii) EPIL has acquired a certain note of the Company (the “ Note ”) convertible into shares of Common Stock. The Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock the Common Stock, the Warrant and the Note collectively are referred to herein as the “Securities”.

B. WHEREAS, it is a condition to the closing of the Purchase Agreement that the parties execute and deliver this Agreement.

C. WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth herein their agreement on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein related to the granting of certain registration rights to the Holders (as defined below) relating to the Common Stock held and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exercise of the Securities, as applicable, by such Holders.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:

AGREEMENT:

The parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

Commission ” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Exchange Act ” shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

 

1.


Holders ” or “ Holders of Registrable Securities ” shall mean EIS, EPIL and any Person who shall have acquired Registrable Securities from EIS or EPIL as permitted herein, either individually or jointly, as the case may be, in a transaction pursuant to which registration rights are transferred pursuant to Section 10 hereof.

Person ” shall mean an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a governmental or quasi-governmental entity, or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity of any kind.

Registrable Securities ” means (i) any shares of Common Stock subscribed for pursuant to the Purchase Agreement; (ii) any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion or exercise of the Securities, as the case may be; and (iii) any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable in respect of the securities referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above, whether to satisfy interest or dividend payments or upon any stock split, dividend, recapitalization or otherwise, until, in the case of any such security, it is (A) sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; (B) eligible to be sold into the public market without regard to volume limitations under Rule 144(k) promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule); (C) sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule); or (D) sold by a Person in a transaction in which registration rights are not transferred pursuant to Section 10 hereof. Whenever a number or percentage of Registrable Securities is to be determined pursuant to this Agreement, each then outstanding Security that is convertible into or exercisable for shares of Common Stock will be deemed to be equal to the number of shares of Common Stock for which such Security is then so convertible or exercisable.

The terms “ register ,” “ registered ” and “ registration ” refer to a registration effected by preparing, filing and having declared effective a registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act.

Registration Expenses ” shall mean (i) all expenses, other than Selling Expenses (defined below), incurred by the Company in complying with Sections 2 or 3 hereof, including without limitation, all registration, qualification and filing fees, exchange or quotation medium listing fees, printing and delivery expenses, escrow and custodian fees, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, blue sky fees and expenses and the expenses of accountants for the Company including the expenses of any special audits incident to or required by any such registration and (ii) the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel chosen by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration for the purpose of rendering a legal opinion on behalf of such holders in connection with any Demand Registration or Piggyback Registration, provided however, that if the aggregate expense of such counsel exceeds U.S. $25,000 such excess expense shall be borne by such holders.

Securities Act ” shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

 

2.


Selling Expenses ” shall mean all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes and the costs, fees and expenses of any accountants, attorneys (other than the cost, fees and expenses of attorneys which are Registration Expenses) or other experts retained by the Holders.

2. Demand Registrations.

(a) Requests for Registration. At any time after the six-month anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date of effectiveness of a registration statement filed under the Securities Act in respect of an initial public offering of shares of Common Stock of the Company and (ii) the date the Company or a successor corporation is first obligated to file reports with the Commission pursuant to Section 12 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, any Holder or Holders who collectively hold Registrable Securities representing at least 5% of the Registrable Securities then outstanding shall have the right (subject to the limitations set forth below), exercisable by written notice to the Company (each a “ Registration Request ”), to have the Company prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the Registrable Securities that are the subject of such request (each, a “ Demand Registration ”). A request for a Demand Registration shall specify the approximate number of the Registrable Securities to be registered, which, in the case of a registration on Form S-1 or any successor form, must have a minimum expected aggregate offering price to the public of at least U.S. $2,500,000, or, in the case of a registration on Form S-3 or any successor form, must have a minimum expected aggregate offering price to the public of at least U.S. $1,000,000. Within 10 days after receipt of any such request, the Company will give written notice of such requested registration to all other Holders of Registrable Securities. The Company shall include such other Holders’ Registrable Securities in such offering if they have responded affirmatively within 10 days after the receipt of the Company’s notice. The Investors shall be permitted one Demand Registration hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the Company is entitled to use Form S-3 under the Securities Act, the Holders, collectively, shall be permitted unlimited Demand Registrations hereunder on Form S-3, or any similar short-form registration (a “ Short-Form Registration ”), if available; provided that the Holders, collectively, will be entitled to request only one Short-Form Registration in any 12-month period. For purposes of this Section 2, the term Registrable Securities, notwithstanding its definition in Section 1 of this Agreement, shall not include shares of the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock. 1

A request for registration under this Section 2(a) will not count as a Demand Registration until the registration statement has become effective and remained effective until the earlier of 30 days and the sale of all securities registered thereunder (unless such registration statement has not become effective due solely to the actions or failure to act with respect to such registration of the Holders requesting such registration, including a request by such Holders that such registration be withdrawn).

 

1   The last two sentences of this section 2(a) were added to this agreement pursuant to that certain Termination Agreement, dated December 23, 2003, by and among the Company, EIS, EPIL, Elan Corporation, Plc., and LC Ventures, Ltd.

 

3.


(b) Priority on Demand Registrations. If a Demand Registration is an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of Registrable Securities and, if permitted hereunder, other securities requested to be included in such offering, exceeds the number of Registrable Securities and other securities, if any, which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, the Company will include in such registration:

(i) first, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by the Holders (or, if necessary, such Registrable Securities pro rata among the Holders thereof based upon the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such Holder or such other arrangement agreed to among the Holders); and

(ii) thereafter, other securities requested to be included in such registration, as determined by the Company.

The Holders of any Registrable Securities to be included in such an underwritten offering shall enter into an underwriting agreement (which shall be in customary form, may include agreements as to indemnification and contribution and shall provide that the representations and warranties by the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters, shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Holders) and in form and substance satisfactory to the managing underwriters and Holders. If any Holder does not agree to the terms of any such underwriting agreement, which agreement shall be in reasonable and customary form, such Holder shall be excluded from the underwriting upon written notice thereof from the Company or the underwriter.

(c) Restrictions on Demand Registration. The Company may postpone or suspend, for up to 90 days in any 12-month period, the filing or the effectiveness of a registration statement for a Demand Registration if the Company’s board of directors determined in good faith and notifies the Holders in writing that such Demand Registration (i) would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (x) any proposal or plan by the Company to engage in any financing, acquisition or disposition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business) or (y) any merger, consolidation, tender offer or similar transaction or (ii) would require disclosure of any information that the board of directors of the Company determines in good faith the disclosure of which would be detrimental to the Company; provided , however , that in such event, the Holders initially requesting such Demand Registration (the “ Initiating Holders ”) shall be entitled to withdraw such request and, if such request is withdrawn, such Demand Registration will not count as a permitted Demand Registration hereunder and the Company will pay any Registration Expenses in connection with such registration.

(d) Selection of Underwriter. The underwriter will be selected by the Company and shall be reasonably acceptable to a majority in interest of the Initiating Holders.

(e) The Company represents and warrants that it is not a party to, or otherwise subject to, any agreement, other than this Agreement, granting registration rights to any other Person with respect to any securities of the Company.

 

4.


(f) Limitations on Registration. The Company shall not be obligated to effect, or take any action to effect, any registration pursuant to this Section 2:

(i) in any jurisdiction in which the Company would be required to execute a general consent to service of process in effecting such registration, qualification or compliance, unless the Company is already subject to service of process in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the Securities Act;

(ii) after the Company has initiated one such registration pursuant to this Section 2; and

(iii) during the period commencing on the filing of a registration statement (provided that the Company complied with the provisions in Section 3a hereof with respect to such registration) and ending on a date 90 days after the effective date of a Company initiated registration; provided that the Company is actively employing reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective.

3. Piggyback Registrations.

(a) Right to Piggyback. If at any time the Company shall propose to register shares of Common Stock under the Securities Act (other than the Company’s initial public offering and in a registration statement relating to solely to sales of securities to participants in a Company dividend reinvestment plan, or Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor form or in connection with an acquisition or exchange offer or an offering of securities solely to the existing shareholders or employees of the Company), the Company (i) will give prompt written notice to all Holders of Registrable Securities of its intention to effect such a registration and (ii) subject to Section 3(b) and the other terms of this Agreement, will include in such registration all Registrable Securities which are permitted under applicable securities laws to be included in the form of registration statement selected by the Company and with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 30 days after the receipt of the Company’s notice (each, a “ Piggyback Registration ”). The Holders will be permitted to withdraw all or any part of the Registrable Securities from a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effective date of such Piggyback Registration.

(b) Priority on Piggyback Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration is to be an underwritten offering, and the underwriter advises the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, the Company will include in such registration:

(i) first, the securities the Company proposes to sell for its own account;

(ii) second, the Registrable Securities requested .to be included in such registration by the Holders and any securities requested to be included in such registration by any other Person pursuant to a demand registration request, other than Persons having a lower priority of registration than the Holders, pro rata among the Holders of such Registrable Securities and such other Persons, on the basis of the number of securities requested to be included in such registration by each of such Holders and such other Persons; and

 

5.


(iii) thereafter, other securities requested to be included in such registration, as determined by the Company.

The Holders of any Registrable Securities to be included in an underwritten offering shall enter into an underwriting agreement (which shall be in customary form, may include agreements as to indemnification and contribution, and shall provide that the representations and warranties by the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters, shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Holders). If any Holder does not agree to the terms of any such underwriting agreement, which agreement shall be in reasonable and customary form, such Holder shall be excluded from the underwriting upon written notice thereof from the Company or the underwriter.

(c) Right to Terminate Registration. If at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any of its securities as set forth in Section 3(a) and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to register such securities, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to each Holder of Registrable Securities and thereupon be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such registration (but not from its obligation to pay the Registration Expenses in connection therewith as provided herein).

(d) Selection of Underwriters/Placement Agents. The Company will have the right in its sole discretion, to select the underwriter for a Piggyback Registration.

4. Expenses of Registration.

Except as otherwise provided herein or as may otherwise be prohibited by applicable law, all Registration Expenses incurred in connection with all registrations pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 hereof shall be borne by the Company provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay for any expenses of any registration proceeding begun pursuant to Sections 2 unless (a) the withdrawal is based upon material adverse information concerning the market for the Company’s securities or the Company of which the Holders were not aware or which did not exist at the time of such request or (b) the Holders of a majority of Registrable Securities agree to forfeit their right to one requested registration pursuant to Section 2, in which event such right shall be forfeited by all Holders. If the Holders are required to pay the Registration Expenses, such expenses shall be borne by the holders of the securities (including Registrable Securities) requesting such registration in proportion to the number of shares for which registration was requested. If the Company is required to pay the Registration Expenses of a withdrawn offering pursuant to clause (a) above, then the Holders shall not forfeit their rights pursuant to Section 2 to a demand registration. All Selling Expenses relating to securities registered on behalf of the Holders of Registrable Securities shall be borne by such Holders.

 

6.


5. Holdback Agreements.

(a) The Company agrees (i) not to effect any public sale or distribution of its equity securities, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, during the 10-day period prior to, and during the 90-day period following, the effective date of any underwritten Demand Registration or any underwritten Piggyback Registration (except as part of such underwritten registration or pursuant to registration statements on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any successor form), unless the underwriters managing the offering otherwise agree, and (ii) to use its best efforts to cause its officers and directors and each holder of at least 1% (on a fully-diluted basis) of its outstanding shares of Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Common Stock, purchased from the Company at any time after the date of this Agreement (other than in a registered public offering) to agree not to effect any public sale or distribution (including sales pursuant to Rule 144) of any such securities during such periods (except as part of such underwritten registration, if otherwise permitted), unless the underwriters managing the registered public offering otherwise agree.

(b) If requested by the managing underwriter(s) in an underwritten offering of Common Stock or securities convertible for Common Stock of the Company (including without limitation the Company’s initial public offering of Common Stock), each Holder agrees, unless such holder is a participant in such offering, not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option for the purchase of, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act (except as part of such underwritten, registration) or otherwise dispose or transfer for value or otherwise agree to engage in any of the foregoing transactions with respect to any securities of the Company held by such party without the prior written consent of the Company and its managing underwriters, during the 10-day period prior to, and during the 180-day period after in the case of the Company’s initial public offering, if applicable, or the 90-day period in the case of any other public offering of Common Stock (or, in each case, such shorter period as may be agreed to in writing by the Company and the Holders of at least 50% of the Registrable Securities) following, the effective date of such Registration Statement; provided , however , that (i) no Holder shall be required to enter into more than one such agreement in any 12-month period unless the offering pursuant to which such agreement is requested is determined by the Holders to be a good faith offering and not for the purpose of restricting or prohibiting the exercise of the Holders rights hereunder, and (ii) no Holder shall be required to enter into such an agreement unless all Persons entitled to registration rights who are not parties to this Agreement, all other Persons selling shares in such offering, all Persons holding at least I% (on a fully diluted basis) of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than that purchased in a registered public offering) and all executive officers and directors of the Company shall also have agreed not to offer, sell, distribute a transfer under the circumstances and pursuant to the terms set forth in this Section 5(b).

6. Registration Procedures.

Whenever the Holders of Registrable Securities have requested that any Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will use its best efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company will under the time frames provided herein, or if not so provided, as expeditiously as possible:

 

7.


(a) prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement on any appropriate form for which the Company qualifies with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective ( provided that before filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company will (i) furnish to the counsel selected by the Holders copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review of such counsel and the review and approval of such counsel only with respect to the portions of the documents which refer to the Holders or the method of distribution of the Registrable Securities, and (ii) notify each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such registration of any stop order issued or threatened by the Commission);

(b) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be reasonably necessary to keep such registration statement effective for a period equal to the shorter of (i) six months and (ii) the time by which all securities covered by such registration statement have been sold, and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement;

(c) furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents as such seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller;

(d) use all reasonable efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any seller reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller ( provided that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 6(d), (ii) subject itself to taxation in any jurisdiction or (iii) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction);

(e) promptly notify each seller of such Registrable Securities, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, the Company will prepare and deliver to each Holder a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided , however , that the Company shall be required to notify the Holders, but shall not be required to amend the registration statement or supplement the Prospectus for a period of up to three months if the board of directors determines in good faith that to do so would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on any proposal or plan by the

 

8.


Company to engage in any financing, acquisition or disposition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business) or any merger, consolidation, tender offer or similar transaction or would require the disclosure of any information that the board of directors determines in good faith the disclosure of which would be materially detrimental to the Company, it being understood that the period for which the Company is obligated to keep the Registration Statement effective shall be extended for a number of days equal to the number of days the Company delays amendments or supplements pursuant to this provision. Upon receipt of any notice pursuant to this Section 6(e), the Holders shall suspend all offers and sales of securities of the Company and all use of any prospectus until advised by the Company that offers and sales may resume, and shall keep confidential the fact and content of any notice given by the Company pursuant to this Section 6(e);

(f) cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or quoted on Nasdaq or other quotation medium, if any, on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or quoted;

(g) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

(h) enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting agreements in customary form) and take all such other actions as the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (including effecting a stock split or a combination of shares);

(i) make available for inspection by the Holders of Registrable Securities included in the registration statement, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such seller or underwriter, all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement and (ii) to participate in presentations to prospective purchasers as reasonably requested by any underwriter or placement agent;

(j) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;

(k) in the event of the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus or suspending the qualification of any shares of Common Stock included in such registration statement for sale in any jurisdiction, use its best efforts promptly to obtain the withdrawal of such order;

 

9.


(l) if the registration statement is an underwritten offering, use all reasonable efforts to obtain a so-called “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent public accountants in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by cold comfort letters;

(m) use its best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities; and

(n) If any such registration or comparable statement refers to any Holder by name or otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Company and if in its sole and exclusive judgment, such Holder is or might be deemed to be an underwriter or a controlling person of the Company, such Holder shall have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and substance satisfactory to such Holder and presented to the Company in writing, to the effect that the holding by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by such Holder of the investment quality of the Company’s securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such Holder shall assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Company, or (ii) in the event that such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not required by the Securities Act or any similar Federal statute then in force, the deletion of the reference to such Holder; provided that with respect to this clause (ii) such Holder shall (a) furnish to the Company an opinion of counsel to such effect, which opinion and counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to he Company and (b) indemnify the Company against any loss or liability imposed upon and any reasonable expenses incurred by the Company as a result of such deletion.

7. Obligations of Holders.

Whenever the Holders of Registrable Securities sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Registration or a Piggyback Registration, such Holders shall be obligated to comply with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act, including the prospectus delivery requirements thereunder, and any applicable state securities or blue sky laws. In addition, each Holder of Registrable Securities will be deemed to have agreed by virtue of its acquisition of such Registrable Securities that, upon receipt of any notice described in Section 6(e), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement or prospectus until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 6(e), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

8. Indemnification.

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each Person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses or any amounts paid in settlement of any litigation, investigation or

 

10.


proceeding commenced or threatened (collectively, “ Claims ”) to which each such indemnified party may become subject under the Securities Act insofar as such Claim arose out of (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained, in any registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, ((i) and (ii) collectively, a “ Violation ”), provided however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), nor shall the Company be liable in any such case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs solely in reliance upon and in conformity with any information furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein, or by such Holder’s failure to deliver a copy of the registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has furnished such Holder with a sufficient number of copies of the same. In connection with an underwritten offering, the Company will indemnify the underwriters, their officers and directors and each Person who controls the underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders of Registrable Securities.

(b) In connection with any registration statements in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, each such Holder will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any and all Claims to which each such indemnified party may become subject under the Securities Act insofar as such Claim arose out of (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided that with respect to a Claim arising pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, the material misstatement or omission is contained in the information such Holder provided to the Company pursuant to Section 11 hereof; provided, further, that the obligation to indemnify will be individual to each Holder and will be limited to the amount of proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement. In connection with an underwritten offering, each Holder will indemnify the underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Company hereunder.

(c) Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder will (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (but the failure to provide such notice shall not release the indemnifying party of its obligation under paragraphs (a) and (b), unless and then only to the extent that, the indemnifying party has been prejudiced by such failure to provide such notice) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment, based on written advice of counsel, a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not

 

11.


to, assume the defense of a claim will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party, based on written advice of counsel, a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim.

(d) The indemnifying party shall not be liable to indemnify an indemnified party for any settlement, or consent to judgment of any such action effected without the indemnifying party’s written consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned). Furthermore, the indemnifying party shall not, except with the prior written approval of each indemnified party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to each indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation without any payment or consideration provided by each such indemnified party.

(e) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party under clauses (a) and (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits received by the Company, the underwriters, the sellers of Registrable Securities and any other sellers participating in the registration statement from the sale of shares pursuant to the registered offering of securities for which indemnity is sought but also the relative fault of the Company, the underwriters, the sellers of Registrable Securities and any other sellers participating in the registration statement in connection with the misstatement or omission which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, the underwriters, the sellers of Registrable Securities and any other sellers participating in the registration statement shall be deemed to be based on the relative relationship of the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) to the Company, the total underwriting commissions and fees from the offering (before deducting expenses) to the underwriters and the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) to the sellers of Registrable Securities and any other sellers participating in the registration statement. The relative fault of the Company, the underwriters, the sellers of Registrable Securities and any other sellers participating in the registration statement shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the sellers of Registrable Securities and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission; provided that in no event shall the liability of any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

(f) The indemnification provided for wider this Agreement will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and will survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities.

 

12.


9. Participation in Underwritten Registrations.

No Person may participate in any registration hereunder which is underwritten unless such Person (a) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person or Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements; provided that no Holder of Registrable Securities included in any underwritten registration shall be required to make any representations or warranties to the Company or the underwriters (other than representations and warranties regarding such Holder and such Holder’s intended method of distribution) or to undertake any indemnification obligations to the Company or the underwriters with respect thereto, except as otherwise provided in paragraph 8 hereof.

10. Transfer of Registration Rights.

The rights granted to any Holder under this Agreement may be assigned to any Person in connection with any transfer or assignment of Registrable Securities by a Holder; provided , however , that: (a) such transfer is otherwise effected in accordance with applicable securities laws, (b) such transfer is not in violation of the Purchase Agreement, (c) if not already a party hereto, the assignee or transferee agrees in writing prior to such transfer to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and, (d) unless otherwise notified by the Holder, EIS shall act as agent and representative for such Holder for the giving and receiving of notices hereunder.

11. Information by Holder.

Each Holder shall furnish to the Company such written information regarding such Holder and any distribution proposed by such Holder as the Company may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection with any registration, qualification or compliance referred to in this Agreement and shall promptly notify the Company of any changes in such information.

12. Exchange Act Compliance.

The Company shall comply with all of the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act then applicable to it, if any, and shall comply with all other public information reporting requirements of the Commission which are conditions to the availability of Rule 144 for the sale of the Registrable Securities. The Company shall cooperate with each Holder in supplying such information as may be necessary for such Holder to complete and file any information reporting forms presently or hereafter required by the Commission as a condition to the availability of Rule 144.

13. Termination of Registration Rights.

All registration rights and obligations under this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect, as to any particular Holder, at such time as all Registrable Securities held by such Holder are eligible to be sold without compliance with the registration rights of the Securities Act, without any volume or timing restrictions pursuant to Rule 144(k), promulgated thereunder or have been sold pursuant to a registration statement thereunder.

 

13.


14. Miscellaneous.

(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. So long as any Holder owns any Registrable Securities, the Company will not (i) enter into any agreement that is inconsistent with or violates the rights granted hereunder to the Holders of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, any agreement that would require the Company to register any of its securities with priority with respect to registration over, the rights granted to the Holders hereunder, without the prior written consent of the Holders of at least 50% of the Registrable Securities or (ii) register for sale in a public offering any shares of capital stock of the Company other than the Common Stock.

(b) Remedies. Any Person having rights under any provision of this Agreement will be entitled to enforce such rights specifically to recover damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) for specific performance and for other injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement; provided , however , that in no event shall any Holder have the right to enjoin, delay or interfere with any offering of securities by the Company.

(c) Amendments and Waivers. Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and Holders of at least 50% of the Registrable Securities; provided , however , that without the prior written consent of all the Holders, no such amendment or waiver shall reduce the foregoing percentage required to amend or waive any provision of this Agreement.

(d) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding, upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Unless an express assignment has been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the benefit of Holders of Registrable Securities are also for the benefit of, and enforceable by, any transferee of Registrable Securities, in accordance with Section 10 hereof.

(e) Severability. In case any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be in any way affected or impaired thereby.

(f) Counterparts and Facsimile. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute one agreement. This Agreement may be signed and delivered to the other party by facsimile transmission; such transmission shall be deemed a valid signature.

 

14.


(g) Descriptive Headings. The section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

(h) Governing Law; Disputes. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of laws rules or principles. Any dispute under this Agreement that is not settled by mutual consent shall be finally adjudicated by any federal or state court sitting in the City, County and State of New York or in the City and State of Salt Lake City, Utah, and each party consents to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts (or any appellate court therefrom) over any such dispute.

(i) Notices. All notices, demands and requests of any kind to be delivered to any party in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally or hand delivered or if sent by internationally-recognized overnight courier or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or by facsimile transmission, addressed as follows:

 

  (i) if to the Company, to:

Lipocine Inc.

800 North, 350 West

Suite 314

Salt Lake City, Utah 84103

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

Facsimile: (801)-994-7388

with a copy to:

GrayCary

4365 Executive Drive

Suite 1600

San Diego, California 92121-2187

Attention: Knox Bell

Facsimile: (858) 677 1477

 

  (ii)(a) if to EIS, to:

Elan International Services, Ltd.

102 St. James Court

Flatts, Smiths Parish

Bermuda FL 04

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

Facsimile: (441) 292-2224

 

15.


  (b) if to EPIL, to:

Elan Pharma International Limited

Wil House

Shannon Business Park

Shannon, Co. Clare

Ireland

Attention: Secretary

Facsimile: 011-353-61-362097

with a copy, in the case of (a) or (b) above, to:

Reitler Brown LLC

800 Third Avenue

21st Floor

New York, New York 10022

Attention: Scott Rosenblatt

Facsimile: (212) 371 5500

or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to the other party hereto in writing in accordance with provisions of this Section 13(i). Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been effectively given (i) in the case of personal or hand delivery, on the date of such delivery, (ii) in the case of an internationally-recognized overnight delivery courier, on the second business day after the date when sent or earlier upon receipt of evidence of acceptance of delivery, (iii) in the case of mailing, on the fifth business day following that day on which the piece of mail containing such communication is posted and (iv) in the case of facsimile transmission, on the date of telephone confirmation of receipt.

(j) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings among the parties with respect thereto.

[Signature page follows]

 

16.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF; the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

LIPOCINE INC.
By:   /s/ Mahesh Patel
  Name: Mahesh Patel
  Title: President & CEO

 

ELAN INTERNATIONAL SERVICES, LTD.
By:   /s/ DM Buryj
  Name: DM Buryj
  Title: Vice President

 

ELAN PHARMA INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
By:   /s/ David Hurley
  Name: David Hurley
  Title: Director

[Signature Page Lipocine Registration Rights Agreement]

Exhibit 21.1

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

Lipocine Operating Inc. – a Delaware corporation

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors

Lipocine Inc.:

We consent to the use of our report dated July 24, 2013, with respect to the balance sheets of Lipocine Inc. as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity , and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2012 included herein.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Salt Lake City, Utah

July 24, 2013

Exhibit 99.1

LIPOCINE INC.

Financial Statements

March 31, 2013 and 2012

(Unaudited)


LIPOCINE INC.

Financial Statements

March 31, 2013 and 2012

(Unaudited)

Table of Contents

 

     Page  

Financial Statements (Unaudited):

  

Condensed Balance Sheets

     1   

Condensed Statements of Operations

     2   

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

     3   

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     4   


LIPOCINE INC.

Condensed Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
Assets     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,617,670      $ 5,377,114   

Trade accounts receivable

     375,616        —     

Prepaid and other current assets

     51,530        90,934   

Related-party receivable

     —          3,815   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     5,044,816        5,471,863   

Property and equipment, net

     45,320        49,355   

Other assets

     45,000        45,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 5,135,136      $ 5,566,218   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity     

Current liabilities:

    

Trade accounts payable

   $ 517,593      $ 87,027   

Accrued expenses

     117,618        107,950   

Income taxes payable

     17,861        17,836   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     653,072        212,813   

Income taxes payable, noncurrent

     37,299        37,212   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     690,371        250,025   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (notes 8, 9 and 11)

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Series B convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 4,100,000 shares authorized and issuable in series; 250,000 designated in series, 250,000 shares issued and outstanding

     250        250   

Series A common stock, $0.001 par value; 32,000,000 shares authorized; 10,351,334 issued and outstanding

     10,351        10,351   

Series B common stock, $0.001 par value; 11,000,000 shares authorized; 4,637,347 issued and outstanding

     4,638        4,638   

Additional paid-in capital

     43,055,555        42,575,249   

Accumulated deficit

     (38,626,029     (37,274,295
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     4,444,765        5,316,193   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 5,135,136      $ 5,566,218   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements

 

1


LIPOCINE INC.

Condensed Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

     Three-months ended March 31,  
     2013     2012  

Revenues:

    

License and milestone revenue

   $ —        $ 7,523,438   

Research revenue

     —          186,233   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     —          7,709,671   

Operating expenses:

    

Research and development

     645,110        603,204   

General and administrative

     707,037        446,156   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     (1,352,147     6,660,311   

Other income, net

     525        3,292   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense

     (1,351,622     6,663,603   

Income tax expense

     (112     (1,239
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ (1,351,734   $ 6,662,364   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Series A and B common stock

   $ (0.09   $ 0.43   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     14,988,681        14,988,681   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Series A and B common stock

   $ (0.09   $ 0.43   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted

     14,988,681        15,238,681   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements

 

2


LIPOCINE INC.

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

     Three-months ended March 31,  
     2013     2012  

Cash from operating activities:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ (1,351,734   $ 6,662,364   

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash used in operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     5,241        10,415   

Forgiveness of related party receivable

     3,815        —     

Stock-based compensation expense

     480,306        46,033   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Trade accounts receivable

     (375,616     138,883   

Prepaid and other current assets

     39,404        45,416   

Trade accounts payable

     430,566        (75,396

Accrued expenses

     9,668        7,880   

Income taxes payable

     112        1,239   

Deferred revenues

     —          (7,523,437
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used in operating activities

     (758,238     (686,603

Cash used in investing activities:

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (1,206     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used in investing activities

     (1,206     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (759,444     (686,603

Cash and equivalents at beginning of period

     5,377,114        8,567,823   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents at end of period

   $ 4,617,670      $ 7,881,220   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements

 

3


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

(1) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited Lipocine Inc. financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012. The accompanying unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods presented. Preparing financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the financial statements and accompanying footnotes. Although these estimates are based upon the Company’s best knowledge of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future, actual results may be different from the estimates. The results of operations for the three-months ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period or for the full year.

 

(2) Liquidity

The Company has, at times, incurred negative cash flow from operations, and has expended, and expects to continue to expend substantial funds to implement its product development efforts and commercialization programs. The Company believes its existing capital resources at March 31, 2013 should be sufficient to fund its current operations through at least April 1, 2014. The Company will need to raise additional funds to support its planned operations, long-term research, product development, and commercialization programs. However, there is no assurance that, if required, the Company will be able to raise additional capital or reduce spending, including modifying or terminating planned clinical trials or commercialization programs, to provide the required liquidity.

 

(3) Earnings (Loss) per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Net income (loss) available to common shareholders for the three-months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was calculated using the two-class method, which is an earnings (loss) allocation method for computing earnings (loss) per share when an entity’s capital structure includes common stock and participating securities. The two-class method determines earnings (loss) per share based on dividends declared on common stock and participating securities (i.e., distributed earnings) and participation rights of participating securities in any undistributed earnings (loss). The application of the two-class method was required as the Company has Class A and Class B common stock and since the Company’s Series B preferred stock and the unvested restricted stock each contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. However, unvested restricted stock grants and Series B convertible preferred stock are not included in computing basic earnings (loss) per share for the three-months ended March 31, 2013, as the Company has losses for this period and these securities are not contractually obligated to share in losses of the Company.

Diluted earnings (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus, where applicable, the additional potential common shares that would have been outstanding related to dilutive options, warrants, convertible preferred stock and unvested restricted stock, to the extent such shares are dilutive

 

4


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share of Class A and Class B common stock at March 31, 2013 and 2012. The allocation of undistributed earnings (losses) to Class A and Class B common stock in the table below excludes $0 and $255,177 of net income (loss) allocated to the participating securities as March 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

     Three-Months Ended March 31,  
     2013     2012  
     Class A     Class B     Class A      Class B  

Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Class A and Class B common stock:

         

Numerator

         

Allocation of undistributed earnings (losses) to Class A and Class B common stock

   $ (933,508   $ (418,226   $ 4,424,868       $ 1,982,319   

Denominator

         

Weighted avg. commons shares outstanding

     10,351,334        4,637,347        10,351,334         4,637,347   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Number of shares used in per share computation

     10,351,334        4,637,347        10,351,334         4,637,347   

Basic earnings (losses) per share attributable to Class A and Class B common stock

   $ (0.09   $ (0.09   $ 0.43       $ 0.43   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Class A and Class B common stock:

         

Numerator

         

Allocation of undistributed earnings (losses) to Class A and Class B common stock in basic earnings per share

   $ (933,508   $ (418,226   $ 4,424,868       $ 1,982,319   

Plus: Undistributed earnings allocated to Series B convertible preferred stock

     —          —           106,867         —      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total earnings (losses) used in per share computation

   $ (933,508   $ (418,226   $ 4,531,735       $ 1,982,319   

Denominator

         

Weighted avg. common shares used in basic per share computation

     10,351,334        4,637,347        10,351,334         4,637,347   

Plus: Weighted avg. Series B convertible preferred stock

     —          —          250,000         —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Number of shares used in per share computation

     10,351,334        4,637,347        10,601,334         4,637,347   

Diluted earnings (losses) per share attributable to
Class A and Class B common stock

   $ (0.09   $ (0.09   $ 0.43       $ 0.43   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The computation of diluted earnings per share for the three-months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 does not include the following unvested restricted stock, stock options and warrants to purchase shares in the computation of diluted earnings per share because these instruments were antidilutive:

 

     March 31,  
     2013      2012  

Stock options

     4,208,059         3,419,201   

Unvested restricted stock

     341,040         346,950   

Warrants

     70,000         70,000   

 

5


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

(4) Fair Value

For trade accounts receivable, prepaid and other current assets, related-party receivable, trade accounts payable, and accrued expenses the carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments (Level 1), significant other observable inputs (Level 2), and significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) consist of the following at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

            Fair value measurements at reporting date using  
     March 31,
2013
     Level 1 inputs      Level 2 inputs      Level 3 inputs  

Assets:

           

Cash equivalents-money market funds

   $ 2,686,727       $ 2,686,727       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,686,727       $ 2,686,727       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            Fair value measurements at reporting date using  
     December 31,
2012
     Level 1 inputs      Level 2 inputs      Level 3 inputs  

Assets:

           

Cash equivalents-money market funds

   $ 2,686,727       $ 2,686,727       $  —         $  —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,686,727       $ 2,686,727       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following methods and assumptions were used to determine the fair value of each class of assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the balance sheets:

Cash equivalents: Cash equivalents primarily consist of highly rated money market funds with original maturities to the Company of three months or less, and are purchased daily at par value with specified yield rates. Due to the high ratings and short-term nature of the funds, the Company considers all cash equivalents as Level 1.

 

(5) Income Taxes

The tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of the Company’s effective tax rate for the full year adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter the Company updates its estimate of the annual effective tax rate, and if the estimated tax rate changes, the Company makes a cumulative adjustment.

At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company has a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets, net of expected reversals of existing deferred tax liabilities, as it believes it is more likely than not that these benefits will not be realized.

 

6


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

During the three month period ended March 31, 2013, an extension of the research and development credit in the U.S. was signed into law. While the Company fully intends to take advantage of the research and development credit for the 2012 and 2013 tax years, no benefit has been recorded in the financial statements due to the full valuation allowance position in the U.S.

 

(6) Share-Based Payments

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for grants of stock option awards and restricted stock under the Company’s Incentive Plan to employees and nonemployee members of the Company’s board of directors based on the grant-date fair value of those awards. The grant-date fair value of an award is generally recognized as compensation expense over the award’s requisite service period. In addition, the Company has granted performance-based stock option awards and restricted stock grants which vest based upon the Company satisfying certain performance conditions. Potential compensation cost, measured on the grant date, related to these performance options will be recognized only if, and when, the Company estimates that these options will vest, which is based on whether the Company considers the options’ performance conditions to be probable of attainment. The Company’s estimates of the number of performance-based options that will vest will be revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods. In addition, the Company grants stock options to nonemployee consultants from time to time in exchange for services performed for the Company. Equity instruments granted to nonemployees are subject to periodic revaluation over their vesting terms.

During the three-months ended March 31, 2013, the Company modified 3,262,948 existing time-vested and performance based stock options by lowering the exercise price to $0.782. Additionally, the Company modified the vesting terms for its unvested performance stock options and unvested restricted stock to vest on the earlier of the first dosing in the pivotal clinical study for its lead drug candidate, or 50% on January 31, 2014 and 50% on January 31, 2015. Compensation expense of $421,950 was recorded as a result of the modifications.

Stock-based compensation cost that has been expensed in the statements of operations amounted to $480,306 and $46,033 for the three-months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, allocated as follows:

 

     Three-months ended
March 31,
 
     2013      2012  

Research and development

   $ 152,257       $ 14,593   

General and administrative

     328,049         31,440   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 480,306       $ 46,033   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2013, there was approximately $859,038 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company’s Incentive Plan. The cost will be expensed pro-rata over the service period. The cumulative amount of compensation expense recognized at any point in time is at least equal to the portion of the award that is vested at that date. The weighted average fair value of share-based compensation awards granted during the three-months ended March 31, 2013, was approximately $0.48.

 

7


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

(7) Collaborative Agreements

 

  (a) Abbott Products, Inc.

On May 15, 2009, the Company granted an exclusive license to Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (later acquired by Abbott Products, Inc.) to certain rights to its intellectual property in exchange for an up-front license fee of $4,000,000, certain specified payments upon achievement of various development and commercial milestones or the passage of time and also a royalty on related net sales. The Company also received research revenue for services rendered during the development period and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.

The Company received the up-front fee of $4,000,000 in 2009 and milestone payments, related solely to the passing of time and not the achievement of any of the development or commercial milestones, totaling $3,000,000 and $2,000,000 in 2011 and 2010. The up-front license fee and milestone payments were recorded as a single unit of account, as the delivered technology does not have stand-alone value. Total consideration was recorded using cumulative catch-up method as payments were deemed collectible over the estimated term of the contract for which the Company has continuing performance obligations. The agreement was terminated effective March 29, 2012, and the balance of deferred revenue of $7,523,438 was recognized as licensing and milestone revenue during the three-months ended March 31, 2012. The Company also earned research revenue under the agreement of $186,233 during the three-months ended March 31, 2012.

 

  (b) Nexgen Pharma, Inc.

On May 21, 2011, the Company entered into a collaborative product development agreement with Nexgen Pharma, Inc. (“Nexgen”). Under the agreement, the parties agreed to jointly develop certain products for the treatment of coughs and colds and to share future revenues from those products. Nexgen agreed to reimburse the Company at cost for all future clinical costs incurred in the development of the products. A total of $375,616 and $342,292 was reimbursed for related expenses under the agreement during the three-months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 and recorded net in research and development expense. The Company had a trade receivable of $375,616 at March 31, 2013 for which payment was received subsequent to that date. The Company is responsible for certain new drug application (“NDA”) filing costs with the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) under terms of this contract and, additionally, will participate on a joint steering committee with Nexgen for the development, regulatory, and manufacturing strategy of product candidates. On July 23, 2013, the Company transferred all rights and obligations under this agreement to Spriaso, LLC (see note 11).

 

  (c) Contract Research and Development

The Company has entered into agreements with various contract organizations that conduct preclinical, clinical, analytical and manufacturing development work on behalf of the Company as well as with a number of independent contractors, primarily clinical researchers, who serve as advisors to the Company. The Company incurred expenses of $414,490 and $446,701 under these agreements during the three-months ended March 31 2013 and 2012.

 

8


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

(8) Leases

Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases (with initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year) as of March 31, 2013 are:

 

       Operating
leases
 

Year ending December 31:

  

2013

   $ 197,532   

2014

     247,841   
  

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

   $ 445,373   
  

 

 

 

The Company’s rent expense was $86,864 and $84,952 for the three-months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

(9) Stockholders’ Equity

 

  (a) Preferred Stock

Series B convertible preferred stock may be converted any time after three years after issuance and at the option of the holder into Series A common stock on a one-to-one basis. Series B preferred stockholders are not entitled to vote. Series B convertible preferred stock has liquidation rights consistent with common stockholders based on the number of common shares into which Series B preferred is convertible. At March 31, 2013, all outstanding Series B preferred shares are convertible.

Preferred stockholders are entitled to receive dividends when and if declared by the board of directors with respect to Series A voting common stock. The Company may not pay or declare any form of dividend to Series A common stockholders without at the same time paying or declaring the same per share dividend to the preferred stockholders as if all preferred shares were converted to common stock at the date of declaration.

 

  (b) Common Stock

Common stock consists of two series; Series A common stock and Series B common stock. Both series bear the same rights except Series B shareholders are not entitled to vote. Any Series B common stock automatically converts to Series A common stock upon any consolidation, merger, or reorganization, which the Company is not the surviving entity or the closing of a public offering of Series A common stock.

 

  (c) Stock Option Plan

In January 2011, the board of directors adopted the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”) that provides for the granting of nonqualified and incentive stock options and restricted stock. The 2011 Plan assumed all of the obligations, which existed under the previous 2000 Stock Option Plan. Under the 2011 Plan, the Company has granted nonqualified and incentive stock options for the purchase of Series B common stock to directors, employees and nonemployees providing services to the Company. The board of directors, on an option-by-option basis, determines the number of shares, exercise price, term, and vesting period. Options granted generally have a ten-year term. An aggregate of 6,000,000 shares are authorized for issuance under the amended 2011 Plan, with 1,134,568 shares remaining available for grant as of March 31, 2013.

 

9


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

A summary of stock option activity is as follows:

 

     Outstanding stock options  
     Number of
shares
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
 

Balance at December 31, 2012

     3,403,001      $ 1.72   

Options granted

     842,000        0.78   

Options forfeited

     (26,192     1.68   

Options cancelled

     10,750        1.68   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2013

     4,208,059      $ 0.83   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options exerciseable at March 31, 2013

     3,003,759      $ 0.85   
  

 

 

   

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at March 31, 2013:

 

Options outstanding

     Options exercisable  

Number
outstanding

   Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life

(In Years)
     Weighted
average
exercise
price
     Number
exerciseable
     Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life

(In Years)
     Weighted
average
exercise
price
 

4,208,059

     8.06       $  0.83         3,003,759         7.61       $  0.85   

 

  (d) Restricted Series B Common Stock

In 2010, the Company issued 385,500 shares of restricted Series B common stock to employees. These shares vest on a performance basis based upon the attainment of certain milestones by the Company and are subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met. The fair value of these shares when issued was $1.68 per share. As of March 31, 2013 and 2012, these restricted shares were 10% vested. The compensation expense for these awards was determined based upon the fair value of Series B common stock at the date of grant applied to the total number of shares that were anticipated to fully vest.

A summary of restricted stock activity is as follows:

 

     Number of
shares
 

Balance at December 31, 2012

     341,550   

Vested

     —     

Forfeited

     (900
  

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2013

     340,650   
  

 

 

 

 

10


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

  (e) Warrants

For charitable purposes, on December 23, 2003, the Company granted warrants to a local university for 70,000 shares of Series B convertible preferred Stock at a price of $3.57 per share with an original expiration date of December 31, 2010. In January 2011, the Company extended the term to December 31, 2015 at the same price. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, all warrants remain outstanding.

 

(10) Commitments and Contingencies

Guarantees and Indemnifications

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into agreements, such as lease agreements, licensing agreements, clinical trial agreements, and certain services agreements, containing standard guarantee and / or indemnifications provisions. Additionally, the Company has indemnified its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

(11) Subsequent Events

 

  (a) Agreement with Spriaso, LLC

On July 23, 2013, the Company entered into assignment/license and services agreements with Spriaso LLC (“Spriaso”), a related-party that is expected to be initially majority-owned by the current directors of Lipocine Inc. and their affiliates. Under the assignment agreement, the Company assigned and transferred to Spriaso all of the Company’s rights, title, and interest in its intellectual property to develop products in the cough and cold field. In addition, Spriaso received all rights and obligations under the Company’s product development agreement with Nexgen. In exchange, the Company would be entitled to receive a potential cash royalty of 20 percent of the net proceeds received by Spriaso, up to a maximum of $10 million. Spriaso also granted back to the Company an exclusive license to such intellectual property to develop products outside of the cough and cold field. Under the service agreement, the Company will provide facilities and up to 10 percent of the services of certain employees to Spriaso for a period of up to 18 months. The Company may provide additional services to be charged at cost to Spriaso. Spriaso may file its first NDA prior to the Company filing its first NDA and as an affiliated entity it will use up the one-time waiver for user fees for a small business submitting its first human drug application to the FDA.

 

  (b) Repurchase of Restricted Series B Common Stock

On June 28, 2013, the Company repurchased a combined total of 29,500 shares of restricted Series B common stock from six employees at a price of $1.80 per share.

 

  (c) Merger Agreement

On July 24, 2013, Marathon Bar Corp. (“Marathon Bar”), a Delaware corporation and MBAR Acquisition Corp. (“Merger Sub”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon Bar, and Lipocine Inc., a privately held company incorporated in Delaware, executed an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Lipocine and Lipocine was the surviving entity.

 

11

Exhibit 99.2

LIPOCINE INC.

Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011


LIPOCINE INC.

Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

Table of Contents

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     1   

Audited Financial Statements:

  

Balance Sheets

     2   

Statements of Operations

     3   

Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

     4   

Statements of Cash Flows

     5   

Notes to Financial Statements

     6   


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Lipocine Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Lipocine Inc. as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Lipocine Inc. as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2012 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Salt Lake City, Utah

July 24, 2013

 

1


LIPOCINE INC.

Balance Sheets

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

     2012     2011  
Assets     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,377,114      $ 8,567,823   

Trade accounts receivable

     —          313,753   

Prepaid and other current assets

     90,934        95,666   

Related-party receivable

     3,815        8,491   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     5,471,863        8,985,733   

Property and equipment, net

     49,355        79,605   

Other assets

     45,000        45,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 5,566,218      $ 9,110,338   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity     

Current liabilities:

    

Trade accounts payable

   $ 87,027      $ 147,158   

Accrued expenses

     107,950        83,579   

Income taxes payable

     17,836        17,735   

Deferred revenues, current

     —          562,500   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     212,813        810,972   

Income taxes payable, noncurrent

     37,212        36,629   

Deferred revenues, noncurrent

     —          6,960,937   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     250,025        7,808,538   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (notes 7 and 10)

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Series B convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 4,100,000 shares authorized and issuable in series; 250,000 designated in series, 250,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and 2011

     250        250   

Series A common stock, $0.001 par value; 32,000,000 shares authorized; 10,351,334 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and 2011

     10,351        10,351   

Series B common stock, $0.001 par value; 11,000,000 shares authorized; 4,637,347 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and 2011

     4,638        4,638   

Additional paid-in capital

     42,575,249        42,447,761   

Accumulated deficit

     (37,274,295     (41,161,200
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     5,316,193        1,301,800   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 5,566,218      $ 9,110,338   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

2


LIPOCINE INC.

Statements of Operations

Years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

     2012     2011  

Revenues:

    

License and milestone revenue

   $ 7,523,438      $ 826,563   

Research revenue

     186,233        2,261,689   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     7,709,671        3,088,252   

Operating expenses:

    

Research and development

     2,281,196        3,112,531   

General and administrative

     1,551,199        2,307,513   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     3,877,276        (2,331,792

Other income, net

     10,313        97,974   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense

     3,887,589        (2,233,818

Income tax expense (note 6)

     (684     (18,370
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,886,905      $ (2,252,188
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Series A and B common stock

   $ 0.25      $ (0.15
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     14,988,681        14,951,715   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Series A and B common stock

   $ 0.25      $ (0.15
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted

     15,238,681        14,951,715   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

3


LIPOCINE INC.

Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

Years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

     Series B convertible
preferred stock
    Series A common stock     Series B common stock                    
     Number of
shares
    Amount     Number of
shares
    Amount     Number of
shares
    Amount     Additional
paid-in capital
    Accumulated
deficit
    Total
stockholders’
equity
 

Balances at December 31, 2010

     250,000      $ 250        10,351,334      $ 10,351        4,598,797      $ 4,599      $ 41,068,971      $ (38,909,012   $ 2,175,159   

Net loss

                   (2,252,188     (2,252,188

Stock-based compensation

                 1,334,729          1,334,729   

Issuance of vested restricted Series B common stock

             38,550        39        (39       —     

Warrant extension

                 44,100          44,100   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2011

     250,000        250        10,351,334        10,351        4,637,347        4,638        42,447,761        (41,161,200     1,301,800   

Net income

                   3,886,905        3,886,905   

Stock-based compensation

                 127,488          127,488   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2012

     250,000      $ 250        10,351,334      $ 10,351        4,637,347      $ 4,638      $ 42,575,149      $ (37,274,295   $ 5,316,193   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

4


LIPOCINE INC.

Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

     2012     2011  

Cash from operating activities:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,886,905      $ (2,252,188

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     42,566        45,937   

Stock-based compensation expense

     127,488        1,334,729   

Warrant-related expense

     —          44,100   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Trade accounts receivable

     313,753        411,159   

Prepaid and other current assets

     4,732        (12,572

Related-party receivable

     4,676        (3,315

Trade accounts payable

     (60,131     (344,363

Accrued expenses

     24,371        (10,904

Income taxes payable

     684        18,370   

Deferred revenues

     (7,523,437     2,173,437   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (3,178,393     1,404,390   

Cash used in investing activities:

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (12,316     (20,484
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used in investing activities

     (12,316     (20,484
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (3,190,709     1,383,906   

Cash and equivalents at beginning of year

     8,567,823        7,183,917   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents at end of year

   $ 5,377,114      $ 8,567,823   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

5


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

(1) Description of Business

Lipocine Inc. (“Lipocine” or the “Company”) was originally incorporated on June 19, 1997, under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company is engaged in research and development for the delivery of drugs using its proprietary delivery technology. The Company’s principal operation is to provide oral delivery solutions for existing drugs. Lipocine develops its own drug candidates or it develops drug candidates on behalf of or in collaboration with corporate partners. The Company has funded operating costs primarily through collaborative license, milestone and research arrangements, and through federal grants.

 

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

  (a) Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include those related to revenue recognition; stock-based compensation; valuation of deferred taxes; income tax uncertainties; allowances for doubtful accounts, and the useful lives of property and equipment.

 

  (b) Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities to the Company of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Although the Company deposits its cash and cash equivalents with multiple financial institutions, its deposits, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. Cash equivalents were $2,686,727 and $2,686,066 for December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

  (c) Receivables

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. As of December 31, 2011, a single customer accounted for 100% of trade accounts receivable. That same customer represented 100% of license and milestone revenues for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 and 100% and 92% of research revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses. In establishing the allowance, management considers historical losses adjusted to take into account current market conditions and their customers’ financial condition, the amount of receivables in dispute, and the current receivables aging and current payment patterns. The Company had no write-offs in 2012 and 2011 and the Company did not record an allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 as all trade accounts receivable were deemed collectible. The Company does not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to its customers.

The related-party receivable represents amounts due from an employee as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. The employee was current in payments as of December 31, 2012, but subsequent to year-end the employee no longer works for the Company and the balance was forgiven in February 2013.

 

  (d) Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company

 

6


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

recognizes up-front license fees as earned. Milestone payments are recognized upon successful completion of a performance milestone event. Contract revenues related to collaborative research and development agreements are recognized on a ratable basis as services are performed. Any amounts received in advance of performance are recorded as deferred revenue until earned.

The Company enters into arrangements with collaboration partners that sometimes involve multiple deliverables. These arrangements may contain one or more of the following elements: license and other up-front fees, contract research and development services, milestone payments and royalties. Each deliverable in the arrangement is evaluated to determine whether it meets the criteria to be accounted for as a separate unit of accounting or whether it should be combined with other deliverables. When deliverables are separable, consideration is allocated to the separate units of accounting based upon the relative selling price method, and appropriate revenue recognition principles are applied to each unit. When the Company determines that the arrangement should be accounted for as a single unit of accounting, revenue is recognized over the period for which performance obligations will be performed.

Up-front, nonrefundable fees and milestone payments received by the Company under license and collaboration arrangements that include future obligations, in whatever form, are recognized ratably over the expected performance period under each respective arrangement. Under these arrangements, the Company makes its best estimate of the period over which it expects to fulfill its performance obligations, which may include technology transfer assistance, research activities, clinical development activities, and manufacturing activities from development through the commercialization of the product. Given the uncertainties of these extended collaboration arrangements, significant judgment is required to determine the duration of the performance period. For license and collaboration arrangements where no future performance obligations exist, up-front, nonrefundable fees and milestone payments are recognized when received. Any amounts received in advance of performance are recorded as deferred revenue until recognized.

The Company may provide research and development services under collaboration arrangements to advance the development of jointly owned products. The Company records the expenses incurred and reimbursed on a net basis.

 

  (e) Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs that do not extend the life or improve the asset are expensed in the year incurred.

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are five years for laboratory and office equipment, three years for computer equipment and software, and seven years for furniture and fixtures.

 

  (f) Impairment

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances, which indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Long-lived assets are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value.

 

  (g) Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using

 

7


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided against net deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of its income tax expense.

 

  (h) Share-Based Payments

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for grants of stock option awards and restricted stock under the Company’s Incentive Plan to employees and nonemployee members of the Company’s board of directors based on the grant-date fair value of those awards. The grant-date fair value of an award is generally recognized as compensation expense over the award’s requisite service period. In addition, the Company has granted performance-based stock option awards and restricted stock grants, which vest based upon the Company satisfying certain performance conditions. Potential compensation cost, measured on the grant date, related to these performance options will be recognized only if, and when, the Company estimates that these options will vest, which is based on whether the Company considers the options’ performance conditions to be probable of attainment. The Company’s estimates of the number of performance-based options that will vest will be revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods. In addition, the Company grants stock options to nonemployee consultants from time to time in exchange for services performed for the Company. Equity instruments granted to nonemployees are subject to periodic revaluation over their vesting terms.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes model to compute the estimated fair value of stock option awards. Using this model, fair value is calculated based on assumptions with respect to (i) expected volatility of the Company’s Common Stock price, (ii) the periods of time over which employees and members of the board of directors are expected to hold their options prior to exercise (expected term), (iii) expected dividend yield on the Common Stock, and (iv) risk-free interest rates. Stock-based compensation expense also includes an estimate, which is made at the time of grant, of the number of awards that are expected to be forfeited. This estimate is revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Stock-based compensation cost that has been expensed in the statements of operations amounted to $127,488 and $1,334,729 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, allocated as follows:

 

     Year ended December 31  
     2012      2011  

Research and development

   $ 40,414       $ 423,109   

General and administrative

     87,074         911,620   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 127,488       $ 1,334,729   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

In 2012, the Company did not issue any stock-based compensation awards. In 2011, the Company issued 1,095,791 Series B common stock options to management, employees, and directors of the Company, which were 100% vested at date of grant. The Company recognized $1,077,725 of stock-based compensation expense in connection with these awards.

 

8


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

Key assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of stock options granted are as follows:

Expected Term : The expected term represents the period that the stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding. Due to limited historical experience of similar awards, the expected term was estimated using the simplified method in accordance with the provisions of Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 107, Share-Based Payment, for awards with stated or implied service periods. The simplified method defines the expected term as the average of the contractual term and the vesting period of the stock option. For awards with performance conditions, and that have the contractual term to satisfy the performance condition, the contractual term was used.

Risk-Free Interest Rate : The risk-free interest rate used was based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury issues with an equivalent remaining term.

Expected Dividend : The expected dividend assumption is based on management’s current expectation about the Company’s anticipated dividend policy. The Company does not anticipate declaring dividends in the foreseeable future.

Expected Volatility : Since the Company does not have sufficient trading history, the volatility factor was based on the average of similar public companies. When selecting similar companies, the Company considered the industry, stage of life cycle, size, and financial leverage.

No stock options were granted in 2012. For options granted in 2011, the Company calculated the fair value of each option grant on the respective dates of grant using the following weighted average assumptions:

 

     2011  

Expected term

     5.55 years   

Risk-free interest rates

     1.53

Expected dividend yield

     —     

Expected volatility

     70.66   

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718, Stock Compensation requires the Company to recognize compensation expense for the portion of options that are expected to vest. Therefore, the Company applied estimated forfeiture rates that were derived from historical employee termination behavior. If the actual number of forfeitures differs from those estimated by management, additional adjustments to compensation expense may be required in future periods.

As of December 31, 2012, there was $1,088,536 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company’s stock option plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of five years and will be adjusted for subsequent changes in estimated forfeitures. The weighted average fair value of share-based compensation awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2011 was approximately $1.02.

 

9


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

  (i) Fair Value

The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. The Company determines fair value based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability in the principal or most advantageous market. When considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the following fair value hierarchy distinguishes between observable and unobservable inputs, which are categorized in one of the following levels:

 

   

Level 1 Inputs: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

 

   

Level 2 Inputs: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuation in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.

 

   

Level 3 Inputs: Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

For trade accounts receivable, prepaid and other current assets, related-party receivable, trade accounts payable, and accrued expenses, the carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

The following table presents the placement in the fair value hierarchy of assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

     December 31,
2012
     Fair value measurements at reporting date using  
        Level 1 Inputs      Level 2 Inputs      Level 3 Inputs  

Assets:

           

Cash equivalents-money market funds

   $ 2,686,727       $ 2,686,727       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,686,727       $ 2,686,727       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     December 31,
2011
     Fair value measurements at reporting date using  
        Level 1 Inputs      Level 2 Inputs      Level 3 Inputs  

Assets:

           

Cash equivalents-money market funds

   $ 2,686,066       $ 2,686,066       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,686,066       $ 2,686,066       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

10


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

The following methods and assumptions were used to determine the fair value of each class of assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the balance sheets:

Cash equivalents: Cash equivalents primarily consist of highly rated money market funds with original maturities to the Company of three months or less, and are purchased daily at par value with specified yield rates. Due to the high ratings and short-term nature of the funds, the Company considers all cash equivalents as Level 1.

The Company’s accounting policy is to recognize transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy on the date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer. There were no transfers into or out of Level 1 for the years ended December 31, 2012 or 2011.

 

  (j) Earnings (Loss) per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the fiscal period. Net income (loss) available to common shareholders for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was calculated using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation method for computing earnings (loss) per share when an entity’s capital structure includes common stock and participating securities. The two-class method determines earnings (loss) per share based on dividends declared on common stock and participating securities (i.e., distributed earnings) and participation rights of participating securities in any undistributed earnings (loss). The application of the two-class method was required as the Company has Class A and Class B common stock and since the Company’s Series B preferred stock and the unvested restricted stock each contain a participation feature.

Diluted earnings (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus, where applicable, the additional potential common shares that would have been outstanding related to dilutive options, warrants, convertible preferred stock, and unvested restricted stock, to the extent such shares are dilutive.

The Company computes earnings (loss) per share in accordance with ASC 260-10, Earnings per Share . Under the guidance, unvested restricted stock grants and Series B convertible preferred stock that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are participating securities and, therefore, are included in computing basic earnings per share (“EPS”) pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method determines earnings (loss) per share for each class of common stock and participating securities according to dividends or dividend equivalents and their respective participation rights in undistributed earnings (loss). However, unvested restricted stock grants and Series B convertible preferred stock are not included in computing EPS for the year ended December 31, 2011 as the Company has losses for this period and these securities are not contractually obligated to share in losses of the Company.

The computation of basic earnings (loss) per share is based on the number of weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share includes the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents consisting of incremental common shares deemed outstanding from the assumed exercise of stock options and the dilutive effect of restricted stock awards.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share of Class A and Class B common stock at December 31, 2012 and 2011. The allocation of undistributed earnings (losses) to Class A and Class B common stock in the table below excludes $148,468 and $0 of net income (loss) allocated to the participating securities as December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

11


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

     Years ended December 31  
     2012      2011  
     Class A      Class B      Class A     Class B  

Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Class A and Class B common stock:

          

Numerator

          

Allocation of undistributed earnings (losses) to Class A and Class B common stock

   $ 2,581,803       $ 1,156,634       $ (1,559,190   $ (692,998

Denominator

          

Weighted avg. commons shares outstanding

     10,351,334         4,637,347         10,351,334        4,600,381   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of shares used in per share computation

     10,351,334         4,637,347         10,351,334        4,600,381   

Basic earnings (losses) per share attributable to Class A and Class B common stock

   $ 0.25       $ 0.25       $ (0.15   $ (0.15
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Class A and Class B common stock:

          

Numerator

          

Allocation of undistributed earnings (losses) to Class A and Class B common stock in basic earnings per share

   $ 2,581,803       $ 1,156,634       $ (1,559,190   $ (692,998

Plus: Undistributed earnings (losses) allocated to Series B convertible preferred shares

     62,354         —           —          —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total earnings (losses) used in per share computation

     2,644,156         1,156,634         (1,559,190 )       (692,998 )  

Denominator

          

Weighted avg. common shares used in basic per share computation

     10,351,334         4,637,347         10,351,334        4,600,381   

Plus: Weighted avg. Series B convertible preferred shares

     250,000         —           —          —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of shares used in per share computation

     10,601,334         4,637,347         10,351,334        4,600,381   

Diluted earnings (losses) per share attributable to Class A and Class B common stock

   $ 0.25       $ 0.25       $ (0.15   $ (0.15
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The computation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 does not include the following unvested restricted stock, stock options and warrants to purchase shares in the computation of diluted earnings per share because these instruments were antidilutive:

 

     December 31  
     2012      2011  

Stock options

     3,403,001         3,419,201   

Unvested restricted stock

     345,263         383,916   

Warrants

     70,000         70,000   

 

  (k) Comprehensive Income

The Company has no components of income that would require classification as other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2012 or 2011.

 

12


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

  (l) Segment Information

The Company is a single reportable segment engaged in research and development for the delivery of drugs using its proprietary delivery technology. Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise for which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in making decisions regarding resource allocation and assessing performance. The chief operating decision maker made such decisions and assessed performance at the company level, as one segment.

 

(3) Liquidity

The Company has, at times, incurred negative cash flow from operations, and has expended, and expects to continue to expend substantial amounts to fund its central and ongoing research and development activities. The Company believes its existing capital resources at December 31, 2012 should be sufficient to fund its current operations through at least January 1, 2014. The Company will need to raise additional funds to support its planned operations, long-term research, product development, and commercialization programs. However, there is no assurance that, if required, the Company will be able to raise additional capital or reduce spending, including modifying or terminating planned clinical trials or commercialization programs, to provide the required liquidity.

 

(4) Collaborative Agreements

 

  (a) Abbott Products, Inc.

On May 15, 2009, the Company granted an exclusive license to Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (later acquired by Abbott Products, Inc.) to certain rights to its intellectual property in exchange for an up-front license fee of $4,000,000, certain specified payments upon achievement of various development and commercial milestones or the passage of time and also a royalty on related net sales. The Company also received research revenue for services rendered during the development period and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.

The Company received the up-front fee of $4,000,000 in 2009 and milestone payments, related solely to the passing of time and not the achievement of any of the development or commercial milestones, totaling $3,000,000 and $2,000,000 in 2011 and 2010. The up-front license fee and milestone payments were recorded as a single unit of account, as the delivered technology does not have stand-alone value. Total consideration was recorded using cumulative catch-up method as payments were deemed collectible over the estimated term of the contract for which the Company has continuing performance obligations. Licensing and milestone revenue of $826,563 was recognized in 2011, which included the reversal of $40,650 record in prior periods due to a change in the estimated term of the contract. The agreement was terminated effective March 29, 2012, and the balance of deferred revenue of $7,523,438 was recognized as licensing and milestone revenue in 2012. The Company also earned research revenue under the agreement of $186,233 and $2,083,843 in 2012 and 2011.

 

  (b) Nexgen Pharma, Inc.

On May 21, 2011, the Company entered into a collaborative product development agreement with Nexgen Pharma, Inc. (“Nexgen”). Under the agreement, the parties agreed to jointly develop certain products for the treatment of coughs and colds and to share future revenues from those products. Nexgen agreed to reimburse the Company at cost for all future clinical costs incurred in the development of the products. A total of $759,292 and $551,368 was reimbursed for related expenses under the agreement in 2012 and 2011 and recorded net in research and development expense. The Company is responsible for certain new drug application (“NDA”) filing costs with the Food and

 

13


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

Drug Administration (“FDA”) under terms of this contract and, additionally, will participate on a joint steering committee with Nexgen for the development, regulatory, and manufacturing strategy of product candidates. On July 23, 2013 the Company transferred all rights and obligations under this agreement to Spriaso, LLC (see note 11).

 

  (c) Tonix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

In June 2007, the Company entered into a Feasibility and Option Agreement (the “Feasibility Agreement”) with Tonix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (“Tonix” formerly known as Kiele Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) that was amended in October 2010. The Company’s clinical work under the Feasibility Agreement was completed during 2011 and $177,846 of research revenue was recognized. Tonix has stated that it does not plan to exercise its option to license technology from the Company under the Feasibility Agreement.

 

  (d) Contract Research and Development

The Company has entered into agreements with various contract organizations that conduct preclinical, clinical, analytical and manufacturing development work on behalf of the Company as well as a number of independent contractors, primarily clinical researchers, who serve as advisors to the Company. The Company incurred expenses of $1,128,845 and $1,191,997 under these agreements in 2012 and 2011.

 

(5) Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

     December 31  
     2012     2011  

Lab and office equipment

   $ 35,549      $ 35,549   

Computer equipment and software

     960,044        947,728   

Furniture and fixtures

     51,404        51,404   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,046,997        1,034,681   

Less accumulated depreciation

     (997,642     (955,076
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 49,355      $ 79,605   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $42,566 and $45,937.

 

14


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

(6) Income Taxes

 

  (a) Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense consists of:

 

     Current      Deferred      Total  

Year ended December 31, 2012:

        

U.S. federal

   $ 584       $ —         $ 584   

State and local

     100         —           100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 684       $ —         $ 684   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2011:

        

U.S. federal

   $ 18,270       $ —         $ 18,270   

State and local

     100         —           100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 18,370       $ —         $ 18,370   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (b) Tax Rate Reconciliation

Income tax expense was $684 and $18,370 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 34% to pretax income from continuing operations as a result of the following:

 

     December 31  
     2012     2011  

Computed “expected” tax expense (benefit)

   $ 1,321,780      $ (759,498

Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:

    

Change in valuation allowance

     (1,365,408     796,699   

Research and development tax credits

     —          (146,454

State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit

     66        66   

Stock option expense

     32,336        104,339   

Nondeductible contributions

     —          14,994   

Other, net

     11,910        8,224   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 684      $ 18,370   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

15


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

  (c) Significant Components of Deferred Taxes

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are presented below.

 

     December 31  
     2012     2011  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Stock-based compensation

   $ 859,095      $ 846,466   

Net operating loss carryforwards

     9,216,044        7,875,727   

Employee benefits

     38,927        28,139   

Alternative-minimum tax credit carryforwards

     17,635        17,635   

Research and development tax credits

     1,210,405        1,163,528   

Deferred revenue

     —          2,934,140   

Other deductible temporary differences

     280,872        280,872   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross deferred tax assets

     11,622,978        13,146,507   

Less valuation allowance

     (11,619,578     (13,138,909
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

     3,400        7,598   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Plant and equipment

     (3,400     (7,598
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross deferred tax liabilities

     (3,400     (7,598
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax liabilties

   $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $11,619,578 and $13,138,909. The net change in the valuation allowance was a decrease of $1,519,331 in 2012 and an increase of $946,054 in 2011. A valuation allowance has been provided for the full amount of the Company’s net deferred tax assets as the Company believes it is more likely than not that these benefits will not be realized. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carryback and carryforward periods), projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

At December 31, 2012, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of $23,631,037, which are available to offset future federal taxable income, if any, through 2032. The Company has net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes of $23,629,837, which are available to offset future state taxable income. The Company’s net operating loss carryforwards expire between 2023 and 2032. In addition, the Company has alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards of approximately $17,635, which are available to reduce future federal regular income taxes, if any, over an indefinite period.

 

16


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

The Company’s federal and state income tax returns for December 31, 2009 through 2012 are open tax years.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of total unrecognized tax contingencies, excluding interest and penalties, for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 

     December 31  
     2012      2011  

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 28,304       $ 28,304   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

   $ 28,304       $ 28,304   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Included in the balance of total unrecognized tax contingencies at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are potential contingencies of $37,212 and $36,629, which includes interest and penalties, that if recognized, would affect the effective rate. Cumulative interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax consequences is $8,908 and $8,325, for December 31, 2012 and 2011. Interest associated with unrecognized tax contingencies, recognized as a component of income tax expense was $583 and $635 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. The unrecognized tax contingency is expected to be settled during the year ended December 31, 2013.

The information presented above related to current and deferred taxes does not reflect the impact of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (“Act”), which was enacted on January 2, 2013. The Company anticipates that the retroactive provisions of the Act, primarily the reinstatement of the research and development tax credit, will increase deferred tax assets prior to application of a full valuation allowance by approximately $121,879, which will be recorded as of the enactment date in 2013.

 

(7) Leases

On August 6, 2004, the Company assumed a noncancelable operating lease for office space and laboratory facilities. Under the lease the Company pays a pro-rata share of property taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance. On June 21, 2011, the Company agreed to extend the lease through November 30, 2014 and has the option to renew for an additional two years.

Future minimum lease payments under the noncancelable operating lease as of December 31, 2012 are:

 

     Operating
leases
 

Year ending December 31:

  

2013

   $ 263,158   

2014

     247,841   
  

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

   $ 510,999   
  

 

 

 

The Company’s rent expense was $347,960 and $342,554 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

17


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

(8) Stockholders’ Equity

 

  (a) Preferred Stock

Series B convertible preferred stock may be converted any time after three years after issuance and at the option of the holder into Series A common stock on a one-to-one basis. Series B preferred stockholders are not entitled to vote. Series B convertible preferred stock has liquidation rights consistent with common stockholders based on the number of common shares into which Series B preferred is convertible. At December 31, 2012, all outstanding Series B preferred shares are convertible.

Preferred stockholders are entitled to receive dividends when and if declared by the board of directors with respect to Series A voting common stock. The Company may not pay or declare any form of dividend to Series A common stockholders without at the same time paying or declaring the same per share dividend to the preferred stockholders as if all preferred shares were converted to common stock at the date of declaration.

 

  (b) Common Stock

Common stock consists of two series; Series A common stock and Series B common stock. Both series bear the same rights except Series B shareholders are not entitled to vote. Any Series B common stock automatically converts to Series A common stock upon any consolidation, merger, or reorganization, which the Company is not the surviving entity or the closing of a public offering of Series A common stock.

 

  (c) Stock Option Plan

In January 2011, the board of directors adopted the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”) that provides for the granting of nonqualified and incentive stock options and restricted stock. The 2011 Plan assumed all of the obligations, which existed under the previous 2000 Stock Option Plan. Under the 2011 Plan, the Company has granted nonqualified and incentive stock options for the purchase of Series B common stock to directors, employees and nonemployees providing services to the Company. The board of directors, on an option-by-option basis, determines the number of shares, exercise price, term, and vesting period. Options granted generally have a ten-year term and vest over a period of zero to five years. An aggregate of 6,000,000 shares are authorized for issuance under the amended 2011 Plan, with 1,938,726 shares remaining available for grant as of December 31, 2012.

 

18


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

A summary of stock option activity is as follows:

 

     Outstanding stock options  
     Number of
shares
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
 

Balance at December 31, 2011

     3,419,201        1.72   

Options granted

     —       

Options exercised

     —       

Options forfeited

     (3,227     1.68   

Options cancelled

     12,973        1.68   
  

 

 

   

Balance at December 31, 2012

     3,403,001        1.72   
  

 

 

   

Options exerciseable at December 31, 2012

     2,949,041        1.73   
  

 

 

   

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2012:

 

Options outstanding

     Options exercisable  

Number

outstanding

   Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life

(Years)
     Weighted
average
exercise
price
     Number
exerciseable
     Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life

(Years)
     Weighted
average
exercise
price
 

3,403,001

     7.86       $ 1.72         2,949,041         7.81       $ 1.73   

 

  (d) Restricted Series B Common Stock

In 2010, the Company issued 385,500 shares of restricted Series B common stock to employees. These shares vest on a performance basis based upon the attainment of certain milestones by the Company and are subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met. The fair value of these shares when issued was $1.68 per share. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, these restricted shares were 10% vested. The compensation expense for these awards was determined based upon the fair value of Series B common stock at the date of grant applied to the total number of shares that were anticipated to fully vest.

 

19


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

A summary of restricted stock activity is as follows:

 

     Number of
shares
 

Balance at December 31, 2010

     385,500   

Vested

     (38,550

Forfeited

     —     
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2011

     346,950   

Vested

     —     

Forfeited

     (5,400
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

     341,550   
  

 

 

 

 

  (e) Warrants

For charitable purposes, on December 23, 2003, the Company granted warrants to a local university for 70,000 shares of Series B convertible preferred Stock at a price of $3.57 per share with an original expiration date of December 31, 2010. In January 2011, the Company extended the term to December 31, 2015 at the same price. The Company expensed $44,100 during 2011 related to the extension.

 

(9) 401(k) Plan

On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted a tax qualified employee savings and retirement plan (the “401(k) Plan”) covering eligible employees. Pursuant to the 401(k) Plan, employees may elect to reduce current compensation by a percentage of eligible compensation, not to exceed legal limits, and contribute the amount of such reduction to the 401(k) Plan. The 401(k) Plan permits but does not require additional matching and profit sharing contributions to the 401(k) Plan by the Company on behalf of the participants. The Company did not make any contributions to the 401(k) Plan during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

(10) Commitments and Contingencies

 

       Guarantees and Indemnifications

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into agreements, such as lease agreements, licensing agreements, clinical trial agreements, and certain services agreements, containing standard guarantee and / or indemnifications provisions. Additionally, the Company has indemnified its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

20


LIPOCINE INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

(11) Subsequent Events

 

  (a) Agreement with Spriaso, LLC

On July 23, 2013, the Company entered into assignment/license and services agreements with Spriaso LLC (“Spriaso”), a related-party that is expected to be initially majority-owned by the current directors of Lipocine Inc. and their affiliates. Under the assignment agreement, the Company assigned and transferred to Spriaso all of the Company’s rights, title, and interest in its intellectual property to develop products in the cough and cold field. In addition, Spriaso received all rights and obligations under the Company’s product development agreement with Nexgen. In exchange, the Company would be entitled to receive a potential cash royalty of 20 percent of the net proceeds received by Spriaso, up to a maximum of $10 million. Spriaso also granted back to the Company an exclusive license to such intellectual property to develop products outside of the cough and cold field. Under the service agreement, the Company will provide facilities and up to 10 percent of the services of certain employees to Spriaso for a period of up to 18 months. The Company may provide additional services to be charged at cost to Spriaso. Spriaso may file its first NDA prior to the Company filing its first NDA and as an affiliated entity it will use up the one-time waiver for user fees for a small business submitting its first human drug application to the FDA.

 

  (b) Repurchase of Restricted Series B Common Stock

On June 28, 2013, the Company repurchased a combined total of 29,500 shares of restricted Series B common stock from six employees at a price of $1.80 per share.

 

  (c) Modification of Existing Stock Options

During January 2013, the Company modified 3,262,948 existing time-vested and performance based stock options by lowering the exercise price to $0.782. Additionally, the Company modified the vesting terms for its unvested performance based stock options and unvested restricted stock to vest on the earlier of the first closing in the pivotal clinical study for its lead drug candidate, or 50% on January 31, 2014 and 50% on January 31, 2015. Compensation expense of $421,950 was recorded as a result of the modifications.

 

  (d) Merger Agreement

On July 24, 2013, Marathon Bar Corp. (“Marathon Bar”), a Delaware corporation, and MBAR Acquisition Corp. (“Merger Sub”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon Bar, and Lipocine Inc., a privately held company incorporated in Delaware, executed an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Lipocine and Lipocine was the surviving entity.

 

21

Exhibit 99.3

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

As of March 31, 2013

Lipocine Inc. and Marathon Bar Corp .

 

     Lipocine Inc.     Marathon Bar
Corp.
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Pro Forma
Combined
 
Assets         

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,617,670      $ 458      $ (340,000 )(b)    $ 3,784,168   
       $ (493,960 )(c)   

Trade accounts receivable

     375,616            375,616   

Prepaid and other current assets

     51,530            51,530   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     5,044,816        458        (833,960     4,211,314   

Property and equipment, net

     45,320            45,320   

Other assets

     45,000            45,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 5,135,136      $ 458      $ (833,960   $ 4,301,634   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity         

Current liabilities:

        

Trade accounts payable

   $ 517,593      $ 14,750        $ 532,343   

Due to shareholders

     —          238          238   

Accrued expenses

     117,618            117,618   

Income taxes payable

     17,861            17,861   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     653,072        14,988        —          668,060   

Income taxes payable, noncurrent

     37,299            37,299   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     690,371        14,988          705,359   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

        

Series B convertible preferred stock, $.001 par value; 4,100,000 shares authorized and issuable in series; 250,000 designated in series, 250,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and 2011

     250          (250 )(d)      —     

Series A common stock, $.001 par value; 32,000,000 shares authorized; 10,351,334 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and 2011

     10,351          (10,351 )(d)      —     

Series B common stock, $.001 par value; 11,000,000 shares authorized; 4,637,347 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and 2011

     4,638          (4,638 )(d)      —     

Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 3,500,000 shares issued and outstanding

       350        (345 )(a)      4,708   
         4,703 (d)   

Additional paid-in capital

     43,055,555        70,150        (70,150 )(a)      43,066,436   
         10,881 (d)   

Accumulated deficit

     (38,626,029     (85,030     70,150 (a)      (39,474,869
         (340,000 )(b)   
         (493,960 )(c)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     4,444,765        (14,530     (833,960     3,596,275   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 5,135,136      $ 458      $ (833,960   $ 4,301,634   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

Lipocine Inc. and Marathon Bar Corp.

 

     Lipocine Inc.     Marathon Bar
Corp.
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Pro Forma
Combined
 

Revenues

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Operating expenses

     (1,352,147     (3,214     —          (1,355,361
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

     (1,352,147     (3,214     —          (1,355,361

Other income, net

     525            525   

Income tax benefit

     (112         (112
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (1,351,734   $ (3,214   $ —        $ (1,354,948
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic loss per share

   $ (0.09     —          —        $ (0.29
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

     14,988,681        3,500,000        (13,780,968 )(e)      4,707,713   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted loss per share

   $ (0.09     —          $ (0.29
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted

     14,988,681        3,500,000        (13,780,968 )(e)      4,707,713   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended December 31, 2012

Lipocine Inc. and Marathon Bar Corp.

 

     Lipocine Inc.     Marathon Bar
Corp.
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Pro Forma
Combined
 

Revenues

   $ 7,709,671      $ —        $ —        $ 7,709,671   

Operating expenses

     3,832,395        76,654          3,909,049   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     3,877,276        (76,654     —          3,800,622   

Other income, net

     10,313            10,313   

Income taxes expense

     (684         (684
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,886,905      $ (76,654   $ —        $ 3,810,251   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.25      $ (0.02     $ 0.79   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

     14,988,681        3,374,317        (13,655,285 )(e)      4,707,713   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.25      $ (0.02     $ 0.79   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted

     15,238,681        3,374,317        (13,905,285 )(e)      4,707,713   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE

SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

MARCH 31, 2013

On July 24, 2013, Marathon Bar Corp., a Delaware corporation and MBAR Acquisition Corp. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marathon Bar, or Merger Sub (collectively “MBC”), and Lipocine Inc. (“the Company”), a Delaware corporation, entered into a merger and plan of arrangement, or the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, MBC merged with and into the Company, and the Company became the surviving corporation. Following the closing of the Merger, the Company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of MBC, with the former stockholders of the Company owning 99% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the combined company.

Prior to the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the board of directors of MBC approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. Similarly, the board of directors of the Company approved the Merger Agreement. Upon completion of the Merger, the current officer and director of MBC resigned and the current officers and directors of the Company were appointed officers and directors of the merged company. The acquisition will be accounted for as a reverse acquisition with the Company as the accounting acquirer and MBC as the accounting acquiree. The merger of a private operating company into a non-operating public shell corporation with nominal assets is considered a capital transaction, in substance, rather than a business combination, for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the Company treated this transaction as a capital transaction without recording goodwill or adjusting any of its other assets or liabilities. MBC is subject to the public reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Concurrent with the acquisition, the newly merged company was renamed Lipocine, Inc.

 

  (1) UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated financial statements of the newly merged Company (the “pro forma financial statements”) have been prepared for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of what the combined entities condensed consolidated financial position or results of operations actually would have been had the merger (the “merger”) between the Company and MBC been completed as of the dates indicated below. In addition, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated financial information does not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of the combined entities. Future results may vary significantly from the results reflected because of various factors.

The pro forma financial statements give effect to the merger as if the merger was already consummated. The historical financial statements have been adjusted in the pro forma financial statements to give effects to events that are (1) directly attributable to the merger, (2) factually supportable, and (3) with respect to the statement of operations, expected to have a continuing impact on the combined entities. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated statements of operations does not reflect any non-recurring charges directly related to the merger that the combined entities may incur upon completion of the merger. The Company has not include $340,000 paid to MBC and $493,960 in professional fees and other costs associated with the merger in the pro forma condensed combined consolidated statements of operations as these costs are non-recurring. The pro forma financial statements were derived from and should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements of the Company and MBC.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2013 reflects the merger as if it occurred on March 31, 2013 and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012 reflect the merger as if it occurred on January 1, 2012.


  (2) UNAUDITED PROFORMA ADJUSTMENTS:

The unaudited pro forma adjustments are as follows:

 

  (a) Per the merger agreement, MBC will execute a 100 to 1 reverse stock split which changes MBC’s outstanding common shares from 3,500,000 to 35,000 common shares. The adjustments reflects this reverse stock split and eliminates the historical stockholder’s equity accounts of MBC, the accounting acquiree.

 

  (b) The adjustment reflects the consideration paid by the Company of $340,000 ($300,000 as consideration for the public shell and $40,000 to redeem 30,000 shares (post reverse stock split) of MBC stock).

 

  (c) The adjustment reflects the Company’s estimated payment of professional fees and other costs of $493,960 directly attributable to this merger transaction.

 

  (d) Reflects the consummation of the merger via the surrender of the various classes of the Company’s stock in exchange for the issuance of 4,702,713 shares of MBC’s common stock to the Company’s stockholders (par value of $.001).

 

  (e) The following table sets forth the computation of the unaudited pro forma basic and diluted net income (loss) per share at December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2013 (excludes the allocation of undistributed earnings (loss) of $84,417 and zero of net income allocated to participating unvested restricted stock):

 

            Three  
     Year      Months  
     Ended      Ended  
     12/31/2012      3/31/2013  

Pro forma basic net income (loss) per share:

     

Numerator

     

Allocation of undistributed earnings (loss)

   $ 3,725,834       $ (1,354,948

Denominator

     

Weighted average common shares of Marathon Bar after 100 to 1 reverse stock split

     5,000         5,000   

Common shares issued to Company’s stockholders per the acquisition agreement

     4,702,713         4,702,713   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro forma basic weighted common shares outstanding

     4,707,713         4,707,713   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro forma basic net income (loss) per share

   $ 0.79       $ (0.29
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro forma diluted net income (loss) per share:

     

Numerator

     

Allocation of undistributed earnings (loss)

   $ 3,725,834       $ (1,354,948

Undistributed earnings (loss) allocated to unvested restricted stock

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro forma net income (loss)

   $ 3,725,834       $ (1,354,948

Denominator

     

Weighted average common shares of Marathon Bar after 100 to 1 reverse stock split

     5,000         5,000   

Common shares issued to Company’s stockholders per the acquisition agreement

     4,702,713         4,702,713   

Plus: Weighted Avg. unvested restricted stock

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro forma diluted weighted common shares outstanding

     4,707,713         4,707,713   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro forma basic net income (loss) per share

   $ 0.79       $ (0.29
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The computation of the pro forma basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding after giving effect for the 100 to 1 reverse stock split of MBC’s common


stock (35,000 shares after the reverse stock split), the redemption of 30,000 shares of (for $40,000) MBC’s common stock and the issuance of 4,702,713 new shares issued of MBC’s common stock to the Company’s stockholders pursuant to the reverse acquisition.

The computation of the pro forma diluted earnings per share for the year-ended December 31, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2013 does not include the following stock options, unvested restricted stock and warrants (at the newly exchanged quantity) to purchase shares because these common stock equivalents were anti-dilutive:

 

     December 31,      March 31,  
     2012      2013  

Stock options

     995,038         1,230,437   

Unvested restricted stock

     100,955         99,720   

Warrants

     20,468         20,468